Chapter 267
Chapter 267
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: Seduce the Tree (8)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I did nothing wrong.
What's this about inferior species? No grit at all.
Running off like that, only thinking about trials. What am I, some tool to hand out ordeals?
I guess because I've been calling him by name all this time, he started deluding himself that he was being treated like a Wood Person. As if. He's human, after all.
[This is ridiculous.]
A position that's only natural to receive everyone's love. That's what a tree is.
Sitting at an infinitely distant rank from humans, at the very top of the caste system.
Do I have to feel this resentment toward a mere slave, something even lower than that?
-Crunch.
The sound of branches grinding together like teeth.
Aaah, krrrk, krrrk.
The heat surging through my body still hadn't subsided. I got a massage, but for some reason, my limbs felt stiff and sore.
[...Hilarious.]
A human getting all depressed over some weird reason like that. Sudden burst of emotion and bolting out.
Is it right for inferior species to be this irritating? Humans should all have their brains tweaked a bit and turned into slaves.
My heart felt heavy and uncomfortable. Feeling this way over one inferior species was a huge drain in itself.
Well, he's human anyway.
The opponent is human. Spineless, groveling, quick to kneel trash.
Just squeeze a little, and he'll come crawling back begging.
I could send someone to threaten him, and he'd come scampering back in fear. That's obvious.
Besides, even without sending anyone, he'll come on his own. That groveling face inside the mask. I've seen it more than once or twice.
[Over just one trial.]
Was he that pissed his friend passed? How can someone have such a petty heart?
So human-like thinking, conscience so narrow it burst.
"Lady Mary."
[What.]
Lim Jong-hyun's words in front of me made an irritated retort slip out unwittingly.
"I've come to report on recent activities."
The routine formality. Reporting what was done today, an event between a tree and its guardian knight.
Not even human, but a Wood Person. This much is basic courtesy.
Lim Jong-hyun had passed the second trial.
The second trial had so many loopholes it wouldn't be strange if someone complained, but stamping it once lets you move to the next trial on your own.
No one could call out those flaws.
Even if they grumbled, the opponent is the World Tree side. The one exposing it would get buried by society.
I think it's thanks to that I can block things like this.
No, is it thanks?
This is the treatment that's right anyway.
In a position like this. Is it bad to let a standout kid pass a trial?
[Speak.]
"Yes."
Lim Jong-hyun began his routine report.
For some reason, today that arrogant long-legged punk was getting on my nerves. His curt responses, speaking formally but retorting sharply.
Even nobles have hierarchy.
Just looking at that upturned eye corner face made me angry for no reason.
What does this guy have over that human? Honestly, such thoughts crossed my mind.
[......]
"Today, training regarding the previous preliminary rounds..."
Aside from showing his face every time, he never made any gestures of sincerity.
I didn't have some old-fashioned idea that gestures of sincerity were mandatory.
But has this guy ever given me even a drop of water?
Or fed me fertilizer he's never tasted in his life?
A massage for me, locked in this room every day?
Listening to my worries?
I know.
Wood People can't serve as emotional trash bins.
Because they're so different from humans, treating them carelessly pricks my conscience too.
Humans have no tree rights. They're no different from pets. Wood People do have tree rights.
-Lady Mary.
[......]
-Your clothes look beautiful today as well.
But no matter how I thought about it, that man tugged at my heart more than the guy in front of me.
But what can I do? He'd already been disappointed and stormed out in a huff by himself.
-Lady Mary.
[I did nothing wrong.]
"...Pardon?"
[.... Sorry. No, get out.]
Lim Jong-hyun bowed his bewildered face and left. That man, even when leaving, would turn his head several times, smiling and saying he'd come back later.
The difference is clear.
Having such feelings doesn't make sense to begin with.
[...Inferior species]
I tried to cheer myself up.
In exactly one hour, it would be fertilizer time. Swallowing sweet fertilizer with water would clear up this stale heartburn...
[Ah.]
He's not coming today, is he.
[No, no. He might come? They're all the same. He'll probably come back with teary eyes at the corners, saying it's his fault.]
Thinking that, I smirked.
Recalling the inferiority of the inferior species again, I straightened my two roots.
They're all the same anyway.
Does agonizing like this improve anything? They're just consumables at best.
[Ah~ How long are you going to make me wait, seriously!]
Just come. I'll curse him out more and rougher than usual.
So he never even thinks of rebelling again.
I waited for him with a smile.
-Tick-tock.
But until sunset, no matter how long I waited, that person didn't come.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When I was young.
The moment I sprouted my first shoot on soil brimming with sunlight.
Many nobles who had been waiting blessed my birth.
A tree is born here. With this noble birth, another one can grow.
The world I learned while living as a sapling was narrow, but from the treatment I received, I knew well what position I held.
I am a very great existence in this world.
