World Tree (Good luck!)

A/N:

Thank you for your patience and the continuous support lovely readers! \(灬♥ω♥灬)/

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of lock up(like a lot)... and stuffs.

Note:

Bold font - from novel/fanfic

[] - cut sentences/paragraphs

- Author's Note

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[Start]

Chapter 670: The new sun has set (4)

"It's like your opening up a new door your highness" tboah!Cale not-so rudely said to tcf!Alberu.

"Well, I wouldn't mind opening that door for you."

tboah!Cale scrunches his face as tcf!Alberu winks-actually WINKS at him.

Like what!?????

Is he still high from the previous chapter??

Shaaaaaaa- Shaaaaa-

They then reached a spot where they could see the World Tree that was at the center of an area surrounded by large trees.

IT'S THE WORLD TREE!!!!

Almost everyone has a maniacal face.

"Run World Tree-nim! RUn!" tcf!Pendrick desperately thought

"Is it possible for me to have a quiet conversation with the World Tree?"

They sent a knowing silent threatening face toward tcf!Cale.

Which the idiot didn't (or choose to) not realize.

"I suppose I need to do just that" he was busy making a plan where he need to speak with the world tree alone.

"I understand. I will make sure no existences who can hear you will be around here."

That meant that she would make sure that the Elves, including her, and even the Elementals would leave the area.

Cale walked toward the World Tree alone after hearing the satisfactory response.

Everyone who was observing tcf!Cale frowned when they saw that slight upward lip on tcf!Cale's face.

"I better find a different way to kill that white star"

"There must be another way other than stabbing Cale-nim's heart"

"There is still time to find a different path"

"One that doesn't need a sacrifice"

Thoughts of different people with one goal, to not let the idiot sacrifice himself.

But

... because they are rational... If there wasn't another way... Then they can't do anything but be helplessly useless as they watch him stab himself...

They knew it might become necessary...

... Doesn't mean they like it!

So as long as there is time, they will never give up on finding a new path.

Adite bowed toward the World Tree and stepped back.

Cale walked at a not too fast, not too slow pace and arrived in front of the World Tree.

The World Tree gave off this feeling of stability as it looked the same every time, despite the new branches growing in spots from it losing branches every time they chatted.

"Great! Even the world tree is balding because of you"

"At least we know that it's suffering!"

tboah!Cale and og!Cale happily said, glad that the World tree wasn't left unscathed. They believe that the world tree deserves it for giving a skewer to their self-sacrificing idiot.

As the said self-sacrificing idiot scowl(pouts) at them.

Meanwhile,

"...balding..."

A certain crown prince pales and shudders.

"Nope. I'm too handsome to go bald." Was what the crown prince thought in denial.

"It's been a while, ma'am. I kept saying that I needed to come back, but it ended up taking a while."

Cale gave a light-hearted greeting before putting his hand on the tree and closing his eyes.

- Yes. It's been a while.

The World Tree responded with a similarly light-hearted but welcoming greeting.

"You know, it's still quite amazing how a human knows and can actually have a conversation with the world tree" tboah!Lock said.

"Meh" tboah!Bud shrugged, "real question is why are you still surprised when he has collected different types of existence and powers"

"And also been to different types of scenarios." tboah!Litana adds on.

- The world is extremely chaotic right now. There must be a reason you came to see me despite all the chaos. For what reason have you come to see me in such a busy time and why do you wish to have a quiet conversation with just the two of us?

"Yes, do tell"

"Oh why indeed?"

Everyone gaze-glare at tcf!Cale.

"I'm suddenly deaf and blind" tcf!Cale decided to just eat. The apple cream puff is truly delicious.

The questions that followed the greeting were not light-hearted at all.

The words that came out of Cale's mouth next were not light-hearted either.

"...Do you know about immortals?"

- Hmm?

The reason Cale didn't bring the others with him...

"Immortals. There are also Reincarnators, Single-lifers, and Transmigrators. Do you know anything about these existences?"

"Too bad everyone here already knew that" tcf!Toonka snort.

"Yeah but not all information about them was mentioned" the Mercenary King is carving for more information.

Shhh.

Cale could feel the will of Drew Thames moving inside the diary in his pocket.

"Mom"

tboah!Cale and og!Cale had a smile on their lips whenever they were reminded that there was a remnant of his mother.

