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-Hey. Wake up. Loser.

When I opened my eyes, a blonde, blue-eyed girl was shoving her face right up to mine. It was Michaela. My face instinctively scrunched up.

-…Get your face out of my space.

-Hmph. Is that how you talk to someone who woke you up?

I came to my senses about a month ago.

-…How was I able to wake up?

That was the first question that came to mind. I had merged with the World Tree in place of my sister. I wanted to save Sora and the Otherworld, even if it meant sacrificing everything.

I could feel my imagination flowing into the World Tree, becoming its nourishment. If I stopped imagining, the Otherworld would likely collapse.

That’s why I couldn’t return. I had prepared myself to live an eternity, supporting the World Tree like Atlas holding up the Earth.

But how was I able to wake up? How is the Otherworld still intact even though I’m awake?

-You should consider yourself lucky.

-What?

As if sensing my confusion, Michaela crossed her arms.

-Consider it good fortune that you received help from ‘us,’ the gods. We made it so you could wake up sooner.

In short, Michaela and Lukaela had stepped in to help me.

-The World Tree isn’t something you can nurture alone. It’s the pillar of this world, spanning both Paradise and Hell. I take care of the leaves and branches in Paradise, while Lukaela handles the roots in Hell.

-…?

-And you’re responsible for providing the World Tree’s nutrients.

Growing a tree isn’t just about supplying nutrients. It needs proper sunlight and water too. If I’m the fertilizer, Michaela is the sun, and Lukaela is the water.

No wonder. I had thought it would take at least 100 years to grow the World Tree just by supplying it with imagination…

Maybe it was because I tried to grow it with just my imagination. Imagination is an important nutrient for the World Tree, but it’s not the only thing that makes up the World Tree.

But then a question naturally arose.

-Then why didn’t you help when Sora was with the World Tree?

-Because the system was blocking our access back then.

Ah.

I finally remembered the Valkyries blocking the path to the World Tree. They were programs that ignored Michaela’s control and only aimed to block our access. It seems they were preventing not just us, but also Michaela and Lukaela from intervening.

At the same time, I realized that Sora had been managing the World Tree alone. Without the help of Michaela and Lukaela, she had been protecting the World Tree by herself.

‘No wonder she’s the original author….’

Compared to me, who just gave some advice on the setting, she was on a whole different level.

-Is it okay for me to be out here like this?

-Yep. Right now, my sister is inside the World Tree in your place. Thanks to you stepping in, the World Tree has regained some of its health. From now on, we can take turns managing it.

-I see….

Michaela alternated her gaze between the World Tree and me, then patted my shoulder.

-You’ve worked hard, loser. Growing the weakened World Tree this far with just your imagination.

-…….

-For now, we still need you for nutrient supply, but as the World Tree regains its ability to self-sustain, you’ll need to come here less often. Eventually, you’ll just need to drop by occasionally to replenish its nutrients.

-I never thought I’d be able to leave the World Tree….

I had prepared myself to never return. I had vowed to become the World Tree and protect everything I loved for eternity.

But I came back.

Michaela placed her hands on her hips and grumbled.

-Don’t get the wrong idea. I only helped because I didn’t want to see Sora sad.

-I see. But thank you.

-……Hmph. If anything, I should be the one thanking you, idiot….

-What?

-Never mind. More importantly, I need to let everyone know you’re awake. They’ve been waiting desperately for you to wake up.

That’s right. There are people waiting for me. I promised I’d be back soon, but I couldn’t keep that promise. They must have been anxiously waiting for me.

But…

-No…. I can’t meet them.

-Huh? Why??

-I can’t meet them looking like this.

I showed Michaela my skinny arms. This isn’t Tristan’s body, but Jeong Ji-hwan’s. Not that there’s much difference. After all, Tristan was a character modeled after me.

But unlike Tristan’s body, which I had built through rigorous training, Jeong Ji-hwan’s body was pitiful.

My last memory was of having some meat on my bones, but now there’s nothing but skin and bones. My ribs were sticking out like I was malnourished. Well, I had been left alone for almost two years in real time, so it’s no wonder.

