The World Tree’s gate does not open easily.
This is not simply because the massive gate is too large to be opened.
In reality, the main gate of the World Tree has never been opened even once throughout its long history.
Nevertheless, the reason for its continued existence is that there was a gate before the World Tree itself.
The gate that leads up the tower must never be blocked.
It is waiting for someone who will eventually open it one day.
——-
“Hoo…”
Luke tilted his head back and looked up at the colossal gate.
‘It never fails to amaze me.’
The intricate decorations adorning the gigantic stone gate, with incomprehensible patterns entwined like tree trunks, surrounded a bizarre shape, with numerous animal figures carved in, including human shapes.
It seemed to be an attempt to engrave every species of animal existing in the Material Plane.
From what he checked 5000 years ago, this was indeed the case.
All known species were engraved upon it.
This was a conclusion drawn from Luke personally verifying every location from the highest mountains to the deepest ocean depths.
The information was even updated in real-time; any species that went extinct would no longer appear in the patterns on the gate.
Thanks to this, it was possible to quickly determine which creatures still existed and what kinds of beings roamed the world in the past, but Luke couldn’t help but wonder what the information was like now, 5000 years later. Did the patterns change? Perhaps the patterns of dragons still linger somewhere, he thought, as he examined the carvings with great interest.
“Luke, let’s go in quickly. The sun will set soon, and we need to hurry if we want to see the World Tree.”
“Oh, right. I’ll go now.”
Nodding, Luke took Yerna’s hand and turned back.
There simply wasn’t enough time to inspect each intricate decoration of the massive gate that was larger than any building.
Surely, an opportunity would come again one day.
Unlike the immovable main gate of the World Tree, other gates were open to everyone.
Walking beside the main gate led to another door, which, while still impressively large, appeared infinitely smaller when compared to the grand gate.
This door didn’t lead directly to the tower, but there was a spot for sightseeing, and a small altar where elves could offer prayers.
As Luke walked, he glanced at a few elves praying at the altar.
They bowed their heads, placing coins or objects on the wooden altar, murmuring softly, and listening closely revealed that most were prayers wishing for luck or happiness.
Although Luke was not an elf and didn’t particularly worship the World Tree, he respected it as undeniable proof of an existing deity.
Aside from the deities that had vanished, wasn’t it the only divine presence?
In that regard, the World Tree stood as irrefutable evidence that a god once existed in the past.
Well, most modern people, who find little relevance in divinity, probably didn’t think that way.
As he was lost in these thoughts, Yerna looked down at Luke and said.
“Luke, just wait here for a moment. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Got it, are you going to pray?”
“That’s right.”
Yerna released Luke’s hand, walked to the altar, tossed a coin into the offering box, closed her eyes, briefly prayed, and then returned.
“You’re quick. Now, let’s go.”
“Aren’t you curious about what I prayed for? You don’t want to know?”
Luke thought she would definitely ask, given her usual curiosity.
But instead, Luke looked at Yerna as though it were obvious and replied.
“Prayers or spells are most effective when not uttered aloud. I don’t think there’s any point in being curious about it.”
Indeed, things like wishes or magical incantations are meant to retain their true effects through silence. Historically, mages and high priests have been quite discreet.
Furthermore, it wasn’t very unpredictable.
Wishes mostly revolved around ‘happiness’ or ‘luck,’ both now and in the past.
Yerna opened her eyes wide, as if taken aback by Luke’s response, then soon broke into a gentle smile.
“Hahaha. Is that so? I see.”
What a mature child he is; Yerna was overcome by an irresistible urge to pat Luke’s head, leaving him to endure her affectionate gesture without understanding why.
‘Hmm… Well, this isn’t like before when it was a messy tousle, so it’s okay…’
However, such a gentle touch evoked a different kind of subtle sensation.
Yet, having grown accustomed to it, he found it hard to tell her to stop when looking at Yerna’s joyful expression while she pat his head.
Luke wondered if he might, at some point, truly become a child at heart, and resolved to remain a bit more vigilant.
——-
“I can get it easier than I thought.”
The first thing Luke sought in the World Tree was the ‘Essence of the World Tree.’
He thought it would be difficult to obtain this item, which possessed considerable magical value, but instead found it being openly sold in a souvenir shop.
‘World Tree Scent – Contains 1% Essence of the World Tree’
Though it was just perfume and not the raw essence, a 1% inclusion in this volume was certainly a usable amount.
It seemed many elderly elves often purchased it when they found it necessary to leave the vicinity of the World Tree.
“However, this is more expensive than I expected.”
Yet, it was indeed more costly than the amount Luke had in his wallet, likely due to the fact that it was, after all, a portion of the World Tree.
When he checked earlier, he thought it wouldn’t be that expensive, but perhaps only the pricier perfumes remained.
