Chapter 325 – The Collapse of the Cradle (10)

Deep within the Cradle.

A massive invasion of Flowers commenced, and countless trees perished.

“Damn it.”

Archbishop Vin Mark gritted his teeth and struck the table with his clenched fists.

-Bang!

Two trembling fists.

“Immediately, summon all priests and paladins! What on earth have you been doing until it reached this point!?”
“Um, Archbishop.”
“What!”
“There are cadets and national officials at the hotel…”
“Is that what’s important right now? At a time when the World Trees are dying!? Ignore everything and tell them all to come. Gather all the hunters in the hotel and send them to the Foundation at once!”

-Wiing.

The shouting Archbishop and the flustered bishops.
A rotating surveillance camera captures their images.

-Bang!
-Kwaang!

Explosive sounds, one after another.

Cistus’ clone is self-destructing, utterly demolishing the crucial systems of the Cradle.

“Damn it, damn it…”

The Archbishop grits his teeth, revealing his anxiety.

– Quaang!

At this very moment, the Cradle is turning to ashes.

The threat of Cistus’ clone is so lethal that there’s no countermeasure. Each one is on par with a highly skilled hunter, and the power unleashed during self-destruction surpasses the destructive magic wielded by a great mage.

The sight of the girl undermines the hunters’ morale. Most hunters within a 100-meter radius will die if caught in the blast of the self-destruction. Even those fortunate enough to kill Cistus’ clone subsequently suffer from psychological trauma, with several cases of suicide.

The Flower Front’s very own nightmare. Cistus has deliberately pushed the Cradle to the brink.

Hong Yeon, who had introduced intelligent maneuvers into Flower’s war, which previously had few strategies or tactics, now extends her hand into this dire situation.

‘…What should I do?’

Unable to find a solution.

In the vacant seat, the Archbishop ceaselessly posed questions to himself.
How can he overcome this current crisis?

-Jerbuck.

A robed man behind him inquired.

“Archbishop?”

Priest Aaron.
The reason Archbishop Bin Mark was able to rise to power within the church, and a skilled combat priest.
When he first unexpectedly approached and suggested cooperation, Mark hadn’t realized it was an opportunity.

Because he thought the suddenly appearing braggart was arrogant.

However, Priest Aaron demonstrated his ingenious strategies and strength. In no time, he became the foremost contributor, enabling Bin Mark to assume the seat of the Archbishop.

“Priest Aaron… Will you tell me what I should do now?”
“You seem to have many concerns.”

Numerous crises have arisen up to now.

It was thanks to Priest Aaron’s brilliant wit that they were able to overcome them.

He was morbidly trusting Aaron. And so, Aaron smiled and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“I have faith in the priest. How can I find a way to drive out those despicable and cunning Flower scoundrels?”
“It may be difficult. Will you do anything?”
“Anything.”

As always.

Aaron swept over Mark’s face with hollow eyes.
His hand, clad in black gloves, slipped from Mark’s shoulder.

“Is that so?”

Aaron waved his hand.

– Pwack!

A round shadow beneath the light scattered through the air.

The severed head that rolled onto the floor was not even aware of its own demise.
The archbishop’s quivering body convulsed once, then collapsed to the floor, gushing blood from above his neck.

Aaron removed his robe.

They say there’s a fire in the house where he took the Fire Lily.

【Flower’s 6th Executive: Licorice Radiata】

【Lycoris·radiata】
【Name: Manchurian Sahua (曼珠沙華)】

An existence known to the world as the Bloodflower.

The man with gray hair reached out and wrapped his hand around the archbishop’s corpse. His fingers tore between the muscles, and all the blood inside was drawn into the man’s body.

“Even a guy like this has a great deal of use for his mana.”

No matter how slow-witted he might be, his abilities as an archbishop were genuine.

Even if he was a coward, it would be irritating if he came forward and used magic. The Bloodflower donned his robe once more and opened the door.

Now, there was no one left to protect the cradle.

‘I hope not too many young talents have perished.’

Numerous national trees had entered the hotel, betraying the World Tree and providing significant aid.

The cradle was being destroyed, but there was nothing they could do to help the hotel.

An archbishop or a priest, but the true power was the World Tree. The moment the trees began to resist, even the Bloodflower couldn’t guarantee victory.

