Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Plum blossoms continued to fall gently around us.

Looking up, I saw the sky entirely obscured by a canopy of branches and leaves.

Sunlight filtered through small gaps in the foliage, spreading across the vibrant green ground below like a soft embrace.

It was beautiful.

Even for someone like me, who never cared much for scenery, it was breathtaking.

Amid the fragrant scent of plum blossoms and the refreshing breeze, I followed Noya as we walked onward.

The destination wasn’t far.

With a slightly brisk pace, we arrived before I even realized it.

‘It’s enormous.

’It had looked big from a distance, but up close, it was staggering.

I had never seen a tree this large and thick in my life.

And the height—it was astounding.

The ground dipped downward around it, and yet the tree’s peak seemed to reach the clouds.

“What is this thing?

”What kind of plum tree grows to such a size?

I asked, unable to contain my disbelief, and Noya glanced at me before replying.

“Who knows?

I can’t say for certain, but I’ve heard it called the Shinmok (Sacred Tree).

”“The Sacred Tree?

”A tree of the gods?

It sounded ridiculous, but given its sheer size, the name seemed fitting.

“It’s not something that should surprise you.

You’ve seen one before, haven’t you?

”“I have?

”“Yes.

”“When would I have… Oh.

”I paused, realization dawning on me.

Was he referring to that?

‘Mua.

’The forgotten World Tree.

Once the master of Zhongyuan.

The one who reversed time in Yeon Ilcheon’s life.

And the very being…‘…who designated me as an Apostle.

’That tree had been colossal too.

Though it was withered and gnarled, as if it would crumble at the slightest touch, its size was comparable.

But—‘The presence is entirely different.

’The aura it exuded was on a different level.

Was this plum tree more imposing?

No, that wasn’t it.

‘Mua was far more overwhelming.

’The difference in essence was vast.

This tree before me could still be considered just a tree.

Mua, on the other hand, was not.

It felt like…‘Mother or Kurung.

’That sensation you get when faced with a being beyond comprehension.

Mua gave off that kind of presence, but this tree didn’t.

It was just a tree.

A large and beautiful tree, yes, but still just a tree.

Though its immense size made it commanding, it didn’t feel like something transcendent.

I approached the so-called Sacred Tree, taking in the sights around me.

Where the sunlight fell, blossoms had bloomed, enhancing the beauty of the scene.

As I absorbed the surroundings, I searched for what was important.

‘Where is it?

’According to Noya, Kurung was supposed to be somewhere nearby, but I couldn’t see anything.

There was no way something that massive could hide.

So where was it?

I should’ve been able to spot it by now, but no matter how much I looked, it was nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, Noya kept moving closer to the Sacred Tree.

He finally stopped at a crevice near its base.

I was about to ask him something when—“Noya, where exactly is that…?

”“Hey, are you okay in there?

”Noya called out, peering into the crevice.

‘Hm…?

’I frowned at the sight.

The crevice, large enough to resemble a small cave due to the tree’s sheer size, wasn’t overwhelmingly vast.

But if Noya was speaking into it… could it be?

[Grrr.

]“…!

”A deep, rumbling growl echoed from within.

The sound alone sent chills racing up my arms.

Just hearing it was enough to make my body react instinctively.

I tensed, automatically entering a combat stance.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my feet refused to move forward.

It felt dangerous.

Far more dangerous than the massive silhouette I’d seen from a distance the previous night.

Yes, this was…‘…A difference in class.

’Something I couldn’t even bear to look at directly.

An existence on a completely different plane, capable of making you tremble with just its presence.

I steadied my breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

Then—“If you’re awake, come on out already.

What are you doing sleeping at midday?

”Noya chuckled as he spoke.

At his words, a flurry of dust fell from the crevice.

A palpable presence surged outward, enveloping me.

Something was coming.

Something enormous was stepping out of the crevice…[Grroooar.

]“…Huh?

”As I squinted to get a better look, I saw something emerging from the crevice.

