SCAMMER TRIO ORIGINS (2)

"BUT FIRST things first," Neoma said while giving William and Delwyn a look full of suspicion. "What's with the 180-degree turn? You both wanted to get rid of me earlier. And now you want me to work with you?" She raised an eyebrow at them. "What's the catch, boys?"

"No reason," William said bluntly. "Stop asking dumb questions–"

"We were scolded by Lady Irina," Delwyn said, cutting off whatever William was about to say. "Lady Irina is the Cosmic Tree, and her orders are always absolute."

That piqued her curiosity.

"Is the Cosmic Tree's position higher than the Spirit Queen's?" she asked curiously.

"The Spirit Queen is only responsible for the Spirit World, but the Cosmic Tree is responsible for both Spirits and every living thing, so it's hard to compare the two," the Ice Spirit explained. "Moreover, the Spirit Queen and the Cosmic Tree have different factions, since different beings follow each of them."