Chapter 439 – Declaration of War (1)

Planning and revising took a considerable amount of time.

Eventually, the outline of the assault on the Cradle was established, and the preparations were solidified.

“To access the Cradle’s Foundation, you must pass through twelve gates.”

In the gathering of the raid members, Wiki explained with poise.

In the labyrinthine, winding Foundation, reaching the World Tree of Growth, the mother of the Cradle, required navigating numerous authentication procedures.

“Three years ago, the building itself was destroyed by the explosion of Sistus, so there was no need for that… Dad?”

Wiki glanced at him, and he nodded in response.

“I have no intention of causing more trouble than necessary.”

If they could infiltrate quietly, that would be preferable. Understanding this, Wiki resumed explaining the Foundation.

“The Foundation’s security system isn’t too difficult to comprehend.”

Wiki began the story, scribbling on the whiteboard with her baby-like hands.

To enter the foundation, one must know a daily-changing password and possess a newly created card key. If the power is cut off, the entrance is immediately sealed, and an alarm sounds, making forceful entry nearly impossible.

Of course, even knowing the password does not guarantee easy access.

Only a select few can reach the innermost depths of the foundation, and they, too, must undergo a complex authentication process. With the addition of artifacts, it seems nearly insurmountable.

“Well, is there no solution then?” Gu-seul asked Wiki, as Ebony nervously looked on.

In place of the silent Wiki, I responded.

“No.”

That was the very reason I had tried to bring Alba.

“We don’t need a password or a card key. Right, Wiki?”

Wiki nodded in agreement.

The presence of magical powers.

Even I can decipher and unlock the structure of the sealed door.
Dropping a chunk of metal from thin air and spewing flames, how could it be impossible to create a key that matches the door’s structure? I can swiftly unlock any old-fashioned locking mechanisms.

The modern locks utilize a magical energy recognition device, taking advantage of the differences in the properties of magical energy.
Analog in nature, the moment the flow of magical energy is detected, the power is cut off, and the security company is alerted.

The cradle has adopted both methods.

They use card keys imbued with a specially crafted artificial magical property, and should any other magical energy be deployed, the control room is notified. Moreover, as different cards with varying magical properties must be input sequentially, it proves difficult for even experts to breach.

‘However…’

Regardless of whether it’s a single security company or a defense system crafted by a world-class organization, to those with the highest level of knowledge, it’s nothing more than child’s play.

Alba, once a sage, had imparted her knowledge to Wiki, who was truly an exceptional individual.

“To put it precisely, one can alter the nature of magical power. Or rather, more accurately, one can make it appear different.”

According to Wiki, all the machines utilizing magical properties in the modern era were akin to foolish contraptions.

Even among the spirits, only the most elite could perceive the difference when the traits of magical power were altered. While the essence would not change, only individuals like themselves or their fathers could see that far. In truth, even I couldn’t see that deep. I chuckled at the subtle pride Wiki displayed.

“So, you’re saying that you change the nature of magical power to make it look different?”

Wiki nodded in response to Gu-seul’s words.

I had employed this method before when I returned from the past to subdue the Flowers in Korea. At that time, I had attributed the fire incident at the factory to the deeds of Sistus.

Thanks to a slight alteration in the traces of my magic, the police had tentatively concluded that Flower’s incident was an act of terrorism.

“Hmm, so, in other words, we subdue everyone, and then Wiki opens the door?”

Gu-seul asked, after hearing the whole story. Wiki raised a finger.

“Thirty minutes after subduing them. The World Tree of Growth is managed by my father… If I take care of the minor details, the two of you can transport the seedlings.”

Saying this may seem simple, but it’s only possible because the situation is a disaster that neither I nor Wiki can fully prepare for. It’s a matter of whether we take action openly or not.

“And, of course, the problem comes next. I think my father will handle it well…”

I don’t expect the organization that lost the World Tree of Growth to remain idle.

This was nothing short of a declaration of war.

I spoke while touching the mistletoe hanging beside me.

“Don’t worry.”

Even if everyone storms in, I have a plan to counterattack. These past three years have been in preparation for that.

*Click*

As the mistletoe was extracted, the scabbard opened, revealing a smooth blade. Light cascaded down its gleaming surface.

* * * * * * * * *

On the day of the attack, each person finished their preparations and gathered at the entrance to the castle.

“Alright, there. A bit stronger.”

With her pants down, Gu-seul extended her thighs and spoke expressionlessly.

She manually adjusted the magical pattern engraved on the control rod embedded in her thigh. Since there might be a battle today, she opened it slightly, allowing a faint magical energy to seep out across the surface of her body.

“Is this enough?”
“A little more.”

The exposed posture was indeed stimulating, but the location was not ideal. Ebony, standing next to me, looked at me with a slightly peculiar expression.

Wiki had already been blindfolded by Ebony’s hand.

After adjusting Gu-seul’s orb, I rose from my seat and fastened the sword to my waist. Donning an Infi mask, I adorned my body with various artifacts and slipped into a robe, relaxing my shoulders.

“Is everyone here?”

I counted them one by one.

Wiki and Ebony, Gu-seul, and Freesia.

“Beep?”

I intended to go with a small group, but there was an odd person mixed in.

“Hey.”

“Why? Brother-in-law?”

“Are you still here?”

I assumed they had left since I hadn’t seen them for a while. Could they have been waiting all this time? Glancing at Gu-seul, she shrugged her shoulders as though she had already given up.

“I want to see my niece too.”

At Freesia’s words, Wiki’s shoulders perked up.

“You won’t see my sister today.”

“…Beep? Who are you?”

“I’m Wiki. My father’s real daughter.”

