Chapter 317 – The Collapse of the Cradle (2)

On the bed. Inside Lee Si-heon’s room.

Tae-yang, who had been covering his face with a comic book, let out a long yawn.

“Yaaawn. Why isn’t my brother coming? The atmosphere is already so grim these days.”

He noticed the movement of the working Flower. Indeed, it was about time for that. It had nothing to do with him, as he only needed to save King Mokryeong. Tae-yang turned his gaze towards Aori, who was sitting on the floor next to the bed.

“Hey.”

Aori turned her head upon being called half-heartedly. Her cool eyes conveyed the feeling of ‘That guy is at it again.’

“How long are you going to keep making that?”

She shook off the carving knife she had been holding. The sawdust on the knife fell, and Aori proudly held out the wooden piece in her hand.

“Looks well-made.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a wooden carving.”

The so-called Ongi Hall. Among the trees, there exists a particular soft material that many people favor.

Aori’s skill, merely a hobby until last year, has been growing day by day.

“Ignore the tasks assigned but busy creating onaholes… Hey, what do you think our brother would say if he saw this?” Tae-yang chided.

Aori rested her chin on her hand and thought long and hard.

“He might praise me for doing a good job?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You don’t know our brother yet. I’ve never seen anyone despise wood as much as he does.”
“How could anyone not be captivated by wood?”
“Exactly my point. So stop making things like that. If you don’t want to be criticized for no reason.”

Aori pouted her lips and cautiously opened the object she had made. The craftsmanship was evident, with even the inner wrinkles meticulously rendered.

“I put a lot of effort into this while thinking of the sage.”
“The sage? Why bring him up all of a sudden?”

“Perhaps if it were that person, they might look like this. I created it while imagining. Imagination is free, after all.”
“Wow, you’re insane.”
“Wouldn’t the king like someone who resembles a sage?”
“He probably would.”

Lee Si-heon’s mentor, the one responsible for this third trial.
Tae-yang brought to mind the sage’s visage.

Akin to a Nordic noble, her skin was so pale that it seemed devoid of color, yet it held an untarnished purity.
That’s not to say she lacked any allure.
Her ample breasts were enough to make many men’s hearts flutter.

“…Now that I think about it, there might be a considerable demand for this.”
“Right?”
“But would you really be the type to shift your attention to someone else? Sure, if it’s for improving your abilities, I could understand. But aren’t there plenty of people around you as beautiful as the sage?”
“Who?”

Tae-yang promptly took out his phone and searched for photos on the internet.
Within, a face nearly unmatched in its fair complexion glared icily at the camera snapping pictures of her at the airport.

“White Peach.”

Tae-yang spoke up. Without a doubt, he was worthy of being called the most handsome Hunter.
As the leader of Do-won-hyang, he possessed both exceptional skills and striking looks.

While he couldn’t surpass the sage in terms of honor, when judged by mere appearance, he was the most beautiful Hunter they had ever seen. Of course, individual tastes may vary.

“Men seem to like women like this.”
“If someone doesn’t like this, they’re not human. Just holding hands with her would be exhilarating. And from what I’ve heard, it seems like they’ll start dating soon.”

The two of them were fervent supporters of Baekdo and Si-heon.
They could hold up a placard with the phrase [Supporting Baekdo♡Si-heon] and cheer like young girls.

Aori’s eyes widened at their words.

“Do you mean to say that the sage doesn’t catch the king’s eye?”
“Well, not exactly.”

Lee Si-heon’s relationships with women were as unpredictable as his mental state.

It wouldn’t be strange for a close relationship to form whenever the opportunity arose.

Since he was born with the celestial fortune of King Mokryeong, shouldn’t it be his exclusive privilege to entice a woman or two?

“But how can you possibly target a sage?”
“That’s true.”

Aori agreed with Tae-yang’s words.

From the outset, Lee Si-heon would never even think of targeting a sage, and above all, the standing of a sage is immense.
On par with Mugung, or perhaps just slightly below.

Although it’s considered a little less than Mugung, it’s by no means strange.
As both are regarded as living legends, one mustn’t even consider aiming for them.

How does one attempt to seduce her with the intention of bedding her just once?

No matter how recklessly one lives, even Tae-yang, who would seize any opportunity, would be deterred in this case.

“But what use is it for us to discuss this? He’ll handle it on his own.”
“Right.”

Aori toyed with the masterpiece she had created.
It was complete after putting on the final touch – the underwear.

