About a century had passed since Isis first came to live with Kuromueina. One afternoon, she stood before the World Tree—the colossal giant that towered directly beside Kuromueina’s home.
Kuromueina often mentioned that it had once been an ordinary-sized tree. Over the decades, however, it had grown relentlessly, and now it seemed to pierce the very heavens.
Isis stood at a careful distance, speaking softly to the massive trunk.
"...And then... Ein changed her clothes again... She said that while they were functional... they lacked elegance... Ein can do so much... She’s incredible."
Ein, in her pursuit of becoming the perfect attendant, had mastered countless crafts, and tailoring was among them. At her level of power, ordinary fabric could never survive the rigors of combat. Though she ultimately wove her garments from magic power, Ein insisted that crafting physical prototypes was the only way to perfect the fine details. Yet, perfection seemed to elude her; she was constantly remaking her work, never quite satisfied.
As Isis spoke, Kuromueina drifted down from the sky toward her.
"I'm home~"
"...Welcome back... Is the conflict... in the west... over?"
"Yeah. I managed to find a compromise both sides could live with. There’s still some bad blood, though, so they’ll likely be at each other’s throats again eventually... Isis, were you talking to the World Tree again?"
As the recognized strongest being in the Demon Realm, Kuromueina was frequently called upon to mediate complex disputes. She had just returned from presiding over negotiations between two warring races.
Isis nodded in response to the question, her eyes drifting back to the tree.
"...Yes... I’m sure the World Tree... is lonely... standing all alone."
"I see. You really are a kind soul, Isis."
Isis made a habit of conversing with the World Tree like this. Naturally, the tree never answered, but she spent hours telling it about their daily lives and what Kuromueina and the others were up to. Perhaps, seeing the solitary tree standing without a forest to call its own, she saw a reflection of her own isolated past.
"But if that's how you feel, you don't have to stay so far away, you know?" Kuromueina suggested.
"...If I get too close... the tree might be afraid."
"It’ll be fine. As I’ve said before, the World Tree possesses enormous magic power. It’s also much older than you are. You’ve learned to control your power to an extent now, so the tree can handle it."
"...I wonder... if that’s true."
Though she wore an uneasy expression, Isis slowly approached the trunk. Watching her, Kuromueina let her thoughts wander.
But even so, she still can't suppress it entirely. Magic barriers and defense spells can't even touch it. If anything, Isis’s magic power is fundamentally superior to standard mana—it’s closer to a divine Authority. It feels just like Ein’s time magic. Did that person do something again? Good grief...
Every member of the group Kuromueina called her family shared a distinct trait: they possessed some singular factor that separated them from any other inhabitant of the Demon Realm. Ein could manipulate time itself; Megiddo possessed near-limitless combat prowess and terrifying destructive impulses; Isis wielded an alien, absolute magic power. Kuromueina was certain that Shallow Vernal, her other half, was the one responsible.
With an expression of exasperation at the thought of Shallow Vernal conducting experiments as she pleased, Kuro watched as Isis reached out to touch the tree.
"...Is it... really... okay?"
"It is. Regardless of your magic power, you’re a wonderful, gentle girl. I’m sure the tree understands that."
"...O-Okay."
Encouraged, Isis reached out her hand. It trembled as it drew near the bark, but just before she made contact, a hand emerged from within the wood and took hers.
『...Yes. No matter what power you carry, your kindness has reached me.』
"...Eh?"
The trunk shifted before the stunned Isis, and a woman with hair like verdant leaves stepped out from within. While Isis was frozen in shock, Kuromueina simply nodded, looking as though a missing piece of a puzzle had finally clicked into place.
"Are you the incarnation of the World Tree?"
『I am. I suppose I should say it is a pleasure to meet you. I have been grateful for your protection since I was but a sapling. My consciousness has existed for a very long time, but I did not know the method to materialize a physical form until now. Forgive my late greeting.』
"I see. So these things do happen. I’ve never seen an incarnation born from a tree rather than a monster. But I’m glad we can finally talk. What should I call you?"
Kuromueina had never seen an existence like the woman before her, and she seemed quite intrigued. Nevertheless, she gave a bright smile, and the woman smiled back.
『In my form as a tree, I was known as Yggdrasil... but if you would allow it, I would like to receive a name from you, just as the others have.』
"I’d be happy to. Let’s see... how does Lilliwood sound?"
『Lilliwood... what a lovely name. From this day forth, I shall be known as Lilliwood Yggdrasil. It is an honor to be in your company, Kuromueina, Isis.』
"Yeah. Nice to meet you too."
"...N-Nice to meet you... Lilliwood."
Lilliwood’s existence was exceedingly rare. After a subsequent discussion between the two, they settled on the term "Spirit" to describe her nature. And so, Lilliwood Yggdrasil, the World Tree Spirit, became the newest addition to Kuromueina’s family.
Isis was overjoyed. The two were highly compatible, and it didn't take long for Lilliwood to become her closest friend within the group.
Her days were full. She was happy, surrounded by warmth and laughter. She had finally found what she had always longed for. And yet, deep within her heart, an inexplicable shadow of loneliness remained.
She often dreamt of her other self standing in a frozen wasteland. That Another Isis never spoke; she simply stood there, an omen of a deeper truth. It felt like a silent whisper:
You have not truly found your home yet...