Chapter 35
The World Tree had regained its strength.
- At last!!!
- Elrad is saved too!
The elves in the gallery cheered.
And the World Tree, having regained its strength and buoyed by the elves’ expectations, first of all...
became gallery user 137.7.32.
- ?
- What?
- Elrad, oh my god
A throwaway username referred to someone who entered the gallery anonymously without a fixed username.
Since most people used fixed usernames, it had been a long time since I’d seen a user like this.
“It’s even a troll.”
The 137.7.32 presumed to be the World Tree threw a tactical nuke the moment it entered the gallery.
- 137.7.32) (Meme of plump fruit growing on a tree)
- Kya!
- Just as expected of the World Tree!
- Fruit that looks this delicious!
- 137.7.32) (Meme of it crushing something with a branch)
- 137.7.32) (Meme of fruit dropping from a branch and being crushed on the ground)
- Elfreeeek!
- W-Why?
- Hieeek!!
(Meme of someone tearing into meat roughly)
(Meme of someone throwing dew onto the ground and smashing it)
(Meme of someone spraying pesticide on fairies and killing them)
- P-Please stop!!
- World Tree, why would you do this to us...!
- You’re not even an elf!!
- No, this is a nightmare...
It even threw a tactical nuke limited exclusively to elves.
I narrowed my eyes as I watched the comments and memes posted by the World Tree.
“...Can this really be called trolling?”
Of course, I couldn’t understand it.
But if most gallery users hated it, it could be called trolling—but that wasn’t the case.
- To think the World Tree hates elves that much...
- I support the World Tree from today onward.
- Damn it, World Tree, I like you!
- I thought it was just a useless tree, but I was wrong. What a magnificent tree.
It was a complicated situation, with humans and dwarves, the majority races, cheering it on while the elves were excluded.
So banning it seemed a bit much, and I left the World Tree a reply to mediate things.
- 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree shouting, “That’s good!” )
ㄴ Head Mod☆) Hey, cut it out.
ㄴ 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree looking startled)
ㄴ 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree with an innocent smile full of laughter)
ㄴ 137.7.32) (World Tree thumbs-up emote) (Emote saying, “The World Tree approves this”) (World Tree emote hugging a heart)
“Can it not speak?”
It couldn’t type in chat, but it replaced everything with emoticons from places unknown, in every language.
The image of a girl with green braided hair was striking.
“A middle schooler? No, a high schooler?”
The figure looked neither too young nor fully mature.
Its appearance was exactly that of someone entering adolescence.
But instead of quieting down after I stepped in to mediate, wasn’t it trying to socialize?
And with the gallery’s Head Mod, no less.
- 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree going, “Hnnng, World Tree”)
- 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree with obsession switched on)
- 137.7.32) (World Tree emote saying, “Hug me”)
ㄴ BloodsuckingToTheDeath★) Don’t cross the line. You’re banned.
ㄴ 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree flipping someone off)
“At this point, it’s a real troll, isn’t it?”
What was trolling?
Cliquish behavior, gore posts, spam posts, and bait were representative examples of trolling.
Cliquish behavior was arguably the most dangerous.
Because the community itself could turn into their private group chat.
And this World Tree had tried it on me, the Head Mod.
“A troll that doesn’t even realize it’s trolling...!”
The pure troll I’d only heard about in legend.
- FullHPElf★) Over there... World Tree, even so, this is a bit much...
ㄴ 137.7.32) (Emote of the World Tree saying, “Mm-hmm~ Can’t hear you, Low-HP”)
- FullHPElf★) ?!
- BloodsuckingToTheDeath★) Don’t get cheeky. Are you trying to make me angry?
ㄴ 137.7.32) (World Tree emote barking, “Woof! Woof!”)
- BloodsuckingToTheDeath★) ...
On top of that, there was even a natural chat rush from the Blue Mods stepping in to mediate.
