Chapter 267 – Twist the Tree (8)

I’ve done nothing wrong.
What’s with that inferior species? Lacking any grit.
Falling into despair, focusing only on trials, am I some tool for providing trials?
Just because I called you by your name, you must’ve thought you were treated like a wooden puppet. Not a chance. After all, you’re human.

[Unbelievable, really.]

A place that rightfully deserves everyone’s love – that’s the tree.
I’m perched at the very top of the caste, seated in a distant class incomparable to humans.
Do I have to feel such resentment toward a mere slave, someone even lower than that?

-Creak.

The branches interlocked, creating a grinding noise.
Gritting and groaning.
The heat coursing through my body still hadn’t subsided. I received a massage, but for some reason, my body feels sore.

[…How ridiculous.]

Depressed for such an odd reason, considering you’re human. And then, you abruptly stormed out.

Is it true that inferior beings are destined to be irritating? All humans should have their minds adjusted incrementally, turning them into slaves.

My heart feels heavy and uncomfortable. Experiencing these emotions due to a single inferior being is a significant waste. Regardless, they are human, after all.

The adversaries are humans, lacking fortitude, subservient, and quick to kneel. If I apply just a little pressure, they will beg and grovel.

If I sent someone to threaten them, it was clear to me that they would return, cowering. Moreover, even without prompting, they would come on their own. That cringing face hidden behind the mask – I have seen such faces more than once or twice.

[All this, just because of one trial.]

Was it really that infuriating for your friend to pass the test? How can one’s heart be so narrow? It’s a petty, human thought and a constricted conscience.

“Mary.”

[What?]

Without realizing it, my response to Lim Jong-hyun’s words was tinged with irritation.

“I have come to report on the current situation.”

A customary ceremony. An event between a tree and a knight who guards it, reporting their deeds for the day.

Not human, but wooden. This should be the basic expectation.

Lim Jong-hyun has now passed the second trial.

The second trial is filled with so many loopholes that it wouldn’t be surprising if it were questioned. With a single stamp or touch, one could proceed to the next trial on their own.

No one can stumble upon those loopholes.

Even if they held grievances, the opponent was the World Tree faction. Society punishes those who reveal such matters.

I believe that doing things this way has its merits.

No, should I say virtues?

This was the treatment one should expect, after all.

In a position like this, is it wrong to help someone pass the trial if they are exceptional?

[Sigh.]

“Yes.”

Lim Jong-hyun begins his regular report.

For some reason, that cheeky pair of legs irritated me today. The short answers, and the way they converse with such formality, yet so flippantly.

No matter their nobility, there are hierarchies.
Seeing that arrogant visage with upturned eyebrows fills me with ire for no reason.
What makes this one better than that human? It’s true I feel that way inside.

[…]

“Today’s training is about the preliminary round…”

Aside from showing their face every time, they’ve shown no action or sincerity.
It’s not that I cling to the outdated notion of obligatory sincerity.

However, has this one ever given me a single drop of water?
Or perhaps provided me with some unknown nourishment?
What about the massage for me, confined to these rooms every day?
What about lending an ear to my concerns?

I understand.
A wooden person cannot serve as an emotional waste bin.
Their nature is different from humans, so I can’t help but feel guilt when treating them recklessly.
Humans have no innate authority. They’re no different from pets. In contrast, wooden people do have authority.

– Mary.

[…]

Your attire is exquisite today as well.

Yet, no matter how much I ponder, my heart is more drawn to that man than the one before me. But what can I do? He’s already disappointed and stormed out of the room in a huff.

Mary.

[I did nothing wrong.]

“…Pardon?”

[…Apologies. Never mind, please leave.]

Lim Jong-hyun departs, head bowed and wearing a bewildered expression. Even as he leaves, the man turns his head multiple times, promising with a smile that he will return later. There is a stark difference between them.

It hardly makes sense to harbor such feelings.

[…Inferior beings.]

I strive to lift my spirits. In just one hour, it will be time to consume the nourishing elixir. If I wash it down with water, the lingering unease will surely dissipate…

[Ah.]

He won’t be coming today.

[No, that’s not true. He might still come, right? Their thoughts are not so different. They will undoubtedly arrive with a tear hanging at the corner of their eye, admitting their mistake.]

With that thought, I smirked.
Recalling the inferior race’s pitiful nature, I straightened my two roots.
They don’t really change, do they?
As if my worrying would make a difference. They’re just mere expendables anyway.

[Ah~ How much longer will you keep me waiting, for real!]

Just let them try. I must curse more harshly and roughly than usual.
To ensure they won’t even think of defying me again.

I waited for them with a smile.

– Tick.

But until the sun set, no matter how long I waited, they never came.

* * * * * * * * *

During my childhood.

When I first sprouted upon the soil, rich with sunlight.
Many aristocrats who awaited my arrival blessed my birth.
A tree was born here. With this noble origin, yet another tree could grow.

The world I had come to know while living as a sprout was limited, but from the treatment I received, I could clearly discern my status.

I am a truly exceptional being in this world.

[Give me food.]

“Miss Mary, mealtime is in 30 minutes.”

[Is that a problem? I’m telling you to give me water quickly! Water!]

Receiving such treatment was a natural part of my life. No matter how complicated the schedule became, if I changed my mind, everyone would scramble to adjust their plans. When I cried from hunger, they would all bring me delicious food.

