Chapter 435 – Wiki Qliphoth (1)

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Top. Lee Shiba (20254215)
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“It’s unbelievable.”

The Shiba on the screen was not the one I knew.

“No matter how fast growth is, I never imagined it would be this much…”

I never thought that my daughter, the apple of my eye, would grow up so much in just three years.

– Beep, beep!

Really.
She has grown that much.

Looking at our daughter’s picture, Shiba’s image flashed through my mind.

At first, she was a tiny seed that couldn’t even speak.
That little seed became a sprout with time, growing into a child eventually.

– Shiba, Daddy has to go. Okay?
– Uhuh!

Shiba, who used to cling to my leg as a child, not wanting to let go.

– Daddy, I love you!

The image of her grown-up self was on the screen.

“……”

Without realizing it, my hand reached out and swiped the monitor away. It was hard and cold, yet somehow, I could almost feel the sensation of the soft, fluffy hair I had touched so long ago.

Seeing Shiba, who had grown so well, my emotions were in disarray. What had Azalea felt? And Lee Se-Young? And Byul? Truthfully, I didn’t even have the right to know.

I had deliberately avoided any news about my lovers.

“Brother-in-law~ I want potato chips~”

If I were to hear their news, would my mind be troubled once again? Having gained the power of the crown, I couldn’t afford any freedom.

“Brother~ Boo~”

And so…

“Potato~”

And so……

“Fruit is good too.”

This Shiba…

My emotions had cooled. Freesia, lying down and holding the game console, spoke while wiggling her butt.

“Snacks.”

“Don’t you have hands or feet?”

“Not now.”

Just look at that situation.

In a white T-shirt smeared with cookie crumbs, utterly disheveled and with her stomach exposed, she comfortably sat and played a game.

“Are you going to start walking around without a bra in a few days, huh?”
“Can I do that?”
“…”

Perhaps I shouldn’t have brought it up.
One person nearly shed tears at the thought of their family, while this sister-in-law didn’t even consider her niece as she carried on.

Feeling irritable, I nudged the bed where Freesia was lying with my foot.

-Thump.

“Aren’t you busy? How many days has it been already?”
“Five days.”
“…Ugh.”

I couldn’t just tie her up and leave her somewhere.
She seemed to enjoy games; perhaps she would get along well with our introverted friend Byul.

I crossed my arms and pondered.

‘How can I get her to leave?’

How did we even end up in this situation?

A few days ago, it all began when Freesia, after our first meeting, asked to stay the night, claiming she’d have no joy in life if she went back to her own home.

I had offered my room, thinking that being an executive, I would have access to a wealth of information. I had accepted the situation as necessary, but so far, I haven’t left the room.

Far from obtaining any information, the antics going on are utterly absurd.

“Beep~ beep~ Potato chips coming through. If you don’t come, there’ll be trouble~”

Doolynum sings with a stoic expression.

Could this be how Uncle Ko Gil-dong felt when watching cartoons as a child? After calming my anger, I caught sight of a tin of chips on the table.

“Give it a try.”

I pulled out a cylindrical potato chip and tightened my grip, steadying my resolve.

“Brother-in-law? Oh.”

And –

“Thank you, brother-in-law~ Beep~”

– I struck hard on the forehead of the delighted one.

– Bang!

“Aaargh!!!”

An inexplicable scream filled the room.

Freesia rolled unsightly on the bed. With every movement, pollen took flight.

Due to this, if one doesn’t individually use magic, they invariably end up with chronic rhinitis.

Damn it.
Lately, our Ebony is truly tormented by pollen.
For a girl, pollen is perilous. Warnings were issued, and several magical air purifiers were installed.

“What kind of trouble is this, all because of you?”
“Pollen?”

Freesia raised both her legs, soared through the air, completed a rotation, and landed on the floor.
She then bowed her head before me.

“It smells nice, though.”
“The scent isn’t the issue. So please, just leave this room.”
“…”

At my words, Freesia seemed to come up with a bright idea. Beep! She grinned cheekily.
She then plopped down onto the bed, scratching her belly as she spoke.

“Feed me.”

It seemed vaguely familiar.
I harshly kicked Freesia.

“Yuck! Brother-in-law. Brother-in-law, I’m in pain. Don’t step on my behind.”