‘But the quality certainly appears to be good; I’m tempted.’
Thinking that he might ask Yerna to purchase it if he really had to, Luke was inspecting the bottles of perfume on display one by one using his magic sight.
“Isn’t it a no-go?”
“That would be because we’re conducting a very important experiment. All entry to the Magic Tower will be restricted for the next week.”
Luke had been looking forward to the World Tree’s Magic Tower, and it was unfortunate that such news came on this day. What luck he had.
“Even so, I came all the way from Aires…”
“I’m truly sorry… but it’s a matter of immense importance. No margin for error is allowed.”
“…”
Just how critical could the experiment be to prevent anyone from even entering?
Yerna lacked the courage to tell Luke that they would have to return empty-handed.
Having looked forward to this trip so eagerly, Luke, unlike usual, chatted incessantly about the stories connected to the Magic Tower, resembling a child excited about going to an amusement park.
But if he heard that they couldn’t enter, he would undoubtedly be greatly disappointed.
Well, the reason Luke was so talkative was not just because of excitement; at least during their conversation, he could keep Yerna occupied by nodding along, so she wouldn’t pat his head. However, Yerna, knowing none of this, could only think of it that way.
Nonetheless, even with being told it wasn’t possible, Yerna kept persisting with her inquiries.
“What kind of experiment is so important?”
“I cannot disclose that. It’s classified information.”
The man was resolute.
Any talk of Shaeh’s miracle was part of a secret that should not be revealed to anyone.
This was because the mage who proved the magic said he wanted to keep his identity hidden and insisted that the experiment had to be conducted in utmost secrecy.
In fact, he himself was inwardly thinking just that.
‘I don’t understand why such a great experiment needs to be conducted in secret…’
If Shaeh’s miracle were proven, the world would undoubtedly erupt in cheers; yet why attempt to conceal it so?
Just don’t want to become famous? What does that even mean?
It would be the moment to grasp the highest honor as a mage.
Considering this, it felt less like a mere matter of personal preference and more like a conspiracy by someone trying to suppress that mage’s rising fame. Otherwise, it made no sense.
But with the elders saying so, what could be done? A mere ordinary mage like him had no option but to abide by the decision made by top-level mages.
He couldn’t even persuade others if he himself wasn’t convinced; understandably, he would not be able to convince others.
Unable to fathom this, Yerna started to inquire further.
“That doesn’t mean the guidance is impossible…”
“But I have no other option.”
While they were engaged in their back-and-forth, Luke peeked between them, intervening.
He was attempting to draw Yerna’s attention away, who had continuously been unresponsive when called from behind.
“Uh, Yerna? The tower is now out of the question; I just wanted to buy this.”
“Huh? What’s that? Perfume? A souvenir?”
“It’s something like that. But if I’m honest… it’s a bit too expensive for me to buy with my money.”
“How much is it?”
“Buying the biggest one is pretty hefty.”
Yerna lifted the bottle Luke handed her and examined it.
The price certainly summed to an astounding 530,000 gil. It was indeed very expensive.
Furthermore, its large volume only added to that sense.
‘Why suddenly such an expensive perfume…’
Could it be that he’d become interested in cosmetics?
She looked down at Luke with a perplexed expression and asked.
“Why are you buying such a large one? There are smaller bottles available, you know?”
“I need the big size.”
“Looks like you really liked it then.”
If that was the case, she wouldn’t mind buying it for him.
———
After the sun had set, a discussion among the mages descending from the tower for dinner ensued.
“I seriously don’t get it; what on earth possessed them to interpret that miracle?”
“There are myriad things I wish to ask the one who interpreted it directly.”
Since the fact that Luke proved the magic was a secret, very few knew about it.
This included even the many mages who had participated in the experimental proof of the miracle.
They were merely mages who came chasing after the value of the experiment.
“Why go to such lengths to keep it a secret? Isn’t it odd that no one knows who it is?”
“Let’s wait two years. If they want to win an award, they’ll have to reveal themselves eventually.”
As they chatted, they suddenly noticed a man standing at the entrance of the Magic Tower, guiding people in as usual.
“Hey, everything fine today?”
“Oh, yes…”
“Why does it look like you’re struggling? Has something happened?”
“That is… a few people really wanted to see the tower, and there was a bit of an argument…”
“Well, that’s quite trivial.”
Honestly, the Magic Tower wasn’t a great tourist attraction, so it wasn’t a matter worth arguing over.
“The child seemed quite hopeful. They came from overseas to see the World Tree’s tower…”
“Haha, how amusing. Look at you. You should go rest now.”
“Yes, thank you.”
But what did they know?
The group they thought was just a nuisance included the very child who proved that magical formula.
