CHAPTER 172
Even as that happened, the Nepenthes were being pummeled by the World Tree’s attacks—sent flying far away or sinking into the water.
Beneath the solemn lower trunk of the World Tree, there were tentacle-roots—like cousins to plant-type magic beasts—hidden away.
It seemed to be quite a shock to everyone.
Before the residents of Dandelion could develop an aversion to the World Tree, Eve moved quickly to smooth things over.
Flap!
Now quite naturally, Eve spread her robe and roused them.
“Everything is going exactly as I planned! With this, the village’s southern defense is no longer a problem!”
“…Aah, I see!”
“As expected of the Savior! Everything is as the Savior intends!”
“Perfect in every way! Even their breathing must be planned!”
Around then, Peony came up and, as if praising it, stroked the World Tree while speaking.
“Your Highness, I have to take back what I said about it being useless even if a tree is vigorous.”
“Hm?”
“Roots are like the lower body in humans, right? Seeing how strong the roots are, the stamina potion doesn’t feel like a waste.”
“…Y-yeah. Right.”
Eve moved on to cleanup.
Because the Nepenthes monsters were in a symbiotic relationship with the area, she needed to provide them with a new place to live.
Far from the lake, she dug out a large section of ground, made a swamp, and relocated the group there.
The day after tomorrow, the Lucciad Construction Company would enter Dandelion.
At that time, she planned to do the waterproofing work for the artificial swamp properly, and also find a way to keep the World Tree’s purifying power from reaching it.
“Off you go. And keep working hard on food-waste processing from now on.”
The last Nepenthes monster wriggled its black-green tentacle-roots, then slipped into the swamp.
For some reason it felt like it was saying goodbye, so Eve, without realizing it, waved back.
“As expected of the Savior! Even a mere insignificant creature bows before the Savior!”
Eve let the overheated praise go in one ear and out the other.
Even after Eve finished everything and turned around, the residents of Dandelion were still following her with sparkling eyes.
Eve scraped together the last shreds of her nearly depleted Alben-ness and began her final speech.
“Now that the World Tree ‘Yggdrasil’ has taken root, this area will become the most abundant and healthy territory on the continent from here on.
I promise you that you and your descendants will live upon land fertile enough to compensate for the years you have suffered.”
“Ooooh, Savior!”
Eve lifted one hand to calm the excitement and continued.
“But before that, there is one problem we must resolve.
Namely, the subjugation of the Demon Dragon Ambroksha.”
The faith Eve had stirred up only moments ago seemed suddenly meaningless—fear flickered in the residents’ eyes as they imagined being driven to the front lines.
Of course, Eve had no intention of forcing them to risk their lives fighting.
Her goal lay elsewhere.
“Do not worry, residents.
When the subjugation begins, there will be salvation once again.”
She was putting a small device in place for Mikael, who would awaken later.
In truth, all her attention-seeking behavior up to now—something never meant for her fate—had been for this.
‘Eve?’
Mikael looked at Eve with eyes slightly widened, as if caught off guard.
Around then, just as Eve hoped, the residents of Dandelion reacted.
“Ooooh, this is…!”
“It’s the Savior’s prophecy!”
Eve opened her mouth again. As befitted a prophecy, vague and ambiguous words poured out.
“Among you, the homunculi will recognize salvation first.
Trust them, rely on them, and serve them.
Then they will surely lead you to victory.”
“Um.”
A brief time for questions and answers was given.
“So… does that mean the next salvation won’t be performed directly by you, Savior?”
“…Mm. Well, around that time, I will have to face a being as wicked and cruel as if it were a fusion of all Demon Dragons throughout history.”
“Ghk! A terrifying chimera Demon Dragon like that exists?! Please take care of yourself!”
The hastily cobbled-together noble mission, fortunately, went down well.
‘It’s not a lie.’
Given Brigitte’s character, she was no less wicked than Galamut or Ambroksha, after all.
After everything was concluded, Eve dragged her exhausted body into the tent.
While Peony stepped out to prepare a drink, Eve and Mikael were able to be alone for a short while.
In a tone that sounded deliberately dissatisfied, Mikael offered his thoughts about Eve’s speech.
“I thought you intended to lead the residents on completely. Where did you learn that smile?”
“A smile?”
“When Young Lady Graniche clapped.”
“Ah, that. I copied Mikael.”
Mikael reflexively touched the corner of his own mouth.
At the honest way his thoughts showed in his actions, Eve let out a small laugh.
The light teasing ended there.
“With this, after Mikael awakens, it’ll be much easier to absorb Dandelion’s homunculus military strength.”