If the essence of purity were to resemble this fellow, wouldn’t it be grounds for divorce? It was a night filled with such thoughts.

“Argh!”

* * * * * * * * *

“So, you’re late?”
“Yes.”
“Beep.”

Gu-seul looked at me and Freesia with a baffled expression.

“Still, as an executive…”

Hong-Yeon and Gu-seul’s gazes focused on one spot.

“Meat.”

Just look at that rascal, stubbornly shoving meat into his mouth despite having been hit like that. It’s curious if there’s a force backing him.

As I locked eyes with Freesia, who was chewing on the meat, she gave me a sly wink. A silent greeting.

‘…’

Alright, you’re the best. What’s the point of continuing to argue here?

Offering up a room, proper management is the key.

“So, who will you go with for the preliminary round?”

Just then, Gu-seul changed the subject.

The strategy was to enter the forest keeper selection and safely extract the trees. Of course, it wasn’t an easy task, and they had to move swiftly with a small group of people.

I spoke as I put the meat in my mouth.

“It’s nearly impossible to move the mature trees, and it’s wiser to relocate the seedbed deep within the cradle.”

The Altar of the Cradle. There, where the World Tree of Growth resides, she nurtures children herself. Much like planting seedlings in a seedbed during cultivation, trees are also preserved in capsules in their seed form.

They had to clear that place entirely. The life force of this devastated land must be revived.

“Is it really that important to revive the life force?”

The master of military science, Hong-Yeon, expressed her curiosity.

“It’s necessary.”

The primary advantage is the increase in population sustenance due to crops. The secondary benefit is the activation of dungeons and the rise in the quantity of mana stones mined. The tertiary advantage is the ability to achieve rapid growth by utilizing the powers of maturing trees. This is an easy concept for students with higher education.

“There will, of course, be resistance to minor changes.”

In the world that I have established, no class exists other than my own. All commands from top to bottom are absolute, and they must be followed even if personal property is involved.

“In reality, I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s a consideration for hypothetical situations.”

The ability to suppress and resolve all conflicts simultaneously is a feat only attainable by those with power.

One could either die in a rebellion or try to appease the masses. I refuse to do either.

That is why I am a king. I simply follow the path I wish to pursue.

“So, have you decided who will accompany you?”
“The dark-skinned one.”
“… Pardon?”

Startled by my words, Ebony dropped the meat she was eating.

“Now it’s time for real practice.”

Gu-seul stroked Ebony’s head.

“Didn’t Ebony have her first experience just a few days ago?”

Perhaps referring to an experience in the dungeon.

“No problem. I’ll protect her if needed.”

Ebony needs to enhance her experience.
Now that her talent is confirmed, she must cultivate her fighting instincts before learning the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.

I believe she’ll be able to learn it soon enough.

“And who else?”
“You.”

Gu-seul, who is adept with various firearms, has faced me before, so she knows my capabilities. She’s quite a challenging opponent. Although she had a poor performance against Cornus, that was an unavoidable outcome due to our clear compatibility.

Especially when fighting in her true form, as she is now, there’s no room for discussion.

“Do-won. What about me… Aren’t you taking me along?”
“Yeon, just stay put.”
“Beep?”
“You, step outside.”

Freesia and Hong-Yeon wilted almost simultaneously.

“Do-won only harbors resentment towards me. He always leaves me behind whenever he goes anywhere.”

Hong-Yeon’s combat prowess is not weak by any means. However, when compared to her skills in internal affairs, her strengths are as distinct as a speck of jade.

The only reason I can move so freely now is because of Hong-Yeon. Apart from occasionally being a bit tactless or overly affectionate, she’s not unlike Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms… a Hong-Gal-Ryang of sorts.

“Because I trust you,” I said.

At my words, Hong-Yeon’s ears turned red and she lowered her head.

“Well, there’s nothing to be done about it then. Have a safe journey.”

“It’s so easy to persuade her,” I heard Gu-seul mutter under her breath. As I, with my keen hearing, was about to say something, Gu-seul, noticing my intent, spoke up first.

“Is it just the three of you?”

“No, there’s one more person,” I replied.

“Who?”

I couldn’t be certain if they would accept the situation or not, but they were likely the key figure in this plan – possibly even more so than me.

“I’ll discuss it with you tomorrow.”

