Despite my sudden request, Asrein nodded readily. After quickly getting permission from the staff to take a gardenia seedling, I held the small pot close. The gardenia’s fragrance left a strong trail as I hurried along the path to Hyperion.

“This spot should work…”

I noticed a hole already dug with a shovel near Hyperion. Carefully removing the gardenia seedling from its pot, I planted it and covered it with soil by hand. Asrein would scold me again if he saw my dirty hands. Still, I couldn’t help but smile. I fully understood now how that child felt, bringing flowers with dirt-covered hands just for Hyperion. After covering it completely with soft soil, the flower swayed its head in the gentle breeze.

“When you wake up, you won’t be lonely anymore.”

As I spoke words that wouldn’t reach him and lightly touched the gardenia with my fingertip, a strong wind suddenly blew. Instinctively, I raised my arms to shield my face and waited for the wind to calm. As the wind that had wildly tousled my hair gradually subsided, a young voice rang out in the air.

[So it was you.]

That voice that had cared for the mischievous Seeds in the darkness. I lowered my arms and quickly lifted my head.

“…Hy…perion?”

When I called his name, the leaves gathered to create a figure wearing a cloak. The form, showing only the upper body, looked like waves undulating with the flow of air. After staring dumbfounded at the unbelievable sight, I carefully spoke.

“Have you fully recovered?”

[I still need more sleep, but I couldn’t keep my eyes closed with such a lovely fragrance.]

A pair of leaf butterflies landed on the blooming flower, fluttering their wings.

[Though this flower is far too humble for our Elder~] [Still, it’s not bad.]

Despite their gruff words, the Seeds didn’t leave the flower’s vicinity. Now that I knew their true feelings, I could laugh it off. But Hyperion seemed unwilling to tolerate even small rudeness. He spoke in quite a firm voice to the Seeds teasing me.

[You should say thank you.]

[…Thank you.]

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight, resembling a parent scolding thoughtless children.

“I’m glad you like it.”

I carefully bent down and gently stroked the rough leaves perched on the gardenia. The Seed trembled its wings and returned to its place. The autumn colors starting from its tips somehow reminded me of blushing cheeks. I turned to look at Hyperion, who smiled kindly while waving to the Seed that had fled far away.

“I never imagined you would wake up while I was here.”

[It’s all thanks to you. I wish to repay you… Is there anything you desire?]

It was a fitting question from a wish-granting tree. I laughed softly and shook my head.

“My small wish has already come true with Hyperion waking up, so I don’t need anything else.”

[Still, tell me. No living being exists without desires.]

“…There is something I gave up on trying.”

I want to know the truth about what happened in the Bivrint Forest, but I’m not confident I can handle the burden that comes with facing the facts. I know how dangerous it is to reach beyond my means. So for now, I’m just grateful that Nur woke up safely.

“But I’m satisfied with things as they are.”

As I quietly stroked the bark with a faint smile, Hyperion’s form rippled.

[One cannot obtain everything they desire. You are wise.]

“That’s not really…”

Embarrassed by the excessive praise, I awkwardly rubbed my nape while glancing at him.

“Then may I ask just one thing?”

[Anything.]

The gentle voice truly seemed ready to answer ‘anything.’ So I gathered my courage and asked.

“Hyperion… why don’t you hate humans?”

I’d been curious ever since glimpsing Hyperion’s memories as the ‘guide’ during the transportation magic. Even if a child gave him flowers, how could he embrace in his heart even the humans who forcibly cut off his branches, a part of his body? Though I tried to understand it as simple benevolence, it wasn’t easy to accept. I asked seriously with furrowed brows, but what came back was an easy laugh.

[Why should I hate them?]

“But humans created this wound.”

I pointed to the large mark at the base with my finger. Even now that some healing had occurred, the deep scar remained. They came as they pleased, made wishes, and when things didn’t go their way, they took up axes. While they might be forgiven for their ingratitude, they surely must have harbored ill feelings. When I explained this, Hyperion told an old story in a low voice.

