I want to visit you every day, after breakfast, lunch, and dinner... Kim Ji-Hee thought as she looked at the young World Tree. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⸺fire.net
In fact, she would have visited even if Aylphirane hadn't asked. Perhaps it was because she had planted it with her own hands.
"Strange..." she muttered.
How should she describe the feeling? Kim Ji-Hee searched for the right word to answer Aylphirane's question, scrunching her face in concentration. After a moment, she shook her head vigorously and tried again. "Co-co...?"
"Snuggling with unnies, comfy?"
Aylphirane giggled softly at Kim Ji-Hee's excited shout, her eyes wide and shining. She fluttered around Kim Ji-Hee, clearly understanding what she meant.
"It's because our Ji-Hee planted the World Tree herself. The World Tree knows that. You're not its mother, but... hmm, what's the right word?" Aylphirane tapped her chin thoughtfully. "A nanny?"
Kim Ji-Hee tilted her head. "Nanny?"
"Yes. The World Tree sees Ji-Hee as a nanny. That's why it's so happy to see you."
Aylphirane said it wasn't quite the same as a mother, so maybe it was something just a step below?
"I see. I'm a nanny," she concluded.
"That's right. Ji-Hee is the nanny of the World Tree."
Kim Ji-Hee nodded firmly, then turned her gaze back to the World Tree. Its branches swayed gently, even though there was no wind.
"Is the World Tree alive?"
"Yes. The World Tree is alive. In human terms, it would be a child."
Kim Ji-Hee gazed at it, murmuring, "The World Tree... it's a baby."
"Hehehe." Aylphirane turned to face the same way.
She had once believed the World Tree was doomed, long before she could do anything to help. After losing her physical form in a region controlled by the Black Kingdom, she had become invisible to most. Even if an elf had passed by, they wouldn't have seen or heard her unless they were a Spiritualist or had the rare ability to perceive spirits.
That's why she had believed there was no chance of reviving the World Tree. But then, a series of fortunate events occurred.
A dimensional Gate had opened, bringing a human who coincidentally could see spirits. That human had entered the Yuashiel Dimension.
Aylphirane let out another quiet laugh and turned her attention back to the World Tree alongside Kim Ji-Hee. The latter crouched down on the ground while the other hummed a tune, both unaware of how much time had passed as they peacefully observed the World Tree.
"Ji-Hee. And Miss Ayl."
Kim Ji-Hee and Aylphirane turned their heads toward the voice. Kim Ki-Rok was smiling as he approached.
"Mister. I'm a nanny."
"Yes. The nanny of the World Tree."
"Oh! That's right. Our Ji-Hee is practically raising the World Tree." He reached out and gently patted Kim Ji-Hee on the head. "Ji-Hee."
"How about you and I..."
"Facilitate a cultural invasion?"
Kim Ji-Hee looked confused. "Huh?"
"The damage is really minimal."
Inside an office within the Northern Fortress, Serena nodded as she reviewed the damage report. High Elf Warrior Mair and High Elf Mage Achiaer were also checking the summary of the aftermath.
Though there were no casualties, it wasn't as if no one had sustained serious injuries. However, with the World Tree revived, injuries that would normally take four months to heal could now be treated in just two. With time and care, all the wounded would recover.
"While we've sustained significant damage to infrastructure and property, we can recover with the aid funds," Pilarin of the Aians Empire said.
Serena nodded in agreement.
Pilarin let out a hearty laugh. "Hah! Two Intermediate Demons and one Lesser Demon. Over ten thousand monsters and dozens of Black Wizards attacked the Northern Fortress, and you fended them off cleanly. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it myself."
"It was all thanks to Hero Kim Ki-Rok using Guardian at the critical moment," Serena said.
"Guardian?" Pilarin turned at the quiet murmur from High Elf Warrior Mair. "What is that?"
"It's a combat glove imbued with the power of The First World Tree."
"The First World Tree..."
"Yes. There are various restrictions, but it holds immense power."
"What kind of power does Guardian have?"
"It halves the strength of anyone who carries the mana of the Demon Realm. It also continuously purges the surrounding atmosphere of Demon Realm mana."
Why hadn't they used equipment like that before? With something that powerful, surely the battles wouldn't have been so one-sided, he thought, before quickly realizing that there had to be a catch.
"What's the restriction?" he asked.
"You lose power permanently. For example, if a Seventh Circle Archmage wears the glove for ten minutes, they'll drop to Sixth Circle Mage. If an Aura Master wears it for ten minutes, they become an Aura Knight."
"Haha... Even knowing the cost, Sir Kim Ki-Rok used the glove..." Pilarin murmured thoughtfully.
"Yes. That's why I feel so sorry for him," Serena replied. "Even if heroes can grow stronger by defeating monsters..."
The three High Elves fell silent with remorse for Kim Ki-Rok, who had willingly accepted a permanent loss of power.
"It's Kim Ki-Rok. May I come in?"
"Yes. Please come in." Serena immediately responded to the familiar voice, belonging to the very person they had just been discussing.
