Chapter 369
Chapter 369
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 369
Chapter Title: Hastening the Judgment
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"It seems we need to advance the schedule."
Under the green and dark brown cross, a holy figure seated at the center of the round table continued.
"Artifacts and war materials from around the world are gathering under the Cornerus Family. There's no point in dragging this out any longer."
For the World Tree side, the heresy judgment was a double-edged sword.
Turning away from the Cornerus Family—the pinnacle among nobility—would unsettle other noble factions, no matter how justified the cause.
It would accelerate the collapse of the current regime.
This purge carried that level of risk, so it had to be completed the moment the judgment was issued.
"This is the result of turning a blind eye to nobles connected to Flower up until now."
Everyone fell silent at the words of a woman—Angelica, striking with her golden eyes and long hair.
Those seated around the round table approached the meeting in their own postures.
Proxies of the World Tree, each symbolizing a core concept.
[Justice], [Diligence], [Tenacity], [Sacrifice], [Prosperity]
If Flower had its cadres, the Church had these figures.
Summoned by Pope Bed II, he and she voiced their opinions.
"In a single generation, only three Great Archbishops are produced, and one passed away due to the Cradle terrorist attack. Is there any reason not to act when we see those vermin crawling around?"
Angelica, proxy of Justice and principal of El Academy.
A woman responded to her question.
"We must proceed with caution, Lady Angelica. Any more civilian casualties..."
"What gain do you expect from excessive caution?"
The woman shrank back at Angelica's growl.
Azeline—proxy of Prosperity and lord of the fertile lands, appearing as a young girl with chestnut hair—trembled in preemptive fear.
"Think carefully about why things have spiraled like this... Ah, Lady Angelica."
"It's Flower. Decadent nobles like the Cornerus Family are in on it too. And those ignorant fools swayed by Flower's silver tongues—"
"I don't think those people are at fault. No need to drag the innocent through the mud..."
"Azeline. Is that the attitude befitting a World Tree proxy?"
"Eek."
Azeline's words were heartfelt and sympathetic toward humanity, but they were utterly useless at this juncture.
Another woman spoke up in place of the cowed Azeline.
"Regardless, rather than dwell on past mistakes, the issue now is how to purge the Cornerus Family."
At Perpetua—proxy of Sacrifice—Edward, proxy of Tenacity, posed a question.
"Perpetua. Do you believe the Cornerus Family has that much firepower?"
The World Tree Church and Hunter Association could muster substantial forces.
Guilds, knight orders, countless luminaries with S-rank achievements.
"They might put up a real fight. But..."
Yet there were beings whose personal might rivaled entire armies.
The pinnacles.
Entities beyond the limits of life, defying norms.
Countless were mentioned as near that realm, but in this generation, none had truly ascended.
Only three in the world.
Undefeated giants who would never fade.
【The Three Invincible Chestnut Trees of a Hundred Battles. The Heavenly Demon.】
【The Association's true power. Sword Saint Mugung.】
【And Flower's top cadre. Taragon.】
Two of the world's strongest stood as allies.
Their power was asymmetric warfare incarnate.
If even one turned, it would spark a war rivaling the Wood Spirit King era.
No matter their influence in politics or finance, producing a counter was no easy feat.
Unless that experiment succeeded, of course.
"That's assuming those two side with the Church."
Perpetua rebutted Edward, who had listened quietly.
Having such power meant they couldn't be controlled. Leashing them was impossible.
They cooperated with the World Tree for their own reasons.
"In the current situation, even the Heavenly Demon might turn."
"What about the leash's effect? She should be branded."
"What's a mere leash to one who has transcended realms? She could slip it anytime. She's only bending for now to reclaim her sisters' bodies."
Perpetua and Edward traded barbs.
The other proxies listened, organizing their thoughts.
"Doesn't that mean the Heavenly Demon can't resist the Church's will?"
"I hear she has a disciple now."
A bond thicker than blood, master and apprentice.
Only the World Tree could restore her sisters' bodies. But if paths diverged, she was the type to sacrifice her life for her disciple.
Edward fell silent at Perpetua's words.
"...Why do you think that?"
"According to the Sword Saint, the Heavenly Demon has weakened."
"What?"
The name 'Heavenly Demon' had lost some awe, but her danger remained undeniable.
The woman who once seemed to shatter the heavens—weakened?
"I don't know why, but the timing... coincides with when the Purgatory dungeon ceased functioning."
"Purgatory..."
