Chapter 280 – Are You a Flower? (5)

“*Cough*. *Cough*.”

Tae-yang shuddered as he choked on his own breath.

“Are you okay?”

“*Cough*, *cough*! Do I… *cough*… look okay to you?”

It wouldn’t be surprising if one or two of his bones were broken. His cheeks and eyes were swollen, and his clothes were so ragged that they could be tossed into a donation bin straight away.

“Aori, you’ve turned him into a mess. Try to hold back a little when you hit.”

Although I said that, deep down, I felt somewhat satisfied. Aori caught my drift and flashed a thumbs up.

“I thought I had to do it now or never.”

“*Cough*! I’m… dying…!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Tae-yang spat out blood. If only he were a little more resilient and adaptable, he’d be a good person. He isn’t stupid, but he lacks the urgency required given the information he possesses.

“So, from now on, if you have anything to report, make sure to give proper notice in advance.”

“……”
“Did you understand or not?”
“Brother, truly, I’m so genuinely sorry that I could even mention our mother’s name, but please treat me first.”
“No, it must be used on Suyu.”
“Shiibal.”

Using power for mere bruises is not ideal. Aren’t external and internal injuries different? If considering the extent of pain and the threat to life, Cornus’s situation is far more severe.
For that reason, I leave some of the wounds I got from Baobab’s blows to heal naturally without treatment.
It’s only logical since all significant power must be directed towards Cornus.

“That’s because you, brother, recover at a level akin to a planarian. I, on the other hand, am a fragile ordinary person who would scream even if I accidentally tore off a tiny piece of my nail.”
“Then go and rest. Judging by how you’re talking, you can endure it.”
“I will keep my mouth shut.”

That’s how it should be.

Returning to the story, I clasped my hands together and stared at her.
Gu-seul’s mouth hung open, looking dumbfounded, as if she was asking what on earth was going on.

“…Are you performing a comedy routine?”
“It’s often like this.”

Somehow, the atmosphere lightened, but the gravity of the situation remained heavy enough. Externally, there were Flower and King Mokryeong. It was unknown what kind of repercussions the conversation we were having now would bring.

But it was difficult to treat what happened earlier as if it never occurred. Guseul also had a disapproving expression regarding this situation, so she smiled moderately and let it pass.

“I had roughly expected that you guys and Siheon had some contact. I didn’t know you’d be this close.”

I didn’t expect it to happen like this either. Now, we talk without restraint, calling each other this and that, but it almost feels as if Taeyang and Aori became close forcefully due to constantly crossing the line.

“Then… you know? What kind of place Flower is. You must know since you’ve just heard.”

Guseul slowly began to speak.

An organization called Flower. Its foundation follows the line. There is a reason for me to help Flower.

“There are extremists, but they certainly don’t represent everyone.”

Countless young lives are saved by the Flower.
All of them have been cast aside by the hierarchical authority of the World Tree. They are innocent. As I listen, I understand that this is the basic rationale.

The Flower seeks to shatter this dismal reality. Given its purpose and determination, I can’t help but acknowledge it.

“So, you’re asking me to join the Flower?”

This is the crux of the matter.

“…”

Gu-seul takes a haughty stance while making a request, but let’s assume it’s unavoidable due to her circumstances.
I am a figure caught between the World Tree and the Flower. If I were to take a submissive posture without cause, it could lead to setbacks in the psychological battle with the World Tree.

That’s why Gu-seul is carefully balancing threats and flattery in an attempt to draw me in.
It’s difficult to say anything just yet, as I haven’t fully heard Gu-seul’s side of the story.

“…Yes.”

Gu-seul, who had difficulty broaching the topic, fidgeted with the front of her clothes. Her eyes shifted toward Tae-yang.

“It’s not entirely wrong to say that.”

“You’re right. The Flower isn’t a bad organization. If it weren’t for them, Aori and I would have died.”

Tae-yang nodded in agreement.

“So, how many people have been killed? Do you know why the Flower is now being treated as terrorists?”

“That’s true as well. Do you know how many lives these bastards have taken?”

Tae-yang concurred with my words.

Both your points are valid.
From earlier, there had been incessant chatter. It became so noisy that I flicked Tae-yang’s forehead, hard enough to leave a hollow.

– Pwock!

“Ouch!”

