Chapter 269
Chapter 269
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 269
Chapter Title: Screwing the Tree (10)
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Why the hell am I your husband?
You already have an owner, strictly speaking.
Now that the status window can't nag me about my actions anymore. The only way the World Trees can stop me is by force.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ['Healing World Tree' is speechless...] I'd only said the obvious, but the response was devastating.
Its leaves drooped limply, and its branches tilted toward the ground, nearly touching it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Then why did you do that to me that day?!] "Did I do it? You raped me."
If getting bound by roots and forcibly grafted counts as my fault, then I have no confidence left to live in this other world.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You bewitched me!] Tears and a bluish liquid poured out in a flood.
Droplets from the leaves splashed onto my cheek.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sob, sniff, heuk... I even picked a name for the baby already.] Appealing to emotions wouldn't help.
What if I dragged this tree to Se-young and introduced it as my next girlfriend? Disaster would ensue.
No way I'd get away with eating trees too.
-Tap tap.
That's when Marronier tapped my shoulder.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Ah, well..."
I explained to Marronier everything that happened with the Healing World Tree.
It was remarkably similar to what she'd been through.
The time my disposition rose two stages, and after holding back, I snapped. Even her magic didn't work on me then, and I ended up pouncing on her.
For Marronier, it was like this.
"It's the same as me saying I'm your boyfriend."
I slept with you, so I'll take responsibility.
That's not it. Hell, I even forgave her. Honestly, I'd benefited plenty myself.
I didn't need to think about responsibility, yet she kept clinging.
"...Yeah."
Marronier blinked and nodded cautiously.
"So that's what happened."
Her eyes turned to the Healing World Tree this time.
It was still mournfully shaking its branches, protesting silently for someone to notice its mood.
"...Why on earth are you doing this?"
The Healing World Tree shuddered at Marronier's innocent question.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Blanche, but I... I!] "Prince on a white horse? I get that this was him. But this."
Marronier glanced at me.
Was she reminiscing about the past? A thoughtful remark slipped from her lips.
"...But still. It kinda feels like they suit each other."
"Hey, no."
"Every pot has its lid (A chaque pot son couvercle)."
I might not know about other things, but in this incident, I'm unequivocally the victim.
If we're talking about crimes repaying crimes, I have nothing to say.
As I fidgeted, Marronier giggled. She seemed to enjoy my reaction a bit.
I was serious, and here she was teasing me.
"...Anyway. Tree. I get how you feel, but taking this guy as your husband is impossible."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Why!?] "You might not know since you became a World Tree recently. But you can't take a husband unless he's an officially recognized talented candidate."
She thought she'd explained it logically and smiled brightly at me.
The pink flush on her cheeks and her fresh smile made me want to pat her head.
But I had no choice but to stiffen my expression.
"Right? Si-heon."
"......"
"Why the long face?"
Husband candidate.
That's me.
"...Uh, uh. Nothing. Yeah. No helping it. You heard her?"
I stammered, and she tilted her head curiously.
I had to keep my wits, but it was so sudden that a hollow laugh escaped me.
As long as it doesn't get out. That I'm a husband candidate.
For some reason, the Healing World Tree didn't know I was one.
If I just got past this and never came back here, it'd be fine.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Then I won't be a World Tree anymore.] The Healing World Tree boldly pulled out its trump card.
Marronier and I gaped in shock.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [A Woodborn life without a husband isn't life at all. I'd rather rot as a withered stump and wait for my husband forever.] "Wo-World Tree...?"
Marronier pinched my thigh and stared at me. Her flustered gaze was adorable.
Her face demanded to know what I'd done to rile up a World Tree like this. I frantically shook my head.
"I didn't do anything. We just talked a bit, and then it fucked me. That's it."
"F-Fuck...? Don't say such vulgar things! And that's not the point!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Exactly! You say you did nothing?! Without you...] The Healing World Tree's voice boomed loudly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I've lived my whole life being used. They took my bark, stole my leaves—I don't even know how many years I endured... You pulled me out of there.] "Hey, that's why—"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Look now. I have leaves. Look at my clothes. Pretty, right? I worried over what you'd like and wore this. I spread my roots wide while waiting just for you. I'm so much prettier now than before.] Fine roots sprouted from the ground and slyly approached me again.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I'm prettier now.] Marronier gripped my shoulder tightly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...Was it all for nothing?] From the Healing World Tree's perspective, feeling that as salvation wasn't strange.
I first met this one in Flower's basement.
I didn't know exactly how they used World Trees, but recalling the wood ghost from long ago, it was definitely nothing good.
Still, no matter what.
Pouncing on me that day and acting like a wife was too much.