He then waited for the World Tree's response.

- ...I do not. Am I supposed to try to understand those words? I don't think you are asking for the meaning of those words.

"The World Tree-nim doesn't know them?" tcf!Jack tilted his head in question.

"Perhaps the world tree knows but those were not called the same" tcf!Cage answer.

And wow why did she answer after seeing him tilt his head?

Did she find it cute?

tcf!Cage scoffed and just shrugged it off.

That was right.

Cale was not asking about something like that.

He was asking if there was anything the World Tree knew about the laws that the Thames household had been researching.

"Please let me give a simple explanation."

Cale did not say everything.

He just explained what he read in the diary, especially the information about immortals and single-lifers. There was a need to do that. He felt that they were things the World Tree should know.

"Oh good, that means the young master didn't go there to ask about the skewer" tcf!Taylor thought.

Spoiler(not): He will be disappointed later on.

- Ho. They use such concepts to divide those people?

"I was right"

tcf!Cage smirked in triumph.

As tcf!Jack stares in amazement at the wonderful priestess.

The World Tree could not hide its shock.

- Mm. It is my first time hearing about some of those things. Exceptions and variables? How surprising. Very surprising indeed. How did you find all this out?

"I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you that."

He did not tell the World Tree about the Thames household, the hunters hunting the single-lifers, nor about the regressors.

Finally, he did not mention the ways to kill the different variables and exceptions.

"Did he not tell because he has a reason?" tcf!Mary asks thinking the young master is very meticulous.

tboah!Cale who heard that, scoffed "I'll bet he thought that it was troublesome"

- I guess it is dangerous information for you to reveal the source of it. Hmm......

The World Tree was quiet for a moment, as if it was organizing its thoughts.

Cale patiently waited.

- Single-lifers...

And once the World Tree started speaking again... The first thing it mentioned was neither the reincarnators nor the immortals.

- Are you talking about the tribulators?

"...Tribulators?"

"Tibulators?"

They echo.

"Gah! There's a lot going on here!" The leader of the rebellion against the mages of the Whipper Kingdom gruff "Again! why can't it just be simple like punching stuff"

- Yes. It is a word I made up, but I call the souls that only live one lifespan 'tribulators.'

"Stop adding more words!"

The Commander in Chief of the Whipper Kingdom continues to complain while stretching the slime with all of his vigors.

"Pyah!"

As everyone sweat drop at the scene.

Tribulators. Cale had never heard this word before.

- It seems that tribulators and single-lifers are pretty similar concepts. Hmm. I'm surprised that there was someone in this world that realized that concept.

"...What is a tribulator?"

"Why are you asking future self?! You know that it's troublesome!"

tcf!Cale is sending his complaint telepathically to his future self as he glares at those words.

All while he was ignoring the fact he knew why his future self ask.

- As the name implies, they are people who go through tribulations. Of course, nobody knows who will be born as a tribulator.

Ah.

The World Tree let out a short gasp.

- There are some races that never get tribulators. The Dark Elves, Vampires, Wolf tribe, and others like them never get tribulators.

"Why? Is it racism again?" tboah!Cale huff in indignation.

"They treating them as an outcast" og!Cale scoffed at the nonsense. He had seen these too many times in both lives.

"Keep this up and there would be a genocide just like that one ninja clan that was outcast by their own village."

"Ninjas!"

tboah!Cale and tcf!Cale's eyes glitter.

One with a very expressive face and one with a stoic face but both of their eyes are sparkling.

'If tribulators are like single-lifers... There are races that never get single-lifers?'

That was odd in its own way. The World Tree must have seen the confusion on Cale's face as it continued to speak.

This is random but.. where are the world tree's eyes?" tcf!Toonka ask.

".."

That is random" tcf!Paseton said what everyone else was thinking.

"Anyway, who cares" tcf!Witira elegantly.. shrugged.

- Mm. I guess I can tell you this.

It, as usual, had to think about what it could say and what it couldn't say before it spoke.

- There was a Dark Elf in the past who had an ill-fated relationship with a tribulator. Not all Dark Elves are good; there are bound to be evil beings in any race.

"True."

"All races are like that, there is good and evil."

"Humans, Elves, Dark Elves, Tigers, Vampires every one of us has different circumstances that lead to different paths whether good or evil, though choosing to do evil doesn't excuse it"

The Caleplets again said as a matter of fact.

