The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 4.13

♥CHAPTER 4, SECTION 1, SCENE 3♥
♥Clarith ~ Lucifenia Kingdom’s “Port Town • Monastery” ~

It is said that Levin religion’s Eldoh faction was formed in the now-defunct Eldohgort (present-day Elphegort) when the Magic Kingdom Levianta (Divine Levianta) broke off. 

With the Twin Dragon Gods Levia-Behemo as the absolute gods of the Levia opposition, the Eldoh faction worships the dragon Eldoh. Therefore, they were initially regarded as heretics and suffered severe repression. Afterwards, due to the “Levianta Disaster”, the number of people in the Levia sect/faction was reduced. Only then did the Eldoh faction grow in strength. For some time, the congregation increased until it was comparable with the Levia faction.  But over the passage of time, due to the political influence the members of Levia faction had on the country, it (Levia faction) soon became the mainstream religion again. 

The elder’s decorations for the church was rather simple compared to other(?) churches. They prohibit idolatry so there weren’t any statue in the church. Mr. Keel, despite having finance, had simple decorations in his mansion. That may be probably because he chose this religion.

Every morning, I have to wake up early. We had to pray even before the sun rise. We also had to pray before and after having breakfast. Preparing the meals was one of my duties.

I am primarily responsible for the children’s meals. Because a lot of the children are picky eaters, I have to consider them one at a time so I have to make a menu that will satisfy all of them and it’s giving me a headache. If the menu is too biased, I’ll get scolded by the dean.

After breakfast, the nuns begin to do their duties. The monastic life is essentially self-contained. In addition, we had to publicize the activities of the church. We also engage in agricultural activities like wine making. We don’t have to always do it for as long as we pray, it’s good enough.

I just came here four months ago and I’m already leading a busy life. Although I have to say that my everyday life is very fulfilling but there is still a big hole in my heart that I am not able to fill up.

My life was based on many human sacrifices. Even if I pray for these people every day, I still continue to live on of course – because I am alive.

Mr. Keel said to me “I hope you continue on living with a smile on”. I know it must be the correct view, but I wasn’t able to laugh. Will the issue of having a sincere smile last for a long period of time? Also, will I still have it after the revolution? I think not.

I can’t go back to the Freesis Mansion. If Michaela weren’t there, I wouldn’t be happy. Maybe I should get baptized as a nun and continue to cook here. I’m interested in the wine.

If Michaela were here, she would have said with a smile “If Clarith wants to do so” and I’ll rebuke with a “I can’t do it”. But I can’t say it, because she is not of this world anymore.

God, please grant me a miracle. I would at least like to say good bye to Michaela. Well, of course, God will not move for a cowardly person like me.

“Are you Clarith?”

Some people arrived right after lunch, just shortly after the nuns have gone to resume their duties.

“Yes, I am… and you are?”

“I used to be Lucifenia’s Court Magician, Elluka Clockworker. This is my apprentice, Gumillia”

The pink-haired woman said with a smile. I don’t know why but the child beside her is staring at me.

“Today, we have come to challenge you”

Gumillia, who seems to be an Elphegortean, came up to me. Elluka stopped her.

“H-Hey! No, Gumillia. Today, we came to give her a gift.”

Elluka suppressed Gumillia’s provocative attitude. Elluka took out a pot with a sapling on it.

“This is…?”

“Your most precious friend”

“Eh?”

When it comes to my most cherish friend, only one person flashes into my mind. However, this sapling is my friend? So this is how it happened.

“Let me start from scratch. The story is a bit long… could we please have a cup of tea?”

Elluka had mischievous smile. I did what she said and prepared the tea in the cafeteria.

“First off, your friend, Michaela… is a forest spirit reincarnated into a human by my magic.”

After a cup of tea, Elluka simply began to present. She was surprised that I wasn’t surprised because I clearly understood it.

“……You’re not surprised?”

“I always felt… that she was not an ordinary person”

I was young when my mother told me of the existence of spirits. I originally thought she was just making a fool out of me, but when I met Michaela, I could not help but wonder if spirits do exist. She must be one of them.

I always had chills whenever Michaela would sing.

“Is that all?”

Elluka suddenly gazed at my face then she suddenly understood everything and just nodded.

“It’s only a little bit, but you seem to have magic in you. Setting the topic aside, during the times of war, Michaela was at the Millennium Tree Forest’s ancient well right?

“Yes”

“But it was too late. When we got there, a useless man was already hugging her and crying… the Marlon King”

“The Marlon King?”

“He seems to have heard about Michaela’s whereabouts. We didn’t have time to save her. Although he brought back her bones, he didn’t acknowledge her death. In my point of view, he also contributed to her death.”

I also agree with her. If I ever saw that man again, I would beat him to a pulp.

“He only retrieved the low-level gift he gave to Michaela. Her bones then became tree saplings.”

“……Wait a minute, why did her bones become tree sapling? Is it because she’s a spirit?”

