LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 90
Chapter 90 The Bitterly Blooming Flower of Paradise 3
It’s time to reveal my shame.
“Don’t even think about running away, Yujin.”
“……”
“You can’t go back without Shia anyway.”
“Sigh. Fine.”
Having said that, Olgania stood before the fake World Tree with Shia and Yujin.
“I told Shia that this is a fake World Tree. Even though we elves knew that, we still couldn’t free ourselves from the trauma of losing the Mother World Tree, so we treated this fake as a substitute and longed for the great forest of the past.”
Shia had already heard this much.
However, the elves weren’t complete fools.
They simply couldn’t face reality due to their unbearable trauma, and having this fake World Tree was better than nothing. So everyone remained silent and pretended to be fine.
But in return, their hostility towards outsiders and humans had reached an unprecedented level in elven history, which was known for its love of nature and life.
For decades, they had severely restricted contact with humans from Earth, leading to the current state of the great forest.
Then, when Olgania touched the fake World Tree, a part of the tree rotted and crumbled, creating a hole large enough for the three of us to enter.
“The World Tree had this kind of function?”
“It’s something only I can do. I doubt even the other elves knew.”
It was more of an entrance than a hole.
Olgania bounced along at a leisurely pace as if she were going on an outing, and Shia and Yujin cautiously followed her inside the fake World Tree.
“In the previous world, our great forest was burned by humans who betrayed and turned against us. We lost the World Tree.”
“…Yeah, that was all because of me too.”
“No, Yujin, it wasn’t your fault.”
Shia tilted her head while looking at Yujin.
She didn’t know the details of what had happened between them or what Yujin had gone through in the previous world, but even considering that, the guilt and inferiority complex Yujin seemed to feel were quite severe.
It seemed like her outward appearance as an S-rank Hunter and her sharp words toward Shia were all an act.
Olgania continued, as if trying to reassure Yujin.
“I know that you did your best, Yujin.”
“No. You don’t understand.”
Yujin’s illusion flickered for a moment as she followed behind Olgania.
It wasn’t because her mana was running out.
Her emotions were in turmoil, making it hard to maintain her abilities.
“Olgania, this is the first time you’ve seen me, isn’t it? If you had witnessed what I did in the previous world, you would never say such things…”
“If I had witnessed it?”
“What?”
Yujin’s face froze at Olgania’s unexpected words.
She was so flustered that the male form she had been wearing vanished, revealing her original appearance as a black-haired girl.
She was much shorter, and although her chest was modest, her toned muscles and scars gave her a rugged yet striking charm.
“Oh my, you’re pretty, fake hero. Why don’t you stay like that? I bet your stream fans would love it.”
“Stop talking nonsense! And Olgania…! What do you mean by that? What do you mean you saw it?!”
Now in her true form, Yujin strode over to Olgania and grabbed her arm.
Olgania turned her head slowly, gazing at Yujin with an unreadable expression.
When they first met, Olgania had seemed innocent and childlike, but now, her atmosphere felt different, almost eerie.
Shia had a strange sense of déjà vu, as if she had seen those eyes somewhere before.
“Yujin.”
“Don’t tell me, Olgania, you…”
Yujin’s eyes were filled with desperation, as well as a faint glimmer of hope she had long abandoned.
But it wasn’t just hope that Yujin felt.
There was guilt, despair, sorrow, and anger towards herself.
Shia could feel Yujin’s emotions, even though they weren’t directed at her.
“It hurts.”
“…Sorry…”
Finally, Yujin released her grip on Olgania’s arm.
It seemed she had acted on impulse as her emotions flared up.
“Don’t worry, Yujin. You’ll find out soon enough.”
“………..”
And so, Shia and Yujin followed Olgania as she led them through the darkness of the World Tree.
The World Tree was much larger than most skyscrapers.
Though it was dark inside, small lights—whether they were spirits or fireflies, Shia couldn’t tell—dimly illuminated the interior of the tree, allowing her to realize that they were descending underground.
After walking for a long time, Shia and Yujin reached a small cavity.
