Gardenia’s Heart

The atmosphere pulsed with gentle hues of green and gold.

Placing the sword back among the black vines, the shoulder-length, purple-haired girl reluctantly let her hand slip away from the obsidian blade.

“Is it really fine to just leave it like this?”

The question came from a silver-haired girl watching the action. Her black cloak swayed softly, concealing a bluish staff that seemed carefully hidden against her back.

“So long as I bear the blade to shoulder the burden, I can mend the inner seal. As for the outer one, ’twas ne’er truly shattered—merely unfastened—thus it yet remaineth whole.”

Her reply carried a calm tone. Yet, unable to hold back, Nerine covered her mouth with both hands as warm laughter escaped at the sight of Akasha clinging to Lily as a shield.

“Ah… and I’m sorry about earlier. I really didn’t mean to hit you.” Avoiding her gaze, Lily rubbed her elbows softly, a sheepish smile on her face.

While hunting the new Torment, Lily had accidentally struck the trunk of the World Tree with her new spell. She hadn’t known then that it was part of the fairy’s body, but the truth remained: she had caused harm.

“’Tis all well. Thou too didst brave great peril to see mine request fulfilled.”

Though not physically held, between the almost translucent hands of the woman, whose long white hair flowed upward, a cracked, colorless sphere rested.

“Because of thee, mine child need suffer no longer. Verily, I thank thee.”

“Lily is kind, so it’s good that you recognize that.” Hiding beneath Lily’s cloak just like the staff, the metamorph pressed her flushed cheeks tightly against her wife’s arm, already entwined with her own.

“Indeed, I’ll never be able to repay such a debt.”

With a gentle smile, the fairy in a black kimono rose gracefully, walking toward the two girls.

“I ought also to give thee thanks for entrusting Ragnarok unto me once more, Gardenia. With the seal restored, the beasts shall spread no further through the forest, and the peril of another Torment’s birth shall be naught.”

Being thanked was not something Nia often knew how to handle—especially from anyone other than Lily—so she buried herself once more against her wife’s arm, her violet hair brushing her subtly reddened cheeks.

“’Tis but a small token, yet I have set the two of ye as exceptions within mine barriers. Thus shall Gardenia not falter in her magic for want of the forest’s warped paths, and thou shalt walk unhindered, needing no faerie to guide thee at each step.”

Though Nerine’s words were still somewhat difficult for Lily to fully grasp due to her archaic manner of speaking, the girl once more felt the weight of who she was addressing.

The Primordial Fairy—the one who had granted the innate abilities of speaking to other forms of life and of precognition. And also… the World Tree itself.

Lily could hardly fathom how much power an existence needed to become something so vast. And so she understood why this truth was kept hidden from everyone.

As she finished arranging the black roots, Nerine’s transparent form slowly began to fade a little more.

“Mine body mendeth apace, yet I must needs take rest ere I can sustain a parallel form in full measure.”

Turning toward the two girls, Nerine spoke with her usual gentle tone. Yet, her ember-like eyes briefly fixed on Nia, an indescribable expression crossing her face.

“Is something wrong?” Nia asked, sensing the fairy’s stare.

“No, I but wished to offer thee thanks once more for thy aid.” Lowering her head in a deep bow, the fairy expressed gratitude from the depths of her being. “I shall close the outer seal anew. Yet the coordinates within shall I preserve, that thy portals may still find passage hither. Alas, I cannot cast this form beyond the bounds of the tree.”

“I promise we’ll come visit you soon.” Lily replied, realizing that because of the seal, aside from the fairies, she and Nia were likely the only ones able to enter and speak with the fairy.

“I shall await that day with eager anticipation.”

With those final words, Nerine’s form vanished completely.

As they ascended the stairs, the two girls watched the massive vaulted double doors. With the sound of dozens of gears grinding into motion, both sides of the structure began to close. Dozens of glowing symbols intertwined in the air before sinking once more into the material.

With a heavy thud, the doors finally sealed shut, a golden brilliance flaring one last time before fading entirely.

“Nerine is a kind person.” With a faint smile on her lips, Lily spoke softly. “And… sorry, Nia. I know you liked the sword, but it’s a shame we can’t keep it.”

Although she knew that possessing an item belonging to the Demon King would be priceless, Lily couldn’t simply take one of the most important treasures of the elves and fairies—especially now that they had just become neighbors.

“It’s fine. For now, I don’t want to touch something so uncontrollable.” Still clinging to her wife’s arm, Nia answered, her fingers tightening around Lily with a firmer grip.

“Uncontrollable? Why do you say that?” Lily asked, puzzled by her choice of words.

“Didn’t you feel it when you touched it?” Nia tilted her head, but when she saw Lily’s equally confused expression, she shook her head. “No, it’s nothing.”

