((What...?))


    Suddenly, the World Treant blurted out those words out of the blue, and the moment I reacted, I felt that my body glowed for a second. I looked at the back of my right hand for a brief moment. I felt that something like a mark appeared on it in a split second, and then it quickly disappeared.


    Once the radiance subsides, all eyes are now stabbing at me. They were all as shocked as I was. Chatters of disbelief then echoed in the area. I was not sure what really happened, so I confronted the tree about it.


    ((Wait, wait, wait! What is the meaning of this World Treant?))


    ((Pardon me for now telling you this, human. Just now, I blessed you the Crest of Mutuality.))


    ((Mother, why did you give this human the Crest of Mutuality?!))


    ((Mother must have a reason, ndra. Please let her exin.))


    Shortly after, the tree spirits began to demand the tree''s answers. While Aesfen and ndra argued, my sister asked the tree with a serious tone.


    (Can you exin me what this Crest of Mutuality is? And what does it do?))


    ((You see. As a World Tree, I have this ability that allows me to engrave marks on someone I see fit. One of these marks is the Crest of Mutuality. It is a mark that regards the one who I blessed as my equal.))


    I did not really check much on the titles, so I was surprised that the World Treant had that kind of ability. I just found out that in order to acquire that ability, an entity with the World Tree title must have the Sanctuary skill. World Treant immediately acquired the World Tree title and Racial Skill: Sanctuary upon evolution, so it automatically gained that ability to engrave crests.


    ((So you and I are now equal?))


    ((Yes. By having the Crest of Mutuality, you and I are now connected spiritually through a pact. However, blessing the Crest of Mutuality to someone requires the other party to agree on the terms of the contract.))


    ((But why did I have the crest even though I haven''t agreed on something yet? Unless it has exceptions...))


    ((...That''s right. There are indeed exceptions to force the other party to take the crest. It is only possible if I put the bar low on my side. In other words, I set the contract to my disadvantage.))


    ((So it isn''t a mutual agreement, then. Can you exin the details of the pact?)) Looking at the back of my hand, I inquired.


    ((It''s simple. While you gain benefits such as gaining ess to my mana, bing the new source of the Sanctuary, and having authority over my tree spirits, I gain no thing from you.))


    Now, that was why the crest had been engraved on me without my knowledge. It had been in favor of me to begin with, and the World Treant seized that loophole. But the things the World Treant offered were overwhelming to the point of exaggeration.


    Firstly, I could draw mana from the World Treant whenever I needed extra. Then, I became a literal sanctuary for the tree spirits, so they should get stronger near me. Lastly, I gained authority over the tree spirits, but the World Treant probably meant it politically like enforcing rules, not physical, mental, or psychological dominance.


    ((Isn''t that unfair on your side?))


    ((I am aware, and I deliberately decided to take that option. I made it that way so that the tree spirits will ept the idea and give the Raevender Family a high regard. Disrespecting them is the same as disrespecting me. Do you all understand it?))


    "..."


    Their voice of disdain filled the base of the World Treant earlier, but now they were left speechless when they were hit by the cruelty of reality. They were probably starting to realize the situation they were in. I could even see some faces of remorse as they looked at the earth.


    ((But why Raphael, though?))


    Without minding how the tree spirits were feeling, my sister nonchntly asked a question. How savage she really was. To be honest, I had been wondering about that too. I also wanted to know the reason why the World Treant chose me.


    ((...I am not trying to be disrespectful in front of you, but there is a particr reason why I have chosen your brother. But for now, I am afraid to tell you the reason why. I know that you have been wondering too, but I cannot tell it to you, either.))


    I was not sure if I was right; it probably had something to do with my fight with Czarina. Even though it did not see how I actually overwhelmed the ancient dragon, we went back to the forest to meet up with Inari. The World Treant must have concluded that I defeated Czarina on my own, recognizing my worth.


    ((We could not help it, can''t we?))


    ((I am really sorry.))


    When I took a nce at my sister, I could see a bit of sadness in her eyes. She was the next ruler of the nation that would rule the tree spirits; she must be disappointed. Hurting her pride directly probably offended her.


    "Are you fine with that, Sister?"


    "I''m fine. Don''t mind me." She then let out a sigh. "I think you should be the one to receive it since I know what you are capable of. Gaining the side of the World Treant is more than enough, and I can''t ask for more."


    "That''s true."


    "This ce is supposed to be hidden, and we need to keep its existence secret as much as possible. That is why it is better for me not to manage this ce. Besides, you are great at hiding secrets, so the tree and its spirits are safer in your hands."


    "If you think so, Sister.


    After that, I ced a hand on her shoulder, and she responded by putting her hand over mine. A momentter, Aesfen came walking toward us.


    "Your Highness Louise, Your Highness Raphael, Mother has reprimanded and made them realize how worthy you are. From now on, we will be cooperating with your nation."


    "Just as we promised, we will protect the World Treant within our capabilities," I said with a hint of mental exhaustion. "I hope everything is going to be fine."


    Suddenly, I saw ndra walking slowly in our direction. She seemed awkward as she walked, not to mention that she was missing her arrogant gait and demeanor from before.


    "Um... Good day, Your Highness Louise and Raphael. I am here to apologize for the things that I said earlier. On behalf of the tree spirits, I am very sorry for being disrespectful and causing you trouble as well as realizing your worthte."


    Her voice was weak and apologetic, but we could feel the sincerity in her words. The other tree spirits behind her felt the same way too.


    "I personally have been rude toward you," she continued. "That is why. Please ept our apologies."


    "What the—?!"


    Before I could stop them, all the tree spirits kneeled before us one after another on ndra''s lead. They must have been doing this because they were now regarding me as high as the World Treant due to the Crest of Mutuality.


    "Well then," Aesfen was thest one to kneel. "From now on, you and Mother will be ruling this forest together."