Chapter 472 – Evil, the Crown

-Thud.

“Have you arrived?”

As soon as the door cracked open, Bam inquired.
Tear stains lingered on her cheeks, likely from sobbing continuously since my departure the previous day.

“Scum.”
“Your words seem to be growing harsher.”
“There is no falsehood in them… you are. You’re the one who confines me here, attempting to manipulate me to your satisfaction.”

Could there have been some shift in her character?
Or perhaps this was her way of venting her intense stress through blunt honesty.

“That’s fortunate.”
“Pardon?”

Bam reacted with confusion, as my response was not as she had anticipated.

“A kidnapper is a comparatively decent epithet. At least the gods of the world won’t become restless to murder me upon hearing it.”
“… ?”
“Reflecting on it, I’ve been mistaken from the very start. Since I found myself in this world-“

I was a rapist.
Regardless of whether someone else’s intentions had been involved or not. Since I had interfered with Lee Se-Young, the outcome was inevitable.

This was true for Maroni and others as well…
Even when considering the operatives formed through subjugation, the number is nearly uncountable.
At this point, I didn’t even feel any injustice.

“Hmm, pointless chatter.”

Bam closed her mouth in shock. I settled her onto the assembled wheelchair, and with all my strength, I pushed her out of the room.

-Squeak.

The wheels revolved, mounting the threshold. Bam closed her eyes tightly.
A gust of wind brushed against her forehead and sunlight graced her skin.

“Oh….”

A faint sigh of relief to the outside world after 17 days.

-Chirp, chatter.

The songs of birds, the sounds of people breathing and conversing.
As the everyday noise of my bustling land intertwined, Bam’s once grim face began to gradually soften.

“… I didn’t realize it when I arrived.”
“What?”
“The sound of laughter… it’s far more prevalent than I expected.”
“That would be right. After all, whose land is this?”

The Tree of Elegance. Thus, with the addition of the four World Trees, the third district that I led has become far cleaner and more habitable.

Unlike before, I could now see young children playing.
We had begun to cultivate crops and even brought livestock.
This was the result of personally managing the abundant dungeon resources, pooling funds, and initiating a business venture.

Of course, it’s still in the early stages. But the land is gradually expanding, and the potential of the resources is ample.
This could certainly be deemed a miracle.

-Clack, patter!

The sound of approaching footsteps. Ribbon-like hair fluttered gently, akin to a rhythmic gymnast’s.
Mary, who had been running from the other side, spread her arms wide.

“Raaargh!”
“Who, who is that?!”

-Wham!

Mary, who had flung herself at my thigh, snuggled up and nuzzled her cheek against me.

“Huh? Why have you been wandering around so frequently these days!”
“Mary… . I have a lot of work.”
“Ugh. I’ve worked hard, so give me a reward!”

Gently. When I patted her hair, Mary giggled gleefully.

“Who is she… ?”
“She’s here. The Tree of Elegance.”
“If it’s the Tree of Elegance… could it be the one I know-“

A perplexed Bam. I signaled to Mary with my hand.

Today, I need a moment alone.
Mary, accustomed to my gestures, curled her fingers into a circle and nodded her head.

-So, will you stay with me tonight?

Well, about that.

-Zing.

“Understood.”
“Humph.”

Upon receiving a firm answer, Mary let out an exhilarated ‘Aha!’ and dashed into the building.
How to shake off that creature’s childish antics?
Her age surpasses mine, and therein lies the problem with her demeanor.

“A cradle…? Surely, it’s the World Tree that disappeared then… but why?”
“There’s no need for you to know.”

We’ve been close since the beginning, and explaining that we brought them here on a past occasion would weave a rather lengthy tale.
Mary, being an exceptional case, makes it all the more complex.

– Thump, thump.

This time, another World Tree ambled in from the distance. Among the four, it was the World Tree of Patience who bore the most grievances.

“I’ve finished my work. May I enter now?”
“Yes. Guseul made some pudding, help yourself to it.”
“Oh, but….”

Amazement welled within Patience as they turned their gaze to the camellia.
Then, a sigh escaped their lips as they shot me a scathing glance.

“Recently, we’ve had an additional casualty. She’s also had her limbs severed….”
“That wasn’t my doing.”
“What’s her name?”
“Camellia.”

Upon hearing my words, Patience knelt and lightly encircled Camellia’s shoulders.

“Ah… who’s that….”
“It’s the World Tree of Patience. Are you familiar?”
“Again, the cradle….”
“Yes, indeed. It’s easier to surrender. The treatment isn’t so bad. Accept it on your own. And….”

Patience turned to look at me.

“Dealing with this man’s sexual desires… will be somewhat challenging. Consider it akin to taming a wild stallion.”
“???”

What on earth does that mean? Camellia’s mouth fell open in bewilderment.
Noticing my gaze, Patience stuck out her tongue cheekily.

