Chapter 301
Chapter 301
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 301
Chapter Title: Heavenly Demon Uses Magic (10)
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To the people of this world, '1565' is an unforgettable number.
It evokes the humiliation of the day the Wood Spirit King seized half the world.
It symbolizes the regions rejected by the World Tree.
In 1,565 regions, access is forbidden without the church's permission, and even compiling statistics is prohibited at will.
Considering that the last records of these areas are from a dilapidated paper dated 1975, one can gauge how thoroughly the World Tree sought to reject humanity.
200 million.
200 million humans wander as vagrants in the slums, without even a name to call their own.
That's excluding the unreported figures from China and India.
To survive, they frequently kidnap locals from nearby crime syndicates or passing travelers. Humans can be endlessly cruel.
Those who chose conscience died long ago.
It's been nearly a century since the Wood Spirit King departed.
-Thud. Thud.
Sector 68.
McAllen in Texas is one of the places thoroughly rejected and severed from the nation.
By the sacred decree of the divinized World Tree, even national supplies are cut off—no roads have been built in this wretched shantytown.
Housing is makeshift patches of cloth over crumbling old city ruins.
There are sturdy buildings crudely hammered together with concrete, but those spaces have long been claimed by militant factions.
"Hoo."
A full puff of smoke billowed from his mouth.
Chewing on cheap tobacco was worse than nothing.
The filthy air choked his throat with every step. The rising sunlight was anything but welcome.
It would've been nice if it rained today.
The man in the robe spat phlegm-mixed saliva and opened his mouth.
Black spittle oozed into the ground.
"Three hours."
It was Flower's tax day.
As long as the World Tree's reach didn't extend here, Flower—claiming descent from the Wood Spirit King—ruled this place and won hearts.
They provided massive supplies and aided in rebuilding structures. Over 5,000 villagers hung on Flower's strings.
Of course, ugliness lurked behind it all.
"Two kids. Got one already."
Just two would feed the entire sector.
Two a month,
in a place where people killed for an apple—quite the bargain for two young lives, no?
We're already too starved to weigh our souls anyway.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
Right beside him, a girl glared with wide eyes.
"Stay still. It's a good place you're going. No one's coming to help anyway."
The girl's face hardened at his cruel words.
The man lit a fresh cigarette.
"Everyone knows."
The girl screamed.
But the onlookers merely shot her a glance before shuffling on blankly or clutching their empty stomachs and looking away.
Despair settled in the girl's eyes.
"Don't blame me. The wondrous, sacred, beautiful World Tree even stripped this land of its natural purification. What can you do?"
"......"
"The grass withered, rabbits vanished, buffalo fled, and wolves starved. Even migratory birds avoid this place."
Tears had dried up long ago; not a scrap of sentiment remained, just dryness.
The man checked the watch in his pocket.
"When's that guy coming?"
His partner, off to snag another kid.
Plenty of time left.
The man crossed his arms again and continued chatting with the girl.
As always, to kill boredom.
Time was plentiful for those denied even the right to work.
"Hey, Tina, was it? Back in the day, I dreamed of being a bard. Get out of this hellhole, snag a status, become a poet."
"No way out. Had buddies—most went to the Dark Continent. World Tree can't reach there, no laws, no discrimination. Strength proves everything."
The Dark Continent was Africa.
A mysterious land teeming with ents, monsters, and gates.
No living thing could survive there—or so it seemed.
Compared to this barren wasteland without a speck of gold, it overflowed with treasure despite the dangers.
Many losers yearned to go.
Catch a monster by luck, awaken, snag an artifact—life reversed.
Tina's eyes narrowed.
What the hell is he getting at?
"Just killing time."
Dreams, of course, shattered.
Playing frontman for Flower suited him fine. Reality check.
The man chewed his smoke and spat it out with phlegm.
"Hate me?"
His face remained icily stiff.
He reached out and untied the cloth gag from the girl's mouth.
"......"
The girl trembled wordlessly.
Her eyes blazed, but no words came.
She was composed for her age—most kids here were like that.
Youth and a cute face weren't always shields.
They all knew it.
"Am I... gonna die?"
Tina finally spoke.
The man replied dryly.
"Dunno."
He had connections to Flower, but no clue what they did.
Not the Eight Petals, not even their executives—he'd never seen or heard of them.
Far beyond his league, like the World Tree itself.
He just kept his end of the deal.
Just then, another man dragged in an unconscious kid.
Two hours and thirty left. Perfect timing to head out.
"You're late."
"Sorry. This one's quick on her feet—gave me trouble."
"Caught a fast one? Why bother?"
"Seemed new around here."
The two men exchanged words, then hauled the kids away.
Onlookers stirred from their stupor, eyeing the kids and men.