[Ban duration: 7 days]
[Reason: Trolling with hateful images targeting a specific species, repeated attempts at cliquish behavior, spam posts, spam images, frequent clashes with moderators, and ignoring multiple warnings]
I had no choice but to deliver a short ban to this legendary troll.
“Cool off for a while and you’ll feel better.”
I could understand it.
If I were about to die today or tomorrow and suddenly became free.
Especially after successfully getting revenge, my brain would be soaked in dopamine.
But it seemed I’d underestimated the World Tree.
Title: Head Mod! Head Mod!! Heaaad Mod!!!
Author: Elrad Model Citizen
(Meme of the World Tree threatening someone with dew)
(Meme of it intimidating someone by wrapping them tightly in vines and making them unable to move)
(Meme of an elf trembling, drenched in tears)
I-I’ll behave from now on...!
I won’t troll or do anything like that, and I’ll listen reeea... really well...!
So please, please lift the ban! The World Tree told me to tell you that...
Sob, hic... Please save me!!!
- W-What is this?
- Is the World Tree holding him hostage and threatening him?
- Ah lol, try banning it.
ㄴ Seriously, there are speakers everywhere nearby lololol.
- Look at the elf trembling.
ㄴ Whew, that feels so satisfying lol.
ㄴ Look at the shattered dew; the elf’s about to have a mental breakdown lol.
I grabbed a passing elf nearby and made them write the post in its place.
This was another first, and I was left speechless.
*
Fortunately, the World Tree’s trolling didn’t last long.
- Head Mod☆) You have to keep your promise, okay?
- 137.7.32) (World Tree pinky-promise emote)
Once I lifted the ban, I freed the elf who had served as its loudspeaker, and the World Tree returned to its well-behaved state.
And that wasn’t all; it also solved the problem that had caused this whole mess in the first place.
It had normalized the pet lava—the Rift.
Title: My Head Doesn’t Feel Dizzy Anymore!.jpg
(Meme of the World Tree extending a branch into the rift)
(Meme of vines wrapping around the area near the rift)
Thanks to the World Tree, my head doesn’t feel dizzy anymore!
Even the withering forest has come back to life!
Until now, the elves had been able to avoid all the damage caused by the rift thanks to the World Tree.
It had completely solved the headaches and food shortage caused by the World Tree weakening.
Of course, the problem itself had begun with the elves’ trolling...
- I’m fucking jealous.
- Why can’t my houseplant do that for me?
ㄴ Lol, you humans never put in as much effort as we do, did you?
ㄴ Exactly. What do you expect in return without putting in any effort?
ㄴ ? Effort?
ㄴ 137.7.32) (World Tree emote saying, “I’ll kill you dead!”)
ㄴ Hieeek.
ㄴ Heeek, sorry.
ㄴ The puny humans got put in line immediately lol.
“Is it solved for now?”
The issue with the rift had been dealt with for the time being.
The humans had Tainerol.
The dwarves had 96-proof Spiritus.
The elves had the World Tree restored.
Of course, the rift might seem trivial.
But terraforming had always started slowly, with the smallest things.
“Protect the otherworld at all costs.”
If the otherworld survives, so do I.
Survival was the most important thing, after all, so thorough preparation was essential.
Just as I was focusing on the fact that we’d solved the problem and trying to be satisfied, the elves went into an uproar.
- So are you coming to Elrad now, Head Mod?
- Since the World Tree only listens to the Head Mod...
- Bring the Head Mod to Elrad!
The World Tree no longer gave generously to everyone as it had before.
It wouldn’t even give the elves a simple piece of fruit anymore, which led directly to another problem.
“So now they’ll have to farm for themselves.”
But elves don’t know how to farm.
They had only ever obtained all their food by simply taking it, so some of them didn’t even know how to cook the simplest dishes.
However, since the World Tree listened to me so well, it had suddenly become a matter of me going to Elrad.
- You don’t have a home anyway, do you, Head Mod?
- Elves are much more trustworthy than the rabbit beastfolk, aren’t they?
- We’ll even make you a spacious private room inside the kingdom!
