Chapter 644. What the Darkness Desires (5) #PART 1
『Hiel Crysiad Four-Season Leaf』
After being completely assimilated by the World Tree, Hiel’s name surfaced in her mind.
A name she could never forget—the name that her lord had given her, solely for her.
A nymph.
A mere low-rank spirit that hadn’t even possessed a name.
The moment she was allowed to live as Hiel.
Hiel’s consciousness trembled, but the World Tree, having begun to exert its will, did not overlook even the smallest movement. The World Tree whispered to Hiel.
If you are still confused, then see for yourself.
-He is not your lord.
-Can you not feel the overwhelming malice emanating from him?
-Your lord is the adventurer who seeks to once again release that darkness upon the Arcana continent, not the darkness itself.
-Think back to what demons truly are.
…The nature of demons.
As Hoyeol’s alter ego, Hiel had gained knowledge of Akshan alongside him.
Memories surfaced—conversations she had exchanged with Hoyeol.
-“Demons deceive and belittle everyone but themselves.
That is why, Hiel, you do not need to listen to a demon’s words.
Everything they say is nothing more than empty, shining bullshit.”
Hiel turned to look at Harkon.
At Leasehearts.
No.
At the Demonic Sword that held Grandfell’s will.
As if it had already foreseen this moment,
Grandfell’s will was speaking to her.
-One is enough to wound him, isn’t it?
She understood that ‘he’ referred to her lord.
Because in this moment,
her betrayal must have wounded him more than anyone else.
She had tried to suspect that this, too, might be demonic deception.
And yet—
Hiel found herself instinctively speaking.
“…My lord?”
Because the words Grandfell’s will had spoken were no different from what Hoyeol would have said.
Because she could feel the same warmth of Hoyeol, who prioritized others and his honor above himself.
And then—
“?”
Hiel’s grown body began shrinking back to the size of a mere spirit.
She looked up at the World Tree, its branches shaking.
Ssshhh.
The only sound was the rustling of leaves.
The voice of the World Tree could no longer be heard.
She understood instantly.
The World Tree had revoked its blessing from her.
Hiel looked down at her body, now reverted to that of a low-rank nymph.
‘…Pathetic.’
And she asked the will of Grandfell.
“Can I still be of help to you, my lord… in this state?”
Because the only reason she had been able to serve at her lord’s side all this time—
It was all thanks to the World Tree’s blessing.
‘I cannot call myself my lord’s alter ego in this wretched form.’
She deemed herself useless now.
But—
In the response she received,
Hiel realized something.
-Remember this, Hiel.
“…?”
—Past, present, and future, you are my alter ego.
“…!”
Light or darkness—
The one she had followed was her lord.
Guilt washed over Hiel’s face.
And yet, with difficulty, her lips curled upward.
“…I’m sorry for realizing it too late, my lord…”
Even if she had lost the World Tree’s blessing,
the experience she had accumulated as Hoyeol’s contracted spirit had not disappeared.
Hiel immediately activated her {Nature} ability.
She wasn’t aware of it herself—
But the aura radiating from her now was no different from when she had wielded the World Tree’s blessing.
No, if anything, it surpassed even that time.
Though Hiel could not hear it—
-How can she possess such power even after losing my blessing…?
Even the World Tree was distracted by the anomaly phenomenon.
Thanks to that—
Hiel was able to grasp the hidden rule of [The World Tree’s Secret Garden].
‘Now I can inform my lord of this place’s situation.’
Her lord wished to reunite with darkness.
And now that she had no reason to stop him any longer—
Hiel made her decision swiftly.
‘Even if it’s merely the will within the Ego Sword Gwicheol.’
If it was her lord, she had no doubt he would find the path to reunion from even the smallest clue.
Hiel had grasped the rules of the World Tree with ease,
and yet—
She could not bring herself to send a telepathic message to Hoyeol.
-Hiel.
Because another lord had called her name.
-Do me this favor.
Because it was a request, not an order.
-From this moment on, forget everything you will see and hear.
…What do you mean by that all of a sudden?
Hiel did not immediately comprehend Grandfell’s way of speaking.
But the deed had already been done,
and it was over in an instant.
Even if the memory did not remain in Hiel’s mind—
.
.
.
“…Huh?”
A single tear.
A single tear slid down Hiel’s cheek, proving it had happened.
And soon, her vision filled with a new scene.
The shattered barrier of the World Tree’s Secret Garden.
Arcana continent.
The brilliant silver Evil Eye hovering in the sky.
The World Tree engulfed in an infinitely deep darkness.
And lastly—
“Hiel? Are you okay? Who did this? Who made you cry?!”
Her lord.
*
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