Annan gave Ogal nine more Origin Fruits and got back a Druid who had stepped away from the brink of becoming an Avenger—and who was grateful to him.
He did not expect the Elf Druid to abandon his prejudice against humans overnight. It was enough that he was willing to stand with Free City.
Once Ogal had been brought back, the Druids' spirits improved.
That night, Serana came alone to thank Annan.
"It's nothing. I understand where you're coming from. Joining hands with old enemies isn't easy to accept." Annan kept a gentlemanly distance, then went with Irilanze, who had been watching him, to visit the Otherworld Tree in the garden.
The Otherworld Tree's “Assembly Line” was taking shape: Oddities executed criminals, the Otherworld Tree absorbed their humanity, and the Oddities born as a byproduct became fertilizer—
With ample nourishment, the Otherworld Tree was flourishing more each day. If it kept growing this fast, the City Lord's Mansion might no longer hide its outline in a month.
"Lilith."
At Annan's call, the Tower Spirit appeared before them, bathed in a fluorescent glow.
Annan discussed the details of hiding the Otherworld Tree with her.
Hiding the otherworld tree would be easy. A Magic barrier around the garden would do. Unless someone probed it by force, no one would know what was happening inside.
Annan was about to agree when he hesitated.
If the Elves discovered the Otherworld Tree, it might cause an uproar... But if he hid it, how would outsiders ever learn that Free City had a World Tree of its own?
"No need."
He would let the Otherworld Tree grow. The Elves probably would not know how to react at first. By the time they did, there would be time to talk things through. Free City might even have