Chapter 451 – The Shadow Tree (2)

It’s a tale told universally.

The experiment where two onions, each in a beaker, are spoken to with kind words and harsh words alternately. The plant receiving the kind words allegedly flourishes more. Even the fungus, it’s said, blooms more beautifully upon the praised onion.

Could it truly be so?
I was not devoid of curiosity, but only now, unexpectedly, have I come to know the truth.

Praise for Mary has perished.

“……sob”

The ash tree, planted in the front yard and now discolored to a dull brown, started weeping at my sight.

“Oh, wail.”
“I apologize, sister.”

Its nutrients sucked dry from the earth, it withers. The confident expression from the previous day sunk along with its vitality.

-Boom!

In an instant, Mary takes human form, her lower half firmly rooted to the ground, she stretches out her hands for an embrace.

The ground, already parched despite my watering.
I hold Mary, caked in soil, pat her back, and her arms tightly clutch my head.

“Sniff, the earth… devoid of all nutrients.”
“Your sister did mention…”

Though it is her duty to preserve nutrients, one wonders if in this regard, Mary lacks talent.
Her body felt significantly lighter compared to our embrace the previous day.

“I desire nourishment…”
“Indeed, today let us feast on organic sustenance.”
“Mm…”

As I soothe her by patting the base of her dress, Mary begins to calm down.

‘Considering the condition of the earth, it’s not entirely hopeless.’

The earth’s vitality seems to have significantly recovered, with short clover sprouts growing sporadically.
I hadn’t anticipated such a dramatic transformation overnight.
Mary has indeed exerted great effort.

[Lady.]

In that moment, a voice, similar in tone to Mary’s, echoed from right beside me.

[I too… wish. For praise.]

The unexpected ‘Healing Criticism’.
As I follow the source of the voice, a verdant field unfolds before me.

“…?”

A space where the earth’s nutrients burst into life, and life sprouts anew.
Unlike Mary’s plot, where unknown ladybugs crawl through the sparsely grown grass, resembling a balding scalp, this ground is densely carpeted with grass.

Upon realization, it was [Healing].

It’s a power that I wield, yet I have only used it for healing thus far.
It seems it can also be utilized in this manner.

[Yes? Mistress.]

I reluctantly toss a word towards The World Tree of Healing, who whined petulantly.

“You did well…”
“Giggle, Mistress~!”

The World Tree of Healing, taking human form and rushing towards me in the nude.
A startled Mary, safely in my arms, exerts all her strength to fend off The World Tree of Healing.

“Hey, you! Begone!”
“Mistress, please do more. Mistress!”

Despite being pushed away by Mary’s palm, the face of The World Tree of Healing still radiates joy.

Even a slug knows how to roll after all.

Now it seemed he understood why The World Tree of Healing was lauded by humans, credited with the power to be their salvation.

“Master!”

From this day forward, the responsibility of providing nourishment fell upon The World Tree of Healing.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“To think you would kidnap me without a second thought and then demand my assistance.”

At the dining table, The World Tree of Patience grumbled, stirring a spoonful of fertilizer.

A banquet was spread across the table where all the saplings had gathered. The feast seemingly sumptuous enough even for the persnickety tastes of the World Trees.

“Doesn’t anyone feel the slightest bit perturbed?”

Patience posed the question to the trio.

Being abducted, didn’t they feel a hint of injustice? There were ways to address this situation if they sought to find them.

They could attempt to tap into the World Tree network and signal for help, appeasing the King while waiting for the hunters to come to the rescue. The World Tree of Patience, having once been subjugated by Lee Si-heon years ago, had long forgotten that incident as time wore on.

On the contrary, because of that day, its potential had skyrocketed, and it was on the brink of establishing its own sect.

“Why this year of all years.”

It was an inevitable circumstance that would cause a rise in tension.

-Chewing noises.

The World Tree of Patience found itself under the scrutiny of the three other trees.

