Chapter 604 – The Subjugation of the Tree King (1)

A form with a shattered crown is incomplete. This was the very reason the King of Trees traversed multiple dimensions, consuming the World Tree in the process.

“I had marked this time, and indeed, it has proceeded as foretold.”

He promptly rallied his forces and declared a state of emergency.

The battlefield was to be in Seoul, South Korea, where Shiba resided. However, multiple facilities had been constructed within the organization in anticipation of potential damage.

The number of individuals assigned to this mission was substantial, and although only a handful were responsible for managing these facilities…

“Can it be done?”

For this very purpose, the precious wood had been secured. I posed the question, looking at Camellia, seated in her wheelchair.

“It’s a difficult task, but it must be done. Don’t worry. Quelling the chaos and leading the masses is something I can do.”

Camellia responded, her gaze firmly directed towards me. She hadn’t fully recovered yet, but her mechanical eyes lit up, acknowledging my presence.

She, who had lost her limbs and her sight.

The priesthood had declared that due to radiation and altered magic, not only had she lost her nerves, but Camellia’s body parts had also transformed beyond the point of restoration.

“It still amazes me. I never thought this would truly be possible.”

The awe-inspiring power of the World Tree of Healing, which had bestowed miracles upon the king’s land. Camellia had expressed her gratitude multiple times, sharing the miracle she had witnessed with the executive officers around her. My authority was elevated with her words alone.

“As much as Your Majesty has aided me, I will reciprocate.”

Camellia is now a sturdy ally of ours. In the assembly where all the officers were gathered, I let her take the lead.

“Camellia.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Camellia, the secretary who once glared at me as if she wished me dead. After witnessing the miracle that had occurred in my kingdom, she was rendered speechless.

“See to it that you take good care of her. That’s the reason I brought you here.”

Camellia bowed her head in response.

“I will handle it.”

Camellia, now bowing at an angle similar to Camellia, her eyes held a hint of respect. It may not have been loyalty, but it was a significant improvement in our relationship.

After turning my gaze away from the two of them, I addressed everyone.

“It appears the time has come.”

From executives like Hong-Yeon and Engahero, to Gu-seul, and even the newly established World Tree of Healing, which had showcased numerous miracles. This was a remarkable improvement compared to the times when we had nothing.

“We shall overcome the impending trials and reclaim our crown in the near future. It won’t be a difficult task.”

I added weight to my voice. A distant realm unreachable by my subordinates. I am the entity who single-handedly suppressed the Flower and the World Tree, bringing peace to this kingdom. The mere act of speaking with such power caused the words to echo, much like in a cavern.

“This land is fairing rather well. I remember when I first took control of the slave market and drove away the shadowy outcasts. There were those who vehemently opposed me… But in the end, my decision was justified.”

I cast a cursory glance at Engahero and the other high-ranking officials. Their bodies were rigid with tension.

Arrogant? A king must be.

I must convince them that my decisions are right, and ensure they have faith in me and follow my lead.

“Do not doubt.”

I urged. This country is safe.

Though our market is still in its infancy and our operations are primarily kingdom-led, we are achieving steady growth, in stark contrast to the frequent collapses seen overseas. In a few years, this land will overflow with gold and magic stones, and I will be the one pulling the strings.

This nation operates solely under my judgement.

“Dissent poured out during the recent trial of subjugation. There were those who argued it was best to simply watch as the World Tree and the Flowers self-destruct.”

Mugung, who brought about a miracle in the parched Han River. Compared to that elder, my situation was rather relaxed.

I murmured softly to the various officials.

“The King of Trees is a being born from my trials. He is also my avatar.”

First, I create a crisis. Then, I declare myself the one who will conquer it.

He could have avoided the situation entirely, but instead, he sought attention. He claimed his actions were justified.

“He intends to bring ruin to the world. If I simply stand by and watch, would those who witness my inaction dare follow me?”

A creak – the sound of bone from my wrist.

“Engahero.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why do you think I became king?”

I don’t consider myself benevolent, immaculate, or virtuous. I discarded such notions of petty heroism a long time ago.

However, someone who leads a group, who stands above that group…

“It’s because I cannot watch the rights of humans and anonymous woodsmen be violated, and the ceaseless dying.”

