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Chapter 4
The sacred ground was located in the deepest part of the imperial palace.
It was a holy land where the Creator God descended and created the World Tree, the first living being.
To Liris, who was just an extra, it was nothing more than the place where the cause of her death had taken root.
But even to her, the atmosphere here felt clear and sacred.
“Wow… as expected of the World Tree. The phytoncide production is on another level. The concentration is insane.”
“Pardon?”
“I also wonder how much photosynthesis one World Tree does compared to normal trees…”
While Liris was admiring it without realizing, she sensed people nearby and turned her head.
Three people had approached her. They were managers of the World Tree from different backgrounds: the Mage Tower, the Grand Temple, and the bureaucracy.
One wore a robe, one had a rosary, and the last had a noble brooch. It was easy to tell who was who.
“Nice to meet you. I am Liris La Noella.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady. But… did you just say phytoncide?”
“Pardon?”
“To call the World Tree ‘phytoncide’ is a bit….”
The managers flinched and then muttered awkwardly.
“…a very fresh idea.”
“…?”
“We just wanted to say that…”
They quickly shook hands and lowered their gaze.
Liris clicked her tongue inwardly.
‘As expected, it won’t be that easy.’
It seemed blasphemy wouldn’t work with just words. She would have to act.
She looked for Edrion.
He had been standing behind her with a serious face, but when their eyes met, he relaxed and smiled slightly.
“What is it, Liris?”
“Can I examine the World Tree now?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
As she approached the World Tree, Liris thought:
Treat it like a normal tree.
Use pesticide, trim branches, water it.
Words alone clearly weren’t enough.
“Here we are.”
Liris’ eyes widened.
Even from far away it looked big, but up close, it was overwhelming.
“Wow…”
“Are you surprised?”
“Uh… no? Not really.”
She quickly shook her head, remembering how the original Liris died.
She walked around the tree and finished her inspection.
“There is definitely a problem.”
“Oh! What kind of problem?”
The three managers immediately asked.
“The first issue is the leaf discoloration.”
“…What?”
“Look.”
Liris plucked a small leaf.
The managers looked like they were about to faint, but she continued.
“It’s yellow.”
“We call that gold…”
“No. It’s just yellow.”
She flipped the leaf back and forth.
Most broadleaf trees are green in spring and summer.
But this one was yellow.
It shone beautifully like stars in the night sky, but still—not green.
“Leaves turn yellow for many reasons. I’ll find the cause.”
“…Gold…”
Ignoring them, Liris examined the tree.
Possible causes: lack of water, too much sunlight, nutrient deficiency, overwatering, pests, toxins.
‘Well, none of those should apply to the World Tree.’
Still, she crouched and checked the soil.
It was completely dry.
“How often do you water it?”
“…Water?”
“Lady, the World Tree is not a normal tree. It requires divine power and mana, not water.”
“So how often do you water it?”
“…About twice a year.”
This time, Edrion answered.
“In spring and autumn, during religious ceremonies, we sprinkle holy water.”
“How much?”
“About one chalice.”
“…That chalice is the size of a swimming pool, right?”
“……”
“Right. I understand.”
Liris sighed.
“Broadleaf trees consume a lot of water due to photosynthesis and transpiration. Gardeners must supply enough water.”
“…Divine power and mana…”
She touched the dry soil again.
If this were a normal tree, it would have died within a year.
And here, it never even rained.
‘So it really isn’t a normal tree.’
Perfect.
She smiled inside.
All she had to do was commit blasphemy and get kicked out.
“And the tree shape is also a problem. This is definitely bad.”
“Tree shape…? Y-you mean pruning?!”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to cut the limbs of the World Tree?!”
“I’m removing wrongly grown branches.”
The shape was terrible.
Branches growing inward, overgrown branches, tangled branches, and clusters of three or more branches.
It was so bad it could be used as a textbook example.
“This harms the tree. It blocks growth and airflow.”
“But…”
“There’s too much to fix.”
She gestured.
Zenia suddenly appeared.
“You called me, Doctor?”
“There’s a lake nearby. Go get water.”
“Yes. I’ve placed a ladder and pruning shears here.”
“Good.”
“W-wait! Only holy water—! And who are you?! How did you even get in here?!”
Zenia ignored them and left.
The managers grabbed their heads.
“We’re doomed… my heart is going to burst…”
“It won’t burst that easily.”
Liris tried to comfort them and turned—
Edrion gently grabbed her shoulder.
“Liris.”
“Yes?”
“Over there.”
A ladder was already set up under the branch she pointed at.
Edrion handed her pruning shears.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility.”
“No. This is my action. I’ll take responsibility.”
“Liris.”
“I’m not afraid. This must be done.”
—so I can get kicked out of this palace.
Edrion’s eyes sparkled strangely, but she ignored it.
She climbed the ladder and gripped the shears.
‘Let’s start here.’
She checked which branches to cut.
Snip.
“Eek!”
[Ahh.]
“…?”
She narrowed her eyes.
That sounded like… relief.
But no one had spoken.
She ignored it and cut again.
Snip—
[Hoo.]
Snip—
[Ugh, nice.]
Snip—
[That’s it.]
“….”
Now she couldn’t ignore it anymore.
“Lord Akshad?”
“Yes, Liris.”
“Do you know ventriloquism?”
“No. But I can learn it right now if you want.”
“…That’s not necessary.”
She felt like she was being haunted.
Liris stopped cutting and sat on the ladder.
She needed time to think.
[Why did you stop?]
“….”
[Hey. You can hear me, right? Hey.]
