Chapter 541 – Shiba Has Few Friends (4)

Upon entering the room café, I spotted Jung Si-woo tucked away in a corner, cellphone in hand, waving gently in my direction.

-Smile.

Returning the gesture, I waved back, a light smile on my face.

“You’re out,” he noted.

“How have you been holding up?”

“Well, just about the same. But how have you managed to stay unchanged? Apart from the hair color, of course.”

“Haha.”

Jung Si-woo, now with grey hair, had remained unchanged since our academy days.

“I have changed, you know? I’ve put on some muscle here.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Si-woo’s face broke into a radiant smile, and for a moment, his bright energy left me speechless.

‘Wow…’

Even as a man, I found his handsomeness striking. He had an innate aura of toughness. If he were to visit a hunting tavern, he’d instantly charm any woman in his path, leading her straight to a motel with no effort.

“What would you like to order?”

“Anything, just order.”

The bond formed during our academy days was not easily severed. It was natural, after all, we both owed something to each other.

Despite being labelled a heretic and straddling the boundary of life and death, Jung Si-woo chose to trust only what he had witnessed with his own eyes. Considering the societal climate, where religious heretics are indiscriminately condemned to death, it was evident how upright a man Jung Si-woo was.

“So, you’re really going to let me order anything? Don’t stop me.”

– Beep beep

As Si-woo asked, his hand continued to flit over the screen. He’d been trapped in a dimension for a while, and it was only natural he’d crave for some delicious food.

An enormous amount of bread and cake was added to the table kiosk! Jung Si-woo, despite his masculine demeanor, showcased a subtle feminine side too.

As he sipped his coffee, Jung Si-woo asked, “Did you face any discomfort during this time?”

“None.”

“… It’s impressive how you’ve managed to remain undetected.”

He was under the impression that I was still feigning death and laying low. When acting as a king, I always used artifacts that hindered recognition, and even wore an inconspicuous mask, so there was no chance he would know.

In essence, Jung Si-woo was unaware that I was Flower or King Mokryeong. The World Tree might have left a hint for him, but…

‘Did The World Tree of Justice choose to withhold information?’

Looking at Si-woo’s face, he didn’t seem to be hiding anything.

“I still don’t understand why you were treated that way.”

“Do you think they would? The World Tree women want me dead.”

“Haha…”

Sharing the World Tree’s secrets with Jung Si-woo, a key figure within The World Tree Camp, felt okay. He was not only virtuous but also understood the dynamics at play.

What was certain was that we could become enemies or allies at any time.

The reason for my current friendly inquiries stems from an existing personal relationship. Jung Si-woo comprehended this as well.

“How long do you plan to stay there?”
“Perhaps, indefinitely.”

A bitter smile graced Jung Si-woo’s face in response to my question.

Regardless of virtue or wickedness, he had reaped the greatest benefits from The World Tree of Justice. It was presumed he had received more power than Angelica, the representative of justice. Could it be otherwise? The moment Jung Si-woo betrayed justice, his destiny was sealed.

“I have a younger sibling to find.”
“Still not found?”

This was Jung Si-woo’s ultimate objective.

“No, it’s already been three years since I conceded to you to find your sibling. What have you been doing?”
“The artifact lost its power. So… was it when you had turned heretic?”

Jung Si-woo patiently explained the circumstances of that day.

Suddenly, the artifact’s operations had ceased, and it seemed that The World Tree of Justice had received several proposals. They said to form a more intricate contract, as it would help him grow the power to oppose Flower.

“Last I knew, she was in China. But when I emerged this year, the country was in ruins. The world changes so fast.”

Jung Si-woo’s countenance was desolate as he recalled his younger sister.

“In China…”
That’s where I’m currently dipping my toes. While there are many Koreans in my territory, there isn’t a single girl bearing the surname Jung. If only I could find her, I would do anything to facilitate a meeting.

“She must be alive. She’s your sibling after all.”
“I hope so. It has to be that way. That’s why I made a contract with her.”
“Her… you refer to her in such a manner?”

A flicker of regret crossed Jung Si-woo’s face. It was a reaction informed by his knowledge of my deep loathing for The World Tree of Justice.

“I might not be one to say, but… just as people change, I think gods can change too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, despite being stubborn. Because of her solid values… she might be contemplating a lot.”

Regardless, The World Tree was also willing to sacrifice something for her own existence. Jung Si-woo’s moral compass does not point solely towards me. He possesses the capacity to embrace everyone, and perhaps, Si-woo may even change The World Tree of Justice.

“Well, I think she’s using you.”
“Duh, as if I wouldn’t know that. I’m being used. I’m doing it even though I know. There’s no other solution.”

Despite this, he understands his situation quite well. I felt an inexplicable sense of kinship with Jung Si-woo.

“We’re similar.”

Even though he knows he’s being used, he tries to win over the king’s favor and attract his subjects. And he’s always trying to steer things back to center, among other things.

While I’m fighting my battles within Flower, Jung Si-woo is also exerting his strength within the faction.

You must have your own plan.
I chuckled as I sipped my coffee. He has not changed one bit.

“And what do you plan to do?”

“Si-woo posed a question to me, to which I merely shrugged my shoulders.

“Doing what needs to be done, as always,” I replied.

“Is it the Order?” he inquired.

“Yes,” I confirmed.

He nodded in understanding.

