DBWC 04

Chapter 04

“Is there anything impossible?”
“I’m pretty sure there is! Between ‘Games,’ there must be at least a thousand years of downtime. Even if you stop a Game and restart it, you should resume in the form you originally chose, right?”
“…You remember way too much, Sorcerer.”

Zephyr answered lightly, folding his arms and turning his head.
“But it’s fine. This is for the greater good! For this planet! Ha! After all, it’s a Game that I voluntarily exit. I can decide everything flexibly as the Dragon Lord.”

“…That interpretation is awfully convenient for you…”

“Now that I think of it, this is the first time the Game isn’t centered around combat. I’m a little nervous. Being a noble is probably better, right? Starting as a Count so I don’t draw too much attention.”

I felt ignored!

Ignoring my protest again, Zephyr snapped his fingers.
Before us appeared the registry of nobles in the Denbain Empire.

“….”

“Now, let’s see. What title do you think would suit you?”

Huh? Zephyr’s question made me blink.

“I… I’m going to be a noble too?”

“Of course. Were you planning to just go down there in your elf hunting outfit and say, ‘I’m Arène, the Sorcerer who died defeating the great dragon Kunterne 80 years ago’? You need something to explain your current appearance.”

“I—…”

I clamped my mouth shut instinctively before I could answer. Somehow, I knew that if I answered “I was planning to,” Zephyr would consider me utterly ridiculous.

I watched Zephyr as he examined the noble registry, then shuffled over to sit beside him.

The noble registry…

If I could also change my social rank…

My heart started to race.

If I became a noble, I could wear beautiful dresses like the young ladies… drink tea from lovely cups… dance with handsome men…

I heard noblewomen dance at balls.

Could I… could I do that too?

“I… actually always wanted to be a noble.”

I cautiously began, and Zephyr replied calmly.

“Oh, I see. You’re already a noble. After the campaign, every member of the expedition received a title.”

Huh?

I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected words. ‘Everyone’

“…I’m a noble?”

“Of course. Your honorable death earned unanimous approval for a title. An Aura Master, was it? No, perhaps officially a Mage recognized by the Empire.”

“Me?! I got recognized as an Imperial Mage?!”

Though the words were casually said, I exclaimed in shock.

An Imperial Mage!

This was the highest title a Witch, Sorcerer, or Magician could earn through achievements!

Being an Imperial Mage meant being treated above a Count, part of the central nobility, and even involved in operating the Grand Tower in the heart of the continent.

I had never dreamed of such a title in my life, yet here I was!

“This can’t be…”

I pressed my cheeks in my hands, feeling my face flush, and exclaimed. Zephyr watched me quietly, a faint smile on his lips.

“Of course, you wouldn’t have known. …Yes, it wouldn’t be bad to go down to your grave and see it yourself. But first…”

Zephyr cut me off calmly and handed me the noble registry, pointing to a specific page.

“How about Count Imtern? He has one daughter.”

“What?”

“You see? He owns a countryside estate and has never gone to the capital, but he’s rich enough to be listed in the registry. Perhaps he’s a fake noble inserted for tax evasion… but shall we give it a try?”

“Wait. He has a daughter? Zephyr, you don’t mean…”

That’s not… me, right? I stopped mid-sentence, stunned by the sight before me.

At some point, Zephyr had changed his appearance. His silver hair was neatly combed, giving him the appearance of a rather young elder, and his amber eyes glinted.

“What do you think?”

“Uh… your face?”

“Mm.”

“…I think… noblewomen will take a liking to you easily.”

Even I couldn’t say, “I look like I could easily fool noblewomen.”

Zephyr seemed satisfied with my vague answer, smirking slightly at one corner of his mouth.

“Good.”

“You think that’s good?”

“Yes. For this Game’s objective, gaining the kindness and favor of noblewomen is extremely important.”

“What’s your objective this time?”

Rubbing his firm jaw, Zephyr grinned at me.

“A doting young father who wants to debut his daughter, who dreams of noble life and balls, in the capital?”