[At first, I simply took root because I liked how the sunlight fell here. Then one day… a human came. They asked me to find an ornament they had lost in the forest. So with the birds’ help, I gave them something shining when they returned. That was the beginning. After that, some humans wished for immortality from me, while others wished for their family’s peace. Back then, I found it amusing how they would come thoughtlessly and kneel. It wasn’t I who granted the wishes, but the forest’s inhabitants.]

When Hyperion paused, the sound of wind rushing through leaves could be heard.

[But as more and more humans came and went… I found it fascinating. Why do they feel emotions that eat away at themselves while living lives that disappear in the blink of an eye? After pondering and pondering, I realized.]

The voice buried in the chilly wind sounded quite lonely.

[Ah, that is what it means to be alive. And if that is what it means for them to be alive, what am I?]

I was struck speechless. This was the fundamental concern of one I thought had everything, living a life close to immortality.

[When you feel everything is meaningless, you might as well be dead, so how can one be called immortal just because they still breathe?]

“…Hyperion.”

[So these scars are both the desperate acts of living humans and, for me, the first and last proof that I lived.]

Sunlight streaming through the leaves made the golden dye marks shine brilliantly.

[Though it manifested in a twisted form, I do not resent that human. Even if others curse me as foolish for this.]

“…No. I was the foolish one.”

I had asked such a rude question without understanding his deep inner thoughts. Biting my lower lip hard from an inexplicable sense of guilt. Hyperion laughed softly and stroked my head with his formless hand while speaking.

[Jealousy, anger, love… they’re all natural. How you accept them is what defines you. Never be ashamed of your emotions.]

I nodded silently at the kind weight touching my hair. Even the Seeds that had disappeared somewhere returned to hover around me, offering comfort. As I raised my gaze with a faint smile, Hyperion took a short breath and spoke.

[Then I shall give you a gift of my own choosing. Though you already possess something good, please consider this a small token.]

When he extended his hand, the Seed sitting on the flower fluttered away. The Seed that had climbed to the treetop soon came down with a palm-sized vine stem. When I carefully reached out to the Seed, it wrapped the vine around my wrist, appearing ready for this moment. It clung softly to my skin like a bracelet woven from thread.

[This is a Phyllis stem that has been attached to my body the longest. Though it can no longer grow since its roots are cut, it contains sufficient magical power.]

“Magical power… Thank you so much. I’ll treasure it. …Truly.”

I received an unexpected gift. While examining the vine emanating mysterious power, Hyperion spoke slowly.

[I have a body that cannot move easily. However, if you call, my children will gladly run to you, so do not worry.]

“Haha, it would be reassuring if the Seeds come to help.”

When I smiled playfully, his laughter resonated like an echo. The pleasant moment was brief. A wind blew that would break the peace. The form made of leaves swayed greatly. Worried about his condition, I quickly stood up and approached him. Perhaps it resulted from using power right after waking up. Lifeless leaves fell one by one from his body.

[I feel sleep coming again.]

“Oh, no… I’ll take my leave so you can rest comfortably.”

Preciously cradling the bracelet, I bowed my head politely. As I turned to leave, a quiet voice stopped me.

[You there, just a moment.]

“…Yes?”

When I turned around, the half-remaining form swayed precariously.

[When spring comes and the fields are full of white flowers, will you come visit me again?]

“Of course. I’ll definitely return to the Kune Forest to see Hyperion.”

[This is the first time I’ve looked forward to what comes next.]

With his laughter, another strong wind blew. I shielded my head with one arm and struggled to open my eyes to look ahead. That’s when I caught a glimpse of green eyes through the leaves, embracing the summer’s verdant foliage. The narrowed eyes smiled at me. That was Hyperion’s true form.

After the storm passed, while I was fixing my disheveled clothes, the System’s voice happened to sound.

—Confirmed empathy with NO. 57 ‘Hyperion’.

Though classified as Level 1 danger for controlling thought entities called Seeds, a benevolent magical creature who willingly provides shade even to humans who harm it.

—Monster Encyclopedia activating. Registering relationship evaluation with ‘Hyperion’ as ‘Guardian’.

Finally, the last stage has been unlocked.