Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: Cradle's Collapse (8)
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"Let me say it again."
Bang!
Lemon slammed the desk hard and glared coldly at everyone around her.
"We need to reinforce the defenses of the Cradle right now and gather every S-rank Hunter available."
The Golden Knight Captain.
The golden lion emblem on her chest symbolized her position.
The Pope's direct seven knight orders. Their authority was equivalent to that of an archbishop on the surface.
They could execute immediate judgment on those deemed heretics.
"It can't be. Do they even know what this place is, that Flower would dare invade?"
"Some circumstances have already come to light."
"At worst, it's just one or two spies. We have to consider the possibility of it being Flower's deception."
With the conflict intensifying, concentrating troops on the peaceful Cradle would invite public backlash.
"And. I believe mutual respect is the norm here, position-wise."
"What?"
She was ultimately the Pope's proxy.
Even though Lemon held a higher position, it was only on the surface.
It had to be that way.
The Golden Knights had rapidly declined after the Heavenly Demon subjugation war.
Even Captain Lemon still bore injuries from that time.
-Throb.
The pain pounding in her heart made Lemon furrow her brow.
"I say it once more. This is the Pope's will, and defying it without just cause will bring severe consequences."
The archbishop's words held merit, but this was the Cradle.
A place that must never be invaded.
One reason the sanctity had been emphasized all this time, allowing the World Trees to remain as gods.
If even a hint of Flower's influence reached here, it demanded attention.
'Damn old hag.'
Lemon ground her teeth inwardly.
All the holy sites of the trees except the Cradle had heightened their alerts.
There were reasons for it all. And they couldn't be ignored.
As the saying goes, it was even more necessary now that the conflict was deepening.
She was vastly different from the old Lemon.
From her first campaign in the Little Heavenly Demon subjugation war until now. Her mana core had been completely shattered, her combat power steadily declining.
But she had regained her reason over youthful impulses. Far more mature than before.
"Captain Lemon sometimes has a tendency to belittle humans."
"What?"
"Are you dismissing our opinions too much because Priest Aaron and I are of human origin?"
"Don't play word games."
The more they talked, the more her stubborn attitude grated on her.
She wondered how such a man had risen to archbishop, curiosity boiling to madness.
She knew the reason.
Lemon calmly lowered her gaze, then warned coldly.
"Archbishop 빈 Mark."
"Yes?"
Mark's eyelids twitched slightly, noticing the change in her tone.
"His Holiness is well aware of Archbishop 빈 Mark's achievements. You've exterminated many from Flower. And you have tremendous trust from the surrounding priests and bishops."
"What are you suddenly talking about?"
"You still don't understand what I mean?"
Falsified achievements.
It was extremely common.
"The church's faith isn't shining. Even the World Trees lament it. Where do these idiots get their brains, worse than a baby's dick?"
"W-what insolence!"
The air grew frigid.
As Lemon took a step forward, the watching escort priests panicked.
-Step.
A man blocked Lemon's path.
Aaron looked down at her with an expressionless face.
Lemon laughed incredulously, then stared at Archbishop Mark behind Aaron.
"We don't hold trials because even scum like you still have some use."
"......"
"Just shut up and let it slide. You still don't get it?"
Her voice rose.
The breath caught in their throats.
"Did you think the World Trees truly know nothing? Or how long do we have to teach dementia-ridden trash like you in the temple?"
A tiger without teeth was still a tiger. A knight captain.
Not someone to show incompetence here.
"Sir Aaron."
"Yes."
"Following is fine, but excess invites disaster."
"I'm sorry."
The archbishop, face drained white, stammered desperately.
"Y-you're making baseless nonsense. Make statements you can take responsibility for!"
"If you're so confident, why stammer?"
Lemon turned her back.
"The current situation can be blamed on trash like you. Know that and act accordingly. I pray you do."
Discrimination against humans.
Old corruption and defense scandals.
Even religion harbored clear discrimination against humans.
It couldn't be eradicated overnight.
Knight Captain Lemon knew that bone-deep.
'I killed people I didn't even want to, trying to protect... not scum like this.'
Duty and mission.
She knew it bone-deep, yet rage boiled.
"Arm the remaining priests immediately and heighten security. Not even a second's gap is allowed."
"......"
"Can't you even answer? You who wielded such smooth words for survival."
The archbishop clamped his mouth shut and bowed silently.
Lemon strode out, slamming the door with a loud bang.
-Bang.
Through the window, cadets training with National Trees were visible.
For years, she'd been too busy with efforts and duties, ignoring all issues except religious ones.
Rehabilitation after the Heavenly Demon subjugation had consumed much time.
Her mana core for holding power and mana-flowing meridians had all been wrecked.
'Please. Let it pass without issue.'
She had to return after leaving a few knights as the Pope's guard, but she could pray.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Accepting the Sage's will and acting in her stead.
The position and duties of National Tree were a heavy burden for Marronier.
She'd been mentally distracted by brainwashing for a while, but that was old news.
Back to daily life, Marronier pondered how to meet the Sage's expectations, finding it immensely confusing.
"This is the predicted invasion route for Flower."
The system had been revamped decades ago.
But including before that, the Cradle of the World Tree dated back to BC times.
Ancient magic and artifacts remained intact.
Conversely, major threats were being suppressed.
Predicting Flower's long-prepared routes fell to Marronier alone here.
"There might be traitors even in the church. Don't tell anyone."
She observed the Cradle's system.
The Sage's help was essential. Studies in Eden aided too.
At this moment, Marronier's knowledge ceiling was overwhelming.
This preparation phase already burdened her immensely.
