Chapter 301 – Heavenly Demon Casts Magic (10)

For the people of this world, ‘1565’ is an unforgettable number.

The number symbolizes the regions forsaken by the World Tree, a reminder of the humiliation endured on the day when King Mokryeong seized half of the world. In these one thousand five hundred and sixty-five areas, access and the collection of data are strictly regulated without the permission of the church.

Considering that the last remaining record of these regions is a worn-out paper documented in 1975, it becomes evident how the World Tree sought to reject humanity as a whole.

Two hundred million.

Two hundred million people wander the slums without as much as a name to call their own. The number increases if one includes China and India, whose details are not yet fully disclosed. Kidnapping nearby criminals or travelers for sustenance is all too common. Humans have the capacity to be as cruel as can be.

Those who chose to uphold their conscience have long since perished. More than a century has passed since King Mokryeong’s departure.

– Plod. Plod.

District 68.
McAllen, Texas, is one of the places that has been entirely ostracized and severed from the nation.
Due to the strict decree of the sacred World Tree, even the national supplies were cut off, resulting in a desolate slum where roads were not even constructed.

The residential spaces were reconstructed from the ruins of the old city, patched up with rags and cloth.
There were some sturdy buildings made by crudely hammering concrete, but such spaces had long been claimed by the influential factions.

“Huff.”

A plume of smoke billows out from the mouth.
Chewing on a cheap cigarette is barely tolerable.

The filthy air chokes one’s breath just by walking through it. The rising sun brings no warmth.
If only it had rained today.
The man in the robe spat out saliva mixed with ashes, opening his mouth wide.

The black saliva seeped into the ground.

“Three hours.”

It’s Flower’s day to pay taxes.

As long as the hand of the World Tree did not extend its reach, Flower, who claimed to be a descendant of King Mokryeong, held sway over this place and won the hearts of the people. They provided an abundance of resources and contributed to the restoration of buildings. More than 5,000 lives in this village were entwined with Flower’s fate.

Of course, there was always an unsavory side lurking beneath the surface.

“Two young children. I’ve found one.”

With just two more, the entire region could be sustained. If there were only two people per month,

In a place where lives were frequently snuffed out by something as trivial as an apple, wasn’t the worth of merely two young lives incredibly cheap? We had already grown too famished to bear the burden of our souls.

“Eup, eup!”

Beside the man, a young girl stared at him with wide, unblinking eyes.

“Stay still. You’re going to a good place. No one is coming to help you anyway.”

The girl’s face hardened at the man’s cruel words.

The man pulled out a new cigarette and lit it.

“Everyone knows.”

The girl screams. Yet those around her merely spare her a fleeting glance, going back to their dazed wanderings or clutching their hungry bellies and looking away.

Despair fills the woman’s eyes.

“Don’t begrudge it. The astonishing, sacred, and beautiful World Tree has even eradicated this land’s self-purification. It’s unavoidable.”
“…”
“The grass has withered, the rabbits vanished, the buffalo departed, and the wolves starved to death. Even migratory birds avoid this place.”

Her tear ducts have long since dried up, leaving not a trace of emotion behind. The man checked the watch in his pocket.

“When is that guy coming?”

A colleague who said he was off to save another child. There’s still plenty of time. The man crossed his arms once more and continued speaking to the woman.

As always, just to pass the time.

Those who weren’t even granted the right to work had ample time.

“Hey, you said your name was Tina? I used to dream of being a bard. I wanted to leave this cursed place, gain some status, and become a poet.”

“But there was no way. I had comrades, but most of them went to the Dark Continent. There, the World Tree’s reach falls short, there are no laws, and no discrimination. It’s a place where strength proves everything.”

The Dark Continent refers to Africa.
It is an uncharted land filled with ents, monsters, and gates.

The dangers lurking in that region made it near impossible for any living being to survive.
However, compared to this place where not even a pinch of gold remained, it was a land overflowing with treasures, albeit somewhat perilous.

Many underdogs yearned to go there.
If they could somehow capture a monster and achieve a fortunate awakening or obtain an artifact, it would mean turning their lives around.

Tina’s eyes narrowed.
What on earth was he trying to say?

“I did it out of boredom.”

Naturally, the dream was crushed.
Living like this, pretending to be Flower’s henchman, was fitting for my role. I came to terms with reality.

The man chewed on his cigarette and spat it out along with phlegm.

“Do you hate me?”

The man’s face remained icy.
He reached out and untied the cloth that bound the woman’s mouth.

“…”

The girl trembled, not speaking.
Her eyes were fierce, but she couldn’t say a word.
Most children living here typically have this kind of personality.

A young age and face don’t always serve as a shield.
Everyone knows that.

“Am I going to die?”

Tina finally spoke up.
The man replied dryly.

“I don’t know.”

Although he has connections with Flower, he doesn’t know everything they do.
Neither the Eight Leaves nor the leaders of those leaves has he met or seen before.

I believe they are beings from a realm far beyond our reach,
Comparable to the World Tree itself.

He is merely fulfilling his promise.
Just then, a man began dragging a passed-out child.
There are about 2 hours and 30 minutes left. It’s the perfect time to start.

“It’s too late.”
“Sorry. The kid was so swift on his feet that it took some effort.”
“Did you have to catch such a fast-footed child?”
“It seems like he hasn’t been here long.”