“… Do you not detest it?”

Caught off guard by the question, the first of the World Trees to respond was—

“You, if you dare slander Si-heon one more time, you’re dead!”

Mary, reacting vehemently, balled her fists and huffed through her nose.

‘Enough with the gaslighted tree…’

She glanced towards Healing, who was wearing a rather revealing outfit. She was grinning, so Mary refrained from commenting.

‘… What’s with the ‘Master’? Why is she addressing him in such a manner?’

Surely, the King wouldn’t have proposed to that woman. That would be utter madness, even for him.

Among them, Growth was the only one who seemed somewhat sane.

-Tap, tap, tap.

She had abstained from eating, busying herself with tapping on something.

“…Mother.”
“Yes?”
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, this?”

Chuckling, the World Tree of Growth proudly held up the phone in her hand.

“This is the ‘TreePhone 14 Pro’ from Apple Tree Company. It’s quite fascinating. You can converse with people… Ah, would you like to try, Patience?”

Was now really the time to be messing around with a phone?

Did she still not comprehend the unfair treatment they were receiving?

‘…….’

The World Tree of Patience felt its resolve cracking.

‘Why are there only bizarre trees around me?’

She had assumed the World Tree of Growth would be the sane one. She had completely forgotten that the woman was as whimsical as a flower-filled meadow, the memory of her overflowing affection from their childhood clouding her judgement.

“I don’t know anymore.”
“Hmph, you’re just being petulant.”

“Mary, you’re being deceived.”
“Deceived? Me?”

Mary, having taken a bite of the manure, laughed heartily.

“Siheon isn’t a bad person.”
“…He raped me, didn’t he?”
“What?”

Did she really need to say this? Mary’s face hardened as she looked at Patience, who had used this shocking revelation as a last resort.

“Siheon… did that to you?”
“Yes. Despite my protestations…”

Maybe if she sided with Mary, she would find a way to cut through all the lies. That was her hope, but soon enough, laughter erupted from Mary’s mouth.

“Pfft! Hahaha!”
“What, what’s so funny!”
“Puhhh… You have to tell a believable lie if you want me to believe you!”

But it really happened. It was the truth.

Patience shifted her gaze towards Healing. Healing, having worked for a long time, was already finished with her manure and now sipping tea.

“Do you not know as well?”

Rape. A grave crime. Healing took a sip of her green tea and exhaled a warm breath.

“My lord’s body… feels good.”
“???”

What??

“When I first held him, I was incredibly happy. Would you like to hear?”

Healing, the World Tree of Healing, who spoke of her intimate experience even as Mary claimed she had been raped.

‘Crazy woman.’

Patience felt tears threatening to spill over her sadness.

“…Mother.”

She pinned her last hope on Growth.

“What is rape?”

The World Tree of Growth, after a moment of contemplation with her index finger at her lips, asked.

Of course, Patience’s hope was in vain. There was no one in this room who would take her side.

“Aaah! I don’t care anymore. Whether it’s death or life, I’ll eat and live here for the rest of my life!”

The first meal of the private tree. Far from deepening their bond, it seemed to have cracked further.

“What’s wrong with her?”
“…Oh, really!”

Patience, with her heart bursting, scooped up a large bite of the manure and shoved it in her mouth.

‘…!’

Patience widened her eyes in surprise.

Sweet and smoothly flowing down her throat… the finest quality manure. She felt her anger abate slightly.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Patience, the World Tree, has become suddenly obedient, hasn’t she?”

A rough tongue gathered saliva and gently licked the base of the pillar.

“Why?”
“…Didn’t you do something?”
“What power do I have? Hypnosis?”

There was some similar power, but it wasn’t used frequently.

Perhaps to keep tabs on the subordinates in my territory, I have bewitched a few maids in the mansion. That’s about it. I’ve also reached out to nuns who came to find out my information.

“Huh- Really?”

