Chapter 271
Chapter 271
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: Seduce the Tree (12)
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[Why isn't he coming?]
What the hell is this ordeal anyway?
No matter how much I teased him, even if just a tiny bit mischievously, how could someone change that drastically?
[...Those idiot bastards.]
They're all the same.
No one approaches me consistently.
Everyone has their own dark ulterior motives deep down. Not a single one truly supports or aids me, a tree, with all their heart.
It's always been like this.
[...Because I don't seem like I'd make a good World Tree. Is that why?]
I know it. Because I'm somehow lacking, a short little tree, that's why I get treated like this.
I'm not the kind of tree that could ever become a World Tree.
If I were a World Tree, would those guys have ignored and looked down on me like that?
-That tree is too picky. Always spewing curses whenever there's a chance. No way it'd like that.
My personality is too difficult?
If I just kept my mouth shut, the other trees would be the same.
I knew they hated me anyway.
-Looking at it makes me want to snap off its branches. So puny too. Would be easy, right?
Most of them talk shit behind my back.
That was fine. I could swallow my rage by thinking, "Inferior weaklings gossiping behind my back."
-I don't think I can satisfy you.
But right now, my heart feels especially empty because he's the only one who expressed dissatisfaction right to my face.
That's why it stuck with me, making my chest ache.
And it wasn't even a proper curse—it was purely about not being able to satisfy me.
[Lee Si-heon.]
Mary murmured.
[Lee Si-heon, Lee Si-heon.]
I hated myself for feeling down because of that one guy.
[...Why do I have to fret like this?]
He's just someone I'll meet briefly and part from. What is this?
No emotions shared, nothing. We can barely call it anything.
I'm the tree giving the ordeal. He's just an El Academy cadet here to receive it.
Simple. That's our relationship, and even if it flares up, it'll fizzle out in days.
He danced to my tune for a whole week, regardless of the ordeal...
[Haa.]
Water wouldn't flow into my roots.
Exhaling oxygen, I blankly stared at the lights.
[...I want to become a World Tree.]
A dream and hope I'd cherished since I was young.
I want to spread my branches wide too.
[So grandly that I embrace everyone.]
I want to crush the noses of those who look down on me and live my life surrounded only by those who like me.
[......]
People who like me.
Would there even be any?
Even if I became a World Tree and someone came for flowers, would they really like me?
The world doesn't revolve around me. I'd realized that long ago, stuck in this isolation chamber, sustained only by nutrients.
Could things change if I tried a bit harder?
If I grew my roots more, bore greener leaves and fruit...
...If I grabbed hold now.
Said I'd do my best. That I'm sorry.
If I could just say that one thing, maybe something would change. Lately, that's been on my mind.
-Clunk.
The sound of the door opening.
I lifted my drooping branches and straightened myself. Unfortunately, it wasn't him, but at least this person could relay his response.
[How'd it go?]
A voice more subdued than usual slipped out.
The tree caretaker stared at the ground silently, hands politely clasped.
"I came to relay one thing."
[That guy... no, Lee Si-heon?]
"It's related to participant Lee Si-heon."
Can't meet. It's tough.
I'll think about it more.
His responses had grown milder each time. That's why his visits always left me on tenterhooks, wondering what he'd say.
Nearly a week had passed since then.
Yet his face and scent still lingered vividly in my memory.
[What's it this time?]
The man hesitated before speaking.
"I came to inform you that the tree in charge of participant Lee Si-heon's ordeal may change."
Something I'd never even considered.
[What?]
I could hardly believe my ears.
Despite managing countless Forest Guardian selection trials, I'd never heard of such a case.
The second ordeal has clear rules.
You can't just switch trees because you don't like the one assigned.
[What are you talking about?]
"I can't provide details."
[Why not?]
"Do you remember the exception clause in the Forest Guardian selection trial?"
All events in the trial can have schedules or methods slightly altered by World Tree orders.
Of course, with multiple World Trees, they can't do whatever they want, but adjusting the second ordeal's assigned tree is something any World Tree can coordinate anytime.
[......What.]
In short, another World Tree had changed Lee Si-heon's assigned tree.
I was too stunned to speak.
The human I'd looked down on was now under another World Tree's protection, passing the second ordeal.
And I couldn't say a word in the process. The other party outranks me—a World Tree.
The top caste I'm talking about.
[......]
An inexpressible injustice surged up. I understood, but it hurt.
[So... I just have to shut up and accept it? Because I'm a tree that can't become a World Tree. Because I'm getting released anyway.]
"No."
[No what?]
Emotions spilled from my mouth.
[What do you mean no?!]
My branches bristled. A droplet fell from under my leaves.
[It's because I'm small. Short height, short roots, always pathetic like a sapling.]
I know.
[So I was going to apologize. I was a bit harsh. But, but this isn't right.]
A flicker of surprise crossed the man's face. But his feelings didn't matter.
He'd cursed me behind my back once too.
[Just let me see his face once. Is that so hard?]
"...That's not something I can do."
