Ch.177Chapter 177

When myths or legends speak of the birth of life.

Most life commonly originated from nature.

It was widely said that humans were born from soil or clay, elves from trees and plants blessed by the sun, and beastkin from primordial humans who received the essence of mystical beasts.

Just as each race claims origins from what they admire or feel close to in nature, dwarves also chose what was most familiar to them as their origin.

Red-hot lava became the blood flowing through their bodies.

Hard rock became their beliefs and flesh.

And finally, blazing flames became their hearts.

“So what does that legend have to do with rejecting my proposal?”

Wendigo asked in a flat voice as he listened to Trom’s explanation.

While it would be proper to listen to foundational cultural stories like legends when learning about other cultures, this wasn’t the right situation for that.

Without a proper explanation, it would be like admitting to having impure motives, and who had time to listen to such stories?

It was the kind of story that would naturally come out if you spared only the most cowardly one.

Wendigo, who had been looking at Trom with just a turn of his head, quietly rose to his feet.

His already large body rising made Trom feel like he was facing a living boulder, almost taking his breath away.

Moreover, despite his size, he moved without making a sound, making the dwarves feel like they were trapped in a terrible nightmare.

As Wendigo approached, the dwarves unconsciously stepped back. A fear like being bound by ropes guided their bodies.

In Wendigo’s shadow, the dwarves looked up at him with awe.

“Answer me.”

At Wendigo’s command, Trom hastily knelt down. He didn’t know why, but it felt like the right thing to do.

“The l-legend isn’t entirely accurate—we aren’t as solid as rocks, nor is our blood as hot as lava. But the part about our hearts isn’t completely wrong.”

“Are you saying your hearts actually burn?”

“Yes!”

Trom answered Wendigo’s question without a moment’s hesitation. He spoke with absolute confidence, as if this was exactly what he had wanted to say.

Wendigo was about to let out a laugh of disbelief.

How could anyone survive with a burning heart?

But then…

“Huh?”

He didn’t detect the foul smell typically associated with lies.

Though what he heard sounded obviously false, his senses were telling him that the dwarf’s story was true.

That left two possibilities.

One was that the dwarf possessed an artifact capable of deceiving Wendigo’s senses.

“Do your hearts really burn?”

“To be precise, if we don’t periodically eat wood or coal, our limbs stiffen and eventually the flame goes out, and we die. Eating coal is one method, but…”

Trom removed his glove and showed his hand. His rough hands were like milestones proving he had lived a harsh life.

But what was truly important were his blackened fingers.

“If we keep eating coal, poison accumulates in our limbs, causing them to stiffen anyway.”

Since it wasn’t a pleasant sight, Trom put his glove back on and continued.

“There’s also the option of using dried moss or mushrooms as wood substitutes… but it takes three to four times as much to get the same effect as a single piece of wood.”

“I understand why you’re obsessed with wood. But that’s not a valid reason to reject my proposal.”

The proposal wasn’t to stop eating wood altogether, just to leave the World Tree’s roots alone.

While taking a few bites of the roots could be overlooked given their life-or-death situation, it wasn’t an excuse to keep disturbing them.

“Why would we want to refuse? Especially a request from someone who graciously provided us with precious wood just for meeting with them.”

Trom was an exceptionally steadfast old man, even among dwarves who never forgot debts of gratitude.

Being forgiven for eating the roots was one favor, and receiving wood as large as his own body—something nearly impossible to find—just for answering a summons was another.

Rather than repaying these kindnesses, being forgiven for such a useless request didn’t balance the scales.

“Is the root we discovered truly the one that reaches the deepest part of this… surface world?”

When Trom asked, Wendigo looked at the World Tree. The World Tree nodded in affirmation.

“That root wasn’t in a particularly high place by our standards. Even if we bury it with soil to keep it secret, it’s obvious it will be discovered again before long. And…”

Wendigo waved his hand as if telling him to continue. With permission granted, Trom lowered his head further and spoke.

“Recently, our scouts have been saying that wood has dried up. At first, I thought they were exaggerating to raise prices, but it really has dried up…”

“So they’re desperate to find wood.”

No dwarf would willingly eat coal knowing it would stiffen their limbs.

It was clear that dwarves would continue to come to the surface, unwilling to become crippled.

Naturally, the World Tree, with its roots reaching deepest in this land, would likely be the first to be discovered…

‘Come to think of it, that’s strange.’

According to Trom’s story, what dwarves called wood was closer to roots.

The trees of this land had endured for over a thousand years, rooting themselves in soil where snow could fall at any time.

If the trees hadn’t died, there was no reason for the roots to suddenly disappear… or was there?

“Why are you staring at me?”

“……”

When Wendigo stared intently, the World Tree asked with puzzlement. Wendigo continued his speculation while looking at her.

