Chapter 462 – ATU (2)

ATU Headquarters.

“A.B, are you prepared?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We are nearly finished.”

As the undulating shadow spoke, A.B bowed his body at a 90-degree angle. The white shoes visible beyond the single-layered mask shimmered before his eyes.

“You must handle this matter properly. It’s not that I haven’t prepared a secondary plan… You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The foot clad in a white shoe lightly tapped A.B’s head before retreating back into the shadows. Inside the mask, A.B gazed at the visage of the formidable figure.

Leaves without 4-8 opposing glandular points.
The needle-like extensions were strikingly similar to the blade of a spear.

In a space where the surroundings seemed to quiver, the Queen sat upon her throne. Covering her mouth with her hand, she gazed down at A.B from a great distance.

“I still remember you as a child who fell out of the dimension, A.B.”
“Yes… Your Majesty.”
“Whose servant are you?”
“I belong to the Great Ash Tree.”

A.B.’s eyes lowered in submission. A satisfied smile played across the woman’s lips, a testament to his deep loyalty.

【Indeed.】

Dozens of hands connected to the dimension reached out toward A.B.

【If there is anything that could seduce the king, secure it. Be it one of the Four Great Demon Trees or anyone else. Mistakes can be made. This child may die, but… Do not let them fall into the hands of the World Tree.】

A.B. bowed his head. His elongated, slit pupils glowed red, resonating with emotion.

“As always, I will do my best.”
【My child, my masterpiece. I believe in you. This time, I will specially lend her to you.】
“Her, you mean…?”

*Thud.*

A figure leaped forth from the dimensional rift.

It was an odd child, with wooden splinters clinging to an emotionless face, color-drained blue hair, and mint-colored eyes.

Three Disasters. Lerad’s avatar.

“Ah…Lerad. It was her.”

Cold sweat streamed from inside A.B’s mask.
That little one is difficult to handle.

– Flash!

The blue-haired child opened their bright eyes.
Despite the cheerful and beautiful hues, the child immediately gazed at A.B and asked.

[Who is it this time?]

A bizarre being seeking a target for murder from the very beginning.

Naturally, Lerad is the primordial World Tree. Its true form is unknowable, and it cannot be summoned.
However, the potential of the child before A.B was virtually the only avatar capable of reaching the power of Lerad’s true form.

[And, what’s with these clothes? They’re so uncomfortable!]

The child lay on the ground, whining as they tried to remove the branches that barely concealed their body. Perhaps the branches were cumbersome.
Intriguingly, the child had long ears.

【Well then, I appreciate your assistance.】
“Yes.”

Control is difficult, but it is undoubtedly a formidable weapon of war.
Having served as a mercenary for Flower in the past, A.B is trustworthy.
A.B bowed his head once more to express his loyalty. Lerard gazed at A.B and idly shook his foot.

【…For now, it is best to approach with a friendly demeanor. But never forget.】

The queen’s laughter mingled with the swaying of her crown of thorns above her head.

Uniquely, the crown of thorns had cotyledons sprouting on its branches.

【The fact that there is no need for two thrones beneath the sky.】

* * * * * * * * * *

“Beep~”

Shiba’s warm, melodious sound resonated outside the bath.

“…Um, Shiba?”
“Beep?”
“This is a bit… quite embarrassing.”

A bath, but without arms and legs.
Melia’s face and hair were flushed bright red.

-Swoosh-

Melia being washed while entrusting her body to Shiba’s hands.
Seeing the pitiful sight of her disassembled limbs, the atmosphere naturally became somber.

“Miss.”
“…Turn your head away, Shiba.”

Melia’s pleading voice now reached the brink of tears.
Shiba quickly turned her head and said,

“I’m not looking, I’m not looking!”
“…Really? You’re not looking?”
“Beep!”
“Really? Then, uh. Ugh. Shiba…? Please.”

As Melia’s words trailed off, Shiba skillfully washed Melia’s body.
On a custom seat designed to support Melia’s body, her hair and body, even her breasts and genitals had to be left in Shiba’s care.

All of it was for the sake of cleanliness.

“Miss? This hair…?”

“No, you don’t need to say it. Not that!”

Unfairly scolded, Camellia felt wronged.
Of course, Camellia’s face, preoccupied with worry, was filled with concern.

– Thump.

“Ah…”

– Press.

“Ugh.”

Each place their bodies touched was filled with gloom in the bathroom.
Although she doesn’t say it, the young lady is quite sensitive. Perhaps losing her sight had made her more susceptible to touch.

She probably doesn’t really feel that way.
But every once in a while… there are moments.

“Ah, it’s not over yet… Hmm? Camellia…”
“We’re almost done. As for hair removal-“
“Don’t say things like that. Shiba is right here…”

Before they knew it, the two had become inseparable.
Camellia, watching them, felt both warmth and bitterness simultaneously. As time passed, the bitterness grew and eventually turned into despair.

‘Someday. This will come to an end.’

Once the washing process was complete, Melia embraced Shiba and stepped into the bath. She could have devised a separate apparatus to seat her, but Melia was insistent on this method, wanting to share her warmth in this manner.

“Ugh.”

Perhaps still embarrassed about her earlier clumsiness, Shiba submerged her face into the bath water, exhaling bubbles.

“My lady?”
“Mmm.”

Shiba always appeared more endearing during bath time. Perhaps it was due to her unique behavior that was so intriguing.

“Peep.”

