The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 186

Chapter 22: Resolution – The Accepting Scoundrel

I had a hunch.

That the World Tree might possess a consciousness.

It was too significant to simply dismiss as a sacred tree, considering the World Tree’s remarkable abilities.

A wide-area aura that boosted stats and maximized recovery, along with blood drain and regeneration.

Apart from the inherently overpowered abilities, my growth rate, which increased each time I obtained a Golden Branch, was ridiculously high.

Most impressively, it had sealed the Underworld’s Greatest Swordsman, the Old Celestial Demon, into a single sword and replayed Merlin’s memories like a 4D movie.

If a tree could perform such complex tasks, wouldn’t it be capable of independent thought?

[Please save Adam. I beg you.]

As I suspected, my prediction was correct.

She was a transcendent spirit embodied in the form of a sacred tree.

“Why should I save a giant?”

[He is a pitiful child.]

“He is also a murderer who massacred five hundred thousand Bryunak people. Weren’t their lives precious?”

[······I will show you a memory.]

Flash!!

Suddenly, someone’s life unfolded before my eyes.

It was the same format as when I entered Merlin’s body during the Golden Branch trial.

Only this time, the subject had changed from the druid Merlin to the giant Adam.

The life of Adam that appeared in the recollection was truly astonishing.

A human who had existed on the Arnia continent since its very beginning.

It also revealed aspects of the Aslan Empire, which Pilgrim Tom was constantly searching for.

“This is···”

I understood why the World Tree said Adam’s life was tragic.

The scenes of human experimentation that the Aslan Empire had conducted for decades were enough to make even me feel sick.

I suppressed the rising nausea and experienced his life to the end.

[Have you recalled all the memories?]

“Yes.”

[If you feel even a little sympathy for Adam, please have mercy.]

Igdrasil’s earnest request.

It was true that my heart had softened.

But that didn’t mean my decision would be reversed.

I had only gained a deeper understanding of him.

“I’m sorry.”

[······.]

It’s best if I deal with him directly.

I drew the Celestial Demon Sword and placed it against Adam’s neck.

Just as I was about to end his life with an Aura Blade.

The World Tree spoke again.

[If you save Adam, I will give you a clue about returning to Earth.]

The sword stopped abruptly.

To be precise, I had no choice but to stop.

I had endured all sorts of hardships and adversities since falling into this world.

What was the reason I had silently endured and come this far?

Wasn’t it to return home?

The World Tree knew exactly what I wanted.

“Really? No lies?”

[I only speak the truth. Kim Cheol-soo.]

Kim Cheol-soo.

My name on Earth before coming to this world.

Being called Kim Cheol-soo after being called Henon felt strangely awkward and almost embarrassing.

In any case, it seemed certain that the World Tree knew something about Earth.

“Adam.”

The giant looked at me.

He seemed puzzled that I, who had been about to kill him, had stopped the sword.

“Speak.”

“Go to the Eastern Great Forest.”

“The Eastern Great Forest?”

“Yes. The Elves live there. If you tell a girl named Sasha that I sent you, she will understand.”

This was the easiest solution.

Adam can’t integrate with humans anyway.

Even if he hides somewhere, he will eventually be discovered by humans, and conflicts will arise.

It would be best to leave him to the Elves.

After all, the Elves also tend to be wary of humans.

Besides, both Adam and the Elves are friendly to the World Tree.

In many ways, they were a good match.

“Don’t cause trouble there.”

“I know. I will follow Henon’s words.”

According to the memories the World Tree showed me, he wasn’t the type to commit senseless massacres.

It would be beneficial for both of them if he lived with the Elves and acted as a guardian protecting their community.

“Then go.”

“I understand.”

Adam disappeared with heavy steps.

The Seven Stars watched my decision without voicing any objections.

“Why are you all so quiet? You should say something.”

Orneo replied.

“First, because I trust you. If you decided that way, there must be a good reason. Second, because I’m tired. I’m too exhausted to think about that right now.”

