Eat The World Tree

“Why would I be your husband?

I already had someone.

Now that it was impossible for the World Trees to interfere with my actions through the status window, their only option was to resort to force.

[That… that can’t be…]

Even though I was just stating the obvious, the response was disheartening. The leaves drooped, and the branches tilted so low they were almost touching the ground.

[Then why… why did you do that to me that day?]

“Did I do it? You were the one who assaulted me.”

If being forcefully grafted to the tree by its roots was somehow my fault, then I didn’t know if I could continue living in this world anymore.

[You bewitched me!]

Tears, or something resembling tears, poured out. Droplets from the leaves flew onto my cheek and splattered.

[Sniff… sob… I’ve already picked out the baby’s name.]

Even appealing to emotions wouldn’t help.

What would happen if I dragged this tree along and introduced it to Seyeong, saying, “This is my next girlfriend”?

She’d probably tear my back apart, accusing me of even fucking trees now.

-Tap, tap.

At that moment, Maronnie tapped my shoulder.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Well, you see…”

I explained everything that happened with the World Tree of Healing to Maronnie.

It was quite similar to what Maronnie had gone through. When my temper reached a boiling point, and her magic didn’t work on me, I ended up attacking her.

If I compared it to Maronnie’s situation, it would be something like this:

“It’s like me saying I’m your boyfriend.”

It’s not like I said, “Since we slept together, I’ll take responsibility.” I even forgave her. To be honest, I benefited quite a bit from it too.

I didn’t need to feel responsible, but she kept clinging.

“…Yeah.”

Maronnie blinked and nodded cautiously.

“So that’s how it was.”

Her gaze turned to the still sulking World Tree of Healing, shaking its branches as if demanding attention.

“…Why are you doing this, really?”

At Maronnie’s innocent question, the World Tree of Healing trembled.

[Blanche, but I… I…!]

“The prince on a white horse? I get that it was him. But this…”

Maronnie glanced at me.

Was she recalling the past? A slight hesitation in her voice emerged as she spoke.

“…Well, it seems like you two fit together pretty well.”

“Hey, that’s not fair.”

“There’s a saying: ‘A chaque pot son couvercle.’ (Every pot has its lid.)”

In this case, I was the victim.

If you accused me of getting what I deserved, I wouldn’t have much to say.

Maronnie smirked, seeming to enjoy my discomfort.

“…Anyway, Tree. I understand how you feel, but making him your husband is impossible.”

[Why not!?]

“You’re a relatively new World Tree, so you might not know this, but unless a candidate is officially recognized, you can’t accept them as your husband.”

Maronnie smiled at me, pleased with her own logical explanation.

Her rosy cheeks and bright smile looked as if she was asking me to pat her head.

But I couldn’t help but stiffen.

“Right, Shiheon?”

“Why do you look like that?”

Husband candidate.

That was me.

“…Uh, oh. Nothing. Yeah, you’re right. It can’t be helped. You heard her, right?”

I stammered, and Maronnie tilted her head, confused.

I tried to stay composed, but the suddenness made me let out a nervous chuckle.

As long as it remains a secret that I’m the husband candidate, I’ll be fine.

For some reason, the World Tree of Healing doesn’t know I’m the candidate.

If I just get through this, I’ll never return here.

[Then, I won’t be a World Tree anymore.]

The World Tree of Healing boldly declared, catching both Maronnie and me off guard.

[A life without a husband is no life at all. I’d rather become a rotting tree and wait for my husband forever.]

“W-World Tree…?”

Maronnie pinched my thigh and stared at me in disbelief.

Her expression was priceless, like she was wondering how I could have driven a tree to desperation. I desperately shook my head.

“I didn’t do anything. We just had a little chat, and then I got eaten.”

“E-Eaten…? Don’t say such filthy things! That’s not the problem!”

[Yes, exactly! How can you say you didn’t do anything? Without you…]

The voice of the World Tree of Healing echoed loudly.

[I’ve been used my whole life. They took my peeled bark and stole my leaves for years… You were the one who freed me from that.]

“Look, I—”

[Just look at me now. I have leaves, don’t I? Look at my clothes. Aren’t they pretty? I chose them thinking about what my husband would like. I even spread my roots far and wide while waiting just for you. I’ve grown so much prettier since then.]

The roots rising from the ground slowly crept toward me again.

[I’ve grown prettier.]

Maronnie gripped my shoulder tightly.

[Was it all forced?]

It’s not strange that the World Tree of Healing saw it as salvation.

The first time I met this tree was in Flower’s basement.

I didn’t know how they used the World Tree, but if I thought about the ents I saw before, it couldn’t have been for a good purpose.

But still.

Forcing yourself on me, and then acting like my wife?

That was a bit much.

It’s a sad situation. The desperation in her voice was so persuasive that even I was thrown off.

“Calm down a bit.”

If we had shared more intimate conversations, maybe I could understand.

But in the case of other people, didn’t they build certainty through long-term meetings?