Beneath the noble appearance, teddy bear underwear. Somehow, it seemed fitting.

– Thump!

At that moment, the door opened. Aori and Tae-yang’s faces turned almost simultaneously.

“Ah, brother. Have you arrived?”
“Sigh.”

The man with a slightly stressed expression let out a bitter sigh upon seeing the two.

“What are you two doing here?”

* * * * * * * *

Tae-yang moved slightly away from the bed and mumbled.

“I was warming the bed for you, brother.”
“Are you insane?”
“Haha, sorry.”

Tae-yang, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, laughed cheerfully.

As Cornus and Marronnier had numerous matters to discuss due to their social status, they decided to take a break and meet later in the evening. I had people to contact as well, so I came in first. It’s not right for you two to be like this.

“Surely, you haven’t been sleeping in my room the whole time I was away?”

“My brother’s bed felt oddly more plush. You know, there’s a sense of impropriety in this sort of thing.”
“…What?”
“You should have guarded the room better. To think the password was cracked… Ah, I’m sorry. I’m sorry–ack!”

He chuckles and strings together a series of jokes suited to his style. Hurling the luggage I had been holding at Tae-yang’s face, I took a seat on a nearby chair.

“Your Majesty.”

Aori, what are you holding now?

-Broad grin!

The sight of her beaming face as she proudly displayed a tender rubber tree sculpture made my head throb.

“…Right, you two were always like this.”

Having been absent for a while, my anger only grew instead of shedding tears.

It’s both fun and exhausting having these chatterboxes around in daily life. Still, I suppose it worked out for the best in the end.

“I have a task for you two.”

Tae-yang, who was unpacking his luggage and organizing his belongings, and Aori, who sneakily placed the wooden sculpture next to my bed, both looked at me simultaneously.

“Oh. Is this King Mokryeong’s first move? Are you just stepping out into the world?”
“No, it’s something the sage asked me to do.”

Sage. The two shuddered at the mention of the name.
Aori briefly glanced at a piece of wood nearby.

“It won’t be long before the Flower invades this place.”
“Yes, didn’t you mention that last time?”
“I’ve found out the exact date. Although it’s the adversaries’ plan and subject to change at any time, it’s expected to happen before the fourth trial.”

Before the fourth trial begins, there is a period when those eliminated from the second and third trials board planes to return to their home countries.
It was thought that the attack would likely be scheduled after that since minimizing civilian casualties is essential. However, the sage refuted this notion in an instant.

“Does that mean you intend to be hostile towards the Flower?”

Tae-yang posed the question, to which I replied with a sullen tone.

“Is there a problem?”
“No, well, if it’s your choice.”

A wry smile formed on my face.

“So you’re saying you’re going to cooperate with the World Tree?”
“Not even that.”
“Huh? Weren’t you saying you’d protect this place?”

Why should I guard the cradle?
The sage’s request is for the protection of civilians.

The objective is to minimize casualties. At the very least, the non-traitorous cadets should be safely resurrected.

“Aha.”

Tae-yang nods his head as if he understands.

“But that will be the most challenging part. According to the World Tree, they care deeply for people. Yet, they treat human lives as if they’re worth less than ants.”
“That’s why they asked us for help.”
“Us?”
“Cornus and Marronnier. And I plan to gather a few more.”

As previously witnessed, Cornus’s combat prowess is on par with that of the national tree.
Didn’t she perform admirably when she fought alongside other national trees in the first trial, facing Plum?

That was when she hadn’t yet adapted to her powers. Her potential is overflowing.

From the outset, being on par with the national tree made them a force several times more valuable than other hunters.

‘Personally, I’d like to have Cornus step back from this.’

Their desire to help was commendable, but their tenacity went beyond that.

“So, are we supposed to help with that?”
“Is there something you want to say?”
“We’ll do as we’re told. But even with us included, there are only five of us. Is that feasible?”

Tae-yang continued to speak while still organizing my belongings in the carrier.

“Regardless, our opponent is a Flower. Can’t a sage foresee that?”

It was undeniably dangerous, but a considerable amount of power would be concentrated in the cradle.

I, too, intended to assist the sage as much as possible without incurring any harm to myself.

“We’re only helping. We do need to increase our numbers.”
“That seems reasonable. But how can we do that when we don’t even know who might be a Flower?”
“At least we know who definitely isn’t one.”

There were a few individuals who could be safely ruled out as Flowers and could be considered reliable.

