Chapter 115: Peaceful and Quiet (One)
Well, I shouldn’t be called a liar for this.
In the last few days, I dug through the royal library and checked out quite a few history books about the era when gods roamed the earth a thousand years ago. Yet, I couldn’t find any mention of “Brifin,” the term that the Birdbeak Doctor tossed around. Even in the academy’s library, I don’t recall seeing anything about it.
And it gets better.
In all the historical texts I’ve previously perused, including that ancient holy book I found in a cellar back in the little town on the Eastern Continent, not a single one mentioned anything about a “tree.”
So, I came to my conclusion.
Whatever that tree was, it had long since vanished from this world, and ages ago—the church probably had a hand in wiping its existence from memory.
These days, people could only catch a whisper of its shadow in some unofficial, non-factual legends that won’t stand scrutiny, like that one about how Nidhogg devoured the “World Tree” in a tale of a wicked dragon.
Making that judgment was easy; I felt confident I was on the right track.
And validating this theory was exactly my reason for entering this Dragon Tomb—well, mostly because I noticed that Mr. Big White was healed and thought I’d check things out.
But it seems I made my entrance at just the right time.
When those fairies heard what I said, they looked like they’d just seen a ghost, completely blanked for a second.
It took a solid two seconds for them to snap back to reality.
Their expressions gradually shifted to sadness, or perhaps a hint of relief…
It was like they’d been expecting this conclusion, but their hearts could not quite accept it—complex and mournful expressions starkly evident on their pretty little faces.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ Brifin, the World Tree…”
The strongest fairy finally spoke again, his mouth trembled along with his voice: “‘Deep Abyss Language’ the Life Source of the Great Fertile Land, the beginning of all existence, please, please rest in peace…”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ in the eternal river’s flow, amidst the dragon king’s graves, and that severed return path, the lost glory, resting eternally…”
As it spoke, he and the other four fairy leaders turned towards me and knelt down in prayer, chanting in a language I couldn’t begin to comprehend after the initial bit.
After what felt like a decent amount of time, the fairies raised their heads again.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ noble deity…”
The strongest fairy, still the first to talk, looked at me with a cautious glint in his eyes and asked, “‘Deep Abyss Language’ might we, uh, have the honor of your ear? We, the Forest Clan, humbly inquire—may I ask… is the realm where the tree once existed, safe now?”
Safe? You ask me?
I have no idea!
I was as clueless as a cat in a dog show; I didn’t even know where that tree was when it was still around.
But clearly, the fairies were in the know.
That so-called “Holy Tree,” which they referred to as the “World Tree,” must be the same tree Chris talked about, and the “White Tree” that Miss Ailna mentioned. I guessed it was all the same thing—Brifin was just its name.
And that white branch in my hand turned Mr. Helavis the dragon into a “spiritual entity,” opened up this “Dragon Tomb,” morphed it into a “Storm Tree,” imprisoned countless dragons and fairies, and sealed the physical form of Gidales. This mysterious and unpredictable power was just one twig from the “Holy Tree,” that’s all.
What they call the “Holy Tree” or “World Tree,” clearly had close ties to those “Ancient Deities,” and possibly even to that “Tree of Disaster” that popped up over by the Holy Wall.
And these fairies, imprisoned in the “Dragon Tomb” for a thousand years, knew all about it.
Cursed to not d*e, they couldn’t reproduce or pass down their legacy. Their understanding was stuck back at least a year ago; they were the group that I could ask about the “truth” the most clearly.
Most importantly, just a few days ago, when the branch of the white tree absorbed a tiny fragment of that Ancient Deity’s “remains”—that’s my bet on why—Mother Deity Rabishixemos lightened her curse here, and the “Dragon Tomb” became alive with vigor again. Though this might just be the beginning, clearly the way they spoke in “Deep Abyss Language” had become decent enough for normal communication.
Even if it was just this one strong fairy reaching that level, that was good enough for me.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ tell me your name, Forest Clan.” I hopped down from Big White’s head, propping my scythe on the ground, and asked him.
The strong fairy towered over two meters tall. Seeing me approach, he dropped back down to his knees, not daring to make eye contact and lowering his head in respect.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ Alusu,” he said, his voice still trembling. “‘Deep Abyss Language’ Wolf Fang Settlement, Alusu.”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ great, Alusu.” I nodded. “Next up, I have a few questions for you. Just answer plainly—no extra fluff. If you’ve got any questions, save them until I’m done. Got it?”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ understood. We shall be honored.”
I looked at him, satisfaction curling my lips: “‘Deep Abyss Language’ now, tell me, in your time, what was the World Tree?”
Once that first question was out, the fairy seemed tempted to look up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes—as if he wasn’t quite sure whether I genuinely didn’t know or if I was just pulling their leg.
But then he realized that didn’t matter.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ the World Tree Brifin, the source of life, the birthplace of all things, and the original dwelling of the dragons.” His voice dropped, reverent, like he was praying.
When I heard that, I was genuinely stunned: “‘Deep Abyss Language’ the dragons’ dwelling? So that tree used to be a dragon’s nest?”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ not just a dragon’s nest.”
The fairy leader responded quickly: “‘Deep Abyss Language’ It is the beginning of all things, reaching far back to the ancient times. We, the Forest Clan, are the life born from its roots, while the Flower Clan lived around it; then we have the ogres, the flying birds… and the dragons, who were the faithful of the World Tree.”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ faithful of the tree?” I echoed.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ the red dragons were the kings, Helavis dragons were the priestly dragons, and Nidhogg was the most respected knight of the tree for the outside factions. The dragon clan resided by the World Tree in service to it, devoted to its owner—the Ancient Deity.”
“……”
So, ages ago, that tree created the world, and that tree actually had an owner—the most ancient of deities?
Wait a minute, this is nothing like what I thought!
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ that tree is indeed no longer of this world; at least I know that much, and there aren’t really any ancient deities left. So, I think you might have a bit of insight into why that is, don’t you?”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ a bit of insight…”
The fairy repeated that phrase, seemingly deep in thought, perhaps trying to decipher its meaning or just struggling to grasp what I meant by my question.
After a moment, his expression shifted, as if a light bulb went off.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ in ancient times… there was only one deity in the world.”
Suddenly, the fairy spoke, and at first, it sounded completely ludicrous, but just a few seconds later, I was left dumbfounded, unable to say a single word.
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ the World Tree, revered by all. It begot the tree’s owner, that initial god.”
His tone was laced with an unusual sadness: “‘Deep Abyss Language’ until one day, the goddess, Rabishixemos, encountered humans. A weak species that, at first, held no blessings from the World Tree.”
“‘Deep Abyss Language’ and that human wanted her to become their god.”
