Chapter 558: Between Spriggan Alex and the Weeping Willow (2/2)
”Are you Zero?” she asked using telepathy, and Zero nodded. He was still wound up from the sudden attack earlier and remained on the cautious side as he explained his purpose for visiting.
”I came here to understand more about your request. Thank you for giving us a flower. It wouldn't have been possible for me to create the Tree of Fertility without your help.”
The Weeping Willow was still for a long while, and Zero was starting to wonder if she'd fallen asleep.
”Child, your appearance is vile. Gaia told me you were a cute youngling, and I must be mistaken.”
The honesty of the Weeping Willow made Zero laugh instead of taking offence. If this appearance was customised to Alex's liking from King Sharo's feedback, it must certainly look vile to the Weeping Willow, who was arguing with her spriggan. He should have thought about it before dashing in looking like that.
The appearance that Zero decided to transform into was one he liked better as a lab member. His pristine white lab coat fluttered in the wind, and his ponytail bounced with every step he took towards the tree. Zero sat in front of it and grinned.
”Is this better?”
The Weeping Willow rustled her leaves in happiness. It didn't take much to figure out that the Weeping Willow was a sucker for good-looking men and hated the women that spriggan Alex liked. He didn't know the history between the tree and her spriggan, but from what Zero knew about World Trees, they were usually very close to their spriggan guardian.
”Much better, child! Now come closer so I can see you better.”
Zero walked up to her and allowed the Weeping Willow to touch his face with her leaves. They were still dripping wet for some reason, and Zero supposed the Weeping Willow was still crying alone.
”Why are you crying? Are you sad?”
The Weeping Willow's leaves trembled. ”No, I'm happy. You're the child of the prophecy that Nel said would come.”
Zero felt oddly touched when he heard it. They shared a moment before Zero asked the important questions.
”Can you tell me more about what happened between you and Spriggan Alex? Why is he acting the way he does?”
With an inaudible sigh, the Weeping Willow told her story.