Ch.178Chapter 178

Dario didn’t find the World Tree difficult to approach because of differences in status.

Of course, it wasn’t comfortable dealing with an entity that was practically a god to an entire race, but mere power differences weren’t enough to freeze Dario’s tongue.

After all, hadn’t he become Wendigo’s servant precisely because of his silver tongue in the face of death?

What made Dario find the World Tree difficult was her personality.

Everyone’s character naturally shows through their speech and actions.

But… the World Tree was completely bland in everything. Why was that a problem?

Because understanding someone’s personality is the most important part of persuading them.

No criminal tries to convince a righteous person to commit crimes.

And no fool believes that oaths and promises will work on a thoroughly rotten villain.

Persuasion ultimately involves understanding the other person’s character, telling them only what they want to hear, and getting them to sign the contract…

Since he couldn’t guess what the World Tree wanted to hear, Dario wasn’t confident he could persuade her.

“The problem is that you’ve set the wrong premise from the start.”

“What did you say?”

When Wendigo muttered while looking at him, the World Tree tilted her head and asked. When Wendigo waved his hand dismissively, the World Tree quickly lost interest.

An ordinary person would have pressed further out of curiosity, but the World Tree was far from ordinary.

‘She’s not even human to begin with.’

This wasn’t meant as an insult or contempt, but rather that it was wrong to think of the World Tree in human terms.

It was easier to think of the World Tree as a plant with special powers that happened to develop the ability to think.

Even if she could communicate, be persuaded or threatened, it was difficult to expect emotions from her.

…Though considering her small act of revenge last time, one couldn’t say she had none at all.

“More importantly, what do you think about the dwarves? They tore… no, they did touch your body, but it would be unreasonable to think they did something wrong.”

Wendigo brought up the topic while sipping tea from a large cup prepared by the elves. The World Tree quietly organized her thoughts before answering his question.

“One can’t blame creatures who feed primarily on trees for touching trees.”

As Wendigo expected, the World Tree wasn’t particularly concerned about the dwarves tampering with her roots. If an elf had been listening to this conversation, they would have been greatly shocked.

The World Tree wasn’t just any common tree, and how could elves stand by while she referred to herself as a ‘tree’?

From the moment the World Tree acknowledged her essence as a tree, the elves would essentially become mere tree-worshippers.

“Right. Then it seems there’s no need to punish the dwarves.”

“No need for punishment, but measures are necessary. I cannot tolerate them continuing to gnaw at my roots.”

“That’s because it interferes with your growth and survival.”

Wendigo said as he downed the tea in his cup, and the World Tree nodded.

She didn’t care at all that the dwarves had been eating parts of her body. Grudges and hatred were of no use to her reproduction.

“Do you truly have no personal feelings toward the dwarves?”

“In thousands of years, I’ve learned that grudges and revenge might bring personal satisfaction, but they contribute little to growth.”

The World Tree answered while recalling the history of Elvenheim.

Elvenheim was an island, but certainly not a small one. Naturally, war was essential for unification.

Would rulers who had always reigned simply lay down their crowns just because one faction had grown powerful?

Of course not. Reason is merely a tool used to realize the heart’s desires.

Elvenheim was a cruel flower that bloomed soaked in the blood of thousands and tens of thousands.

Watching this process, the World Tree had witnessed countless instances of anger, resentment, and revenge.

Through countless desperate lives, what the World Tree realized was that chains of hatred were useless both in process and outcome.

“Revenge and anger were sometimes helpful. But by the time one reaches the end and achieves satisfaction, they’re so broken that they’re worse off than before.”

“…I didn’t think you held such a heavy grudge.”

“Is that so? Well, at least through this conversation, I’ve been able to prove that I hold no grudge, which is fortunate.”

Having finished what she wanted to say, the World Tree closed her mouth and stared at Wendigo.

After hearing the World Tree’s long story, Wendigo thought simply. Wasn’t she basically saying she wouldn’t care much as long as no one deliberately harmed her?

