Chapter 265
Chapter 265
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 265
Chapter Title: Woo the Tree (6)
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A week had passed since the second trial began.
Cornus, Bao, Marronnier,
Taiyang and Aori.
Bao had gone completely into hiding, clearly determined to prepare countermeasures against me, not showing even a glimpse of himself. Meanwhile, Cornus was growing healthier by the day, her personality brightening to the point where she could now occasionally engage in playful banter.
Taiyang, Aori, and Marronnier, following my intentions, were desperately searching for Flower.
Having grown somewhat accustomed to life in the dorms and building rapport with familiar faces,
I joined today's meeting as usual.
"Si-heon oppa!"
Catching Flower by the tail was no easy task.
Even with Marronnier's help. Perhaps because those Flower bastards had come fully prepared.
Among all the National Trees I'd met so far, I hadn't found anything suspicious.
First meeting: Marronnier.
Second: Bao.
Third: Bell.
Bell was the UK's National Tree. Whether due to her affable nature or not, after some chit-chat about self-praise and academy life, time was up before I knew it, so we parted ways promising to meet the next day.
The fourth and fifth were academy cadets whose faces I didn't even know.
In the end, I couldn't pinpoint anyone suspicious as Flower.
'I can't just go around suspecting people blindly.'
No contact from Star yet.
"Si-heon oppa, what are you thinking so deeply about?"
"Ah, sorry. Just a lot on my mind."
"Hehe. The second trial isn't easy, is it?"
Saku skillfully brewed tea and handed it to me. This had become our familiar afternoon tea time.
"Is the trial that tough?"
"Well, it's not really the trial... More like something else that's really bothering me."
"Bothering you~? Eek, don't tell me it's someone you like?"
Straight into romance talk, huh.
I gave an awkward smile and nodded.
Sometimes, playing along and gauging reactions was a good way to kill time.
Saku squealed "Kyaa~" and clapped her hands.
"Who? Who is it! Tell me some traits at least!"
"Hmm, someone with an adorably spaced-out side."
Drop a bit of info, and she'll imagine the rest and have fun with it.
Saku's eyes sparkled beneath her fox mask.
"I know who it is! The one Si-heon oppa likes is Cor-"
"Short, cat-like person."
"Eh?"
"Someone aggressive who raises their fists at every chance."
That covered the people I'd recently talked about.
"Obsessively clingy in a weird way, too."
"?"
"Seems like a fool without friends, but cute."
"...Si-heon oppa."
"Yeah?"
I couldn't finish.
Saku rolled her confused eyes and clutched her cheeks.
"That person... has multiple personalities?"
"Ah, yeah, multiple personalities are a thing."
"E-eh?!"
She must've thought one person had all those traits.
Fun to watch her confusion, but I cleared it up.
"Ah, aah... Multiple people, got it. Si-heon oppa's quite the catch."
Once corrected, Saku placed a hand on her chest and sighed in relief.
"I don't think so. Any of them could get disappointed and leave anytime, and I couldn't hold onto them."
"Eh, broken? In love, you never think that way! It has to be forever! No matter how many."
"You think? Hahaha."
Thinking about it, they'd multiplied quite a bit.
How many in just a few months?
The more responsibilities, the more enemies, but it felt like delayed lady luck was finally pouring in.
"Once I wrap up all this... it'd be nice to live easy."
"Si-heon oppa, you're sounding like an old man."
Old man? That's a bit harsh.
"If you've got worries, tell me. We're friends, tomadachi!"
"Were we?"
"Of course!"
Saku nodded firmly.
"Worries, huh. Flower, maybe?"
I floated the topic casually.
The odds of Saku being Flower were slim, so it was a blunt probe.
'Come to think of it... Flower has to know about me.'
They'd once tried to recruit me, and I was the Heavenly Demon's disciple and heir to the Wood Spirit King's power.
Whether to kill me or ally, they clearly saw me as top priority watchlist.
Of course, I didn't think even the National Trees recruited by Flower knew about me.
Flower's goal was always the Forest Keeper selection tournament.
"Flower? Why them?"
"They say I committed a huge sin against Flower, so they're targeting me."
"...E-eek."
Saku's startled face made me chuckle.
"Flower are bad guys."
"Right?"
She pouted her lips slightly.
The topic naturally shifted from my love life to Flower.
"I think it's a huge societal issue. Our family had a massive spirit stone, and those Flower jerks stole it?"
"Oh, that happened too?"
"Yeah."
Saku smiled bitterly.
"But I get it."
I perked up my ears at that.
"Get it?"
"Our side and others failed to solve problems, just letting them fester, so resentment builds. Se-young oppa said it too. Punishing Flower is one thing, but preventing them from growing more is key—making a better world first."
"Aha..."
I got the gist.
Not that it'd solve everything, but no point dwelling.
"Still, can't forgive Flower's bad deeds."
"Naturally."
"...Well, there are plenty of truly bad people even without Flower."
National Trees think like this sometimes.
There, I shelved any suspicion of Saku as Flower.
If she were, she wouldn't steer the topic here; she'd avoid it and repeat negatives to deflect suspicion.
Otherwise...
Every eye twitch and tone was calculated.
If so, I couldn't crack it now.
To discern truth from lie, I'd need at least two weeks of steady talk.
Time was severely limited.