- Unlike most Dark Elves who gathered dead mana from tombs or corpses, that Dark Elf killed living beings and gained dead mana from their death.

There was a tribulator who lost his family and almost died because of that crazy Dark Elf.

That tribulator eventually overcame all levels of tribulations and did something once he became a great existence.

One part stuck out in Cale's mind.

'A tribulator overcomes all levels of tribulation and becomes a great existence.'

The Thames family had concluded that a single-lifer could go to the Divine World or become something even greater at the end of their lifespan. They believed that single-lifers could become gods.

'Does that mean that the story of this tribulator is the story of a god's past?'

That...

Both Alberu, Mary, and Tasha have an idea of who it was talking about.

No, everyone has an inkling who it was.

An existence that hates anybody who uses dead mana.

Cale had that question on his mind as he quietly listened to the World Tree's words echo in his mind.

- That tribulator decided that anybody who uses dead mana is 'evil.'

Cale thought of someone as soon as he heard that.

"...The Sun God?"

The crown prince closes his eyes.

It was the sole reason why he have to prove himself.

Why he has to hide his identity.

Why his race lives underground.

Why he had to struggle to fight for what is his.

All because of one crazy dark elf and the wish of that tribulator.

He could feel the grip of his hand tighten to the point of nicking his skin.

His aunt grabs his hand in silent support as he lets go of the tension. He is always thankful that he has his aunt in his struggles.

The Church of the Sun God had started a war against Dark Elves, Necromancers, and any race that uses dead mana in the past.

The final Necromancer had died at the Desert of Death, and no necromancers had existed until Mary became a necromancer in the Dark Elf City located underground in that desert.

- I did not say who that tribulator was, nor do I plan to say who it was.

The World Tree stopped for a moment before making up its mind and continuing.

- But I do know one thing. That tribulator is currently regretting his past. Furthermore, he now knows that the existences that he had deemed as 'evil' are 'meant to be.'

Both Alberu frown.

Should he be happy that the tribulator regrets it? But then what? the damage has been done, only regretting without action is still -haaa what was he even expecting from them?

That is why he wishes to help one of those people who are meant to be.

The World Tree's voice softened a bit as it continued.

- That is all. That is all that I can tell you.

'Meant to be.'

Cale thought of Alberu Crossman for some reason when he heard that phrase.

The crown prince smile returns remembering the last chapter that they've read.

It was a chapter in his life that he will treasure.

... Meanwhile,

"Meant to be yours-ouch!"

og!Cale pouted as he rub his head that was smacked by the tsundere.

This person who was 'meant to be' that the Sun God was helping... It was possible that the person was one of the Sun God twins, Jack or Hannah.

tcf!Hannah for one was sure it wasn't her. Heck, she could believe that it was her Oppa since her Oppa is the most nicest and innocent person in the whole wide world.

But not her.

She would rip everyone who has betrayed her.

And she will be happy as she brings chaos to her enemies.

Now that is not something that was 'meant to be' she was sure of that.

She snorts not even wanting to be part of that. Blegh!

- ...I am unfamiliar with the other concepts as well. Am I an immortal?

"That is what I believe."

- I guess it makes sense to see me as an immortal.

Cale said something else now that they got this far.

"The White Star is a reincarnator and I need the power of the immortal to get rid of him."

Everyone froze.

It was at that moment.

"I'm doomed"

tcf!Cale feels a cold sweat as he avoids those vicious gazes.

But now that he thought about it. What he was asking there would benefit everyone.

So he was sure that concern in those vicious gazes was just his imagination.

Shaaaaaaa- Shaaaaaa-

The World Trees and the trees surrounding it made a noise as their leaves smacked each other despite there being no breeze.

- ...What do you mean by that?

"There is an ancient power that allows the user to see the annual rings of life."

Cale started to explain.

First, the reincarnator's largest ring of life needed to be destroyed in order to completely kill a reincarnator.

Second, a person needed the ability to see annual rings in order to do that.

Third, the power of an immortal was required to destroy that annual ring.

There it is.

The condition to kill the reincarnator.

Sometimes Sheritt thinks to herself.

If she didn't make that vow, would none of these tragedies happen?

If she hadn't just trusted, would her children grow up more peacefully?...

She shakes her head.

