In my waking moments, I can always hear a low and persistent murmur deep in my heart, which constantly echoes one word:
"return."
"return."
Escape was out of the question and my mind was filled with confusion.
No matter where I wander, no matter where I am.
That voice was like a seductive spell or a pious prayer,
It keeps pressing me and keeps driving me forward.
I heard that soft, ethereal voice again.
…
Chill hit him, and Kokot felt as if he was immersed in a rippling pool of water.
She slowly opened her eyes and found herself in the warm embrace of the sacred tree.
Kokot slowly pushed himself up.
The blue water droplets that stayed on the fair skin slid down the arms and body, gently dripping back into the ripples in the pool.
Glimmer filled her eyes, and Kokot shook her head, as if she wanted to shake away the fog in her heart.
"Is this... the heart of the sacred tree?"
She slowly walked out of the pool and stepped into the calm and flowing space around her.
She gently stroked the thousand-year-old vines of the sacred tree with her delicate hands and closed her eyes.
The inner window seemed to be blown by the breeze, and the barrier in front of him became looming. Kokot opened his eyes.
Her sight seemed to penetrate thousands of mountains and rivers, through the lush elven forest, to see the distant borders.
Outside the sacred tree, the lives of the elves are filled with tranquility and joy. Kokot's eyes leisurely scanned every living creature.
The young elves are busy and orderly, the immature elves are laughing and running in the greenery, and the elders are holding solemn ceremonies.
Time flowed before her eyes, as if it was accelerating. Suddenly, countless elves bowed under the sacred tree and worshiped respectfully.
At that time, one voice after another kept echoing in Kokot's heart:
"Sacred tree shelters,"
"Gift from the Queen,"
"Our tribe will continue to prosper."
These sounds were like ancient carols, which made Kokot feel inexplicably bored, and her mind was filled with waves of heaviness.
Even if the body is immersed in the embrace of the pool, those sounds are still with me.
So Kokot raised his head, opened his eyes wide, and stared at the intertwined ceiling, and the meaning of his existence began to echo in his mind.
Soon, the noise of the outside world gradually faded away,
It was as if there was an invisible barrier that cut off all the noise, leaving only a sound echoing in Kokot's heart——
'Back to nature. '
'As long as you return to nature, the peace you long for will no longer be disturbed by anything. '
"..."
I don't like this sound.
…
As if after a long journey, Kokot opened his eyes again.
This time, she had left the sacred tree and came to the depths of the forest.
She walked barefoot on the ground covered with soft green grass, moving slowly toward the distance.
Her figure shuttled between the residences of the Elf Forest, passing by the enthusiastic gazes of the elves.
When they catch a glimpse of Kokot, they all bow deeply, their faces filled with piety and respect.
"Thank you for your hard work, Your Lady Queen."
Listening to the tributes from the elves on both sides, Kokot's face did not have any fluctuations, maintaining an almost terrifying calm.
She was a little confused. Is it really such a difficult task to just lie down and sleep inside the sacred tree?
Every creature she talked to said so, maybe it was really hard work.
'Back to nature'
The annoying voice echoed in her brain again.
Kokot's eyes were dull and his expression was numb, as he looked at the elves who bowed to her, or even knelt down.
There were no words, just wordless reintegration into the sacred tree.
When her body lay in the pool, at that moment, she and the sacred tree merged into one again.
Kokot closed his eyes again.
so tired.
I'd better sleep again.
…
"Miss Cocot Yard."
A shadow fell from the air like a veil and landed lightly on the ground covered by green grass.
In the gentle breeze of the forest, a man wrapped in a robe shouted to the vast canopy of trees.
Kokot heard his voice, opened his eyes drowsily, and rubbed his eyes lazily.
She lowered her head in the direction of the voice and saw a man in a robe, standing upright, but could not clearly see his appearance.
Something strange.
"……Who are you?"
"I am Heim Horn, from the Council of Mages."
Heim Horn made only a brief introduction and made his request straightforwardly:
"Your strength, quality and experience have all met our standards."
"I wish to invite you to become a member of our Council of Mages."
Kokot stared blankly at Heim Horn, who lowered his head to salute her, with his mouth slightly open as if he didn't know what to say.
She was a little surprised. How could she meet the standards of the Mage Council even though she had done nothing?
I don’t understand, and I don’t bother to think about it.
Why does anyone need her again?
After clearly staying in the Elf Forest for three hundred years, she was already feeling a little impatient.
