The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 137

“That won’t happen. The village chief where you lived was probably just being cautious about everything. You’ll be a nymph for life.”

Cassis, who had made this declaration, suddenly lifted her up and moved her from where she was standing to another place. It was a resolute gesture, as if she would transform into that tree if she continued to stay beside the orange jasmine tree.

As soon as her feet touched the ground after being gently set down, she slowly looked around at the surroundings where all kinds of flowers were blooming in profusion, then was surprised. It was because she noticed a strange tree with an entirely white trunk but leaves dyed deep purple.

Was there such a tree here?

Though Ruba behind her was also impressively white as befitted a unicorn, her gaze was drawn more to this tree. It might have been because she was seeing it for the first time, but the purple leaves hanging abundantly on the white branches were so striking that she couldn’t take her eyes off them and kept looking.

“This tree has such an unusual appearance. I’ve never seen it before.”

「Hmph, that tree is…」

An opportunity to show off had arisen! Ruba opened his muzzle wide even though he wouldn’t communicate through words, but Cassis blocked him and quickly intercepted the answer.

“It’s called the Curtain Tree.”

“The Curtain Tree?”

Even hearing the name, she couldn’t guess what reason it had been given. Curtain? That was something used to hide things. Seeing her expression that showed she understood nothing, he placed his hand on the tree’s smooth trunk.

“To become a knight recognized in Jupiter, one must be chosen by a powerful spirit or tree. There are conditions after that too, but while spirits are one thing, trees planted in each region don’t have legs, so it’s difficult for them to transmit power to the knights they’ve embraced. Therefore, this Curtain Tree stays in the sanctuary and plays the role of receiving that power by proxy to help the knights. It’s a kind of mailbox.”

“I see.”

“When you mix many colors together at once, it gradually becomes darker. These leaves barely avoided complete darkness, but that’s why they took on this dark hue. It must be the result of harboring the power of countless trees and spirits.”

Hearing his words, the deep purple leaves that had seemed strange at first now appeared beautiful. Evelyn also took a step closer and carefully paid her respects.

“Um… Lord Curtain Tree. Thank you. Thanks to your presence, I was able to stay here too.”

It was her sincere feeling. Cassis’s… what was it called again? Evelyn looked at him with innocent eyes.

“Um, this Lord Curtain Tree is Lord Cassis’s… that… What was it? Crow tree?”

He answered obediently with the composure to not bat an eye even if waves crashed over this entire area.

“It’s blackberry tree. Ah, fortunately the fruit’s color isn’t included, so it doesn’t contribute to making the leaves dye even blacker.”

Listening to their conversation, Ruba’s muzzle gradually opened wider until he couldn’t bear the angle, and thick saliva dripped down, wetting the grass of the sanctuary. What he was seeing and hearing now was that surprising.

He knew well that Evelyn was a fool, so her confusing the name of the tree that had once embraced the king in the past could be seen as a disaster with sufficient likelihood of occurring. It was just like her to do that.

But the king didn’t point out that tremendous mistake and just went along with it? Where had the blunt, blade-like knight Cassis he knew gone? If nothing else, he had never stayed quiet about reckless words and actions that challenged him, even openly engaging in duels…

「Uh, uh, uh…」

Understanding from the kind explanation, Evelyn smiled gently.

“No! Even if it had become black leaves like that, I think it would have been truly beautiful. If Lord Curtain Tree had looked at his reflection in spring water, he surely would have said the same thing, right?”

“He would be pleased to hear your words.”

As if affirming their words, the white branches laden with abundant leaves drooped down and mischievously tickled Cassis’s hair. Hearing the rustling sound and thinking perhaps a squirrel had come down, Evelyn looked up and was startled.

“The tree, the tree moved!”

「You fool. This is common in Jupiter…」

The unicorn who had regained his composure tried to explain again, but Cassis intervened and it was thwarted once more.

“Jupiter is a country where nature’s power works strongly, so it’s something you can see often. Even before I became king, I frequently li… patrolled in the forests.”

Cassis stopped mid-explanation and quickly hid the ordinary word “hunting.” The place where Jupiter’s knights mainly had to be active with force was the northern thorn forest, and he too had gained substantial practical experience there. However, he didn’t want to inform her of the harsh circumstances there when she would have no reason to go to such a place in her life.

“Ah, yes.”

“When wandering alone in the forest, familiar deer sometimes approach. When you sleep using a deer’s back as a pillow, nearby trees will lower their branches to block the sunlight. Just like now.”

As his hand caught the leaf that was persistently tickling the top of his head, the leaves swayed as if in agreement.

“What? Deer?!”

Evelyn’s eyes widened at hearing this intriguing report. She had wanted to raise cute and lovable small animals, but at most had only seen wild rabbits from a distance. But deer!