The other Seven Stars agreed.

“That’s right. I want to take a hot bath and drink some desert scorpion wine [a potent alcoholic beverage] as soon as possible.”

“Gordon, my eyes are closing. Can I lie down for a bit?”

“If you lie down here now, it will be at least a week. If you sleep on the bare ground, your mouth will turn crooked [a traditional belief that sleeping improperly can cause facial paralysis].”

“I want to eat something. I’m starving. It’s harder than when I explored the ruins for a month eating only water.”

“I pray to Bellanus [likely a deity]. Today’s victory is glory achieved under your blessing······”

“I’m not sure how much of this I should report to His Majesty the Emperor.”

It would be a nuisance to keep the elders who have suffered so much any longer.

“Everyone is dismissed. Thank you for your hard work. I will visit you later.”

“Henon, what are you going to do?”

“I have something else to do.”

I need to talk to the World Tree.

“I understand. Take care.”

The Seven Stars scattered.

I stood in front of Igdrasil.

I couldn’t help but admire the overwhelming size and sacred energy.

I raised my hand and placed it on the tree’s body.

The moment my palm touched the body, a dazzling light spread out and enveloped me.

Flash!!

A warm white space.

The cozy and refreshing energy relaxed me and made me feel good.

Igdrasil was waiting for me.

Tall and exuding an elegant atmosphere, she was a beauty that was difficult to define in a single sentence.

“You’ve come.”

“I greet the World Tree.”

Igdrasil is the benefactor who has nurtured me as a druid and guided me this far.

I greeted her with as much courtesy as possible.

“Nice to meet you, Henon. Or should I call you Kim Cheol-soo?”

“Call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Okay. Henon.”

I had longed for this moment for a long time.

But now that it’s here, I don’t know what to ask first.

Should I ask about the final Golden Branch test? Is the Great Devil’s seal undone? Or should I start by asking how she knew my real name from Earth?

“You seem to have many questions. I’ll answer them all, so ask one at a time.”

“Did I collect all the Golden Branches?”

“Is that what you want to know first? To answer, yes, you have. Now, following Merlin’s path, you will become a complete druid.”

“What about the test?”

“There is no final test. I can create one if you wish.”

“I’m okay.”

Next, I asked about the Great Devil.

“What will happen to the Great Devil?”

“The warrior from the Eastern Continent sealed him using Merlin’s soul fragments and part of my body as collateral. But Merlin has vanished, and all the scattered fragments have been gathered, so if you, Henon, wish it, I will release him from the seal.”

“Please do so.”

“Understood.”

It felt strange that the Great Devil was awakening.

A somewhat unfamiliar feeling.

But if the Great Devil is released, what about the Great Devil Sword?

I decided to worry about that later.

The most important question remained.

“Can I return to Earth?”

Gulp.

I swallowed hard without realizing it.

I repeatedly wished for it in my mind.

Igdrasil, who was looking down at me with a benevolent smile, slowly opened her lips.

“It is possible. If that is what you truly desire.”

A feeling of elation spread throughout my body.

The relief of being able to return home.

All emotions mixed together, and my heart welled up.

On the other hand, I had doubts.

“Of course, I want to go back.”

“Really? Think carefully. Consider whether you truly want to return.”

Igdrasil’s tone was meaningful.

Something was off.

Returning to Earth was something I had desperately wanted since I fell into this game world.

And I have to go back to Earth to meet my beloved family and friends…

Tingle.

“Kuhuk!!”

A sharp pain struck my head.

I tried to remember something, but it wouldn’t come to mind.

It just hurt like hell.

“It is natural to feel pain as you forcibly recall memories of your past life. It puts a strain on your soul.”

I didn’t understand what she was saying at all.

Wasn’t I forcibly kidnapped into this world?

I came here against my will and went through all sorts of hardships, but since when did my life on Earth become a past life?

“I fell asleep while playing a game, and then I was here.”

“That is not the case.”

“Pardon?”

