Chapter 108

“I understand. Let’s do as you said, Kkuna.”

“…Are you going to be okay?”

“My child is fulfilling their mission, and as a mother, I should naturally help. Above all, it is my original duty as well.”

“I might not necessarily do it just for the mission.”

“There is nothing perfect in this world. Just be cautious. A suitable flame provides warmth, but an excessively large flame can burn even the forest.”

A branch extended out and gently caressed my head.

I quietly entrusted my body to the touch without resisting.

The warmth of my mother’s touch, which I hadn’t felt in a long time, made me feel a little regretful when the branch pulled away from my head.

“It’s quieter than I thought.”

I spoke to Gal, who stood next to me like a stone while I was talking.

“What did you talk about with mother before I arrived?”

“…Nothing.”

Gal answered indifferently, but there were moments during our conversation when my mother would say something random, and for some reason, I could feel Gal twitching each time.

Since Gal usually maintains a calm disposition unless something special occurs, I had to think that there had been some discussion with my mother beforehand.

“…You didn’t have a fight with mother, did you?”

“Not at all. I just had a lot of conversations.”

“Is that so? Was Gal rude?”

“Though a bit stiff, it wasn’t rude. Perhaps it’s thanks to my cute daughter?”

“…Me?”

When I tilted my head towards my mother, I sensed another twitch from Gal beside me.

When I turned my gaze, I saw that Gal’s expression, which had been frowning at my mother, quickly transformed back into an expressionless face.

“I did scold him a bit. After all, he troubled my cute daughter.”

…I don’t know what it was, but it seemed like my mother had done something to Gal.

Although it had lessened recently, knowing Gal’s pride, which bordered on arrogance due to being a noble being, I found it surprising that Gal listened silently to my mother.

“However, it worries me. I had hoped that, if possible, you all would never have to step out.”

“…”

“I don’t know if many children will return to where they originally belonged. While being born and dying is something everyone becomes accustomed to, it won’t be familiar to you, who originated from me.”

A branch tapped gently on my head.

“Don’t you regret it?”

“…That’s not for me to decide.”

It depended on Terato’s will rather than mine whether to draw the bowstring.

In my heart, I hoped that Terato would not draw the bowstring and would return north, so that countless lives wouldn’t die in vain.

Yet, in another part of my heart, I wished for Terato to draw the bowstring, to cross the line and split the body of that giant to soothe the souls of the humans who had died in vain alongside Silv.

It’s a contradictory feeling.

“I will simply do what I must when the time comes.”

“Then so be it. If you think and choose correctly, it surely won’t be wrong.”

“Do you trust my judgment? If it’s a wrong decision… many could die, and I might lose those I love.”

“Trust me.”

My mother’s unwavering conviction flowed into my mind.

“I created you all, but I anticipated that there would be much time and sacrifice before you found your place in this forest and fulfilled your roles.”

Somehow, I felt that my mother’s consciousness was observing the entire forest.

“Do you think I wouldn’t know of those who have spent the same time as me in this forest? Although I believed I had given you sufficient power, I thought there would still be considerable sacrifices. It would be painful for both me and you, but I considered it a part of nature’s order. Yet, what broke my expectations was you.”

The branch patted my head.

“Other children also played significant roles, but none of them could deny that your judgment and dedication were paramount in creating the current environment. Be confident. Once things start, if you waver, everyone who follows you will waver as well.”

As I remained silent, the branch that had been patting my head gently caressed me.

“I think this is enough worry about the future. Is it really right that after seeing this mother after a long time, you only want to talk about work? You haven’t shared how you’ve been, especially since the day you lost the branch I gave you.”

◈ ◈ ◈

After that, I began to recount the events I had experienced before my mother.

In the north, influenced by Gal and Terato, the vegetation was much larger than that of Elven Road, with mushrooms taller than my height, allowing me to jump much higher when bouncing off them due to their elasticity.

When I recounted the time I fought Gal, I was shocked to see my mother dropping fruit from above Gal’s head at one point.

Most of all, despite experiencing such humiliation, it was surprising that Gal didn’t show his anger, as the veins on his forehead only stood out.

However, when I was caught by Algul’s magic, I found it difficult to explain the story about the past, so I glossed over it.

‘But that woman I saw along the way.’

