Emperor of Steel [EN]: Chapter 28

9. The Gathering Storm on the Continent

1

The Presidential Residence of the Volga Republic.

In the President’s office, the key figures of the Republic were gathered, including President Vladimir and Sylvia, the head of the Second Bureau of Intelligence.

“Is it true that the Baroque Empire is amassing its forces to invade our Republic?” Vladimir asked.

Sylvia nodded. “Our agents have confirmed that troops and supplies are rapidly gathering in Nemesis.”

“Ugh!” someone groaned.

“Finally!” another exclaimed.

The people in the room each reacted to Sylvia’s words with a mix of dread and anticipation.

The Republic’s greatest enemy was, without a doubt, the Baroque Empire. They had fought a major war seven years ago, and even after that, they had countless border disputes, highlighting their terrible relationship.

Therefore, the Volga Republic couldn’t let its guard down against the Empire for even a moment, and now this critical intelligence had arrived.

“If war is inevitable, we should strike first,” a robust-looking middle-aged knight declared, stepping forward.

He was Duke Dimitri, the famed swordsman of the Volga Republic, a high-level Sword Master in charge of the Republic’s Knights.

“I agree. Offense is the best defense,” Duke Kutuzov, the commander of the Central Army, concurred.

With the two most powerful figures in the military advocating for it, a preemptive strike seemed inevitable.

“Then, how many troops should we mobilize, and how far should we push the war?” the President asked.

Ideally, they would push until the Baroque Empire was destroyed, but that was far beyond the Republic’s capabilities.

Duke Dimitri stepped forward to answer. “We should push as far as Krom City, where the Northern Army Headquarters is located. To do that, I believe we need at least 70,000 troops and 250 Gigants [large humanoid war machines].”

“Hmm, that’s not a small force.”

That was a third of the Republic’s total military strength. If such a force were to be deployed and something went wrong, it would be a major disaster.

As the President hesitated, Meister Teton of the Republic’s Magic Tower stepped forward. “Then, how about requesting help from the Dark Moon and the Fairies?”

Seven years ago, when the Baroque Empire invaded, trying to turn the Republic back into a kingdom, the Republic was in great danger. It was the Dark Moon and the Fairies who stepped in to help at that time. With their cooperation, they were able to defeat the Baroque Empire’s army and protect the Republic from its enemies.

“Hmm, I heard that the Dark Moon suffered great damage from an attack by an unidentified enemy recently. Would it be okay?” Vladimir asked.

Sylvia sighed deeply and answered, “Full support is impossible, but some level of assistance will be possible.”

As the head of the Second Bureau of Intelligence and the person in charge of communications with the Fairies and the Dark Moon, she had the authority to give this kind of answer.

“Is that so? By the way, how is the development of the new Gigant that I commissioned from the Dark Moon going?” Several months ago, Vladimir had commissioned the development of a Hero-class Gigant. The Dark Moon Magic Tower had accepted, and he was curious about how far the development had progressed.

“It’s currently at 20% completion, but I heard that due to the situation at the Magic Tower, it won’t be finished until the end of next year.”

“Tsk, I should have commissioned the development earlier.”

The power of one Hero-class Gigant was equivalent to a one-person army, a Sword Master or higher. Especially a Hero-class piloted by a Sword Master was nothing short of a disaster. That’s why each country was desperate to buy Hero-class Gigants from the Ten Great Magic Towers, and the Ten Great Magic Towers made huge profits by selling them.

The Republic also initially tried to purchase Hero-class Gigants from the Ten Great Magic Towers. However, several kingdoms, fearing the spread of republican ideas, put pressure on the Ten Great Magic Towers to ban sales to the Volga Republic. With no other choice, they had to develop their own, and the Dark Moon accepted the Republic’s commission.

“Anyway, let’s put aside what we don’t have for now and prepare for the upcoming war,” the President said. Everyone nodded in agreement.

The meeting continued for over an hour after that. They had a heated debate about which units to mobilize from where and which routes to use to attack the Empire. However, they did not know that all of this was part of Emperor Rudolf’s plot to eliminate one person.

