I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 431

《What I researched in this magic tower was the origin of magic used by humanity.》

Baekya continued her explanation, looking at the piece of wood in her mechanical hand—a branch of Everblack.

《Unraveling the operating principle of Everblack, the guardian tree of humanity that brought the miracle of magic to mankind.》

“……”

《The miracle of abilities like magic… my research shows that it can only be used when the guardian tree of that race is connected to the Spirit Realm, helping to draw out the power of the soul.》

The roots of Everblack, stretching into the Spirit Realm, came to mind.

Was it like sucking in the power of the Spirit Realm with those roots and transmitting it to the real world like a transmission tower or a frequency antenna?

《It is said that there were many more guardian trees in the distant past. But the ancient races started wars to burn and kill each other’s trees… and in the end, only five trees remained on the ground.》

For reference, the reason why the revived monsters here can use magic without their own guardian trees is because the Demon King is directly providing that power, Baekya explained.

Anyway—Baekya changed the subject again.

《So, I researched the four guardian trees of each race and Everblack, the guardian tree of humanity. Well, the original is no longer in this country, so I had to research only with these preserved corpses.》

Baekya looked at each of the preserved trees around her.

《The guardian trees of other races were all trees planted directly by the Other Gods. But the guardian tree of humanity… only Everblack is.》

She repeated what she had said a moment ago.

《It is an artificially created result. Someone in the distant past… forcibly grafted four trees and synthesized them with magic… an artificial tree.》

“……”

I, who had been silent, carefully asked.

“Who? Why? Why… did they do such a thing?”

《Unfortunately, all the records from that time have been lost. As if someone had intentionally erased them. The only thing certain is that this Lake Kingdom was the place of its manifestation.》

Baekya smiled with her skull face.

《But I can guess the reason.》

“Reason?”

《It is said that humans were originally a slave race, used by other races. Because they did not have a guardian tree and could not use magic, they were always persecuted… Isn’t it to bring freedom and a future to such humans?》

“……”

I was a little taken aback that hopeful words like freedom and future came from the mouth of this Lich mage.

But… yes. Maybe that’s really how it was.

Perhaps someone in the distant past pitied humanity and committed the dangerous act of synthesizing a new guardian tree.

“Then, Baekya.”

Anyway, enough with the world-setting play like the Celestial and Demonic races.

I asked the real reason why I came to this magic tower.

“If I bring the other four races’ trees in a living state… can you synthesize them into a living Everblack?”

《It’s possible.》

Baekya readily nodded.

《That’s what I’ve been researching in this magic tower in the first place. Theoretically, it’s completely possible. Even if it’s just a part of each guardian tree, like the stem or branch. As long as it’s alive…》

“Okay. Deal.”

I nodded.

“I’ll take responsibility for killing the other you. In return, you… when I bring the other four guardian trees, you will synthesize Everblack with them.”

《It’s a win-win situation. I like it.》

Baekya, who was satisfied, then became curious.

《But… what do you intend to do with the Everblack created like that?》

“Well, first of all, I am the prince of a country named after that tree.”

I grinned wickedly.

“If I have that tree, I can do a lot of things.”

This is it.

My insurance that will be the decisive blow in the war against Fernandes.

***

The deal was done.

Baekya went alone into the innermost part of the botanical garden. It was to bring the ‘Holy Grail’ that I had requested earlier.

Holy Grail.

What Berdandi and her party—the Holy Grail Expedition—had been searching for for 100 years.

During the race war 100 years ago, the Elf Queen gave a secret order to her guards to overcome the unfavorable war situation.

She ordered them to find the Holy Grail, a source of magical power that was once the national treasure of the Fairy Kingdom but had been stolen.

She believed that if they had the Holy Grail, they could use the lost ancient magic of the Fairy Kingdom again.

“……”

Berdandi bit her pale lips tightly. I stood quietly beside her.

Not long after, Baekya returned. She manipulated her mechanical arm and handed us something.

《Take it. This is the Holy Grail.》

Surprised, Berdandi quickly took it. And she gasped.

It was a long sapling with branches growing in the shape of a cup. Clear water was collected in the middle of the branches.

Berdandi asked in a trembling voice.

“This is, could it be… a sapling of the World Tree…?”

《Yes. A child tree that the World Tree Evergreen itself sprouted.》

Baekya explained calmly.

《Guardian trees are also living things. They try to reproduce. The World Tree Evergreen ‘gave birth’ to a total of three saplings, and the Fairy King at the time secretly sent one of them to this Lake Kingdom. This magic tower also served as a seed bank in case of an emergency.》

It’s funny that the seed bank sank first, Baekya said self-deprecatingly.

《And the fact that you, an elf, are looking for this… means that the situation in the Fairy Kingdom is seriously bad.》

“……”

Berdandi stammered.

“I thought the Holy Grail was just a source of magical power.”

《That sapling is a tremendous source of magical power in itself. Because it contains the energy to grow into a World Tree.》

“Then, can it be used to save the dying World Tree of my homeland?”