“I think it’s time for me to leave. They keep giving me sidelong glances. I certainly don’t want to experience any severe repercussions.”
“Yes? What? Ah, farewell.”

Patience twisted her hips, gave me a light tap on the waist, and left in a haste.
Camellia, who ended up bidding Patience farewell without understanding the situation, sat in a daze before finally questioning me.

“What on earth….”

She trembled as if she had just witnessed a scene from a horror film.
Given my past actions and the reputation that followed, it’s understandable that she’d be confused. After all, I’ve long reigned as a legitimate king in this land.
However.

“This is how I live, with such treatment.”

Among those women, my treatment was far from favorable.

Some wish to frolic all night, and some… don’t they manage accounts as married women, sharing photos of their bodies under the pretext of raising children? Complainers are one thing, but there’s also one who’s continually lusting after my body.

– Thud.

Upon entering the building, I took a deep breath. Guseul, donned in a butler’s uniform, approached.

“You’re here?”
“Let’s get started immediately.”

As I held both of Camellia’s shoulders, she shuddered, breaking into a cold sweat.

“What is it… this time?”
“Didn’t I tell you?”

It’s a clear remedy.
The box that Guseul fetched contained an artificial eye created recently.
A device with a more intricate design than the one Yuli uses. It records Camellia’s magical circuits and is based on that data. It’s an ocular artifact meant exclusively for Camellia.

“It will enable you to see what lies ahead.”
“Was that… sincere?”
“Then what could it be?”

Camellia fell silent. Perhaps she thought my actions were merely for show.

If the individual in question was who he perceived me to be, his thoughts wouldn’t have been out of place.

“Just to placate me, you said that–“
“That’s also true. As long as the outcome is favorable, it matters little. What significance does the process hold?”
“…….”
“Let’s give it a shot for now. Gu-seul, fetch her.”

Gu-seul saluted, her hand to her forehead, shouting allegiance.

“Affirmative~”

Swiftly, Gu-seul, who had slipped out of the room, returned with the World Tree of Healing.
Her figure, large-breasted, green-haired, a tad morose… It was enough to make one sigh at first sight.

“I brought her.”
“…My lord.”

Swallowing hard.
The sensation of Camellia swallowing her saliva was conveyed to the tips of my fingers.

“Lord…?”

That’s not my lord. I’ve never acknowledged it.
The World Tree of Healing took a step closer, standing beside me. I had already laid out what needed to be done, yet she insisted on staying close… My privates grew chill.

“I’m overjoyed you need me, my lord….”
“Right, alright. Could you please keep some distance?”
“But, my lord, last time you promised a reward, but never delivered. I wish for a firm answer this time. Yes?”

She was the epitome of obsession, exceeding mere enthusiasm.
The hand of the World Tree of Healing, clinging tightly, reached out towards my private area. Her breasts pressed against my arm, her hand stroking my length.
It reminded me of being bound to a tree branch long ago.

“…Do as you please.”
“Truly, my lord…?”
“Yes. Whether it’s in the midst of ravishing or in the depth of sleep…”
“Really? We can do it all day….”

The color draining from her face, the World Tree of Healing held me tightly.

“I love you, my lord. Ah… That kind demeanor when we first met… It was genuine, wasn’t it.”
“Yes, since you insist, can you please start working now?”
“If it’s my lord’s request, it’s a given!”

The World Tree of Healing, her enthusiasm flaring, placed her hand on Camellia’s forehead.

“My lord… what exactly do you mean by that? King Mokryeong. What’s this about ravishing… and in sleep…”
“There’s no need for you to know.”
“Could it be, you’ve dominated the trees…?”

If I had been restrained, it would have been so, but that had never happened with him.

– Groan!

Camellia’s nonsense was cut off by the power of the World Tree of Healing.
It was a light more certain and vivid than my ability, honed over the years by healing countless wounds.

Indeed, the original is different.

– Groan.

“How is it?”
“I’m not yet certain, my lord.”

I was aware, but if the World Tree of Healing believed that she didn’t know… it was indeed a serious issue.
For now, I decided to wait a bit longer. I lightly massaged the tense shoulders of Camellia, hastening time.

An hour passed like that.

“…….”

Two hours, three hours.
It would no doubt be complicated, given she had to both analyze and heal the magical circuit.
Almost half a day later, the World Tree of Healing lowered her hand, wiping off sweat.

“How is it?”
“I apologize, my lord.”

The World Tree of Healing apologized. Camellia bit her dry lips.
The shame-faced World Tree of Healing, seeming drained of strength, approached and embraced me. Seeing her struggle, I left her be.

“…after all. I told you.”

Clenching his fist lightly, showing it to her. Camellia probed.

Perhaps you had been hoping against hope. Even though she feigned indifference, her heart was evidently filled with anticipation. Yet, the story was far from over.

“Healing.”
“Yes.”
“How long do you think it will take?”