Her demeanor showed she had no desire to press further. Instead, Nia released Lily’s arm only to slip both arms around her waist, burying her face against her beloved’s chest.

“Does Lily want to go home already?”

The gentle question made Lily give in, running her fingers through the girl’s violet hair once more. She wanted to ask more about what Nia had said, but with the metamorph nuzzling happily against her, such an attempt was impossible.

“It’s better if we check on things first before going home… especially since we can’t just leave Elarielle like this.”

Through the entire conversation, from the moment with Nerine until now, there was one thing Lily couldn’t quite ignore.

Dangling upside down from a tentacle, a golden-haired girl was completely unconscious. With an amber axe strapped to her back, both her arms and legs hung slack under gravity as she snored loudly. The crown upon her head nearly slipped off countless times, saved only by the frantic efforts of her cyan fairy, who clung desperately to it, struggling to preserve its contractor’s dignity.

Physically, aside from one arm still stained in a deep purple blotch from elbow to fingertips, Elarielle bore no visible wounds. Purely from physical and mental exhaustion, the hero had collapsed.

“Let’s bring her to Thelira… just make sure no one sees her like this.”

Though the thought of carrying the woman openly was tempting for a brief moment, Lily knew it would not bode well for the royal family’s image if their queen was seen in such a state.

Nia nodded in understanding. Extending one arm, she conjured a portal that shimmered like a starry sky. Crossing it without hesitation, Lily found herself atop the city’s partially ruined walls.

“Klara, I’m so glad you’re safe!”

The instant they arrived, a familiar voice rang out from several meters away. On the ground below the walls, a man with black hair already streaked with gray and an obsidian eyepatch ran joyfully toward a white tent.

“Save the hugs for later, Father. Help me carry these two unconscious soldiers first. I just finished handling a delicate case involving a rare poison. As the one leading the healers while Lady Elarielle is absent, it’s my duty to save as many lives as I can.”

Effortlessly pushing the old general’s face aside, Klara adjusted her white coat, finishing her care for the spiky-haired green-haired youth who, for some reason, was completely bound in bandages, before moving on to the next wounded elf lying on a cot. Despite the bruise on her head and the pain clearly visible in her expression, the elf continued to work with masterful precision.

“Besides, I heard you sent my fiancé to work at the stables alone again. I’ll be delighted to hear your explanation for that.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am!” Riari, unable to resist his daughter’s resolve, began following her orders despite being on the verge of exhaustion himself.

Having listened to the exchange, Lily turned her gaze toward the battlefield outside the city. Across the plains, countless monster corpses littered the ground.

On her way to the World Tree to face Torment, she had slain every intruder inside the city, leaving the outer defense to the elves, for she could not allow the fairy monster to destroy the colossal tree. Yet, judging by the sheer number of bodies on the ground—though not as overwhelming as the calamity in Caligo—there had been far more monsters than she had anticipated.

Given the elves’ smaller population and the absence of their strongest fighter, this battle could have easily ended in tragedy—were it not for the intervention of the girl Lily was now watching.

“I’ve confirmed your parents are safe. They’re at your barracks.”

Her golden hair spilled onto the ground. Barefoot, with emerald eyes shining under the morning light, a girl stood amidst the battlefield. Before her knelt a pink-haired soldier, drenched in both purple and red blood, tears welling in her eyes.

“It was my lack of courage and ineptitude that forced you through such hardships, Zaylin. Had my life truly come to an end, I feared that being tied to the worst Sage in history would tarnish all of your achievements.”

Grasping the soldier’s bloodstained, dirt-covered hands, Thelira stepped closer and locked her gaze on the girl’s rose-colored eyes.

“Please, tell me a way I can redeem myself—how I can make amends for the burdens and suffering you’ve endured because of me.”

To be held so fervently by Thelira was something Zaylin had never experienced. She could feel the eyes of countless soldiers around them. Though she had scarcely appeared in public, everyone recognized the Sage’s face. None could even begin to imagine what was unfolding before them.

“B-But I only did this to repay your aid. Your Highness, I am unworthy of any reward.”

“Zaylin, excessive modesty is also a form of disrespect, you know?” Tightening her grip on the girl’s calloused hands, heedless of the filth, Thelira gazed at her even more intently. “Tell me what you wish for. I will do everything in my power to make it happen!”

Pressed so earnestly, the pink-haired girl—her fairy circling her frantically—struggled to steady her breathing before finally managing to move her lips again.

“P-Please, allow me to serve you officially!”

Thelira’s eyebrows shot up, her mouth parting as though her jaw might drop to the floor.

“Just… just that?”

In answer, Zaylin nodded repeatedly, her flushed, determined face straining to remain steady.

After declaring she would grant any wish, Thelira had no choice but to accept.

