Chapter 265 – Twist the Tree (6)

A week had passed since the second trial began.

Cornus, Bao, Marronnier,
Tae-yang, and Aori.

Bao seemed determined to devise a countermeasure against me, keeping his distance. Cornus was growing healthier by the day, her disposition now cheerful enough to make jokes from time to time. Tae-yang, Aori, and Marronnier were consumed with the task of finding the Flower, in accordance with my intentions.

As I grew more accustomed to living in the lodging and my connections with familiar people increased, I continued to attend the meetings without fail.

“Si-heon!”

Catching the Flower by its tail proved to be no easy feat.

Even with Marronnier’s assistance, it seemed the Flower creatures had come prepared. So far, I hadn’t found anything suspicious among the national trees I had encountered.

Marronnier at our first meeting.
The second one was Bao.

The third and fourth were academy cadets, their faces unknown.

In the end, the individual suspected of being Flower could not be found.

‘I can’t just blindly begin with suspicion.’

Still no contact from Star.

“Si-heon, what are you thinking about so intently?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Hehe. The second trial isn’t easy, is it?”

Saku skillfully prepared tea and offered it to me. It was our now familiar afternoon tea time.

“Are the trials very difficult?”
“Well, it’s not so much the trials… There are just some things taking up a lot of time in other areas.”
“Taking up time~ Oh! Could it be someone you’re fond of?”

A sudden love story, perhaps? I awkwardly smiled and nodded.

At times like this, it’s fitting to match the rhythm and enjoy the reaction as a way to pass the time.

Saku let out a delighted squeal and clapped her hands.

“Who? Who is it? Tell me at least one characteristic!”

“Ah, someone who’s adorably clueless.”

When given just enough information, their imagination runs wild, and they have fun. Saku’s eyes sparkled behind the fox mask.

“I figured it out! The person Si-heon likes is the mountain-“
“And a short, cat-like person.”
“Uh?”
“Also, there’s someone who’s belligerent and always ready to raise their fists.”

These were the people I had recently spoken with.

“And oddly obsessed with things.”
“?”
“They seem like a friendless fool, but they’re cute.”
“…Si-heon.”
“Yes?”

Saku couldn’t say everything. With a confused expression, they rolled their eyes and covered their cheeks.

“That person… Did they have multiple personalities?”
“Ah, there are multiple personalities as well.”
“Eh, what?”

Did they mistakenly think that one person had all the characteristics I mentioned? It was amusing to see their confusion, but I decided to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Oh, I see… There were several people. Si-heon is quite a capable man.”

Upon clarifying his words, Saku placed a hand on her chest and sighed with relief.

“I don’t think that way. Even if they leave disappointed at any moment, I can’t hold onto them.”
“What, it’s in ruins? In love between a man and a woman, you must never think like that! You must commit for a lifetime, no matter how many there are.”
“Is that so? Hehehe.”

Come to think of it, the number had grown considerably.

How many within just a few months?
As my responsibilities increased, so did the number of people who were hostile toward me. However, perhaps due to that, it felt as if the good fortune I had never experienced in my life had arrived belatedly.

“I wish I could finish everything quickly… and live a more comfortable life.”
“Si-heon, you seem a bit like an uncle.”

Calling me an uncle is a bit harsh.

“If you have any concerns, just tell me. We’re friends, Tomodachi!”
“Was that our relationship?”
“Absolutely!”

Saku nodded in agreement.

“Concerns? Like Flower, perhaps?”

I subtly broached the subject.

It was a candid remark I voiced, thinking there was little chance that Saku was one of the Flowers.

‘When I think about it… There’s no way the Flowers don’t know me.’

There had been an attempt to subdue me at some point, and I was a disciple of the Heavenly Demon and had inherited the power of King Mokryeong at the same time. Whether they wanted to kill me or make me an ally, it was clear that they considered me their top priority target.

Of course, I don’t think that even the national trees the Flowers have taken under their wing know me.

The ultimate goal of the Flowers is the selection of the forest guardians.

“Flowers? Why them?”
“I’ve committed a grave sin against the Flowers, so I’m being targeted.”
“…What?”

Seeing Saku’s surprised face made me laugh.