“You, come here.”

Once again, I threw a punch. Only speed could win over words.

It was truly a slapdash process.

In the blink of an eye, Zephyr tidied up the space and announced that we would leave tomorrow.

I thought there must be more preparations, but Zephyr scoffed and said, “That’s all for living, Sorcerer. Everything is reborn anew. Get ready for shopping.”

His forceful demeanor was intimidating, yet somehow very reassuring.

Honestly, Zephyr was a truly good companion. Except for claiming to be a dad. He even saved my life.

Or rather… is he giving me a new life? Confusing.

I placed the water bowl I had brought under the World Tree.

I filled half with water from the spring Zephyr had shown me and the other half with dew collected at dawn—purified water.

“Hello.”

Although it was still dark at night, the area around the World Tree was bright as if it were day. Perhaps it was from the luminous dust the World Tree emitted.

I parted my lips, looking up at it.

“You… saved me, right?”

I paused, listening, as if expecting the tree to actually speak to me.

But the World Tree said nothing. Only the sound of leaves brushing against each other in the wind reached my ears.

“…Could there be a reason?”

I carefully asked again. Could there be a reason I was allowed to live? Was it because of Zephyr? Because I am the guardian of the World Tree, or a friend of the Dragon Lord?

No, that can’t be. If that were the case, Jamile and Hania should have survived too.

“Perhaps… is there something I must do? Something you wish for…?”

Still, the tree did not answer.

Yet I felt as if the World Tree were watching me.

At that moment, the branches of the World Tree swayed slowly. A strange feeling overcame me, and I shivered.

It was as if my heart was resonating with the tree.

It felt strange, yet not unpleasant. Rather, it was comforting.

“I don’t know what it is, but I’ll… try to live well. I’ll do my best. I won’t do bad things. And… I hope… please let me stay with you, World Tree, if you can.”

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew. The leaves rustled sharply, a crisp sound. I felt as if the tree had laughed.

And in an instant…

I found myself hugging the tree trunk. Not really hugging, more like clinging to one spot on the massive trunk… but still. Crucially, it wasn’t my own volition.

Huh? Why am I hugging the tree?

I was startled. The leaves chirped again.

Ah.

I gasped in awe at the World Tree.

It was clear the World Tree had pulled me close. At that moment, I realized the tree had given me a definite answer to my question.

Even if I die again, I can rest in its embrace. The World Tree had told me so.

Tears welled up, and I pressed my cheek to the trunk, hugging it tightly.

“Thank you. I’ll be back.”

The leaves trembled and shook.

Luminous dust poured down endlessly over my head. Like snow.

It was an unimaginably beautiful sight.

“I’m back!”

When I greeted, Zephyr, who was locking the cabin door in the yard, turned his head.

“What were you doing all night in the forest?”

“I went to greet the World Tree. Look, Zephyr!”

I proudly showed him the wreath I received.

The wreath was woven from the World Tree’s leaves and branches.

“The World Tree gave it to me! The leaves and luminous dust just poured over me!!!”

Seeing the wreath, Zephyr’s face faintly smiled. He understood better than anyone the value of this gift.

“The World Tree gave you leaves? You’re truly beloved, Sorcerer. Perhaps the World Tree’s most favored one. Do you know what you can do with these leaves?”

“Of course! With them, I can repel anyone who approaches me with ill intent, amplify my magic, boil them for immortality, make contracts with countless spirits, and even invite my Spirit King for tea in one go! And…”

I grinned.

“Even if I put just one up for auction, I’d be filthy rich!”

“….”

Zephyr’s expression subtly soured. I understood what he wanted to say: ‘Why does the World Tree favor someone like you?’

But I put the wreath back in my pocket, brimming with pride.

Zephyr opened his mouth as if to say something, then slowly shook his head.

“Enough. Come over and hold onto my coat. The first day after restarting a Game, there’s a lot to do.”

“A lot?”

“Of course.”

Zephyr flicked his eyebrows and snapped his fingers.