Chapter 251 - Doppelganger

Cecile’s hand gripping onto the branch began to tremble, and she felt sweat run down her face. Groaning from the effort, she glanced downwards. Unlike the faintly illuminated World Tree, an endless darkness spread out beneath her feet. One thing was clear to Cecile. ‘If I fall down there, I definitely won’t meet a pretty end.’

All her instincts were blaring danger warnings at her. Besides, a place where mythical beings existed could never be ordinary to begin with. Tearing away her gaze from the darkness that no madman in the world would willing jump into, she turned her gaze upwards. There was no one around to help her. The only option was for her to climb back onto the World Tree with her own strength. Mustering everything within her, she reached to grab another branch on the side when…

As if anticipating her action, Cecile was hit by the flash of light that had been suffused around the branch. Blinking in surprise, Cecile found herself presented with another reel of memories—this time her younger self was nowhere to be found.

‘What the?’ As she intently searched her surroundings, sounds of someone dashing towards her could be heard. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before a running figure came into view. Cecile’s eyes widened the moment she recognized what she was seeing. It was a person sporting short, disheveled hair and a blood-stained face. There were scars all over—big and small—and the person looked like a mess. The person was dodging several shaking branches of the World Tree as they ran.

[Stop. Right. There.]

The World Tree’s voice was brimming with rage, but the runner didn’t seem inclined to pay it any heed. Unfortunately, in the next moment, the person let out an “Agh!” as they stumbled over one of the branches; the other branches didn’t waste the chance to ensnare the person’s ankle.

In response, the person drew out a sword and slashed off the hindrances. The branches of the World Tree were helplessly sliced away in spite of seeming hardy.

Cecile doubted her eyes for a moment when she caught sight of the sword. “Eh?” Surely, it was the black steel blade possessed by Estian. ‘But why is it in that person’s hands?’ She focused on the stranger, wondering if it was possibly Estian, but it was definitely not her husband.

Though it was difficult to tell due to the large robe the person was wearing, the person’s build seemed far smaller than the emperor. Rising to their feet after slashing away the branches, the stranger rose back up to their feet. However, this time, the branches beneath them moved into action. When the stranger howled in pain, Cecile realized it was a woman.

Collapsing, something tumbled from the stranger’s arms. Cecile was left speechless when she realized it was a fruit from the World Tree—larger and more beautifully colored than the one she had eaten or the ones that had been picked by the younger Cecile.

‘It can’t be…’ Although she couldn’t recognize the stranger’s face due to the dried blood caked on her face, Cecile couldn’t shake the sense of familiarity from her.

[You. Thief.]

The stranger turned her head in response to the World Tree’s angry cry. At that moment, her face was revealed. It was a face completely different from Cecile’s. The woman had red hair and black eyes that were slightly larger than Cecile’s, and a handful of freckles decorated her complexion. Even the shape of her face was different. Yet, despite the completely different appearance, Cecile stammered, “Me?”

She could tell that the woman was none other than herself. The other Cecile attempted to retrieve the fallen fruit, but a branch of the tree reached it faster.  “Give it here!” the other Cecile cried.

Instead, the World Tree responded in a firm voice, [Give. It. Up.]