Chapter 573 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Capturing a strong individual is far more challenging than killing one. A master who has cultivated internal energy can disrupt ropes or cuffs by channeling energy into them, and if the situation demands, they can even dislocate their own joints or compress their body to escape. Thus, dealing with prisoners has always been a complex issue. Without a peer constantly watching over them, captives might as well be left in a cheap inn for all the good it does. Even if one were to break their arms, if the person possesses advanced energy techniques, they can control, or even heal, their bodies using their energy. Even that wouldn't be flawless. But what if the arms were removed entirely? No matter how skilled a fighter may be, they cannot resist if they lack arms. While it might seem a reasonable approach... However, what difference would there be between removing a warrior's arms and killing them? The Regressor's condition was wretched, with their arms forcibly torn away. Even their supreme internal energy technique, the Celestial Mirror Technique, was insufficient to control such bleeding. I barely managed to retrieve the Regressor's severed arms, which were twitching, devoid of their master. To prevent the arms from decaying, I used a spell to circulate the blood within them. If the arms remain intact, they can be reattached. It wouldn't be exactly the same as before, but with sufficient rest and suitable treatment, a master of energy techniques could recover. "We are almost there. Please forgive any lack of hospitality, as I have arrived without prior notice." ...I wondered whether Nevida would give such an opportunity. A flower bud sprouted from the ground, enveloping the Regressor and me. Without any signal, Nevida commenced our journey. Nearly dropping the arms, I barely supported the Regressor, trying to steady my stance. Utilizing the druid's power to create a passage known as the 'floral coronet' and traveling through it was unbelievably fast. It was like swimming through a dense sea of trees. Yet even in this moment, the Regressor's life was precarious. Suppressing my anxiety, I continued to circulate blood through the Regressor's arms for several hours. Suddenly, I was tossed around, the flower bud constricting, squeezing through a narrow passage and shooting upwards. Clinging to the walls to maintain balance, the rapidly ascending flower bud unfolded without warning. My ears rang, my body was the first to notice the change in altitude. I squinted at the infiltrating light, stepping outside. It was a knot in a massive tree. The interior, carved out of the tree's flesh, was visible. Leaves, vines, and wooden stairs filled the inside, embodying what might be a fairy's perspective of living in a tree-cum-home. Turning my head, I glanced outside the knot. "This is the World Tree. It is a humble tree grafted with a sapling of the World Tree by my unworthy hands." Before me lay a sea of endless leaves. Enormous branches, extending from beyond sight into view, stretched before us. The size was disorientingly immense, distorting the sense of distance. A staircase lay on the thick branch, with people walking along it. The trunk was larger than most roads or buildings. Each massive branch split into dozens, each with different leaves hanging from and extending outward. Even just the branches in sight numbered in the thousands. There were surely more below. It felt intensely vibrant, though not an animal, yet it pulsed with life. "Welcome to the World Tree. The realm of all things." This was the World Tree, the primal tree. And at the pinnacle, Nevida resided. It was the realm of the Transcendent. The realm of the Transcendent wasn’t a dwelling meant for humans; instead, only sparse thoughts echoed around me. As always, I read thoughts instantly, about twenty people were around, engrossed in something. At that moment, I felt an unusual resonance. Attempting telepathy, I momentarily staggered, dizzy. "What? What's happening?" Hold on. Something's odd. Until now, my mind-reading ability was absolute. Though it had limits, the skill of telepathy was reliable and accurate, always revealing the human mind. This shouldn’t have changed. ‘Is this Nevida’s wish? She's nearly achieved her goal, yet ironically, I turn out to be the final piece. It’s as if I'm just placing the cherry on top.’ However, the resonance I feel now is different. Unlike reading a human’s mind, an echo resounds in an empty consciousness. The thoughts I hear now are foreign. ‘Still, Nevida’s approach is correct. Let me complete the final piece. It's purely Nevida’s achievement, not the other side. Right now, focus first on reattaching the arms…’ “Wait. What's this?” Noticing my bewilderment, Nevida seemed pleased, as if everything was unfolding as expected. “Your majesty, forgive this impertinent speech, but…” “After committing all sorts of discourtesies thus far, what? And you didn’t intend not to be discourteous in the first place! Tell me quickly. What is this?” “As you must have felt, I'm serving you, my lord. Not the one standing here now, but the one betrayed and wounded in the past.” Humans are often called the lords of all things. And the top of the primal tree is named the realm of the Transcendent. But this place is not for humans…it is for the King of Humans. At the summit of the sacrilegious tree rests the remains of the past