The World Tree possessed immense power that could change everything from soil quality to vegetation in the land where it took root.

The entire economy of the Republic of Elvenheim revolved around the World Tree, so its influence needed no explanation.

‘Wild weeds have deeper roots than greenhouse flowers.’

Plants growing in barren soil naturally develop stronger roots.

To survive in hard, moisture-deficient soil, they need to extend their roots deep into the ground.

But what if that soil suddenly became abundant, and on top of that, the plants themselves were forcibly made healthier by the World Tree’s influence?

“In my personal opinion, it seems the tree roots disappeared because you took root here.”

“Of course they did. It’s most efficient for me to absorb all nutrients and redistribute them, so other roots are unnecessary.”

“Uh…?”

When the World Tree boldly admitted that she was the reason for the diminishing roots, Trom was greatly confused. He couldn’t follow the flow of the conversation.

From what he was hearing, this woman was the culprit behind the decreasing trees… was “taking root” some kind of metaphor?

Dario, who had been observing the situation, carefully approached Wendigo and whispered.

“Your Majesty, it seems the problem has become more complicated. This could potentially lead to war.”

If word spread about the abundance of trees on the surface, the dwarves, who were already in a panic due to wood shortages, would go crazy and head for the surface.

Naturally, Wendigo couldn’t stand by and watch dwarves logging trees from the surface.

Even if it was a matter of life and death, he couldn’t allow non-citizens to plunder Manheimr’s resources.

While he was confident he wouldn’t lose a war, the thought of an unknown number of dwarves emerging from the ground and causing havoc made his head throb.

And solving such troublesome problems was a minister’s job.

Dario spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“Since both dwarves and elves must be quite confused by this unusual situation, why don’t we pause the discussion and take some time to gather our thoughts?”

“That’s a good suggestion. What do you think?”

Both dwarf and elf factions looked at each other before nodding. They couldn’t deny that their thoughts were complicated.

With the break decided, the elves and dwarves rushed toward the door.

“World Tree, please come with us.”

“?”

The elves didn’t forget to take care of the World Tree. She didn’t feel the need to follow, but went along anyway.

Naturally, Wendigo and Dario were left alone in the empty conference room… and once there was no one else around, Dario immediately got to the point.

“The easiest solution would be to cut their throats and have the World Tree withdraw her roots.”

It was a ruthless judgment, but not incorrect. If they didn’t know about the surface world, the dwarves would struggle in vain looking for roots underground.

Moreover, it wouldn’t be impossible for the World Tree to withdraw her roots with a little effort.

However, Wendigo shook his head, rejecting the first proposal.

“It’s hard to call it a crime when they haven’t taken lives but are simply trying to survive. Above all, I guaranteed their lives. I have no intention of breaking that promise.”

If he had decided to take the easy path from the beginning, he could have simply taken their heads when they first met. But he didn’t want to pursue the easy path at the cost of killing his conscience.

What was the point of becoming a monster in pursuit of efficiency?

Dario, who had anticipated Wendigo’s reaction, reflexively offered flattery.

“I knew you would say that. As the father of the North who loves his people like children, perhaps you could adopt the dwarves as new sons—”

“Stop wagging that tongue of yours and tell me the next option. You anticipated my refusal, didn’t you?”

“Habits don’t disappear as easily as one might think. Another option would be for Your Majesty to officially begin relations with those dwarves.”

Now that the existence of the surface world was known, it was inevitable that dwarves would discover the World Tree’s roots.

If workers digging in the ground found roots while suffering from wood shortage, they would obviously put them in their mouths.

Even with warnings from above not to touch them, would they care when their limbs were trembling?

If it was an unavoidable fate, the best course was to seize control of the situation.

“If you can’t avoid it, might as well use it. You’ll achieve the feat of pioneering a new trade route, and if dwarves receive a steady supply of wood, they’ll disturb the World Tree less, won’t they?”

“Not a bad idea. Then try to persuade them.”

“…Pardon?”

Dario, who had confidently presented a solution, was taken aback by Wendigo’s order.

He hadn’t expected to be ordered to persuade all three parties after providing such a good plan.

Honestly, it would be easiest and simplest to push through the rest with royal authority…

“You don’t want to?”

“…Couldn’t you just persuade the World Tree for me?”

Dario wasn’t shameless enough to boldly say, “This is something Your Majesty should do.”

He had saved his life several times thanks to His Majesty and even formed a good relationship with his beloved—how could he say such a thing?

Begging him to just handle the World Tree, who was awkward to persuade due to status differences, was Dario’s last act of desperation.

After brief consideration, Wendigo accepted Dario’s request.

While Dario was capable when dealing with reasonable people, he was somewhat… unreliable when facing abnormal individuals.

Unaware of how Wendigo was evaluating him, Dario let out a deep sigh of relief at being spared from dealing with the World Tree.