No. Though she feels guilt over what happened. She understands that the one who broke the vow and have the desire to hurt her child wasn't her.

And it was no use of remorse and what if.

"I could only do my best to help out correcting my wrongs and making things right"

She looks at her child and the human who treasure her joyful dragon as she promises to herself to protect them within her absolute power.

- So, what you are saying is that you, as someone who can see a person's annual rings of life, would be able to stop the White Star, who is a reincarnator, and get rid of him for good using a weapon that has the power of an immortal?

"Yes, ma'am."

- ...Ho!

The World Tree scoffed in disbelief multiple times.

- I am able to get rid of a reincarnator? How surprising! I never even imagined such a method! There is still so much I do not know in this world!

It then calmed down as it asked.

- So, you need a weapon with my power in it.

"Yes, ma'am. Do you remember the sword you gave me last time?"

The World Tree had given Elf healer Pendrick a chopstick-like branch to give to Cale as a sword when he was dealing with the fake World Tree incident at the Molden Palace's underground labyrinth.

- Mm. That does have my power in it.

The World Tree seemed a bit hesitant.

- ...But that is weak.

Everyone somehow felt relieved.

Does that mean it doesn't have to be that skewer?

So the young master doesn't need to stab himself?

They hoped.

"Excuse me?"

- The power in that branch is not the real thing.

It was at that moment.

Boom-!

Cale could feel the area around him shaking. He flinched but did not open his eyes.

- If that method really works...

The World Tree was still speaking to him.

- I should give you the real thing.

They frown.

So much for that hope.

"That evil tree is giving a dangerous item!"

"Didn't the tree know that she should not give a sharp object to a happy staby waby person! Urghhh"

"mUst bURn!!!"

So much frustration was building up in almost everyone.

Cale wanted to ask what it meant by that. But he could tell that something was already happening around him.

Shaaaaaaaaaa-

The leaves were making noises as they fluttered even more.

The shaking underneath his feet was getting stronger as well.

It felt as if something that was supporting this village with the World Tree was moving.

- I said that the branch was a sword.

However, that branch was the youngest existence that had not survived very long.

Boom-.

The ground shook quite a bit.

Cale could feel it at that point.

"What?" tcf!Bud sarcastically asks as he continues "that you're doomed!"

"She's not trying to kill me"

"She's giving you something that can kill you!"

tcf!Cale just looks at them like they're talking nonsense. "Did they not listen? The World Tree clearly said that I won't die and I'm sure that she won't lie about something like that."

They're sending daggers at that idiot who just shrugged.

Something big was shooting out of the ground.

- I should give you the oldest thing in my life.

- That would be considered the foundation of an immortal, a part of my existence.

The thing that was shooting up was a root.

- This is the tip of my oldest root.

Cale could hear something piercing through the ground and rising up.

- Open your eyes and take a look.

Cale took his hand off the World Tree for a moment and opened his eyes.

As he looked down in front of his feet...

He saw a black and white root that was the size of a small dagger.

"Cale don't take it!"

"That's right human! O-or else I'll keep you inside our house and won't let you step out!" tcf!Raon threatens but he won't do it because sparkly human said it's bad.

But he falters after seeing his human reaction. "H-Human?"

tcf!Cale has a different thought as he sparkle while imagining lazing around with the children and not even needing to step outside and just being taken care of by-ack!

tcf!Cale rubs his head as he looks toward them.

"Don't even romanticize it"

"Idiot"

tboah!Cale and og!Cale snort at that pout.

Cale was only seeing a portion of it, but he could tell that the root that was still underground was extremely large.

That was why the ground had been shaking.

Cale reached his hand toward the World Tree again and closed his eyes.

- I will cut off the tip of this root for you, so use it. This is a sword as well.

...I cannot let the world fall into darkness again.

The voice sounded grim, as if it had made a big decision.

- The power of this root sword will activate once you put the blood from your heart on it.

With every word the World Tree said, their frown deepens.

Should they really lock up the idiot just until they find another solution?

Locking up is now really tempting.

They sigh.

But they know they couldn't do it because he is the very definition of free.

A free person who did things that he wants.

Even to the point of sacrificing himself.

They sigh fondly at the stupid idiot that they adore.

Cale couldn't help but ask.

"Umm... must I put blood on it?"

- Yes. The blood from your heart.