He possesses a unique strength.
I’ve witnessed it firsthand.

Tae-yang slightly tilted his head, seemingly unsure.
Aori quietly listened, as if intending to follow me.

“Brother.”

Tae-yang paused his packing and looked at me earnestly.

“Helping others is good, but do you realize that this is a significant opportunity for you?”
“I know.”
“Huh?”

Tae-yang was taken aback by the unexpected response.

“What did you say?”
“I said I know.”

A cradle where numerous tree species from around the world reside.
However, due to the stringent vigilance and concentrated attention, it’s challenging to approach.

On the day of Flower’s invasion, as someone unaffiliated with either side, it’s an opportunity to significantly weaken the power of both factions.

Boredom will surely follow in abundance.
It means I’m not assisting the sage without reason.

I calmly organized my thoughts and explained.

What am I aiming for here? And what else do I need to know?
This significant external event is easily susceptible to manipulation by malicious behavior.

After hearing my entire story, Tae-yang opened his mouth in admiration.

“…Brother, your mind has indeed been working overtime, hasn’t it?”
“Do you want to die?”
“No.”

It was a line that would be crossed someday.
It was something I could no longer put off.

I had to make the most of the opportunities given to me.

Candidate for the husband of the World Tree, King Mokryeong, Heavenly Demon’s power, and top-tier potential.
The growth achieved in just a few months is remarkable, and it is enough to save one’s life without hiding it from anyone.

“But it’s fascinating. The sage asked for help from you, King Mokryeong. Maybe there’s some sort of trick.”
“Whether there is or not, it didn’t seem hostile.”

As I listened to Tae-yang’s words and recalled the sage’s face, I suddenly thought of her and activated the status window.

【The mulberry tree is added to the ‘Arbor Encyclopedia’.】
【The fig tree is added to the ‘Arbor Encyclopedia’.】

—
□ Mulberry [Encyclopedia number: 452] [Scientific name: Morus alba L.]
– Alternative name: Odie tree
– A plant tree (Wood Person) from the mulberry family, genus Morus. Grows to approximately 3-4 meters in height.
– Flower language: Wisdom, unfulfilled love.
– Aptitude: [Magic Aptitude], [Intelligence Aptitude]
– Open information: 14.51%

‘Swelling buds amidst the light-green mulberry leaves.’
‘Odie tree baring its young flesh. When it reddens like a mother’s nipple.’
‘In spring, the mother tree loosens her garments and breastfeeds just once.’ – Mulberry/Kim Do-soo 「Going to Janmoe」 2015, page 3.

[Encyclopedia opening privilege: a slight increase in stats and aptitudes related to all magic. Wisdom noticeably increases.]
[Acquired stats increase by 0.2 due to the relationship with the dark-blooded tree.]
—

—
□ Fig tree [Encyclopedia number: 453] [Scientific name: Ficus carica]
– Alias: Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

– A fig tree belonging to the Moraceae family, of the Ficus genus. It blooms from spring to summer and is native to the Mediterranean coast in western Asia. It can be found in various locations. Known as the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Bible, there is a saying that when the fig tree sprouts, the Savior will return.
– Floral meaning: Abundance, fertility, bountiful harvest, dedication.
– Aptitude: [Spirit Aptitude], [Wisdom Aptitude]
– Open information: 1.01%

[Upon unlocking the encyclopedia, you gain a slight stat increase and a noticeable improvement in all spirit and wisdom aptitudes.]
—

‘Hmm?’

Two trees.

Not just one, but two trees are recorded, even though there was only one sage involved in the relationship.

It’s peculiar, considering that when Hwangdo, who has a triple personality, was involved in a relationship, only one tree was recorded.

‘It’s still part of the same Moraceae family. Strange, indeed.’

But it wasn’t unusual for that sage, no matter what happened.

Regardless of the outcome, it benefits me. The growth in abilities was the most striking thus far.

Does this mean the fruit will appear as well?
There’s no reason to engage in more than two relationships anyway.

I easily shook off any lingering emotions.

Upon examining the Dantian within my body, I could clearly see a considerable amount of accumulated mana compared to before. Until now, I had only ever experienced such a sensation with Zodiac.

Indeed, this method proves to be the most effective for enhancing abilities.

It appears that the stronger the connection with a powerful being, the greater the increase in abilities. I rotated my shoulders, releasing the tension.

The improved spiritual aptitude would also yield significant growth for my avian companions.