With a resolute expression, Wiki declared this, prompting Freesia to look at me. Come to think of it, I hadn’t spoken yet.

Seeing no reaction to my expression, Freesia let out a gasp and stood up from her seat.

“Brother-in-law, were you a cuckoo?”
“…Because she’s my own daughter?”

Wiki’s face, who understood the situation, showed concern. I hugged Wiki and quickly comforted her. As if her heart was wounded, Wiki buried herself in my embrace and clung tightly to my arm.

I glanced at Freesia and signaled to Gu-seul.

“Let her go.”

Upon receiving my signal, Gu-seul nodded once and moved behind Freesia. Soon after, she began to drag her by the shoulders.

“Freesia, I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany you this time.”
“Ah! Ah! Ah! Beep!”

Somehow, I had managed to send the well-hidden Freesia away.

Preparations for Season 2 were complete. After a final headcount, I focused my mind and gathered my magical energy.

My plan was to move to another location and observe the situation at a more leisurely pace. Now, with everyone’s attention on the Forest Keeper selection, it was the perfect time to infiltrate.

As a result, security has increased substantially, but honestly, the number of enemies is irrelevant.

“Hold your breath.”

Wiki is accustomed to it, so it doesn’t bother her, but Ebony is still awkward when it comes to accepting spatial magic.

Wiki is in my arms while Ebony stealthily clings to the hem of my clothes. As soon as Gu-seul, who had sent out Freesia, arrived, she used her magic.

* * * * * * * * * *

The French title, vacant.

Ever since the incident three years ago, no new title has been bestowed within the French government. There was a lack of suitable candidates, but a new status had been established that stirred the hearts of the French people.

“Branches! Branci~!”

A child-like Sephirot playfully teased a woman’s thigh.

Long blue hair cascading down to her waist.
Skin that appeared even brighter than her pristine white dress.

Breasts protruding below the collarbone.

Hadn’t they become a touch more feminine compared to three years ago? The woman cradling Sephirot in her arms soothed the child with a smile.

“Sephirot, I just need to fix my makeup a little…”
“Blanche, you’re pretty even without it.”
“Do you think so?”

It had taken quite some time for the adorable, young sapling to mature into a full-grown woman. Some people only grow after reaching adulthood.

This was due to her latent potential finally manifesting, allowing her to achieve growth as a tree. It was a case similar to Mary, who had recently become a World Tree.

Marronnier Blanche.

Well, she couldn’t be called Marronnier anymore since she was no longer a national tree.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

“…Ah, there he is.”

With a small, clear voice, the sound of the door echoed. Upon seeing the man who appeared at the opened door, Blanche’s face transformed into that of a shy girl.

“Oh, do you realize how many years it has been? The French… we don’t leave our lovers like this.”

A slightly awkward tone, a trembling, moist voice.

“Sorry. Did you wait that long?”

Upon seeing Lee Si-heon’s face after removing his mask, Blanche stood up. The pure white fabric swayed, revealing a faint silhouette inside. More places to enter, more places to emerge.

“…If you’ve waited all this time, what will you do for me?”

Marronnier, now a bit calmer, whispered to him in her affectionate voice.

“My first love.”

Their connection from the cradle resumed once more.

“What about Sephirot?”
“Ah, right here.”

As she lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, Sephirot, who had been hesitating, peeked out at Lee Si-heon and opened her eyes wide.

“Tree King!”
“Oh, you’ve grown so much.”
“Sephi has grown a lot!”

Lee Si-heon thought. At this rate, she’s almost the same age as Wiki.

In truth, Wiki should also adopt such a youthful manner of speaking, but due to the constant admiration for her, Sephirot ends up appearing rather awkward.

Blanche stood tall, suppressing the urge to stomp her feet while gazing at Lee Si-heon.

Both of them had changed quite a bit over the past three years.

“…Height.”
“Hm?”
“Your height, you’ve grown a lot. You’ve gotten taller, right?”
“Have I?”
“What about the others?”
“I came alone.”

A sage had once advised against leaving Wiki with Sephirot, so Lee Si-heon had no choice but to journey to Eden alone.

Even though Blanche seemed like she would be kind to Wiki, there was nothing to be done about matters that were beyond their control. Marronnier was aware of Wiki’s existence, and as someone who had been close to the sage from the beginning, she couldn’t help but know.

How infuriated they had been about this. When they had met two years ago, even the kind-hearted and adorable Marronnier couldn’t avoid the cold war that had ensued between them. But time is said to be the best healer; after days of consoling each other, their anger had finally subsided.

Marronnier was well aware that I had other women in my life. It was quite embarrassing and saddening, especially because the other person was a sage.

Now…

“…There you are.”
“Huh?”

As you can see, Blanche, with honey-filled eyes, subtly moved her pelvis and tapped Lee Si-heon.

“It’s been a while, won’t you give me a hug?”

The sight of a grown Marronnier was devastating. The perceptive Sephirot dashed off to the playroom, while Blanche pressed Lee Si-heon a bit more assertively.

– Embracing.

Marronnier, now in Lee Si-heon’s arms, couldn’t hide the smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Your lipstick is smudged.”
“Ah…”
“How come you still struggle with makeup?”

Was Blanche the only one who thought she had mastered it? Marronnier, wiping away the smeared lipstick, blushed with embarrassment.

Although she could no longer be called Marronnier.

Still, Marronnier was Marronnier. As Lee Si-heon tightened his arms around her, embracing her, Marronnier’s face overflowed with happiness.

Reunited with a lover after a long time apart.
Marronnier extended her arms and subtly pursed her lips.

“Mm…”

A tender tree yielded beneath the man’s weight.