Enchanting Card: Treant Moon Spirit Anastasia

"If I may," Anastasia's voice came without hesitation, but became somber, "I want to... leave with you."

She was still growing when she said this.

Her original form has been completely covered by the tree—or rather, her body has been completely transformed into wood.

Looking at her now, Iver could no longer discern any trace of her former youth in the silhouette of this ever-growing giant tree. Even her voice had become "mature," as if covered by a thick layer of leather, dull and distorted compared to before.

Perhaps it was because of trust, or perhaps it was because of affection.

Perhaps it was because of her yearning for the world and her anticipation of the unknown that she gave the answer without even asking what Iver was going to do.

Iver smiled slightly, picked out three Tarot Card, and tucked them between the fingers of his right hand.

"—the Fool. Ignorant yet fearless, revering the future, pursuing dreams, and moving freely. Knowing it's meaningless, yet still stubbornly persisting."

"—The Empress. Carefree, leisurely, nurturing and gentle. Selfless and loving, she enjoys taking care of others. However, she is also overly tolerant and lacks principles."

"—the Hermit. He wanted to illuminate the world, but was trapped in place. He was content with solitude and chose to go into seclusion. He illuminated himself and others. He was proud, self-conscious, indifferent, and lacked passion."

Iver slightly shifted the three cards, showing them to Anastasia: "Which one do you prefer? And which one do you think suits you better?"

Upon hearing this, Anastasia hesitated for the first time.

It's like taking a psychological test where every option seems pretty much the same.

Even though I know these options are all significant, I just can't tell which option I'm leaning towards.

Looking at Anastasia, who had already transformed into a tree and was growing rapidly into a towering giant at a visible speed, Iver smiled easily, "It seems that it's all the same to you... right?"

"... I'm fine with anything."

Anastasia gave her answer, "They all resemble me."

"Then let me choose."

As he spoke, Iver chose the first card without hesitation.

The card numbered zero is yellow.

It signifies the beginning of life, and also the end of something in life.

— [The Fool].

"Compared to maternal love and sacrifice," Iver said softly, "This card is more suitable for a child like you."

Consider this... my blessing to you. Go forth with your dreams.

For a tree spirit, an ordinary illusionary demon, it doesn't meet the criteria to become Great Sin Beast.

However, if it's just made into Follower Card, there's no problem.

Iver doesn't lack a regular card slot—nor does he lack the materials. Even if he makes one and there's nowhere to use it, at least Anastasia won't be bound by her own fate.

Destined to become a phantom demon or something...

—What Iver hates most now is this kind of "destiny".

If you don't have the ability to change it, then so be it.

But he just happens to have power.

How could he turn a blind eye and let it go unchecked? "Give me a piece of Jade Stone."

Iver gave the order to Sherlock, the Ritual Assistant who was quietly sitting in the corner.

Sherlock pursed his lips, but still obediently opened the Ritual Pack and came over. "What else do you need? I can go find it."

"As a starting point, this card doesn't require overly complicated extraordinary materials. All you need is a Female Vulture feather, a pair of well-preserved butterfly wings, a naturally dried pine cone, a Traveler's Bag that has been used for at least twenty years, and... a bottle of mead."

"I'll go get it right away!"

Madam Grace realized what was happening and then hurriedly took her leave.

Maxim paused for a moment, then realized what was happening. He leaned closer to Iver and Sherlock and asked, "Is there anything else we need?"

He did not ask Iver what he was going to do or how to do it.

"I'm missing everything. All I have here are ritual materials: Female Vulture feathers, pine cones, and Traveler's Bag— "

Sherlock replied, "I'll go with you to buy it—is it still possible to make it to the First Ring, Iver?"

"Need not."

Maxim immediately said, "We have almost everything at home, except for vulture feathers—I'll go find some right now."

"... I have feathers."

Suddenly, Yunus, who had been silent, spoke up and took the feather off his hat.

His expression was somewhat complicated. "These should be the feathers of Female Vulture."

