Chapter 514 – A Gentle Storm (4)

The revelation that someone stood behind ATU made for an intriguing tale.

“The Queen.”

Might she know of this?

-Do you know?

Gu-seul deciphered the look in my eyes and traced letters onto my back.

-I don’t know.

If even she was unaware, it would indeed be valuable information.

“I was under the impression that ATU was a power structure established by the national elders for their own interests.”
“Yes, that is the common belief. However, the Queen and I hold the ultimate authority within ATU.”
“…….”
“I would appreciate your consideration of the implications of me sharing this information.”

A.B articulated these words while tending to his severed arm. His brow furrowed as if my gaze brought him pain.

Upon examination, there were signs of an attempt to regenerate the lost limb. Although less effective than divine healing, it seemed a healer of considerable skill resided there.

‘A considerable player to account for.’

The fact of revealing his existence to the king, widely regarded as the most dangerous entity in this world, was significant, even if his identity or name remained concealed.

“If we were to engage in a dialogue, where would it be?”

In response to my inquiry, A.B bowed his head.

“It seems appropriate to converse within our faction. The location-“
“I am already aware of the location.”
“…….”

A crack appeared on A.B’s poker face. I had always intended to infiltrate his inner circle, and here he was, offering the opportunity on a platter.

“I have already done my reconnaissance. Is it just me who needs to go?”
“Heh…”

After our clash in Descanso Garden, I had marked that location with an energy imprint on A.B. With the loss of his arm, it seemed his base’s location was also compromised.

“But we must maintain decorum. Lead the way.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

I boarded a helicopter bound for Germany, accompanied by A.B and a peculiar child of blue complexion.

[Are you His Majesty?]

A mysterious voice echoed in my head as if shouted from a distance.

The creature who had been quiet till now started showing interest in me as soon as we boarded the helicopter. His blue hair swaying, a slightly crooked smile etched on his face, leaving a disconcerting impression.

“Lerad. Stay silent.”
[So, are you His Majesty then?]

He questioned me, paying no heed to A.B’s warning.
Lerad… Was he a member of the Triad? A calamity on the same tier as Gu-seul and Aori.

“It appears so.”
[Haha~]

A twinkle ignited in Lerad’s eyes at my response. He hopped around on A.B’s lap.

[So, you must be strong?]
“Lerad.”
[Why do you always tell me to shut up?]

Pfft-

Lerad, sticking his tongue out at A.B, seemed like an adorable child at first glance. But having traversed numerous dungeons, I knew better.
He was undoubtedly missing a few screws – about five, to be precise. For reference, one screw was the equivalent of an Aori.

[Your Majesty, over there, Your Majesty~]

“……”
[Could we not fight just one more time? I loathe how quickly they perish.]
“……”
[Ah! Or even that raven puppy sister would suffice. She was the first to resist breaking under my hand!]
[Please~]

It’s too loud.
Strong ones often have their charm, but this whelp is my least preferred kind.

I swivel my eyes, hinting at a simmering hostility.

-Grunts.

[…..!]

A subtle warning to keep silent.
This affects the pilot, causing the helicopter to quiver slightly.
The surrounding pressure. Lerad, whose shoulders tensed, wore a vacant expression before a smirk slowly crept on his face.

[…Are you trembling?]

Lerad flicks his ears, seemingly in high spirits.
Remarkably, his ears were exceedingly long.

“A.B.”
“Yes.”
“Why are Lerad’s ears like this?”
“From ancient… That is, Lerad is a manifestation of the World Tree that existed thousands of years ago. Have you heard of the Elves?”

I have, in vague terms.

“Only the direct descendants of the World Tree and the primitive humans are acknowledged as Elves. Lerad too… is a manifestation, but with the blood of primitive humans mixed in.”
“An Elf, then?”
“Yes. Not exactly as they appeared in antiquity, but quite similar.”

Primitive humans.
They lack any structured magic system, and I know them as humans who solely rely on their physical bodies.
Meaning… they have a bodily structure strikingly similar to the humans from the world I inhabited.

Elves only come into existence under peculiar conditions.
It was unseen in this era when all living beings naturally wore magic circuits as if it were their second skin.

And the only Elf is this fellow…
Inconceivable.

‘Hold on.’

Looking at this kid, I’m reminded of the jinx that has haunted my life until now.
At critical junctures in my life, I always encounter a child.

Impossible, right?
It mustn’t be.

“We have arrived.”