2

Three months had passed since Luke had taken four knights under his command. The year had changed in the meantime, and Luke had turned 18. During that time, he exchanged letters with his vassals in the Rakan Territory once a week. Through the letters, he gave several instructions and received reports on the situation in the territory.

First, he completely integrated the former Monarch County, except for Lamer City and some sold areas, into the Rakan Territory. He received oaths of allegiance from the nobles who governed the subordinate territories and manors, and he completely took control of the military and administrative organizations. The population had increased significantly to 320,000, and the number of knights and soldiers had also increased dramatically. The Gigant force, the most important in modern warfare, was over 60.

‘Heh heh, it’s still not enough to fight against the Imperial Family, but it has developed a lot,’ Luke thought.

The Merchant Alliance, formed by five small and medium-sized merchant guilds centered around the Kirilov Trading Company, also established itself faster than expected. Based in Lamer City, they were already showing signs of huge success, increasing their sources of income and trading partners, such as creating direct routes to the Southern Continent.

‘I knew I had an eye for people,’ Luke mused.

If the Marquis had directly governed Lamer City, they would not have achieved this level of success. They could have spent a lot of money and failed. However, the Volga’s vassals, led by Princess Reina, had successfully managed the merchants with their outstanding abilities. It was all thanks to placing the right people in the right places.

‘I heard the Katarina Magic Tower is also running well, right?’ Luke wondered.

As soon as the Magic Tower building was completed, Mute actively recruited free mages. Using the magic books that Luke had given him as bait, he was able to recruit quite a few decent free mages, and they had established a system and were going to try making Warrior-class Gigants this month.

‘The territory is settled, so now all I have to do is get stronger?’ Luke thought.

Luke had not missed a single day of training with the Gold Sword and black magic for the past three months. He had been working hard in the training ground for commanders located in the basement of the fortress. But he didn’t stop there. On nights when the full moon rose, he would go far away from the fortress and summon demons. After subduing the summoned demons, he would steal their magic and abilities.

“Master, what kind of demon will you summon today?” Sebastian asked, tilting his head.

“Well, I hope some guys with decent abilities show up…” Luke replied.

Summoning demons was random. It wasn’t that Luke could summon whoever he wanted, but rather that he chose whether or not a demon would be summoned.

“This time, I hope a weaker one than me shows up. So I can make him my subordinate,” Luke said.

“Is there even a demon weaker than you?” Sebastian asked.

Luke chuckled at Sebastian’s wish. Sebastian was incredibly weak in terms of combat, except for stealth and poison. It was doubtful whether there was a demon in the demon world weaker than Sebastian.

“If you look hard enough, there might be one, right?” Luke said.

“Hah, okay. If such a guy shows up, I’ll give him to you as your subordinate,” Luke promised.

“Really?” Sebastian asked, his eyes wide.

“I promise,” Luke confirmed.

“Kyaoong~! I’m so happy! I will be even more loyal to you, Master!” Sebastian jumped up and down, delighted. Having become a human slave against his will, he desperately wanted a subordinate with whom he could share the pain of being in the same boat, or a lackey he could freely boss around and feel superior to.

Luke drew a demon summoning magic circle on the ground and cut his palm with his sword. As his blood fell on the demon summoning magic circle, an eerie light flashed from the magic circle, and a dark subspace opened. What came out of the subspace was a sharp-looking vampire wearing a stylish black uniform.

“Hehehe, I am Belphar, the 103,572nd subordinate of the Vampire King Leviathan. Human, let’s make a contract… Huh?” The vampire was about to ask Luke to make a contract, but he frowned when he saw Sebastian.

“Human, what is that stray cat? Don’t tell me you made a contract with that guy first?” A human can only make a contract with one demon at a time. This is because they only have one soul to give as a price for the contract.

At Belphar’s words, Sebastian jumped up. “Kyarr! Who’s a stray cat! This body is Sebastian, the greatest phantom thief in the demon world!”