[Feed me.]
"Lady Mary. Mealtime is in 30 minutes."
[Is that the problem? Give me water now, water!]
It was a life where being pampered was natural.
No matter how complicated the schedule, if I changed my mind, everyone scrambled to rearrange it. If I cried hungry, they all brought delicious food.
Because I would become a World Tree someday.
Everyone likes me.
Anyway, as I drink water and grow, honor and power will roll in on their own.
So line up well from now on.
I hadn't realized that thinking was wrong for long.
-...This year looks tough too.
Becoming a World Tree is not easy.
Until now, I couldn't become one.
To become a World Tree, I had to spread roots deeper than other trees.
And grow my body far superior to anyone else.
Otherwise, create my own authority through magic power. Or be exceptionally smart. Or accomplish what other trees can't.
World Trees aren't made just by waiting.
But when I realized that, my growth period had already passed somewhat.
In the end, I was transplanted to this harsh place.
Growing roots came with pain, so I slacked on it.
Deluded that I'd always carry the sun, I wasn't desperate to spread my branches wide.
Unlike the old days when I was praised as a prime candidate for World Tree, I know my value has dropped a lot now.
...I knew.
Deluded that I'd still be propped up on past glory.
Once a tree misses its timing, growth is hard. As time passes, only annual rings increase.
Average height of Cornus trees is 3m.
Meanwhile, I'm half that...
Far too small and narrow to become a World Tree, lately the Wood People's eyes looking at me aren't normal.
[...Hey, bring food.]
"Ah, yes, understood."
They say that, but.
[Massage.]
"...I'll call an expert right away."
I can see right through it.
They're laughing inwardly. Mocking me subtly, thinking I wouldn't notice.
-What to do with that tree, Mary?
-Who knows. From what the World Tree said, if growth keeps stopping, natural extinction is possible too.
-Sigh. That's why she needs some humility.
That one.
Now I hear that too.
I hadn't realized for long that I'd fallen that far.
The more it happened, the more I obsessed over class.
Pathetic inferior species ignoring me? Wood People are still one step below me.
Then why. Why do they keep talking back?
Around the time tormenting humans became a hobby here. I realized I had become a foolish tree filling inferiority with cursing others.
Young humans and Wood People think I'm great.
They desperately tackle the trials I give. It's kinda fun.
Funny. That desperate face trying to please me.
-Tree Lady.
So, that's why.
When a kid who endured strangely better than others came in.
I was thrilled.
Unlike others wearing masks, I could feel he was trying to treat me properly.
I couldn't know his true feelings, but at least he was sincerely trying to make me as comfortable as possible; it was obvious at a glance.
-Does it feel refreshing?
-Why are you so late today? I called at 4 a.m., and you come at 4:12? Is that acceptable?
He comes running whenever I call.
Puts the most delicious food in my mouth, so good even fasting feels anticipatory.
Gives massages that tingle all over.
Inferior species. No, honestly, that doesn't matter.
I had been immersed in the sensation of being pampered, which I hadn't felt in so long.
If I'm honest with myself, that's why.
So him leaving like this is natural, if natural.
-Tick-tock.
[Why isn't he coming...]
My leaves drooped limply.
[Why isn't he coming, I said.]
Is this the feeling when a fun toy is taken away?
Why are there so few people who treat me like a tree?
-Creak.
The sound of the door at that moment.
Yes. It's about time.
[Hey, Lee Si-heon. I-]
Looking right in front. The person standing there wasn't that man.
The tree caretaker in his usual suit. Seeing me, he lowered his eyes.
[...I, waited.]
"Lady Mary?"
[Nothing. So, did you deliver the message?]
The man showed no change in expression to my words.
Just those emotionless eyes. Showing a meaningless smile, he muttered the usual.
"He said he won't come."
Got another one.
Did he think I wouldn't notice that contemptuous glance?
But right now, more than that irritating look, the shock that the human wasn't coming hit harder.
[...Relay again. Right, the trial. Say I'll give a trial. Then he'll come. He's-]
"Understood. I'll relay it tomorrow morning."
[Morning? Hey. Right now!]
"Lady Mary."
A low, piercing voice.
"It's 5 a.m. now. Please consider the preliminary participants' feelings too."
Tension entered my branches.
My roots trembled faintly.
Being ignored. That I can't become a World Tree. Right now, to me.
[...Ha. What are you?]
The caretaker stood silently, bowing his head as if ready to take abuse.
Mary's voice began to tremble little by little.
[Is it my fault again?]
This time too.
[Ha.... You, no.... Ah.]
One leaf fell with a plop. Rolling near her roots.
As time passed, she muttered in a sinking voice.
[......Then, relay it in the morning.]
"Yes. Have a good evening."
-Thud.
The door closed with a cold echo.
In the stifling air thick with inferiority, Mary sat dazed.