Chapter 333
Chapter 333
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 333
Chapter Title: The Flower of Black and White (Complete)
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A peach blossom petal rode the wind and drifted over.
Flower rain falling with the rain.
The woman, her face drained of color, gently touched the petal that had landed on her hair.
The black peach blossom petal on her delicate hand rolled across her palm with the breeze before falling to the dusty ground.
'This...'
Hong Yeon stared at the petal for a moment.
'Feels like I've seen it somewhere before.'
Something seemed on the tip of her tongue, tempting her to step away from the battlefield for a moment to puzzle it out, but in the end, she tore her gaze from the petal and moved forward.
'No need to worry about something so trivial.'
The fall of the Cradle was imminent.
*****
I was carried on a stretcher up the mountain.
"Ugh, ow."
-Thud thud.
Maybe because the mountain path was so rough. My body jolted with every movement.
Whenever my skin brushed against the metal poles or fabric, a groan escaped my lips.
"Sheesh, bro, you're such a drama queen."
"You little shit..."
"Hey, Aori. Now's your chance to pounce on him."
"Need any tending to, Your Majesty?"
"I'm fine. It'll heal soon enough."
Taeil and Aori, carrying the stretcher front and back, snickered as they looked at me.
"Hand? Foot? Just say the word. I'll be your personal nurse, Aori from the psych ward. Costume play?"
"...Aori, you're pretty great if you just kept your mouth shut."
"That's me for ya."
"My back hurts, so don't talk to me."
"Got it."
Power comes at a price.
The Black Path, which converts all mana in the body to demonic energy, is a force incompatible with the frail human physique.
Even the sturdy danjeon and resilient body of a Wood Person struggles to handle it.
Using it in a human body was bound to bring side effects.
'Even if I hold it, spots would break out after just a few minutes.'
That's not usually the case.
Normally, you maintain it longer and draw the power up gradually. But this time, I lost control.
"Bro."
As I leaned my head on their arms and groaned, Taeil spoke up.
"What're you gonna do now?"
"What do you mean, you punk."
"Everyone knows about that Heavenly Demon power crap now. At least the Korean and Japanese National Trees next to you do."
Taeil had come running at the commotion, found me collapsed in the pit after Mei Hua died, and carted me off.
As if he'd prepared thoroughly knowing this would happen from the start.
Before Suyeon and Saku even arrived, I was already being moved to the mountain.
'That woman knows, but... so what. Any problem?'
Even between Heavenly Path and Mugung, no battle had broken out.
With Heavenly Path aiding the Association right now, Suyeon had no reason to turn hostile toward me. Given her personality, she might even view me favorably.
"Those two are trustworthy. A hundred times more decent than a guy like me. At least I don't regret revealing my power this time."
"Even so, you're the king. Isn't this a bit too careless? We almost got caught too. Because your retainers' powers are so unique. If you hadn't wiped them out, we'd be dead by now."
Taeil scolded me.
Fair enough. Maybe it was too reckless when my faction still lacks the power to back me up.
I get it, but those who were meant to know already know I'm the Wood Spirit King. Regret is for when there's something to lament.
"Ah, shit. I miss Baek Do."
"...Huh? Finally confessing?"
"Not that... Never mind."
-Buzz, buzz!
My phone, which Taeil had grabbed, had been vibrating steadily since earlier.
Probably Jindallae or Seyoung, having heard the news.
Even knowing I have spatial magic, they won't let go of their worry.
"Not gonna answer?"
"Suddenly feeling mischievous."
"Heh heh, bro's got a filthy temper."
I maneuvered the phone to send a few messages.
[Me: All good here. Took a bit longer than expected. Civilians and residential areas handled by me and the National Trees, so no need to worry too much.] - (Group send)
-Buzz! Bzzz! Buzz!!!!!!!!!
No sooner had I hit send than calls poured in from the ladies.
I cackled and turned off the phone.
"You're loved."
"Sometimes it's scary."
"No calls?"
My voice was too ragged to hold a normal conversation right now. It'd just worry them more.
Besides, I still had a few things to do.
As I slowly healed my body with Healing Authority and waited, we soon arrived where the Sage was.
Gazes turned toward me as I was carried in on the stretcher, and then heavy footsteps came rushing from somewhere.
Thud thud!
"@#$%!!"
A voice tinged with a sob.
But the words didn't make sense.
'Come to think of it, the translator's busted.'
I know the voice well. No way there are two people in the world with a voice that gives me chills just hearing it.
As Taeil silently carried me, Marronier rushed up and grabbed my cheek.
Her panicked face filled my view.
"!#Siheon%?? 3$^!!"
"Taeil, what'd she say? Translator's broken, can't hear."
"[email protected]%5?"
"If you're an item, language barriers shouldn't matter. Handle it yourselves. Mine's been busted for a while too."
Taeil dumped the metal poles indifferently.
-Thud!
"Ack!"
I sprawled ungracefully on the ground. Marronier knelt and patted my shoulder.
A choked voice leaked from her wide-eyed mouth.
"You... okay?"
Not perfectly clear, but pleasant Korean.
"No injuries?"
Her clothes were a bit torn, but the large outfit covered her body.
The dirt on her face told the story of how she'd handled that long power line alone.
"I should be the one saying that. Why are you speaking it?"
She still couldn't handle long sentences. Blanche wiped her teary eyes and trembled her lips.