It wasn’t as large as the grand cavity where they had beaten Entamia, but it was still about the size of a soccer field.
And then…
‘The malevolent energy… it reeks…’
As soon as they stepped into the cavity, Shia frowned at the stench of malevolent energy that seemed to pierce her brain.
It had been a long time since she had encountered such a thick concentration of malevolent energy.
It was as dense as the energy she had felt when she faced the Demon King up close.
“It’s rotten.”
The cavity was filled with black liquid that resembled thick, coagulated blood.
The inside of the World Tree, which should have been radiant and holy, was decaying, full of black ooze and malevolent energy.
And something was crawling out of the liquid.
“…Chaos Ants?”
“That’s right. Ants.”
Although they were much smaller than the usual three-meter-tall Chaos Ants, they were still growing, their bodies slowly swelling with each passing second. Then, they squeezed themselves through holes in the cavity’s walls and soil, disappearing somewhere.
“The elves still don’t know where the Chaos Ants came from. At first, they dug around, thinking the queen was hiding somewhere… but it was futile. That’s why Captain Elanarre of the Lotus Lake Knights changed tactics, focusing on blocking the Chaos Ants’ relentless assaults instead of searching for the queen. After all, as long as Captain Elanarre is around, it’s possible to fend off the Chaos Ant army.”
So, this was why there were so many Chaos Ants in the great forest.
“The queen of the Chaos Ants… Yeah, this must be it.”
“That’s right.”
Olgania looked back at Yujin and Shia with a calm expression, as if she had already known.
No, she hadn’t just known.
Entamia was simply… a rebellious princess ant that had defected.
In vulgar terms… it wouldn’t be surprising to say that Olgania was the true mastermind behind it all.
“Shia, actually, I haven’t told you the real reason why I invited you to the elves’ great forest.”
At Olgania’s words, Shia lifted her head.
Now that she thought about it, even after staying in the great forest for a week, Olgania had never formally explained the purpose of her invitation or the nature of the request.
She had only spoken vaguely, asking Shia to help her.
Out of affection for her adorable child, Shia had promised to help her with all her might.
But Olgania had never clearly stated what exactly needed to be done or why she was so sad.
Originally, Shia thought all she had to do was heal the mysterious plague that had been spreading among the elves due to the Chaos Ants.
If left untreated, the disease would have eventually caused the entire elven race to weaken and fade.
“There’s just one thing you got wrong, Shia.”
“What is it?”
“The disease that afflicted the elves wasn’t caused by Entamia polluting the lakes or land of the great forest. Entamia probably did release ant venom into the lake… but the lakes blessed by the great forest wouldn’t be contaminated that easily.”
It probably had some effect, though.
Saying that, Olgania placed her hand on the decaying roots in the cavity.
“This is the real cause.”
And with Olgania’s touch, black liquid full of malevolent energy began to rise.
“Olgania?”
“I won’t say I’m sorry for deceiving you.”
“There’s nothing to deceive me about.”
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
This was something she couldn’t ask anyone for help with—not even her fellow elves.
This was something far beyond a shameful secret for Olgania, the child of the World Tree.
It was a disgrace she didn’t want to admit.
Yujin hadn’t said a word since they had entered the cavity.
“Ah, ah…”
But Yujin’s gaze wasn’t fixed on the young Olgania.
Her eyes were locked on something high up in the cavity, where the decayed roots and black liquid had pooled.
“Olgania…Olgania. Olgania…”
At Yujin’s words, the black liquid that had been stagnant slowly began to flow down.
And then, the figure of someone sitting in that space gradually appeared.
What emerged from the pool was an elf in a crouched position.
She had long, pointed ears, but her skin was pale.
Black liquid and malevolent energy oozed from her body, and her eyes had been corrupted.
Most notably, her arms and legs were twisted into something that was neither human nor elf.
And oddly enough, she bore a striking resemblance to Olgania.
Would Olgania look like that when she grew up?
Oh, right, that’s an ant.
That’s the Chaos Ant queen.
Now that I look closer, she even has ant antennae sprouting from her forehead.