“Tsk, with that body that would be blown away with a ‘whoosh,’ you dare to call yourself a thief,” Belphar scoffed.

“It’s true. I’ll show you a taste of my sting!” Sebastian retorted.

“Calm down, Sebastian,” Luke said, calming the agitated Sebastian. Then, he spoke to Belphar. “I’m sorry, but I have no intention of making a contract with you.”

“Then why did you summon me?” Belphar asked.

“That’s because I want to steal your magic and abilities,” Luke replied.

“Kkkkkkkkkkk!” Belphar looked up at the sky and laughed. After a while, he looked at Luke with an absurd expression. “Dare you steal my magic and abilities, the proud subordinate of Leviathan and a member of the true-blooded race? I came to the middle world for a change of pace and met a madman.”

“We’ll see who’s crazy when we fight,” Luke said.

Luke unleashed Dark Bullets at Belphar. Then, Sebastian cheered enthusiastically from behind. “Master, please win!”

Belphar’s abilities were blood absorption and swordsmanship. Although he was a low-level demon, his swordsmanship was almost on par with a Sword Master. However, Luke was not to be underestimated. He had a wealth of experience catching various demons during his time as Simon. On top of that, he pressured Belphar by fully utilizing his 5th circle black magic, the abilities he had stolen from previous demons, and his Gold Sword.

‘Tsk, what kind of ridiculous human is this…’ Belphar thought. There must have been a reason why the low-level cat demon was groveling and calling him master.

In the end, Belphar was cornered. He rolled his eyes around and suddenly beamed. “Ah, Lord Leviathan! You’ve come at the right time! Please show this arrogant and presumptuous human the fear of demons!”

“What?” Luke, startled, turned around, but there was not even a leech, let alone the Vampire King Leviathan. While Luke turned his gaze, Belphar turned into a bat and fled. But unfortunately, he didn’t get far.

