Eat The World Tree

For the people of this world, “1565” was an unforgettable number.

It symbolized the regions the World Tree rejected, evoking the disgrace of that day when half the world was taken by the Tree Spirit King. These 1,565 areas could not be accessed or statistically analyzed without the church’s permission.

When one thought about the last record of this region being an old paper from 1975, it became clear just how much the World Tree had rejected humanity.

200 million.

200 million humans lived in slums, wandering without even a name. The number grew if you included China and India, which had not been fully disclosed. Kidnappings of nearby travelers or affiliations with crime rings were common just to survive. Humanity could be as cruel as it needed to be. Those who chose to follow their conscience had long since died. It had been nearly a century since the Tree Spirit King left.

Step. Step.

Area 68.

McAllen in Texas was one of those places completely rejected and separated from the country. By the holy decree of the World Tree, even national supplies were cut off, and the shabby slum lacked even basic road infrastructure.

The housing consisted of ruins patched up with rags. While there were some sturdy buildings made by smashing concrete, such spaces had long been taken over by the powerful.

A puff of smoke escaped from his mouth. The cheap cigarette he chewed was worse than nothing.

The stifling air tightened around his chest with every step, and the glaring sunlight was unwelcome. He wished it would rain today. The man in the robe spat out his saliva, mixed with ash, and opened his mouth.

Thick, black spit soaked into the ground.

“Three hours.”

It was Flower’s tax day.

In places untouched by the World Tree, Flower, claiming to be the heirs of the Tree Spirit King, had secured control and favor here. They provided massive supplies and helped with rebuilding efforts. More than 5,000 people in this town were under Flower’s hand. But, of course, the dark side of it all was ever-present.

“Two kids. One’s been gathered.”

With just two children, the entire area could be sustained. If there were just two each month…

In this place, where killing someone over a single apple is common, weren’t two young lives a very cheap price? They were already too starved to carry the weight of something like a soul.

“Mmph, mmph!”

Beside the man, a young girl glared at him with wide eyes.

“Stay still. You’re going to a better place. No one’s coming to help anyway.”

The girl’s face hardened at the man’s cruel words. The man pulled out a new cigarette and lighted it.

“Everyone knows.”

The girl screamed. But those around her only glanced at her briefly, then went back to their way, clutching their hungry stomachs and turning their gaze away.

Despair filled the girl’s eyes.

“Don’t resent it. The miraculous, holy, and beautiful World Tree has removed even the natural order here. What can you do?”

“…….”

“The grass withered, rabbits vanished, a buffalo left, even the wolves starved. Not even the migratory birds stop here anymore.”

Her tear glands had long dried up, and there was not an ounce of sentiment left—only emptiness. The man checked his watch.

“When’s that guy coming?”

One of his colleagues had gone to get another child. There was still plenty of time. The man crossed his arms and continued talking to the girl.

As always, to pass the time. These people, denied even the right to work, had plenty of time.

“So, your name’s Tina? I once dreamed of being a bard. I wanted to get out of this cursed place, earn a status, and become a poet.”

“But there was no way. I had companions, but most of them went to the Dark Continent. There, the World Tree doesn’t reach, there’s no law, no discrimination. Power proves everything there.”

The so-called Dark Continent was Africa. It was a mysterious place filled with ents, monsters, and gates.

Though it was nearly uninhabitable for living beings, compared to this place, where not even a speck of gold remained, it was a land where treasures flowed despite the risks.

Many losers wanted to go there. If they happen to catch a monster, awakened by luck, or find an artifact, they could reverse their life.

Tina’s eyes narrowed.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I was just saying it to pass the time.”

Of course, that dream was shattered. Playing as Flower’s lackey like this suited him. Reality had hit.

The man chewed his cigarette, spitting it out with phlegm.

“Do you hate me?”

The man’s face remained hard as ice. He reached out and removed the cloth binding the girl’s mouth.

“….”

The young girl shivered without saying a word. Her gaze was fierce, but she remained silent. She was quite composed; most kids living here had that kind of personality.

Youth and a pretty face weren’t always shields. Everyone knew that.

“Will I… die?”

Tina finally spoke up. The man answered dryly.

“I don’t know.”

Though he was connected to Flower, he didn’t know everything they did. Neither the Eight Petals nor their executives were familiar to him; he had never even seen them.

He considered them beings far out of his reach. As strong as the World Tree itself, perhaps.

He was just fulfilling his end of the deal. Just then, another man arrived, dragging an unconscious child. There was about two hours and thirty minutes left. Now’s the perfect time to depart.

“You’re late.”

“Sorry. The kid was too fast; gave me some trouble.”

“You bothered to catch a fast kid? Really?”

“Seemed like he was new here.”

The two men exchange a few words, each dragging a child. Homeless people sitting idly watch the men and children with blank expressions, waiting for Flower’s goods to arrive soon.

“Tweet.”

At that moment, a sparrow chirped.

“Huh?”

A sparrow that should not be here. The man’s gaze immediately shifts toward the sound.

“A lost migratory bird?”

Occasionally, a bird strayed from its flock and wandered in. Though he was not sure if this one’s a migratory bird.

The little creature, appearing to be a sparrow, begins fluttering nervously as soon as it met his gaze.

