The golden tree differed somewhat from the towering palace Ruger had seen last time. Though that wizard apprentice's palace complex had yet to take shape, every brick and tile possessed a certain sense of reality. This beautiful tree, however, carried an illusory air. On closer inspection, its golden trunk resembled translucent crystal, with shimmering multicolored lights occasionally flowing within.
"You guessed?"
Ruger smiled faintly.
No one would tell such things to a stranger upon first meeting, much less display some of their own possessions.
It looked more like an attempt to prove his innocence.
"The affairs of the world are just that interesting—and that coincidental," the man said softly, stroking a little mouse that had scampered onto his hand. "Leaving wasn't an excuse. Even if you hadn't come, I'd already intended to leave. Those two brothers, did they really think I wouldn't know what they were doing...? I wasn't familiar with them. It was only because the island's previous owner didn't believe I would peacefully remain in the forest that, when they sought to join forces with me, I agreed. Together, we seized this island. He was an old wizard apprentice who had reached the end of his life without successfully advancing. After driving him away, I only helped out a little in the beginning, then entered the forest..."
"Actually, decades ago, I saw in them the shadow of that old wizard apprentice who had been driven away. But they exceeded my expectations, gradually drawing close to success... I admire them. They had enough resolve toward themselves, toward their brotherhood... Perhaps that was what made them different from that old wizard apprentice. Yet now, it seems that just as they were about to enjoy the fruits of success, they set their sights on me again... They wanted to attempt a