Chapter 13

Translated by AmaLynne

by AmaLynne

I was teased by Demiurge, but I enjoyed the meal for a little while.

I don’t think so, but I’m the kind of person who enjoys being teased… No, let’s not think about it. They say that once you get into something like this, you’re in over your head. Yes.

If you don’t think about it, you’ll never notice.

No, no, I’m normal… Maybe.

“So, husband, now that our bellies are full, let’s go gather some mana to give to the world tree.”

Demiurge calls out to me, unconcerned about my state of mind.

Incidentally, we’re currently on our way out of the forest.

When I asked Demiurge the reason for this, she said

“Umu. Actually, there are two ways to give mana to the world tree: one is to give it mana directly from your body, as I did. But this is only a stopgap measure to prevent the world tree from dying. Therefore, there is practically only one way to do this.”

“What’s that method?”

“It is to give the tree a substance called【 Anima Crystal 】, which is dropped by demons.”

“I’ve never heard of the Anima Crystal… Does that mean I can use it to grow the world tree?”

“Yes. The Anima Crystal is the crystal form of mana, the materialized soul of a demon.”

According to Demiurge, most of the demons that exist in this world are actually the result of four specific demons.

I know from the previous battle that Demiurge can also create demons.

However, the Demiurgeos released only four demons into the world.

I heard that she calls those demons the “Four Great Demons”.¹

It seems that the Four Great Demons feed the enormous amount of mana given to them by Demiurge to the life on earth and turn it into demons.

The demonized creatures are said to have dramatically improved physical abilities and become more violent. In addition, they can dramatically increase their ability to reproduce.

It is said that the reason why the world is filled with demons is that the Four Great Demons spread their own mana in various places, and their own overpowering breeding power caused their numbers to explode.

“Demons are plants, animals, minerals, and spirits that have been altered by the interference of mana from the outside. They have souls called anima in their bodies, and when they are defeated, they return to the earth as mana… However, if it is me and husband, we can crystallize the mana that would normally dissolve into the earth. That is the Anima Crystal.”

The anima that demons carry in their bodies is sucked into the earth as mana even if a mortal defeat them.

However, Demiurge seems to have the power to materialize these animas.

And since I share my soul with Demiurge, I can use some of the power she possesses.

It is said that when I or Demiurge stab a demon, its anima will automatically solidify and crystallize.

By absorbing it, we can accelerate the growth of the World Tree.

“But is it okay to feed the mana from the demon to the world tree?”

I have a biased image of the world tree as something very sacred, while demons give me the impression of being unclean.

That’s just my impression, but is there a problem with that?

“Well, to begin with, mana is neither holy nor evil. It is only a source of power. The reason you humans consider demons to be evil is because they attack humans, and in the natural world, they are just like animals that are a little fierce. How can a creature with no intelligence judge a demon as evil?”

“Ah, I see.”

It’s true, if you ask me.

It’s true that demons are evil, but that’s just the standard by which humans judge them.

Well, there are quite a few normal animals whose ecosystems have been invaded, and they may be angry at demons, they may judge them as enemies, but they may not consider them evil.

“Now that I’ve explained everything to you, I’ll ask you to go and kill the demons and collect the Anima Crystals.”

“Yes? Is it just me? Demiurge won’t help?”

“I’m sorry, but I have very little power right now. If I’m not careful, I am no better than any other human girl around. I told you that giving my life to husband consumed most of my mana… And now that I’m giving mana to the world tree, I can hardly use magic. And if I try to cast any offensive magic, my body will disappear.”

“It is, after all…”

It’s because I hurt that Demiurge core, right?

I was tormented by a sense of guilt.

But then Demiurge comes up to me, puts her hands on my cheeks, and pulls my face close to her.

“Don’t worry about it. My husband and I fought over something that neither of us could compromise. As a result, the Master has defeated me. It is true that I was not annihilated, but my power has been greatly reduced, and I, as an individual, can no longer destroy humans. But instead, husband has given me the opportunity to create a new way of the world.”

“M-Me?”

“Umu. It was you who created the opportunity for the previous world tree to produce seeds. In fact, I am even grateful to you. Well, I hope you’ll at least take responsibility for making me into a damaged state. For example, if you make a pact with me… and we have a child… together…”

“………”

I was honestly amazed at Demiurge, who didn’t seem any more pessimistic than necessary about the fact that she had lost her power.

Normally, I would expect her to hold a grudge against the person who hurt her, but she doesn’t speak of such a grudge, but rather comforts me.

I suppose that the size of her generosity is due to the fact that she is a god.

The size of her heart is too different from a human being.

The fact that she can forgive me, and the fact that she is strong enough to pursue the responsibility for her own weakness and press me to marry and have a baby with her.

“Th-Then, I’ll have to do my best to defeat the demons and collect as many Anima Crystals as possible! And since Demiurge can’t fight, I’ll have to provide mana to the World Tree for the two of us.”

I averted my eyes from Demiurge’s bewitching smile and raised my voice to cover it up.

I gently removed her soft hand that was holding my face and turned away.

Then, I walked toward the outside of the forest.

“Come on! Let’s go, let’s defeat the demons!”

I thrust one arm upward and acted with great enthusiasm.

But…

“Kuku, husband, wait a minute.”

“Wh-What is it?! Let’s get out of the forest!”

Demiurge, letting out a small laugh, stopped me.

I look back at her by the neck.

There, I see Demiurge, laughing hilariously.

“Fufu… It’s good to see you’re in good spirits, husband. If you want to go out of the forest, you’re going in the wrong direction there. I mean, husband doesn’t even know what’s in these woods yet, so where would he go alone?”

“Ah…”

“Fufu… Husband is a very interesting man. I never get tired of watching you.”

“Hhh~~~~~~~~!”

In the last few hours, how many times have I been embarrassed?

And each time, Demiurge gave me an unpleasant evaluation.

Ugh… is pathetic. I’m a hero, I am…

No, what’s the use of being depressed! Look forward, Ares!

If you are dissatisfied with the current situation, you have no choice but to overturn it with your own hands!

To do so, first…

I have to defeat the demons and collect a lot of mana!