Chapter 270 – Twisting the Tree (11)

[Then, please give me a hug before you go.]

After meeting the World Tree of Healing, she embraced me with a touch of childish playfulness, spreading her branches wide. It wasn’t difficult to do so.

As Marronnier shyly covered her face with both hands, I stepped closer and opened my arms toward her. The trunk of the World Tree of Healing was nestled in my embrace, a body that fit entirely within the circle of my arms.

[…Please show your face now and then while you’re here.]
“Do you have a camera? Or something like a voice receiver?”
[No.]

The head of the tree, formed where branches diverged from the trunk, rested upon my shoulder. The World Tree of Healing hugged me, her abundant branches enveloping my body as if to wrap me in their embrace. To anyone observing, it would appear as though I were being consumed by the tree, so tightly did she draw me close.

– Gently squeezed.

The body nestled in my arms.

‘I never thought the day would come when I’d be doing this with a tree.’

Ridiculous, I thought, snorting quietly so the World Tree couldn’t hear.

I closed my eyes.

_Thump._

In that moment, I heard the sound of a heartbeat. A heart…

Strange indeed. A tree shouldn’t have a heart, yet such a resounding noise filled the air. Intrigued by the sudden mystery, I couldn’t help but open my eyes.

_Flash._

“Huh?”

In that instant, my vision was flooded with white.

My surroundings shifted.

I was no longer in the same place. A world stretched out before me, like a boat floating on a vast expanse of pristine white. It felt as warm and welcoming as a mother’s embrace. A faint scent of grass intermingled with the delicate aroma of flowers enveloped me.

Unconsciously, the corners of my mouth curled into a smile. Pleasant fragrances permeated the air.

“What is this?”

The skin that embraced me was so soft it sent shivers down my spine. The body of the one who held me seemed to seep between my fingers.

She caressed my hair and back with her delicate touch. Then, she enveloped my body like a gift box with a handful of silky, light green hair, leaving a deep, tingling kiss on my neck. I couldn’t sense the branches that had entered every nook and cranny of my body.

This world emanated a dreamy aura.

It was as breathtaking as painting the scenes of a dream upon the canvas of one’s eyes.

[My dear.]

The face of a woman, obscured by my poor vision, smiled at me.

– Pop.

In that instant, my consciousness felt as if it had been flung out of the world. When I regained my senses and opened my eyes again, the otherworldly atmosphere had vanished without a trace. In my line of sight, only the dimly flickering lights in the room prepared for the World Tree remained.

[My dear husband.]

The World Tree of Healing released me from her embrace.

[I’ll wait for you.]

“Uh, uh, uh.”

A sensation of awakening from a dream.

Having fallen, I unknowingly rubbed the part of my neck where my lips had touched and looked at my hand.
I could feel the sticky moisture, akin to human saliva, within my grasp.

I turned and moved in front of Marronnier.

“…What’s with your expression?”
“It’s nothing.”

Nothing had happened.

Although it felt like something had transpired, I couldn’t quite put it into words. The face of an unknown maiden flickered before my eyes. Let’s just go. In the end, we exchanged farewells with the World Tree of Healing and left the room.

– Thump.

“Ah.”

As soon as we exited, Marronnier’s face fell.

“What’s really going on?”

It was as if he couldn’t believe what had occurred earlier. Marronnier muttered in an exhausted voice.

“Indeed.”

I stood beside him, arms crossed, and nodded in agreement. It was a bewildering situation.

I had attempted to feign affection to aid Marronnier, but when I finally sought her out, the adversary turned out to be the World Tree of Healing. Her frenzy had obliterated the initial plan.

The once youthful and pure ambiance we had experienced when we first arrived here had long since dissipated. Both Marronnier and I wore weary expressions, barely managing to maintain our pace.

“You know…”
“Why?”
“Was it truly the right decision?”

Her inquiry as we journeyed.

Even though it was a hopeless wait, accepting the World Tree of Healing might not have been the best choice. Marronnier, her lips sealed as she gazed at me, seemed to be asking just that. I had no words to offer.

Despite being victimized, I couldn’t help but display such intense emotions.

“Perhaps it won’t really matter?”

I smiled as I adjusted my contorted mask.

“There are already so many people I’m responsible for; what difference would one more tree make?”
“Responsible for…?”

Marronnier looks up at me with a face full of suspicion.
Resting a hand on his chin, he ponders the meaning behind my words for a while before finally catching on and turning beet red.

“…Just, just how many people are we talking about?!”

Even though polygamy and polyandry are legal, it’s usually limited to two or three individuals at most.
In my case, I’m gradually reaching a point where I can’t count them all on my fingers.
I shouldn’t be boasting like this, only to let the blood run dry later on.

I gaze at Marronnier, who is now glaring at me with an embarrassed expression.

‘…Hold on a second.’

A sudden question crosses my mind: how on earth did Marronnier and I become so close so quickly?

With Baobab, it’s easy to understand – his inherently bold and laid-back personality has led us to exchange harsh words, share our bodies, and grow closer.
As for Marronnier, he’s amused me with intriguing stories and helped unravel the mysteries of my past daily life.

When Tae-yang first explained the power of enslavement, Marronnier came to mind.

He was naturally timid and fearful. It was strange.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

I reached out and placed my hand on top of her head, gently stroking from side to side as if petting a cat. As I did so, Marronnier’s hair stood on end, as if her ears were perking up.

“…! Ugh.”

Her head felt warm.

“What are you doing…”

I was about to scream, but Marronnier stood on the stairs with her mouth shut tight, glaring at me. This time, I lowered my hand and tickled her chin.

Blanche, who had slightly raised her head, was unable to speak as her body stiffened. Instead, she subtly pushed her chin forward, her face turning bright red.

