“It’s insane! How could you possibly entrust the fate of our race to a human child?!”
An elf strode into the audience chamber, directing waves of discontent and anxiety straight at the queen.
“This was decided by all fourteen members of the council and myself.”
“Even so… why in the world a human child?! Your Majesty, I understand you, but a human?! Even if they can supposedly hear the voice of the Sacred Tree or gain divine favor… Are we all truly sane?!”
“…I’ll ask where you heard that later.”
The queen cast a calm gaze toward the golden-haired elf man and continued.
“Long ago, I was tasked with observing the metamorphosis of a butterfly.”
“…”
“And guess what? What emerged from the cocoon wasn’t a butterfly… but winged insects resembling ants.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“We’ve been surviving by parasitizing the Sacred Tree, the World Tree, while claiming to support it.”
The man’s eyes widened in shock as he clenched his teeth. One of the council members nearby also felt the impact but remained silent, his expression hardening.
The queen continued.
“Only a tiny fraction of caterpillars successfully transform into butterflies from their cocoons.”
Some hide among leaves, others tuck themselves into unopened flower buds.
And often, predators circle around specific trees or plants too.
“Some survive by devouring other life forms, growing stronger. Others lay eggs inside hosts, using them as nurseries.”
“Your Majesty! What exactly are you implying?!”
“We’re no exception.”
The queen sighed softly.
“Not just us—every living being has survived and grown this way.”
To prey.
To parasitize.
Or to coexist.
Civilization embodies all three principles.
The strong protect and nurture the weak, reaping their labor and harvests in return.
The weak, unable to defend themselves, rely on the strong for survival.
But when the strong can no longer protect the weak…
The weak will bare fangs and claws against their protectors.
And the strong will crush them, making examples out of them, spreading fear to enforce submission.
“Coexistence. That’s the highest ideal for any community—but it demands compromise, consideration, dedication, and responsibility.”
“Does this relate to the decision, Your Majesty?”
“We’ve devoured every last bit of the chrysalis and its larvae before finally emerging.”
She wasn’t necessarily referring to the Sacred Tree or the World Tree. It might be outdated traditions, rigid concepts, fading faiths, or misplaced beliefs.
“Since we’ve broken free from the egg, it’s time to seek new ways.”
Parasitic insects that grew by consuming butterflies will, like their mothers who implanted eggs in caterpillars, go on to find new hosts for survival. This cycle repeats endlessly.
“Just as certain fungi-infected insects dry up alive, spreading spores, or become prey, carrying those spores far and wide to expand their territory—we mustn’t neglect such methods for survival.”
“…I’m foolish, but I can’t grasp your metaphor. Please explain directly!”
“Kailan, I empathize with your concerns. If I weren’t in this position, I’d likely share your thoughts and feelings.”
“So?!”
“We haven’t handed over our race’s fate to the human child you mentioned. Quite the opposite.”
“The opposite? What do you mean…?”
“We weren’t entirely sure ourselves, which is why it took so long to make this decision.”
The queen leaned back deeply into her seat.
“One thing we can hope for: between someone bound by destiny and someone capable of breaking free of it—who should we entrust this opportunity to? On one hand, it’s obvious, isn’t it?”
===
“Sometimes, the wisest individuals make choices that seem utterly foolish to most.”
For some, it may look like throwing oneself recklessly into danger.
But that’s the clear distinction between the truly wise and those who only see immediate futures.
“…Maybe it’s just irresponsibility.”
After spending considerable time reflecting back in the sanctuary,
simply handing over authority verbally seemed fruitless in practice.
At first, I thought it was formalities or an attempt to probe my inner thoughts.
But no.
We even went as far as establishing an absurdly binding contract.
It hasn’t been days yet, but one thing is clear:
the Tribe of the Forest’s fate now rests in my hands.
I have the power to wipe them out en masse, force them into war until they’re consumed, or even make them burn down the World Tree themselves.
“By avoiding death through this choice, I’ve merely delayed the inevitable backlash.”
If I don’t act as the world expects, it will stop at nothing to kill me.
The process doesn’t matter because the result was already determined.
Though flexible depending on my decisions, this latest choice has merely postponed the predetermined outcome.
“That’s enough.”
As I absentmindedly chuckled, a strange voice echoed in my mind.
Why reject glory and settle for mediocrity?
“Is winning a war really such a grand honor?”
It would certainly be unparalleled glory for history, myself, and the citizens of the empire.
“Do I need that kind of thing?”
If I’m going to burn out like a dying ember, I’d rather ignite the world as a blazing inferno. What’s so wrong with that?
“I’m not exactly a pacifist either, you know. You should realize I don’t hate wars or fighting outright.”
Then why hesitate? With swords, blades, and troops under your command, stand proudly against the world once more.
“This ‘once more’ is according to your standards.”
Still clinging to nonsense? We’ve long since blurred the line between you and me. Don’t you also yearn to see how far you can push yourself? Isn’t that what you want to try?
“I can’t deny that.”
You’re right. I’ve wondered what it’d be like to be called a war god or conqueror. Unlike that guy who slaughtered indiscriminately, I can achieve even greater accomplishments than him.
“But wouldn’t someone find this progression boring?”
Still, I should give it a shot. What could stop me?
“Unfortunately, no.”
Isn’t this just the world forcing me onto a battlefield?
“There are plenty of people who live without understanding anything. I’m not selfish enough to turn their lives into hell, nor do I have your convenient justifications.”
