Volume 1, Chapter 65 – Wishes

After quickly finishing her icy dessert, Fia secretly tucked the wooden spoon into her spatial backpack and headed with Claire toward a crowd gathered not far away.

People were gathered around a tree.

Its trunk was so thick it would take three or four grown men to encircle it, and it stood at least twenty or thirty meters tall, its canopy stretching across the street on both sides.

A towering, jade-like colossus, vibrant and lush as if carved from emerald. Both the trunk itself and the gnarled roots snaking across the road were translucent green, with streams of verdant light swirling around its branches.

If Fia hadn’t known she was in another world, she might have thought this was a scene created with holographic projections.

Clearly, this translucent green banyan tree hadn’t been here originally. Its presence had completely blocked the street, yet the people around it seemed to know something, kneeling on the ground and murmuring prayers toward the tree.

No one cursed the obstruction—even the lavishly dressed nobles in their carriages stepped down upon seeing the tree, bowing slightly with expressions full of reverence.

Amid the kneeling crowd, Fia and Claire stood out conspicuously, but neither had any intention of following suit. They merely observed from a distance at the edge of the gathering.

“This is…?”

“A branch of the World Tree.”

Claire’s gaze lingered on the top of the tree as she answered softly.

“Legend says this continent was formed by the World Tree, so sometimes, manifestations like this appear. A verdant, jewel-like ancient tree—this is an extension of the World Tree’s will, representing pure beauty and absolute peace.”

“Almost every tale sings of how, when the World Tree hears the cries of the suffering, it extends a branch. If people make a wish upon it with a heart pure enough, the World Tree will grant that wish.”

“Because the branch is part of the World Tree—the embodiment of the will that nurtures all life on this continent—no one dares show it disrespect. Even nobles must dismount and pay their respects, lest they be drowned in gossip and lose their standing. There was even a case where two nations at war ceased hostilities when a branch appeared at the center of the battlefield.”

“Will it disappear?”

Though Fia was tempted to joke that a country on the brink of ruin could just forge one to save itself, she wisely kept the thought to herself.

“It will, usually within a few hours. Most people never see a World Tree branch in their lifetime. The last time one appeared was five years ago, and the time before that, centuries earlier. It’s this unpredictability that makes them so precious.”

Claire looked up at the branch, her emerald eyes flickering with indescribable emotion.

“Aren’t you going to make a wish, Claire?”

“…I did once. It didn’t work. It’s just superstition—people projecting their hopes onto something beyond themselves, like their faith in gods.”

Having believed and been disappointed, she no longer wanted to believe. Fia could guess what Claire had wished for—to be freed from her curse.

A strange, restless feeling rose in Fia’s chest, and she straightened slightly.

“How does the wishing work?”

“There’s no set ritual. Legend says if your wish is pure and free of malice, the branch will grant it. You can try, Fia.”

“Alright, then…”

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Taking a deep breath, Fia faced the branch, closed her eyes, and pressed her slender hands together in prayer, bowing her head.

—My wish is ‘Grant me two wishes.’

After making this wish, she peeked one eye open to check the branch’s reaction. Nothing.

Her wish was absolutely pure and harmless, so the lack of response must mean it was waiting for her to finish.

Since she didn’t really believe this mystical thing would work, she’d started with an audacious request.

Closing her eyes again, she continued.

—I wish for Claire’s curse to disappear soon.

Still no reaction.

As expected—just a spiritual placebo.

Fia’s lips twitched imperceptibly.

That didn’t stop her from making another wish, though. Even if she doubted it would come true, her sincerity was genuine.

But the next wish was embarrassing—like having her innermost thoughts overheard. She bowed deeper, her back curving slightly.

—I wish to be with Claire in love and harmony.

A blush spread across her cheeks the moment the wish formed in her mind.

Ugh.

Even as a silent thought, it was shameless.

Maybe she should rephrase it.

Fia stole a glance at Claire, preparing to revise.

But before she could close her eyes again, the branch suddenly changed. The green light swirling around it brightened, and a breeze swept through the street. Gasps erupted from the crowd as if witnessing a miracle. Fia instinctively looked up—only to be met with an overwhelming emerald radiance.

Far from feeling threatened, Fia sensed a welcoming warmth, as if the world itself was embracing her. For a moment, her perception sharpened—she could feel the flow of the wind, the gasps of the crowd, dust motes drifting in sunlight, even the distant tolling of church bells. It was as if the world revolved around her, like cats swarming someone who’d brought treats, rubbing against her legs. The green light was the cats, and Fia was the one holding the treats.

“A miracle!”

“Who is that girl?”

“The World Tree acknowledged her… unbelievable.”

“What did she wish for?”

The awed murmurs snapped Fia out of her daze. Now, everyone—kneeling commoners and standing nobles alike—was staring at her with a mix of shock and reverence.

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She looked down at her hands.

And realized the problem.

The reason everything looked green was because she was bathed in the branch’s light—a privilege no one else shared. She was now the spotlighted star of the show, and it was no wonder everyone was staring.

Did… did my wish actually come true?

Fia wasn’t stupid. She immediately connected this to her wishes and turned to Claire—who was also enveloped in the branch’s glow. Unlike Fia’s fluster, Claire’s eyes were wide with disbelief as she reached out to touch the light.

Since both of them were glowing, it was obvious which wish had been granted.

The one that shouldn’t have worked did, and the one that should’ve didn’t.

I thought this was just a placebo! Did it actually work?!

Fia froze, unsure what to do—until, seconds later, the branch began dissolving into the air, its leaves vanishing first. The green light dimmed rapidly, and within ten seconds, the branch was gone.

