Chapter 391 – The Cornus Tree (8)

I ceaselessly pondered.

While ameliorating San-su-yu’s condition,
I thought about it relentlessly, never missing a moment.

– Rack your brain.

The World Tree’s heresy judgment transcended mere religious significance.
The fact that he could no longer be regarded as an individual wasn’t of great importance to Lee Si-heon.

There are ample places for criminals to dwell.
Countless people would live happily even if their faces were exposed.

Yet, the reason Lee Si-heon couldn’t remain in the present was the future and destiny he had seen,
and the numerous factions targeting his neck.

Lee Si-heon first sought out his own anomaly.

– Save every single person without fail.

Rescuing someone from the clutches of fate without losing them.

– It is imperative that I achieve this.

It was an unfathomably distant goal.

A daunting objective, uncertain when to seize his throat.
Compromise proved difficult, yet somehow determination prevailed.

Next, seek a solution.
As time would rectify an individual’s lack of power, a political resolution had to be found.

To him, this world’s system of governance was grotesque.
Though labeled as religion, it was, in truth, an enormous political structure.

A utopia governed by a deity.
That is how the inhabitants of this world perceive their current existence.

Wars ceased due to the World Tree, peace sustained, and the majority of conflicts that arose were uprisings of the underprivileged.

Reforms attempted but ultimately futile?
Not even a scratch was left on the World Tree’s utopia.

The ire of the populace was always incited by reformers with grand aspirations.

– God exists.

Words that cannot be casually dismissed.
One must consider this notion from a broader, practical standpoint, rather than solely through a religious lens.

From the moment of God’s existence, human-built empires were perceived as mere embodiments of uncertainty and instability. An idea that flickered like a candle in front of a lantern. What the common folk desired, both then and now, was personal gain and a stable life. Can there be those who would forsake the World Tree that guarantees this and seek to forge their own path?

The revolution never transpired. The notion that the World Tree harmed humanity was but a baseless argument to the people. The civic consciousness and morality of this world were vastly different from the world where Lee Si-heon lived.

We must trace the timeline back to Do-won.

“What are you so obsessed with?”

Every night, Hong-Yeon, who was responsible for Do-won’s political affairs, incessantly questioned Lee Si-heon.

“An old tale.”
“…Does it help?”

There is much to learn from history, but it’s not essential. However, for Lee Si-heon, it was different.

The reason Lee Si-heon had been regarded as a person lacking common sense was due to his absence of historical knowledge.

Lee Si-heon always told Hong-Yeon,

“We must correct things from the beginning. I have much to improve. Both Do-won and I.”

Lee Si-heon saw himself as one of those characters dominated by petty prejudices.

“Sit down and help me too.”
“I still have work left to do…”
“Alright? Then never mind.”
“…Well, if it’s about getting a drink, I’ll teach you something special.”
“I’ll take you up on that next time.”
“Really? Wait, I’ll quickly visit the library!”

Knowledge leads to more knowledge.

Lee Si-heon, who had seized power in Do-won, utilized it to the fullest, even though it would soon vanish.

“The Reformation didn’t happen?”
“Why are you so obsessed with it?”

He acquired knowledge through power.
Just as he had devoured magical knowledge with talent at the academy, he persistently unearthed records.

Long ago, in a world where Lee Si-heon lived, the divine authority still thrived. The 16th-century Reformation led to the decline of the church’s power. Religion, by its nature, was all too easily twisted and misconstrued. With a clever turn of phrase, one could easily create new interpretations, giving birth to different faiths.

To counteract this, the term “heresy” was coined.

‘Even if God truly exists, the diversification of religion… it’s an unstoppable phenomenon.’

In a world without malicious religious factions, how could the concept of heresy emerge?

Lee Si-heon quickly reached a conclusion.

The World Tree had manipulated history. By recording events contrary to the truth, it completely eliminated any room for dispute. Lies had captured and concealed the truth. The power of the World Tree enabled this to happen.

“Does knowing this change anything?” asked Hong-Yeon.

Si-heon replied, “Probably not.”

“Then why?”

His ebony eyes gazed upwards.

“…Because I might have to change.”