Compared to the size of the opening, it was surprisingly small.

It was…“Adorable…?

”Its appearance was unexpectedly cute.

Extremely, absurdly cute.

***************Under the divine tree, I sat beside Shin Noya.

Someone had placed a chair and a desk there; judging by how comfortably Shin Noya sat, it seemed they had been there for some time.

Sitting there, we silently stared at something.

[Grrr.

]"...

"[Grrrr.

]Every time I heard that growling sound, I couldn't help but flinch.

The sensation was still heavy and tingling.

"Stop barking already.

How long are you going to keep growling?

"[Grr.

]At Noya's words, the creature sulked and shrank.

Watching it, I felt an indescribable emotion.

This felt entirely different from the immense entity I had seen just before.

There was a clearly unfathomable gap…'What is this?

'Now, all I felt was bafflement.

It couldn’t be helped.

[Grr.

]The being I was looking at was quite small.

If I had to guess, about the size of a neighborhood stray dog?

It looked the part too.

Exactly like a dog.

More wolf-like than a dog, perhaps.

But that didn't seem important to dwell on… It even had the air of a puppy, not a full-grown dog.

It was cute.

Its appearance made that thought unavoidable.

'…So this cute thing.

'[Grrr.

]'Was that terrifying creature I saw last night?

'Kurung.

The one we used to call by that name because it always growled.

It had always been a noisy presence in my body, alongside Noya, causing trouble whenever it did anything.

It whined for ages when it was hungry.

It was endlessly annoying, and I had wanted to get rid of it.

But.

'That creature was even feared by the Blood Demon.

'I remember the Blood Demon referring to it as a bottomless pit and being wary of it.

Before falling here, the fight with the Blood Demon had been utterly one-sided.

Despite using the same Dragon Speech, the levels were different, and I was far too powerless in front of it.

So powerless that I needed protection from Cheonma, the entity I was supposed to kill.

It was humiliating.

I had surpassed the previous realms and reached the upper echelons of the great masters.

I wondered if I could even defeat the Sword Emperor, who I assumed would be the strongest.

And yet, I was still powerless in front of the Blood Demon?

It was a shocking revelation.

How much stronger do I need to become?

How far must I reach?

That sense of despair was vaguely setting in.

'And Kurung, who was so guarded by the Blood Demon.

'[Grrr.

]"...

"Now it lay flat, wagging its tail in front of me.

It looked just like a real puppy.

Not dangerous at all.

"Is this… really that creature?

"At my reaction, Noya chuckled and asked.

"What, is it too trivial compared to your expectations?

""Yes.

It's very trivial.

"I answered without hesitation.

There was no need to beat around the bush.

It truly was exceedingly trivial.

This was just a puppy, after all.

[Grrr.

]Even when the creature seemed displeased by my words, It still looked trivial.

"...

"Could this really be that vast entity?

Doubts naturally arose.

"Don't be too harsh.

It didn’t choose to be like this.

In a way, it's also your fault.

""What?

"My fault?

And it wasn’t intentional?

As I focused on that, Noya added an explanation.

"It acted a bit too aggressively to attract attention and used too much power.

That’s why it ended up like this.

""Attract attention?

""Yes, if it hadn’t, things would have gotten much worse.

Be grateful.

"Attracting attention.

I pondered over whom it was trying to distract.

"Perhaps…""Correct.

"Noya nodded.

"From your mother.

""...

"My guess was right.

That was exactly the situation then.

'So, the reason it covered me was also…'Even while being beaten by my mother, it endured.

Was that all because of this?

Then.

"Why?

"Why did it specifically attract attention from my mother?

"Didn’t I tell you?

Meeting your mother is dangerous.

If it hadn’t distracted her then, you might have been harmed on the spot.

""I can't understand.

Why would my mother attack me?

""That’s because…"Noya looked at me with a calm gaze and said,"You are a dragon.

""…What does that mean?

""I’ve explained earlier why this place is called the Banished Realm.

Do you remember?

""Yes.