It’s a nostalgic dream.

“Oh, are you the French national tree?”

From their childhood.
Two people, who were still shorter than themselves, are looking at Marronnier.

“Please take care of me. This is A.B, and I’m Belle. We’re the national trees of England and Germany. Just like you!”
“…Uh, yeah. Nice to meet you.”

England, Germany, and France.
It was safe to say they were the backbone of Europe, but in fact, their relationships weren’t very good in the past.

When the war of King Mokryeong broke out in the past, Germany sided with King Mokryeong.
Britain and France only kept each other in check, making it easy for the people’s emotions to antagonize.

“Wow, your hair color is so pretty.”
“…Really?”

Marronnier, who had just become a national tree, was timid about human relationships due to his newfound status.

There were many times when she found solace thanks to the two who actively approached her.

“I almost died during training today. You?”
“I… I don’t know. I’ve just been studying at the research institute.”
“A wizard, huh? Wow. I’ve never even dreamed of that. Oh, do you want me to show you Excalibur?”

Bell, innocent and full of mischief.
A.B was reticent but knew when to have fun, and he sincerely responded to even the most trivial jokes.

As the tale of the trio spread throughout Europe, it became an example in textbooks, showing how their story brought countries closer together.

They contributed to the establishment of new diplomatic relations in Europe.
The photo of the three of them, holding the Peace Prize awarded by the European Union, is still one of the cherished memories in Marronnier’s diary.

“…It’s fun.”

Good people.
Although sometimes overly mischievous, Bell was dependable.
A.B would often bring her dishes from the common folk, the likes of which she would never have experienced otherwise.

The Forest Keeper selection tournament, where the national trees reveal themselves for the first time.

There existed an undeniable friendship among the three of them.
Together, they had shared countless delightful experiences and indelible memories.

“But why?”

– Flash!

It begins to rain.

A chilly droplet of water descends from the sky, landing with a gentle touch on a long eyelash.

“Ah, are you awake? Earth child.”

A familiar voice reaches her ears, causing her lungs to contract.

“Khup, cough, cough!”

Marronnier, her entire body shackled by magical cuffs, leans against the wall of a building. Upon opening her eyes, she immediately surveys her surroundings.

In front of her, enormous buildings loom. A fountain occupies the central space.

She recognizes this place, having visited it before. It was the location where everyone had gathered when the Forest Keeper Selection Tournament commenced for the first time. A grand stadium where vines and trees soared skyward.

The shadowy expanse reveals not a single person.

Belle and A.B. stand close to Marronnier, their gazes fixed upon her.

“…you two.”

My throat was constricted, and I struggled to speak coherently.

Marronnier clenched her teeth tightly, and Bell spoke with a grave tone.

“Listen, you clumsy one. I have no particular desire to be hostile towards you.”
“…Handcuffs. Release them.”
“That’s impossible. Just wait a bit.”
“Why, why are you doing this? Why on earth?”

No matter how much she writhed and squirmed, she couldn’t move. The magical energy within her body was firmly sealed.

‘Round Table.’

Bell’s power. It completely controlled the magical energy within a certain boundary.

Of course, there was a drawback: Bell couldn’t use magic himself. However, he possessed enough physical prowess to overwhelm his opponent.

“Marronnier.”

As Bell uttered her name, Marronnier’s eyes crinkled in pain.

“Don’t call me by name.”
“You should know what you need to know.”
“What’s there to know? You… You betrayed me? National affairs… Do you understand the magnitude of what you’re invoking? How can you have so much to say after turning your back on your own country?”

“Who was it that turned their back?”

Bell tilted her head and spoke to Marronnier.

“The era of authoritarian rule is already over. Domestic public opinion has completely shifted. Regardless of having the title of a national tree by the World Tree… We are merely trees that exist for our country.”
“…”
“France. Our situation is somewhat different from yours.”
“So what?”
“Listen carefully. The church is in utter chaos right now. Does it make sense for a single bishop of a nation to hold as much authority as the head of state behind the scenes?”

Overall, it is different from Korea, where people generally live well.
Korea had a hero named Mugung.

On the other hand, the actual economic indicators of other countries are grim.
Exploitation continues, and the extravagance of the trees pierces the sky.