This was Yunus's most beloved hat, which is why he kept it in such good condition.

Iver nodded. "Many poets use the feathers of Female Vulture."

"Because the Horus believed that vultures were not male. They believed that Female Vulture were conceived by the wind... From this perspective, female vultures could be regarded as 'wives of the wind,' and bards admired the freedom of the wind. They would call themselves 'children of the wind,' and therefore wear the mark of their mother on their bodies."

As he spoke, Iver reached out and took Yunus's hat.

He smiled slightly, "This is the last thing he left you—it should have special symbolic meaning for you. Are you willing to part with it?"

"... If it can help and save others, I think that's the greatest meaning."

Yunus began to speak.

"This is the only sentence you've said that sounds like a man's since I met you."

Iver chuckled and commented in a low voice.

As he spoke, he removed the feather.

Wind Attribute Mana from the Essence of Enyo flowed from Iver's right index finger.

The pale green magic instantly shredded the feather and then injected it into the jade Jade Stone.

Immediately afterwards, the jade Jade Stone shattered—

Under Iver's precise control, the wind carried magic and debris, enveloping the Fool card layer by layer.

Yes, the tree spirit may appear quite calm and immovable, but it is actually a phantom demon with Wind Attribute and Light Attribute.

If you use the Fool's Card to make it, then you can only choose the Wind Attribute.

Maxim and Grace returned soon after, bringing the items with them.

Iver placed the pine cone in his bag, then put the card inside. He then opened the mead and began to chant. "I invoke the Twin Mirrors! Sacred Number of Two, God of No Eyes and No Self, God of pure beauty and flawlessness—"

As Iver chanted, he poured out the wine, continuously channeling his magic into it.

The wine did not drip directly onto the bag.

Instead, it spread out in the air like a drop of water. The golden fragrance of honey spread downwards, enveloping the bag like a mist.

The handbag began to shrink at a visible speed, until it was only a palm-sized ball covered in golden honey.

Iver placed the package under the still-growing Anastasia tree and quietly watched it continue to grow and grow under the moonlight.

Before Anastasia completed her ascension, she was ultimately just a mortal, not yet a true Phantom. But the instant she became completely tree-like, she became a Phantom in the Material Realm —not after entering the Dream Realm. This is why it's possible for Phantoms in the Material Realm to fail to ascend, and why burning her tree body was necessary to ensure her successful ascension.

Soon, Anastasia stopped moving.

And everyone waited quietly there.

The night flew by like flowing water.

At Iver's request, Yunus played a soft and melodious tune on his new harp.

And to the soft, almost delicate music, the sun rose.

Under the first rays of the Rising Sun, the tree suddenly turned completely into a dazzling gold—then shattered like fireflies, all of it flowing into the bag.

As all the radiance faded, Iver stepped forward and opened the small package that had returned to its normal color.

Inside, lying quietly, was another the Fool's card with a completely different image.

He was a man dressed in green, with bull horns on his head, who didn't look very intelligent. At the top of his winding Crystal Twin Serpent Staff was a pine cone, wrapped around his neck like a rope.

With a slight wave of his hand, Iver instantly moved the card into Iver hand, revealing its attributes.

[Enchantment: Dryad Moon Spirit (The Fool)]

[Level: 40]

[The Dedication Path, Attribute: Wind]

[Required: Wind 3]

[Action, repeat, summon, takes effect immediately]

[Effect: Transforms a tree into the Treant Anastasia. The Treant is considered a summoned creature. While the Treant is present, it continuously heals all friendly units within range and periodically controls enemies within range using its plants.]

[Effect: When used again, summons Moon Spirit Anastasia while the Anastasia is present. The Moon Spirit is considered a summon and lasts for ten minutes. While the Moon Spirit is present, the Dryad's effect is changed to 'Gain a protective barrier centered on the Dryad that persists.' The barrier is considered a force field, ritual, and shield, and is resistant to all types of damage except for 'Divinity,' 'Fire,' and 'Filth.']