Though she had been forcefully taught vast political knowledge over the years, what should be said or done in a moment like this was something entirely beyond her experience.

“From this day forth, I name you, Zaylin, as the direct knight of the Sage.”

Saying what she believed to be appropriate, Thelira took the girl’s dagger and rested it upon her shoulder. The instant she did, a chorus of cheers erupted from the soldiers surrounding them, making her give a small startled jump.

“Your Highness, Sage!”

Having led the vanguard and guided the soldiers to victory, her authority and position could no longer be questioned.

With resounding shouts, the soldiers hailed the two girls, their applause thunderous. Unaccustomed to such recognition, it was impossible for either of them to keep their composure. Their pointed ears flushed red as they desperately searched for a way to escape the jubilant crowd.

Amidst the deafening cheers, Thelira felt a firm gloved hand on her shoulder. Turning her head, she met the blank expression of a tall woman.

“Lady Rhei…”

Clad in an elegant outfit of layered black and gold, the woman slid an arm beneath the elf’s legs, lifting her off the ground in a single motion and settling her gently onto her lap.

“Fufufu, there’s someone you ought to see right now.”

Two wings unfurled from her back, beating several times before carrying their bodies up into the air.

“W-What about me!?” Left behind in the sea of curious soldiers, Zaylin stretched her hands toward her new mistress, who was now abandoning her as a sacrificial offering.

“Think of this as your first official mission.” Thelira laughed softly as the ground fell away beneath her.

Forcing herself to stop looking at the girl swallowed up by questions, Thelira tucked back the strands of hair flailing wildly in the wind, trying to make sense of where Rhei was taking her—until her eyes finally fixed upon the figures standing atop the city wall.

“My king, I am relieved to see you return safely.”

Landing gently, Rhei barely had time to finish her salute before Thelira leapt from her arms and rushed straight toward her sister.

“Sis!”

With a swift motion, she cupped both of the queen’s cheeks, pulling her face close and checking her vitals.

“Uh… what?”

Being shaken so directly despite her exhaustion, it was impossible for the girl not to wake.

Giving a clumsy pat to her subordinate’s shoulder, Lily glanced at the queen, who startled awake in panic. “You were out for about twenty or thirty minutes.”

“I-It’s over?” Looking around frantically, Elarielle had barely a moment before being released by the tentacle and collapsing to the ground.

“Yes, we recovered the sword.” The timid voice came from beneath Lily’s cloak. With only a part of her face peeking out from the side of the girl’s chest, Nia regarded the elf sprawled on the floor with a small, mischievous smile.

Fixating on the metamorph, Elarielle—still with a droplet of drool trailing down her mouth—whipped her head around in a frenzy.

“And where is Drelkos? Did he escape, then?”

Gathering mana into her weary body in an attempt to rise, she quickly seized the axe strapped to her back.

“It’s all right, Sis. Lady Gardenia defeated him.”

The queen heard the words, yet her mind received them as though a hammer had struck her skull. Slowly—

“Thelira, please… could you repeat that?” Holding her sister’s hand with gentle desperation, Elarielle’s voice cracked.

“Lady Gardenia defeated the demon. We are safe now.”

Her eyes widened, and her jaw nearly came unhinged, hanging loose. The fingers that had been gripping her axe slackened, and the amber weapon slipped from her grasp, crashing to the ground.

She blinked several times, her gaze darting between those present as though expecting them to laugh at the joke. Yet even after several long seconds, the absurd statement she had just heard twice finally sank into her mind.

“Holy shit, Paper Devourer, you actually managed to kill one of the Twilights…” The thin voice, barely more than a whisper, sounded like someone who had just suffered a terrible fright.

Struggling to her feet, Elarielle fixed her eyes on the purple-haired girl, who merely turned her face back toward the comfortable warmth of her beloved.

“I only helped my neighbors, as my wife asked. In the end, Mr. Demon was a good sparring partner.”

The girl’s words sent a chill running down the queen’s spine. It was clear now—this girl had devoured the Twilight.

One of the beings that had brought tragedy to thousands during the war. A creature so powerful it was a natural calamity wherever it appeared. And that monster had perished upon crossing this girl’s path.

Elarielle swallowed hard. For a fleeting moment, one thought pierced her mind: if she tried to stop this girl now, would she even stand a chance?

Deciding it was better not to dwell on it, Elarielle began fumbling through the pieces of armor she wore.

“The other day Thelira said you’d gone more than two weeks without sleep, didn’t she? Rest a little longer,” Lily said, watching the restless elf.

“This little time was more than enough. I can collapse from exhaustion once I’m certain I’ve succeeded.” Finally wiping the drool from her mouth with her arm, Elarielle blinked several times, dark circles heavy beneath her eyes.