Even in my case, the relationship was shorter but much deeper than with others.

【‘The World Tree of Purity’ nods in satisfaction.】

She needed to learn when to stay out of things.

“It was only natural that I helped you. I didn’t realize how much it would mean to you.”

But dragging me into this and forcing a relationship afterward was another story.

It’s strange how the emotional rift between us was deepening.

I was not one to talk to someone who liked me, but after living in the basement for so long without proper education, wasn’t this too immature of a love?

This was something I, and others, had already been through.

Look at me. Acting impulsively without thinking of the consequences has already led to future troubles.

I was doing everything I could to prevent that from happening.

Ignoring all that.

Even if the World Tree of Healing wasn’t a tree but my ideal type of beauty, I’d still want to give her advice.

[No.]

Healing declared firmly.

[I don’t want anyone else.]

In a pitiful voice, she spoke decisively.

Feeling sorry, Maronnie tugged on my arm.

She seemed to empathize with the World Tree’s heightened emotions, her face showing partial understanding.

You shouldn’t be siding with her, Maronnie.

“Still, it’s not possible. You’re a World Tree. And one of Healing at that.”

[Is it because we’re from different species? If that’s the issue, then I can—]

“It’s not that.”

I was saying that even I had limits to what I could handle.

It’s not for self-satisfaction; no matter how much I thought about it, there was no solution.

“You have so many people to save. You have a role as a World Tree. Just because you want to stop doesn’t mean you can. You’re practically a queen in this world. Without you, it won’t function.”

[But…]

“And what about me?”

I couldn’t say it out loud, but…

Someday, I’d have to oppose the World Trees.

If the World Tree of Healing showed even a bit of kindness towards me, what would happen to her, rooted to the ground for life?

She could be burned alive without hesitation.

If rumors spread that the queen was planning a revolt with the rebels, what do you think would happen?

I still didn’t understand why she liked me.

But considering the relationships I had without clear reasons, I was not one to judge.

“Still, you need to protect your own life. Right?”

The time I had spent with the World Tree of Healing was, at most, twice.

In total, less than two hours.

Even if she felt love and destiny in that brief time, there were some things that must be reconsidered.

[So, in the end, it’s because I’m a tree.]

Yeah, that’s how it was.

Even if the social conditions weren’t right, if she were human, I might be able to make it work.

But with a tree, that was impossible. Especially a World Tree like Healing; tracking her down wouldn’t be hard.

Even so, it was hard to complain when she said she liked me.

I scratched my cheek.

Standing there, silently crying, the World Tree of Healing looked so pitiful.

I decided to speak gently to give her some hope.

“Besides, I’m really busy right now.”

[…….]

“When everything’s over, and it wouldn’t be strange for me to come and get you, I’ll come find you.”

There was still a lot to be done.

I, too, intended to focus on my work to avoid going insane.

But unintentionally, I might harm others. Because of me, many people might die.

With some luck, a civilian I might end up killing could be saved by the World Tree of Healing.

This was where she belonged.

Of course, there’s a chance the World Tree of Healing might heal my enemies.

But I’d figure that out myself.

[….]

The branches of the World Tree of Healing drooped sadly.

[Will you be my husband then?]

“Uh, uh, um… Sure, why not.”

What’s the harm in having one more World Tree around when I already have the World Tree of Purity?

“But after everything is done. Or when I’m in a position where I can come get you.”

Gradually, life returned to the branches.

The leaves, which had been trembling like the last leaf on a tree, now twirled happily.

[Really, really?]

“Yeah.”

[Can I trust you?]

“But you’ll have to wait a long time.”

[Even if I have to become a stone, I’ll wait.]

“Okay… What about Maronnie’s trial?”

At my words, Maronnie jumped in surprise and shivered.

When she looked at the World Tree, Healing cheerfully shook her branches, as if she couldn’t be happier.

[She passed. Definitely passed.]

My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground.

That was enough.

I had thought that once my work was done, I’d spend the rest of my life relaxing and enjoying my days off. But seeing how things are piling up, I might end up being bossed around by trees for a while.

Maronnie, who had been watching me, muttered beside me.

“…Are you serious?”

“What?”

“About dating the World Tree…”

To make sure the World Tree couldn’t hear, I leaned in and whispered into Maronnie’s ear.

“It’s a long way off. I just said that.”

“What if that time actually comes? I don’t know what you’ll have to do, but…”

“Well, then it can’t be helped.”

“…Did you not think about the consequences before committing to this?”

Maronnie pressed me, smacking my shoulder.

At that moment, the small roots of the World Tree tugged at Maronnie’s clothes.

[Blanche!]

“What?”

[As a fellow wife, let’s get along.]

“W-Wife? What are you talking about…?”

[Didn’t you say you love him?]

Now that I thought about it,

That did happen.

We had come here pretending to act that way.

Maronnie froze in place, staring at me, then clenched her teeth.

“Th-That’s not true!!”

Maronnie screamed, her face gradually turning red.