‘If they see me like this now….’

I absolutely didn’t want that. Maybe it’s because I was influenced by Tristan’s personality, but my pride wouldn’t allow me to appear before them in such a weak and pitiful state. I had always been impressive in front of them. I didn’t want to show them this shabby version of myself.

So, I decided to work hard to regain my old body before the day they were supposed to come.

From the day I woke up, I moved my body tirelessly, exercising. Well, at first, it was more like rehabilitation training. My body, which had been lying in bed for two years, was nothing but skin and bones. My muscles had atrophied, making even walking difficult.

It took a tremendous effort just to do one push-up. Of course, it was hard. So hard that I even got a nosebleed from overexertion.

-…Am I going to fail….

My thin muscles felt like they were about to snap. Cold sweat poured down like rain. I felt like screaming in agony. I wanted to give up and just rest.

But every time, I thought of them. The thought of their faces, anxiously waiting for me, gave me the strength to endure.

Over the past month, with the help of Michaela and Lukaela, I worked tirelessly to regain my former body.

And although I didn’t fully return to my old self, I managed to get to a point where I could stand confidently in front of them.

*

“Count!! Count!! Waaah…!”

Wendy was looking up at me with teary eyes. It was a sight I had missed dearly.

“Sniff… Sob…. Count…! I missed you so much…! I really missed you…!”

“You’re still a crybaby, huh.”

Her body may have grown, but her age still shows. I wiped Wendy’s tears with my fingers. Wendy, overwhelmed by the gesture, clung tightly to me. The little squirrel-like girl had grown into a big squirrel. Well, she’s still a squirrel though….

“You were worried, huh.”

“Yeah…! Sniff…. I was so worried!”

Wendy pressed her cheek against my hand, as if trying to feel my warmth.

“Sniff… Count…. You’ve lost so much weight….”

Actually, this is the best I could do…. But there’s no need to say that.

“Did you prefer my old self?”

“N-no! I… I’m just happy to have you by my side…. Sniff….”

“…….”

“I… I love you no matter what you look like…. So please…. Sniff…. Don’t leave us for so long again….”

“I’m sorry.”

I gently stroked Wendy’s back as she sobbed. Through her small back, I could feel the emotions she had been holding in.

“I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”

“Sniff….”

Wendy clung to my waist with her small body. How much had this small, fragile girl missed me?

Then, I locked eyes with Helga, who was standing there with a tearful expression.

“Count….”

“…Ugh.”

My loyal subordinate and lover. Helga hugged me tightly. Thankfully, Wendy had just finished her hug. The force of Helga’s hug was so strong I thought my bones would break. Well, if I hadn’t worked on my body, they probably would have.

It was a good thing I didn’t meet them and spent a month exercising. If I hadn’t, I might have closed my eyes again right after opening them because of Helga….

“You said you’d be back soon…. Why did it take so long?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re mean. So mean. Count.”

Helga was trembling. While I was worried about everyone, I was most concerned about her.

Helga has an uncontrollable personality. She acts before she thinks and is often violent, causing many problems. But she listens to me, so I’ve been holding her reins. With no one to hold her reins for a year, it’s no wonder I was worried.

“…So. Were you well-behaved?”

“Do you think I’m some kind of troublemaker who picks fights all the time?”

Accurate assessment.

Seeing my expression, Helga puffed out her cheeks in frustration.

“I’m not like that. I’ve been waiting patiently for you for the past year. I did well, so reward me. Reward.”

A reward, huh…. I don’t have anything to give. Feeling awkward, I patted Helga’s head. Then…

“Squeak squeak….”

“?? Why are you acting like a dog…”

“Huh?! I didn’t mean to…!”

“Helga has been living in the forest for the past year.”

It was Blanshe.

“In the forest?”

“Yes. She said she would protect you, so she lived in the forest of Paradise. Like a wild dog.”

“Hey, why are you saying that! And I’m a wolf! A wolf!”