- We could even create a title like World Tree Keeper...
But I had only one answer to that.
- Head Mod☆) Why would I?
Not a chance.
Do I look crazy enough to move to Elrad?
Of course, I didn’t plan on staying in the rabbit burrow forever either, but Elrad was definitely not my second choice.
“Unless it’s a sturdier underground bunker...”
I still had a lot of my belongings inside the warehouse from when I’d fled the assassins.
I planned to return home as soon as the ticket was repaired.
“Head Mod, the preparations are complete. Nya.”
“You finally finished it?”
“That’s right. Here...”
[Rabbit Burrow Exit Ticket]
The ticket gleamed gold; Myoran had finally handed me the finished product.
The ticket was covered with a picture of a sobbing rabbit and countless warning notices.
*Warning! Once the ticket is used, it cannot be undone.
You may not be able to return to the place you want.
Only a cold-hearted person can tear it.
Did the rabbitfolk who made this write that?
“If I use this...”
“You can return to a place the Head Mod remembers. Ignore the warnings. Nya.”
“All right, thanks for everything.”
The rabbit burrow had become my perfect hideout.
They hadn’t leaked any information to the gallery that could identify me and had treated me kindly.
More than ten kidnappings or attacks came flying in from somewhere every day, but Myoran blocked them all.
“...Still, it’s a shame.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s safe here, and Myoran will block everything anyway, won’t they?”
I seriously found myself wondering if I should stay longer.
I’d have to find a way to survive on my own if I returned home anyway.
It was then.
Lick.
“Haaah, Head Mod...”
Along with the creepy sound in my ear, rabbit whiskers tickled the bridge of my nose.
I started up in shock, but two snow-white hands reached through the bars and stopped me.
“Myoran, help!”
“Oh, no!”
And they were incredibly strong; I couldn’t move an inch.
When I looked to the side with wide eyes, there was a rabbit beastperson barely within reach.
And not just any rabbitfolk, but the perfect furry image of a fifty-fifty blend of human and rabbit.
“I’m sorry, but I... I can’t hold back anymore.”
With a chilling sound, lips drew near.
I tore the ticket at a speed worthy of a champion, and
“Huh.”
A rough stone floor.
Two-story wooden buildings that looked like something out of a European tourist destination.
“I’m back.”
I found myself standing in front of the basement warehouse of the very restaurant where I’d been transported.
*
Safety first.
There was no doubt about it.
In the end, even the rabbitfolk weren’t a safe place for me.
“What about Jomsaem?”
Fortunately, Jomsaem wasn’t visible anywhere on the streets of Kelton Kingdom’s capital.
I quickly descended into the basement warehouse before anyone could see me, and soon saw the half-destroyed entrance.
Dead assassins, a foul stench, and the mess that had become My My Sweet Home...
I roughly blocked the entrance with planks.
Hmm. Hmmmm.
“Right, you were here too.”
Fortunately, inside, I was greeted by my sleep light, the dwarves’ fine sword, and Adrian’s holy sword, the daylight lamp.
The swords had cleanly dealt with all the remaining stragglers in my place.
Thanks to them, none of the warehouse’s goods had been leaked, but...
“I’m uneasy leaving things like this.”
I keenly felt the need for a protective barrier to guard me.
And not just one layer; it would be nice to have a barrier protecting me two or three layers deep.
In that sense, this ruined capital of Kelton Kingdom wasn’t suitable.
“Should I at least move?”
Of course, I said it, but I didn’t have the courage.
I had to move without letting my location be discovered and deal with sudden assassination attempts.
I didn’t even know the proper roads, so where would I move to next?
But those problems didn’t last long.
Title: Accepting Investments.
Author: Lloyd
Adrian is finished.
So, after the Frederick execution mad movie, I’m planning to build a new nation in the Kelton Kingdom.
I’ll accept investments in any form.
If the nation is successfully established, I promise to repay every gallery user who invested.
Please show lots of interest.
“Ooh?”
And as it happened, a post perfectly suited to me had just gone up.