Chapter 475 – Camellia and Mary (2)

Shiba’s nimble strides crisscrossed the battlefield, a surge of blue mana erupting violently from her calves.

【With turbulent motion, Agility increases by 0.001!】

-Bang, bang! Bang!!!

A mighty thrust, executed with a finely honed rapier. The ‘Hunter’, opposing this, deftly pivoted and evaded the attack.

“Kuh!”

The movements of the ‘Hunter’ reflected in Shiba’s eyes appeared remarkably blurred. Unlike the other swordsmen, whose every action exuded certainty, the ‘Hunter’s’ movements were unpredictable, even with the burden of a tonne of weight.

‘It’s not visible.’

It was like combating a squirming slime within a dense, unsettling fog.

-Chang, Chang!

The ‘Hunter’, having parried Shiba’s sword to the side, effortlessly slipped out of striking distance.

“Slow, weak.”

The ‘Hunter’s’ provocation caused a vein to bulge on Shiba’s forehead. It was like a relentless scratching at her pride, inevitably kindling her ire. Shiba increased her speed even more.

“Huff!”

Shiba unfurled her wings. Having matched the ‘Hunter’s’ pace, she swung her sword with a furious intensity.

-Whoosh!

The Azure One-winged Bird. A bird with a single wing.

From Shiba’s skin surface to the sword in her right hand, the rippling mana gave one such impression of a blade. She spread her sword wide like a bird and swirled it around. Her dance-like movements were as flamboyant and forceful as a peacock’s.

But for a bird to fly, a single wing is insufficient.

-Thud!

The ‘Hunter’, having smacked Shiba’s solar plexus with the hilt of the sword, yanked Shiba’s waist towards herself. Shiba’s vision darkened from the impact.

“Cough, cough!”

Before she knew it, Shiba found herself in the arms of the ‘Hunter’. The ‘Hunter’ stroked Shiba’s head.

“It’s better than before, but still weak.”
“Cough… Huh… What do you expect? My body is like this…”

The ‘Hunter’ looked at Shiba, who was responding with a sharp, disgruntled attitude, as if she were endearing.

“But you have talent. As expected, you’re his child.”
“Who?”
“Yep. The one who saved me.”

The ‘Hunter’, who nodded in response, proceeded to unravel the artifact as usual. A face as innocent as a puppy was revealed. The ‘Hunter’ bore a clear smile, her demeanor exuding an enigmatic charm. It felt like observing the dignity of a high-ranking noble.

‘As expected, every time I see… It’s a face I’ve seen somewhere.’

Shiba clenched her teeth.

“Who the hell… What’s your relationship with my father-“
“Hush.”

The ‘Hunter’s’ index finger silenced Shiba’s lips. Seyoung and Star were entering the place where her gaze led.

The ‘Hunter’ squinted one eye with an adult-like expression. At the subtle signal she gave, Shiba inadvertently nodded.

‘So beautiful.’

Ordinarily, he never harbored such thoughts towards those who dared to challenge him. Yet she was as alluring as his second mother or aunt… Possibly, even more so.

The most beautiful being in the hunter’s realm had once been known as ‘White Peach’. But was there truly a ‘hunter’ in those times? Shiba couldn’t say for sure.

“Hey there, Shiba!”

A greeting echoed from afar. The ‘hunter’, having reactivated the artifact, returned with a face as adorable as a pet dog’s, devoid of any semblance of beauty.

“I’ve brought food!”

The word ‘food’ caused the ‘hunter’s’ eyes to widen in anticipation.

“Spicy—”
“No, it’s not that.”

In an instant, he drooped, his head hanging low like a pup deprived of its meal. The sight was so pitiful that Shiba found herself instinctively patting the ‘hunter’s’ head.

Though it was merely typical takeaway food, for the affluent, even such meals were of a different caliber. Starting with lobster and steak, the spread was vast. Byul, seated nonchalantly in the arena, unveiled the feast with a grand gesture.

“Eat all you want, Shiba. I bought a lot!”

As the meal commenced, the ‘hunter’ took a bite of meat.

“… salty.”
“Of course, it’s been seasoned with salt.”

When Shiba chided the ‘hunter’, he who was chewing the meat, lowered his gaze.

“I couldn’t taste anything once upon a time.”

Was there a backstory? He seemed quite cheerful about the tteokbokki, though. As Shiba stared at the ‘hunter’, she took a bite of her own meal. The ‘hunter’ offered her a well-peeled shrimp, which she accepted. Byul, who had been watching the ‘hunter’ and Shiba share their meal, furrowed her brows.