Beneath the illuminated light, Hong-Yeon failed to detect Lee Si-heon’s quivering hand.

Socheonma. Do-won.

The reason he had gathered power in Do-won was not solely to leave fond memories for his childhood mentors.

Assuming responsibility for the operations of Do-won, and maintaining exchanges with foreign nations, were his means of understanding how different the world he knew was from the world outside.

From commerce and industry systems to recognition and even the minutiae, Lee Si-heon sought to comprehend them all. Emotion and reason, intertwined in a similar manner, began to gradually reshape the man called Lee Si-heon in distinct ways for each individual.

His chin rested.

The book closed, and months slipped by just like that.

Though Lee Si-heon was convinced that he was not worthy of being called a sleeping dragon, the evaluations of outsiders always differed. They ceaselessly doubted and scrutinized him.

Flower’s Orb, Angelica of El Academy.
As the conflict between the two factions soon intensified, they now drifted apart, but Lee Si-heon displayed no signs of rallying their forces.

– Brother!
– Your Majesty!

Tae-yang and Aori arrived.
At the time, he had thought it a mere coincidence, but now he was certain.
Their encounter was destined.

Lee Si-heon inherited the power of King Mokryeong.
The descendant of the sole man who had pushed the World Tree to the brink of destruction.
How could such a man not leave a seed behind?

Tae-yang had spoken to Lee Si-heon.

Among the dungeons scattered across the world, many were hiding the remnants of King Mokryeong.
Gathering them would be their next objective.

Should they hasten to fulfill this goal?

No.
Lee Si-heon’s situation was far from favorable.
The remnants of King Mokryeong held power that even the Flower had to be wary of.

A prime example is Purgatory. The dungeon, presenting trials, managed to draw out even the power of Heaven, who had transcended realms.

If such forces began to converge, there was a high probability that Lee Si-heon would vanish in an instant, overawed by the two factions.

An option to enter the Flower and rally forces?

This, too, was impossible. The internal situation of the Flower had not yet been accurately assessed, even by the termites. If Lee Si-heon were to enter recklessly, despite the support of Hong-Yeon and Gu-seul, there was a very high chance that things would not unfold as anticipated.

So, what should he do?

If neither this nor that worked…

There was no other choice.

– He would have to search for another way.

Lee Si-heon sought the answer on his own.

From the past until now. Mere months had passed.

‘Humans do not change so easily.’ That was Lee Si-heon’s belief. For he himself had acted based on his emotions.

Thus, he immersed his own sensibilities into the situation.

From the resistance against the Flower in the past to the hatred for the World Tree, everything was cast aside.

When Cornus met the sage, there was no alternative. She was still filled with prejudice and in the process of learning.

However, she almost lost Aori. When she witnessed the collapse of Sansuyu, as she brought herself to the brink of death, she could finally say that she had let go of it all.

After saving Sansuyu, Cornus was able to devise a complete plan, free from the influence of prejudice. One could only imagine how much she anticipated and how lost in thought she must have been.

Perched on the edge of a sheer cliff, in a situation where even the rocks barely supporting her threatened to push her away.

In the end, it was necessary to reestablish her worn-out spirit at least once.

* * * * * * * *

Does fainting typically reveal one’s inner world of consciousness?

Looking back, I’ve been through so much. A friend, a lover, struggling and crawling through the depths of this murky quagmire just to save them. I’ve come to the brink of death.

“Isn’t it fascinating?”

Seated in this dark, damp place, I spoke to myself.

Human consciousness must be divided into more layers than one could imagine.

“Ugh… Ah…”

There I was, sitting, unable to speak. And there was another me, scooping up the mud and muttering something strange.

We were all wretched.

– Thud, thud.

On the foul-smelling, muddy ground, there was a pool of liquid just deep enough for an index finger to fit. In that place, every version of me sat or lay down. The ones lying there resembled lifeless children.

I consider myself fortunate not to have ended up like them.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I could see myself through my own eyes.

“Wake up, you bastards.”

I see myself.

“Send me back quickly. It’s not yet time for me to die.”
“…”
“…”

Red pupils are staring at me.
They resemble owl eyes emerging from a dark forest.

