Chapter 579 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

The rest was short, but my mind felt clear. Ever since Tyrkanzyaka's spirit had taken residence within me, my body could no longer be described as ordinary in any sense. Whether it was fatigue, mental clarity, or physical condition, a short rest sufficed to restore me completely. This time was no different. Despite having a proper rest for the first time on our way to the Tree of Origin, I woke up with a clear mind after just about thirty minutes. "Ah. I can't even sleep in late anymore." Regretting the lost opportunity for a late morning, I got up and noticed the Regressive Mage surrounded by moss. Gently pulling on the moss that peeked out from the Mage's collar, he jerked violently. The moss had been cleansing his skin for about an hour and was now slightly warm from body heat. "Phew! Huff... You..." "What? I did exactly as instructed. I didn't lift a finger, and neither did Shei while getting clean. How does that feel, refreshing?" 'It does feel refreshing... which somehow makes it worse!' What did she want me to do? Ah, I should just ignore it from now on. "What should we do with the moss? Do you want to use it again later?" "No need... Just burn it. It makes me uncomfortable." "You talk too harsh for the moss that dedicated itself to cleaning you, Shei. A little gratitude wouldn't hurt." However, having no use for it at the moment, I simply tossed it out the window. Indeed, the easiest way to deal with waste is to discard it irresponsibly. 'Now I feel a bit guilty seeing it discarded like that...' What does she want me to do? I can't help but care, even if I want to ignore it. I scratched my belly, wandering around the room. "Now that I'm up, I'm a bit peckish. Should we get some food?" "...There's a Pocket filled with emergency provisions. Take something out from there." "Let's save those for later. There's no need to dip into emergency supplies when there's food readily available. There should be a food storage around here somewhere." Ah, found it. Nearby the brazier filled with seed oil, there was a branch bent like a fishing rod. It seemed to bear heavy and luscious fruits against its thin frame. Like the gourd bowls, bamboo spigots, and moss towels, the food storage was clearly made with plants. After all, food typically refers to crops. As I pushed aside the branch, hopeful for fresh fruit, what I found was... "Since this is the Tree of Origin, there should be plenty of fruits and grains, too..." As I spoke, looking at the fruit dangling from the branch, I flinched, taken aback by the unexpected sight. Instead of fruits, the branch bore animals wrapped in thin, supple skin. Pigs, rabbits, chickens— all curled up asleep, like unborn infants nestled in amniotic fluid, hanging by umbilical cords made of branches. The idea of animal-bearing fruit— I had whimsically wished for meat growing on trees, but to find it truly existed was astonishing. I plucked one large pig-fruit. The pig inside squirmed as I struggled to lift it with both arms. It might not have been alive, but it hadn't grown as pork. I frowned, staring at the pig-fruit. "This is..." [The Tree of Origin!] The voice of the Parrot came from outside. Curious, I opened the kitchen window, and the green-feathered Parrot fluttered in and perched on my shoulder. "Tree of Origin?" [Beasts molded from trees, the Tree of Origin. It's the masterpiece of Nevida and Agartha.] The Parrot puffed out its chest, proudly squawking before nibbling my ear and exclaiming loudly. [And close the window! If it's shut, I can't enter when I decide to!] "But isn't the window specifically for preventing that?" [You'd be better off if I come in! That way, when you're frightened by seeing the Tree of Origin, I can disperse your ignorance with my knowledge!] "I wasn't really frightened though... Wait a second. How did you know I saw the Tree of Origin, when the window was closed just a moment ago?" [Oops!] The Parrot flapped nervously. Likely using mice or insects as familiars to spy, the Parrot couldn't confess and instead rolled its eyes, making up an excuse. [I-I saw it through the window crack!] "I'm pretty sure I closed it tightly..." [There was a gap!] "When the window's shut, not even a ray of sunlight comes through." [If I say there's one, then there is one!] "So arbitrary. Well, if you say so, then it must be." Even if I cornered it, it wouldn’t stop its voyeuristic antics. It would just think itself unlucky for being caught this time and conceal its familiars more stealthily. Better to pretend I don't notice. "This is safe to eat?" [Of course! It was made for that very reason!] "For eating? So the Tree of Origin was edible from the start?" [Exactly! It's inefficient to slaughter valuable livestock just for meat!] Indeed, though I didn't realize that Nevida's power, the Tree of Origin, was made for consumption. The Tree of Origin not only moves but also fights. Naturally, I assumed it was for combat. The Parrot, chattering on, suddenly covered its beak with a wing. YW9peUx5cktZYXhyU2hzY1VsMkQ0V3dDWFdPclRkRzZ1UG1xRnByOGdLeDl0VlMwWlVQTzNqZWU4ZWJkRC9hSg [Oh! Have I shared too much? No matter. There's plenty more to discuss! Let's continue this at the exchange meeting!] "The exchange meeting?" [Yes, you suggested it, didn't you? I'll wait for the meal time, so finish up quickly and come out!] Ah, that's right. I did mention having an exchange meeting, didn't