Before Shiba realized, Melia had come to her side, staring intently at her face. Hearing the sound, Shiba stiffened her body, attempting to guess Melia’s position.

“Uh, is that you, Melia?”
“I want to hug you too.”
“Ah!”

Suddenly!

Caught between the embrace of the two women, Shiba was at a loss for what to do. Unable to escape, she found herself enveloped by their bodies.

“Heeheehee.”
“Stop teasing me… Ah, seriously.”

Still, a smile graced the corners of Dongbaek’s lips, as if it wasn’t entirely displeasing.

It was understandable. Since Dongbaek’s body had become unwell, they had never played so boisterously with a peer.
Hence, affection could naturally arise.

And at the same time, their heart could also change.

“Puha!”
“Giggle.”

As time passed, Camellia cautiously spoke to the two, who had been playing in the bathtub for quite a while.

“Miss Shiba?”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to discuss something with you later. Would you be able to leave the tub first?”
“Ah… I suppose I have no choice.”

As if understanding the situation, Shiba immediately rose from her seat. The sight of her body in that moment was captivating enough to momentarily steal even Camellia’s gaze.

Ah, but that wasn’t the issue. Camellia, regaining her senses, stopped Shiba.

“Oh, it’s fine for now. I meant a little later.”
“No, no. I’m feeling a bit drowsy anyway.”

Time was certainly pressing. They needed to prepare for their work hours. Shiba managed to persuade Camellia by offering various reasons.

“I also need to leave an alibi for my mom.”

Azalea and her aunt would be incredibly angry if she went back home.

At Shiba’s words, Camellia bowed her head as if to apologize. With a reassuring smile, Shiba opened the door on the opposite side of the bathroom.

*Swoosh.*

“Shiba?”
“Yes?”
“Actually, there’s something I haven’t told you… Thank you for being close to my lady.”

Hearing those words, Camellia trembled.

“Don’t people usually say that when I’m not around? Camellia.”
“Well, I’m not very good at lying.”
“Hehe, then I suppose there’s no helping it.”

Shiba, who had been listening to their conversation, looked at Camellia’s eyes, then shifted her gaze to Azalea, and finally looked back at Camellia.

Then, Shiba shakes her head. She is quite perceptive, being a liberal arts student.

“I’m more grateful.”

*Thud.*

The door closes. Dongbaek’s bright face gradually darkens, and she lowers her head.

Camellia hugs Dongbaek even more tightly.

“Do you have plans to go to the fortress?”

“It seems it will be expedited as expected. However, it’s impossible to leave immediately. I’ve secured an artifact for coordinate movement, but issues might arise during transportation.”

“I see. Then I won’t be able to see Shiba anymore.”

A girl without hope.

Dongbaek, who didn’t want to abandon the Descanso Garden, had intended to face her death here. However, she couldn’t bring herself to be so cruel as to force her friend into the same fate. And so, following the plan she initially rejected, Dongbaek heads toward the World Tree’s fortress.

That will happen in about three days.

“Camellia.”

“Yes?”

“Will the World Tree protect me?”

A voice trembling with anxiety.

Although it may seem otherwise now, Dongbaek had been a devout believer for a long time.

Camellia broke the deep silence and opened her mouth.

“Surely-“

They’ll protect us.

However, she couldn’t continue with the words that followed.

What would protect her now? Her mother? Father? Or her own incompetent self? The more she thought about her pitiable life, the more she saw herself as a young girl ensnared in a power struggle.

She had once believed that she must do something.

“Camellia, are you crying…?”
“No…”

Camellia opened her eyes at Dongbaek’s worried words. Tuk, tuk. Red smoke spread through the clear water.

Nosebleed, tears… Which one would worry her less?

“…My hair got wet for a moment.”

Camellia used her arm like a slide, secretly letting the nosebleed flow so her owner wouldn’t notice.

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

Camellia, seemingly relieved, finally lets her guard down and rests her head on her chest.

Why would they try to take away such a kind person so quickly? It was Camellia, not Dongbaek, whose faith crumbled first.

Various thoughts race through her mind.

【Listen to me】
【The World Tree’s command…is it?】
【ATU is in motion.】

Every force seeks to drive us out. Weren’t we supposed to be protected?

Dongbaek’s long-held and deep trust was scheduled to be betrayed in just a few days. How could she possibly reveal that honestly? Who will compensate for the pain this person will suffer?

Her mind is in turmoil. Camellia, the first to succumb to exhaustion, asks in a trembling voice:

“Miss, do you believe in the World Tree?”
“…It’s an unavoidable situation. I believe the World Tree will somehow help us.”

The bathwater takes on a pale pink hue. The quivering begins with her voice, then spreads to her hands, arms, and body.

“Then, if… the World Tree does not bestow its grace.”

Camellia asked.
White Peach laughed bitterly.

“In that case… perhaps.”

Composedly.

“My virtue… might not be enough? The people I couldn’t save… there were just too many.”

Camellia heaved a sigh, quiet enough for White Peach not to hear.
It was a sigh tinged with bitterness, and her breath trembled.

Perhaps White Peach didn’t notice either.
And she, too, might have sensed her impending death.

“It’s punishment. I couldn’t bear the responsibilities of nobility. I abandoned my faith.”

Although she couldn’t see her face.

White Peach was likely wearing the same gentle and warm expression she had shown to her own servants, and to that damned king.

“Undoubtedly, it is my fault.”