In the void.
The World Tree had transformed into a girl of fourteen or fifteen, with one eye and thin lips. Resting her cheeks in her hands, she gazed into the distance with yearning in her eyes.
The Second-generation Wizard King sat beside her and asked in a low voice, "What are you thinking about?"
"You don't have many days left as the Second-generation Wizard King, and I, this World Tree, am nearing my end as well. Sigh, if there is another life, I truly hope I can become a carefree little animal, chasing butterflies without purpose, gently sniffing the fragrance of flowers and grass in the fields, free of all restraint. Even if hunted by predators, all I would need to do would be run for my life with all my strength."
Tilting her head, the World Tree murmured, "Is that too much to ask?"
The Second-generation Wizard King gave a derisive laugh and shook his head.
"Everyone has their mission. I still remember when I was young. Back then, the Wizard World was not yet called the Wizard World, and wizards were still in their ignorant, awakening stage. Humanity was simply too weak and helpless. After the Ancestor of Humanity, humans grew weaker and weaker under the influence of the barbarian bloodline lingering within them, yet their wisdom of self-awareness grew ever stronger. In that era, when everyone sought learning, enlightenment, and understanding, I was merely one of them."
The Second-generation Wizard King spoke as though sharing his story with a close friend.
"At that time, everyone, myself included, thought of nothing but becoming stronger. When we went to war with the sea clans for supremacy, every wizard thought of only one thing: Were we about to be exterminated? Hehe, I even prayed then that as long as