“Where do you think you’re going, you arrogant demon!” Luke used Black Bind, a black magic spell for binding and absorbing, to restrain him. “Heeik! S-Spare me!” Belphar, who had returned to his vampire form, begged for his life. Pride or not, you have to survive to keep it. “No can do. It’s better for me to kill you here and take your abilities and magic.” Just as Luke was about to absorb his magic, Sebastian rushed over and stopped him. “Master, wouldn’t you give him to me as my subordinate?” “What?” “You promised to give me a subordinate earlier.” “That was under the assumption that a weaker guy than you would be summoned.” “It doesn’t matter. I really want to make this guy my subordinate!” At Sebastian’s earnest request, Luke nodded with a look of resignation. “Alright. But can you handle this guy?” In Luke’s eyes, it seemed like Sebastian would be killed by Belphar before he could even make him his subordinate. Belphar was already glaring at Sebastian, baring his sharp teeth. However, Sebastian seemed to have something in mind and told him not to worry. “Hehe, I have a plan.” “Well, if you say so.” Since he wanted it so badly and he had promised to give him a subordinate, Luke decided to perform a soul-binding ritual instead of killing Belphar. “Vampire Belphar. From today, your soul belongs to me, Luke. Your life is in my hands, so will you pledge your loyalty?” “I, I pledge my loyalty.” The moment Belphar quickly accepted, thinking he could live, an ‘L’ shaped brand was clearly imprinted on his neck. “With this, you are my slave. You’re now a companion of Sebastian, so I hope you get along well.” As Luke finished his words of advice, Sebastian swaggered up to Belphar. And he handed him a small bottle filled with liquid. “Drink this.” “What is this…” “You don’t need to know, just drink it. If you don’t, I’ll tell Master to cancel the ritual.” At Sebastian’s threat, Belphar glanced at Luke. Luke was just watching with his arms crossed, saying nothing. But Belphar, who seemed intimidated by the sight, reluctantly took the bottle and drank it. The moment the yellow liquid passed through his throat, his whole body burned and heat surged. Belphar, startled, tried to raise his magic to block it, but the heat disappeared in an instant. Sebastian, who had been watching closely, said with a triumphant expression. “Hehehe! The liquid you just drank is ‘Medusa’s Poison’. If you don’t take the antidote once a week, your whole body will turn to stone and you’ll die.” “Wh-What did you say!” In fact, Belphar thought that becoming Luke’s slave was inevitable because he had performed the soul-binding ritual. However, he was planning to get back at that annoying cat when his master wasn’t around. But he never expected to have his life held hostage like this! ‘Aaaah! How did my life become like this!’ ‘Hehehe! Finally, this body has a demon subordinate!’ Sebastian had been carrying Medusa’s poison since he was in the demon realm, wanting to make a demon his subordinate. However, he didn’t dare to approach a demon and feed them Medusa’s poison. The moment he accidentally made a sound, he would be caught and killed by the demon. So he had almost given up, but thanks to Luke, he was able to fulfill his wish. Sebastian pointed at Belphar, who had lost his mind from frustration, and said. “Master. May I take this guy for a while?” “Why?” “Now that I have a new subordinate, shouldn’t I give him some mental training? I’ll persuade him to listen to me.” “Hehehe, alright. I’ll leave it to you.” When Luke agreed, Sebastian transformed into the beast form he had shown when he was first summoned by Luke and growled at Belphar. “You heard Master, right? Now, hurry up and follow me!” At Sebastian’s roar, Belphar followed Sebastian with a resigned expression, as if he had given up on everything. Watching the two disappear into the distance, Luke wondered what Belphar would look like when he returned. 3 After finishing his training, Luke returned to the fortress. Even when the soldiers of the fortress saw him flying through the sky with Fly magic, they no longer looked at him with wonder or unfamiliarity. It had become a daily routine for Luke to go out on patrol. “Loyalty! Did you have a good patrol?” The administrative officer who found Luke saluted. “Yes, has anything happened at the fortress while I was away?” “The Northern Army Headquarters has sent supplies such as arrows and military rations.” “Did the Gigants [large humanoid war machines] come too?” “There were none this time either.” ‘Hmph, as expected!’ The headquarters sent other military supplies and rations without shortage, but they were very stingy with the supply of Gigants, which were the most useful force. They didn’t even send the related parts properly. They made excuses that Gigants were not needed much in the fortress, or that it was more urgent to send them to other units, but it seemed certain that there was some intention behind it. The fortress had changed a lot in the past three months. The fortress walls, which looked like they would collapse at any moment, were neatly repaired, and the discipline of the soldiers on duty on the walls became as sharp as a knife. That wasn’t all. All the knights, except for those on duty or on operations, were training in the training ground. “Hap!” “Hat!” The knights’ loud shouts and the sharp trajectories of their swords showed that they were not training half-heartedly. ‘Hehehe, they’ve finally become like knights.’ The knights, who had been miserably defeated in the duel, initially went to training reluctantly. However, as those who had become Luke’s subordinates encouraged them and took the lead, the rest of the knights could not help but work hard. In addition, a month ago, Luke made a groundbreaking proposal. That was to teach them Silver Sword for one hour a day. Silver Sword was a swordsmanship exclusive to the Lakan Knights, and although it was not as good as Gold Sword, it was definitely a high-level swordsmanship. The knights, who were lower-ranking nobles and were thirsty for high-level swordsmanship, enthusiastically welcomed Luke’s decision and devoted themselves to training from dawn to late at night. ‘These days, even the officers come out and train together, right?’ Some of the officers were former knights or aspiring knights. When they joined, the training ground looked full. ‘I should keep an eye on them too and recruit those who are useful.’ With that thought, Luke moved to his office. Philip, who was looking at documents, greeted him. “Welcome back, Lord.” “Yes, how’s the Gold Sword training going?” The knights who had become his subordinates, led by Kaper, were currently training in Gold Sword at the commander’s training ground. Just like Philip in the past, they initially did not properly understand Gold Sword, which emphasized the flow of mana rather than the form of swordsmanship. However, with Philip’s detailed explanations and teachings through sparring, they gradually began to understand and master it. “They’re faster than I thought.” “Aren’t they the talents that you personally selected, Lord? They should die if they can’t even do this much.” “Hehehe!” After a while, Philip reported with a serious expression. “Oh, by the way, we received an unusual report from the group that went on reconnaissance to the north.” The Tolude Fortress sent out reconnaissance missions to the Volga Republic every two days. The knights and soldiers who went on reconnaissance went as deep as possible into enemy territory to observe the situation before returning, and they had brought back an unusual story. “They say that enemies are gathering at the Karim Fortress facing the Tolude Fortress. The number is said to be over ten thousand… Is the war finally starting?” “Just because they’re gathering soldiers doesn’t necessarily mean a war will break out. But it’s good to know in advance, so send more reconnaissance teams.” “Understood.” “By the way, how’s the fortress’s defense?” When Luke heard that a war might break out, he asked how the fortress’s defenses had been improved. “All the large-caliber cannons for Gigants have been placed on the walls, and many anti-Gigant magic circles such as Explosion Mines have been laid outside the walls. Erewin helped a lot.” Erewin did not actively step forward to do anything, except for hovering around Luke. However, he granted most of Luke’s requests. One of them was to install anti-Gigant magic circles outside the fortress. “How about the Gigant’s performance upgrade?” “We have improved all of them using the magic stones and magic circles that you regenerated, Lord. The mages ask me every time where you got this magic circle.” If a war broke out, the enemies would attack the fortress with their Gigant forces. In preparation for this, Luke maximized the performance of the Gigants the fortress possessed, in addition to installing anti-Gigant magic circles. Of course, the magic circle used there was a part of the design of the new hero-class Gigant Atlas of the Veritas Magic Tower, which Luke had applied. “Tsk, it would have been more helpful if Erewin was a professional Iron Mage.” “That’s right. If he was a 7th circle Iron Mage, he could easily make a Knight-class [a high-ranking Gigant].” After reviewing the fortress’s defense plan for a while, Luke looked at Philip and said. “If you’re done with everything, shall we have a match?” “Alright. But shall we do it barehanded, or shall we ride Gigants?” Philip asked as if he had been waiting for it. They had sparring sessions whenever they had time. Sometimes they fought with swords, and sometimes they fought riding Gigants. Anyway, through dozens of sparring sessions, the two were developing their skills by filling each other’s shortcomings. “Let’s ride Gigants today.” The two, who had burst out of the office, headed to the training ground. 4 The Nemesis Imperial Palace. Emperor Rudolf was receiving a report from Count Voltaire. “Hehehe, so the Volga bastards have finally started to move?” “Yes, Your Majesty. There are reports that troops, Gigants, and military supplies are gathering at the border.”

