Chapter 552 – Campaign of Suppression (6)

– KakaoTalk!
– KakaoTalk!

A sprightly sound resounds twice from the king’s pocket.

[Shiba: Sir.]
[Shiba: (A sprout emoticon tilting its head)]

A fortnight has eclipsed since his last encounter with Shiba.

– KakaoTalk.

[Shiba: Why haven’t I seen you recently? Is something amiss?]

From the adorable emoticon, Shiba’s tender feelings of disappointment seeped forth.

“…….”

After a prolonged contemplation of the screen, the king closed his phone without a word of response. He hadn’t severed their connection, yet circumstances were as they were. The king was as cautious as Si-heon of this world, and in some respects, possessed even greater capabilities.

– Thump.

The crown aloft his head pulsated as if on the verge of shattering. Crimson magic arched across the sky, crackling like lightning.

Creak-creak-

The ‘branches’, splitting from his back into various strands, too, densely filled the vast sky.

– Keek-heek?

The ‘branches’ gnawed at the World Tree like famished pups.

【 …I won’t let it come to pass. 】

A resonant voice pierces the air, seeming to stab the king’s skin. The king cast his gaze downward to the voice’s origin.

【 No matter the circumstances. 】

A severed branch, fallen, and a massive root jutting from the earth.

The World Tree of Rage.
She was the sovereign of this twisted dimension.

The king was not in the usual dimension of the World Tree where he ordinarily resided. Not the dimension he had occupied, but an entity reigning over a unique dimension created just like the World Tree of Resentment. This was the fifth place he had razed while traversing through multiple dimensions.

【 There’s no need to proceed to the World Tree of Justice. Here, you must meet your end…! 】

– Koo-goo-goo-goo!

Cracks spread through the sky as the severed space implodes. The World Tree of Rage was resorting to a last-ditch effort, intending to collapse the dimension.

Potent magic power emanates from her body, yet at the end of the day, she is merely a fallen tree.

“…….”

When the king extended his hand, the numerous branches filling the sky were instantaneously propelled towards the World Tree of Rage.

– Fwap, fwap! Fwap!

【 …!!! 】

The ‘branches’ began to feast on the World Tree’s body before she could utter her last words.

– Keek-heek!
– Keereek!

The power of the World Tree, nurtured over centuries, started to flow into the king’s body without any loss.

【 Grafting · Consumption 】

It is a misconception to think that the power of a tree can be usurped solely through carnal communion.

“…Ha.”

The World Tree’s life force dwindles, and the desolate dimension begins to crumble.

The transformation wasn’t limited to the environment. Suddenly, the thick bark of the World Tree began to envelop the king’s entire body.

The king, his body grown larger, tucked away the overflowing mana from the World Tree into his fractured crown.

– Splendid.

As a result, the number of ‘branches’ sprouting from his back multiplied. His blinded eyes regained their light, and vitality began to return to his skin.

The king blinked his crimson-hued eyes.

‘Soon,’ he thought.

With just a bit more power gathered, he would be free from the golden restrictions of the trial.

The King of Trees, who had been unable to wield his full power as he was summoned for the King’s trials, was inching closer to evolution.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The information accessible to the Mage Tower was something we had kept a keen eye on ever since we established our forces.

To gather it ourselves would take too much time, yet the data was indispensable. The knowledge accumulated over time had to be seized.

Even if I hadn’t met Lee Ji-ah, I would have eventually reached out to the Mage Tower, such was my anticipation.

“You’ve arrived….”

The following day, Lee Ji-ah greeted me, her face unchanged from the day before, seemingly welcoming yet not.

“So… what is our plan to strengthen the standing of our Mage Tower?”

A benefactor is indeed a benefactor, but when the benefactor happens to be King Mokryeong, caution is due. Considering the rumors, it was clear we had stepped on a landmine. If we were to form a mutually beneficial relationship, it was necessary for me to assuage her worries.