Finally, it had quieted down a bit.

Once calm again, I thoughtfully considered the situation at hand.
If I were to be consumed by personal emotions and selfish desires, I might not be able to make the right choices in the future.

Many people’s lives could be hanging in the balance because of my actions.

Even if you strike a stone bridge, you must not cross it without caution. You must doubt until the end, examine the bridge, and remain vigilant even when you’re certain it’s safe.

“Aori. Take him away.”
“Yes.”

Dragging Tae-yang to the bedroom, I sighed. With a flick of magic, I cleared the tea and snacks from the center of the room.

I placed the earpiece translator on the table and created a magical barrier around us. Electronic devices were rendered useless, and a signal indicated that nothing lay hidden within our clothes. From this point on, no conversation held within the barrier would be overheard by anyone. Gu-seul seemed to understand my intent, putting down her phone and other belongings.

“Speak truthfully.”

From this moment, we were as good as naked.

“Do you think I wouldn’t hesitate to destroy Flower right now? Do I have a reason to submit to your authority?”
“Detailed explanations are not possible.”
“Of course. You want to keep secrets.”

What position would I attain, and what could I accomplish, if I were to join Flower?

Just by receiving it, one can understand how Flower operates.
In any case, when I turn my back on the World Tree, there won’t be a greater headache for Flower.

“But then, wouldn’t you be unable to fasten even the first button? Is there any point in talking to me?”
“You’re the one who started this conversation, right? Originally, I planned to observe a bit longer.”
“Then you shouldn’t have revealed your intentions from the beginning.”

To me, both Flower and the World Tree are entities that must be dealt with.
But having witnessed numerous unfavorable scenes in the past,
it’s not a big deal if my heart leans a bit more towards the others.

Soon after, Gu-seul spoke up.

“Lee Si-heon. Contrary to what you may think, Flower is not a group that advances so recklessly.”

Upon hearing this, I narrowed my eyes.

“As you know, Flower’s power is divided.”
“Between the hardliners and the moderates.”

Gu-seul, lightly nodding her head, raised a finger.

“Most of those who don’t hesitate to use any means necessary tend to belong to the hardline faction. The one I belong to, and where you’ll be joining is…”

“Not the moderates, right?”

“Correct. To be precise, we’ve only recently shifted our position. The Eighth Leaf. Our character changed significantly once a certain individual took the lead.”

In that case, there should be no room for second thoughts.

These people are, at the very least, on the same level as me. Perhaps even lower.

Could she read those thoughts on my face?

Gu-seul hastily corrected herself.

“We’ve never killed an innocent person.”

“What a load of crap.”

It’s an unbelievable statement. Harm to innocent people is inevitable, regardless of the actions taken externally. Even more so for those who incite extreme acts of terror like Flower.

“If there ever was an instance—”

“It wasn’t our intention, I’m sure.”

As someone who has personally killed many people, I have no intention of condemning them. I, too, have destroyed the lives of the family members of the hunters I’ve slain. I’m no different from someone who has ruined hundreds of lives.

However, I’m not so foolish as to entrust my body to someone who lies.

“And, claiming not to kill innocent people in the first place? What about me? What am I?”

Let’s assume that I was brought here because of a crime I committed.
Yet, due to the absurd title of King Mokryeong, I’m targeted not only for my misdeeds but also for my position.

“This makes me an innocent victim.”
“…You have many sins.”

Hm.
They’ve rendered me speechless.

“You’re right. I apologize for that.”

I hit a man hard on the head as he walked by, and he turned out to be a criminal. I have nothing to say if that’s the logic we’re going by.

If what Gu-seul says is true, I might change my opinion about Flower.

Whether it’s a believable claim or not is a separate issue to ponder, but in reality, there were two individuals who had survived with the aid of the Flower right before my eyes.

Saku and Kim Soo-yeon were both aware of the reason the Flower came into existence. The flaws of a caste-based society centered around the World Tree. Why does the Flower’s influence still persist in such great numbers throughout the world?

There’s a reason why the momentum of the terrorists only grows stronger instead of waning, no matter how many of them are purged. The current of the times is undeniably riding on the Flower. If a bit of exaggeration is added to Gu-seul’s words, they seem trustworthy.

“Still, emotionally, I can’t bring myself to believe it.”