We’ve landed in Germany, setting foot in the ATU headquarters. In the heart of a vast military base, a skyscraper stands tall.
Runways that spread out in four directions from the skyscraper. Here, groups of three soldiers clad in black robes bustled about.

“Quite sparse.”
“They’re on assignments.”
“Are all the other national items here?”
“No, only when needed. Today, they are here. An important meeting is scheduled.”

A.B answers in a serene tone and proceeds forward.
The agents we occasionally came across were clad in modified armor and wore masks, completely concealing their identities.

The atmosphere here is largely quiet.
Or perhaps they are just warily observing me.

“We need to descend further from here.”
“They say she’s a queen, is this her palace then?”
“……ATU is merely a stepping stone the Queen constructed. I cannot divulge more.”

Regardless, judging by the negativity, this doesn’t seem to be a palace for the queen.

Perhaps ATU was not the property of the Queen at all, but merely a federation of nations, and it might be said that the Queen was merely an unseen hand guiding the path of A.B., the very one who led it. The scenario suggested that the head of a group of nations was being manipulated by some unidentifiable religion—a sentiment that was all too familiar when it came to conspiracy theories.

– Ughh.

Taking an elevator, I descended to the lowest subterranean level. The destination—a basement of roughly three pyeong, cramped with an endless array of exquisitely detailed artifacts. It was here that the dimensional rift resided. Each time I beheld that rift, I couldn’t help but be reminded of a dungeon.

“Extend your hand,” A.B. directed.

Following his command, I reached out towards the blackened rift. A flicker flashed before my eyes, and almost instantly, my body was drawn towards another dimension.

– Twinkle!

A palpable density of magical energy weighed heavy in the air, leaving me feeling stifled. It was the exact sensation I experienced when I first encountered Baekyang, the World Tree of Time.

Upon opening my eyes, I found myself situated within a white expanse. Before me, an endless void of black stretched out, with an intricate network of what seemed like tree branches and tendrils sprawling beneath it.

【 ……. 】

The World Tree.

It was here that I affirmed the conspiracy theory as fact. ATU, having turned its back on the World Tree to align with Flower, would certainly not revere the World Tree. It appeared that A.B. was nothing more than a consummate charlatan.

‘How delightful.’

I couldn’t help but smile. Here was a deity, the national tree of a kingdom, whose charm had convinced not only Northern Europe, but had also enlisted the nations of Poland and the Baltic coast into the union. How could one not be intrigued?

Let’s engage him in conversation. As I prepared to step forward, I sensed a distinct hostility emanating from behind.

– Whoosh!

Without warning, Lerad lunged forward, his heel aimed directly at my testicles. His attack was fueled by an unfamiliar form of magical power and was aimed to strike me in an instant.

[ Hee-hee! ]

A squeal of delight escaped the child’s lips as I sidestepped, effortlessly avoiding the attack without resorting to magic.

[ As expected…! I knew you would react! ]

He lashed out at me again, his foot cutting through the air with renewed energy. Judging by the stern look on A.B.’s face, it was clear that he was in the midst of a tantrum. Such a brawler needed to be checked. I seized Lerad’s ankle and slammed him forcefully onto the ground.

[ Take this too- Argghh! ]

– Thud!

Lying on the ground, I twisted his ankle in the opposite direction and gave it a good spin.

– Crack!

Bones, muscles, tendons—nothing was spared as his ankle was twisted in the opposite direction.

– Crunch, Crack! Ow!

One more twist. His shins and knees were also twisted, exposing the bone. If I applied more force, I could even rip off one of his legs.

[ Heh, heh. ]

Yet, in spite of this, he could only manage to laugh as he strained to move.

【 Lerad, stand down. 】

From the World Tree, a slightly irritable and finicky voice rang out.

[ …Damn. ]
“What’s going on here?”
【 I apologize for the abruptness. You are King Mokryeong of this generation. 】

There was no need for any substantial exertion.
He too, presumably, would have had only a fleeting glimpse. I was no different.

As I cleaned up the elven blood, I observed him.

“Are you the queen? Is there a specific reason you choose not to reveal yourself?”
【If you desire to see… I can certainly show you. After all, you have journeyed this far.】

-Squirming.

【But, aren’t you already observing?】

The black space, spread out innumerable lengths around me.
As I sharpened my gaze, I understood its true nature.

The darkness of the space was a result of the shade created by the tree far above.
A giant tree, its body even larger than one could imagine.
All that I could see within my field of vision was merely a part of its body.
Were the vines and branches shown initially just a ruse?
The healing, the endurance, it was a timeline that Mary could not possibly compare to.
Thousands? Tens of thousands of years, was that the time it needed to grow this body?
It might even have existed before the era of King Mokryeong.