The two men exchanged a few words, each dragging a child.
The homeless, who had been sitting in a daze, sprang up and stared at the two children and the men.
Anticipating the arrival of Flower’s goods shortly.

“Chirp.”

That’s when the sparrow sang.

“Hmm?”

A sparrow that shouldn’t be here.
The man’s eyes instantly turned toward the source of the sound.

“Is it a migratory bird that lost its flock?”

Occasionally, migratory birds would break away from their flock and roam nearby areas before returning.
However, it was uncertain if that particular bird was a migratory one.

The creature, resembling a sparrow, immediately flapped its wings and grew restless upon locking eyes with the man.

“Chirp!?”

[Busted!]

A horrifying scene played out in the mind of the tree-bound creature: if, because of this blunder, it failed to supply mana.

Contractor No. 1, Treebound, could plummet to No. 2.

This absolutely could not happen.
It must be the first to tenderly pat the behind.
It must be the first to provide mana.

Treebound cautiously decided to feign nonchalance and let out a sound.

As if it were an innocent bird that had merely wandered in, it greeted the man.

-…Chirp.

[Nice to meet you!]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* * * * * * * *
 
 
 
 
 
The atmosphere here is a bit peculiar.

I found Tina. With my presence completely concealed, donning an enchanted mask and a robe, I cautiously trailed the man.

<…Your Highness. Please act with more prudence!>

The tree spirit clung to my shoulder and nuzzled its head against me. Unable to endure it any longer, the woodpecker blurted a word, but the tree spirit snorted once and embraced my neck with its soft feathers.

‘Are you an elementary school student?’

‘It’s a compliment.’

What can I say if you like me?

As I raise my hand and stroke it, the feathers are rubbed more vigorously. The sensation isn’t unpleasant, so I continue to communicate and pursue the duo.

“But Master, why not capture them immediately?”
“Shouldn’t I find out who those scoundrels are conspiring with and how far they’re going?”

He appears to be a high-ranking individual in this place. I can sense the magical power emanating from him — a characteristic similar to Flower’s. It seems there’s a method for forcibly manifesting mana. Considering that humans, unlike wooden beings, cannot feel magical power unless they put forth tremendous effort, it’s safe to say he’s likely the strongest in this area.

“I see… I understand what you’re thinking, Master.”

The woodpecker, who once belonged to the military, quickly grasped my intentions.

“Uh, I know too, Master.”

Belatedly, the wooden-legged creature claims to know everything as well, though honestly, it doesn’t appear to truly understand.

Considering my future tasks and my ability to execute them, the woodpecker also excels.

A former female soldier, perhaps due to her background, she has weathered many reprimands and listens well to my harsh words. Her attitude when serving a superior is distinct, never engaging in childish antics.

However, she understands the concept of rewards clearly, frequently asking for a firm grip with her hand. It’s not difficult, so it doesn’t bother me. The tailing persisted for two hours. Naturally, we walked steadily without any means of transportation like a car. As long as we minimized our presence, we could remain undetected even without concealment.

Deceiving people’s eyes with magic is commonplace, after all.

Before long, we entered a building, the largest structure in this slum. It contained some unique furniture, imbued with a hint of magic that had endured for quite some time.

“Lucy.”

“Go in.”

This time, I didn’t send the sparrow. This young lady still only grasps my requests in fragments.

‘You stay with me. Come into my arms.’

Gu-seul’s eyes brighten with her sweet words.
Her eyes sparkle.

<...>

It’s a bit troublesome to involve you.
Wouldn’t you get hurt if I said that?

The woodpecker silently looked at the princess. With a sigh, it used magic to hide its form and entered the building.
Then, the woodpecker’s voice reached my ear.

The woodpecker performs actions it would never normally do.

‘You’re doing well.’

Sitting down roughly on the nearby ground, he received an update on the situation.
A wooden spaniel clung to my chest.
Perhaps due to its small size, it didn’t feel like it was hugging me; rather, it seemed like a piece of gum stuck to me.

[Master, am I pretty and cute? I am… a princess of a country… Maybe…]
“Don’t overstep your bounds.”
[I’m sorry!]

The woodpecker closed its mouth.
It was a sign that it wouldn’t say anything further.

Then, it silently resumed relaying the situation.

‘Are they exchanging food for the child?’

‘Can you tell just by looking at it?’

Quite impressive.

At the woodpecker’s words, I concealed my presence once more alongside the wooden spaniel. It wasn’t long before a group of robed figures appeared, leading two children towards the distance. Judging by the artifact in their hands, they were undoubtedly attempting to use space-traveling magic.

The tardy woodpecker returned and perched on my shoulder.

“Let’s follow them.”
<...Master, shall we leave the people in that building unattended?>
“Leave them be.”

I offered no further explanation, and neither did the woodpecker, as if sensing my reasons. In the current situation, it seemed unwise to take actions that would create more chaos. Even if those two were to die, there were more than enough people to replace them.

– Woof!

The magical power surged, and the artifact began to activate. Without a word, Lucy fluttered her wings and entered the artifact’s area of influence. This was magic designed to transport the entire group to another space.

I shall examine the interior. A technique impossible to achieve alone—this is the unique advantage of an elemental mage.

– Flicker!

The men and two children vanish before my eyes.
I wait for about 30 seconds, absentmindedly stroking the wooden splint clinging to my clothing.

‘How is it?’

Soon enough, the response arrives.