Chapter 449 – Kidnapped Children (2)

– Squeak, squeak.

Mary’s plump cheeks quiver.

Fertilizer droplets fall onto the floor. She appears hungry, so I offer her a bag of fertilizer. At first, she seems reluctant to eat, but eventually starts to push the fertilizer into her mouth with a gloomy expression.

Chomp, chomp.

“…Ugh, ugh.”

No one is rushing her, yet she eats quickly. I pour her a glass of water to prevent choking, and Mary’s movements come to an abrupt halt.

– Drip, drip.

Perhaps recalling the past or overwhelmed by emotions, tears as large as raindrops stream down Mary’s face.

“Is it edible?”

– Nod, nod.

That’s a relief.

She must have been ravenous after being unconscious for so long. Watching her eat, I initially thought she had grown up, but she’s still just a child.

“Mary.”

“…Mm.”

Upon calling the name, a somber response returned. It seemed that I was still unhappy with being a part of Flower and felt sorrowful. The World Tree of Growth was soon to awaken, so I had to convince Mary before that happened.

“What should we talk about first? Hmm…”

As the introduction was laid aside, Mary set down the spoon she had been holding. She had consumed the fertilizer so haphazardly that her mouth was a mess, so I grabbed a wet tissue and wiped her mouth for her.

“Shall I start with my own story?”

The circumstances that led me to become a heretic.

From the very beginning, I was targeted by the World Tree and Flower due to the power I possessed as King Mokryeong. In an attempt to save a girl I knew, I nearly lost my life, and after barely surviving, I hid in the shadows to create a new force.

Mary listened quietly to my tale.

Whether she chose to believe it or not was up to her, but it felt quite pleasant that she seemed to be listening intently.

“The World Trees…did they try to kill you?”

“Yes.”

Her hands trembled beneath Mary’s astonished face.

“…I can’t believe it. Why did the other World Trees try to kill you?”
“Because I’m the king.”
“Even so…”
“It’s inevitable. To the World Trees, a king is such a being.”

An existence like an inescapable nemesis.

“It’s unbelievable.”

Mary shook her head weakly and clasped her hands.

To Mary, the World Trees had always been objects of admiration.
Always righteous and noble beings, in fact, Mary dedicated her entire life to become a World Tree.

That’s how she lived.

“Have you never heard about the king?”
“…I have. They said he was a terrible person.”

Mary fidgeted with her hands and stole a glance at my face.

“A terrible person…?”

Her eyes trembled greatly.

“Am I a terrible person too?”
“…I don’t know.”

It seemed she was still torn, so I had no choice but to show her myself. I rose from my seat and approached Mary.

“Mary.”

“Yes?”

Mary seemed slightly wary of me, yet her eyes subtly revealed anticipation. I gently grasped her wrist and hoisted her up.

Mary’s body was incredibly light, allowing me to lift her without any effort.

“Wouldn’t it be better to see it with your own eyes?”

Though a bit flustered, Mary nestled comfortably in my arms. I lifted her higher so she could look out the window, and soon the desolate landscape outside came into her view.

A barren land. A place where ruins lay buried and plants could not grow.

“This is…”

“A place forsaken by both Flower and the World Tree…”

“…”

“What do you think?”

“…Everyone, they look so listless.”

Indeed.

Crops would not grow, and monsters appeared relentlessly.

Though the restoration of the city had been successful, many people were still starving.

“If I hadn’t come here, I wonder what would have happened.”

If I hadn’t managed to ease their burden even slightly, over 70% of them would have likely perished from starvation or succumbed to fatal conflicts with one another.

Those outside were well aware of this reality. The reason I was treated as a king was because I had been making every effort to keep these people alive against all odds.

I intended to show them that.

*Clank.*

I opened the door and stepped outside. All eyes turned towards us. I gently set Mary down, and we walked together. The village extended before us, following the course of a long dirt road.

“When I first arrived here, it was an utter battlefield.”

A city resembling a graveyard, where every block was strewn with the dead. Food was so scarce that disputes over it erupted whenever the opportunity arose.

But now, how did it compare?

“Even so, can you sense the life here?”

I spoke to Mary, who was absorbed in observing her surroundings.

“It may not be a sophisticated soccer ball, but we can play, and now we have a family, unlike the old days when we just harbored hatred for one another.”

Poverty hasn’t completely vanished yet, but…

“Excuse me…”

Occasionally, like this,
small events lie in wait.

A little child who had been watching me for a while approached and struck up a conversation. I knelt down to meet the child’s eye level.

“What’s the matter?”

A boy with a bandage on his cheek. It was a face I recognized. The child handed me two eggs he was holding.

“Are these eggs?”
“Yes…”
“Is your mother doing well now?”
“Thanks to the king, she’s fully recovered.”

I patted the child on the head, accepted the eggs, and cradled them in my arms. The boy bowed his head at a 90-degree angle.

“Yes, you should look after your mother. You’re all grown up now, right?”
“Yes… thank you.”
“Let her know that I received it well.”
“Ah, yes!”

Food was important, but disease was an equally significant issue. A considerable amount of medicine was required.

As I smirked, watching the child leave, Mary, who stood beside me, regarded me with a complex expression.

“Since when have you been here?”
“For about two months. It’s fortunate that I have magic. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to build a house this quickly.”

I thought myself lucky to have learned magic during my student days. Nowadays, most construction was carried out using magical tools. It wouldn’t matter if it was a structure like a cradle or foundation with magical circuits embedded within it; simple buildings could even be constructed overnight.