Dirt got in her eyes? Tears streamed from her scrunched face.
'Anyone seeing this would think I got wrecked.'
Easy to mistake.
I'd ended up like this while focusing on healing.
What can you do. I patted Marronier's shoulder, and Blanche wrapped my hand with both of hers, pressing her cheek to it.
I hoped the onlookers saw it as sibling affection.
"Lee Siheon!! You okay?"
"Siheon-oppa!"
Saku and Suyeon came rushing belatedly to my side.
"How's your body? You vanished so suddenly... No visible wounds. You're really okay? How's your danjeon?"
I gently pushed away Suyeon's hand offering pills from her pocket and answered.
Lifting my body slightly, I felt I could move now.
"What happened?"
"Uh, well... The other National Trees all fled. And the traitors too."
"Ah ha. Civilian evac?"
"Everyone except a tiny bit and the National Trees. Our turn now."
Once the National Trees evacuate, this incident is over.
Thanks to their cooperation, we minimized casualties.
"Nice clean end."
"Y-yeah. Without you, Siheon-ssi, it wouldn't have gone this smoothly. Thank you."
Suyeon bowed her head lightly in genuine thanks.
A National Tree expressing pure gratitude without arrogance felt quite foreign.
I could see why she didn't dwell on the power I'd shown.
I stood up. Hugging the still-downcast Marronier once, the cat-like girl rubbed her face against my chest.
"Why are you crying? You did great."
"...Dunno."
"Korean suits you."
I roughly wiped the dirt and tears from her face.
Dragging my aching body, I approached the Sage.
The exhausted Sage smiled at the sight of me and spread her arms.
For some reason craving a hug, I approached with arms out, and surprisingly, she accepted, whispering in my ear.
"Weren't you pushing too hard?"
Distracted by the soft feel of her chest for a moment.
As she pulled away, the Sage giggled looking at my face.
"Why the grin?"
"Nothing. Heh heh heh. Just... happy to see you."
"You look cute like mama bear."
"...Pardon?"
Her voice chilled like midwinter frost.
I played dumb, and the Sage glared before sighing.
"Anyway. One more spell and it's all over. What'll you do? Back to Korea? Or El Academy?"
"Staying here for now. Got some stuff left behind."
"I see."
The Sage nodded and looked around.
Only a few remained in what had been bustling. The surviving National Trees were all battered.
Some heading to support the Foundation, others too drained for anything but return.
Blocking it this well was a miracle.
"Thank you all for handling this crisis so admirably. In the name of the Sage, I am grateful."
The Sage bowed deeply and began teleporting the National Trees one by one.
Maple, third in line, smiled at me.
"Body okay? Heard there was a big commotion earlier."
"For a big commotion, I took a pretty rough beating."
"Hee hee hee. Not a scratch on you? Ah~ I wanna stay too, but my body's a wreck. No choice. Back home to investigate from scratch."
Maple, who had been hunting the infiltrated Autumn Leaves, returned to her country.
"Ah, long time no see. Hehe."
"Hyang?"
Ihyang, the puppy-like Go player type.
Our bond from the first trial had held, and she'd survived well.
Thinking about it, I'd reconnected with a lot of people in this Forest Keeper Selection Tournament.
"Eek, don't touch without washing hands."
"Kuh huh huh."
Ihyang grabbed my hand excitedly and spun away. Got her number, so we could talk anytime.
-Tap tap.
Next, Blanche.
As France's National Tree, she had to return to the routine she hated.
Blanche's eyes reddened slightly. She clutched my collar and stared into my eyes.
"What?"
She pursed her lips at my words, then pinched my ear with petal fingers and pulled down.
"Ow, ow!"
Not painful, but I yelped and lowered my head. Blanche whispered in my ear and fled.
"...Pick up when I call."
And like that.
Saku went, Suyeon too.
"Bro. So how do we meet up? Enroll in El Academy or something?"
"We'll sort it over a call later."
"Aha."
Taeil and Aori exchanged brief words and left.
"...Now the Cradle's your stage, bro?"
"Something like that."
"We'll cheer you on from afar."
Sharing secrets only he and I knew, they left, leaving just me and the Sage.
The Sage, her mana nearly depleted, took a potion for the first time.
"Guess I'll rest today too. Mana good?"
"Yes. Finish up and head to El Academy."
The Sage's eyes narrowed at my words, muttering softly.
As if she knew my intentions.
"Pervert."
She stuck out her tongue and bolted after that one word.
Childish for a lady of her grace, but it made me smile rather than flinch.
"Hey, no reward?"
"People usually leave a reason to meet again right before parting."
"Ah."
"I'll come find you. Don't wait up."
-Flash!
With the Sage's words, I was the only one left on the mountainside.
I scanned the surroundings from the peak for a while. Gazed at the moon overhead, taking a brief pause.
After savoring the short respite, I reached for the bundle by the tree.
Face mask and black disguise clothes.
'The Cradle attacked by Flower.'
The Cradle is where young World Trees grow.
The World Trees and trees inside number more than one or two.
But artifacts make security tight, and getting caught means instant death risk.
'But now.'
-Boom!
An explosion echoed. A smile crept across my lips.
'Not anymore.'
Whatever I do, I can pin it on Flower perfectly right now.
The now-risk-free Cradle was no different from an EXP farm for me.