Chapter 374: An Abnormality (2/2)
”I still doubt if you are human because of those,” The doll glanced down. ”But no, it's not about them. You are the first person who can sleep on a cloud.”
”Hm? Li could walk on it as well, though.”
”Hah, probably because you were with him. Do you think all clouds have this texture?” The doll pointed down. ”If this spirit doesn't like you, then you would simply pass through the cloud.”
”They call me the Seika of Living Beings,” Arthur sat up. ”Maybe that's why spirits love me.”
”Hah,” The doll looked at Arthur with pity. ”How does it feel like to be loved not for who you are but what you can offer?”
”That is...” Arthur paused. He never thought about it that way.
”Loved Ones have it easy,” The spirit continued. ”But something is robbed from them as well: the ability to feel any meaning in the love you receive.”
Arthur was silent. Larza coveted him because he was a Seika of Living Beings, and that's why she bought him. Dia was the same; she wanted him for his ability.
'Did anyone ever love me for who I am and not for what I can offer?'
”I got into your head, didn't I?”
”Your words are a reflection of how you feel, too,” Arthur said after a while. ”Is that how you felt, too? Is that why you hate the Spirit Sovereign so much? For cursing you with the ability to feel?”
”... you talk too much.” The doll ignored Arthur's questions. ”Your friend is nowhere near close to growing stronger.”
”I'll just have to wait.” Arthur threw his body back and leaned on the cloud.
”As you do, how about you pay the rent of staying in my city?” The doll stood up. ”Follow me.”
The carpenter walked away without waiting for Arthur's answer. The latter sighed and stood up before following him. Since the spirit showed interest in him, he wouldn't refuse it.
They walked toward the edge of the island, toward a flower bed with a single tree in it. The tree's surface shone brightly in the sun as if it was made of glass instead of wood.
”This is also a spirit, but it's a shitty one.” The doll said. ”It wouldn't let me take some of its wood to create what I want.”
”And you called me here to convince it?” Arthur snickered. ”Am I your lumberjack now?”
”It's better than sitting around and sleeping,” The doll grumbled. ”I'll leave it to you. Bring me some of its wood, and I'll help your friend grow stronger.”
”And every time I bring you some of its wood, you'd have to answer three questions of mine.”
”One question,” The carpenter curtly said as it walked away. Arthur smiled and turned toward the tree.
The flower bed surrounded the tree, stretching into the distance. The tree looked as if it held glittering stars within, reflecting the light in Arthur's eyes. He walked toward the tree and reached out his hand.
'Phew...'
The branches moved in the wind, and it brought the scent of flowers alongside it. Arthur felt the spirit of the tree, similar to Rega's existence, resonate with him.
'Oh?'
Arthur was surprised to find the tree unwilling to communicate with him, even though this has never happened before. He touched the tree, and a force pushed him back.
”I see,” Arthur smiled. He then closed his eyes and used his Art of Creation. Placing his hand on the tree again, Arthur injected it with his energy, strengthening it.
The tree extended a branch as he began using the Art, and the branch then detached itself from the tree. Arthur picked up the branch that looked like a bolt of lightning and nodded toward the tree in thanks.
Arthur walked back toward the carpenter shop and pushed the doors open when he arrived. The carpenter turned to him, and his eyes went wide with surprise when it saw the branch in Arthur's hand.
”You are an abnormality...”