“Then how about giving the dwarves a chance? Let them take care of your roots.”

“…..”

The World Tree showed no particular reaction to Wendigo’s proposal. Wendigo leisurely waited while eating the snacks prepared to accompany the tea.

At worst, she was either organizing her thoughts or temporarily disconnected due to other business.

By the time he had picked up the entire snack bowl and finished even the crumbs, the World Tree blinked and looked at Wendigo.

“…I was disconnected due to prayers coming from various parts of Elvenheim. I’m sorry, but could you repeat what you said?”

“……”

He hadn’t expected her mind to have wandered from the very beginning of the conversation…

Wendigo looked at the World Tree with astonishment.

…At this point, it wasn’t that she lacked emotions—she simply lacked interest, didn’t she?

* * *

After hearing Wendigo’s proposal, the World Tree readily agreed.

There was no need to threaten her with “You’ve ruined someone else’s territory, so agree before the dwarves burn your roots.”

It was questionable whether she would even feel guilty hearing such words anyway.

‘She probably thinks she’ll deal with them later if they prove unsatisfactory.’

In truth, underground dwellers weren’t a major issue for the World Tree.

If someone asked whether having her roots gnawed on wasn’t a big problem… that wasn’t entirely wrong, but…

Honestly, it didn’t seem like the dwarves could pose a real threat to the World Tree.

If an angered World Tree rapidly grew her roots to invade underground, wouldn’t that be a nightmare for the dwarves?

‘If the white tree rampages enough to become a symbol of calamity, they won’t even touch it.’

If such a thing happened, Wendigo had no obligation to help the dwarves. He had acknowledged their innocence and given them a chance—expecting more would be like helping a thief.

It was undeniable that the World Tree was beneficial to this land, even if she didn’t cause dramatic changes.

While the dwarves were interesting and somewhat likable, they weren’t impressive enough to make him abandon the World Tree.

Besides, abandoning the World Tree would obviously strain relations with the elves, with whom he had established trust first.

He wasn’t a dwarf in his past life, and there was no reason to accept such a loss.

“Your Majesty, did the persuasion go well?”

“You’re back sooner than I expected. I’ve persuaded the World Tree, so don’t worry.”

The door to the empty conference room opened, and Dario entered. His expression was quite bright, suggesting his persuasion of the elves and dwarves had gone smoothly.

Wendigo flicked his finger, gesturing for Dario to sit, and Dario walked over with confident steps and sat down.

Dario cheerfully shrugged his shoulders as he picked up the teapot and poured some tea.

“I’m truly relieved that you persuaded the World Tree. Honestly, I was a bit anxious because if she refused, all my efforts would have been in vain.”

“There wasn’t much persuasion needed. She didn’t seem to have much interest in the dwarves to begin with.”

“Come now… surely she must care about injuries to her own body?”

Thinking it was a joke, Dario smiled while sipping his tea.

Wendigo considered whether he should teach Dario about the World Tree. Who knew if Dario might have to deal with her in the future?

‘No, considering his recent behavior, he’d probably tell Elhemina too.’

He wasn’t that short-sighted, but it was uncertain whether he would remain silent knowing his lover’s faith was unrequited.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

“More importantly, did you persuade both sides?”

“Don’t worry. I may not know much else, but I pride myself on my persuasive abilities. It’s my silver tongue that got me this far, isn’t it?”

Dario assured him while eating a honey-soaked walnut cookie. Trusting in his eloquence, Wendigo gestured with his chin for him to continue.

Dario loosened his tongue with warm tea and began to recount his exploits in earnest.

“Persuading the dwarves wasn’t difficult. After talking with them a bit, I found their personalities quite compatible with northerners.”

Dario didn’t hastily try to persuade them by bringing up harsh realities. It was easier and more efficient to win their hearts before appealing to reason.

While conversing with the dwarves, Dario made an effort to understand their culture.

Of course, there wasn’t much time for lengthy conversations, so his understanding was superficial, but that was enough.

His goal wasn’t genuine interest in dwarf culture but to gain their favor through his actions.