The World Tree sounded serious.

Cale couldn't help but ask again.

"What is the principle behind it?"

'What kind of weapon required the blood from his heart?'

Cale could not understand at all. His face looked disgruntled without even knowing it was happening.

At least he's wary about it.

"That's why you should just give that up and let's all think of another way" the golden dragon suggested. He doesn't want to see his child stab his own heart. No father would want that for their children. And yes, they are his children! His!

The World Tree's voice sounded grim.

It responded seriously.

- It is simple. My body... The part of me that is cut off will be in a state of asphyxia once it is removed. It needs the blood from someone with 'healing' or 'rejuvenation' in order to awaken it.

- That power cannot be the power of a god and must be the power that a living being possesses. Furthermore, the blood must come from the central location of that power.

- Only the person who awakens the root with their blood will be able to use its powers.

The immobile World Tree seemed extremely willing to help as it had a way to help the world this time, unlike when it had been helpless during ancient times.

Being helpless is the most agonizing thing.

Just like how they feel right now.

What could they do to prevent it?

Or to find other ways.

What could they do if there were none?

With every question, they could feel how helpless they are.

- Cale Henituse. You have an ancient power related to rejuvenation and healing. That power starts from your heart. That is why you must become the caster and use it. Furthermore, you are perfect for it since you said you can use that annual rings ancient power as well. Perfect!

Cale's expression slowly turned odd as he listened.

The World Tree did not notice and just continued speaking.

- Don't worry. You will not die. It will be grotesque since you will bleed a lot, but it will actually be helpful to you too. I guarantee it. It'll end quickly if you close your eyes and do it. You might have to stab your heart a few times if you don't go deep enough, so just give it one strong stab. That's all it'll take.

"... Grotesque.."

"... Bleed a lot.."

"... Stab a few times.."

As the Henituse family repeats those words they pale terrified with anxious worries.

And so were the others.

- Easy, isn't it?

Easy!?!

The dam burst

"She's an idiot!"

"How could that be easy!?"

"She casually said stab a few times!! How is that easy!"

"Is she looking down on a human heart just because she doesn't have a heart herself?!!!"

"Doesn't she know that a lot of people usually die not because of a stab but because of excessive bleeding?!!!"

- She's f****** insane!

- Cale you don't have to listen to the World Tree

While everyone was complaining, cursing, and swearing.

tcf!Cale was zoning off in his own world, thinking of something else. He had other priorities that he was reluctantly accepting.

Cale finally said something.

"...Not at all. It is not easy at all."

Cale imagined himself stabbing this root dagger into his heart and then using that bloody sword to take down the White Star.

It was not easy at all.

Good! Thank you for thinking this through.

They sigh in relief that at least he was discouraged to continue to stab himself.

.. little did they know that tcf!Cale is thinking differently.

Chapter 671: The new sun has set (5)

- What's wrong?

The World Tree nonchalantly asked again.

"What's wrong?! Really?!"

"Really!?"

- she definitely lost it.

- What seems to be the problem? Well, I do understand the fear of stabbing your heart.

As the World Tree said that...

- Did this old hag go crazy?

- She's definitely lost it.

The Fire of Destruction and the Sound of the Wind raised their voices in anger. The Fire of Destruction was extremely angry.

- It's not like it's for giving me all of the money in the entire world! Why the hell would you stab our kid in the heart to kill a trashy son of a bitch like the White Star?! Is this stupid tree looking down at the human heart because it has no heart as a tree? Huh?! I should just light it on fire and burn it down!

"Yes! Burn it!

"BuRn!!!!"

"... Where did the children get those pitchforks??" tcf!Cale was about to ask the others- he immediately look away.

"Why is everyone smiling so viciously?" He shivered.

Meanwhile,

"Goodluck World Tree-nim!" Wishing luck was the only thing the poor elf could and would do.

One of the World Tree's branches suddenly shivered.

- That's odd. I suddenly got the chills. It was just like when I saw that crazy bastard...ahem.

The World Tree was recalling a memory from the past before focusing again and continuing to speak in a serious tone.

- I gave you the best possible solution I have after hearing what you said. That is why I will ask this question. Which part of this solution do you see as a problem?

Cale immediately had a thought.

'It wants to know what the problem is?'

