Chapter 71

The Great Merciful Tree King appeared behind Takumi, looking at Nahida, who was like a daughter to Lord Tianli. Slowly, she walked forward, her gentle voice echoing as if touching the depths of Nahida's soul. Nahida quickly looked over, her four-leaf clover-shaped eyes full of light.

"Great Merciful Tree King..." Nahida murmured.

Buer smiled gently, "Nahida, I finally meet you."

Nahida felt an unprecedented silence and expectation. She didn't know what this feeling was, but she wanted to speak her heart.

"Great Merciful Tree King, I've missed you. I've thought about you all the time," Nahida confessed.

Buer extended her hand, gently touching Nahida's head, her voice continuing to soothe Nahida's loneliness from being imprisoned for five hundred years. "How could I not miss you? You are part of me, and I am part of you. I understand your loneliness all too well."

Nahida blinked, a bit confused. "I am part of you, and you are part of me?"

Buer smiled, "I am the incarnation of the World Tree, and you are the purest branch on the World Tree. You originated from me and are my half, yet you are also an individual. You could call me your mother."

Nahida looked up, her eyes innocent and expectant. "Can I call you mother?"

Buer looked into Nahida's eyes, filled with longing. "Of course, you can call me whatever you wish. We are connected; there is no difference between us."

Takumi smiled, wrapping his arm around the waist of the Great Merciful Tree King. "You both came from the same original fragment. You are like mirror images of each other."

Takumi watched Buer more closely, admiring her calmness and how perfect she was. Everything she did was gentle and perfect.

In Nahida's innocent, puzzled eyes, Takumi kissed Buer gently on the lips. Nahida watched them, a blank expression on her face.

She had seen such a scene before, while she secretly allowed her consciousness to explore the outside world. It seemed to be an act done by humans who liked each other.

Was this the same for Lord Tianli and the Great Merciful Tree King?

Did Lord Tianli like Buer?

Did this mean Lord Tianli liked her as well?

Nahida's innocent eyes were filled with questions. Her limited experience left her unable to grasp these human emotions fully.

Takumi let go of Buer, whose elf-like ears had turned red. He looked into her eyes, which were still as gentle as ever. This kind of gentleness was irresistible to any man.

Then, he turned to Nahida, who was observing like a curious child. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss, feeling the same warmth as when he kissed Buer.

After all, Nahida was just like Buer—in a sense, she was Buer's clone.

Buer did not show dissatisfaction but seemed happy. Nahida was her other half, and she and Takumi shared an eternal bond, so it was only natural for Nahida to share in this connection.

Nahida blinked, looking up at Takumi, and innocently asked, "Lord Tianli, what does this mean?"

Takumi chuckled at Nahida's innocence. "The meaning? It means it makes Tianli happy."

Nahida nodded thoughtfully. Making Tianli happy would be beneficial to the world, for only Tianli was supreme. She understood that this was why the Great Merciful Tree King had acted the way she did.

After thinking for a moment, Nahida leaned closer towards Takumi's lips, intending to make him happy.

Takumi was a bit taken aback, but he immediately understood Nahida's intention, feeling both amused and a little helpless. If Nahida wasn't a five-hundred-year-old demon with rapid mental development, her actions could have brought him severe trouble.

Putting Nahida down, Takumi looked towards the now-calming city of Sumeru. Order had returned—an order built upon justice.

All those guilty, including the dignitaries and members of the Order, were restrained and gathered in Sumeru Square. The number of the guilty in Sumeru City reached one-twentieth of the population—tens of thousands were tightly bound, kneeling in the square. At the front were the sages and instructors of the Order, kneeling with heads bowed.

Takumi glanced at the Great Merciful Tree King. "Buer."

Buer nodded. She had to appear now—the people of Sumeru were awaiting her to bring justice to their land.

Buer vanished from Takumi's side and reappeared above the square. Green light, vibrant with life, spread throughout the area, purifying the smell of blood that lingered in Sumeru City.

The originally furious citizens slowly calmed down under the presence of this gentle and compassionate aura, though their hatred for the guilty remained visible in their eyes.

Takumi kissed Nahida's cheek and said, "Watch closely, Nahida. This is the foundation you must learn to grow."

Nahida nodded earnestly, focusing her gaze on the square. She was determined to follow the Great Merciful Tree King's actions. After all, both the Great Merciful Tree King and Tianli were the epitome of righteousness.

Buer descended into the square, and the people of Sumeru looked at her with admiration and devotion.

The people of Sumeru had always respected and loved their god, who had given them civilization, knowledge, protection, and wisdom. Their hatred for the Order, who had betrayed their god and enslaved them, was clear and unwavering.

Saino, who had apprehended the criminals selling stolen knowledge outside the city, knelt before the Great Merciful Tree King, lowering his head in awe.

"Your Highness, the Great Merciful Tree King, I am Saino, the Disciplinarian of Sumeru. All the guilty members of the Order have been apprehended, although some have already been killed by the angry citizens," Saino reported.

Buer nodded gently. "Saino, you have done well. After today, Sumeru's justice will still need your guidance."

She had watched over everyone in Sumeru through the World Tree and knew Saino was a just and righteous person.

Saino saluted her with conviction. "This is my duty, Your Highness."

At that moment, Tighnari and the rangers brought forward more members of the ruling class who had tried to escape.

Upon seeing the Great Merciful Tree King, Tighnari was momentarily stunned before bowing respectfully. "Your Highness, I am Tighnari, a ranger of Sumeru. I have brought in the remaining guilty members who tried to flee."

Buer smiled at him warmly. "Tighnari, you are also a good child. Thank you for your hard work."

Tighnari replied, "It is my duty as a ranger, Your Highness."

Suddenly, the great sage Azar, tied and kneeling on the ground, began to shout hysterically. "I am not guilty! What crime have I committed, Great Merciful Tree King? We saved Sumeru! If it weren't for the Order, Sumeru would have collapsed five hundred years ago. We are not guilty!"