Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 333 (Part 1)



333 (Part 1)

<Chapter 334> The Disciple. (4)

For others it was an event from hundreds of years ago.

But for the ancient tree it was an unfathomable past that had flowed countless times.

In that place the ancient tree still remembered the cries of a young man.

How desperate it was.

Spitting blood he dug into his own eyes.

His tears were as red as his child’s blood.

[How… how could this happen….]

The child whose once brilliant blonde hair was now stained with blood continued to cry as if questioning.

[What did we do wrong…. What on earth did we do wrong!]

Embracing the corpses of his friends

Watching the blood that flowed from his family’s bodies

He kept on.

[My lord….]

A cry filled with resentment.

In the call that seemed to contain a sob

The ancient tree could offer no response.

[What are we supposed to do….]

The world was burning.

The endlessly blue sea was stained with blood.

Even now lives on this land were ceasing one by one.

It was a bloodbath.

The bloodbath caused by a single existence.

It was growing so large that it was erasing the world.

[My lord….]

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Where did the problem begin?

Was it simply because he wished for the children to be happy?

Was it because he did not try to do anything like other masters?

The ancient tree could not know.

All it could do was feel immense sorrow at the sight of its child crying before it.

It could only extend its branches to wipe away the tears.

[Child.]

Responding to the call the blonde youth raised his head.

But the eyes contained within his gaze were utterly empty.

The world was collapsing.

And the child before him had already crumbled.

[…Please tell me. What wrong have we done?]

[You have no sin.]

[Then how could the world come to this…!] Was it called the Blood Demon?

The being that tore through the air expanded its territory in an instant as if to express its existence.

The ancient tree understood.

All life born on this land was like its own children.

They shared consciousness.

However the ancient tree did not know of the Blood Demon’s existence.

This meant that the Blood Demon was not a being of this world.

The ancient tree vaguely understood the reason for that being’s appearance in this world.

Thirty years or perhaps twenty years ago.

Or it could have been even earlier.

It was around that time that change came to a world it thought would always remain the same.

From the cracks that appeared in the air

Life forms from the other realm began to emerge not the life the ancient tree contemplated.

The ancient tree thought that must be the reason.

Originally the connection with the other realm was against the principles set by the world.

And since such a violation occurred in the ancient tree’s world

It was a matter of sin for the ancient tree the current master of the world.

If an anomaly occurred it was also the fault of righteousness.

The connection with the other realm was a sin of that magnitude.

Who committed it?

What problems arose was not important.

Since sin had arisen in this land

The ancient tree had to bear the punishment.

But.

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[…Everyone…. has died.]

What the ancient tree could not endure was none other than this.

[The limbs of the children were severed.]

[The parents of the children met their deaths with their necks cut.]

The ancient tree thought that all those on this land were its children.

Death was like a flow.

For the ancient tree which had lived for a very long time the deaths of these beings were but a moment.

Whether time passed and they aged to meet death

Or whether the children died fighting each other

It was the principle and flow of the world.

Thus the ancient tree thought it could only swallow its sorrow and bless new life.

It believed it could not interfere with that.

Moreover if it meant that it had to disappear and a new master had to be born to correct the current rift and the principles of the world

It thought it could accept that as well.

[…How sad it is.]

Watching the child cry so sorrowfully

The ancient tree could only feel an indescribable emotion.

Soon.

The being known as the Blood Demon would come this way.

Whether it called itself the Blood Demon

Or whether the children referred to it as such the ancient tree could not know.

But it could feel that such a being was approaching from afar.

Pitter-patter.

The outstretched branches wrapped around the youth’s body.

It was not for protection.

If it had to be expressed it was closer to comfort.

But whether the ancient tree’s touch could reach the youth was uncertain.

Even now in the embrace of the ancient tree

The deaths of the children who were born and grew in this world were felt without pause.

[How can it be so cruel….]

It truly is cruel.

That one must start anew only after erasing so many lives.

That one can do nothing.

That one must simply take root in this land and watch the children die.

Is this the principle?

To say that the world desires this is far too sorrowful and cruel.

In that gap

The fact that one can do nothing is the saddest of all.

In the distance.

A red sky was gathering.

Under the sky stained red

It was approaching.

To erase the ancient tree from this land.

To correct the order of the world.

Seeing the surging darkness

The ancient tree thought.

Is this principle truly right?

It must be right.

The order and principles set by the world are absolute.

And the position and meaning of existence bestowed upon it remain unchanged.

Because the world exists there is a master.

Because there is a master life can be born.

The meaning of the ancient tree’s existence is that it exists because the world does.

Recalling that one by one

The ancient tree spoke towards somewhere.

[I acknowledge it.]

That there was a problem in the world it had taken root in.

That the phenomenon against the principles arose because of that.

It would accept and acknowledge that everything was its sin.

[But the children are innocent aren’t they?]

Is it a statement directed at someone?

Perhaps the answer would not come a mere whisper.

It was like a soliloquy spoken by the ancient tree.

If there is a sin

It would be the old ancient tree who bears love for its own life despite having the name of a master.

[…Child.]

The ancient tree whispered softly.

Amidst the surrounding branches a presence was felt.

[Child.]

[…Yes….]

The face of one who seemed already on the verge of breaking having given up everything was clearly visible between the branches.

Seeing that the ancient tree spoke.

[I will give you a choice.]

[A choice… you say?]

The roots embedded in the ground began to tremble.

The branches started to quiver.

[To be swept away and disappear like this is also your choice. To listen to another story and seek an opportunity is also your choice.]

At the ancient tree’s words

The man’s gaze wavered.

The meaning contained in the name of opportunity seemed to resonate clearly.

When the ancient tree saw that the man’s choice was clear.

There was no need to listen to know.

The ancient tree slowly extended its branches

Gently stroking the man’s head.

This choice could not be said to be right.

It was a choice made to go against the principles of the world.

A method chosen while forgetting its position and meaning of existence.

Then the man made his choice.

He would embrace the opportunity.

By any means.

If given a chance to escape this calamity he would do anything.

Even if his soul shattered.

Even if he faced a great punishment.

If he could he would do it.

The man replied thus.

Hearing that the ancient tree

From its high-reaching branches

Slowly dropped the beautiful white leaves that had bloomed.

[…Child this is all I can do for you.]

As the leaves began to pile up on the ground

Something that had been writhing as if to protect the tree

Came down its trunk and tightly embraced the man’s body.