“Hey! Don’t charm our Shiba.”
“…?”
“No feeding her.”
“Aunt, you’re being unreasonable.”
“Is Shiba saying that too?”
“It’s just a meal…”

Such overprotectiveness. At times, Byul seemed less like an aunt and more like a father. Just then, Lee Se-Young, who had been silent until now, spoke to the ‘hunter’.

“It’s next month, our trip to the tower. Shiba knows about it as well.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so I won’t be able to supervise your training then.”

Upon hearing Lee Se-Young’s statement, Byul and the ‘hunter’s’ expressions turned noticeably solemn. The trio had been preparing for something for a long time. Shiba had a rough idea of what it was.

“Aunt, the tower… Are you referring to the one left behind by the king?”
“Yes.”

To save your father. Although no one said it out loud, they all knew the conversation had reached its conclusion. Shiba could not dissuade them. They were not the sort to be deterred from their intent.

“… I’m always the one stopping things, yet they only seek danger.”
“Shiba.”
“Fine, I’ll continue with the training.”

Shiba, scolded by Se-Young, pouted her lips.

“But… promise to take me along later.”
“I promise.”

Heading to the King’s tower implied a high likelihood of encountering the current king. Shiba shared their sentiment, hoping this trio wouldn’t have to confront the king.

Shiva had always known. Her father had not only been intimate with her mother, but other women as well. It was testament to his prowess.

The one that stood out the most… that extraordinarily lascivious woman. Was her name Zodiac?
She had no idea what that woman might be doing now, where she might be…

-Gulp.

As she swallowed her meat, Shiva reflected.

Regardless, Zodiac had seemed to get along quite well with her father.
She hoped there had been no major issues.

* * * * * * * * *

“So, I just have to go and chat, right?”

Mary, who had excitedly sprinted ahead of me, asked while leaning back.

“Yes. Just go and talk as much as you want.”
“If I do, we’re spending tonight together, right?”

To Mary, who was clenching her fists and gathering her resolve, I attached a small recording device to her chest.
She was so innocent, there was a risk she might blurt out something significant.
I intended to get an overall understanding of the conversation.

“Nyaaa~!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Mary’s spirited yell.
Her strange, unidentified caterwauling, neither cat-like nor dog-like, was oddly addictive.

After arriving at the door of Dongbaek’s room, I knocked.
Knock, knock.
Receiving no response, I opened the door and ushered Mary in.

“…You’re here?”

Dongbaek spoke in a voice tinged with sleepiness, as if she had just awoken.

“I brought one of the kids you mentioned.”
“Really?”
“Mary, go in.”
“Okay! Hi!”

Mary, the world tree of mischief and elegance.
I handed Mary some snacks and water.

“If you get thirsty, give her some water. The rest, you two can manage on your own.”
“What’s your name?”
“Ask her. I’m leaving.”

The recorder would handle the rest.
Leaving Mary with her eyes blinking adorably, I exited the room. I now had about three hours to spare.

-Bang!

“I feel relieved.”

Recently, Dongbaek had been trying to extend the conversation time under various pretexts.
I heard that she was always talking in Descanso Garden, except when she was asleep. Given her limited exchange of information due to her blindness, I suppose it was inevitable.
That’s why I had her sequestered.

Still, I made sure to keep faith out of it in moderation.
Now, she doesn’t speak of the world tree or anything similar.
Almost a month has passed since her confinement, and the expectation of good news has been replaced by the certainty of abandonment.
On the other hand, with me providing treatment, she’s likely to be internally conflicted.

‘Next…’

There’s still much to debate regarding the next sacrificial target.
The interpretation of the prophecy is being assisted by Hong-Yeon and Engahero. Right now, I need to utilize my powers as efficiently as possible.

‘The Tower of Time.’

Among the seven towers the king left behind, the strategy for the Tower of Time is gradually taking shape, led by the Tree Knights and a handful of guilds. It was crucial to harness the tower’s power before the next Spirit Tree was revealed.

“Gu-seul.”

At my words, Gu-seul materialized as if slipping out of the shadows. I had arranged contact in advance to ensure an immediate conversation.

“First, report on funds, resources, and current conditions.”
“Sectors 1 and 2 are intact, but Sector 3 has some issues. The accelerated development is beneficial…understand?”

As the desolate land began to rejuvenate, business moguls started to take interest. The myriad dungeon resources that emerged in China were beyond my capacity to exploit alone. Additionally, the mines abandoned and unmanaged after the collapse of the national system presented significant business value. The world teemed with entities better at sniffing out the scent of profit than I was. If there were a savvy individual skilled in business or money manipulation, I’d like to enlist their help.

