Nidhogg ceased its gnawing on the World Tree. Now, all that remained was to restore the World Tree to its former glory and obtain the tear.
“Seiran, Akahane, it’s up to you now!”
From the box emerged the Azure Dragon and the Vermilion Bird. Seiran’s waters served as a healing potion, while Akahane’s flames acted as an antidote to poison.
Seiran and Akahane took to the skies, circling above the World Tree, showering it with rain and sparks of fire.
The darkened trunk of the tree began to regain its original color before our eyes. The poison from Nidhogg, the demon god, was being purified.
However…
“Mother! It’s terrible! The tree… it’s still withered!”
Indeed, the leaves remained shriveled and had not returned to life.
“I can’t sense any magic power from the tree… Mika, it seems the tree is still injured.”
Still injured…?
“I’m sorry, big sister… I chewed on it…”
Nidhogg, the tsuchinoko, looked dejected.
The daughter gently patted Nidhogg’s head.
“Don’t worry! Mother Mika will surely find a way!”
“Of course, Mika can easily solve this minor issue.”
Well, let’s see what I can do.
First, I’ll search for the reason the tree isn’t healing using the Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet)…
～～～～～～
Reasons the World Tree wants to heal
→ The Spirit Core is damaged
Spirit Core
→ The source of the World Tree’s power, akin to its soul
～～～～～～
It seems the World Tree possesses something called a Spirit Core. I quickly found its location through the Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet).
I squeezed through a gap at the base of the tree. Inside, it resembled a natural altar.
On the altar lay a cracked crystal, resting solemnly.
“This is the Spirit Core. It appears to be quite severely damaged,” Morrigan nodded as she spoke.
The crystal was palm-sized, covered in cracks, and dull black.
“We need to fix this!”
Lisia-chan approached the Spirit Core, attempting to touch it. Suddenly, her hand slipped right through.
“Ah, what? Mother! I can’t touch the Spirit Core!”
We all moved closer, trying to reach out. Just as Lisia-chan said, our hands passed right through the Spirit Core before we could make contact.
“The Spirit Core is, in a sense, the soul of the World Tree.”
“I see… A soul can’t be touched…”
Morrigan’s words were met with agreement from Luciel.
“It has no physical form. If that’s the case, we can’t repair it…”
Luciel looked frustrated, lamenting the lack of means to heal it.
Well, it can’t be helped. This is likely the domain of the gods.
“Mika, Mother…”
“Don’t worry. Just leave it to me.”
Everything within my daughter’s domain belongs to her. And as her mother, I will do what is necessary for her smile.
First, I’ll search the Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet) for a way to fix it. Alright, got it.
“I understand how to proceed.”
“How will you repair it, Mika? How can we mend a non-physical soul…?”
Neither Seiran’s waters nor Holy Ash could restore a soul.
“Physical means won’t work to heal a soul. So it’s simple. We’ll use a non-physical method to heal it.”
Everyone present tilted their heads in confusion.
“We’ll make it a Familiar.”
“A Familiar…? What do you mean, Mika?”
“If we name it using ‘Let’s Become Familiars,’ it should evolve, right? When it evolves, its form will change, won’t it?”
If physical repair is impossible, then evolution might heal the wounds of its body (soul)… apparently.
“A Familiar for the World Tree…? Can you really do that, Mika?”
“Indeed, Mika has been able to turn objects into Familiars. So, it seems plausible for the World Tree as well…”
Luciel and Morrigan looked skeptical, but I could tell Lisia-chan still trusted me completely.
She stood by, quietly observing my actions.
Alright, Mother will take care of this.
“Activating ‘Let’s Become Familiars.’ Now… I will give it a name.”
～～～～～～
Name: Mei
【Race】World Tree
～～～～～～
I decided to borrow a name from a movie featuring a giant tree and a friendly monster. Just as I named the World Tree, the Spirit Core began to shine brightly.
With a Greater Teleportation, we all moved outside.
“Wow! This is amazing, Mother! The World Tree is returning to normal!”
The once withered World Tree now boasted vibrant green leaves sprouting from its branches.
And it radiated light all around. So this is… the true form of the World Tree.
Drip… drip… Water droplets fell from the branches of the World Tree.
I cupped my hands to catch the droplets.
“This is the tear of the World Tree, Mika.”
“Seriously? We did it!”
With that, our mission was complete. I took out the box and set it aside for a moment.
Now, the tear would accumulate within this box.
～～～～～～
World Tree’s Tear
→ A special liquid secreted by the World Tree.
The main ingredient for a complete recovery potion (Elixir).
～～～～～～
I verified through the Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet) that it was indeed genuine. Phew, what a relief. This case is settled.
“Thank you!”
…Huh?
I thought I heard a girl’s voice from somewhere…
Suddenly, the Spirit Core appeared in the air, shining brightly. A cute girl with sky-blue hair emerged, glowing with light.
“Who is this…?”
“The Spirit of the World Tree.”
“The Spirit…?”
“It is the manifestation of the World Tree’s will. This World Tree is still a sapling, akin to a baby. Spirits cannot be born until it ages, but thanks to Mika’s power, a spirit has come into existence!”
So… by evolving this World Tree, I gave birth to a spirit…?
“Mother! You’ve gained another child! That means… I have a little sister!”
Well… I suppose so. Following Dorako and Duguko, I now had a fourth daughter.
“Mommy~~~~~~~!”
The Spirit of the World Tree… Mei, came running toward me, completely naked.
“Mommy!”
Well, since I’ve given birth (not physically, but still), I have to raise her.
“Mommy! Mommy! Mei, Mei!”
“Yes, that’s right. You are Mei. I am Mika.”
“Mommy!”
Lisia-chan approached, fidgeting with excitement.
“Mommy, who is that?”
“This is Lisia-chan. Your big sister.”
“Big sister!”
With a joyful leap, Mei hugged Lisia-chan.
“Big sister!”
“Mei-chan!”
The two giggled together. Perhaps because Lisia-chan had mentioned being an only child, she looked incredibly happy.
“I have… another little sister! Thanks to you, Mother! Thank you so much!”
Well, since I gave birth to her, I suppose I should take responsibility.
“Mei, I’ve registered you as my favorite!”
With a sparkle, a radiant crystal appeared before me. It transformed into a pendant.
It was an emerald pendant shaped like a leaf.
“What is this?”
“A part of Mei’s Spirit Core! For you… Mommy!”
It seemed she was giving me a piece of her Spirit Core.
“With this, Mei can be with you! The World Tree’s tears are now at your disposal!”
Tears… Ah, she meant the World Tree’s Tear. As I held the pendant, moisture began to seep from it. I see, with this, I wouldn’t have to go to the World Tree every time to collect the tears.
“To think you could even bring the World Tree under your control… Amazing, Mika.”
“Of course, Mika can do this much. After all, you are my beloved Supreme God!”
Regardless of everything, I had successfully completed my mission.
【☆★Announcement★☆】
Due to popular demand, I have started a serialized version!!
There is a link at the bottom of the page!!
【Serialized Version】 The Useless Noble Daughter, Substitute Bride of the “Demon of the Far East” – “Since my parents told me to die in place of my sister, I decided to leave home. But everyone at my new home is kind, and I am happy.”
Or you can copy the following URL to use it.
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2756ju/