[...Let me see the World Tree.]
Tree Network.
The exclusive connection among World Trees, nicknamed that.
After the Wood Spirit King and Heavenly Demon, it underwent multiple reforms, now usable only by upper World Trees.
I was connected to the Tree Network too.
But non-upper trees like me could barely connect, unable to express much.
We only received one-way messages from upper World Trees.
The reason for this inefficient format was the Wood Spirit King and Flower's schemes—World Trees' positions and secrets had been exposed multiple times.
But if permitted, I could access it too.
Of course, I had neither the power nor justification.
I was too wronged to say anything else.
My branch tips trembled. Strength surged into my roots.
I'd cried so much my clothes were soaked.
[......]
Tyranny.
But I couldn't say a word.
I knew my past human-bashing rants—mocking inferiors and arbitrarily changing situations—weren't much different from this.
As I fell silent, the man adjusted his clothes and slowly spoke.
His voice, laced with apparent regret, grated on me.
"That's how it is. I'm sorry. It seems your role in the second ordeal ends today, Mary."
Once the second ordeal ends.
I'll be stuck here for years again, just taking curses.
If growth is poor, worst case, natural release.
Release sounds nice—it's basically death.
Trees grown in soil packed with mana and nutrients can't survive on rough, dry ground.
They'd wither fast, unable to absorb sustenance.
"Rest well."
I couldn't say anything.
No way to change this, no way to convey my feelings.
[Heh.]
A deflated laugh escaped.
[......At least.]
I wanted to meet him face-to-face.
See how he really thought of me. Did he find me annoying too?
It must've been tough, but just in case.
If he'd approached to genuinely win my favor, treated me that well because of it.
I could've apologized at least.
[Just talk...]
-Rustle.
Shrinking branches.
Roots emerging upward, forming a shape.
I wanted to say something.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Hubby~]
Fine roots tightly hugged my waist.
Branches between my armpits. Roots around my waist. Like human arms and legs embracing as closely as possible to the chest.
I looked at the Healing World Tree rubbing her soft wooden body against my cheek.
[...I did good, right?]
"Yeah, yeah, you did great."
[Kyaa!]
Stroking her wooden body with my hand, her voice soared with joy.
Is this a tree or a person?
-Smack, smack, smack, smack, smack.
A saliva-like liquid smeared all over my face.
Cheek kisses should feel like cheek kisses—this felt like being treated as a hubby or a dog, unclear which.
[I had one less person under me, so I swapped right away. You were complaining about headaches from the second ordeal anyway~ Better to make it easy, right?]
Parachute drop, what is it.
This is why connections matter in daily life.
One swing of the Healing World Tree's branch, and no one dared complain.
Thanks to that, I couldn't meet Mary, whom I'd worked hard on.
'Good is good, I guess.'
I'd planned to thoroughly reshape Mary's mindset this time, but no need now.
'Fair enough. Better to safely pass by playing hubby a few times than gamble on uncertainty.'
I glanced at the Healing World Tree clinging to me, then at Maronie glaring with subtle eyes from afar.
As my gaze left the World Tree, she tightened her hugging branches fiercely, craving more attention, and spoke.
[...Hubby, you smell so good.]
"You're kinda pervy."
[Right now, every inch from one to ten is mine.]
Do as you like.
Since when was my body mine anyway?
"......Lee Si-heon."
"Yeah."
"No, never mind."
Maronie started to say something, then deflated, puffing her cheeks and looking away.
She'd said enslavement was in effect.
If not my imagination, that sulky heroine-like pose wasn't nothing.
With enslavement, she should obey most commands, right?
"Blanche."
"Don't call me that!"
"Calling you by name is right. Even as a national tree, it's your name."
[I think so too, hubby~]
Maronie pursed her lips at the World Tree's rhythm.
"......I hate it. Feels weird."
Her denial suggested not fully enslaved.
'Or like the sun said, only partially affected.'
Somewhere between enslavement and not.
A precarious state, unknown when it'd break.
Steady relations and whispers needed for full enslavement, apparently.
Curious, I tested Maronie lightly.
"Wanna sit on my lap?"
A remark deserving a slap.
Saying it to a stranger would land you in cuffs at the station.
Glancing slyly at Maronie, she looked down at my lap.
I spread my arms; she shook her head vigorously.
"Are you crazy?!"
She snapped her head away, but her gaze returned. Deep conflict evident.
Her face flushed gradually, then she awkwardly crawled over and sat in front of me.
More back-facing than lap-sitting. Hands covering her face upfront.
This looked enslaved too.
"You're really crazy.... Not my fault...."
Placing a hand on her head, soft hair enveloped it.
Stroking side to side, she leaned back into my embrace.
[What about me, hubby?]
"Got it."
[Hehe.]
Petting her head gently, I realized something.
Maronie therapy seemed quite valuable.
Enslavement near brainwashing, yet she voiced objections—definitely partial.
I could finally confirm Maronie's state.
Two days left until the second ordeal ended.