“Flowers, they’re bad people.”
“Yes, they are.”

She slightly pouted her lips.

The discussion naturally shifted, and the focus was drawn more towards the Flowers rather than my love story.

“I believe it’s a significant societal issue. Our family possessed an immensely large spirit stone, but those wicked Flower individuals stole it.”

“Really? That happened?”

“Yes.”

Saku offered a bitter smile.

“Nonetheless, I can understand.”

I paid close attention to her following words.

“You understand?”

“Since we, along with others, are failing to address the problem and are leaving it neglected, dissatisfaction is bound to arise. Soo-yeon also mentioned it. Subduing the Flower is an issue, but preventing the Flower from growing larger is crucial. Our top priority should be creating a better world to live in.”

“Aha…”

I grasped her point.

It didn’t seem like a problem that would be resolved easily, but I didn’t intend to prolong the conversation.

“However, I can’t forgive the evil deeds committed by the Flower.”

“Of course not.”

“…Well, truthfully, there are plenty of truly wicked people, even if they aren’t affiliated with the Flower.”

Such were the thoughts of those in this situation.

There, I carefully set aside the notion that Saku might be a Flower. If she were a Flower, she would not deliberately shift the conversation in this direction, and it was typical to repeat only negative statements to avoid arousing suspicion.

If that’s not the case… then those eyes and that tone of voice are all calculated actions.

In that case, I can’t unravel it now. To know whether her words are false or true, I would need at least two weeks of in-depth conversation with her.

Time was extremely limited.

* * * * * * *

Although it is said to be the power to read thoughts, it can’t be used openly.

Marronnier’s ability is known to anyone who has even the slightest interest in her. Unless the Flowers are foolish, they wouldn’t attempt to think about Flowers in front of Marronnier.

“A.B.”
“Hmm?”

The German noble tree.

Not only in Germany but also throughout Eastern Europe, including Norway, the tree stands unrivaled in honor and power within Europe.
If Lee Si-heon’s words are true.
Should someone be swayed by Flower, one of the most dangerous individuals would be A.B.

Activating a power is no easy task.

A considerable amount of concentration is required.
Moreover, one must use it covertly, ensuring the conversation doesn’t get interrupted as much as possible.

“How about the trial?”

As Marronnier spoke, A.B. shrugged his shoulders.

“Well? Aren’t national trees virtually a free pass? The other trees take notice of them, after all.”

Unlike tree people or humans, national trees are held in higher regard than ordinary trees.
Unless it’s a rare World Tree, there is no situation in which a national tree would falter.
In fact, the trial that Marronnier faced was nothing significant.

“True…”

A single display of power here.

A glimpse into A.B’s mind.

Marronnier activated her ability, careful not to let her eye color reveal the change. A.B exhaled, allowing her to take a peek.

– ……

No thoughts could be heard.

His eyes were long and narrow, suggesting a face full of secrets and hidden intentions, yet his inner heart seemed to hold nothing.

Marronnier deactivated her power and forced a laugh.

“What’s your trial like, Marronnier?”
“…My trial? Don’t even ask. It’s a bit, no, extremely odd. I can’t even tell if it’s a trial or not. It’s like playing house.”
“See? The trials of the sacred trees are usually like that.”

Indeed, it was exceedingly strange, but nonetheless.

Marronnier and A.B spent a considerable amount of time exchanging stories. As neighbors, they found many aspects of their conversation to be relatable. They had been somewhat friendly from the beginning, which allowed them to speak comfortably.

Throughout their discussion, Marronnier didn’t forget to occasionally utilize her power.

However, peculiarly, A.B’s thoughts were not read completely.

Even though it wasn’t as if he had no thoughts.

– T-di-dik, t-di-dik.

“Is it over already? I should go now.”

As the timer rang, Marronnier was the first to stand up from her seat. They hadn’t discovered any new information. They had simply engaged in ordinary everyday conversation until time ran out.

“Marronnier.”
“Yeah, what?”

A.B grinned as she turned around with a sullen expression.

“But you know…”

He scratched his cheek with an awkward face.

“Why do you keep writing symbols?”
“…”

She was caught. He had noticed with his keen eyes. This guy.