"A world left ownerless.

A place where some beings that should have vanished came to exist without turning into demonic creatures.

"The Banished Realm is a space that generally accepts all sorts of life forms indiscriminately.

That’s the purpose and meaning of its existence.

However, even this realm has expelled and banned a race.

""…"My brow furrowed as I anticipated what was coming next.

"That race is the dragons.

"As expected.

The answer seemed likely when I heard it.

The problem was.

"I don’t understand.

"That response raised more questions than it answered.

Dragons were banished?

If that were true, for now setting that aside,"Didn’t you say the Banished Realm is a place for those who have lost their world's owner?

"Those who lost a place because their world's owner vanished.

A realm that supposedly offers mercy to such beings.

"Is there any reason for dragons to come here?

"It’s unclear how many dragons there are, but if they had their own world, Shouldn’t it still exist?

After all.

'The owner would be alive.

'The world where the dragons lived.

Its owner.

Clearly…'The Blood Demon.

'It must have been the Dragon Emperor, but how could it be banished from the Banished Realm?

Noticing my confusion, Shin Noya slightly narrowed his eyes and said,"Young one.

I understand your questions, but I don’t know much about this part either.

""What?

""The information is lacking… and if you think about it, isn’t it strange?

"Creak.

Noya leaned back in his chair.

"If the Blood Demon… if he had his own world, there would be no reason for him to appear to claim the central plains.

""…!

"I widened my eyes.

…Certainly.

'…Right?

'If the Blood Demon had his own world, there’d be no reason for him to cause a blood havoc to come here.

And yet, why does he still remain in the central plains, dreaming of a paradise?

Something was full of inconsistencies.

'Moreover.

Why is there hostility if I'm identified as a dragon?

'It seemed the Blood Demon had done something to cause this.

If there were other dragons and they were banished, where did they go?

Adding to that.

"…Noya.

""Yes.

""If the Banished Realm rejects dragons, then why did that creature save me?

"If the Banished Realm truly rejects me, specifically because I'm a dragon, and further tries to eliminate me, What was Kurung's intention in protecting me?

"You said it was related to my mother.

I also don't understand why she attacked it.

""…""And you said I shouldn't meet my mother.

Her reaction too.

What exactly is going on?

"Shin Noya looked at me quietly.

In his still gaze, I sensed a subtle something.

It was clearly regret.

Why was he looking at me with such eyes?

Just as I wondered,"The reason this creature ended up like this while saving you is also because of your mother’s request.

""What?

""Its spirit residing in your body was for the same reason.

""Such a…?

"My mother's request?

I frowned.

The conversation didn't seem to add up.

"Then all the more…"I was about to say it didn’t make sense for this situation to happen, but.

"In that situation, how could your mother attack it and you?

"Noya spoke faster.

"Yes.

"If it was supposed to protect me because of my mother, there was no reason for her to attack Kurung or to try to kill me because I was a dragon.

But.

"It’s a natural reason.

"Following Noya’s words, I had to close my mouth.

"The woman you know as your mother isn't the same anymore.

"Hearing that, I widened my eyes.

"Not the same?

"How could she not be?

I could understand everything else, but not this.

She was definitely my mother, almost a certainty.

"Didn’t I tell you?

If you have any hope for maternal affection from her, discard it.

"Noya’s voice held a clear sigh as he spoke to me.

"The current her harbors no mercy or affection towards you.

"As I listened, my gaze wavered.

My heart seemed to shudder along with my eyes.

Squeak.

Shin Noya stood up from the chair he was sitting in.

"If you fail to perform your duty, you receive punishment.

That’s a rule set by the world.

Even your mother was not exempt.

""…Punishment…?

""That’s what this creature said.

"Noya patted Kurung's head.

The touch seemed slightly forceful.

"Your mother failed to perform her assigned task and received her punishment… and that punishment was.

"Plum blossoms continued to fall from the sky.

"An oblivion of not remembering anything at all.

"Like those falling leaves, so seemed my heart.