Even a selfish being should remain a benevolent ruler.

To them, a king is a righteous being representing God. A king must act when faced with injustice. But in doing so, he must not bring harm to his people in the process.

“How have the World Tree and Flowers been so far? Trees devoid of floral language were abandoned or turned into livestock, and humans were left to rot in isolated regions.”

We are different from others. We are on a righteous path, liberating humans from the tyranny of evil trees.

This is the foundation of loyalty to our homeland. This is why these men remain loyal to the ‘previous King Mokryeong’. Sometimes methods may be flawed, but what of it? What matters are the results.

“What of the Flower, who once championed the rights of the discriminated? They conduct experiments just like the World Tree, and they commit heinous acts of terrorism.”

A fragment of the crown sprang from my brow,
The crown usurped from the King of Trees. The thorned diadem, dripping crimson blood, echoed in resonance.

“Investing our forces in Korea is in service of a greater purpose.”

A chorus of exclamation erupted from the officers around me. I addressed them with gravity.

“Trust and follow.”

Just those words could elevate you to the glorious stature of those who stood with the king who saved the world.

All sins could be absolved, and every sordid task, I could undertake for you.

Ambiguous verdicts, executions, acts of denouncing the gods one had once believed in – the people could conveniently entrust all this reluctance to me. Entrusting meant they could lay blame.

Monarchies, often depicted in fairy tales, are frequently portrayed as wicked stories of kings oppressing their subjects.

Yet, at times, the reality is quite the opposite.

A king was a convenient shield forced to bear all the moral responsibilities of a nation.

The barrenness of the land was due to the king’s poor governance, and the nation’s weakness was because of the king’s frailty.

Within the conglomerate of a nation, power and responsibility are directly proportional. It was highly inefficient for one person to bear that weight, leading to a shift in the system.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t impossible for an entity possessing such power.

“Gu-seul.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Gu-seul, who was glued to my side, approached me, barely concealing her joyous expression. She thumped her chest and continued my narrative.

“It’s His Majesty’s command. Return to your posts and give your best. His Majesty aimed to protect this land while also safeguarding the stern foreigners.”

Though it was nothing more than cleaning up the messes they had made, it was an effort that could be packaged and sold.

“And the officers I mentioned earlier, prepare for battle posthaste.”

Gu-seul promptly disrobed her suit, revealing her forearm. As she pulled out the long cylindrical barrier rod, a tremendous surge of magical energy filled the surroundings.

Now, everyone had to commit with their full might.

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

The curtains drew back, revealing a massive crevice. After shedding the sodden patient’s uniform, the changed star replied with a voice filled with annoyance.

“Ah, and Shiba?”

“Of course, I’ll bring her along. Are you alright? Your body…you’ve been injured.”

A star, deeply wounded from the recent battle, had responsibilities to fulfil, despite her usually playful and giggling demeanor.

“Se-Young, they say this country can’t survive without me. What should I do?”

“Do what you must…just don’t die.”

“Don’t worry.”

With that brief response, I ended the call.

Click.

Star waited in the shadowy room, her ears straining for the sound of approaching footsteps.

Mugung’s demise. The resurgence of national strife. As the incumbent president of the Association, Star was inevitably hypersensitive to the current state of affairs.

“Damn it! I can’t bear to see the country failing to function properly~ I can’t bear it~”

After her defeat in battle against the King of Trees, Star was on the brink of losing her position as the Association’s president due to her perceived inadequacies. The internet masses remained oblivious to the number of lives saved thanks to her sacrifices.

-Boom!

The door to the hospital room swung open, and hunters clad in formal suits stormed in.

“Madam President.”
“Uh, uh. Why? Why are the bloody politicians dropping dead?”

In the wake of Mugung’s death, a series of inconceivable events had unfolded. News of the demise of individuals who had been somewhat controversial was now complete. She had expected to quickly identify the culprit behind these indiscriminate actions, yet the answer still eluded her.

“Anyway, it seems you should go now.”
“Go? Why should I go there?”
“…These are the words of the former President Mugung.”

At the mention of the old man’s name, Star’s brows furrowed. Surely this entire chaos wasn’t a grand drama orchestrated by the old man.