“You are unable to recall it. Try to remember, even if it is painful.”

As the World Tree said, I tried to recall my memories again. The continuous pain made my brain feel like it was splitting apart.

“If it is difficult, I can help you a little.”

Igdrasil’s hand gently rested on my head.

At the same time, sparks flew in my head, and old memories hidden in my subconscious popped out.

The memories flowed like a film, vividly showing everything from the beginning to the end of my life.

Parents whose faces I couldn’t remember. An orphanage entrusted to someone’s care. A childhood that was terribly lonely and isolated. Adolescence spent frantically juggling work and studies. Becoming an adult and getting a job at a company. Living a life of repeating the same routine like a hamster on a wheel…

Screech—Bang!!

Truck ending [referencing the isekai trope of dying by truck accident and being reincarnated].

Ah, that’s right.

That was my life.

Nothing to be proud of.

My life was more bland and unremarkable than anyone else’s.

“You thought you fell asleep while playing a game, but that was not the case. Your brain distorted the shocking memory.”

“So, after I died, my soul was guided here?”

“That’s right. I took your soul from Earth and placed it in Henon’s body, who had just died.”

The World Tree.

Thanks to her, I was able to live a second life.

A primal curiosity dominated my entire being.

Why on earth.

“Why did you choose me? I can’t be the only one who has died.”

“Because you knew this world best through the game. And Henon happened to die at the same time.”

“The game… Sion Like. Is this world really the game world?”

“If you think of it as the game world, it is the game world, and if you don’t, it isn’t.”

A Zen riddle.

I sent her a look that demanded an explanation.

“The creators of Earth are truly arrogant. They proclaim that the world they imagined is original. However, if you look at the worlds they create, there is bound to be a similar world among the countless parallel universes.”

“So…”

“It is the result of an indescribable force of infinity acting between parallel worlds, subtly influencing creators living on Earth. Creators call this ‘inspiration.’”

In other words, there was a ‘real world’ similar to the game Sion Like, which I occasionally played after work, somewhere in a parallel universe.

I am now living as Henon in that world.

“Do you understand now?”

“I have one more question.”

“Yes.”

“I understand why you chose me, but you haven’t answered why you put me in Henon’s body.”

“That’s simple. I don’t want this world to be destroyed. But Merlin directly opposed my will.”

“Then why not just kill Merlin? You seem to possess great power.”

“I am an existence that straddles multiple worlds. I cannot project my will onto a specific world. That would not be polite to the administrator, ‘Belanus.’”

Afterward, Igdrasil briefly explained the concept of causality.

I didn’t understand all the theories.

However, I clearly realized that while she could provide indirect help to the Arnia Continent, direct intervention was impossible.

“You want me to prevent the destruction of the continent?”

“That’s right. Just like you’ve been doing so far.”

“If I give up and say I’m going back to my original world, will you send me back?”

“It would be very sad, but… I respect the druid’s choice above all else.”

[Quest Activated!]

[Quest Title: Igdrasil’s Wish]

[Content ― Defeat the Demon King Baal and save the Arnia Continent.]

[Reward ― Igdrasil’s love and affection. Please help me ㅜㅠㅠ]

“As you can see in the quest window I just showed you, Merlin is dead, but there are still those who desire destruction. Baal, the ruler of the Demon Realm. I don’t want this place to become as desolate as that place.”

The quest reward is affection and love.

I’ve never seen such a disorganized quest before.

That’s how much Igdrasil loves this world.

Although her intentions were not pure, she was still the benefactor who helped me and gave me a second life.

If possible, I wanted to help her.

Above all, if this was not a world in a game but a real world, there were many people I had to save no matter what.

Many people I met while traveling, including the Seven Stars.

People who always welcomed me with gratitude.

Even Sion, Coco, and Campbell, who are now like family.

I’d rather die fighting than abandon them and run away cowardly.

“Alright. I’ll give it a try.”

“That’s a relief. I will also help Henon as much as possible.”