Chapter 445 – Declaration of War (7)

In the richest depths of the foundation, there lies a fertile land.
An enchanting golden field, the primeval site of beginnings.

In this realm of life blanketed with pristine white cotton, birds and butterflies soar freely through the skies, bees transport pollen, and sublime life sprouts from the earth.
Though there is no sun, gentle light bathes the landscape.
A delicate fragrance of flowers fills the air.

This haven, which all the trees in the world yearn to protect, is the most beautiful wellspring in existence—paradoxically, at times feeling as confining as a cage.

【The Cradle, The Space of the Virgin】

At its center stands a woman.
Seated on a vine swing beneath a tree, she softly pushes the ground with her outstretched bare feet, enveloped by butterflies and flowers.

The World Tree of Growth, with her eyes of unblemished purity, dons a white cotton robe and a bright yellow crown turned upside-down.

“Godmother.”

A knight approached her and spoke.

“There is an intruder.”

A white knight clad in white armor—Lupin, the guardian of the World Tree of Growth.

“Lupin…?”

The delicate downy hair that sprouted above the white and brown mingled hair of the World Tree of Growth fluttered softly.

For the World Tree of Growth, who had extended its roots into the center of the cradle and had never encountered anyone but young saplings, a meeting held great significance. The branches rising above her hair quivered with joy, and Lupin, observing this, heaved a deep sigh.

“Again… Were you taking a human form?”

“Well, this is much more liberating. Look at this. I can create clothes like this as well. These are clothes for our children.”

The World Tree of Growth, her face resembling a young girl, spread out her hand-woven winged robe. Beneath the visage concealed by white garments, a contented smile formed.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

The World Tree of Growth, revealing her face as she moved the clothes slightly, inquired of Lupin.

With a stern expression, Lupin swallowed a sigh and spoke again.

“There’s an intruder… I’ve made it quite clear.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Perhaps you should worry a little.”

It may seem unreasonable to be insensitive to a crisis, but in this case, it’s understandable. The World Tree of Growth has spent her entire life in this place, never facing any threats.

Lupin, her guardian, has supported her for a long time. A knight who stands by the World Tree of Growth, preparing for any unforeseen situations. No one in the world knew Lupin’s true identity, except for the esteemed beings like the Five Great World Trees.

“Great Mother.”

Lupin spoke in a cold voice, causing the World Tree of Growth to startle and widen her eyes.

“I’ll say it again, this intruder is no ordinary threat.”

The World Tree of Growth grasped the crown atop her head and held it to her chest. Her fluffy clothes and the cotton above her head seemed to wilt and droop.

Lupin placed his hand on the sheath at his chest and knelt down to show respect.

“Though it’s too early to make a judgment, perhaps even more than Sistus…”

Upon hearing Lupin’s words, the World Tree of Growth gazed at the distant sky.

“Is that so?”

Being worse than the malicious Sistus… Perhaps the time has come to finally see the end of the cradle.

In a way, they could sense that they had been abandoned. The fact that neither the main force of the Hunter Association nor the church had arrived meant that the Five Great World Trees had decided to hand over the cradle.

Lupin had hoped that the Holy Mother would remain unaware of this fact. Yet, it seemed the World Tree of Growth had already noticed.

“…Would it be a tasteless joke to want to see the face of the intruder once?”
“Great Mother!”
“Eek! I’m sorry. So sorry…”

Having spoken words she shouldn’t have, the World Tree of Growth found herself scolded by Lupin.

– Oof!

“Ah.”

Just then, the yellow crown resonated. The World Tree of Growth adjusted her feathery garments and rose from her seat. A vast shadow of a tree emerged behind her.

“Isn’t this fate as well?”
“Fate, you say…”
“Fate, a beautiful resonance.”

As if already aware of her future, the World Tree of Growth haughtily shrugged her shoulders. Lupin silently bowed her head and unsheathed her sword.

*Clang!*

The sound of a door opening as dimensions warped. As a figure stepped forward, ominous black magic engulfed the entire space.

“…King Mokryeong.”

Lupin turned her head and murmured, standing before the World Tree of Growth.

The man who usurped the throne. The black dragon robe draped over his shoulders appeared as though a massive dragon was crawling on his body. The sinister energy even made the nearby grass bristle, and Lupin steeled her fighting spirit.

“Your Grace, please stay behind.”
“No.”

The World Tree of Growth descended from the swing and stood barefoot before Lupin.

“Godmother…?”

The disparity in their individual power was immense, but the intangible energy emanating from her body was strikingly similar to the king standing before her.

“…This time, it seems we should talk.”

Her hand trembled slightly. The World Tree of Growth spoke, clutching her skirt so tightly that the fabric creased.

“You.”

The man’s gaze shifted towards her.

“What is your purpose? Why have you intruded upon this space where children grow?”

The World Tree of Growth knew how this man had managed to reach this place. The Cradle allowed her to see all the sights within her domain, the Foundation. He had used force, but he hadn’t taken anyone’s life in the process. Being able to subdue the Foundation’s priests with his bare hands, not even Lupin could have withstood him.

Therefore, to resist would only bring unnecessary harm. Besides, if no one had been killed, wasn’t there still some room for negotiation left?

“Your purpose?”

“Yes, the purpose.”

King Mokryeong replied dryly.

“You.”
“…….”

At the unexpected answer, Seongjang’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Excuse me?”

He had come for Seongjang himself. Sensing his impending death, Seongjang squeezed his eyes shut.

“Uh… please, don’t hurt me.”

My goodness. Lupin, who had been standing behind, clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, Great Mother!”

Lupin was known for his eccentricity, but no one could have predicted this outburst. Lupin reached out and grabbed Seongjang’s shoulder, dragging him away. At the same time, the man’s sword lunged at Lupin.