“Ugh…”

Though it was difficult for her to endure, she reluctantly accepted the touch of my hand.

Halfway through, a cadet descended the stairs and halted, but it was challenging to describe Marronnier, who covered her cheeks with both hands and lowered herself to the floor, concealing her flushed face.

‘As expected.’

It was peculiar.

* * * * * * * *

“Lee Si-heon.”

“Yes?”

“Second trial officer. This is a message from Mary.”

As I stood at the doorway, about to enter my room, a man in a suit who had been waiting beside me bowed his head in greeting. It had been four days since I stamped Mary in for work. With the response being updated in real time every day, it was easy for me to know.

“I’ve been told to come because I’ll be presenting you with a trial.”

“Is it the same as last morning’s?”

“Yes.”

“…I’m sorry for troubling you every day.”

I’ll give it some thought. I told him as much and sent the officer on his way.

I intended to delay meeting Mary a bit longer.
If I just let her have her way, there’s no telling when her bad habits might resurface.

Still, I couldn’t afford to procrastinate too much.
From Mary’s perspective, I was nothing more than a fleeting encounter in the river of time.
Up until now, I had clung to her tenaciously, deepening our bond. If things had continued as they were, by this point, a petty human would be sulking and snickering about being cooped up in a room.

– Thud.

That’s when I steeled myself and opened the door.

“Brother, have you arrived?”

Tae-yang, lounging on the sofa while munching on a biscuit, waved at me as soon as he saw me.

Aori was nowhere to be found.
Mok Tae-yang was the only one who summoned me.

“I read your message.”

With his distinctive, throaty voice, Tae-yang chuckled and stood up, placing his phone with earphones plugged in on the table.

“You seemed to have used subjugation.”
“Mhm.”

I tapped Tae-yang’s leg, and he shifted, making room for me.

I sat down beside him, tearing a biscuit and placing it in my mouth.

“Who?”
“The national tree.”
“Oh… that Africa?”
“Definitely not him.”

-Crunch.

The biscuit split in half. The moderately suffocating sensation wasn’t bad.

“I think I used it unconsciously. Writing itself isn’t difficult.”

I know how to use the ability called subjugation. Should I say that I realized it at some point? I can feel the timing is right. However, I can’t be sure since when I had relations with Marronnier, even I was unconscious. I don’t remember how it felt then. All that remained in my head were the intermittent conversations we had.

Taking everything into account, I still don’t understand the subtle affection I now see from Marronnier. As I slowly explained to Tae-yang, he nodded.

“Then the likelihood of it being subjugation is high. Impressive, considering it’s almost impossible to apply subjugation all at once. So, what now?”
“Can’t you undo this?”

Tae-yang snorted at my words.

“I can, but should I?”
“Honestly, I think I’ve observed the situation long enough.”

It’s not entirely useless in the worst-case scenario, so there’s no harm to me in leaving it be.

“Not good.”

Tae-yang said so and shook his head.

“I can undo it, but we need to wait at least another week. If what you say is true.”

I clicked my tongue.

“So, what’s the problem?”
“Subjugation has its merits. Among the World Trees, there are some that can detect King Mokryeong’s connection.”
“…That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“That’s why I didn’t mention it, since my brother doesn’t actively use enslavement. If the subjugated ones misbehave and King Mokryeong thinks you’ve crossed the line, he’ll come to kill you, right?”

Then, isn’t it absolutely forbidden to plant enslavement in the National Tree?

“But you bastard, didn’t you tell Mary to be enslaved? And the others too.”

Tae-yang, taken aback by this, had a puzzled expression. He immediately raised his fist and hit himself on the head.

“Ah, my mistake.”

This crazy bastard. Come to think of it, he’s been consistently recommending enslavement for quite some time, and there have been more than a few occasions when things almost went terribly wrong.

“That’s because my brother is so reluctant to use enslavement. One or two people don’t matter. Even a single tree. The World Trees wouldn’t even notice that much. It’s too faint.”
“And what if you get caught?”
“It’s like playing cops and robbers. What else?”

Tae-yang added one more thing.

“It’s perilous, but there are advantages to be gained. The more you subjugate, the stronger King Mokryeong’s power becomes. It’s akin to acquiring his power by completing a tome. Subjugation works in the same manner.”
“Must subjugation be maintained for experience to increase?”
“No, that’s not the case. Subjugating just once is enough to accumulate one experience point. It’s easier to think of it as a game.”
“Then, the most efficient method would be to wager and withdraw.”

However, it takes at least two to three weeks to release the subjugation.
As the opponent’s mental strength recovers, there are moments when King Mokryeong’s power and the individual’s spirit are stretched taut.
At that point, the decision to release or maintain the subjugation can be made.

“If the opponent’s mental fortitude is strong, they can break the subjugation themselves.”
“In that case, can one never be subjugated for life?”
“Once released, immunity is granted. It’s similar to mental magic. Afterward, if you wish to make it your own… you must be resolute and engage in comprehensive guidance.”

Now, the concept is clear.
There is a one-week deadline, and once Marronnier’s subjugation is lifted, it can never again be imposed.

Conversely, if I were to weaken my mental fortitude by forcing myself again, I could regain it.
And by repeating this process two or three times, one could be subjugated for life.

“…This was a surprisingly complex power. What the hell were you doing not explaining this?”
“I thought it wouldn’t be too bad to explain it to you after you’ve built up some resolve.”

– Wham!

Tae-yang’s head flew backward.

I’ll have to catch him at some point and shake him down.
Like a golden goblin. Information about King Mokryeong won’t come out unless he’s struck.
Who knows how much information he’s hiding?

A weary sigh escaped his lips.