The Sage visited midway, offering advice.
"...This is my plan for now."
A reasonably solid strategy emerged.
"Looks good."
"With this... we might not just escape, but fully block them?"
Considering the many personnel left in the Cradle.
Overconfidence was forbidden.
Even Marronier lacked experience.
She foresaw thousands of variables.
Thanks to Marronier's logical explanation, the mood was cheerful.
'I need to speak up.'
It absolutely wouldn't go this smoothly.
But ruining the mood... she couldn't.
She'd speak when the air settled.
At that thought, Lee Siheon spoke.
"It's not over yet. A few more explanations."
When plans collapse for inexplicable reasons.
Assign tasks considering each National Tree's specialties.
Some prioritize lifesaving.
Others support magic.
The Sage's space magic was sturdier than others', but still easy to break.
They needed to check mages approaching her.
Cadets joined this group too.
Personnel to guide escape directions. Naturally necessary.
This group's goal: 'lifesaving'.
Not fully blocking Flower.
"Remember up to here. From today, no slacking. Return to positions, contact immediately if anything unusual."
After explanations and assignments, Lee Siheon looked at her.
Marronier unwittingly turned away.
'...'.
He was capable.
Not sure about charismatic leader.
But when she couldn't step up, he always spoke first.
Even proposing risky or tough plans, unafraid of backlash.
'Good person.'
Still.
Recalling just days ago made it awkward, same as ever.
After dispersal, plan review.
Another all-nighter for Marronier, a cold ice bottle placed on her head.
"They say good, smart people are often suckers."
"...What's that."
"You're working too hard."
Exchanging much on plans made daily chat possible now.
"I knew someone like you once. Wonder if they're doing well."
"...Like me?"
"Yeah."
Siheon chuckled after drinking water.
"There was this ridiculously kind person who took on everything. Loved people around them."
"Friend? Lover?"
No idea why he said it.
Siheon shook his head at Marronier's question.
"Not sure. Short time together. Friend...? Colleague maybe."
The story wasn't important.
Siheon shrugged it off and focused back on work.
Serious eyes scanning documents.
Watching sometimes drew her in unknowingly.
He had that charm.
'Focused on work himself.'
Marronier blinked sleepy eyes and stood.
Work was good, but rest was needed sometimes.
Three days of no sleep beyond catnaps for Marronier.
"Sleep well. I'll notify if anything."
Plan still had revisions, spots to fix visible.
Marronier nodded.
Her brain wouldn't turn anymore.
And... near this man, her head sometimes heated.
Better to focus alone in her room.
-Creak. Thud!
Door open and shut, Marronier staggered along.
Nearing her room, a man loitered nearby.
"Hey. Shorty."
"Bell?"
"Seemed busy lately. Passed the trial?"
England's National Tree. Bell chuckled, tapping Marronier's shoulder.
Her body tilted over.
She barely regained balance.
"...What. Why so weak?"
Bell asked, flustered.
Marronier frowned at Bell.
England, France, Germany. These three nations allied religiously, National Trees close too.
Originally planned to include those two.
But '...Abie.'
Germany's fir tree.
That man's behavior was suspicious.
She thought childhood training partner wouldn't betray, but personal feelings aside, kept Bell and Abie out.
"You okay? Eyes twitching bad."
"Shut it, Bell. Tired, going in. Why the worry, unlike you?"
"Listen to that tone. French temper as expected."
Bell's usual banter annoyed now.
Marronier sighed, trying to pass Bell.
"I'm going."
A soft mutter, then footsteps behind.
-Step.
Bell reacted to the corridor sound behind.
"Abie?"
That man.
The one Lee Siheon was wary of, Marronier's friend.
Normally, she'd pass without thought, but doubt already bloomed in her mind.
1:30 AM.
Three National Trees gathered here.
Closest to her room.
Marronier wouldn't dismiss the anomaly as coincidence.
Chill chased sleep away.
Marronier glanced front and back.
"Marronier."
Abie approached step by step. Bell still smirked.
Just like two months ago. Normally, no suspicion.
Overly sensitive?
In the ominous air, Marronier's eyes turned icy blue.
'......'
-Hum!
She read thoughts.
In the spread consciousness corner, Bell's voice echoed.
-Flinch!
Marronier's hand reaching for wand in her belt was easily blocked by Bell.
"Sleep quietly."
-Thud!
Pain in lungs expelled all oxygen.
Eyes squeezed shut, the voice in Marronier's ear was far darker than before.
Bell wiped a dropped saliva drop disgustedly, hoisting Marronier over his shoulder.
"I told you. Exercise more."
"...Crazy bastard."
A mutter in fading consciousness.
"Your stamina's too weak."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd anticipated something like this.
One of us getting ambushed.
But not inside the hotel.
'Unexpected, but not without countermeasures.'
Chirp!
Attached one spirit to Marronier.
The strongest fighter, Lucy.
Ordered to act if life threatened, but they didn't intend to kill her.
Marronier's power useful to both Flower and World Tree sides.
No reason to kill easily.
Reading their rapid exit from Cradle now.
Unintentionally using Marronier as bait.
No choice.
Couldn't save her now anyway.
-Crack!
"Kghk, kahak."
Ambushed.
Not just Marronier.
A woman lay with half her face caved in, unable to scream.
"Hey."
"...Cough, cough."
"Answer."
-Crack!
Flesh pulped, blood sticky on fist.
"Stop, stop..."
Pain wearying her to tears now.
Time for brainwashing if plenty, but not now.
I silently swung again.
-Boom!
Blood prettily splattered floor.
Flower-like, petal-shaped.