Chapter 175: Crybaby Queen
Even after the World Tree warned him that his soul might suffer damage, and that in the worst-case scenario he could lose many of his real memories, Ash remained unwavering in his decision to have those memories removed.
His reasoning was crystal clear. He understood that if he did not sever this cancerous cluster of foreign memories from his mind, there was a high chance he would eventually commit something he would regret for the rest of his life.
What brought him a strange sense of relief was the fact that his unwavering desire to save Elysia had acted as an anchor, helping him stay afloat despite the torrent of corrupted memories flooding his mind. It was because of that strong intent that he was still walking on the path to save her, instead of losing his identity or spiraling into madness.
In the simplest terms, it was his love for Elysia that had saved him.
The Great Mother had continued to ask several questions afterward, her curiosity mostly revolving around the concept of fate and the tangled strands within his destiny. But Ash barely responded to most of them. He remained silent, distracted, lost in thought.
However, when she mentioned that the soul and memories shared a deeply entwined connection, it jolted his mind toward a particular scene he had nearly forgotten.
The black sea in his soul space.
Those dark, endless waters. They were the memories.
To purge them, Ash would have to grant the World Tree access to his soul space. That was something he had not anticipated. Because if he allowed her inside, then she would inevitably come to know the full truth. She would discover that he possessed more than one Rune. She would also see the truth of his transmigration, as all of it was written across the canvas of his memories.
And now, Ash stood at a crossroad.
On one side, he could choose to let things continue as they were, allowing the memories to corrupt him.
On the other side, he could place complete trust in the Great Mother and open up his soul entirely, letting her see the truths he had buried deep inside.
Both paths were dangerous. Both demanded sacrifice.
But Ash did not choose either of them.
"Isn’t it possible for you to teach me how to remove the memories, and I will carry out the process myself?"
The World Tree went silent for a moment after hearing that question, her thoughts seemingly distant. But soon, she responded in a calm tone.
{It is possible, but the process will put you under continuous pain. That is precisely why it is usually recommended for someone else to handle it.}
"If it’s pain, I don’t think you need to worry. I’m already accustomed to it. Just teach me the method, and I’ll take care of the healing myself."
Letting out a soft sigh, she gently removed her hand from his forehead. To his surprise, there was no return of the headache.
{Do not dwell on the actions you have already taken. Doing so will only bring the pain back. Think only in the present. That elixir you drank will continue to work for the entire day, so you will be able to think normally for now.}
Ash’s expression brightened slightly upon hearing that, and just as he was about to say something, the Great Mother’s voice interrupted again.
{Don’t even think about asking for more. It is not something I can provide you in large quantity, so you better learn as much as you can while that whole Jar lasts.}
A/N: Jar contains the Elixir.
Although her words made his expression fall again, Ash was still somewhat relieved to know there was still a path forward. At least until she poured cold water over his hopes again.
{But you will not be able to heal the person you intended to heal using your own power.}
"What...? What do you mean?" Ash asked in alarm, his body tensing.
{It is simple. Learning the method to remove those memories will take time, and it’s not like I can simply transfer my memories to you. If I were to attempt that right now, your mind would collapse from the overload of 3 different memories. Honestly, I’m still surprised your mind is even functioning properly after being flooded with so many foreign memories.}
In the Great Mother’s eyes, Ash body appeared as a glowing light, suffocated by a massive swirl of black flames.
{In other words, the only way you can learn is manually. That means you will have to bring that person here, and I will be the one to heal them.}
"I see..."
Ash went silent after hearing that.
The truth was, he wanted to heal Elysia with his own hands. Deep down, he believed that she was suffering because of him.
If only he hadn’t run away from her in the beginning. If only he had the courage to face her, to explain everything, then maybe... just maybe... she wouldn’t have ended up in such a broken state.
But he hadn’t. Instead, he had chosen the coward’s path.
And once again, just like before, he ended up hurting the one he loved the most.
{Don’t make that fallen face now. If you don’t have any more questions, then go back}
The Great Mother said gently, her voice still carrying the ancient weight of understanding.
"When will you teach me? If not now, then when?" Ash asked, his tone low but persistent.
{Tomorrow}
She answered without hesitation.
{I also need some time to remove and tend to the remaining damage, I received. And I need to begin the process of resurrecting the spirits who offered themselves to protect me.}
{Come again tomorrow.}
Hearing that, Ash nodded in silence. He offered her a polite thanks, then turned around and quietly left the domain.
As soon as he was gone, the World Tree remained seated, her expression thoughtful, her eyes reflecting the starry night she had created around them.
"What an unusual child he is," she thought to herself. "He is carrying such an immense weight of causality that even I cannot measure the depths of it. Everything that happens to him, and to those he holds close, seems to be part of another ripple sent by fate itself. It is as if the world is desperately trying to restore some balance by placing obstacles in his path."
She let out a soft sigh, her fingers gently brushing the armrest of her chair, her thoughts growing heavier with each word.
"Getting involved with someone like him usually leads to ruin. In all the cycles I have seen, it brings nothing but extinction. And yet... if he had not appeared when he did, I and all of my children would have been condemned to a fate far worse than death."
"So how can I possibly turn my back on him now?"
She looked up at the night sky above her, where stars glimmered like memories of lives she had nurtured, and spoke as if the stars themselves were listening.
"It is often the smallest people, the most broken and burdened ones, who change the course of the world in the most profound ways. And even though the chances may be slim, even though the road ahead may be chaos, my long years of experience tell me that..... I must trust him."
And with that thought, the Great Mother smiled, her expression soft and full of quiet resolve.
***
Meanwhile, after returning from his meeting with the World Tree, Ash quietly slipped away to another location.
Serena, of course, wouldn’t stop pestering him, demanding to know where he was heading, so he simply reminded her to share the good news with everyone else, to distract her.
A few hours later, following his advice, she gathered all the 9 council members and shared the joyful announcement of the World Tree’s awakening with them.
And as she entered the council chamber, everyone inside froze in shock.
And honestly, their reaction was to be expected.
This time, Serena stood adorned in a regal dress woven from green and brown threads, the traditional colors that symbolized the Elf Queen. Above her head floated a delicate crown formed from enchanted leaves, glowing faintly with life energy.
This transformation was not something that could happen through ceremony or effort alone. It was only possible when the World Tree itself acknowledged someone as the rightful ruler.
And it was only possible when world tree was awake again.
The moment the nine council members saw her like this, they dropped to their knees as one. A heavy, united thud echoed throughout the chamber like a drumbeat of destiny.
THUD!!
And with their synchronized voices ringing with devotion, they shouted together:
"WE GREET OUR QUEEN!!"
Serena stood still, stunned for a moment. A deep warmth began to rise in her chest, filling the hollow space that had long craved recognition.
This is the first time they have truly acknowledged me as their Queen... I am glad, I am so glad, she thought, her eyes welling with tears.
Without meaning to, the tears began to fall. Though none of the council members saw her cry, their heads still bowed low in reverence.
Everything turned out well. All my hard work paid off, I was scared, but... it worked. All thanks to Mr. Unknown. I will never forget this....
Thank you soo much...
Far away, hidden atop a high perch, Ash observed the entire scene through a long-range telescope, his posture casual and his expression unreadable.
But the corners of his lips curled slightly.
What a crybaby Queen, he thought, unable to stop the small smile from forming on his face.
***