《It’s possible. But it will only be enough to save a part of the dead tree.》

“……”

《And if you use it as a source of magical power, the sapling will immediately lose its life.》

Berdandi, who had closed her eyes tightly, carefully asked.

“If I plant this sapling… how long will it take for it to grow into a new World Tree?”

《It would take as much time as has passed since your race was born. And there’s no guarantee that it will grow properly.》

“……”

Baekya summarized the situation for the agonizing Berdandi.

《Choose one. Whether to save even a part of the old tree. Or to gamble on growing a new tree from scratch.》

“……It’s not something I can decide.”

Berdandi looked at me and bowed her head.

“I will go back to my homeland and talk to my younger sister… and Queen Skuld.”

“Okay. Have a deep discussion.”

After all, I was planning to send Berdandi there because of the Fallen King plan. It would be good to have this meeting as well.

“Thank you, Baekya.”

Berdandi bowed to Baekya as well.

“For preserving this sapling for so long.”

《I’m just returning what I received, elf. Besides, you are collaborators who will kill another me. I’m just helping as much as I can.》

The conversation ended on a warm note.

And the business here is now over.

[Area 8: Magic Tower]

– Clear Progress: Normal Room 10/10 Boss Room 1/1

– Acquired Treasure Chests: 11/11

Magic Tower in Area 8, all cleared!

There were no battles, and I easily solved the puzzles, but I got a lot of rewards. I finally looted the final equipment, Snow White. And I found the Holy Grail, which was a long quest.

Moreover, I secured an NPC who would synthesize Everblack, which would be the biggest variable in the match against Fernandes.

“It seems like I’ve got everything I need.”

I smiled at the heroes.

“Then, shall we go back?”

***

[Free Exploration Ended!]

[Leveled Up Characters]

– None

[Deceased and Injured Characters]

– None

[Acquired Equipment]

– Snow White (SSR)

– Venom Fang (SSR)

– 9 others

[Acquired Items]

– World Tree Sapling (EX)

– Magic Goblin Room Key

***

After clearing the dungeon, a teleport gate was activated in the lobby on the first floor of the magic tower. Now, if I have business here, I can use this to travel back and forth.

Flash!

I returned comfortably using this gate.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard today. Rest well…”

I faced Berdandi and the Holy Grail Expedition who had followed me to Crossroads.

“From tomorrow, let’s start discussing our future plans in earnest.”

Berdandi nodded with a firm face. I gave her a gentle smile.

Finally.

The time has come to put the ‘Fallen King’ plan—the method of fostering a team of terrifying outsiders—into action.

Back in my room in the mansion, I took out the plan I had written in advance. And I started to organize it again.

Send messengers to the fallen kings in various places to build a coalition.

To the Fairy race, Berdandi.

To the Beast race, Quillan.

To the Dwarf race, Kellybay.

To the Merfolk race, Serenade.

‘It will be enough to send messengers to the four major heteroraces like this.’

And, the minor countries and nobles in the south.

Those who came to support Crossroads before… I plan to send Dusk Bringer to them.

In the six months I was gone, most of the 1st Imperial Army had left the Bringer Principality, and the war between the two countries had fizzled out.

Dusk Bringer is said to have regained quite a bit of control within the Bringer Principality.

I don’t know why he doesn’t go back and continues to support me here, but…

Anyway, if the Dragon Blood Prince, who ‘survived the war with Everblack,’ takes the lead, I will be able to bring in some of the power of the various minor countries in the south and west.

‘And the north… should I ask Yoon for help for now?’

The Arian Kingdom, which holds the real power in the north. The second princess of that country, Yoon.

I don’t know her exact intentions, but this lady stayed as a guest in Crossroads and helped with the defense battle.

She will help me to some extent. I will send this lady as a messenger to the north.

‘Finally… the real fallen kings hiding in various places.’

I turned my head and looked at the hotel building that was rising high on one side of the city.

The magical construction technology derived from the defense tower construction was so efficient that the completion date was already visibly approaching.

‘Along with the completion of the hotel, I should soon hold an event to lure the remaining fallen kings.’

Should I call the event… Casino Royal?

The tourist city plan that I had been preparing since the first year was slowly starting to bear fruit.

“Hoo.”

After completing the writing, I took the pen off the plan.

The names of numerous ‘fallen kings’ that I had identified during the 742nd game were written in a row on the plan.

‘Of course, just because I ask, it’s not easy for all these people to come under my command.’

The center of this world is the Everblack Empire, and Fernandes has taken over the imperial capital of that empire.

I am significantly behind in the logic of power. However.

I know exactly what each of them wants. And I also have the ability to fulfill each of them.

…I have to make a lot of empty promises for now, though.

‘I will make an offer that none of them can refuse.’

To make them choose me, not Fernandes.

Even if I have to borrow the rights as a winner, even if I have to make empty promises and mix in bluff and lies, I will make them all join my command.

“Let’s clash in earnest, second brother.”

And—after defeating Fernandes.

I will mobilize all the power of humanity gathered in this way and, in one fell swoop, subjugate the Lake Kingdom… the Demon King.

I grinned.

The path to clear was visible. Without a doubt.