“Hehehe, you fools.”

Rudolf had planned to provoke a border dispute to eliminate Luke.

But then he changed his mind.

Since he was starting something, he thought he might as well escalate it and strike a blow against the Volga Republic.

So, he showed them the mobilization of troops to the capital, and they were so startled that they started preparing for war!

Rudolf, inwardly sneering at the Volga Republic, asked,

“How are our preparations going?”

“We have made full preparations in the rear of the Tolude Fortress. If they attack, we can hit them hard.”

“It’s not about hitting them hard. Rather, we should push them back and avenge our defeat from eight years ago.”

Rudolf wanted to invade deep into the Republic and secure territory.

“Of course. I have conveyed Your Majesty’s intentions to Count Naiman, so he will bring good news.”

“By the way, what is that Luke doing?”

Rudolf asked, as if curious.

“According to the spy’s report, he is teaching the family’s swordsmanship to win the knights’ favor. Because of that, the fortress’s troops have become more obedient.”

“He’s making a last-ditch effort. Surely, there hasn’t been any reinforcement of Gigants [large humanoid war machines] or knights at Tolude, has there?”

“There have been some increases in artillery, but the number of Gigants and knights remains the same. Count Naiman is blocking it tightly, so there is no way to send reinforcements.”

“Hehehe, the fortress will fall in the beginning, but we can just recapture it. Tell Count Naiman to plan well.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Voltaire, who had bowed his head in response, opened his mouth with a troubled expression after a moment.

“But there was one unusual report.”

“Unusual report?”

“Last time, right after he was assigned to the fortress, he had a one-on-one fight against a hundred knights. And the absurd report is that he defeated the knights with overwhelming skill.”

It was a story that didn’t make sense at first glance.

Unless he was a Sword Master, it was impossible to fight and win against 100 knights.

However, Rudolf had a strong feeling that it was true.

“Was he hiding his skills?”

According to what he had grasped during the coronation ceremony, his swordsmanship was at the mid-Expert level, and his magic was around the 3rd Circle.

With that level, he could never fight and win against 100 knights.

“Heh, he’s an interesting fellow. He’s also cunning.”

Rudolf was even impressed by Luke for deceiving his eyes.

“Your Majesty, shall we take action immediately?”

“No, leave him be. When things unfold, even if he is a Sword Master-level powerhouse, he will never survive. That’s why I’m just watching Duke Juke, whose son was cut off, isn’t it?”

Tolude, located on the Volga Republic’s invasion route.

Even if there was a Sword Master, they could never stop tens of thousands of soldiers, thousands of knights, and hundreds of Gigants from pushing through.

Even a Sword Master, who is called a one-man army or a superhuman, could never stop hundreds of Gigants.

And there were several Sword Master-level powerhouses in the Volga Republic as well.

“What is the situation in the Holy Artenia Empire? Surely, we won’t be backstabbed by them, will we?”

If the Holy Artenia Empire invaded while they were pushing hard against the Volga Republic, it would be truly troublesome.

“The Pope’s successor has not yet been decided. Therefore, they will not be able to move their troops rashly.”

The situation in the Holy Artenia Empire played a big role in why the Emperor and Voltaire were able to prepare for war with confidence.

If the leadership had not been divided into two due to the successor competition, they would not have been able to devise such a plan.

‘Hehehe! I’ve waited too long! Now is the time for our Empire to spread its wings!’

From Rudolf’s eyes, looking out the window, a grand ambition that could cover the continent bloomed.

5

Dark night.

From the lord’s manor terrace overlooking Lamer City, Reina was looking up at the night sky.

‘I wonder if Luke is doing well?’

Reina’s eyes, thinking of him in the northern border fortress, were filled with worry and longing.

For a while, she had been so focused on the tasks he had entrusted to her that she had no time to miss him.

However, as the Kirillov Merchant Guild showed solid growth and the operation of Lamer City became smooth, the longing surged up from time to time.

It was less so when she was working, but when she was alone at night like this, she often felt lonely along with her longing.

What soothed her empty heart were the letters that Luke sent her every week without fail.

They contained a lot of information about the operation of the merchant guild and Lamer, but there were also personal stories.

That he was teaching the family’s swordsmanship to the knights of the fortress, that he was focusing on Gigant piloting training to avoid Philip’s nagging, that he had created a new demonic subordinate, and so on.

However, among the various sentences in the letter, there was one that particularly caught Reina’s eye.

…I miss you.

Every time she saw that sentence, Reina felt a slight ache in her heart.

Although he didn’t specifically mention it, she felt that Luke was secretly having a hard time every time he wrote that sentence.

Reina also found it hard to suppress her desire to see him.

‘But, Luke’s writing style somehow seems similar to Simon’s.’

Looking at the letters he repeatedly sent, his writing style was quite similar to Simon’s diary from the past.

Especially the old-fashioned literary expressions and the emotional breaks felt in the writing.

‘Perhaps it’s because Simon’s diary, which he had seen since childhood, had a big influence?’

Reina was sure that was the case.

There are cases where people read an impressive literary work and, whether intentionally or unconsciously, follow the writing style of that work.

Simon’s diary, which was filled with longing for his lover and intense emotions towards his enemies, was no less than a literary work.

It was when she was lost in her thoughts.

“Ugh! Who are you guys!”

“……!”

From outside the door, she heard Victor and the escort knights fighting with someone.