Taken aback by my question, Dongbaek jerked her shoulders in surprise.

“!”

Softly, softly. The World Tree of Healing uttered, rubbing her cheeks.

“Perhaps…around four months.”
“Until the activation of the prosthetic eye is possible?”
“In that case, it could be achievable within a few weeks. My lord.”

The result was in.

“That’s impossible.”
“But it is possible?”
“That can’t…can’t be.”

Even if I didn’t know, if Healing claimed so, it was almost certainly the truth. Even if all the medical experts in the world were gathered, none could match the power of Healing. There was a reason it was hailed as humanity’s miracle. If I were to add my own powers, recovering the sight might be uncertain, but at least the prosthetic eye could be worn.

“Let’s arrange the schedule. Healing, you’ll have to take a break from your main job for a moment. Every day… Does three hours sound about right?”
“Yes.”

I signaled to Gu-seul. She organized the schedule and immediately coordinated opinions with Healing.

“This is…strange.”

Camellia intercepted my words.

“Why would you… What benefit do you stand to gain?”
“Your ability to look forward is the benefit. I can’t predict how it will be utilized.”
“Weren’t you supposed to exploit me?”
“How many times must I repeat myself?”

It was still unclear. The prophecy might have fallen due to Camellia’s ability being beneficial to me, or perhaps the abilities I gain from associating with Camellia might prove advantageous to me.

There were still many possibilities. If she had joined other factions, I would have ended up seeking and finding her without hesitation. In the current scenario, it was wise to bide my time until the identities of the other Sacred Trees were revealed.

“Hehe. The schedule is roughly arranged, shall we disperse?”
“Ah. Give the prosthetic eye to me. How much does it cost?”
“My lord, my lord…Then, this evening…”
“Come to my room.”
“Hurray!”

Gu-seul and The World Tree of Healing sang out in joy and dispersed.

The remaining Dongbaek sat in her wheelchair, staring blankly. Her expression suggested she had just witnessed something wildly contrary to common sense.

I settled down at a convenient table. As the creaking sound of the chair echoed, Dongbaek turned her head towards me.

“What’s the issue? Isn’t it a good thing for you?”
“I’m just…confused. Everyone said it was impossible. The fact that it is possible…I can’t imagine how much money was involved.”
“Indeed. It’s possible if one is determined enough. With the power of a king, it would be easy to crush you. There’s no particular reason to heal you.”
“Tell me why.”

I stated flatly.

“You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”
“…I might.”
“Let me ask you. Who do you think is to blame for your current state?”

“It’s all because of you–“

As I cut her off, Dongbaek froze.

“Yes. It’s indeed because of me.”

The outbreak of the American Civil War was due to me, the prophecy that fell unbeknownst to me targeted Dongbaek’s life, and even the ATU’s attempt to capture her was because of me.

“…….”
“Where does it end?”

All the wars, poverty, and starvation in the world.

From transgressions sparked by security lapses to the full gamut of troubles. The detonation of the gate claimed the life of my neighbor’s friend, and even the World Tree’s blunder has been finely packaged and sold to me.

“All of it is my fault. In your realm.”

This is, in fact, the propaganda the World Tree employs. They claim it’s a societal phenomenon that emerged with the advent of King Mokryeong.

“That is….”
“Exactly.”

With those words, Camellia sealed her lips.

“I am the target of all your rage. Every bit of it. It’s just easier to place the blame on me. People find comfort in that. It’s convenient to direct their ire at me.”

I uttered these words in a dry tone, ensuring Camellia felt no threat.

“Would everything be resolved if I were not here?”

Throughout my reign as king, I’ve witnessed more than one can imagine. A multitude of hate-filled, venomous phrases. Being their target was hardly an anomaly. What more should I do? Whom should I trust? When will this lust subside? How long must I medicate? I was considerably naive.

Indeed, there are many who need saving. That is the crown’s duty. Even if I loathed it, I had to do it to survive. Such a path cannot be tread by ordinary means.

I am not virtuous. Even after becoming a king, even prior to it. Especially so just before I plummeted into this world, I was in a perpetual state of uncertainty, but now I’ve turned my back.

“Everyone is the same. Be it me or them.”

Discard any notions of the chosen people. No one is superior. It’s merely a struggle for dominance.

The victor had to be me.

– Faintly.

A crown ascends above my head. Here we go again. I drew a deep breath. As the crown’s response gradually ebbed, I exhaled a sigh. I needed a remedy.

I concluded my speech promptly.

“How far have we gotten in the story? Right, what were you curious about?”
“Why are you helping me…?”
“We’ll discuss that later.”

Camellia’s expression hardened, as if she was at a loss for words. There’s no point in explaining, we’re merely running parallel. There was no reason to enlighten her.

Just as agreed with the crown, I’m simply racing towards the best outcome.

“Let’s return.”
“…Yes.”