Chapter 604 [Enchantment Card: Dryad·Moon Spirit]

"If it's possible," Anastasia said in a voice that was unhesitating but had become dull, "I want to... leave with you."

As she said this, she was still growing.

Her original image had been completely covered by the tree—or rather, her body had completely turned into wood.

Aiwass looked at her now, and could no longer discern any trace of her former youth from the growing silhouette of the giant tree. Even her voice had become more "mature," as if covered in a thick layer of leather, duller and more distorted than before.

Maybe it's because of trust, maybe it's because of goodwill.

Perhaps because of her desire for the world and her expectation of the unknown, she didn't even ask what Aiwass was going to do, but gave the answer directly.

Aiwass smiled slightly, picked out three tarot cards and held them between the fingers of his right hand.

"—A fool. Ignorant and fearless, he reveres the future, pursues his dreams, and moves forward freely. Knowing it's meaningless, he still persists.

"—The Queen. Carefree, relaxed, nurturing and gentle. Selfless and caring. Overly tolerant and lacking in principles.

"—A hermit. Wanting to illuminate the world, yet trapped in the same place. Willing to be lonely, secluded. Lighting himself up, illuminating others. Arrogant, with low self-esteem, aloof, and lacking passion."

Aiwass slightly shifted the three cards and showed them to Anastasia: "Which one do you like better? Which one do you think is more suitable for you?"

Hearing this, Anastasia hesitated for the first time.

It's like taking a psychology test, where every option feels almost the same.

I know that these options all have great significance, but I just can't distinguish the deviation in my heart.

Looking at Anastasia, who had transformed into a tree and was still growing rapidly into a towering giant at a speed visible to the naked eye, Aiwass smiled easily: "It seems that for you, it should be the same... right."

“…I can do anything.”

Anastasia gave the answer: "They all look like me."

"Then let me choose."

Aiwass said, choosing the first card without hesitation.

Number zero, yellow card.

It means the beginning of life and also the end of something in life.

——【Fool】.

“Compared to maternal love and devotion,” Aiwass said softly, “a child like you is more suitable for this card.

"Consider this... my blessing to you. Dream big and move forward courageously."

For an ordinary phantom demon like the dryad, it is not enough to become a beast of sin.

But if it is just made into a follower card, there is no problem.

Aiwass had no shortage of such a common slot—let alone the materials. Even if the finished piece had no use, at least it would free Anastasia from being bound by her own fate.

Destined to become a phantom demon or something...

——What Aiwass hates most now is this kind of "fate".

It would be fine if I didn't have the ability to change.

But he just has the power.

Then how could he turn a blind eye and let it do nothing?

"Give me a piece of jade."

Aiwass gave instructions to Sherlock, the ritual assistant who was quietly sitting in the corner.

Sherlock curled his lips, but still obediently opened the ceremony bag and walked over: "Anything else? I can find it."

"As a starting point, this card doesn't require complex extraordinary materials. All it requires is a female vulture feather, a pair of well-preserved butterfly wings, a naturally dried pine cone, a traveler's bag that's been used for at least twenty years, and... a bottle of mead."

"I'll get it right away!"

Mrs. Grace came to her senses and then said goodbye in a hurry.

Maxim was stunned for a moment, then he realized what was going on. He moved closer to Aiwass and Sherlock and asked, "What else do you need?"

He didn't ask Aiwass what exactly he was going to do or how he was going to do it.

"Nothing is missing. I only have the materials for the ritual. The feathers of a female vulture, pine cones, a traveler's bag—"

Sherlock replied, "I'll go with you to buy it—is it still in time for a trip to the First Circle, Aiwass?"

"Need not."

Maxim said immediately: "We have almost everything at home, except for the vulture feathers - I will go and find them now."

"...I have feathers."

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

His expression was a little complicated: "This should be the feather of a female vulture."

——This is Yunus’ most beloved hat, and for this reason, he has always kept it well.

Aiwass nodded: "Many poets use female vulture feathers.

"Because the Horus people believe that vultures don't have males. They believe that female vultures are impregnated by the wind... From this perspective, female vultures can be considered 'wives of the wind,' and bards admire the freedom of the wind. They call themselves 'sons of the wind,' and therefore wear the mark of their mothers on their bodies."

Aiwas said, reaching out and taking Yunus's hat.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly. "This is the last thing he left for you. It must have special symbolic meaning to you. Are you willing to give it up?"

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

Yunus spoke up.

"That's the only manly thing you've said since I met you."

Aiwass chuckled and commented in a low voice.

As he said this, he took off the feather.

The wind-attribute magic power provided by the "Essence of Enyo" gushed out from the index finger of Aiwas's right hand.

The light green magic power instantly crushed the feather and then injected it into the jade.

Then, the jade stone suddenly shattered.

Under Aiwass's precise control, the wind carried the mana and debris, wrapping the [Fool] card layer by layer.

——Yes, although the tree demon looks quite calm and immovable, it is actually a phantom demon with wind and light attributes.

If you use the Fool card to make it, the only option is the wind attribute.

Maxim and Grace also came back soon with their things.

Aiwass placed the pine cones in his bag, then the cards. He then opened the mead and began to chant:

"I call upon the Twin Mirrors! The God of the sacred number two, the God without eyes and without self, the God of pure beauty and flawlessness—"

As Aiwass chanted, he poured out the wine and poured his magic power into it continuously.

The wine did not drip directly onto the bag.

Instead, it was like a drop of water, suddenly diffusing in the air. The golden honey fragrance spread downward, enveloping the bag like mist.

The bag began to shrink at a speed visible to the naked eye, and finally only a palm-sized ball remained, covered with golden honey.

Aiwass placed the package under the still-growing Anastasia tree and watched quietly as it continued to grow bigger under the moonlight.

Before Anastasia completed her ascension, she was still a mortal, not yet a phantom demon. However, the moment she fully transformed into a tree, she became a phantom demon in the material world—not just after entering the dream world. Because of this, it's possible for phantom demons in the material world to fail their ascension, and burning the tree trunk ensured their successful ascension.

Soon, Anastasia was no longer moving.

And everyone just waited here quietly.

The second half of the night passed by like flowing water.

At Aiwas's request, Yunus played a soft and melodious piece of music on his new harp.

And amidst the sound of music that was so soft and almost cautious, the sun rose.

Under the first rays of morning sun, the tree suddenly turned into a brilliant golden color - and then it shattered like a firefly, and all poured into the bag.

When all the light faded, Aiwass walked forward and opened the small package, which had returned to its normal color.

Lying quietly inside was another Fool card with a completely different picture.

He was a man dressed in green, with horns on his head, and he didn't look very smart. A curved crystal double snake staff with a pine cone at the top was wrapped around his neck like a rope.

Aiwass waved his hand slightly, and the card suddenly became bright and dark, and moved to Aiwass's hand in an instant, revealing its attributes at the same time.

[Enchantment: Dryad·Moon Spirit (Fool)]

Level 40

[Path of Devotion, Wind Attribute]

[Necessary: ​​Wind 3]

【Action, repeat, summon, take effect immediately】

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

[Effect: Use again. When Anastasia the Dryad is present, summon Anastasia the Moon. The Moon is considered a summoned creature and lasts for ten minutes. While the Moon is present, the Dryad's effect is changed to 'Generating a persistent protective barrier centered on the Dryad.' The barrier is considered a force field, ritual, or shield, and is resistant to all types of damage except Divine, Fire, and Unholy.]

The deadline has been moved forward, and there will be a 6,000-word update!

However, my hives have been going on for eleven days now, and I've run out of allergy medicine. I think I need to go to the hospital tomorrow...

(End of this chapter)