“They genuinely appreciate compliments and are loose-lipped—just a brief conversation revealed they’re far from political creatures. Such people are easy.”

Having understood dwarf culture just enough, Dario quickly won them over.

He complimented their proudly maintained beards and, upon hearing they could only drink strong alcohol, asked the elves to serve liquor strong enough to catch fire.

Few people dislike those who understand and highly value their culture.

True to their nature as politically naive workers, the dwarves quickly opened up to Dario, who was clearly a person of high status yet treated them kindly.

How could they not be grateful for kindness they had never experienced even in their homeland?

“When I asked if they were interested in trading with the surface, they were overjoyed and grateful. I told them they needed to carefully manage the World Tree’s roots in exchange, but well…”

“That would be a minor issue for them.”

“Yes. We’ve handed them a tree that’s practically their lifeline. I told them not to monopolize it but to share with their king and superiors, and they seemed to understand.”

Of course, there was a possibility that the leadership might be tempted by greed to target the surface…

‘They probably wouldn’t want the tree’s scarcity to disappear.’

If they invaded the surface, the tree’s scarcity would naturally diminish.

While the lower classes would be relieved as the tree’s value decreased, the leadership would feel differently.

How could the ruling class be happy about the plummeting value of the trees they had stockpiled as assets? It would be more realistic for them to dream of revenge while shedding tears of blood.

“It’s an opportunity to solve their wood shortage, gain honor, and even grasp power and wealth—there’s no reason to refuse.”

Dario took out a contract he had received from the dwarves and handed it to Wendigo.

A ring made from small pieces of Trom’s and other dwarves’ beards dangled from the edge of the contract.

“They say that ring is made when dwarves swear on their lives. If they fail to fulfill the contract, they must shave all their body hair and commit suicide.”

“Considering how many ways this could go wrong, you’ve brought back something quite dramatic.”

After hearing Dario’s explanation, Wendigo spoke with a sour voice. While it sounded good, the likelihood of things proceeding as Dario described wasn’t high.

“Well… let’s hope the dwarves aren’t adventurous enough to come up to the surface. People know spices are cheaper in the Old Empire, but they don’t go there, do they?”

“We’ll have to hope the dwarves are satisfied with a stable wood supply. Did you persuade the elves?”

“Actually, that was even easier. We have deeper connections, and the most important thing to them is the World Tree.”

According to the doctrine the elves believed in, caring for the World Tree was a sacred duty.

And now, personnel had appeared who could manage the World Tree’s roots, which they had been unable to care for until now… Wasn’t it only natural to allow them to manage the roots?

The elves, stumped by their own doctrine, couldn’t refuse Dario’s proposal.

With the elves, dwarves, and the World Tree all in agreement, there seemed to be no further issues. However, Wendigo wasn’t at ease.

As history always showed, anything could happen until a conclusion was reached.

* * *

Sadly, Wendigo’s prediction came true.

Not that it was a major problem that would derail the plan, but…

“You call this alcohol but serve us water! Were you trying to kill us all?!”

“I told you it was a mistake! I served alcohol because you said you couldn’t drink water—I never said it had to be strong enough to catch fire!”

At first, it was just a minor misunderstanding.

A very minor misunderstanding arising from not knowing each other well.

“If you had said from the beginning it needed to be strong enough to catch fire, that would have been enough… Not only are you short in stature, but you’re also short on words.”

“Hmph, I hear you depend on the World Tree for everything? What’s the point of living over 200 years if you’re as helpless as babies without the World Tree?”

The small crack that started with a minor misunderstanding continued to grow. Of course, neither side intended to break the contract.

But each felt the other should apologize first for their wrongdoing!

The argument involving the pride of both races showed no signs of stopping even after two days.

“Lord Dario! Please listen to us!!!”

“Ah, this is really like dealing with dogs…”

Caught in the middle, Dario found himself listening to complaints from both sides.

Since they lacked the courage to approach Wendigo, people naturally flocked to Dario instead.