“…”

Mary surveyed her surroundings once more before looking back at me.

“…I understand, somewhat. But… why did you hit the cradle?”
“Because I needed you.”

To be precise, I needed Mary and the other trees.

“Me?”
“Yes. The land is dead.”

There is barely any magical power in the ground. If this continues, the dungeons will wither, and it will become a true desert where no plants grow. It is necessary to restore the vital energy through the trees.

“…”

Mary appeared to be slightly troubled.

It was only natural.
No matter how gently it was approached, the fact that violent means were employed remained true.

I intend to utilize all available methods moving forward, but that aspect may not sit well with Mary.

“Do you want to go back?”

So, I asked.

“I can send you. Right now.”

It’s not that I don’t need you. That’s not what I’m saying.
It was a simple suggestion.

“What do you want to do?”

When I asked, Mary’s pupils trembled.

Her mouth seemed to go dry, and her small, cute tongue reached out to meet her lips, licking them.

“…Are you going to do something bad?”
“Well, that depends on your perspective.”

From the perspective of the World Tree, it might be a matter worth fighting to the death, but not for me. Even in decay, I am the king of this region.

“I carry the weight of many people too. If need be, I won’t hesitate to wage war.”
“Is there no way for everyone to live harmoniously together?”
“No. That’s why, when you return, we might truly see each other as enemies next time.”
“…”

Mary remained silent for a moment, then cautiously pulled at the hem of my clothes.

“Then, I want to be with you…”
“Would you?”
“I’m not certain yet, but you’re the one who saved me when I was on the verge of death. I want to trust you.”

Mary, whose body had been on the brink of being consumed.
The tree that was destined to die had risen to the rank of the World Tree.

To be honest, it’s fair to say that I don’t deserve the credit for that.
It was all thanks to Mary’s diligent efforts.

“I appreciate you seeing it that way.”

Mary is unaware of the paradoxical nature of the World Tree.
Of course, I can’t guarantee that I’m always following the right path either.

It was quite touching to be chosen in such a complicated situation.

– Slurp.

The branches moved. As my head lowered, seemingly requesting something, I reached out my hand.

Upon stroking her head, Mary extended both her arms.

– Eek! I meant stroke it! Stroke it!

It’s difficult to find that petulant demeanor from before. Is it because it’s still awkward, having met after three years?

“Alright, since I’ll be helping you from now on… Listen to me.”
“I’m listening.”
“Hug me.”

No.
A stifled laugh escaped.

* * * * * * * * * *

Mary is Mary.
The World Tree of Growth is the World Tree of Growth.

Having returned Mary to Gu-seul, I had a private conversation with her in the reception room of the warehouse.

“…….”

The World Tree of Growth opened her eyes, only to close them again as soon as she saw my face.

“Is this… a dream?”
“Wake up.”

Her droopy eyes lifted as she rose from her seat and bowed her head. The cotton on her head appeared damp and hung low, as if soaked by rain.

“…What happened to the children?”
“They’re safe. I never intended to harm them in the first place.”
“Right, that’s true… isn’t it?”

As relief washed over her face, the cotton on her head suddenly swelled up. Did it change depending on her emotions? It looked so soft and inviting, I couldn’t help but want to touch it.

“So, what will become of me?”
“It’s simple.”

I held up two fingers.

“Either yield to me, or obey me.”
“…Excuse me? Oh!”

The situation was different from Mary’s. The World Tree of Growth covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes trembling as if she had understood.

“…You mean to pluck my cotton?”

Apparently, she had not.

I was momentarily at a loss for words at the unexpected answer that emerged.
Could this one be bluffing?

“…It won’t be enjoyable.”

It wasn’t a lie.
I questioned my ears at the naïveté that even an actor couldn’t mimic.

“Do you know what sex is?”
“…What is that?”

Good grief.

“…I had a feeling you were clueless since our fight.”

I should have realized it when they asked me to kill them painlessly.

But with such an innocent appearance, how could they lack any knowledge of sex?
Maybe I should just quickly get it over with and seize their power.

Sensing my unusual gaze, the World Tree of Growth raised both hands.

“What do you mean by listening? What should I do?”

They’re quite perceptive.

“Just do what you normally do.”

The role the World Tree of Growth had performed in the cradle was to enrich the soil and nurture the young.

“By the same, you mean…”

“I’ve brought the majority of the Foundation’s saplings. Your role is to grow trees in this location.”
“Here?”
“Indeed, the quality of the soil will be incredibly low.”

Compared to the past, the burden on the World Tree of Growth will increase.

“…That means—”
“I’m insisting on it.”
“…Even if you say so abruptly, ah. Wait a moment.”

The World Tree of Growth lifted her body and looked out the window.
Her eyes widened as she clasped her hands tightly, taking in the visible landscape outside.

The crown upon her head vibrated intensely.

– Hummm!

Come to think of it, what is the purpose of that crown?
I brushed the fleeting thought from my mind and gazed at the World Tree.

“…By any chance, if you consume my cotton, will you release me?”
“That’s not what I meant. It seems you don’t understand, but that’s not the kind of eating I’m referring to.”
“Then what do you mean?”

I held my breath and spoke, despite my embarrassment.

“I’m saying I’ll be furiously stuffing myself into your crevices.”
“Gasp!”

Do you know the term “Ong”?

– Quickly.

Startled, the World Tree covered her vagina with her hand.

“…Ah, the latter option, please.”

Her face was flushed red.