As Reina was startled and tried to take cover, the door burst open, and people wearing tight-fitting leather clothes and masks entered the room.

“You are… !”

Reina’s face turned pale.

The attire she had seen before.

They were clearly the dark elves from Volga who had tried to kidnap her last time.

“There is no need to be afraid. We have not come to harm the princess.”

Along with a polite voice, a middle-aged elf man with pure white silver hair appeared.

As if his status was extraordinary, the dark elves stepped aside and bowed respectfully to him.

“First of all, I must apologize. I apologize for coming unannounced at this late hour due to urgent circumstances.”

As the middle-aged elf bowed politely, Reina’s fear subsided a little.

“Who are you?”

“I am a humble old man named Erenes.”

‘Erenes!’

Reina was startled.

Although she had never met him, she had heard her father and some of his retainers talk about him when she was young.

As a high elf, he was revered as a prophet and great sage by all elves and even all fairies.

And he had come to see her.

“Are you really Lord Erenes? Why did you come to see me?”

“I heard that these rash children committed an act of rudeness the other day. It was to confirm whether the princess had that treasure or not. So, I came to see you in person.”

“Treasure?”

“Have you ever heard of the Tears of the Earth?”

At Erenes’ question, Reina tilted her head as if she didn’t know.

However, Victor, who had been knocked down by the dark elves a little while ago and had just woken up, was different.

He had heard the story before Pyotr II, Reina’s father, passed away.

At that time, Pyotr II said that it was such a huge story that he couldn’t tell the young princess, and that he would only tell it to trusted old retainers.

What he told them was about the Tears of the Earth, which was secretly passed down in the Volga royal family.

What kind of object it was, and what kind of history it had.

“You scoundrel! Don’t touch the princess!”

At Victor’s shout, the dark elves hurriedly drew their weapons.

However, Erenes stepped in to stop their actions.

“There is no need to worry. There will be no harm to the princess. We are just trying to confirm something.”

Having said that, Erenes took out a small twig from his sleeve.

Erenes, who approached the princess, brought the dry and shabby twig close to her.

Whoooom—!

Suddenly, with a low humming sound, a clear blue light spread from Reina’s body.

Along with that, a blue mark in the shape of a water droplet appeared on her forehead.

‘Wh, what’s going on?’

“Ooooh!”

Reina didn’t know what was happening to her.

However, an incredible scene appeared before the eyes of Erenes, the dark elves, and Victor, who were looking at her.

A vast nature and the countless lives breathing and living within it, and the figure of a woman looking down on it with benevolence.

She raised her arms to the sky and soon changed her form into that of a giant tree.

It was the legendary tree that was said to have given birth to all life in the beginning.

“The World Tree… the successor of its spirituality still exists.”

Erenes’ eyes welled up with tears of emotion as he saw the sight of leaves sprouting on the twig he was holding.

What he was holding was a part of the World Tree that had lost its power a long time ago, the branch of the World Tree.

It had regained its life.

It was because it had received the sealed power from the one who had the spirituality of the World Tree, the mark of light called the Tears of the Earth.

If one had the Tears of the Earth, they could open the door to the spirit realm.

If that happened, the elves could make a contract with the spirits, which was their long-cherished wish.

“The gods have not yet abandoned us fairies… Cough! Cough!”

“L, Lord Erenes!”

Blood gushed from Erenes’ mouth as he coughed severely.

Then, the surprised dark elves hurriedly supported him.

Reina also approached and checked his complexion.

In the meantime, the blue light that had been spreading from her and the mark of light on her forehead had disappeared.

Erenes smiled contentedly as he looked at the branch of the World Tree, which was still bearing bright new leaves.

‘Is the day coming when the closed door of the spirit realm will open? But I wonder if I will be able to see that day…’

Erenes had chased away the lich Arsen, but he had suffered a major injury. The injury from the terrible dark magic was not getting better, but only getting worse.

He knew that his lifespan was now limited.

Erenes, clutching the branch of the World Tree, the proof of hope, slowly lost consciousness.