Its circumstances were pitiful. Even I was shaken by the pathos in its voice.
"Calm down a bit."
If we'd had some intimate conversation, maybe.
Even with others, I'd built certainty over long meetings.
Compared to them, this relationship was short and intense.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [ 'World Tree of Purity' nods in satisfaction. ] Know your place.
"Helping you was just common sense. I didn't know how much it meant to you."
But blindly dragging me in, having a relationship, and then forcing it—that's different.
This emotional rift deepening was abnormal.
Not that I should say this to someone who likes me, but having lived locked in a basement without much education. Wasn't her love too impulsive?
This was the path I'd and others taken.
Look at me. Jumping into relationships without thinking ahead, and now future disasters loomed.
How much chaos was I causing to prevent that?
And she ignored it all.
Even if the Healing World Tree weren't a tree but my ideal beauty, I'd still advise her.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [No.] Healing declared firmly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I don't want anyone else.] Resolute in a heartrending voice.
Her plight tugged at Marronier, who pulled my arm.
She looked half-sympathetic, empathizing with the heightened emotions.
You can't side with her too.
"Still, no means no. You're a World Tree. Healing, at that."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Different species is the problem? If that's it, I...] "It's not that."
I'm saying even I have limits reaching out.
Not self-satisfaction—even racking my brains for real solutions, there were none.
"You have so many people to save ahead. You have a role as a World Tree. You can't just quit because you want to. You're like a queen in this world. It won't turn without you."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [But...] "Meanwhile, what am I?"
I couldn't say it outright.
Eventually, I'd have to oppose the World Trees.
If it showed even slight favor toward me, what fate awaited a rooted Healing World Tree?
Being burned at the stake instantly wouldn't be surprising.
What happens if word spreads that the queen is plotting with rebels to wipe out her ministers and elites?
I still didn't know why it liked me.
Though, having formed inexplicable bonds myself, I couldn't scold it harshly.
"Still, you have to protect your own life. Right?"
The time Healing World Tree and I met? At most twice.
Less than two hours by the clock.
Feeling destiny and love in that short span—there are things you must turn back from now.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...In the end, it's because I'm a tree, huh.] Yeah, probably.
Even if social conditions didn't match, if it were human, I could somehow manage.
A tree? Impossible. Especially a trackable World Tree like Healing.
Still, hard to argue when it likes me.
I scratched my cheek.
The Healing World Tree stood silently, tears streaming miserably.
I slowly broached words to help it regain composure.
"Instead, here's the thing. I'm super busy right now."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [......] "Once it's all done. When it's normal to pull even one like you out, I'll come get you then."
I have a lot of rampaging ahead.
I'll focus on my tasks to avoid going mad.
But unintentionally, I might harm someone. Many could die because of me.
Luckily, some civilian I kill might get saved by the Healing World Tree.
This one belongs here.
Conversely, it might heal my enemies too.
I'll handle that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [....] The Healing World Tree's branches drooped sadly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...You'll do it for me, husband?] "Y-Yeah, sure. Shit, whatever."
With the World Tree of Purity already around, what's one more?
"But after everything's done. Or when I can afford to fetch you."
Vitality gradually returned to its branches.
The leaves, swaying precariously like the last on a twig moments ago, now spun happily.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Really? For real?] "Yeah."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...Can I believe you?] "But you'll have to wait a long time."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I can wait even if I turn to stone like the faithful wife.] "Alright... What about Marronier's trial?"
Marronier jolted her shoulders in surprise at my words.
Looking at the World Tree, Healing shook its branches beamingly, as if no greater joy existed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Unconditionally pass, pass!] My legs gave out, and I slumped down.
That settled it.
I'd thought after my business ended, I'd laze around enjoying holidays forever. But with them piling up like this, getting dragged around by trees wasn't impossible.
Marronier, watching me, murmured beside me.
"...You're serious?"
"What."
"D-Dating a World Tree...?"
I whispered into Marronier's ear so the World Tree wouldn't hear.
"It's far off anyway. Just words."
"What if that time really comes? I don't know what you're doing, but..."
"Then no choice."
"...You jumped in without thinking ahead?!"
Marronier scolded me, smacking my shoulder.
At that moment, the World Tree's fine roots tugged at Marronier's clothes.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Blanche!] "What!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Get along as fellow wives.] "F-Fellow wife? What're you talking about...?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You love him, don't you?] Come to think of it,
She was right.
We'd come pretending to be lovers, roughly.
Marronier froze stiff, glared at me, and gritted her teeth.
"Th-That, that's not it!!"
Marronier shrieked.
Her face flushed bright red.