"If her core power has waned, she might sense her end. A weakened body couldn't unravel the World Tree's curse or reclaim her sisters' forms."
Those three women dying.
Unthinkable.
"Will the Heavenly Demon thrash in her final moments? Or pass everything to her successor and fade like falling petals?"
"...And who is that successor?"
Perpetua murmured lowly.
Angelica's eyes widened.
"Lee Siheon from Korea."
The oracle's chosen.
The prophecy was recent, sidelined by the greater threat of Flower.
Suggestions to recruit or kill if he might be the Wood Spirit King's heir had stalled.
The Church had officially designated 'Tree King' as the successor and was tracking him.
The World Tree was a living being too. Even revered as divine, it couldn't foresee everything.
Especially not now, when a moment's lapse could let Flower seize all power.
A monster sprouted from misconception was stirring.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Brother. Ten minutes tops."
"Hm, alright?"
I turned to see Marronier staring at me with puppy eyes.
Our eyes met, and she forced a smile, waving cheerfully.
"It's work, y'know? I can wait... hehe."
Marronier saw me just as rarely.
"Right now?"
"Yes."
Sun's expression was deadly serious.
I had to follow, naturally, but for courtesy's sake, I asked a couple times.
"Got it. I'll prep quick."
"Sorry. Cutting into your time with your girlfriend."
Sun bowed shrewdly, leaving Marronier flustered.
I stroked the dejected cat's head and pulled her into a hug.
"You okay?"
"Mon chéri..."
Ten minutes? No big deal.
But as National Tree, our meetings were precious indeed.
She might not see me for a year, like she said.
Given our backgrounds, Marronier treasured every second with me.
She patted my cheek, prodding me.
Quick, kiss me.
-Smack.
Sweet cherry scent as her tongue slipped between my lips.
Her once-inexpert tongue now entwined passionately,黏ily.
I drew her waist close, gently twisting the sensitive nipples under her dress—like at lunch.
Marronier's body shuddered intermittently.
"...Slurp, smack.... Pwah..."
Her legs trembled weakly.
I stroked Blanche's hair and whispered in her ear.
"Warm yourself up."
"Then undress me."
No helping it. I handed her my short-sleeved summer shirt, changed, and left the hotel.
"Hurry back?"
She peered up, asking in Korean. Her voice made me fidget more.
I stepped out fast and asked Sun.
-Clunk!
Sun followed right after the door shut, reciting coordinates.
Unfamiliar format. I could teleport, but they felt alien.
Layered security artifacts blurring mana... coordinates obscured.
"Teleport there."
"What's this about?"
"I mentioned personal business. Time for Brother to ease into it, no?"
I activated spatial magic and asked Sun.
"Where we headed?"
Sun said nothing, waiting for the spell.
After the transfer, we arrived in a stifling, pitch-black square chamber.
Muggy, faces indistinct, senses dulled by hundreds of layered spells.
The underworld.
My first thought.
"To hold your position, Brother, sometimes you need forceful, shadowy means."
Sun spread his arms, showing off the sticky, unpleasant space.
"I'll help then."
"Where is this?"
"Fine Roots."
He intoned the name confidently.
Sun explained as we walked.
Fine roots: the lowest roots of trees.
Hidden in dark soil, organic networks sucking nutrients faster than any organ.
"For intel, what to use. To cover your mistakes, what to do."
Sun said flatly.
"Or if you want someone dead, how. Here, Flower or World Tree doesn't matter. One of the Wood Spirit King's hidden dungeons, secrets intact."
"I see."
"Yeah. So don't reveal yourself here lightly. I can, though."
Why you?
Before I voiced it, a little girl rushed up and clung to Sun.
"Tree King!"
-Poof.
Sun hugged the presumed girl, ruffling her hair wildly.
Faint giggles echoed.
Too dark, no mana, couldn't make out details.
"Tree King."
"You brought him?"
"What's the occasion?"
Men's voices followed. Sun continued.
"Reason I can reveal myself: I've built that much power."
"Tree King?"
"Ah, didn't mention. Can't have all eyes on Brother and our two factions."
Sun whispered low.
"Fine Roots' 'White Ants.' Publicly presumed led by Wood Spirit King's heir."
Explains how he'd pulled off the impossible before.
Something I couldn't have in this world so soon.
Sun had prepared slowly, thoroughly over a decade for this moment.
"Time for Brother to use us."
Dozens of silhouettes knelt before me, unbidden.
"Don't expect too much. Best we can do is fetch intel."
That alone was a massive surprise.