The spatial magic I wield is limited to individuals.
Even in larger groups, adding one to three more people makes it challenging.

The pinnacle of spatial magic.
There is Blink for short distances, and Portal for long distances.

I can use Blink if I concentrate, but it’s highly inefficient. As for Portal, I don’t even dare to desire using it.

“So you mean…”

I nodded.
A woman who is unquestionably among the highest ranks in magic.

A sage was needed.

* * * * * * *

Early that morning.
I secretly entered the sage’s room, and to my surprise, she was waiting for me.

“Are you asking me to cooperate in attacking the World Tree?”

Upon hearing my rough explanation, the corner of the sage’s mouth curled up, seemingly understanding my intentions.

“What if you don’t like it?”
“This time, it’s my turn to cry.”
“…Don’t cry, though.”

As I pondered whether I should forcefully squeeze out the essence, someone was ascending to the attic. Wiki, who had just opened her eyes, came to see me.

“…Dad?”

She must have sensed someone but not known who it was, for as soon as she saw my face, Wiki rushed over with delight. I cautiously glanced at the sage’s expression, and when I opened my arms, she embraced me tightly.

“My daughter~ Have you been well?”
“…….”

As I hugged her and gently rubbed her cheek, Wiki reluctantly allowed the corners of her mouth to lift in a subtle smile.

“Unpleasant dad… not really.”

Despite her words, her cheeks were flushed, and the force of her embrace grew stronger. It was a display of affection that couldn’t be more endearing. My daughter’s energy surged within her.

-Smooch.

As I gave her a peck on the cheek, Wiki’s mouth gaped open in surprise.

“Huh?”

Upon looking inside, I noticed her elongated canine teeth for some reason.

Wiki slightly parted her lips, revealing a tender, rosy tongue and two teeth that protruded like a baby bear’s.

“Alba, do baby teeth usually grow like this?”
“…”
“I wonder who she takes after.”

A sudden curiosity arose. Glancing at the sage, her face seemed to stiffen slightly.

“Alba.”
“Yes?”
“Would you mind opening your mouth?”

Her previously calm and composed expression warmed slightly, and a blush similar to Wiki’s appeared.

“I don’t want to.”

I covered Wiki’s eyes.

“Father?”
“Close your eyes.”

I lightly embraced the sage’s neck. At first, she tried to push me away, but perhaps it was due to the long period without intimacy that caused her to relent. As I stole a kiss and intertwined our tongues, her face relaxed with a dizzying scent.

“…”

As our lips parted, I saw it: very slightly pointed canines.

“No wonder who she takes after. She looks like her mother bear.”

As he removed his hand from Wiki’s eyes, the sage hastily wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth.

“…Don’t joke around. I won’t help you.”

Seeing his stern expression, I bowed my head quickly.

“Phew…”

“Dad, did you upset Mom again?”

The perceptive Wiki gently tapped my knee.

“Hmm, is it really a mistake?”
“If you don’t know, Dad, what can we do? You’re such a fool.”

It is true that people can have a complex about their canine teeth, especially someone like the sage, akin to a duchess.

“Enough with the talking. I don’t think I’ll be able to help with this cradle attack.”
“No… sister.”
“…Don’t call me sister only at times like this.”
“Ah.”

Even the occasional use of that title had failed this time. Having used it almost once a month for three years, one might expect some resistance to develop.

The sage let out a sigh and said,

“I’ll leave this task to Wiki.”

Father and daughter, everyone in doubt. Wiki and I exchanged glances.

“Wiki. You’ve learned how to open a portal, right?”
“Yes.”

What?

“No, what kind of education are you giving her?”

It’s worse than those Gangnam mothers who have their children learn calculus in elementary school. With a frightened expression, I looked at Alba, who in turn sharpened her gaze and glared at me.

I was dominated by just her gaze.

“Now that it’s come to this, you’ll have to stay with Dad for at least a week. Wiki?”

At those words, father and daughter alike beamed with joy.

“Really!? Truly, truly?”

Up until now, Wiki had been pretending to be a daddy’s fool and acting like she hated her dad, but now she bounded about, elated. Then she glanced at me with a slightly hardened face.

This father knows our daughter’s heart all too well. As I spread my arms with that expression, Wiki hesitated for a moment and then embraced me once again.