"ShE wAnts tO knOw whAts the PROBLEM!!!??" tcf!Rasheel said in rage. Like even he knows that there's a problem there!

"That cold hearted- oh wait she doesn't have a heart" a calm and cold sarcastic remark came from tcf!Mila.

"I like nature! But that's the only tree that I won't like!" tcf!Dodori huff in indignation.

The World Tree was saying that although it would hurt, Cale would not die and that it would actually be beneficial to Cale's body.

The World Tree would not lie about something like that. It must be true.

Furthermore, a root dagger that was a part of the World Tree's foundation would be of great assistance in defeating the White Star.

'The World Tree...has also made a sacrifice in its own way.'

"Haaaaa all this talk is making me want to eat meat!" the Whipper Kingdom's strongest warrior loudly complains for everyone to hear.

"A kebab sounded good right now" tcf!Cale suggested.

"What's that?" tboah!Cale asks curiously.

"It's a dish with pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables that is roasted or grilled" og!Cale explained.

They shrugged.

This root was different from the branches or parts of the trunk that would fall off each time it chatted with Cale.

The World Tree had said that this was a portion of its foundation. Letting him have this was probably quite burdensome on the World Tree as well.

Shaaaaaaa- Shaaaaa-

The sounds of the leaves rustling from the trees around it, as if they were protesting the World Tree's decision, made it very clear.

'...Stab a sword into my heart?'

"Pyah"

"What the heck is Calebab"

"It's like you're saying keba-oh my gosh!!"

og!Cale and tboah!Cale realize what the soon-to-be dead slime meant as did everyone else.

Now they stare daggers at the stupid slime who quickly splashes into a puddle. Tsk.

You outlived your use slime!!

If he won't die...

If this was the final button required to take care of everything...

'It's worth trying once.'

His 'instant' ability gave him injuries all over his body that spurted blood.

Why would he be scared of anything when he managed to overcome that terrible pain?

In that case, what was Cale worried about right now?

"Mm."

- Yes, tell me. Tell me your concern.

"My friends will see me stab my heart, right?"

Everyone froze at that statement.

Friends.

Some felt elated at the prospect of being part of that word.

Some fidget in anticipation as they thought could they be part of that word?

Some felt smug because they are sure they belong to that word.

As everyone was absorbing different emotions at that statement.

tcf!Cale thought... There it is.

He had come to a realization throughout what he read that he could reluctantly accept that these people could be his friends and that they might even the slightest think of him as their friend.

And he knows the grief of seeing his important people die in front of him.

And he doesn't want them to see him stab himself even though he knows that he won't die.

"... But maybe I'm just overthinking, for all I know they don't consider me as a friend or someone important"

He was more leaning toward that thought that's why he was still reluctant to accept it.

The World Tree was silent for a moment.

- ...Ah......

It then gasped.

- Those friends around you...

The World Tree thought about Eruhaben, the black Dragon, and everybody else, including Choi Han who had once viciously stared at it.

Said people has an aura of smugness and were gloating as they were acknowledged as a friend!

As someone important.

Meanwhile, some people kinda want to smack that smug face.

For all they know they're still part of the important ones that the World Tree was just too lazy to say the name. Hmph!

When it had told Cale about the God of Death last time... The World Tree had just told Cale to be wary of the God of Death and not to trust him, but, as an existence that could see almost everything, it had been able to read the vicious intent rising from the black Dragon and the black-haired human. Cale did not know about that because he had had his eyes shut.

"How vicious" tcf!Cale thought "Why were they glaring at me? Did I do something bad to them?"

But he shrugged that off because he know that he won't hurt his allies.

But he thought that he should be careful with the scary protagonist and the mighty baby dragon.

- ...Good luck.

"Really?! For all her wise wisdom and all-knowing immortal, the only thing she could offer me was a 'Good luck'!?"

tcf!Cale wanted to groan.

That was the only thing the World Tree could say to him.

"Huuuuuu."

Cale let out a short sigh and nodded his head.

I will accept your dagger for now, World Tree-nim."

Everyone groaned.

They need to find out when this would happen so that they could steal that dagger.

Better yet, not let him meet the Worl Tree.

Meanwhile, tcf!Violan is thinking if she should just ground him for the rest of his life. But obviously, that's just her wishful thinking. Sigh

- Mm.

- Haaa.