She looked somewhat similar to Anya and Arti, yet she was ultimately no one.

I wondered if she was perhaps helped by my mother.

“Your wish does allow my consciousness to reach where the avatar is, but I have never helped you within that magic you mentioned.”

I received a clear answer that it was not so.

“Then what was that?”

“Well, I can’t be certain, but perhaps it’s not completely impossible that it is me. In a way, you are the children born from the stems of flowers I cultivated, so traces of my stem might still remain in you.”

I can’t be certain, though.

There wasn’t much more to say after that.

I had contacted them regularly until I went missing.

“But, if you were watching through the trees, you could have at least given me a little more guidance…”

“Uh-huh. Please understand that it’s natural for a mother to want to see her daughter who is playing naturally. I think you used to play a little cutely when you were alone. It was truly adorable.”

“…Ugh!”

My face heat up in an instant.

When I was alone, there were times, really just a few rare occasions, when I would act to show a dignified appearance as a goddess or mentor to humans or my disciples.

“Uh-huh.”

At my mother’s laughter, I instinctively covered my blushing face with my hands.

“I will take my leave now.”

“Are you already planning to leave?”

“…I have many things to discuss with my siblings as well.”

“Indeed, that makes sense. Especially since Demis will need to make a significant decision. Please do go.”

In an instant, my vision shifted.

In a moment I hadn’t even looked away, Gal and I had moved to the forest behind the palace of Elindium.

“I am also preparing what you requested.”

A single tree trunk on the ground swayed as if greeting, then lost its strength and fell to the ground with a thud.

“…At least within this forest, I certainly do not want to face that being.”

Gal’s face stiffened slightly, as if impressed by the magic that moved us both through space without consent.

“Well, she is my mother. Besides, it’s best to stop thinking about fighting first. If you say you’re going to fight mother, I will of course side with her.”

“I know. This show of force is a warning to me, isn’t it?”

“Huh? A warning? About what?”

“Nothing you need to worry about.”

Gal, with a slightly uncomfortable expression, changed the subject and began to walk ahead towards the palace.

“Hmm?”

Seeing Gal behaving strangely after entering the forest, I tilted my head.

◈ ◈ ◈

“…War… is it war?”

With a sigh, Demis held his forehead.

It seemed that every time I saw him, Demis was holding his forehead.

Arti quietly brought over some knitting supplies and sat knitting while listening quietly to our conversation.

“Really, you always bring a situation with you every time you come. This time, especially large.”

“…That evaluation feels somewhat unfair. This isn’t my fault.”

“Hu.”

Demis let out a sigh.

“…Are you alright?”

“Huh?”

“I heard you had quite a hard time.”

“Ah… While it was tough, it was still… well…”

I trailed off, and Demis didn’t ask any further.

“I understand the story. Have you been to see mother as well?”

“Yes. She agreed to help.”

“That makes sense. If mother is stepping in, it’s only right that I make a decision too. However…”

“You need time, don’t you?”

“Well. Since the opponent’s power is an unknown, we cannot simply step outside the forest. We need proper preparation. The outside isn’t our elves’ domain.”

Elves exhibit powers beyond their original levels within the forest.

Elves, especially the forest guardians who are used to living in such environments, would need time to adapt to different circumstances.

While the guardians who had already adapted from Pohelrn might not need this, those currently in Elven Road had never stepped outside even once.

Above all, for elves, who are already scarce, the forest guardians are truly crucial human resources.

“To that giant named Silv, who was your disciple, I’m sorry to say, but as someone responsible for the elves, it would be best if that being known as Terato were to return north as much as possible.”

“…That’s true.”

“But what exactly did you ask mother for?”

“Oh, that’s…”

I shared the plan I had in mind with Demis.

After listening to the entire story, Demis’ eyes widened in surprise.

“Is that possible?”

“Perhaps. Mother mentioned that it would only require time.”

“Well then, that changes things a bit.”

Demis’ expression brightened slightly.

Seeming relieved, he let out a sigh of relief and said, “When will we return to the place where humans are?”

“Probably tomorrow. Honestly, I’m feeling anxious about it.”

“Is that so.”

“Dinner.”

When Demis nodded, Arti, who had been knitting, quietly spoke.

Demis and I turned our attention to Arti.

“I’ll prepare dinner, so eat up.”