“…I got caught this time.”
“Why, do you have any questions? Or is it that your old habit hasn’t been broken yet?”

There was a time in the past when Marronnier was so shy during her younger years that she couldn’t even strike up a conversation with someone else.

Days when I enjoyed plucking flowers and refrained from running around.
There were times when, unable to trust others, I instinctively used my own powers.

That timorous habit still lingered.

An example was when I used it upon meeting Tae-yang and Aori in the forest.

“If you’re trying to find someone, it’s best not to be so overt about it.”
“What do you mean, overt?”

Marronnier scoffed at A.B’s advice.

“I concealed myself well enough. It’s just that your eyes are too sharp.”
“…You flatter me. Thank you, Marronnier.”

A.B’s eyes widened. His murky gaze swept over her body once.
It felt as if a snake were slithering, causing goosebumps to spread across her skin.

– Gulp.

Marronnier, who had opened the door and slipped out, exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
Her heart pounded.

‘He’s always so shady and mysterious.’

It might seem like it was just today, but A.B had always been brimming with such enigmatic aspects.

Marronnier descended to the cellar, catching her breath.

The meeting had ended, and it was time for her to meet the tree in charge of her once more.

‘Anyway…’

-Tap, tap.

Marronnier thought as she went down the stairs. Under the tights hugging her thighs, the sound of her blue shoes echoed cheerfully in the basement.

There was no progress in finding the Flower, and the trials were just as ambiguous.

The tree responsible for Marronnier was, somehow, peculiarly innocent.

-Creak.

Upon opening the iron door, the World Tree was revealed — not just a tree, but the World Tree.

The tree, with no rough bark and possessing skin as soft as a human’s, excitedly shook its branches as soon as it saw Marronnier.

[Welcome!]

“I’ve arrived.”

An innocent voice echoed in her head, a ripe woman’s voice.

[You’re always so cute, Blanche.]

“…We promised not to say that.”

[How can one resist something so cute? And the name is truly beautiful!]

Sighing, Marronnier placed his cane over the door and sat down beside the tree. The tree seemed delighted, engaging in heartfelt conversation with Marronnier.

[How was your day today?]

“Well, World Tree-sama…”

[Yes?]

“…What exactly is the ordeal?”

[I always enjoy conversations like this. It’s fun to hear other people’s stories.]

“I understand your sentiment. But that’s not the meaning of the second trial.”

[Wasn’t the second trial up to the World Tree’s discretion?]

Though it was a tree and a World Tree, the tree standing before Marronnier had only recently been recognized as a World Tree.

[As for me, I’ve been confined for nearly my entire existence. Listening to stories from people like Blanche is what I enjoy the most.]

“How many times have you said that already? I’m bored now.”

[Oh, is that so? Then I’ll tell you another story… The prince on a white horse who saved my life~]

“Ah, that story is already the seventh time!”

[No! Today’s story will be even more beautiful and sad, you’ll see?]

“Nevermind… I do need to face a trial.”

[Is that so?]

The tree appeared sullen, swaying its branches and falling into deep thought. It was simply too kind-hearted for its own good.

As for the name, Blanche was practically a nameless one. The national tree of France has no name. Although it is written as Marronnier Blanche, the moment she inherits the title of the former national tree, she will only be called “Marronnier.”

[Ah!]

The tree then spoke up.

[I found the trial. It must be an ordeal perfectly suited for Blanche.]

“What is it?”

[Bring someone you like. Blanche always seems lonely, so I think she needs that.]

“What is that?”

The Forest Keeper Selection. It’s a fierce battle with bloodshed all around.
Amidst all of this, they present an ordeal to bring someone you like?
It wouldn’t be surprising if someone heard this and laughed, clutching their stomach in disbelief.

[I’m serious.]

The tree, the World Tree of Healing, insisted.

“…Really?”

Marronnier felt a burning sensation in her heart.
Someone she likes.
There couldn’t possibly be such a thing.

This is absurd.

[Blanche needs to know love. Like me.]

“I don’t care about your love!”

At the words of the World Tree of Healing, Marronnier tightly closed her eyes and shouted, as if puffing up her back.
It was a never-before-heard unjust ordeal.