Weed ~The One’s Gardener~ - Chapter 98

“Hana!”

With a single step, Weed moved forward.

The rapidly growing tree beneath him stretched upward toward her in the sky, its branches opening wide to welcome her. He ascended to meet her gaze as she smiled down at him.

How long had it been since he had harnessed the full power of his true form? How long had it been since he had felt joy without pain? This time, he wouldn’t let her go. He would hold her tightly, wrapping her in his solid arms and vines, fearing she might slip away again.

“Uh, you fool. I can’t breathe.”

“Hana. Hana… I, I…I’m sorry. My body just… Ah. Huh…”

“Weed, stop crying.”

“Hu, huuh, I’m, so, ugh… I, I can’t…”

Hugging her, Weed burst into tears. As she pressed her lips to his forehead, Hana opened her mouth again.

“I’m, going to rest now.”

She joked lightly to him who could only nod, unable to respond properly..

“I didn’t realize creating a world would be this tiring.”

Nothing in the world came without a cost. There was no endless happiness or endless misery… but perhaps there was something eternal.

For example,

“I love you.”

“I-I, I too, lo, lo, I…I too…”

Weed held her tightly, struggling to breathe properly. Though he tried to compose himself, he eventually lost control and cried out once more.

Given his state, it was impossible to form a coherent response.

Yet, she felt the pounding of his heart, the warmth of his body, the strong arms wrapped around her, and the way their cheeks and foreheads brushed together, mingling their scents. There was no clearer answer than that. She understood his feelings perfectly, but this time, Hana patiently waited for him to speak.

Soon, his voice responded.

“I, too, love you, Hana.”

It was a confession clearer than ever.

At the highest point in the sky, closest to the sun, they shared a kiss. Like a celebration of their union, the World Tree sprinkled golden dust over them.

The god had been busy for too long.

She was exhausted. So, for now, she decided to rest in the sanctuary created by the great gardener. Yes, today would be a day of rest. As she descended to the earth, Hana looked over the world now bathed in golden hues, without a single empty space.

A clear sky, leaves fluttering in the breeze, and there stood the most beautiful tree in the world.

“It’s so beautiful here.”

Weed smiled brightly as if he had just seen the light of the world for the first time.

Wasn’t this sanctuary created just for this day? Holding his hand, Hana smiled brightly as well.

Now that the world had become so complete, the god had nothing more to do.

“Shall we rest? I have prepared a sanctuary.”

“Yes.”

So what shall they do now?

That’s right.

Now, let’s make love.

* * *

Epilogue

Rutis, the priest of the World Tree, was among the oldest of the forest tribes.

She was the first to take root around the divine tree at the very center of Lar de Ligna Initia, awakening to self-awareness earlier than any other priest.

It may seem unusual for a tree or flower that sows seeds to seek parental guidance like animals do. However, from the moment Rutis opened her eyes, she followed the World Tree as a parent. She was granted permission to root herself in the fertile ground beside it, establishing a place to live forever.

Why do the forest tribes living in Lar refer to themselves as the priests of the World Tree?

It is because, starting with Rutis, they serve the World Tree, Weed. The priests have relied on Weed’s guidance since birth, throughout their growth, and until they chose eternal rest.

They always looked up to him, knowing he could effortlessly solve any problem that arose.

Weed was always there. When any of the younger priests faced difficulties, he silently resolved them. He helped them learn how to mimic other creatures for movement, healed them when they returned injured, and taught them healing methods.

When a young priest expressed curiosity about the outside world, he shared useful magic for survival beyond the forest. He taught them how to structure their bodies, develop their unique personalities, and live freely. The priests received guidance from Weed in every aspect.

The priests had lived this way for an incredibly long time.

With Weed at the center of the world, known as the Garden of the Gods, Lar de Ligna Initia, they believed they were in their own paradise. They had never encountered divine disease, and no void had appeared within Lar.

Thus, they always felt they could afford to step back and observe the world’s problems from a distance.

As a result, even after all those years, the priests couldn’t understand Weed. The insidde was so magnificent and beautiful, even if the outside wasn’t. Everything was supposed to be joyful and full of happiness. So, they often tilted their heads in confusion at Weed’s dry emotions.

The arrogant priests were too busy savoring the freedom bestowed upon them. They ignored those afflicted by divine disease, pretending not to notice the void. They didn’t understand why Weed was so determined to address the void, but they followed him without knowing the reasons behind his actions.

Perhaps that was why, when the priests belatedly learned that their leader, Weed, was suffering from divine disease and that it was slowly leading to his death, they were filled with immense regret.

There was nothing they could do.

Overwhelmed by guilt, shame, and deep remorse, the priests realized they could no longer smile and chatter comfortably as they once had.

They knew nothing about the void or divine disease. They hadn’t bothered to learn. Even as Weed quietly awaited death, he never shared any insights about it. No matter how much they cried, pleaded, or begged for forgiveness for their past arrogance, Weed remained unmoved.

The wisest among them had been utterly foolish in this regard.

Thus began the final summoning ritual.