‘Subjugation is one solution. Yet, there are many ways.’

I casually approached Lee Ji-ah and took a seat before her.

“Have you eaten?”

“Huh? Well… I did, but if you need something, I can arrange for it.”

“No need. I was just asking.”

Starting a conversation with business matters isn’t exactly warm, but it is efficient. I pulled out a stack of papers from my backpack, the result of a night’s work.

“What’s that?”

Lee Ji-ah, intrigued, asked.

“To strengthen our Mage Tower’s position, we need to present substantial research results.”

“Right….”

“Is that all it takes?”

“To be honest, the power, connections, and magical abilities of the tower’s master are the most significant factors… But…”

“You lack the Danjeon.”

Lee Ji-ah nodded, her expression gloomy.

“Yes… I have no counterargument.”

The reason the Purple Mage Tower is undervalued compared to other towers stems from the fact that its master, Lee Ji-ah, is akin to a toothless tiger.

If the Danjeon is shattered, it can’t be fixed. Unless we’re talking about a full body reconstruction, there’s nothing I can do on my side. If it were possible, I would have treated Aori or Dongbaek first.

‘I have no obligation to do so.’

There existed a better approach than preserving Lee Ji-ah’s Danjeon.

I cautiously set aside the sheaf of documents I had been holding.

“Before I present you with this, what on earth made you believe that your body could repay a favor?”

At the subtly teasing remark, Lee Ji-ah’s brow furrowed in consternation.

“That! I wasn’t aware you were King Mokryeong…”
“And?”
“So, that, um, I mean… I thought… I could just offset it with money.”
“I have plenty of money, too. It might be different if you repaid me with your body.”

A look of dismay spread across Ji-ah Lee’s face. She whimpered in a tone of half-abandoned resignation.

“After all, it’s no big deal to overpower someone when you put your mind to it…”

True enough.
In reality, I had no intention of overpowering her, as I had already long secured copious knowledge about a variety of species.
If she were a unique species, I would have made a connection somehow. But what about this girl?

“So, what is this?”
“This?”

As I handed over the paper Ji-ah Lee had pointed at, a smile played on my lips.

“Spatial magic.”
“Huh?”

Ji-ah Lee widened her eyes and tilted her head as though she had heard something absurd.

“What kind of spatial magic?”

Spatial magic.

A seemingly elusive concept, with a scarcity of users and advanced theories beyond the comprehension of even the most eminent wizards.
While it could potentially be actualized through an artifact, it remains an incomplete technology, with most of its theories and knowledge monopolized by sages thus far.

The fundamental theories were established and disseminated by Alba, earning her the moniker ‘Mother of Spatial Magic’.
Who would reveal all the secrets of their craft?
There was much my wife had chosen not to disclose to me.
I decided to employ Alba’s techniques and theories, which I, too, couldn’t manipulate at will, making slight alterations.

“To be more precise, it’s a fresh interpretation of spatial magic, codified into a formula.”
“…Did you misspeak?”
“No, I speak the truth.”
“Just a moment.”

Frantically, Lee Ji-ah began to examine the documents.

They might be rough due to being drafted in a single day, but they contained useful spells.
I had added not only Alba’s theories but also my own annotations.
Magic varies subtly depending on the user; this formula was written entirely from my perspective.
Compared to the flawless spatial magic expertly wielded by Alba, there might be imperfections, but they are but minor flaws on an otherwise perfect jewel.

Would this suffice to draw attention from the academic community?

“…This is absurd.”

Thesis falling from her grasp, Ji-ah Lee murmured, her face a picture of sheer disbelief.

“No. This… Why?”
“What do you think? It’s rudimentary, but…”

Ji-ah Lee’s face drained of color.

“This, um…?”

The phrase most frequently used by Koreans.
No, but, why, this.
In her flustered state, Ji-ah Lee repeated meaningless words, before swallowing hard.