Snapping back to reality, Fia pushed aside the question of whether her wish had come true. Right now, she had more pressing concerns.

With the branch gone, the crowd rose to their feet, their curious gazes fixed on Fia and Claire. Several well-dressed figures were already approaching—undoubtedly to ask what wish had earned the World Tree’s favor.

There was no way Fia could admit she’d wished to “be with Claire in love and harmony.” Before anyone could ask, she’d already prepared the perfect answer: World peace.

Nothing could top that.

As expected, her response earned her praise and respect. Some nobles even offered to recommend her to the church, arguing that someone chosen by the World Tree must be pure-hearted and devout. Fia politely declined, citing her imminent departure from the city.

I’m the elf princess—the last thing I want is to get involved with a church, especially the Yuna faith of the Milcandis Holy Kingdom.

After fielding questions and curiosity, Fia and Claire finally managed to slip away. But word of their divine encounter spread quickly, and wherever they went, people pointed and whispered, showering them with admiring looks. Uncomfortable with the attention, Fia abandoned her plans and decided to head home.

The setting sun painted the sky orange, stretching their shadows long across the street. Around them, weary people trudged homeward.

Fia glanced nervously at Claire.

Earlier, surrounded by curious onlookers, Claire hadn’t had a chance to ask about the wish. Now that they were alone, Fia expected the question—but Claire remained silent. Even when Fia studied her expression, she couldn’t decipher what Claire was thinking.

It was unsettling.

It can’t be that the wish actually worked and Claire’s fallen for me—if that were the case, she wouldn’t be this quiet.

As if reading her mind, Claire spoke abruptly, her face as impassive as ever.

“I never thought the legends about the World Tree granting wishes were true. What did you really wish for, Fia?”

So Claire knew “world peace” wasn’t the whole story.

Before Fia could answer, Claire raised her hand, examining it thoughtfully.

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“I felt the World Tree welcoming me… I’ve never felt that before. Usually, I sense the world rejecting me. But just now, it was as if everything was celebrating my existence—the elements blessing me, a warmth I’ve never known. Was that because of your wish?”

Here it comes.

Fia sighed inwardly.

“Well, my first wish was for two more wishes.”

Claire burst into laughter, completely caught off guard.

“The World Tree actually granted that? Is Fia just special, or was the wish really that pure?”

“Not all of them worked, though. The first real wish was for your curse to disappear. The second…”

“What was the second?”

Claire’s innocent follow-up question made Fia’s breath hitch.

This was… embarrassing.

But maybe it was the lingering hope, or her rationality crumbling under emotion, that made her whisper the truth like a lovestruck confessor mustering courage.

“I wished… to be with you forever.”

The words “in love and harmony” stuck in her throat, but even so, her face burned, her heart pounding.

She peeked at Claire, who wasn’t looking at her. Instead, Claire gazed at the sunset, a faint smile gracing her profile.

“Forever… No wonder the light embraced us both. Hah.” She lowered her head, her emerald eyes glinting with amusement. “Really, that’s a wish I should’ve made. I need you more than you need me. If you were a man, Fia, I might’ve already made you my anchor.”

It’s fine even if I’m not a man, I’m plenty reliable.

Fia mentally retorted.

Long before her time, gender had ceased to be a barrier in love.

Emboldened, she ventured a playful probe.

“So it has to be a man?”

“Hm?” Claire blinked. “I don’t mind. Just having someone who isn’t afraid of me or bound to forget me is more than I ever hoped for. Why would I nitpick?”

In short, it was entirely up to Fia.

Even as another woman, Claire could accept her if Fia could accept Claire.

Though unsure if Claire meant romantic acceptance, Fia’s heart raced. The opening was there, and her courage surged.

“Then… what if my wish was actually… ‘to be with Claire in love and harmony’? Would that… be okay?”

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Meeting Fia’s tentative crimson gaze, Claire’s smile deepened.

“If Fia won’t forget me—why not? Like I said, I need you more than you need me. It’s like finally having someone to confide in.”

Is that a yes?

Fia’s chest tightened.

She wanted to clarify further—to outright confess—but after a long hesitation, she held back. Not out of principle, but sheer shyness. It felt too soon.

What if Claire had taken it as a hypothetical, not a real confession? Pushing now might only make things awkward.

Maybe I should’ve been more serious instead of joking. Then her answer might’ve been clearer.

Still, this wasn’t bad. She now knew Claire’s stance. There’d be time later, no need to rush.

A giddy lightness filled her. If they’d been back in the desert where she’d first arrived in this world, she might’ve spun in circles.

This is my first time feeling ‘love,’ isn’t it?

Her fingers tightened on her skirt, heart fluttering. For a moment, she even felt grateful to the Unsinkable Moon and the church—without them, she’d never have met Claire, nor earned her acknowledgement.

How strange.

Then—

Suddenly, Claire’s hand brushed against hers. As if knowing Fia would look up, Claire met her gaze with a soft, earnest smile.

“Thank you, Fia. No one’s ever made a wish like that for me. I’m happy. Maybe this world isn’t so bad after all.”

“It was nothing. I meant it.”

I’m even happier than you are.

To hide her racing heart, Fia changed the subject.

“When we get back, will you teach me how to chant magic spells? I want to learn the new ones as soon as possible.”

“Of course. But magic isn’t like ordinary language—it’ll take time. Don’t expect quick progress.”

“I’ll work hard.”

Fia squeezed Claire’s hand.

No more words were needed—anything else might break the fragile new bond between them. Amid the evening bustle, the two girls walked side by side into the sunset.

Translator Note

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