On the sticky, obscure ground, all of me suddenly stops convulsing and gazes at me.

Eyes, eyes. Eyes.
Numerous blood-soaked irises.

“…”

It’s frightening, and I wonder how much my mind has been consumed to have transformed like this.

Having such a dream in itself is a mental illness.

I, too, have moments when my mind wavers.
There are times when I can’t make rational decisions, and times when I suddenly scream in a frenzy.
It’s been like this since the past. Both Hong-Yeon and Heaven have said I’m strange.
It’s lessened a bit since I returned to reality, but I know I need professional treatment.

“I’ve finally come back to my senses.”

Astoundingly, it was only now, as I dreamt, that my mind operated normally.
This was different from reality.

“Perhaps this is the reason…”

The corners of my mouth slowly widened.
Blood dripped beneath a dreadful laugh.

“I’ll soon be done for.”

I thought my sanity had suddenly returned.
Could it be acceptable to consider such clarity of mind as the type of phenomenon experienced just before death?

The ones looking at me sneered in my direction.

“You weaklings. Would our Master laugh watching you?”

I didn’t take the bait.

Slowly, my hands began to feel numb. My chest dampened for some unknown reason.

It’s absurd.
Those bastards are me too, and saying anything is merely self-inflicted, akin to spitting on my own face.

“But so what?”

A twisted face and a sickly smile.

“I can’t die yet.”

Forced into the hue of despair,

“There’s so much to do.”

In a single stride, the color transformed.

When four elementary school students gather around the same water container during art class, does the water not become murky in no time? The water that has turned black refuses to change its color, no matter what one tries. Only by reluctantly diluting the paint and pushing out a single color can the change be made. It remains intense, but the color has undeniably shifted.

The mind, cornered and strained, was once a distinct shade of black. But now, it is somewhat lighter; as greens, yellows, and reds intermingle, they paint the world with light. Somehow enduring, the once feeble heartbeat seemed to grow stronger.

The sensation of a slightly extended lifespan.

I turned my gaze to the boundless darkness that enveloped the space.

– Sssslither.

In that instant, something stirred on the floor.

A rough, noose-like entity coiled around my ankle.

From the damp, sludge-like earth, inexplicably, trees began to sprout.

Branches shattered into fragments. Plants that seemed to have borrowed only a few features from each tree filled this space to the brim.

Starting with the oak tree, the azalea tree, the thorny seven-leaf tree… countless trees. Each one had shared a connection with me at some point.

【King】
【Destiny】

A voice flitted through my mind. I feel like I’ve heard it before, but I can’t remember.

Could this be considered fate?
Or is it merely a dream?

Nothing was too strange to happen within this dream.
After all, innumerable things have infiltrated my body.

I turned my head alongside the countless trees.
The branches that enveloped my body like an emperor’s mantle constricted my neck, and a crown made of leaves crumbled as it attempted to take shape.

-Kwaang!!!!

What is it this time?

I turn my head to the right.

A colossal creature loomed before me, exhaling its rough breath in my direction. I had taken on the form of an Ent, but this too was me. I gazed at it.

[Flower.]

A voice, laden with restrained anger and mournful cries, emerged.

I am not myself. Could this be the product of a twisted mind?

My situation seemed to have no solution. If I hadn’t fled from reality, I would have succumbed to madness long ago.

“Nevertheless, I must find a way, right?”

-Kwaaaak!

Unbeknownst to me, another incarnation of myself had crept up and seeped into my ankle. There was no reason to be scared. My reality was a cesspool, so why would I fear such an experience?

Until now, I had endured hardships for this very moment. My mind was filled with accumulated knowledge.

I glanced at my own lifeless body and hung my head. It appeared that escaping this place would require a considerable amount of time.

And then.

To progress further, it seemed the time had come to embrace the emotions I had been evading like a coward.

That insanely fragmented self into one.

“Did I suddenly faint… because my mind was so divided that I lost control of my body?”

There was no response to the question I posed to my other self.

“That cunning bastard.”

Rather than answering the question, he merely approached me, hands outstretched as if intending to kill me, as if to resolve the pent-up resentment thus far.

I dusted off my hands.
Now was the time to unite as one.