As I lashed the tip with my tongue, my lower body shivered as though struck by an electric jolt.

“Ouch, your teeth.”

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry. Mmm-“

In the midst of the moment, traversing over a soft, cushioned tongue. As I was going through the documents before me, I slightly pushed my chair back to look at Gu-seul.

Clad in a suit, her jet-black stockings complemented her form as she knelt beneath the desk.

“Do you want to stop?”

“Why do you sound like that?”

“Gathering all the saliva. If you’re going to stop, do it properly.”

As she proffered her waist once more, Gu-seul filled her mouth again. The sticky, slippery saliva intertwined heatedly, becoming lubricant.

Releasing carnal desires had almost become a routine.

“Hmm…”

-Slurp, slurp.

Even though she couldn’t use her throat, she had developed quite a few skills.

Initially, Gu-seul knew nothing more than patting it with her hand, trembling with every adversity. It seems even such carnal services can see a progression in skill.

“Pheew… Can’t we reduce this to half the size?”

Are you out of your mind? I’m making a living with it.

“The king with only a big cock.”

-Tap, tap, tap.

“You don’t get dirty when you spurt.”

“Do you want to die?”

Drip, drip. Gu-seul, who was sweeping the saliva that flowed down the shaft with her hand, questioned me.

“Tell me honestly, you’re just enduring because you want to do more with me.”

“Think whatever you like. All I have to do is ejaculate.”

“You’re disgusting.”

It’s fortunate that I have a Gu-seul who’s good to use. Although it is annoying to see her boasting with it. Does it matter?

I heard that King Mokryeong had a group that helped him with the night-time affairs. Initially, I thought it was formidable, but having experienced this power, I understood it.

The king couldn’t do much either. Even now, when King Mokryeong can’t exercise his power fully, what will happen later?

-Squish.

“Oh, that.”

“Do you like this?”

Gu-seul, leaning forward, began to rub between my thighs. The face of Gu-seul, now closer, remained emotionless.

“So, what’s the next plan?”

“Four Great Demon Trees.”

Unique trees possessing the power necessary to manifest the king’s might.

“Do you know?”

“You probably don’t even know about the World Tree now.”

But it will soon be revealed. At that moment, not just the World Tree but even the Flower had a high probability of restricting me.

“Are you thinking of finding and protecting the Four Great Demon Trees?”

“Well, that’s possible.”

Maybe we could try another method.

“Do you have any ideas where to start?”

“One?”

I know the content of the prophecy. I’m still unsure about the other trees, but one, I do know.

“In America, a well-bloomed red petal.”

That’s the prophecy of the World Tree.

“Waiting, the plum blossoms falling one by one.”

This is the prophecy from King Mokryeong’s book and from the Flower.

“It’s originally a flower that would be in Asia… I’m not sure if this is correct.”

“Can you find it?”

“If only you knew the species, it would be simple.”

The friction had intensified, and Gu-seul, who had lowered her flushed underarm, took one last mouthful.

– Overwhelmed!

She swallowed the spurting milky fluid –
Once she had swallowed, she pulled her mouth away and was immediately covered by the ensuing liquid.

“Ugh. Try to contain yourself… You’ve got it all over my hair!”

It was a spectacular sight to see the fluid clinging and trickling down her alabaster complexion. Gu-seul, with one eye closed, grumbled while removing her stained suit.

“I spent so much time doing laundry to remove the stains last time…”

There was nothing to say.

“How can one control their body?”
“Isn’t it the fault of the person who didn’t control their cock properly? Pass me those wet wipes.”
“Ah.”
“What do you mean by one?”

Handing her a few more wet wipes, Gu-seul used one to clean her face, and with the remainder, she hastily cleaned my shaft.

“So, what’s the name of that tree?”

Wiki and I had put in some effort to find out.
We were planning to set off as soon as the ground had settled a bit.

“Camellia.”
“And the location?”

Descanso Garden.
The estate of a fallen noble.