“…There’s no fool like this fool. More importantly, Helga. That kind of hug isn’t good for the Count. You’re hugging him so tightly, it must be hard for him.”

“Oops. Sorry!”

Finally, Helga released me. I could breathe again.

Blanshe approached me.

“Count.”

“I’m sorry for being late….”

“Hug me.”

“…?”

Suddenly? Blanshe hadn’t changed from a year ago. But her expression seemed less tense. Her icy demeanor had softened, becoming… lovable, I guess.

“I’ve waited a year, so you can at least do that much.”

Blanshe stared at me intently. The atmosphere made it impossible to refuse.

“…Alright. I got it.”

Reluctantly, I hugged Blanshe. But as soon as I did, she hugged me back tightly.

“Ugh.”

My breath caught. Not as bad as Helga, but caught off guard, Blanshe hugged me deeply, her hands digging into my sides. I swear I heard my ribs creak.

“Don’t keep leaving us and going somewhere else.”

“I won’t….”

“You have no idea how much I’ve waited for you. Do you know how many tears I’ve shed?”

“I get it, so let go….”

“Ah!? S-sorry!”

Blanshe, noticing my discomfort, quickly let go. For a moment, I understood what it felt like to be a squeezed toothpaste tube.

As I caught my breath, I heard a voice.

“Really… Tristan? Is it really you?”

Bella was standing there with a look of disbelief. Her mysterious silver hair and blue eyes reminiscent of a snowy winter lake. A year had passed, but her beauty was just as I remembered.

Seeing her face, I couldn’t help but feel like teasing her.

“Who are you again?”

“…Do you want to get hit until you remember?”

Bella glared at me, hurt by my joke. Come to think of it, I always acted like a mischievous child in front of her. A woman with the charm to turn me into a child… Yes. It’s really Bella. Her expression and voice that I missed so much…. I forced a casual smile.

“Even in this situation, you’re joking….”

“Maybe it’s because you’ve become so beautiful I couldn’t recognize you?”

“……I was always beautiful, you know? Search the whole world. See if you can find another woman like me….”

Tears were streaming down Bella’s face. Her emotions were starting to affect me. I shouldn’t cry, but tears were welling up in my eyes.

“Do you know… how much I’ve waited for you…?”

I hugged Bella.

“…I’m sorry for being late.”

“Is an apology enough? I told you… I can’t live without you…. Knowing that, why… why did it take you so long to come back?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Bella’s shoulders were trembling. No matter what, all I could do was apologize. That was all I could do. No words could make up for the year they had waited.

“I won’t ask for your forgiveness….”

How could I have the nerve to say that? With the lingering regret and affection of the past, I hugged Bella tightly and spoke.

“But… I’ll make the rest of our lives so happy that you’ll forget the past year.”

“Tristan….”

“I promise. I’ll stake everything on it….”

I stroked Bella’s silver hair. Bella slowly closed her eyes and buried her face in my chest. Feeling her warmth, I hugged her tightly.

But that was only for a moment…. I noticed someone awkwardly looking away.

“……Sora.”

“Ahem…. Hmm…. So… should I wait until you’re done?”

True to her nature as my sister, she said the same thing I would have.

Realizing she had done something embarrassing, Bella quickly pushed me away.

“S-sister-in-law…?! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to….”

“Sister-in-law…?”

We’re not even married yet, and she’s already calling her that?

“Why not? Bella’s going to marry my brother, so I’m her sister-in-law, right?”

“That’s… true.”

“Isn’t this too much? Leaving such beautiful girls behind and only showing up now?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Idiot. You’re… Tristan isn’t that kind of person.”

Jeong So-ra chuckled. Her eyes were already moist. She was suppressing her overwhelming emotions with a smile.

“So, big brother… don’t you have anything to say to us?”

I looked at the people in front of me. What I needed to say to them wasn’t an apology.

Knowing what they had been longing to hear, I opened my mouth.

“I’m back.”

With the same arrogant smile as always.

The Villainous Pig Count’s Ending is Only Ruin [The End]

 

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