Chapter 447 – Declaration of War (End)

The two of them locked eyes almost simultaneously.

Their faces were hidden in the backlight, but they were clearly young girls, their bodies not yet fully matured.

Ebony, clutching her dagger as if it were her most prized possession, narrowed her eyes and focused on the scene.

“Flower?”
“…….”

Instinctively, they recognised each other as adversaries.
Like Ebony, Shiba also held her sword tightly, raising its tip and pouring her magic into it.

====
【 Name :: U45 】
【 Abilities 】
– Strength 3.9
– Durability 2.1
– Agility 4.8
– Stamina 2.5
– Magic 3.1

□ Unique Ability (1)
[□□□(-)]
□ Owned Skills (0)
□ Temperament (5)
[Despondency (F)][Muteness (F)][Incompleteness (F)][Quality of the Sword (EX)][Vengeance (C)]

【 Estimated Potential : 13 】
⋇Requires prolonged psychological treatment.
====

After swiftly assessing the abilities of her adversary, Shiba began to size her up.
There was always the possibility of the tables turning, depending on magic, magic skills, and techniques.

‘…She doesn’t seem all bad. Well, whether it’s a Flower or a World Tree, they’re the same.’

Shiba knew that there was no need to harbour resentment toward either the mighty or the weak, they were all just trying to push each other away.

“Let me through.”

At her words, a surprised look flashed across Ebony’s face.
Shiba was markedly different from the priests she had encountered so far.

Her hands trembled with indecision.
The surge of the magic power circling her dagger seemed to diminish, only for Ebony’s sword to start blazing once she regained her composure.

– Dori Dori.

She couldn’t let her pass.

As Ebony shook her head, signaling her intent, Shiba’s expression hardened.

“…Really? Well then.”

There was no choice but to fight.
Sword in hand, Shiba blocked the tunnel and rushed forward with a terrifying speed.

-Clang!

The clashing blades vibrated and trembled.
Shiba’s sword grazed Ebony’s right shoulder. Lowering her center of gravity to evade the sword strike, Ebony closed the distance between them.

Their faces were now almost nose-to-nose, and Ebony’s dagger lunged at Shiba’s throat.

-Bang!

At that moment, magic exploded.
Shiba’s legs traced a graceful arc as she pivoted swiftly, her foot striking Ebony’s solar plexus.

“…!?”

Her vision blurred, and her grip on the sword almost slackened. Somehow, she managed to regain her composure.
Saliva dribbled from the corner of Ebony’s mouth as she retreated.

“…Cough.”
“You can’t win.”

The disparity in physical prowess, the reach of the sword.
And she was not superior in terms of magic either.

Without even thinking to wipe away her saliva, Ebony closed her lips and extended her sword once more.
She maintained the stance that Lee Si-heon had taught her, steadying her breath.

“…Move. I don’t want to kill you.”

Ebony remained silent.

The difference in their abilities was clear. Why was she persisting?

From the characteristics displayed in the status window, he appeared much like a child whose mind was riddled with ailments.

In a state mirroring himself, imperfect and yet wholly depleted, mentally and physically. Who on earth had brought the child to such a place?

“…….”

Shiba slowly summoned the magical energy into her body.

She had someone to meet. She didn’t know who, and she didn’t understand why she was doing this either. The risk of dying during the journey was significant, but she had to venture deeper.

-Wham!

She propelled herself forward.

Shiba’s sword oscillated back and forth, pushing against Ebony. In every direction, an intense exchange of martial arts ensued, fierce enough to shatter the iron-forged blade into fragments.

– Shattering.

Ebony’s slipped foot caused ripples in the puddles of the tunnel. A shadow dashed swiftly through the faint cluster of light.

A gap created by Ebony’s faltering step. Shiba, not missing this opportunity, thrust her sword.

“…Finished!”

However, Shiba’s sword didn’t reach Ebony. Shiba failed to recognize that Ebony’s apparent slip was a deliberate ploy to expose a vulnerability.

One thing set Ebony ahead of Shiba. It was her determination and willpower, born from surviving the infernal depths of the abyss. She never wavered when taking someone’s life in a world where morality and virtue were non-existent.

-Snap!

With the sound of her ankle ligament snapping, Ebony, leaning forward, swung her dagger. Shiba stepped back, her sword failing to hit the critical point.