“Ah, although this is a bad reason, the simplest way to say it is… she has been chosen to become the next millennium tree… Eldoh’s successor.”

Eldoh’s successor? A spirit becoming God? My mind will not be able to keep up with it.

“Do you know of the Millennium Tree? That tree is the host for the Earth God, Eldoh. I recently learned that his life depends on the Millennium Tree itself. Although Eldoh cannot die, after the tree dies, he cannot stay on this earth anymore. The reason why Eldoh chose Michaela before he would depart the world is because it was important for the next guardian to be very knowledgeable about humans(?). That was the reason why she was allowed to become human. It was abominable, being fooled by that old man… I’m sorry, did you understand?”

“Generally, yes…”

“Generally, the truth is what is most important. You will later slowly understand it all. Before we came here, we took Michaela’s sapling to Keel Freesis. Because he was taking care of her, I wanted to go to him and had some private discussions… Can I have some more tea?”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry”

I didn’t know her tea cup was already empty. I carried the teapot and placed some on her cup. She briefly said “Thank you” then continued:

“Keel said to give Michaela’s sapling to you. He said when Michaela turns into a tree, the first thing she will see is her best friend. Naturally, I also got benefits and it cannot be denied.”

As Elluka spoke, she was playing with her rod. Although the shape of it is strange, it seems to be like a sword.

My heart was pounding fast and loud. I can’t wait for Michaela to become a tree. Even if her form has changed, for me, she is still my most cherished person.

“However, I don’t know about you but Gumillia wants to keep her(?)”

“We can’t decide if Michaela is a sapling.(?)”

Elluka and Gumillia became silent for a while. It seems Michaela is an important person for her as well.

“So, we will let Michaela decide what to do… Gumillia, can you do it?”

Gumillia nodded.

“Begin”

Gumillia placed her hand on top of the pot and began saying an incantation.

“Stellub evilh, tiw nug a, em evag Atnas”

The sapling gradually vibrated. Shortly after, a dazzling light covered my eyes.

I can’t help but close my eyes.

“………!”

As I opened my eyes, my mood became indescribable.

In front of me was a figure I could only dream off.
 
“Michaela!”

I quickly ran towards her but my body went through her body and just directly hit the opposite wall.

“Ouch…”

I took a second look before realizing that Michaela’s body was transparent. Even if I wanted to touch her hand, it would just go through her.

“You’re still too bold, Clarith”

“Michaela… I missed you”

“Me too. When I saw your face, I was really pleased.”

Michaela and I stared at each other for a while. I had lot of things I wanted to tell her but when I was facing her, I could not think up of any.

“……Are you back to your full health?”

It was a silly and unexpected question. Michaela died as a human, how can she be healthy…

“Ah, although I seem to look healthy… but this is just an illusion. But since I can be seen my Clarith, I want to thank Eldoh-san. However, this spell cannot be used many times. So this is my only chance to speak to you.”

“……Michaela, I want to live in a better future where you and I are…”

If this was my last chance, I hope she would give me an answer. Depending on what she answers, is how I will be able to live.

However, Michaela did not answer.

“I can’t answer that”

“What… why…?”

“My time as a human has already ended and you have to live on. When you worry about the pains the future might bring, you can no longer rely on me. You have to find the answer on your own. If I give my answer now, those words will be forever trapped inside of you and will never be able to stand up for yourself. You decide what you want to do with your life. Even if your decision is erroneous or distorted, for as long as it’s your own choice, it’s meaningful”

Those words like and, at the same time, not like Michaela at all. She will become a god to protect the earth. So maybe these words are god’s revelation for me.

I taste the joy of meeting with Michaela again without any human despair and the profound understanding that Michaela also refuses death.

“Clarith”

Michaela called out my name. I don’t know if she understands my feelings.

“Before I died as a human, I wanted to tell you something when we meet again”

“…I also wanted to tell you something”

The wish we want to say must be the same.

“I”

“I”

We only needed simple words to understand each other.

“Clarith”

“Michaela”

Good bye and thank you, Michaela.

“I love you”

“……So who won?”

Elluka asked Gumillia in a stubborn way.

“…Wait”

Gumillia recited again and Michaela’s body disappeared. She then gave the pot to me.

“I’m giving you Michaela. If she dies… I don’t care”

I just experienced something incredible, really incredible. If common sense applies, this should have never happened. Perhaps this is all a lie. This two people united and are lying to me. Maybe.

“About the tree sapling… what are you going to do about it?”

My problem was revealed by Gumillia because I had a “What am I going to do?” look on my face. She immediately replied with all her feelings:

“Of course, you can plant her in the forest. But it’s up to you to decide. Just like what Michaela said, decide for yourself”

“……OK”

“We have to go. Take care of yourself”

“Thank you for the tea”

Two people with little baggage came out from the door. Gumillia seems to have remembered something. She turned back and said to me:

“I forgot to tell you. The revolution was a success and the princess has been sentenced. Michaela has been avenged.”