“…It’s breathtaking.”
【All the Five Great World Trees that you will face look like this.】
“Are they? To my ears, it sounds like you’re suggesting you’re on a parallel with the Five Great World Trees.”

A.B twitched at that. It seemed as if he was irked by the blatant insinuation.
I had never seen this shifty-eyed fellow’s mind and body so agitated before.
But whether he liked it or not, the queen responded.

【Would you believe me if I claimed to exceed that?】
“Hardly.”
【Ha, I have been remiss in introducing myself. I am the ruler of this realm, the mighty ash tree… My name is Melia. The World Tree giving you its name signifies that it considers you of significant importance.】
“Well then, I put forth this. I swear by the sacred tree, I wish for us to undertake an honest exchange, without any hidden agendas.”

I intended to decide my response based on her reaction, but it was a complicated matter.
I slowly deciphered the situation.

Firstly, the queen before me was not someone I could easily dispatch, even in my crownless state.
She claims to be on par with, if not beyond, the Five Great World Trees. While I believe some of that to be an exaggeration, there is a modicum of truth to it.

【Hehe, King Mokryeong swearing by the sacred tree!】

Our queen, laughing with an alluring charm.
In my mind, I could see the raw, untamed queen, chuckling lightly.

【An honest exchange, an excellent phrase. Let’s get to the heart of the matter.】

-Bang!

The magic expanded, altering our location.
As the darkness lifted, light poured in, illuminating a woman seated in an adorned receiving chamber.
Upon seeing her, I involuntarily froze. The red-haired queen, regardless of her appearance, the crown atop her head was quite a bother.

“She reveals herself.”

A.B, upon seeing this, broke his silence, speaking as if surprised.
The queen did not reply.
Having something of importance to say, she ignored A.B and continued the conversation.

“Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have sought an audience with the king in such haste. But given the situation…”
“Is it a trial?”
“Yes.”

Slowly discerning the nature of the tribulation, it was highly probable that the heads of each faction had declared a state of emergency.

“I cannot presume to know what the King is contemplating, but we share quite a few commonalities.”
“What might those be?”
“That we share the same enemy.”

The Queen’s eyes narrowed, her bewitching lips, heavily painted with lipstick, glittered.

“The World Tree, long since overrun, and the Flower, which even my power fails to control. Only by consuming these two forces can we hope to encompass the world.”
“Indeed. You, too, are part of this.”
“Indeed.”

The Queen murmured, smiling.

“There’s no need for excessive hostility.”

Was it my imagination?
The inscrutable expression of a sage shone through her laughter. The beings that played above my head—Chastity, Sage, Mugung. I sensed from the Queen the same aura I had felt from them.

What differed from the past was that now, we could stand shoulder to shoulder. Yet, vigilance and caution remained necessary. Dealing with such beings was always a vexation.

“What is your objective?”
“To disassemble the World Tree.”
“The World Tree? Are you referring to the Five Great World Trees?”
“The World Tree that I speak of refers to the ‘Origin.’ A being that the first King Mokryeong failed to subdue. An entity that you will inevitably encounter someday… It is such an existence. And also, my nemesis.”

Sephirot, no.
I racked my brain, envisioning a single tree.

The latter entity spoken of by Engahero. The one that my parallel self could not surpass, no matter what actions were taken. I clasped my hands together and responded. If indeed there was another monster slumbering atop it, a few exceptional talents transcending ordinary limits would not suffice.

“Shall I reveal its name? Might that aid in a more favorable consideration? As there is an emperor above a king, so too among the World Trees hailed as gods, there is a king.”
“…”
“The reason why Taragon of the Flower could not forsake the Cistus. What the saintess of the Flower doubted and feared so much.”

The Queen, teasingly scratching at the itch of curiosity.
Yes, every so often, one needs such a person.

I smiled at the burning desire in her eyes, and the greed that made her lips quiver.

I’ve seen that countenance countless times—the boundless greed that a sovereign possesses, granting them a unique executional prowess. It’s an attribute one wouldn’t find in a sage, but inversely, it was a quality I possessed.

“Trust is at the crux of our discourse.”
“……”

Did she grasp the underlying meaning of my words? The Queen, her smile veiled with intrigue.

“What is required for trust?”
“Let’s see.”

I replied nonchalantly. My hand gestured towards A.B.

“It seems one of your children will have to die.”

The Queen’s response was immediate.

“There’s no issue with that.”