– Whish!

An eerie sensation of skin being sliced off due to the friction with the sword’s blade. The cut piece of clothing fell to the ground. Feeling the warm trickle of blood on her neck, Shiba’s expression hardened.

“…….”

The fear of actual combat didn’t exist for Ebony, whose every day was a struggle with death.

“…Damn it. Shiba.”

A raw curse erupted from Shiba’s mouth as she probed the wound on her neck.

A searing pain radiated from her neck. Her face, contorted in pain, had long lost its composure. Ebony was far from well, too.

While panting from the exhaustion of Shiba’s continuous attacks, one of Ebony’s feet was hindered. It was a fight likely to end in a few rounds. As she tried to summon the remaining magical energy, a familiar voice echoed from behind.

“Hey!”

Shiba halted her movements, her face aghast at the gentle voice.

“…Why are you here?”

Mary, who had disappeared for three days, emerged, having overcome her severe injuries.

“Before that, how the hell did you get in here?”

Mary had a duty to protect the cadets. Even if she had come to terms with Lee Si-heon’s death, she couldn’t afford to shirk her responsibilities.

Her eyes were slightly swollen, but at least, thanks to Flower, her raging emotions had cooled down a bit. That was a silver lining.

Mary gazed at Shiva’s wounds with dew-kissed eyes, her hand reaching out towards Ebony standing before her.

-Flash!

With a flicker of magic, the long trunk of a tree jutted out from the ground.

-Bang!

The sharp tip of the branch shot forth, aimed at Ebony’s forehead. It whisked past Shiva’s shoulder, continuing its trajectory.

Ebony hoisted her sword as high as she could, but her feeble physical prowess fell short of thwarting the attack.

-Snap!

The sound of something giving way echoed.

A black hem descended to the floor, and a substantial shadow obstructed the tunnel entrance.

“Dana.”

With his hand on Ebony’s tightly closed eyes, the man murmured softly.

“Well done.”

A hand hesitated somewhere. Wiki, who should have been outside the tunnel, was nestled in the man’s arms.

That is him.

-Thump!

Feeling her chest contract intensely, Shiva pierced through the profound darkness with her gaze, striving to perceive the man’s face. The status window was gradually gathering around her wavering eyes.

【Cannot read.】

-Clink.

Her status window, which had until now displayed anyone’s status, shattered and scattered upon locking onto the man.

* * * * * * * * *

Bewilderment.

One cannot deny its presence.

This subtle sensation of tautness, as if the senses were strung together, was one of the unforgettable experiences.

When Shiva was still young, we were connected by something. When I was struggling, Shiva would come and embrace me, and the reverse held true as well.

When that touch returned, I knew instinctively. Shiva must be nearby.

And so, I hastened to expedite my return.

“Dana.”

I patted Ebony’s head as she panted heavily.

“Well done.”

I could feel her nod, even if slight, within my arms. The portal had already closed. Gu-seul was dispatched long ago to tend to The World Tree of Growth.

In a little while, the priests would arrive here.

‘…Is it Mary behind me?’

The magic I sensed was much stronger than before. Had Mary finally become the World Tree? Even in the darkness, Shiva’s face was fixed in my bright field of view.

Blood trickling down her throat. A wound that appeared shallow but seemed deep. The linked sensation felt as if it was carrying her pain.

It was possible.

The forces were different, we were enemies.

It was the best choice for Ebony, and had she not acted, she would have fallen. Neither did she have the right to hold me accountable, nor did she intend to.

“…….”

Shiva’s face was blank. Her eyes quivered, but she didn’t avert her gaze from me.

It was as if she was on the verge of recollecting something,

“Daddy….”

A voice echoed from my embrace. Strangely, it felt as though Shiba’s voice was resonating with it.

-Beep. Daddy~!

Nonsense.
Utter nonsense.
Wiki was clutching the edge of my garment, her lips sealed, her eyes pleadingly fixated on me.

“We need to leave, now.”

I know.
I know, but my body refuses to comply.

“……”

I hesitated, even after hearing Wiki’s words.

-Whoosh.

Suddenly, sparks flew, engulfing Shiba.
It was due to Wiki, her eyebrows forming an inverted ‘V’, casting a spell on Shiba.

-Bang!

Images of Shiba, aflame, momentarily replayed in my mind.

“Ah!”