“Cornus, you remember her? The Red Flower of America.”
“I’m not yet able to trust her.”

Cornus is a figure who managed to effectively govern her domain despite losing her limbs and vision. However, due to her virtuous disposition and faith, she was burdened with financial issues just before I could apprehend her.

“She lacks the necessary qualities for now.”
“You mean she’s too gullible?”

Exactly. If Cornus could only change her easily deceived nature, she could become a potent business leader. Perhaps, she might have formed the modern Cornus family, the same one that birthed San-su-yu.

‘This is the wonder of prophecies.’

This is the reason I didn’t immediately exploit Cornus.

The situation of my land and Cornus’s abilities coincide in an uncanny way. Despite the numerous priorities, pushing for Cornus’s rehabilitation was the right call.

“The gift of a capitalist is innate. It can’t be acquired through teaching.”

My father used to say that. One must have an uncanny sense to detect the flow of money and act swiftly. I lacked significant talent in that aspect.

“What about Hong-Yeon?”
“She’s more of a strategist than a businesswoman.”

Hong-Yeon was born with a knack for warfare, while Gu-seul was adept with information. If my intuition was correct, the three Spirit Trees set to emerge… would likely be the talent required to cultivate this land.

“For now, let’s concentrate on the tower. Until the next Spirit Tree is unveiled.”
“Hmm, how should we handle the manpower?”

After securing Cornus, I remained in the castle, distributing my strength across various areas. Quelling yet another series of countless uprisings. The legitimacy of the throne was demonstrated through power.

“The tower is perilous.”

Gu-seul, who had been shadowing me and started recording in her notebook, nodded in agreement.

“I’m aware.”

‘Purgatory,’ an S-rank dungeon that had driven my master and me to the brink of death in the past. Within ‘Purgatory,’ the king’s servants lay dormant.

The seven towers that must be conquered this time also house ‘vassals’. This implies that regardless of the heights scaled, the likelihood of death remains significant.

“So it seems my presence here is necessary?” Gu-seul, who is responsible for one of the Three Disasters, posed the question, her arm muscles flexing as she flashed a sly smile. Among the king’s forces, she possesses the greatest combat power, second only to me.

“No,” I refuted.

“One casualty would be one too many,” I added, emphasizing the gravity of potential losses. With the current talents at my disposal, we cannot afford to lose anyone, not even one. Starting from Sa Young-mok, the leaders Hong Yeon and Engahero, and Gu-seul. Gu-seul, in particular, contributes significantly to quelling the rebellion. As long as Gu-seul is on our side, a successful rebellion won’t occur, even if I were merely marking time. Losing anyone would cause the balance to crumble. The moment we gave Flower and the World Tree an opening, this faction would be devoid of a future.

“Oh, that’s touching,” Gu-seul retorted, crossing her arms in mock admiration.

“So, what’s the plan? Surely, you’re not going alone?” she asked. “Well, if that’s a strategy, then it could be,” I responded nonchalantly.

The tower serves as a trial for the king, a stage to prove the king’s worth. Naturally, numerous challenges are lined up for me. I don’t anticipate the others surviving the trials that target me specifically.

“What about your carnal desires in my absence? Would you resort to rape within the dungeon?” Gu-seul asked provocatively.

I paused momentarily. “Perhaps. That wouldn’t pose a problem,” I responded.

“Why?” she probed further.

“Because within the King’s Tower, the successor’s power is restricted. So much so that it becomes impossible to use. Naturally, this would also apply to that particular temperament…”

“Is this a certainty? Or merely a conjecture?” she pressed on.

“For now, it’s an assumption. If that’s not the case, we might have no choice but to utilize other personnel,” I admitted.

“Alright, I will prepare accordingly. What about Ebony?” Gu-seul inquired.

I turned my head, revealing a training ground for Ebony. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it.

“I will bring Ebony along,” I declared.

Over time, I had poured my heart and soul into training her. Through the crack in the door, I could see Ebony, drenched in sweat, meditating with a sword in her grasp.

“……”

“Ah,” Gu-seul exclaimed, admiring the sight of Ebony. The concentration of magic power was indeed impressive. For someone who had just learned to fight, her growth was remarkable. Ebony’s magic manifested as a pattern at regular intervals, taking the form of an inverted cross.

“This could be a pivotal moment,” I mused.

Taking her along was a necessity.