Waiting for Flower's goods to arrive soon.
"Chirp."
A sparrow cried out.
"Hm?"
A sparrow that shouldn't be here.
The man's eyes snapped toward the sound.
"Lost migratory bird?"
Rarely, stragglers wandered in.
But was that a sparrow?
The sparrow-like thing flapped frantically upon eye contact.
"Chirp!?"
[C-Caught!] Horrific visions flashed in Tree Footrest's mind.
If this blunder cut off her magic supply,
[If Master gets disappointed,]
No. 1 contractor Tree Footrest could plummet to No. 2.
[N-Nooooo!!!!!! I hate that! Me, this cute, as No. 2?!]
Absolutely not.
Pat-pat on the butt first.
Magic supply first.
[I won't lose to that damn woodpecker Lucy!]
Tree Footrest decided to squeeze out a casual chirp.
Like an accidental visitor. Greeting the man.
-...Chirp.
[Nice to meet you!] ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -The vibe here's off.
Found Tina.
With my presence fully concealed, face mask, and robe on, I cautiously tailed the man.
[Master, I did good? I did great? Chased hard? Tailed openly, but those lowly things didn't notice us at aaaaaaaall, right?] [...Princess. Please act with some decorum!] Tree Footrest clung to my shoulder, nuzzling my head.
Woodpecker finally snapped, but Tree Footrest just snorted and hugged my neck with soft feathers.
'You an elementary kid?'
[What's that mean, Master?] 'Praise.'
[Hehe, praised! Love you, Master~] If you like it, who am I to argue.
Pet her, and she rubs her feathers harder.
Not unpleasant, so I kept empathizing while tailing them.
[But Master, why not nab them right away?] 'Gotta know who they're dealing with and where they're headed, right?'
Seem like high-ranks here.
Mana detected.
Flower-like quality.
Some way to forcibly manifest mana.
Unlike Wood People, humans can't sense mana without grueling effort—so he's top dog here.
[I see.... Understood Master's intent.] Ex-military Woodpecker got it quick.
[I-I get it too, Master.] Tree Footrest chimed in late. Didn't seem like she really did.
Considering my tasks and their skills, Woodpecker excels.
Ex-army knight—used to being chewed out, takes my crap well.
Serves superiors properly.
No whining.
Clear on rewards, begs for firm grips often. No biggie.
Tail lasted two hours.
No vehicles, just walking—expected.
Max presence kill fools concealment even sans cover.
Illusions fool eyes plenty.
Soon, they entered a building.
The shantytown's largest structure.
Faint lingering mana, some intact furniture.
'Lucy.'
[Yes.] 'Go in.'
No sparrow this time.
This young lady grasps requests too literally still.
[M-Master, me? What about me? I can do better than Lucy.] 'You stay with me. In my pocket.'
Sweet-talked, her eyes sparkle innocently.
[Masteeeeer!] <.......> You're a hassle to use.
Can't say that—she'd sulk.
Woodpecker eyed the princess silently, sighed, cloaked herself in magic, and slipped inside.
Her voice rang in my ear.
[Several robed folks inside. Seven total. The two new guys just handed off the two kids.] Tree Footrest nails what she'd never do.
[No real weapons. Artifacts present, but not offensive.... Still, each seems versed in basic magic.] 'Good job.'
Plopped on nearby dirt, getting updates.
Tree Footrest nestled into my chest.
Small size—like a gum sticker.
[Master, I'm pretty and cute, right? Me.... a princess of a nation...... m-maybe....] "Don't get ahead of yourself."
[S-Sorry!] [Sigh. Princess, please.] [What? Why, what!] Woodpecker shut up.
Won't speak.
Resumed relaying quietly.
[Building's stocked heavy. Food and luxuries.] 'Trading food for kids?'
[Seems so. Warehouse packed. Looks fresh off-delivery.] 'Can tell from that?'
[Age shows quick. Ruined building settles dust fast. This is spotless.] Impressive.
[Heads that way.] I reconcealed with Tree Footrest.
Soon, robed figures dragged the kids off.
Artifacts in hand—spatial transfer magic incoming.
Woodpecker returned, perched on my shoulder.
'Follow.'
[...Master. Leave the building folks?] 'Let 'em be.'
No explanation.
Woodpecker sensed it, stayed quiet.
No need for extra chaos now.
Replacements abound if those two die.
-Hum!
Mana rippled; artifact activated.
Lucy flapped in without prompting, into its range.
Group teleport.
Spirit arts perk—scout inside solo impossible.
-Flash!
Men and kids vanished before my eyes.
Petted Tree Footrest on my clothes, waited 30 seconds.
'How's it?'
Response soon.
[Trees here.]