Trials of the World Tree

A rift, a crack, forming in the World Tree, the very thing that holds the world together...

It's heartbreaking.

Let's stop around here. There are still a lot of monsters around.

Yes, Ethan. We should clear them out quickly to help purify the World Tree.

Fighting near the World Tree should also help with our training. Right, Bedivere?

Ah, yes! Even though it's damaged, the World Tree still nurtures everything around it.

The mana here is so dense it's exhausting, but... I know you can all handle it...!

Heh heh heh... of course. This place is as comfy as a bathtub for me.

Let's do our best! We've got a good reason to grow stronger.

If it counts as training, great. Still... the World Tree's huge.

I know what you mean... It's easy to see why the ancients called it the "Mother of the Earth."

To fairies, it's like home.

Incredible... it's like a mountain.

Right...? When I saw it before, I didn't even have time to take it in, but...

It's so big... and beautiful...

E-Ethan... the way you said that sounded a little... suggestive...?

H-Hey, that's your dirty mind talking. Maybe you absorbed too much tree essence or something.

Ethan... this is a sacred place...

Can't really blame him. There's even a saying that the World Tree's essence leads to fertility. It's probably an instinctual...

No, I swear...

Bedi, how's your body holding up?

Ah...! Yes, Princess! I feel completely fine now!

Of course you do. You've got the World Tree's blessing. Being this close, even serious injuries heal fast.

Still... the guilt of not protecting you... that didn't heal so easily...

I-It's okay, Bedi! In the end, things worked out, right?

Yes...

The way you're fidgeting, yep, that's the Bedivere I remember.

T-That's not true! I'm different now!

Hmm... your outfit's pretty revealing, though. Maybe you have changed, in a bold new direction.

T-That's not what I meant! I meant I've grown on the inside! This outfit is totally fine, it's easy to move in!

Oh ho...?

...N-Not that it doesn't bother me! Aahh... please stop looking! This is so embarrassing... sniff...!

Ethan, Bedi was already feeling guilty. Don't tease her like that.

Sorry... she just looked so nervous I couldn't help it.

Hehe, it's okay. That's just how you are, Ethan. I expected it.

I understand everything now.

Hmm...

Is something wrong?

I mean... you sound all warm and goddess-like, but... something's off.

Off...?

It feels... unnatural.

You're so mean...

You don't have to force yourself to act all composed, you know? Just because you've grown more mature doesn't mean you've become a different person.

Maybe not a different person... but I have changed.

I want to be a more confident knight for the princess now.

I'm just happy you're back, Bedi. You've already been a huge help.

That's not enough for me! Since we're here at the World Tree, let me take the lead!

I like the enthusiasm, but don't get careless. The World Tree's still unstable right now.

There probably won't be just normal monsters.

All the more reason this'll be great training.

Let's hope our efforts help the World Tree recover and thrive again.

Princess! This way, please!

She's fired up.

B-Bedi! Don't rush off on your own, it's dangerous!

Welp, here we go again.

Let's bust through and clear it all out!

This is incredible. Just standing here makes me feel like I'm healing.

Well, it is the World Tree. It purifies corruption and fills everything with life.

Now that you mention it, there aren't any monsters around here.

The World Tree is filled with sacred power. Monsters can't even get close.

So basically... it's like poison to them. But the right dose of poison can become a source of power...

Is that so?

I've heard something similar, some stimulants use ingredients like that, too.

Just because something's bad for your body doesn't mean it's always bad. That's why I love meat.

That's... not the same thing.

I mean, I like chocolate parfaits even though they're terrible for me. I just can't stop eating them.

Really? I always thought you were a tea person. You're always drinking it...

...Only because you guys leave me broke. I can barely afford one parfait a week.

O-oh... I'm sorry...

Still, now that I know you like them, I'll treat you next time!

Everyone! Shall we move on? There should be more monsters past this point of the Rift.

Glad you're so fired up... but are you sure you're okay, Bedivere? You seem like you're pushing yourself too hard.

I-I'm fine...! I know this place well.

Still... I've got a bad feeling about this.

I'm a little worried too, seeing Bedi taking the lead like this.

E-Even you, Princess...?

I know I've always been the one being protected, but... things are different now. I can feel the World Tree's power flowing through me.

With this strength, I'll protect Ethan and the Princess. I never want to repeat what happened in that last battle.

Now that's reassuring.

She said it herself, Ethan. Let's trust her.

Yaaawn... When will you guys stop the chatter? I'd really like to wrap this up and go home for dinner.

Then let's move out.