“He said you’re free to do as you wish.”
“So what?”
“The stage is all set.”

What was he implying? Despite her role as Association president, she did not wield the absolute power of the state as Mugung had.

To decipher the old man’s intentions, it seemed she would have to adhere to his words, at least for now…

“Understood.”

Star paused for a moment before finally offering her acquiescence.

* * * * * * * * * * *

A legislator seated at the table gave vent to his outrage in a fit of righteous indignation.

“Do you think this is acceptable? We must demand accountability promptly. Chairman of the National Defense Hunter Committee. President of the Hunter Association! All public institutions involved in the creation of the IOEC. If their actions, funded by taxpayers’ money, prove futile, what then?”

A debate is what they’ve been reduced to, after all this time. Star was so exasperated that she felt like screaming.

IOEC. When translated from the English acronym, it denoted a colossal defensive artifact protecting both the skies and the surface of Seoul.

Three years earlier, following the city’s partial devastation by Lee Si-heon and the Heavenly Demon, the government and the Association had pooled their resources to complete this artifact of national pride.

Everyone had extolled it, saying that even those at the pinnacle of power couldn’t easily destroy it, a testament to Korea’s status as a hunter superpower.

“And now you say it’s not working? With that strange object hovering in the sky and the citizens growing restless.”
“Calm down. The President of the Association is here…”
“Enough, the most crucial matter now is to summon someone—”

Not responsibility, but a countermeasure.

Suppressing her seething anger, Star replied.

“The IOEC was envisaged as a transnational defense artifact. It served as an effective measure to safeguard the populace from disasters and calamities.”
“And your point is?”
“Don’t interrupt me. I can’t even comprehend why I’m this incensed. The IOEC has undeniably functioned, and concurrently, other nations are formulating artifacts that emulate the IOEC.”

The fact of its fracture implies an impending disaster graver than the one we experienced three years ago.

“So then why—”
“Didn’t I mention that the process and the outcome are devoid of any issues?”

This artifact was forged, calibrated to the tumultuous clash between Lee Si-heon and the Heavenly Demon. It should have been sufficient to counter a calamity of a similar magnitude.

Upon hearing Byul exhale deeply, the politicians, who had been observing her, urgently interjected.

“The problem must surely lie elsewhere.”
“That’s correct. Weren’t you the one who originally argued about privacy rights when the IOEC was being created?”

That’s not the issue.
I’m not seeking anyone to take sides.

“…There might have been an oversight on your part, President Byul. Amidst corporate bankruptcies and funding cuts from other institutions, it’s no wonder it crumbled due to a high-risk gamble.”
“Are you suggesting there are matters more crucial than public safety?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“The association, I believe, also contributed a considerable amount.”

The surroundings rapidly descended into chaos. Even amidst this turmoil, the sickening sight of these higher-ups trying to preserve their own interests, their own rice bowls, was enough to make me want to vomit.

The surrounding uproar. Byul covered her ears and closed her eyes.

Yet the intensity refused to subside.

She finally yelled.

“This is fucking bullshit.”

The air turned icy.

“Madam President, what did you just say—”
“I said it’s fucking bullshit, you motherfuckers. The breach in the IOEC indicates that a disaster more severe than last time is imminent. Yet, we can’t even devise an alternative…bloody hell.”
“…Please exercise more caution with your comments.”

Byul suppressed the crowd with her cold, hardened expression and then stood up.

‘How the hell did Mugung, that bastard, manage to stay calm in the face of this disaster?’

His level of patriotism is abnormal. It was so extraordinary that I felt like applauding.
This place is a lost cause. It’s not that there aren’t any capable people… The sight of them tearing at each other brought to mind a dogfighting arena.

‘I nearly dropped dead running around.’

These assholes comfortably seated, spouting knowledge they gained from mere book-reading.

“Fine. I’ll take responsibility. But our association has other priorities to deal with before that.”
“Madam President? President…!”

With a cold expression and a faint smile, Byul was about to storm out of the door but then turned back. A few politicians stared at her, their faces turning blue. Among them, a few had eyes fiery with anger.

‘I have to protect my country, for fuck’s sake.’

Byul spat, and her thin saliva fell onto the table.