King of Humans that Nevida once served. The very maiden’s remains I read about in the memories of the God of Offering. “Your majesty, presently, your power is severed from your body. The traitorous courtesan’s minions, the five lords, stole your ‘power’ and dared to claim kingship. A blasphemous rebellion…Arrogantly, the courtesan made the King common, thus ensuring your disgrace.” Nevida raised her head, thinking of the thing enshrined high above, where no one dared look down upon it. “As a loyal servant, I could not bear to witness it. So, I have been protecting your body, awaiting the day you would return.” The reason the Regressor opposed Nevida, and why the past king of sin appeared in the form of a woman, was because Nevida, possessing the corpse of the King of Humans, was essentially the priestess who could summon the King of Sin. And that's likely why Nevida brought me here as well. “So, the reason you brought me here lies even further above, doesn’t it?” “I believe you might have an interest in that, Your Lordship.” “Yes, I am interested. But before that.” I gestured toward the Regressor, who was barely holding onto consciousness, and the severed arms lying nearby. “Could you tend to Shei? At this rate, she might just die.” Claiming you’d save someone, you ought to treat their injuries at the very least. Nevida appeared indifferent to the Regressor’s survival, but recalling her earlier statement to keep him alive, she raised her hand. The Primal Tree, responding to her will, altered its structure. The walls of the tree curled upward, and stairs grew from both sides. A figure descended the makeshift staircase. It was a middle-aged woman, wearing loose clothing, a broad broom in hand, and a slightly folded pointy hat. The woman showed no fear or trepidation toward Nevida. It wasn't merely due to familiarity. She was another person who touched upon the mysteries of this land. A witch, in fact. “Great Druid. You called for me?” “Walpurgis. Healing. Keep it to just saving a life.” Walpurgis, the witch, glanced at the severed arms, expressing only a slight annoyance in her thoughts. Though her thoughts were uninterested, her expression and actions remained neutral. She moved her broom mechanically, as if alive, sliding beneath the Regressor and lifting him gently. As she looked at the severed arms, Walpurgis inquired, “Shall I reattach the severed arms too?” Oh, I see they have the technique to reattach arms here as well. As expected of a witch. I nodded eagerly. “Yes, if it’s possible, please do so...” “The arms are better off left unattached.” “Hold on. That’s quite harsh. They can be reattached and removed anytime, right? But if you wait too long, it will be impossible!” “It's easier to manage without them. Your Lordship, do not be concerned.” Raising your voice, knowing full well you have no intention of listening, is infuriating. Are you joking right now? ‘There’s a dispute among the clients. Even if they don’t reattach the arms, I should at least keep them.’ After considering both Nevida’s and my opinions, the witch wisely decided to accommodate both. It was a wise choice. With a slight bend of her knees, the witch respectfully took the Regressor’s arms before departing. Nevida paid it no heed, instead signaling with a small gesture. “Then, let me guide you to your chamber.” “Do you mean the place where I will stay, or somewhere else?” “...To the chamber of the one I served.” From the ground, a plant with large leaves called a lucky bamboo sprouted, lifting both Nevida and me, and began to grow. Even this immense World Tree had an apex. The massive trunk gradually tapered, leaving a backdrop of only blue sky beyond a certain point. Sky and World Tree. Between them rested a single flower bud. Nevida grew the lucky bamboo all the way to the top of the flower bud. As we approached, alien noise filtered into my mind-reading. ‘A King of Humans meeting the King of Humans. When desire reaches its peak, such ironies occur. This is why desires are necessary, in whatever form.’ The lotus-like flower bud was large enough for a person to enter. I gingerly reached out to touch its petals. Layers upon layers of petals were tightly knit and sturdy, seemingly impossible to peel away with force. “Step back.” Nevida circled her hand, and the lotus bud responded with a soft quiver, yielding to her will. The barriers of petals peeled away one by one, gently unveiling the precious entity it had encased. Nevida knelt, lowering her head toward the being within. “Nevida seeks permission to enter.” Inside the flower lay the figure of a ‘girl,’ appearing slightly more mature than when I saw her in the God of Offering’s dream. Curled up like a child, she was connected to the vines, similar to umbilical cords, that supplied her with nutrients through her nose and mouth. Her heart was still, her breath halted. If asked whether she was alive or dead, I would confidently say she leaned toward the latter. Still, thanks to Nevida’s care, the King of Humans existed, transcending time. ‘Nevida’s cherished King of Humans, the one she served in a distant past. Her true attachment is to this King, whose face and memories are foreign to me. Nevida’s true desire is likely not with me…’ The resonant voice in my mind grew louder. Indeed, the thoughts I was perceiving were alien, akin to listening to a discordant composition. It made my head throb. Unconsciously, I followed an instinctual pull.