Bedi, still, be careful, just in case.

Yes, Princess!

We can't just rely on Bedivere. Time to focus, let's finish this fight!

Wh-What is that?!

...! That's the World Tree's guardian spirit.

Why is a guardian spirit threatening us? It looks ready to throw down!

The World Tree instinctively tries to maintain balance. We've been slaying so many monsters, maybe the energy's tilted too far toward light.

You could've said something sooner...

Oh? You need me to tell you everything? Honestly, Ethan, without me, you're just...

Okay, okay! But is it even safe to fight that thing? What if we damage the tree?

It'll be fine.

Wah! It's coming this way!

It's alright, Ethan! We can do this!

That spirit might be... the final trial of our training. I'll go first!

Bedi! Be more careful!

Too late, she's already charging in. Guess we're in this together now!

Oh, okay!

Huff... huff... I seriously thought I was gonna die...

You did great, Ethan.

S-Sorry... I rushed in too recklessly...

It really was close. A second later and you'd have become fertilizer for the World Tree.

I wanted to blast it with my magic, of course, but someone insisted on handling it himself.

Only because you looked like you were going to torch the whole forest, including the World Tree, you pyromaniac fairy!

Bedi. I know you've gained strength from the World Tree's blessing...

But you don't have to fight alone. Like always... we're stronger when we fight together.

Yes, Princess... I'll be more careful.

Hm...?

Something wrong, Ethan?

I was feeling heavy from all the mana in the air... but now it's like I'm fully recovered.

That's probably thanks to the World Tree. Your stamina regenerates quickly here, and your movements feel smoother.

Why else would we train here? We're purifying the Rift and strengthening ourselves, it's the perfect spot.

...Why are you bragging? Bedi was the one who suggested training here.

Top-tier warriors train underwater, don't they? Maybe this is something like that.

Ahh, now I get it.

...I wonder if the World Tree feels a little lighter now, too.

The tree?

Being surrounded by monsters nonstop... it must've felt stifled.

Yeah... probably. I hope the Rift disappears soon.

Even if more monsters come, I'll slice through them all, just like this time!

I love the confidence, but maybe stay cool-headed, wait! Bedi, behind you!

Ah!

Looks like one straggler was left...

Bedi, you okay?

Yes... thanks to you, Ethan...

Phew... Bedivere.

I know you're strong now. But that doesn't make you invincible.

I just... I don't ever want to go through that again.

Just like you want to protect us, we want to protect you too.

Ethan...

Yeah, Bedi. So trust us a little more.

Not saying you have to lean on us all the time, though. Babysitting is exhausting.

Look who's talking...

Hehe...

I'm okay now! I'm stronger than before!

When I first woke up under the World Tree, I just cried and cried, thinking "what do I do now?"...

But I'm okay now. I held on by thinking of the Princess... and...

Because you believed in me, Ethan.

I knew it. Bedivere, you're...

R-Really...?

Of course.

You've always had her back, even when you were clumsy about it.

Whether it was goblins, dragons, or anything else... while I charged in swinging my sword, you were the one constantly thinking of her.

And now that you've gained real power, you're a true guardian knight.

E-Ethan...

If I'd come here alone, I wouldn't have made it through this "training."

That just proves how far you've come. And in the last battle, you really shined.

You've got an unshakable will and real strength now. You're a knight Britannia can be proud of.

S-Saying all that is a little... embarrassing...

Don't be! Hold your head high!

Ethan...

Sniff...

...?

Waaahhh!!

Ack?! Why are you crying?! You've been acting all grown-up, and now you're back to the old Bedivere again?!

Ethan! Don't make her cry!

Ugh... making girls cry. You really are the worst.

What did I do?!

I-It's not that... I'm just... so happy... sob...

Thank you, Ethan...

It's okay now, Bedi. Time to head back, don't you think?

Ah... right!

...Wasn't there a saying about laughing right after crying...?

...Huh?

Ah, nothing.

Ethan, you and your nonsense...

Read the room, would you?

Bedivere.

Yes, Ethan?

It's great that you're standing tall now... But when things get tough, or you feel like crying, it's okay to cry like this again.

I won't say anything. I'll just be there with you.

Ethan...

It's better than bottling it all up and pretending to be fine, right?

...Hehe. You're right.

Well then, can we go now? I'm starving!

Yeah! After all that fighting, I'm getting hungry too.

Think I'm low on sugar... How about we grab food and hit up dessert after?

Ah! I'll buy you a chocolate parfait, Ethan!

Ooh... I won't say no to that.