“Succeeded? Succeeded in what, exactly?” Tilting her head, Lily asked—only to see the queen pull a glass vial from her breastplate. The liquid inside, a shimmering blend of gold and azure, gleamed even beneath the sunlight.

“T-That’s…!?” Thelira stammered as the vial was handed to her.

“I didn’t have time to put it in a prettier container or wrap it like a gift, but I hope—!”

“Sis!”

Throwing herself onto her sister, who averted her eyes in shy deflection, Thelira wrapped both arms around the girl’s neck.

“Thank you, Sis, thank you!”

“It’s fine. Just drink it quickly, all right? I finished it while running through the forest, so we might need to test it in case I got some proportion wrong.”

For the first time in her life unable to handle her sister embracing her like this, Elarielle scratched her cheek awkwardly, careful not to spill the vial.

“What are you talking about, Sis? You’ve never once messed up a medicine in your entire life.” Unable to suppress the laugh that came with her smile, the girl reached out and accepted the medicine without hesitation.

Thelira lifted the vial to her lips and drank the azure-amber mixture in a single, smooth gulp. At first, there was no sharp taste—only a faint tingling on her tongue. But as the last drop slid down her throat, her emerald eyes widened.

A heat flared in the center of her chest, spreading in waves through every vein, every fiber of her being. It felt as though a miniature sun were coursing through her blood, melting away the walls of pain that had plagued her all her life. Her whole body trembled as the tension broke, a cool relief bursting from the depths of her existence and flooding outward.

All at once, her legs gave way and she collapsed to her knees. Those around her rushed forward to intervene, but the girl stopped them with a simple, firm wave of her hand.

“...” She had no words to describe it.

She couldn’t feel her legs. She couldn’t feel her arms.

No—that wasn’t right.

She could feel each of them, but the agonizing pain that had always accompanied every moment of her existence was gone. Her nervous system, confused by the absence of suffering, seemed to understand why the crushing weight on her limbs had vanished.

With care and reluctance, Thelira pulled off the shackles around her wrists, the ones she had worn like bracelets.

Her mana spilled out of her body and wrapped around her.

Yes.

Her mana.

“This…” Thelira felt her eyes begin to sting, her vision blurring as though submerged, while threads of hot liquid streamed down her cheeks.

Her own mana no longer hurt.

“Congratulations, Thelira.” Pulling the girl into a gentle embrace as she wept uncontrollably, Elarielle made sure her warmth reached her. “Mother would be proud to see the great woman you’ve become.”

A long, wordless silence followed, broken only by Thelira’s sobs.

Without hurrying her, everyone around simply waited quietly as she poured out the anguish, the pain, and the suffering she had carried for so long.

Slowly, as the tears stopped flowing, Elarielle pressed a soft kiss to her sister’s forehead before helping her to stand. Thelira was no longer the little girl who had once locked herself in her room every day. Witnessing that change, the elf herself had to wipe her own eyes a few times.

“Let me check you, just to be safe.”

Turning her face toward the silver-haired girl in the black dress, Elarielle walked toward her despite her fatigue.

“Lily’s body is fine.” Puffing her cheeks, Nia stepped protectively in front of her wife, crimson eyes locked on the elf.

“It’s all right. It’s only a quick examination—there’s no danger in it, Nia.”

Seeing her beloved trying to protect her once again brought a smile to Lily’s lips. Gently, she drew the metamorph against her chest, caressing her head while extending her free hand so Elarielle could inspect her with magic.

Careful to keep the contact brief, Elarielle sent a pulse of greenish aura through Lily’s body before nodding.

“Yes, your body is in perfect condition.”

“I told you, I’d never let Lily get hurt.” Pouting again at Elarielle’s words, Nia wrapped her arms around Lily’s neck and nuzzled their faces together.

“But...” Yet before fully releasing Lily’s hand, Elarielle’s eyes flickered away for a moment. “There’s one more thing I need to tell you…”

“What is it?”

Noticing the queen’s uneasy expression, Lily tilted her head, a subtle worry rising within her.

Although Nia took perfect care of everything inside her, there might be aspects of the human body the metamorph didn’t yet know. Elarielle was still the greatest healer in the world. As someone who had analyzed her condition down to the cellular level with ease, the queen might have noticed something unusual in her structure.

“When I helped heal your arm in the labyrinth, I had a suspicion, but I thought it was just part of your unique composition. But now… looking again, I’m certain I wasn’t mistaken.”

Elarielle averted her gaze, biting her lip. Her face turned as red as a beet.

“Maybe this isn’t the best time to say it—you’re probably exhausted from battle—but I don’t think it would be right to keep it to myself…”

Finally, fixing her eyes on the girls, the elf raised her voice with a bright smile.

“Congratulations—you’re pregnant!”