“Indeed. There will be fewer who meet the existence of a king for the first time and feel confused.
To think all I can ever say is that I’m grateful for your consideration… it’s very regrettable.”
Mikael stepped closer, drew Eve’s left hand to him, and kissed each finger one by one.
It was a gesture balanced on the edge between a display of reverence and a strangely intimate caress.
Just as Eve involuntarily swallowed a small breath, Mikael spoke earnestly.
“I want to do something for you, too.”
At that, Eve hesitated briefly, then spoke.
She had carried a thought for a long time, and she judged that now was the right time to let it out.
“Actually… there’s something I’ve wanted to ask Mikael for, for a while.”
“What is it?”
Mikael immediately lifted his gaze.
His eyes were alive—as if, if she said the word, he’d tear out even the Demon Dragon’s core.
Eve took a deep breath.
Usually, a lover’s request would be sweet and gentle.
But the request she was about to make was not made in a lover’s language.
“For me, establish military merit.”
“Military merit?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that obvious? If, through my achievements, I can elevate your honor and help solidify your political standing…”
At Mikael’s words—said as if it were nothing—Eve shook her head.
“It’s not because I need my honor.”
“Then?”
“Mikael needs to earn achievements big enough to be granted a fief and a noble title.
Only then can I carry out one of my important plans.”
At the part where she said “a fief and a title,” Mikael’s eyes narrowed subtly.
“An important plan, you say.”
“Yes. A very important plan.”
“I’m looking forward to hearing it.”
“…Not now. I’ll tell you a bit later.”
For once, Eve avoided his eyes as if changing the subject.
There were too many suspicious points.
But without pressing her, Mikael accepted the delay.
“Alright.”
Around then, a faint sound of laughter brushed lightly against Eve’s ear.
When Eve unconsciously straightened her head, Mikael again drew the back of her hand to his lips and said:
“Eve.”
“Yes, Mikael.”
“I will climb, without fail, to wherever you need me to be.
Wait for me.”
“…Yes.”
In that instant, Eve remembered something she had nearly forgotten.
Just how sharp her lover’s instincts were.
Their foreheads touched with a small, gentle bump.
For a little while, they decided to save the words they truly wanted to say.
At the time Eve planted the World Tree in Dandelion, in the imperial capital—
Alben was attending a nighttime social salon, receiving an abundance of attention from the nobles.
“Oh my, to have the honor of meeting the rumored Young Master Redmon—it’s truly an honor beyond words.”
“Indeed, you can feel the bold spirit worthy of Her Highness the 7th Imperial Princess’s right arm just from your eyes.”
“Exactly! The moment I first saw you, I was overwhelmed by those crafty eyes that could make even a snake burst into tears!”
“Ahh, yes. You have the look of a born schemer.”
Alben barely managed to hold back the twitching grin creeping up at the corners of his mouth as he put on a show of modesty.
“Ahem, ahem. Such excessive praise—”
The nobles kept whispering sweet words to keep Alben’s mood buoyant and loose, pouring wine into him.
And when Alben’s thinning rationality reached the point where it could no longer suppress his inner self—
“U-um, Young Master Redmon. It’s small, but this is my sincerity.”
“Ahem. I, too, have put my heart into it.”
“Please accept my sincerity as well, and do tell Her Highness the 7th Imperial Princess good things about us.”
“Ohooo, this is…?”
What the nobles offered as “sincerity” were, without exception, brilliantly glittering things.
“No, in a world like this… to think you all have such kind hearts…”
Alben’s hand twitched toward the bribes without him realizing.
But at that exact moment, it was also the moment Eve—on the verge of her big operation—was trying to draw Alben’s energy to her.
-Alben!
“Huhk!”
At his choking gasp, the nobles startled and looked him over.
Soon, drenched in cold sweat, Alben began to tremble all over.
“Y-young Master Redmon? What is it? Are you unwell?”
“H-her Highness…!”
“Huh? Her Highness?”
“Her Highness is watching!”
“Pardon?”
“Ahh, Your Highness! Thank you for saving this upright Alben Redmon from the wicked scheming of these impure wretches who sought to corrupt me!
From this moment on, until my incorruptible spirit and pure body are exhausted, I will serve only Your Highness for the rest of my life!”
“Excuse me…?”
It seemed bribes no longer entered Alben’s eyes.
He solemnly turned toward the west, made a devout bow, and then left without even saying goodbye.
“No, what… that…”
The petitioners left behind stood there for a long time, dumbfounded, staring only at Alben’s retreating back.