Standing in front of a startled Shiba was Mary, transformed into the World Tree.
The flames dwindled under the protection of Mary’s magical shield.

With a sinking heart, I found myself raising my voice without realizing it.

“Wiki!!!”
“Eek….”

Startled, Wiki clung tighter to my clothes, her body shrinking in fear.

“…We need to… go.”

Wiki was trembling, seemingly consumed by terror. Upon seeing Wiki’s face turn a pale shade of blue, a cold shudder ran through me.

What the hell am I doing to her?
Damn it.

“Phew….”

After gathering my senses, I took a deep breath. Holding Wiki in my arms, I closed and opened my eyes.

When I looked again, there was Shiba, right before my eyes.

How she got here, I do not know our daughter’s tale.
But for now, I cannot reveal my true identity.

The memories that flit before my eyes are not of my own recollection.

‘…You lagged behind.’
【 Eek! 】

I know exactly who I’m addressing.
The benevolent essence of the king, taken aback, vanished from my psyche.

He employs every low trick in the book to seize control of my body.
I wish I hadn’t even imagined Shiba perishing. It leaves a nasty taste.

I raised my head to look at Mary.

“…!”

Perhaps scared of my grim demeanor, Mary clenched her teeth tightly, quickly glanced at Shiba behind her, then spread her arms wide to shield Shiba.

“Umm, don’t touch our life either.”

I owe a great deal to Mary.
For taking good care of her for three years.

I conjured up my magic and propelled my feet forward.

-Boom!

The entire tunnel began to crack, parts of the foundation started to crumble.
Dust rose, thickly shrouding the surroundings as I darted forward.

Seeing my movement, Mary instinctively pushed Shiba behind her.

“Run – Go!”

It might seem a dramatic situation, but it’s different for me.

Everything is already roughly sketched out in my mind.

Simultaneous space magic.
Holding Mary’s form that is still in her youth with one hand, I invoke magic.

“…!”

The condition was to take him when he failed to become the World Tree.
As long as it is convincing, it doesn’t matter.

Reaching out, I watched Shiba’s face as she moved beyond my grasp, and my eyes snapped shut in response.

I erected a diminutive defensive barrier, ensuring that even the collapse of a building would inflict no harm. As an added advantage, it cured all injuries.

“World Tree! Wait–“

Shiba’s voice, muffled by the dust, fell silent.

From Shiba’s perspective, it must have appeared as though Mary had wielded magic. I had deliberately arranged it to seem that way. With Shiba’s current abilities, she would be unable to see through this ruse.

For now, it was enough.
Just for now.

* * * * * * * *

The turmoil of the new day had come to an end, and unbeknownst to us, the sun had begun its ascent into the sky.

The storehouse was teeming with saplings, and the World Tree of Growth and Mary had been temporarily situated in the reception room. Having cast a sleep spell while they were unconscious, they were expected to awaken in a few hours.

With the absence of any high combat power World Trees, it seemed that the World Trees were aware of this assault. Perhaps they intended to accept this attack on the cradle.

I couldn’t quite predict what they were preparing for. Regardless, the gates of war had been successfully thrown open.

There was much to do, and a few more trees to bring in.

‘…….’

A brief moment of respite was necessary.

The damned progeny of the King. To stir up anxiety at such a crucial juncture was preposterous.

It had been some time since I had taken the medicine. My body’s sudden refusal to obey caused a jolt of surprise.

“…Father.”

At that moment, Wiki, who had followed me into the woods where I stood, offered something precious she had carried. A cute teddy bear straw was plunged into the lukewarm banana milk.

“I’m sorry… for using magic on my sister.”

With her eyes squeezed shut, teardrops clinging to her lashes, Wiki presented the banana milk. The reason behind my raised voice wasn’t really due to Wiki… It was right after I had donned the crown, and the King’s bloodline had toyed with my memories.

Regardless, it was true that I had been on edge… It doesn’t change the fact that I had done something that should never have been done to Wiki.

“Wiki.”
“….”

As I stroked her soft hair, I bent down. When I knelt and lowered my head, our eyes met at the same level.

“I’m sorry too, for raising my voice, Wiki.”
“…!”

My daughter’s face blossomed with surprise.

Immediately after my apology, Wiki’s lips unexpectedly approached and gently touched my cheek. The banana milk we had shared was rather sweet.