Kokot wanted to reply directly to the other party, because she just wanted a moment of peace now,
Just enjoy the comfort of the afternoon breeze and enter a peaceful dreamland.
If you can sleep like this until the end of your life, it may be a good choice.
But a familiar voice sounded in her mind again:
'Back to nature'
This whisper echoed in her mind every time she woke from her sleep.
got used to.
But at this moment, when the words she intended to refuse slipped out of her mouth, they turned into:
"If I go to the Mages' Council, can you guarantee that I will have a quieter sleeping environment than here?"
Although he couldn't see Heim Horn's expression, Kokot still felt that he was stunned for a moment based on his intuition.
Okay, maybe that’s a little too demanding.
After Kokot finished speaking, he leaned on the branch of the tree again, chirped a few times, and closed his eyes again.
Heim Horn held his head and pondered a little.
"There are many kinds of magical creatures in Endymion. If you need it, I think we might be able to find something like a 'bed' that can provide a comfortable sleep."
"Sounds good, I agreed."
…
The Council of Mages did keep their promise to Kokot and allowed her to sleep in Endymion.
At most, she had to wake up once during the annual meeting or when receiving guests, although she would still be drowsy most of the time.
When was the last time I slept in Endymion?
Kokot thought and gradually recalled some memories.
"Kokot, I need your help to receive a new person who is coming to the Mages Council."
In the parliament, Kokot lay lazily on the floating clouds, trying to hold up his heavy eyelids, and complained helplessly to Heim Horn:
"Haim, I just woke up once a few days ago."
After all, she came to Endymion for peaceful sleep, not busy work.
However, there was a rare trace of guilt on Heim Horn's face.
"I'm sorry, but you just have to do your last job of the day."
Heim was helpless and remained silent for a while, then he said again:
"There are some issues with the new guys coming in."
"He doesn't have a great reputation, but he has incredible power and our council desperately needs him."
"Besides, he needs a parliamentary position, and I intend to give him your parliamentary status."
Does this mean she no longer has to work?
Heim Horn's decision fulfilled her wish perfectly.
"That's fine, as long as I can continue to enjoy my long sleep in Endymion."
Kokot yawned profusely.
But the annoying voice in my head still exists.
She didn't want to wake up, she just wanted to sleep peacefully.
Maybe as long as she finishes her work tomorrow, she will never have to wake up again.
…
Kokot lies on a comfortable cloud, and various strange creatures shuttle through the garden.
She yawned as she awaited the arrival of the curious newcomer.
An unusual breath broke the silence. Kokot opened his eyes and leaned forward with half of his body.
It was a man wearing a black windbreaker, and beside him was a young-looking human girl.
The man is a fourth-level mage, but the girl seems to be only a first-level mage.
A first-level mage can withstand Endymion's turbulent magic power. She is really a powerful human girl.
Kokot admired secretly in his heart.
Obviously, the mysterious newcomer Heim mentioned was the man in front of him.
She couldn't help but feel an innate kindness from the other person, even though the man's expression was cold and almost heartless.
This is Kokot's first impression.
However, what happened next made her put away this idea.
The fierce battle in the Magic Canyon was like rolling waves, making her sleepiness disappear instantly.
That powerful force moved mountains and filled seas, and even the huge Storm Dragon King succumbed before it.
This new guy is really so strong that it makes people palpitate.
Then, at the bottom of Endymion, the appearance of the Wood Calamity made Kokot even more alert.
On the other hand, she really couldn't sleep peacefully in this situation.
That period was the longest period of time she had been awake in Endymion.
For three full days, Victor struggled with the Wood Disaster.
And for the first time, she watched from the sidelines for three days.
Kokot never thought that she would be able to stay awake for so long one day.
The power of the sun and the forest collide like tides, and the two elements of different colors entangle and merge in the conflict.
The raging rage of the giant beast tore apart the space, as if two worlds were squeezed together by an alien force.
The scorching radiance, prosperous vitality, and destructive violence all intertwined and flashed before his eyes.
In the end, there was only endless chaos in that chaotic space.
But that sentence never sounded in her mind again——
【Back to nature】.
On the contrary, the madness in front of her seemed to let her see the true nature through the layers of fog.
Hazy, intermittent.
…
Endymion was eventually blown off its first three floors, along with Kokot's carefully prepared garden.
Kokot has no home where he can sleep.
Although Heim Horn had said that he could prepare a new place for Kokot to sleep, but it would take a long time.
But at that time, Kokot pointed at Victor who ended everything.
After all, if you have to return to nature.
Then I will choose this man.
…
"Does your home have a garden?"