Upon hearing my words, Gu-seul closed her mouth.

“Listen.”

I proceeded to recount my experiences, one by one. The ordeals I endured because of the Flower, the tribulations I was meant to face, and even those I hadn’t anticipated.

“I’ll only speak of what I’ve recently experienced. You already know Azalea’s past well, so let’s skip that part. Dozens of innocent civilians were turned into Ents and died caught up in the chaos. They even self-destructed in the form of a child, leaving me half-dead. Oh right, they targeted someone I know as well.”

Take a look.

To be honest.

“Almost everything that happened around me was due to the Flower faction.”

We need to address what needs to be addressed. Honestly, it’s hard to believe what has been said now.

“That.”
“The hardliners. Especially the corrupt ones. Probably it was done by others, not your group. I understand, but from my perspective, they’re all the same.”
“…”
“Although, there’s no one in the world who has only done good deeds.”

Nevertheless, many among them helped me. Healing did, and so did Baekyang. I’ve never met them, but Purity was also someone who supported me.

Perhaps Mary, who will grow up soon, might be of help to me.

Gu-seul sighed once.

“Hehe, convincing you seems difficult.”

I never intended to accept her proposition in the first place. However, Gu-seul still appeared to have much to say, and this time, she laughed with a newfound confidence.

“Nonetheless, Lee Si-heon.”

Her laughter carried a sense of ease.

“Someday, you will come to the Flower.”

A voice that resounded in my ears as if pronouncing a silent verdict.

“Why me?”
“Curious about the reasons? There are many.”

Her voice still held the laughter characteristic of Gu-seul, but it also harbored cold emotions simultaneously.

“Lee Si-heon, you have too many people to protect right now.”

A statement that thoroughly analyzed my situation.

It’s true. It wouldn’t be surprising if even one of them faltered. No matter how far I stretch my arms, there will always be at least one space that remains unreachable.

“And those you hold dear will ultimately bring about trouble. Whether it’s to protect you or to support you in any way.”
“…”
“Relationships can be cruel. You may not mind if you get hurt, but they do. I can’t stand to see my people in pain. There are no passive characters like those in movies among the people you know.”

Lee Se-Young and Azalea, no, almost all of them.
They are the women who would rush to my aid, regardless of how much I scream, when my life is at stake.

“…I could die for you.”

That’s likely.

“On the other hand, aren’t you the same way? Isn’t that true?”

Gu-seul was saying that the relationships I’m currently maintaining are merely obstacles.

That’s not incorrect.
For a moment, I was drawn into the conversation, and Gu-seul’s voice tickled my ears so sweetly that I listened to it earnestly.

“There will come a time when you must settle matters, King Mokryeong. You possess significant influence, do you not? A time will arrive when you need to resolve everything and concentrate on your tasks.”

If I believe that even with all my strength, it is still overwhelming, then Gu-seul’s proposal is undoubtedly the right choice.

“Or will you only regain your senses after losing someone?”

I feel a sense of déjà vu. The words once spoken by Tae-yang and Aori.

It is etched deep within my heart. I have already glimpsed a future of losing someone, even without those words.

After remaining silent for some time, I lifted the corner of my mouth.

“You don’t mince words.”
“Thank you for the praise.”

In any case, the decision is mine to make.
The attitude is to leave it entirely to my choice. That was the right approach for negotiations.

It appears that Gu-seul was not assigned by Flower without reason.

“If you ever feel that way, let me know.”
“Ah, by the way.”

Behind Gu-seul’s spirited expression, I grinned slyly.

“Then, can I deal with the Flower that seems to have no connection to your faction?”

A remark aimed at the approaching Flower amidst the attack on the Forest Keeper selection event.
Gu-seul’s expression hardened. It was as if she’d been struck by an unforeseen blow.

“If the factions are joining forces, it’ll be even harder to distinguish them. Since they’re moving alongside the radicals from the start, their fate won’t matter, whether they live or die.”
“…Fine, do as you wish.”
“You might be among them as well.”

The World Tree leans towards neutrality, while the Flower is closer to hostility.
Given what they’ve done to me, I cannot simply let it pass.

No one knows when the relationship will ease, and for now, it’s beyond my imagination.

“End of discussion. Go and see for yourself.”

Be it the World Tree or the Flower, we were nothing more than parallel lines.