Chapter 15- Trust Doesn’t Come Easy

After that revelation Cael entered into something of a daze as he began second guessing his entire life. What was real anymore Cael was unsure but there was one thing he knew at least, a conclusion which he unconsciously muttered.

『Aria knows.』

So caught up in his thoughts was Cael that he lost track of his surroundings and it wasn’t until Selene spoke that he remembered what he was doing.

『Sorry Caelus I didn’t hear what you said, is everything okay?』

image [https://i.imgur.com/Xw8giC6.png]

Hearing the concern in her voice he simply pasted on his trademark grin and played it off as nothing. Cael wasn’t quite sure just yet if he wanted to share what he was thinking.

I mean it’s crazy, if I say anything surely they’ll toss me into whatever this world’s equivalent of an asylum is.

Deciding he didn’t want to dwell on this topic anymore at least for now Cael began to focus on his more immediate concerns.

『So miss Ciara you owe me a trust fruit, right~?』

After the world’s shortest staring contest Ciara did eventually relent with a sigh.

『Fine, you can have one but be careful what you wish for they’re called trust fruits for a reason afterall.』

Hearing those ominous words Cael looked towards Selene for confirmation but she merely bit her lower lip and looked away not daring to meet his eyes.

Seeing as neither of them had anything to say on the matter Cael decided to just pick first and think about any problems later. Approaching the tree to within arm’s length he began troubleshooting the issue in regards to actually reaching one, afterall his climbing skills were nothing to write home about.

While holding his chin in thought Cael began circling the tree, bobbing and weaving his head in search of anywhere that could be used as a foothold. Though he was broken from his contemplation by a soft giggle reminiscent of a windchime.

Turning to its source he found none other than Lily standing there calmly with the only evidence of her amusement being the slight raise to the corner of her lips.

『Here I’ll do it. I’m afraid I may actually die of laughing too hard if you keep going like this.』

Cael had no complaints so he moved aside and watched her work. She stepped out and extended her right hand towards the tree before chanting in the strange language he’s come to associate with magic.

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image [https://i.imgur.com/YU6kiGs.png]

{By the blessing of Dryad I beseech the plants of the world to come to my aide I offer my essence therefore let it be so }

After Lily finished speaking a green pulse of light spread out from her hand engulfing the Elder Wood. Not long after the branches of the tree began to move with most making way by spreading apart while one lowered to within her reach.

After scrutinising the fruit on the branch for a moment Lily eventually plucked one and casually tossed it to Cael. Following that the branches of the tree receded back into their original positions before becoming as rigid as if they never moved at all.

Taking only a second to admire the juicy looking fruit in his hand similar in appearance to a peach, Cael then proceeded to pocket the thing for safekeeping. Looking back up he saw the maid wannabee standing there with a perfect poker face that was somehow also emitting an aura that practically screamed “You can praise me more you know”.

Cael could virtually picture a dog’s tail wagging back and forth behind her at speed. Not sure if he was just imagining things or not he could only respond in a dumbfounded manner.

『Thanks.』

Hearing his words Lily nodded.

『It’s fine you don’t have to thank me or anything, that fruit has a good chance of killing you afterall.』

If Cael was drinking anything at that moment he was certain he would have done a perfect spit take capable of forming a rainbow with how floored he was by Lily’s words just then.

『Kill me!?』

『You didn’t know? One in ten of all fruit have a deadly neurotoxin inside them.』

Looking back at the other two he saw Selene wincing with a face overflowing with guilt while Ciara just pouted as though someone had spoiled her fun. Unable to help it he looked back at Lily to make sure that he had heard right.

『Seriously?』

『Nn』

Cael completely wanted to curse Selene’s father for being way too petty.

I mean he even said “As a last show of mercy I shall not have you executed” nooo instead we’ll only be playing Russian roulette with fruit instead! In what way is this better!?

Cael could have kept up with his internal rant and hypothetical plans of revenge for days on end if he wasn’t interrupted by the sound of Lily rummaging through the pockets of her maid outfit.

『Ah, there it is.』

At her words Cael finally saw Lily retrieving what appeared to be a pair of glasses which she then proceeded to wear despite the fact he was almost certain she had no need of them whatsoever. After adjusting them to show off her own attainments in that particular dao she then continued with her explanation.

『They are called trust fruit because back in the old days rulers would have their retainers eat the fruit in front of them to show off the depths of their loyalty. Of course now no one does that anymore but still it’s an important part of the history of Eden. In theory it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between a deadly and harmless fruit but I’ve lived here all my life so I like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at guessing.』

At her words Cael brightened up some realising the future was perhaps not as bleak as he thought.

『Though you could also say because I’ve plucked so many fruit and gotten better at guessing, the ratio has evened out some, so compared to most trust trees the Elder Wood has more poisonous fruit per branch.』

And once more Cael’s mood plummeted to rock bottom, he was not even surprised at this point indeed in his heart he was only screaming the same line over and over.

As expected of Lily!

Not knowing Cael’s thoughts she continued.

『Though I don’t look the type I can be considered somewhat knowledgeable in regards to the plants of Pleiades.』

Cael truly used all of his latent willpower at that moment to hold himself back from fiercely retorting and asking about who does look like the type if the daughter of nymph called Lily doesn’t.

My god talking to her is shaving years off my life. I’m sorry prez I’ll be a more respectable person from now on.