“Tweet!?”

[Exposed!]

A horrifying image flashed in Sparrow’s mind. If she failed to receive the magical power because of this mistake…

<If Master is disappointed…>

Contractor No.1 Sparrow could be demoted to No.2.

<No, no way! That can’t happen! Adorable me, dropping to No.2? Never!>

It absolutely mustn’t happen. She was first for head pats. First for magic supply too.

<I won’t lose to that witch Luci!>

Sparrow decided to play it cool and pretended to be a simple bird.

Acting as if she was just a sparrow passing by, she chirped toward the man.

…Tweet.

[Hello!]

-Something feels strange here.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

I found Tina. Concealing my presence entirely, wearing an invisibility mask and robe, I carefully trailed the man.

<Master, did I do well? I did well, right? I followed him closely, and those lowly creatures have no clue we’re approaching. Not a single clue!>

<…Princess, please, try to behave a little more modestly!>

Sparrow clung to my shoulder, rubbing her head against me. Woodpecker, having reached her limit, lets out a sigh, but Sparrow just snorted and wrapped her soft feathers around my neck.

“Are you an elementary school student?”

<What does that mean, Master?>

“It’s a compliment.”

<Hehe, I got praised. I love you, Master~>

Since she liked me, who was I to object?

I lifted my hand to pet her, and she intensified her feathered embrace. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant, so I continued bonding with her as I follow the two.

<But Master, why don’t you capture them right away?>

“Don’t you think it’s better to find out who they’re communicating with and where they’re going?”

He seemed to hold a high position here. I sensed magical energy. It was similar to Flower’s nature. There must be a method to forcibly harness magic. Considering that humans couldn’t feel magic without relentless effort, he was probably the strongest in this area.

<I understand, Master. I understand what you’re thinking.>

Woodpecker, being ex-military, quickly grasped my meaning.

<I know, too, Master!>

Sparrow piped up, claiming to understand as well. Honestly, she didn’t seem to. When it came to the tasks I had to perform or my mission capabilities, Woodpecker remained more reliable.

Being ex-military and a former knight, she had experienced her share of reprimands and took criticism well. Her attitude toward serving superiors was exemplary. She never acted spoiled.

Though she was also clear about rewards and frequently requested firm handling. It was not difficult, so I didn’t mind. The tailing continued for two hours. It made sense, considering we had been walking non-stop without any vehicles. Even without cover, if I suppressed my presence, I could remain undetected.

Using magic to deceive the human eye was common.

Before long, we entered a building. The largest structure in this slum. There’s furniture, infused with magic, that seemed to have been around for quite some time.

“Luci.”

<Yes.>

“Go in.”

This time, I was not sending Sparrow. The young lady still only understood my requests in fragments.

<Master, what about me? What about me? I can do better than Luci.>

“Stay with me. Come into my embrace.”

As I coaxed her with sweet words, Sparrow’s eyes lit up. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

<Maaasteer!>

<……>

Using her would be a bit of a burden. If I said that, she’d get hurt again.

Woodpecker glanced at Sparrow without a word. Some thought crossed her mind, and she sighed softly before using magic to conceal herself and entering the building. Soon, Woodpecker’s voice reached my ear.

She smoothly performed tasks that Sparrow would never do.

<There’s no heavy weaponry. They have some artifacts… but they’re not for attack. Still, each one of them seems to know some magic.>

“You’re doing well.”

I sit roughly on the ground nearby, receiving updates. Sparrow nestled into my chest. Due to her small size, it felt less like holding her and more like a sticker clinging to me.

[Master, I’m pretty and cute, right? I’m… technically a princess of a whole nation… could you maybe…]

“Don’t overstep.”

[S-Sorry!]

<Haa, Princess, please.>

<What, why, what?!>

Woodpecker closed her mouth. It’s her way of saying she wouldn’t speak any further.

She quietly continued to report the situation.

<There’s a considerable amount of supplies in the building. Food and other provisions.>

“Are they trading food for children?”

<That seems to be the case. The storage room is packed. Judging by the state of things, it hasn’t been here long.>

“You can tell by looking?”

<It’s obvious when some time has passed. Because the building is so worn down, dust settles quickly. This place still looks clean.>

Not bad.

<Ah, they’re moving in that direction.>

At Woodpecker’s words, I concealed my presence again with Sparrow. Not long after, I spotted the robed figures dragging the two children away. Judging by the artifact in their hands, it seemed they were about to use a spatial transfer spell.

Woodpecker returns and perches on my shoulder.

“Let’s follow them.”

<…Master, should we leave the people in the building alone?>

“Leave them.”

I didn’t explain further. Woodpecker seemed to grasp the reason and kept silent.

In the current situation, there’s no reason to cause unnecessary chaos. Even if those two were to die, there’d be plenty of replacements.

Whirrr!

As the artifact began to activate, emitting magical energy, Luci instinctively flapped her wings and stepped into its range. Magic that transferred an entire group to another space.

I’d take a look inside. Spirit magic made it possible to achieve what would be impossible alone.

Flash!

In an instant, the men and two children vanished from sight. I absentmindedly patted Sparrow clinging to my robe, waiting for about thirty seconds.

“How is it?”

Soon, an answer came.

<There’s a tree.>