The door opened, and Kim Ki-Rok stepped into the conference room, though he wore a mildly puzzled expression. "Hmm? What's this? Is it just me, or do you all look like you've realized a true hero sacrificed himself to save the continent?"
Pilarin burst into laughter. "You would be correct."
At the unexpected reaction, Kim Ki-Rok glanced over the three High Elves, eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmm..."
Kim Ki-Rok grinned broadly at Serena's puzzled expression, then turned to address the High Elf Warrior.
"Yes, Sir Kim Ki-Rok."
Mair was taken aback. "Pardon?"
Just like he had done with Serena, Kim Ki-Rok flashed a wide smile and moved on to his next target. "Achiaer?"
"Yes. Hero Kim Ki-Rok."
"Hmm! Nice, nice. Then there is... Sir Pilarin?" Kim Ki-Rok turned his head to look at Pilarin.
"Yes, Hero Kim Ki-Rok."
"I'm not sure what this is about, but... that didn't feel nice."
"That's too bad. You overlap with someone else. Well, maybe it's fine. Your status is quite high, after all."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'll explain later. Ah, and the two knights in the back?" Kim Ki-Rok looked at the two knights escorting Pilarin.
"Yes, Hero Kim Ki-Rok," the knights responded in unison.
Kim Ki-Rok nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now then, would all of you be willing to help me?"
"Yes," the three High Elves replied without hesitation. Their feelings of guilt toward him made them eager to assist.
On the other hand, Pilarin responded more cautiously, "Hero Kim Ki-Rok."
"What kind of help do you need?"
"Yes. I need your voices."
The trio of High Elves made their way to the guest room where the Saintess was staying. Kim Ji-Hee, who normally spent half her day by the World Tree, also headed toward the Saintess's room.
"What on earth are they doing?"
The main figures in the Northern Fortress were gathered in one room with Kim Ki-Rok.
Jang Baek-San of the Baekdusan Guild was helping with restoration work at the request of the Elves. Lee Yeon-Hwa of the Shine Guild was inspecting materials brought by the regent of the Aians Empire. Meanwhile, Baek Min-Hyuk of the Golden Lion Guild and Ji Cheol-Hyun of the Association had just returned to the fortress after repelling monsters alongside elves, paladins, and imperial knights.
Upon hearing that the most important figures in the Northern Fortress were gathering in one place, they immediately made their way to the guest room where the Saintess was staying.
Had the meeting taken place in an office or lounge, the Guildmasters would have likely brushed it off. They might have been curious, but they trusted Kim Ki-Rok to share any important details later.
However, this wasn't just any location. It was the Saintess's room.
Outside the guest room, the group spotted the Commander of the Paladin Order standing by the window, letting out a hollow laugh.
Richard, who had been staring blankly out the window, exhaled deeply. The look in his eyes held a kind of quiet sympathy, like someone resigned to a fate others were only now beginning to understand.
"Greetings, heroes. You all must be tired," Richard said, turning from the window.
One of the guild representatives responded, "Not at all."
"Did he also ask for your help?"
"Ah... not yet. I'm envious."
His words were oddly sincere.
"Did something happen? Are the Black Wizards attacking again?" he asked, sounding almost desperate.
Jang Baek-San of the Baekdusan Guild shook his head slowly, studying Richard's expression. "No. We heard the High Elves, the regent, and Hero Kim Ki-Rok were visiting the Saintess, so we came to check if something was wrong."
"Ah..." Richard let out a complicated sigh.
Lee Yeon-Hwa of the Shine Guild asked cautiously, "There's no issue, right?"
"That's right," Richard answered.
"Then there would be no problem for us to go in?"
"There is... no, there isn't. Yes. There isn't, but..."
Richard looked at the bundle of documents in his hand. "Heroes."
"I can go anywhere as long as there is wind and cloth[1]."
Lee Yeon-Hwa's eyes widened. "Oh my."
Richard looked pained, his mouth opening slightly. "Is it really that similar?"
"Yes. It's exactly the same. Oh my, that's amazing."
Richard let out yet another deep sigh, hanging his head. Before he could collect his thoughts, the door to the guest room swung open.
"Sir Richard! It's your turn, Sir Richard!" Kim Ki-Rok's voice rang out, cheerful as ever. "Oh... Heroes."
He stood with a headset around his neck, grinning. Richard sighed again as the guild representatives and Team Leader Ji Cheol-Hyun turned their heads.
"Uh... um... what are you doing, Hero Kim Ki-Rok?"
"I'm recording lines for a drama."
Richard had just quoted "I can go anywhere as long as there is wind and cloth," a line straight out of a famous K-Drama.
"Hm! Would anyone like to come in and watch? Or maybe participate?"
Seeing the guild representatives and Ji Cheol-Hyun quickly shaking their heads, Kim Ki-Rok clicked his tongue softly, looking disappointed.
1. Famous quote from the old K-Drama, Boys Over Flowers. ☜