“What… do you want?”

Her hands trembled, as though she had just seen something staggering.
The pupils of Ji-ah Lee’s eyes were spinning even more wildly than when she had first realized my true identity.
A flicker of greed was evident in those eyes, mingled with a hint of doubt.

Whether this is truly correct or not.

To verify it, I lightly flicked my fingers.

– Snap.

A large mana stone materialized in my hand. I proudly placed the mana stone on the table.

“Eek”

Lee Ji-ah’s body rigidified, uttering a strange sound.
I am capable of utilizing spatial magic.
Though there are quite a few individuals, apart from Alba and myself, who can move mana stones, I have nonetheless demonstrated that I am a mage who can wield spatial magic.

“Express your desires.”

The knowledge within the Mage Tower, and all the accessible data.
I want her to take responsibility for the dungeon of the spirit manipulator we previously discussed, and the provision of defensive artifacts for our faction.

“So, in other words… You’re suggesting betrayal. Correct?”
“Indeed.”

The world is undergoing significant change.
How long does one presume the World Tree will dominate?
Many Mage Towers are already turning their backs. Even if she were to betray us, it wouldn’t be an extraordinary event.

“I think I need some time to contemplate it.”

Lee Ji-ah’s fatigued eyes cast downwards, then flicker towards me.

“If I refuse now, I presume I’d be in a terrible situation?”
“Leave it to your imagination.”
“Ha, ha….”

My breath is shaky.
However, despair didn’t entirely mar her face.

“Nevertheless, with this… it could revolutionize my life. Recognition from the academic circles will follow. The Purple Mage Tower could be revitalized with this. Even the stigma of being only capable of illusion magic can be discarded.”
“Likely.”
“In truth, I was quite taken aback yesterday… But I’ve given it some thought, you see?”

Ji-ah clasped her sweaty hands together, taking a deep breath.

“Whew… I can’t be sure if this is the right choice.”

The paper she held again was creased.

“If you weren’t there, my life would have already been extinguished, right? You don’t seem as repulsive as the rumors suggest.”

Though it didn’t seem like I was particularly kind.
As the threats did not translate into actions, she seemed to have misunderstood.
The most significant factor was probably the fact that I saved her life.

“I believed there was only one way down. If rejected here… Won’t I be ignorant of Eunwon?”
“In essence?”

Lee Ji-ah unfolded her thesis.

“This is incredible.”

The revelation of an inner certainty.
It’s more gratifying to see her weighing the pros and cons than vaguely discussing Eunwon.
Though I don’t know her true feelings.

“The World Tree, those bastards. I never liked them either. Let’s strive to do better.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Ji-ah’s brilliant 180-degree turn.

* * * * * * * * * *

This isn’t a bad deal.

Beyond the mere fact of her life’s salvation, to Lee Ji-ah, whose standing had recently faltered among the magi, this circumstance presented itself as an opportunity of a lifetime.

‘Furthermore.’

Could it be that the King’s character isn’t as sordid as the rumors suggest?

Ji-ah had heard of King Mokryeong’s ability to ensnare women.
The extent of this power was unknown to her, but she knew that, if he wished, he could claim her body. This man had even spared her life.

‘I was aware it was political maneuvering…but biases are stubborn things.’

King Mokryeong’s rescue wasn’t confined to Lee Ji-ah alone.
He had saved the lives of everyone trapped in that region at the time, and had demanded no recompense in return.

A reassessment of judgement.
She may not have been entitled to it, but it seemed warranted nonetheless.

‘…Power in a leader implies there are reasons to follow.’

Lee Ji-ah, holding her compiled papers, stepped into the meeting room.
A hint of nervousness served to steady her mind.
The owners of various magical towers, who had arrived before her, came into her view. She pressed her lips together in resolution and then, with an air of confidence, declared,

“The Master of the Purple Magic Tower is I, Lee Ji-ah. I find this demotion unacceptable.”