The national tree is also one of them.
The World Tree, wary of Flower and King Mokryeong, created the existence called the National Tree.
Even that national tree is now turning a blind eye to the current state of affairs.

It costs 45 trillion won a year to create a national tree, an amount comparable to the budget of a country’s Department of Defense.

In a world where even such wealth is extracted from the families of the tree-dwelling folk and humans, how could there not be complaints? Above all, it is Bell and A.B who directly encounter such dissatisfaction.

“People are exhausted. Now.”

There are numerous examples.

“…There’s an oil field in Kent, England.”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“It was created by magic. But that region was once in the hands of King Mokryeong. You know?”

Some areas that have fallen under King Mokryeong’s control cannot be developed.

The potential gains from developing massive oil fields are astronomical, and it’s the same for other places.

Countless people suffer due to the World Tree’s unilateral and arrogant actions.

“So… you betrayed them?”
“You know. More and more people are dying.”

Bell laughed bitterly. It was the first time A.B had seen Bell’s sad face, which had always been mischievous.

“I don’t want to see it anymore. Now.”
“…Are you going to join the terrorists?”

A.B intervened midway.

“I’m only choosing the lesser evil.”

Marronnier closed her mouth.
Still reeling from the shock of betrayal, she displayed signs of unease.
No, tears were already streaming down her face.

Betrayed by her closest friends.

“…”

Her heart ached as if it would tear apart.

“Think carefully, Marronnier.”

A.B spoke up. His eyes met Marronnier’s honestly.
Marronnier averted her gaze.

“Ideas have always been exploited by politicians. In the end, it’s a struggle for power. Shaping the world is the responsibility of those who monopolize power and profit.”

Flower was not much different.

“When this war is over, we’ll see whether what remains is mutual prosperity or dictatorship.”

However, Flower is the only entity that challenges the authority of the World Tree, which has established itself in this era.

The national tree must save people.

A.B and Bell are beings with deeply rooted spirits.

“I can intervene in the middle. We can.”
“… So, by killing people?”
“If it’s for the victory of the Flower.”

The trainees within the hotel are civilians.

However, in other words, they are potential threats who may become enemies to the Flower in the future. A.B explained that it was an unavoidable casualty.

“…But.”
“Take your time to think. I understand what you’re worried about. I won’t ask you to change your thoughts all at once.”

A.B’s voice reaches the ears.
Marronnier felt uneasy. She understood, but it was horrifying.

Just everything about this situation.

The blood-scented atmosphere filled with battles. Marronnier simply couldn’t accept it. Why did they have to fight? Why did they have to die again? A war for power is inevitable.

– Drip.

Tears obscure the view.

‘I am.’

A.B’s words break through the dizzying headache.

“Or is it because of him?”
“…What?”
“Lee Si-heon. No, I shouldn’t call him that… It doesn’t feel right.”

He whispered softly.

“King Mokryeong.”

The word instantly pierced her mind. A figure who had been feared by countless Mok people, engraved as a symbol of terror, and who held more prejudices than anyone against Marronnier, born into an aristocratic family.

– The Tree King!

Lee Si-heon, who had been closely approached by the sage. Sephirot, who had followed him, shouting cryptic words.

Until now, the words and situations she had deemed insignificant suddenly connected, leaving Marronnier’s head spinning.

“Ah… that. Um?”

-Boom!

The sound of immense magical power resonating. A.B closed his mouth and murmured to Belle.

“He’s here. Get ready.”

Belle nodded and unsheathed his sword. A.B glanced back for a moment before locking eyes with Marronnier again. Her eyes trembled with fear.

The sensation of peering directly into the abyss.

“Marronnier, I’m asking you one last time.”
“…”
“Please help us.”

It feels as though being drawn into her eyes.
I’ve experienced this feeling somewhere before.

‘Brainwashing.’

Now, the power to resist emerges.

“…!”

As the short-lived headache subsides, Marronnier trembles.
Her mind is clear, but her lips quiver from the terror that follows.

Strength courses through her entire body.
Breathing becomes difficult.

A.B’s eyes open.

“Wrong.”

His voice mutters regretfully.
In that moment, his face turns ice-cold.

-Kwajijijik!

Among the three of them, who were once entwined in love, black magic lashes out.