The Hero Heads to the World Tree
“Hahat… haha!”
In the empty forest, Marian let out a hollow laugh all by herself.
Of course, she had been surveilling the hero. She’d confirmed him taking Karen, Jena von Darius, and even Dalshinyang from the Demon King’s army.
‘Why… are my eyes tearing up?’
Where had it all gone wrong? Marian began searching for the reason her relationship with the hero had derailed.
Maybe after the battle with Bahamons, she should have boldly demanded his body. Or perhaps, from that very first moment when he’d checked out her ass, she should have just tackled him then and there.
But all that was in the past now, and Marian had become the only one in the group who hadn’t shared her body with the hero.
A fierce sense of deprivation and loneliness tormented her.
But Marian wasn’t the only one suffering. The doctrines of the Gaiana Church didn’t forbid marriage for priests, but many still chose celibacy. The more abstinence a priest practiced, the higher their virtue—and in that sense, Marian was enduring the ultimate trial.
There was a world of difference between enduring in ignorance and enduring with full knowledge.
Moreover, every time Marian let out that dazed laugh, her Divine Power was purifying itself to an unrecognizable degree.
“…Even banging beastkin.”
Of course, a surge in holy power didn’t satisfy Marian one bit.
“What are you doing out here, Marian?”
Marian whipped around in shock at the voice from behind. There stood the hero, gazing at her with his usual oblivious expression.
“H-Hero.”
How much had he overheard? Her face burned, but a subtle anticipation made her lower body tingle.
He’d just handled Karen, Jena von Darius, and even the cat beastkin, but Marian knew better than anyone that his stamina was bottomless.
‘M-Maybe… this’ll lead to it?’
Marian squeezed her inner thighs together, lost in lewd fantasies. After three women, maybe the unsatisfied hero would vent on her too.
Caught off guard by the sudden opportunity, she stared at him, flustered.
“I asked what you’re doing.”
“…J-Just couldn’t sleep.”
Head bowed, she mumbled that to him. The whole group was in his tent, but they each had separate bedding. It was the only excuse she had for being out here.
“We don’t know when the Demon King’s army might strike. Gotta stay sharp.”
“Pardon?”
“Even if you can’t sleep, at least try to rest.”
Marian gave him a hollow look. In a situation where the Demon King’s forces could attack any moment, this was rich coming from a guy who’d just bedded three women.
With that, the hero stared at her a moment longer before vanishing into the shadows.
Marian watched his retreating back in a daze and muttered softly.
“Fuck. I’m the crazy bitch for getting my hopes up.”
Marian Delarossi. Deep in sexual frustration, her language was growing coarser by the day.
‘Hilarious.’
I stifled a forced laugh at Marian’s dopey reaction.
I knew exactly why she couldn’t sleep. Even while I was with Karen, Jena von Darius, and Dalshinyang, her Soul Projection had poked around my tent several times.
She looked a bit pitiful, and yeah, part of me wanted to just give her a hug. Her looks didn’t pale next to the others, and her flustered, flushed desperation was kinda cute.
But I had a prior engagement tonight—no time to squeeze her in. Hell, even without it, I’d have left her hanging anyway.
“Heh.”
Grinning wickedly to myself, I cut swiftly through the Great Forest.
I couldn’t say exactly when it started, but teasing Marian had become surprisingly fun.
Anyway, elves were the priority now, not her. I was heading to the elves’ holy site deep in the Great Forest, moving as stealthily as possible to avoid pointless clashes.
‘Should be around here somewhere?’
Mountains all look the same. Nothing but trees in sight, so getting lost was inevitable.
And these primitive elves didn’t even pave paths, so yeah, this was all their fault.
“All clear?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“They said to stay extra vigilant with outsiders around.”
But thanks to those elves, I found my way quick. Big ears like theirs don’t seem to worry about eavesdroppers—they were chattering away on guard duty.
I hid behind a tree and scoped out the noise. Two fresh-faced elves came into view, brimming with pride over guarding the holy site.
And why not? What I sought was the World Tree, which they worshipped like a god. Standing watch over it must’ve felt like an honor.
‘No, it’s not a god to begin with.’
To me, who knew the truth, it was absurd. But these elves would never get it—they treated guarding the World Tree like the ultimate duty.
‘Anyway, gotta break through there?’
I frowned, eyeing the guards near the World Tree.
Elves avoided fights, sure, but they weren’t weak. With their lithe movements, spirit affinity, and archery prowess, they were born rangers—perfect sentries.
For someone like me without formal assassin or stealth training, slipping past was a long shot.
But I had business at the World Tree before tangling with the Demon King’s army. Somehow, I had to evade them.
“Not… too tiring, right?”
“Huh? Of course not. It’s an honor.”
“Yeah. Haha.”
Even as I pondered strategies, the guards kept chatting. Well, the female elf was prodding, and the male just gave curt replies.
Watching closely, I sensed something off. Elves were natural narcissists, barely interested even in each other. Sure, exceptions existed for breeding, but they were rare.
This scene was that rare case. The female elf’s seductive leg-crossing and glances at the male screamed it.
Problem was, the guy was denser than a brick wall, ignoring her completely.
‘What a hopeless idiot.’
I pitied the male elf—then struck gold on a plan. Win-win for me and the elves.
No hesitation with a good scheme.
‘No need to thank me.’
Grinning, I hurled my sword right between them.
“Wh-What’s that?!”
“Watch out!”
The male reacted first; the female lunged forward like to shield him, drawing her bow. Touching, really.
But with no enemy in sight, they started looking awkward.
“A sword?”
“Sword?”
They peered at my blade stuck in the ground, murmuring.
Katrin Jayhops’ masterpiece Demon Sword, but it looked like any black iron sword. Elves, bow specialists, wouldn’t know better.
“I’ll check it.”
“Don’t touch it recklessly…”
The male tried to stop her, but too late—she’d grabbed it.
I clenched my fist, watching her tremble as she gripped my sword.
‘Mission accomplished!’