After all, I would someday become the World Tree. Everyone loves me.

In any case, once I grow up by drinking water, honor and power will naturally come rolling in. So, everyone should start lining up from now on. It wasn’t long before I realized the error of this thinking.

-… This year seems like it will be difficult as well.

Becoming the World Tree was no easy task. Up until now, I have been unable to become the World Tree.

To become a World Tree, one had to extend their roots deeper than any other tree.
They had to grow in size, vastly surpassing all others.
Otherwise, they might create their own power through magic, possess an extraordinary intellect, or accomplish tasks that other trees could not.

Becoming a World Tree wasn’t a matter of merely waiting.
However, by the time this truth was realized, a significant period of growth had already passed.
Ultimately, I found myself transplanted into this harsh environment.

The growth of roots was accompanied by pain, which led to a reluctance to grow.
Deceived by the belief that I would always hold the sun, I didn’t feel the urgency to spread my branches wide.

Unlike the days when I was lauded as a likely candidate for becoming a World Tree, I now know myself as one whose reputation has significantly diminished.

…I knew.

I was lost in the glory of the past, mistakenly thinking I would still be exalted.

A tree that misses its chance for growth finds it difficult to thrive. As time passes, only its growth rings increase.

The average size of an ash tree is 3 meters.
Yet, I am merely half of that…

Too small and narrow to be considered a World Tree, the gazes of the tree folk upon me have grown increasingly peculiar.

“[…] Hey, bring some food.”
“Ah, yes, understood.”

That’s what they say.

“[Massage.]”
“…I’ll call an expert right away.”

Yet, their true feelings are apparent.

I can clearly see their concealed smirks. They mock and belittle me, thinking that I am unaware.

“Mary, what should we do with that tree?”
“Well, according to the World Tree, if its growth remains stunted, there’s a possibility it may be released naturally.”
“Ugh. It should learn some humility then.”

That.

I’ve started to hear such remarks.
It wasn’t long ago that I realized I had fallen this far.

The more I faced this reality, the more obsessed I became with my status.

Do these inferior beings dare to disregard me? After all, the Mokin are a step below me.
But why? Why do they persist in speaking so?
As sitting here and tormenting humans became a hobby, I realized I had become a foolish tree, filling my sense of inferiority by merely cursing at others.

Young humans and Mokin perceive me as a formidable entity.
When presented with a trial, they undertake it with fervor. It’s rather amusing.
It’s amusing how they wear such anxious expressions, striving to please me.

– Esteemed Tree.

And so, it happened.

One individual arrived, who withstood more than the others in a peculiar way.
I was exhilarated, to say the least.
Unlike the others who donned masks upon their faces, I sensed they were attempting to treat me with respect in their own manner.
Though I couldn’t know their innermost thoughts, it was evident, even at a glance, that they were trying their utmost to make me comfortable.

– Is it refreshing?

Why are you so late today? I called you at 4:00 a.m., but does it make sense to come at 4:12 a.m.?

Whenever you call me, I come running.
You put something so delicious in my mouth that I can’t wait on an empty stomach.
You massage my whole body to the point of numbness.

Inferior being. No, honestly, that doesn’t matter.
It’s true that I was immersed in the feeling of being treated so well after such a long time.
If I’m honest with myself, that’s why I did it.
So, if it’s natural for you to leave like this, then it’s natural.

– Tock.

[Why aren’t you coming…?]

The leaves droop.

[Why aren’t you coming?]

Is this how it feels when a fun toy is taken away?
Why are there so few people who treat me like a tree?

– Squeak.

The sound of the door opening.

Yes, it’s time for you to come.

[Hey, Lee Si-heon. I am you—]

As I looked directly ahead, it wasn’t him who stood there.
The arborist, dressed in his usual suit. The man glanced at me and lowered his gaze.

[…Waited.]

“Mary?”

[It’s nothing. So, did you relay the message?]

There was no change in the man’s expression upon hearing my words.
With emotionless eyes, he offered me a meaningless smile and merely muttered his usual phrase.

“He won’t come.”

Another disappointment.

Did he think I wouldn’t notice such a contemptuous look?
However, right now, more than those intrusive glances, I was more shocked by the fact that he wasn’t coming.

[…Tell him again. Yes, a trial. Say I’ll offer a trial. Then he’ll come, right? He’s also-]

“Understood. I’ll deliver the message tomorrow morning.”

[Morning? No. Right now!]

“Mary.”

A soft, penetrating voice.

“It’s 5:00 in the morning. Please consider the thoughts of the chosen participants.”

Strength fills the branches.
The roots quiver.

Dismissed. They say I can’t become the World Tree now. To me.

“[…Sigh. Who are you?]”

The caretaker stands silently, head bowed, seemingly prepared to accept the curses.
Mary’s voice starts to tremble slightly.

“[Is it my fault again?]”

This time too.

“[Sigh… You… No… Ah.]”

A single leaf falls, rolling to a stop near her roots.
As time passes, she murmurs with a strained voice.

“[…Then, convey it in the morning.]”

“Yes. Have a pleasant evening.”

– Thud.

The cold echo of the door.
In the suffocating atmosphere, heavy with feelings of inadequacy, Mary sits in a daze.