“My name is Olgania Farseer, the last child of the World Tree.”
The young Olgania looked up at the rotting, corrupted elf with eyes full of unshed tears.
“And she is another me. She is Olgania Eirlanier Veld, the previous child of the World Tree… and Yujin’s former companion.”
“Ah, ah… ah…”
At those words, Yujin collapsed as if the world had crumbled around her.
“Our name is Olgania. The children of the World Tree. We are one, yet separate. The last flower of the World Tree. Though no flowers bloom from the World Tree, the one and only flower, its final fruit, is the existence known as Olgania.”
Creak, creak!
At that moment, the rotting elf—corrupted Olgania—began to move slowly, her body creaking with each motion.
Her inorganic eyes shifted left and right before focusing on Shia, Yujin, and the young Olgania directly below her.
At the same time, the decayed branches of the World Tree began to grow slowly.
“Shia, Yujin. I’m sorry. This isn’t a fake World Tree. It’s the real World Tree… the final, corrupted form of the World Tree.”
The rotten branches slowly wrapped around Olgania’s legs.
“Olgania!!”
“Don’t come any closer. Please.”
“What are you talking about!!”
“Shia, stop Yujin.”
“What!?”
At Olgania’s words, Shia blocked Yujin’s path, standing in front of Olgania.
“Move!”
“Olgania doesn’t want that.”
“What the hell are you talking about! And you call yourself a saint?!”
“I’m the one who accepted Olgania’s request. And only the dead know how to comfort the dead.”
Shia and Yujin could have rushed over at any moment to tear off the branches.
However, Olgania stopped them, allowing the decayed branches to slowly climb up from her feet.
“Thank you, Shia. As expected, the streamer master I admired so much. Hehehe.”
“O-Olgania, Olgania…!”
“Yujin, and Shia too, please don’t be sad. Just listen to me. Please.”
Her face showed no fear or pain.
In fact, she smiled as if this was how it was meant to be.
“The previous Olgania is dead. Yujin saw it with her own eyes.”
“…Yeah.”
The black liquid that had seeped from the rotten branches began to stain Shia’s body.
“And unfortunately… there was an ant at the bottom of the World Tree where Yujin buried the previous Olgania’s body.”
“……”
“It’s not normal for an ant filled with malevolent energy to exist in land blessed with grace and blessing, but unfortunately, several factors came together. The great forest was burned by the traitor kingdom, and the World Tree had long been corroded and decayed by the Demon King. If left as it is, the World Tree would bestow not blessings, but an unimaginable curse upon the elves.”
“So that’s why… that’s why you told me to burn the World Tree…?”
“Elves would rather die than burn the World Tree themselves.”
The decayed branches and roots coiled around both Olganias’ bodies.
And the more the young Olgania became entangled in the World Tree’s branches, the more violently the decayed body of the previous Olgania began to move.
Crack, creak!
“The starving ant devoured the previous Olgania. The queen ant—Chaos Ants—have the ability to imperfectly manifest the abilities or traits of what they consume. So Olgania was resurrected, imperfectly merging with the queen ant.”
“That’s impossible. There’s only supposed to be one child of the World Tree at a time… Then you…!”
“That’s why I wasn’t able to fully receive the previous Olgania’s memories, and why I was born in this small, weak body, unable to bestow the great forest’s blessing. The previous Olgania started to wither away as I began to bloom, but because the resurrection was incomplete, something that should never have happened occurred.”
Olgania gave a sad smile as Shia reached out her hand to her.
“Does it hurt?”
“It’s okay. It feels more like I’m returning to where I belong.”
As Shia gently stroked Olgania’s cheek, Olgania wrapped her hand around Shia’s, as if to reassure her.
“To continue the story… I was fine with that. The previous Olgania, reborn as an ant, would eventually wither away. And once she was gone, I would have become the complete Olgania. Even if an army of Chaos Ants appeared from somewhere underground, it wouldn’t have been a problem for the elves to fend them off. That wasn’t the issue. But then… someone implanted a fragment of the Demon King into the World Tree.”
“……!”