Had I been in your position, I would’ve burned the world to ashes, blaming the empire for sending me as a hostage. Aren’t you experiencing emotions because of me?
“Those emotions arose because of you. I’ve always had confidence in devising solutions, proven by how I’ve survived this far.”
But if it weren’t for my memories giving you the courage to take risks and make decisions…
“That’s debatable. I played with my life plenty before coming here.”
Young one, you still know nothing. If you don’t act, others will inevitably step up to replace you.
“Back to basics, huh? But I don’t feel obligated to care about that.”
They’ll steal your glory and throw you into a pit of filth. Can you accept that?
“Didn’t you experience something similar with your sibling? Technically, your victory was more like being defeated, wasn’t it?”
True. When the blessings of victory left me, it was only fitting that I lost to someone with even greater blessings.
“Are you satisfied with that?”
Never.
“But isn’t it already too late? What do you plan to do now? Help me? Both you and I know that’s impossible.”
Don’t misunderstand. I gave you the chance to help yourself. If you won’t, then I will.
“…”
No matter how hard I tried to shake off the intrusive thoughts, the presence lingered, growing heavier instead.
“You seriously…”
You’re just an incomplete personality barely over ten years old, with an undeveloped intellect.
But I… No, it’s not like that.
“Are you thinking that memories can form personalities and seize control of the body?”
Not impossible. After all, I…
“Really greedy, aren’t you?”
Carriel smirked crookedly and turned away from the wall of the sanctuary.
“…”
And yet, for some reason…
“You’ve been taken over.”
A lanky man appeared at the entrance to the sanctuary, seemingly entangled with recent events.
Blabbering nonsense and mimicking the breathing techniques of the previous owner of this body—what a waste of time.
“What?”
In response to Carriel’s sarcastic tone, the man stared straight into shadow-filled eyes.
“Here.”
The man pointed two slender fingers at his solar plexus.
“I failed to notice earlier due to being caught up in worries.”
“What are you babbling about?”
With a snort, Carriel stepped forward.
“The spirit cannot overcome the flesh.”
“Huh?”
“That’s just how it is.”
He continued.
“When mental state collapses, breathing follows. So you need to revisit what you’ve learned.”
“Has this elf gone mad? Or is he struggling desperately before dying?”
“The meaning isn’t important. As long as it’s imprinted on the body, it won’t be forgotten until the body itself fades.”
“You little—”
Mid-sentence, Carriel realized consciousness was slipping away.
“What is this?”
Everything began fading—consciousness, perception, the ability to discern reality and existence—all returning to nothingness.
Familiar darkness.
Silence and stillness.
Endless void and emptiness.
Back into that void.
“…”
Carriel knelt, attempting to steady his breathing.
“…”
Deep, measured breaths.
“Was this some kind of test?”
Not long after, drenched in cold sweat and gasping for air, Carriel looked up at the elf watching him, perplexed.
“The monster you unleashed was trying to return to its rightful place.”
“Are you talking about me?”
“All things are inevitable. Since you carried the seed within you, whether it hatches or breaks depends solely on your fate. Sooner or later.”
“Excuse me, but may I inquire about your identity?”
“Nothing.”
“No answer?”
He wasn’t dodging the question or giving vague replies.
He understood the essence of the inquiry and responded accordingly.
“I’ve always sought the method to encapsulate the world within a single point. Our guides of the Black Star have pursued answers in this manner.”
With an unchanged, pale face shrouded in shadows, he continued.
“And just now, I obtained part of the answer.”
“Is that related to why you saved me?”
When Carriel asked with a mix of unease and anticipation,
“I didn’t save you.”
The man declared firmly.
“I saved your successor.”
Suddenly looking past Carriel to the wall of the sanctuary, he spoke.
“Isn’t that right, my distant junior? You must be watching us now.”
“More nonsense?”
“If you don’t want another body takeover, pay attention now.”
“…”
This guy makes conversation impossible.
Upon reflection, despite seeming conversational, he seemed to impose his own agenda unilaterally, as if present yet somewhere far away—or even in an entirely different space. And his sudden appearance when I was in that state was intriguing.
“For your own sake, and for your future, this is necessary.”
“Do I even have a proper future?”
“You don’t know what will happen a second from now. Does it matter whether it’s infinite or finite?”
“Should I arrange a meeting with some old-fashioned mages or theologians for you?”
Carriel wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, quipping cleverly.
“Before that, tell me—did you foresee this happening?”
“Guides of the Black Star can clearly perceive and choose near futures better than distant ones.”
“What was that thing you mentioned earlier? What is it?”
“Knowing would only complicate your mind. But when the time comes, you’ll naturally understand without asking.”
Again, he gazed blankly at the wall of the sanctuary—technically just part of the World Tree.
“Right now, it watches our traces and paths from afar.”
“Talking cryptically doesn’t make anyone smarter.”
With a dismissive sniff, Carriel shrugged.
“At least start with what you promised to teach me. Consider this repayment for saving me.”
A faint glimmer passed through the otherwise expressionless elf’s eyes.
“Rude creature. Your attitude sounds like you’re doing me a favor.”
“Isn’t it?”
Carriel was shameless.
“Isn’t it natural for the thirsty to carry water? Or do you want to argue with the voices in your head again?”
“…”
This time, the man was genuinely speechless, clearly caught off guard by Carriel’s audacity, as if never expecting such irreverence.
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