-Clang!

The two swords clashed.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was a tumultuous night.

“…”

In the early dawn, as soon as I awoke, I drew the curtains open, and a faint current of magical energy flowed into the room.

The direction pointed towards the Foundation.

“Did something happen?”

Could it be that the situation the media had been secretly worrying about had finally occurred? Shiba’s heart, which had been filled with apprehension, soon shifted to suspicion. It was because priests with their magical tools in hand were all converging on one location.

-Thump.

My heart skipped a beat. It was because I sensed something familiar and yearning from the place the magical energy indicated.

It felt as if I would not see it again for a long time if I missed it now. Overcome by this peculiar sensation that she had never experienced before, Shiba donned her coat that hung on the small table and gripped her sword.

-Clang!

The sound of a sword. A pounding heart. Someone was fighting. Shiba shook her head from side to side, caught in a sensation that seemed to be felt by another.

-A wave of emotion surged.

“…Bam?!”

The gray magical energy emanating from his chest began to glow, directed towards the Foundation. Startled and unsure of what to do, Shiba gradually accepted the resistance of this magical force.

– Beep!

The emergency bell rang out.

[Attention all cadets in the cradle: Cease your actions immediately and head towards the entrance…]

With the booming announcement, the door swung open.

“Get up! Ah, you’re already awake…”

Kim Soo-yeon, the national pillar of Korea, appeared. Saku must have been following Soo-yeon’s lead in the relief efforts, as she was seen energetically running through the gap in the doorway.

“What’s going on?”

She addressed Shiba, maintaining a composed demeanor.

“It’s an attack. Just like the one three years ago.”
“Beep, three years ago…”

The day Lee Si-heon had fought against the national pillars who had joined the Flower. The same event was unfolding once more.

– Rattle.

Shiba’s hands trembled violently, not from fear, but due to the peculiar sensation of being connected to someone.

It felt foreign and unpleasant… yet somehow, I longed for it.

– Thump, thump, thump.

My eardrums vibrated.

Seeing Shiba lost in a daze without reacting, Soo-yeon clenched her teeth and entered the room, grabbing Shiba’s wrist.

“Let’s hurry. Before things escalate.”

The cradle’s system is more advanced than before, so if we manage our time well, we can avoid any damage.

– Snap!

Shiba, her wrist seized, was dragged into the hallway without even putting on her shoes. The murmuring voices of the surrounding cadets and the concerns of the young, frightened, or bewildered hunters brushed past Shiba’s ears.

It felt as if my ears were stuffed, like they’d been submerged in water for too long. The stone powder scattered across the hallway stung my bare feet.

“Are you okay? Take a deep breath. One, two…”

“I’m fine. I just spaced out for a moment…”

Beep.

The noise in my ears made my vision turn white.

“Disoriented-“

Time slows down.
In the surroundings that had turned gray, a red thread began to fly toward a specific location.

The view followed the thread. It turned the corner of the hallway and fell down the stairs. The vision moved dizzily along the red thread, slithering like a snake.

Stretching on and on to the Foundation, and then to the inside of the Foundation…
Mary and the priest could be seen running, and the red thread headed deeper still.

Scenes flashed by as if pictures were passing before one’s eyes.
The red thread aimed inward at the Foundation pierced the wide back of a man dressed in black.

“Ah.”

It was a familiar back.

“…Ah?”

In that instant, Shiba’s heart began to race at an incredibly fast pace.

Strength left her legs, and she fell to her knees on the floor.

“Shiba!?”

– Thump, thump, thump.

Her heart pounded painfully. Her head felt like it was boiling.

The adrenaline surged, and though the reason eluded me, one thing was certain.

The man whose gaze briefly met mine as the world came to a halt.
I must see him with my own eyes to know the truth.

– Sssss.

As the view before me returned to reality, Shiba exhaled the breath she had been holding.

“Haah, haah…”

Sweat trickled down her tense thighs. Her slender fingers trembled, and saliva involuntarily slipped down her throat.
She grasped her tie and untied it. Her sweat-soaked collarbones greeted the outside air through the loosened gap of her collar.

“Are you okay? Do you need a potion?”
“Sis… just a moment.”

Shiba, refusing Soo-yeon’s desperately outstretched hand, raised herself on her wobbly legs.
Her eyes sparkled with determination.

“I need to go somewhere for a bit.”

Her body leaped into action. As she moved, she felt lighter than ever before, as if she had surpassed her usual limits.

“Hey, where are you going… Shiba!”

Shiba shook off Soo-yeon’s hand and plummeted through the window.
Her movements were faster than Soo-yeon anticipated, making it impossible for her to follow.

Soo-yeon could only helplessly watch Shiba’s desperate expression just before she fell.

* * * * * * * * *

A feeling of longing washed over her.

An experience that made her heart tremble, which she had never felt before, not even in her mother’s presence. She thought something was amiss, and she was certain that they had to meet.

She moved her legs desperately.

Brushing off the discouraging priests and somehow finding her way into the Foundation. The infiltration of the Foundation, whose system had completely collapsed, was not very difficult.

The path branched into multiple directions like a maze, and she entered a small hidden passage between them. Not a single priest had ventured there, allowing her to proceed as undisturbed as possible.

A space as deep as a dark tunnel. As I examined each point indicated by the red thread, the closer I approached, the more intense the magical energy I felt.

– Mmm.

Black magic.

It was almost identical to what I experienced back then.

– Splish.

A little water had pooled at the bottom of the tunnel. At the entrance, where the light from outside approached, someone stood, and in their shadow, tendrils of black magic gently rose.

There was someone there. At the edge of my line of sight, a girl with raven hair held a sword, her gaze fixed intently on this place.