The ancient powers all sighed or groaned but they could not oppose Cale's decision.

The World Tree had given Cale its greatest power and Cale had no choice but to accept it.

There it is.

That's why even in all of their complaints, they couldn't completely stop him.

It was a necessary tool that even they could not deny.

... They still hate it tho.

- Okay. I know you are busy so go on.

"Yes ma'am, I will see you nex, ah-."

Cale was saying goodbye when he realized something and asked.

"There is something I am curious about."

- What is it?

Cale had asked a question he had had once he learned about the single-lifers and the other concepts.

"Was the God of Death a tribulator as well?"

"Again future self why are you asking!?"

Why is his future self being curious all of a sudden?

Didn't he know knowing more means more troublesome?

tcf!Cale once again complain.

Even though, again, he knows why it was necessary to ask. Tsk.

It was at that moment.

"Mm?!"

Boobooboooooooooom-

The ground underneath Cale and the entire Elf Village surrounding the World Tree shook as if they had received a great shock.

He soon heard the World Tree's voice.

- ...That...is not something I can answer.

"I see."

Cale felt iffy after hearing its oddly hesitant response.

"I guess your answer is something that won't do me any good even if I knew."

"Yes, yes, who cares anyway?" tcf!Cale said.

They snort at tcf!Cale's hypocrisy.

- Who knows?

Cale felt even iffier after hearing the World Tree's next response. That was why he made up his mind.

'It's probably better for me not to know.'

It was none of his business whether the God of Death was a tribulator or not. Cale firmly made up his mind.

"Then I will be on my way now."

- Okay. Take the dagger with you.

"Yes ma'am."

"DON'T"

"Urggggggggh!!!"

"Human!"

Frustration, that's what everyone feeling right now.

"That locking up is sounding better and better," someone said.

"Nah, even if you lock him up, if he really wants to leave he can leave" og!Cale said as a matter of fact as he continue.

"Trust me, been there done that"

Everyone pause.

Wait what?

"You telling me someone locks you up?" tboah!Cale asks. Like the only reason he can think about is he was in prison.

og!Cale shrugged. "My niece is a little overprotective.. and my team members are crazy"

Now that he thought about it how did his niece convince his team members to follow her plan?

Once again he shrugged.

Craaaack-

Cale heard something that sounded like glass breaking as he opened his eyes. The tip of the black and white root started to separate and turn into the shape of a dagger's blade.

Cale reached his hands out toward the tip of the root that was falling off.

Plop.

The root dagger fell into his hands. Cale pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wrapped the dagger before putting it away.

A collective sigh of frustration filled the room.

He then thought about the order of things he needed to do now.

"I guess I can go back after chatting with Count Hubesha."

[]

[End... Preparing next]

"..."

The room was silent.

Crunch

"@&*-+#*+*+# ReALLY?!!!! Are YoU being serious with ME RIGHT NOW!!!"

"And Why are you EATING A KEBAB OF ALL THINGS!?!!!"

tcf!Cale who has a mouth full slowly put away the kebab which was now being burned by the children.

"Why is that meat so crunchy and... loud?"

As he took a peek at the rest.

He immediately looks away.

What?

He was craving roasted meat.

He really didn't understand why they are being vicious.

===============================================

A/N:

as far as I know, Raon weakly threatening Cale to lock him up and at the same time was frightened/flustered that Cale have a happy expression was canon. Cale was thinking along the line of slacking off (the idiot). But I don't remember which chapter it was so ¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯

In case I was too vague. Cale was thinking with anxious reluctance and in denial that he actually likes his allies. And that they are actually important to him! And that they might like him as well. (Of course, there were a lot of denials there. like "I'm Trash!, what do they like about me?")

"I was on Hiatus because I want to improve my writing before posting it"... I wish I could say this awesome sentence but sadly that's not what happened ಥ◡ಥ. I was just so busy with RL that I don't have the time to write(even if I wanted to). So yeah, my writing style hasn't improved in the slightest ('._.)

Anyways! Lots of Loves to y'all ⊂（♡⌂♡）⊃

I'm a shy person so I might not reply to your comments but I do read and appreciate them (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

Trash of the Count's Family does NOT belong to me and so are the other fics. All credits go to the owners.

If you see your work here and do not want to be reacted here then please tell me so that I can delete it. Thank you. (⺣◡⺣)♡