Jung Si-woo was unaware that I was a king, yet, he knew of another secret I had been concealing. It was her, who had first approached me three years ago when I was driven into heresy. It was a commitment I had made to the World Tree of Prosperity.

“We need to fragment the Order,” I declared.

“So, you’re saying that war is inevitable,” he surmised.

“Scared, thinking of squaring off against me?” I challenged.

“Do I stand a chance of winning?” he asked.

“Me, defeat you? Hey, that’s hardly plausible. You should be the one worrying,” I retorted, chuckling.

As per the World Tree of Prosperity’s testament, I have been providing multifaceted support to its Order.

My plan is to divide the World Tree and pull it into my territory. If I could simultaneously draw in the King’s power… a real battle of strength would become possible.

‘And there’s another thing,’ I pondered.

I reflected on something she had told me in the past.

‘[Please find the World Tree that will succeed me.]’

I was tasked with finding another World Tree that would take on the mantle of ‘prosperity.’

‘[There’s a child out there gifted with such talent… They’re a tree-person, and they probably don’t even know their own species yet. They can adequately succeed me.]’

The power of prosperity would undeniably be of assistance. Especially to restore the foundation that had crumbled post-war. This aspect could be considered the superior version of ‘healing.’

‘But where should I look for them?’ I wondered.

There were no leads or clues yet, but if they bore the power of prosperity, they would eventually surface. Perhaps they might be related to the ear tree.

“Sigh.”

Jung Si-woo’s sigh snapped me out of my deep contemplation. He was tightly holding his coffee cup, letting out a long sigh. His eyes held a certain sadness.

“Why does everyone feel the need to fight so fiercely?” he questioned.

Idealism.

What a wonderful world it would be if everyone helped each other.

“Exactly,” I could only agree.

If none of this had occurred in the first place, I could have been a normal hunter. I could have grown moderately, sought revenge appropriately, and lived happily with my people under one roof.

‘I wouldn’t have had to stoop to such low deeds. I wouldn’t have had to betray my people with every action,’ I thought.

The future I had always dreamt of. Yet, I didn’t believe my choices were misguided.

‘We can save everyone,’ Alba had said, and I believed her words.

‘At least, I managed to gather some information,’ I thought.

Meeting Jung Si-woo was not only about the simple exchange of friendship, but also about gauging to what extent this man knew about me.

The World Tree of Justice had maintained silence about me.

Did she deem it premature to reveal this truth to Si-woo now?

‘Making Jung Si-woo completely hostile to me must be her objective,’ I deduced.

If that is the case, neither King Mokryeong nor the Flower will suffice. Since I already harbor a hatred for the World Tree, revealing that I had ventured into the Flower would only lead Jung Si-woo to believe it to be possible.

Moreover, this man only trusts what he witnesses with his own eyes. Even if I were to claim that I had committed rape without provocation, or had created innumerable victims, he would not believe it. The World Tree of Justice’s choice now made sense.

Having formed my decision, I turned to Si-woo, who was engrossed in his cake, and inquired, “What do you plan on doing now?”

Si-woo, who had just licked the cream from his lips with his tongue, responded innocently without a trace of doubt, “I will be heading to the front lines. I was also tasked with subduing the Demon of Trials.”

I nodded in understanding, then issued him a warning, “Do not be taken aback.”

“By what?”

“You’ll understand when you see it.”

This so-called Demon of Trials…

He bears an uncanny resemblance to me.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Come and see!

Respond!

Inside the convenience store, the part-time worker observed a man and woman with a puzzled look.

[Me: I have some extra tickets. Let’s go see a movie.]
[Bam: What keeps being left over…?]

Shiba stares at the screen, her eyes reddening at the apprehensive response. From behind her, the king continued offering advice.

“If it has come to this, push forward…”
“Beep, what if it doesn’t work?”

A king who can obliterate the world is devising a plan to make a single friend while being swayed by such a child. Despite having steeled her heart in response to the sage’s provocation, is she still a daughter at heart after all? It would seem a laughable sight to any onlooker.

[Me: Just once!!]
[Me: (Sprout emoji bowing emphatically)]
[Me: Seriously.]
[Me: I want to watch a movie.]
[Me: But I am alone.]
[Bam: ;;;;]

Shiba blinks her anxious eyes repeatedly. The king sneaks glances at Shiba, observing her countenance.

“…I apologize.”
“Beep. No, it’s not your fault.”

Shiba sends a final emoticon, depicting a sprout on the verge of death. Will you not go to the movies with me? Then I will die! The crucial aspect is an unwavering spirit. The desperate gaze of Shiba and the king seems to pierce through the cellphone.

‘Please.’

Only by making friends can the quest be completed. Shiba, who is not naturally sociable, unfolds her desperate wait with all her might!

Did her anticipation reach the heavens?

[Bam: …Alright. When?]
[Bam: (Squirrel emoticon exhaling a sigh)]

A gleam of joy appears on Shiba’s face.

“!!!!!!!”

Could this be the start of a friendship? Shiba’s face immediately expands into the quest window.

[Number of Friends (1/3)]

Not yet. Her favorability was still lacking.

-Throb!
“Squeak!!”

Yet, could there not be a possibility of friendship?
Shiba, having sharply turned her head, gazed upwards at the king, her eyes shimmering with moisture.

“Sir…”

Her voice was a sweet murmur, as if in awe.
The corner of the king’s lips quivered momentarily.