Chapter 185: Elysia Getting Healed
[Core of the World Tree]
The surroundings were different this time. Although the grassy field and the beautiful flower garden were still present, the usual table and chairs were nowhere to be seen. In their place stood a small hut, open from all sides, with only the upper part of the roof providing cover. It was simple in design, yet it blended into the serene landscape perfectly.
Beneath the shade of that roof, on a large bed placed at the center, Elysia lay asleep. Her breathing was steady and calm, but her body appeared slightly thinner than usual, as though the energy had been quietly drained from her over time.
"How is she?" Ash asked, his voice low but carrying the weight of concern. He looked directly at the World Tree, who had taken the appearance of Serena.
Even though the real Serena was present in the area, the only way he could tell them apart was by observing their clothing and the subtle difference in how they spoke.
"The demonic energy has entangled itself far too deeply with her life force. If you had brought her to me even a little earlier, maybe..." the World Tree said, her voice slowly trailing off.
"What do you mean, maybe ?" Ash’s voice turned colder, the surrounding temperature dropped by several degrees.
But the World Tree didn’t pay much attention to his tone and temperature. Instead, she replied calmly, "Maybe she would not have had to suffer this much. Although I can treat her, there is a possibility that her personality might change a little, due to long time of Demonic Force entanglement."
Hearing that, Ash slowly exhaled. The tension in his shoulders eased a little as he processed her words, and he asked in a calmer voice, "How much of her personality will change? And what kind of changes are we talking about? Can you give me an example so I can understand better?"
"I cannot say exactly how much, but she might inherit some personality traits from the demons. However, you don’t need to worry too much. The changes will mostly remain tied to her original self."
"For instance," she explained further, "if she had a naturally high temper before, that tendency may intensify. Only those personality traits that are already dominant within her will be amplified. That is how the demonic essence tends to affect its host."
She then looked at him thoughtfully and asked, "So let me ask you in return. What was her personality like before this happened?"
At that moment, the real Serena, who had been standing nearby and quietly observing, became more attentive.
Her ears twitched slightly as she focused on the conversation. Something about the girl Ash had brought with him piqued her interest. After Ash had returned, she had taken it upon herself to research his identity.
The Elven Council had not kept anything hidden from her. They had shared everything they had—the Humanity’s Saint request to report any sightings of Ash, and even a photo that confirmed without doubt that Mr. Unknown was none other than Ash Burn.
What surprised her more than anything, though, was the fact that he was younger than her.
Even so, despite all the information she had gathered, she still couldn’t understand why she felt so curious about the girl lying unconscious before her.
Maybe it was because she wanted to know what kind of person was important enough for him to bring to the World Tree itself for healing.
"Her personality was very gentle. She was filled with kindness and always spoke respectfully to everyone around her. Even during the times she became angry, it felt more adorable than threatening. And most importantly... she loved me more than anything else."
As soon as Ash finished those words, Serena felt something strange in her chest, almost like someone was gently squeezing her heart. She didn’t show anything outwardly, keeping a composed expression, but the World Tree noticed the flicker of emotion in her eyes.
However, she said nothing and simply let out a quiet sigh.
"If what you are saying is true, then what might change in her is something even I can’t predict," the World Tree spoke softly, her voice calm yet filled with quiet caution.
"She might become obsessive toward you, she might lose the warmth in her speech and become quieter than before, or perhaps her emotions will twist into something darker. There is nothing I can say for certain, because the demonic traits may awaken based on what lies deepest in her heart."
Hearing those words, Ash felt a strange shiver run down his spine, and in that very moment, goosebumps broke out across his skin as if his body was warning him of something.
His mind, usually calm under pressure, began to wander uncontrollably, spinning through the possibilities like a whirlwind.
Obsessive? Quiet? What if she turns into one of those yandere types...? No, that would be terrifying. Or worse, what if she becomes like a kuudere—emotionless, cold, distant, speaking with no emotion at all?
No no no no no no no... please no.
Just thinking about it made his back break out in cold sweat. The idea of the cheerful, kind-hearted Elysia transforming into something extreme felt far scarier than any enemy he had faced so far.
His heart pounded a little louder with that uncomfortable mix of worry and disbelief.
Still, despite the images running through his head, Ash took a slow breath and forced himself to calm down. He clenched his fists lightly, trying to shake off the unease.
Then, with a firm nod, he looked at the World Tree and gave her the signal to begin the treatment.
The World Tree, stepped closer and gently placed her hands over Elysia’s chest, right above her heart.
In response, soft silver-colored runes began to bloom above Elysia’s body. They moved slowly in a circular motion, hovering like ancient mana formations, glowing faintly as they rotated. Little by little, the runes began to sink into her skin, seeping into her body as if becoming one with her.
Ash couldn’t see what was happening inside her, but the aura spreading from her body never weakened. In fact, it was growing stronger, denser, and more refined by the second.
Time passed slowly. Ash remained standing still, observing in silence. He could see the change with his own eyes.
Elysia, who had become fragile and thin, was slowly returning to her original form. Her cheeks regained color, her arms no longer looked frail, and her breathing grew more stable.
The transformation was visible, almost like watching life being breathed into a flower that was wilting just moments ago.
But just when it seemed like the process was ending, a shift occurred. From her body, a dark mist began to rise. It was thick, black, and ominous, curling and twisting like smoke that had a will of its own.
Ash’s expression turned cold.
Demonic energy...
The foul aura continued to rise, but instead of spreading out, it began to gather above the runes that were still circling slowly.
The black mist was being pulled inward, forming a concentrated mass right at the center of the runic formation, as if the runes were absorbing and purifying it.
Minute by minute, the dark energy continued to collect, while the runes glowed brighter. After about fifteen minutes, no more demonic energy flowed out from Elysia’s body. It had all been pulled into the spinning runes.
Then, the World Tree joined her hands together in a calm, deliberate motion. Instantly, the glowing silver runes surged forward and locked the collected demonic energy in place, sealing it entirely.
The mass of black smoke shivered once, then pulsed with a soft white light. And in the next moment, it disintegrated into nothingness, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.
Silence followed.
The surroundings calmed, and everything slowly returned to normal. The sky above the garden remained clear.
The grass rustled gently in the wind, brushing softly against the edges of the flower garden. Elysia lay quietly on the large bed beneath the open hut, her breathing calm and steady. Her body, once pale and weak, now held a healthy glow, full of life once again.
"She is okay now. There is no danger to her life anymore. She will regain consciousness in a few hours," the World Tree said in a gentle tone, her voice carrying the certainty of nature itself.
Ash, who had been silent for a long time, smiled. It was the first genuine smile he had shown in months. There was something different about this moment.
For the first time in what felt like forever, his heart felt light. As if the weight he had been carrying silently on his shoulders all this time had finally been lifted.
Time moved quietly.
Exactly three hours later, Elysia’s eyelashes fluttered. Her eyelids trembled slightly, as if waking from a long, heavy dream. Ash noticed it right away. He had been sitting beside her the entire time, unmoving, silently watching over her like a shadow that refused to leave her side.
Not far from them, the World Tree was explaining something to Serena. Since the Elven King had passed before he could teach her anything properly.
So, while the peaceful energy of the garden remained steady, life continued around them.
Back near the bed, Ash stood up the moment he saw movement. He didn’t hesitate for even a second. His gaze remained locked on her as her eyes opened slowly, her vision adjusting to the soft light.
And finally, she saw him.
Elysia blinked several times, her gaze still hazy, but soon they locked eyes. Her lips parted gently, and in a soft, almost fragile voice, she whispered the one name that was etched into her soul.
"Ash...?"
***