I? Unable to read its mind, I found myself grasping the conversation belatedly. I tore open the pig-fruit and extracted the pig. It didn't awaken or stir even as I removed it from its encasement. Drawing a card, I sliced through the pig-fruit's skin. Despite its arboreal origin, its structure was identical to that of a real pig. I cooked the meat over a pan, yet the question lingered in my mind. "Animals grown on trees—is it really okay to eat?" My worries were unfounded. Meat was meat. Regardless of my mixed feelings, it was delicious. Although there was a hint of beans in the flavor, as someone from a militaristic country, that hardly mattered to me. [Hurry up and eat! How long are you going to keep me waiting?] "I thought you'd said you'd wait until meal time," I quipped to the Parrot, nowhere in sight. The Parrot buzzed around me impatiently. It had the impatience of a parrot, especially now that it was taking on the role. Grousing, I asked while making preparations. "I'm heading over now, so please guide me." [I've sent Walpurgis! She'll be waiting at the door!] "What? You kept her waiting? Why not send her out once I'm done eating? That's a little embarrassing." [It's fine! Don't worry about it!] "I wasn't talking about you. I meant it's awkward for Ms. Walpurgis." [If I'm okay with it, she will be too!] "You're rather arbitrary, aren't you?" In some ways, it's slightly better than Nevida since at least it considers opinions. Still, this Parrot is undeniably troublesome. I turned to it and inquired further. "Oh, would it be alright to bring Shei along to the meeting?" [Who? Shei, you say?] "The one who lost an arm." [Oh, that person?] The Parrot glanced towards the Regressive Mage and brushed its beak thoughtfully with its wing. [Is that okay? Maybe? Well, I guess the Saintess knows everything anyway, so it should be fine.] "She's bound to find out anything you were planning to share with me anyway, so it's basically the same." [But I could carelessly spill secrets!] I appreciate the cautious attitude, but isn't not carelessly spilling secrets an option here? [I might be able to keep my mouth shut, but not hers. And that's what makes a Saintess. She sees all under the sun, so secrets can't exist. If you want to hide from her, just don't say anything.] It's already too late. The Regressive Mage knows your plans. He's seen them in the future. "In that case, why not learn some information about Shei in return?" [I can't think of anything to ask...] "I bet there's something—like that mask." [Ah!] Agartha's mask—I've never understood its origin or how it was obtained. It could be a chance to hear it from the Regressive Mage himself. [Argh, alright! I'll be generous and allow it.] "I’ll need to bring Shei then. As you can see, Shei’s become quite weak and can't even clean herself." [Oh, I've seen! Indeed! You're quite impressive, using plants like animals to wash people! Even I would've never thought of that!] "What? Teasing? What are you talking about?" That's not teasing; it's just helping. I used the moss only as a towel; what teasing is there? The Regressive Mage appreciated the service! Wait, when did she see that? Are you observing every single moment, never missing anything? Doesn't the Archwitch have anything better to do? The Parrot, perhaps realizing its slip, flapped its wings flusteredly. [...Just let it go!] "Let it go? Why should I? Come here." [I'll tell Walpurgis to bring a cart! Walpurgis!] The Parrot darted out the window as I reached for it, leaving me unable to follow without wings. Clicking my tongue, I approached the Regressive Mage. "You heard that, Shei? You're probably being watched every moment. Be careful with your words and actions from now on." "...Ugh. I don't like being surveilled." "Isn't that a bit hypocritical, considering you were the one tailing and monitoring everyone back in Tantalos?" "Th-that was because you were so suspicious! And my instincts were right! You are the king of lying humans!" What? A liar? I’ve never lied outright. I might've concealed, reduced, or exaggerated facts, but that's hardly the same! And besides, you’re more deceptive than I could ever be! "Talking about deceit when you've kept that disguise despite being mistaken for a man?" "Do you think I enjoyed disguising myself?! I had no choice! If I'd appeared as a woman from the start, you and Tyrkanzyaka would've been wary! There's no way we'd have traveled this comfortably otherwise...!" "Oh? Then, I assume there's nothing you're hiding now?" You're still keeping the fact that you're a regressive mage a secret, isn't that right? The Regressive Mage, clearly hit hard by that, pressed his lips tightly and turned away. As if that was the one thing he couldn't concede. Ah, how unappealing. Even being on his side isn't worth it; he's so frustratingly unyielding. "Fine. Let's just head to that meeting." "...Alright." "They said they'd send a cart. We'll just load you up like a piece of cargo." "Don't refer to me as cargo!" "Pardon me, is there a cart now?" Having finished my preparations, I opened the door. Someone who seemed to have dashed over briefly rested there, catching her breath. Witch Walpurgis hefted the cart she’d brought with her and said, "I’ve brought the cart. Shall we go?" "...Huh. This looks familiar." I squinted at the cart that seemed reminiscent of something. It looked like a wheelchair, but from its wheels to its frame, it was entirely made from gears.