“You said the fragment of the Demon King that had possessed Entamia was gone, right? No, it didn’t disappear. Entamia never had the fragment to begin with. The real fragment was here, in Olgania.”
Shia and Yujin’s faces twisted at those words.
“A fragment of the Demon King?”
“When?”
“I don’t know. Whether it was when the World Tree was tainted by the Demon King in the previous world or whether someone implanted the fragment after we came to Earth, I’m not sure. All I know is that this was where our misfortune began. The previous Olgania, reborn as an ant, was originally planning to quietly live out her remaining days and wither away.”
If that had happened, the elves would have returned to their former state.
The last child of the World Tree, Olgania, would have grown properly, and the great forest’s blessing would have been restored.
Even without the World Tree, as long as Olgania existed, she could have led the elves.
“But the fragment of the Demon King began to corrupt us.”
Aren’t you resentful?
No.
Don’t you hate it?
No.
Join us.
I refuse.
Those kinds of questions, doubts, temptations, and whispers continued endlessly…
“In the end, we… Olgania, forgot who we even were. Even when she was eaten by the ant, Olgania didn’t resent or hate anyone. She accepted it as part of the natural order. But we couldn’t bear the fragment of the Demon King. In the end, we were truly defiled by it.”
The decayed branches.
The rotten roots.
Olgania wept tears of blood, vomiting black liquid full of malevolent energy as she moved.
“Shia.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you can save the World Tree with your miracle or Great Healing?”
At that, Shia placed her hand on the decayed branches for a moment.
Then she shook her head.
The malevolent energy was too strong.
At this rate, the World Tree had already become another host for the Demon King.
If given more time… the Demon King might truly be resurrected.
“It’s too late. If I used Great Healing on the corrupted World Tree, it would only strengthen the malevolent energy and accelerate the Demon King’s emergence.”
“I thought so.”
By then, the decayed branches had already spread throughout the entire cavity.
Slowly, they began to form dark buds.
“Yujin… and Shia.”
“…Yes.”
“Yeah.”
“The previous Olgania might be another me, but to me, she feels more like a sister or a mother.”
This is how it should be.
We must die.
We… must now disappear.
“Hehe, the World Tree was worshipped by the elves because it bestowed blessings and spirits upon them. But before it lost its blessing, the World Tree had already passed the rights to those spirits and blessings to all the elves, didn’t it? Now, the elves must truly become independent from the Mother World Tree. After all, they’ve arrived in a new world, Earth.”
“Ah, Olgania! Olganiahhh!”
“Hehehe, don’t cry, Yujin. It’s okay. Really.”
So, please. I beg you.
“Shia, Yujin. Please… please kill us.”
[Please, kill, me.]
With those final words, Olgania was completely swallowed by the decayed branches.
Yet there was no pain.
Olgania smiled as she was consumed by the black branches and liquid.
She was simply returning to where she belonged, becoming one with what she originally was.
And behind her, the decayed Olgania slowly stood up.
“Ah, ahh… ah…”
It’s my fault.
Because of me.
Yujin was crying.
She didn’t even think to hide herself with an illusion. She simply collapsed in despair, consumed by self-loathing.
Watching this, Shia sighed.
Even though she’s just a kid, this is too much. She’s nothing compared to my hero.
Sigh. Well, no matter how filthy the situation is, I suppose I have to guide her as the saint.
“Sigh…”
Crack!
“Aaah!?”
“Get up, you idiot hero!”
Unable to hold back any longer, Shia smacked Yujin’s head with her fist.
The impact was so strong that it sounded like her skull cracked.
“What the hell… Ahhh! It hurts…!”
“If you’re a hero, snap out of it and stand up!”
“Snap out of it?! After seeing all this, how can you say that?!”
“I think you’re misunderstanding something…”
Shia forcefully grabbed Yujin’s arm.
“When did I say I would kill Olgania?”
“….”
“When did I agree to her request to ‘kill me’?”
Shia liked happy endings.
She hated tragic endings.
She hated frustrating or unsatisfying open endings too.
She wanted a conclusion where everyone was happy.