*****
It's a mind-reading ability, but I can't use it blatantly.
Everyone with any interest in Marronnier knows her power.
Flower aren't idiots; they wouldn't think Flower thoughts in front of her.
"Abie."
"Yeah?"
German Fir Tree.
Spanning Germany, Norway, and Eastern Europe broadly, unmatched in Europe for honor and power among Wood People.
If Lee Si-heon's words were true,
And someone had gone to Flower, Abie would be one of the prime suspects.
Activating the power is tough.
Requires intense focus.
And secretly, so keep conversation flowing without breaks.
"How's the trial?"
As Marronnier spoke, Abie shrugged.
"Who knows? National Trees basically have free passes. Even trees watch their moods."
Unlike Wood People or humans, National Trees get treatment beyond ordinary trees.
Unless it's one of those rare World Trees, National Trees fear nothing.
Marronnier's own trial was trivial, in fact.
"True..."
Here, activate once.
Peek into Abie's mind.
Marronnier activated during Abie's breath, hiding her eye color change.
...... No thoughts at all.
With those long, slanted eyes, he looks scheming from his face alone, yet no inner voice?
Marronnier turned off the power and forced a smile.
"Marronnier, what's your trial?"
"...Mine? Don't ask. It's weird, super weird. Not even sure if it's a trial. Feels like child's play."
"See? National Tree trials are mostly like that."
Though hers was exceptionally odd.
Anyway, Marronnier and Abie talked for quite a while.
As neighboring countries, they had plenty in common, and being somewhat friendly already helped the flow.
She didn't forget to use her power intermittently.
But oddly, Abie's thoughts never surfaced.
Not that he had none.
-Beep beep, beep beep.
"Already over? Gotta go."
Timer rang; Marronnier stood first.
No info gained. Just everyday chat till time was up.
"Marronnier."
"Yeah?"
As she turned indifferently, Abie grinned.
"By the way."
He scratched his cheek sheepishly.
"Why do you keep using Mind's Eye?"
"..."
Busted.
Those beady eyes caught it perfectly.
"...Oof, got me good."
"Curious about something? Or old habits die hard?"
Back when Marronnier was young and shy, too timid to talk to others.
She liked picking flowers, avoided running around.
Unable to trust others, she'd instinctively use her power.
That cowardice lingered.
Like when she met Taiyang and Aori in the forest.
"If you're hunting someone, subtlety's better than obvious."
"Obvious my foot."
Marronnier scoffed at Abie's advice.
"I hid it fine. Your eyes are just too sharp."
"...High praise. Thanks, Marronnier."
Abie's real eyes widened. His dull gaze swept her body once.
Like a snake slithering—enough to raise goosebumps all over.
-Click.
Out the door, Marronnier exhaled held breath.
Heart pounding.
'That guy's always suspicious as hell.'
Today especially, but Abie always oozed enigma.
Marronnier caught her breath and headed downstairs.
Meeting over, time to see her assigned tree again.
'Anyway.'
-Clack, clack.
Descending stairs, she thought.
Blue heels echoed cheerfully in the basement under her tights hugging thigh flesh.
No progress hunting Flower.
Trial vague too.
Her assigned tree was, well, innocently naive to a fault.
-Rattle.
Iron door open, revealing the World Tree. Not just any tree—a World Tree.
No rough bark, skin soft like human. Seeing Marronnier, it excitedly shook branches.
"Welcome!" "I'm here."
Innocent voice. Ripe woman's tone echoing in her head.
"You're cute no matter when I see you, Blanche." "...We agreed no more of that."
"What can I do, you're cute. And such a pretty name!" Sigh. Marronnier hung her staff on the door and sat by the tree.
Then the tree happily chatted away with her.
"How was your day?" "By the way, World Tree."
"Yes?" "...What the hell is this trial?"
"I'm happy just chatting like always. Hearing stories from others is fun." "I get the sentiment, but that's not what a second trial means."
"Isn't the second trial up to the World Tree's whim?" Tree and World Tree, but this one was recently recognized, just an ordinary sapling before.
"I've spent my life imprisoned. Hearing tales from someone like Blanche is my favorite." "How many times have I heard that? It's getting old."
"Oh? Then another story... The prince on white horse who saved my life~" "Ah, that's the seventh time already!"
"No! Today's version is way more beautiful and sad!" "Whatever... You still need to give me a trial."
"I see." The tree drooped its branches sulkily, pondering.
Too kind for her own good.
And the name Blanche? Practically nonexistent.
French National Trees have no personal names. It says Marronnier Blanche, but upon succession, she's just "Marronnier."
"Ah!" Suddenly, the tree spoke.
"Found a trial. Perfect for Blanche." "What is it?"
"Bring someone you like. You always look lonely; you need that." "What."
Forest Keeper tournament. A brutal combat showdown with blood flowing.
And her trial: bring a crush?
Anyone hearing would laugh till they rolled.
"I'm serious." The tree—the World Tree of Healing—declared firmly.
"......No, really."
Marronnier felt her chest burn.
Someone she likes?
As if.
Absurd.
"Blanche needs to know love. Like me." "I don't care about your love!"
At the World Tree of Healing's words, Marronnier hunched her back, squeezed her eyes shut, and yelled.
Unheard-of, utterly unfair trial.