Chapter 145 : Chapter 145
Chapter 145
The Elf group turned and headed for the most secluded corner of the banquet hall. A place untouched by footsteps, dimly lit, where even the music was faint—the slums of the banquet hall.
People saw the most prominent figure there, Duke Frohadin.
“They’re here for Duke Frohadin?”
“That’s got to be it, right?!”
Desperately ignoring one fact.
The Elves, walking purposefully, stopped. They appeared to stand before Duke Frohadin.
Frohadin, maintaining a cool expression, adjusted his monocle.
“I am Duke Frohadin von Eti Deminiyan. Head of Raincloud Deminiyan, one of the four pillars upholding the Imperium Empire, a Platinum Knight, and one of the continent’s foremost archmages. Elves of harmony, what brings you…”
“We’re not here for you.”
A female Elf cut him off firmly, and a heavy silence lodged in Frohadin’s throat.
“…”
“Step aside, human.”
No one in the banquet hall had ever blocked the Elves’ path. They stopped before Frohadin only because he stood in their way and didn’t move.
Suppressing his rising humiliation, Frohadin stepped aside.
The Elves continued forward. Just a few steps. Every dignitary watched. Those few steps seemed to mirror their own approach to the Emperor.
“No way, right?”
“Really? For real?”
This hall held not only the Empire’s nobles and dignitaries but nearly all the continent’s elite. Even foreign kings were present, and the Emperor, the continent’s ruler! Yet they came for none of them…
“Greetings.”
The lead Elf slowly knelt on one knee and bowed. The dozens of Elves behind followed, showing respect.
“We come by the command of the Mother of Life. Please forgive any offense.”
At the end of their reverence sat Martin von Targon Ulvhadin.
“They came for Martin of Ulvhadin?!”
“No way…!”
“This is absurd…!”
The banquet hall filled with shock. The Emperor was right there, yet they ignored him, the Four Great Dukes, and countless dignitaries to seek the disgrace of the nobility!
“…”
I was just as stunned, but Know-It-All frantically urged me to stay calm.
Know-It-All (Lv 4) urges you to act calmly. Take a deep breath!
I inhaled deeply and exhaled discreetly.
“…What brings you here?”
“The Mother of Life wishes to see you. She is deeply saddened that you left without delay.”
The leader of the Elf emissaries didn’t even lift their head.
“Why me, of all people?”
“Please do not belittle yourself before us. You are the Guardian of the World Tree, who brought the Mother of Life into being.”
The extreme deference left my head spinning. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
“Command us, speak down to us. Even prostrating at your feet is a great honor for us.”
My eardrums clearly registered the sound, but my brain kept denying the truth.
With a trembling voice, I commanded,
“…Reveal your identity, you who bow before me.”
“I am the Elf of Elves, a High Elf, the foremost agent of the World Tree, the Elf Queen.”
Clang, someone dropped a glass, shattering it on the floor, just like my composure.
…It was as shocking as when I first possessed Martin’s body.
As my silence lingered, the Elf Queen, assuming I was done, suggested,
“Guardian, we will escort you to the Mother’s cradle. She longs to see you.”
This won’t do.
“First, everyone stand. You don’t need to kneel.”
At my words, the Elves slowly rose.
Perplexed, I looked around. Nobles meeting my gaze hurriedly looked away or knelt in respect. Duke Frohadin’s head dropped like a broken machine.
‘Unbelievable.’
In an instant, everything reversed. I had to accept reality. What should I do now?
Know-It-All (Lv 4) is devising a course of action.
“…This is the Emperor’s land. I understand why you sought me, but isn’t it proper to first announce your visit to the Emperor?”
“Indeed, but the Mother of Life said that was secondary. If you permit, we will go.”
I nodded. The Elf Queen and her emissaries headed to the Emperor.
‘…Strange.’
Something felt off. I understood the World Tree felt gratitude toward me, but was there a need to elevate me this much…?
“Human Emperor, a pleasure to meet you. I hope your loyalty remains unchanged.”
“Of course, Elf Queen. We stand forever on the axis of order and peace.”
The relationship between the Elf Queen and the Emperor was nearly equal.
“The Mother of Life commanded us to bring the Guardian. Will you stop us?”
“No. If the World Tree wishes it, no one can force otherwise. Let the Black Knight decide.”
Having resolved a potential issue while visiting the Emperor, the Elf Queen returned to me.
“Guardian, all matters are settled.”
“…”
The ‘Guardian’ title sent shivers down my spine every time. I glanced at Gilbert at the round table.
‘The Guardian of the World Tree title was supposed to be Gilbert’s.’
But that was supposed to happen later in the story. Securing the World Tree’s seed took time, and its growth even longer. The Elf Queen’s emergence was unimaginable.
‘Yet it happened so soon…’
A positive change, but the scale of this variable… it was daunting.
I trembled briefly but focused.
‘I’ll know when I face it.’
I declared,
“I’ll go. Lead me to the World Tree.”
“We will escort you.”
The Elf delegation surrounded me in a protective formation. The Elf Queen stood slightly ahead, beside me.
“We will escort you.”
As I took a step, the Elves moved in unison.
The crowd parted, making way. The grand doors opened obediently, bright light streaming through.
As I stepped outside, the banquet’s attendees quietly followed, wanting to see more of the Elves, their Queen, and the hero who marked a new chapter in human history.
‘That’s…’
Outside the banquet hall was a spectacle. The Imperial Knights, in resplendent armor, stood with swords, spears, and bows, guarding against… giant raptors. Their size could carry a person, their beaks and talons sharp enough to tear one apart.
“Guardian, we will travel on those black eagles.”
“…Ride those?”
Please tell me I misheard.
“I hope next time you visit formally…”
I meant, come by airship or high-speed transport.
“But we could not make the Mother of Life wait with unnecessary procedures.”
The Elf Queen misunderstood.
The Elves headed to their respective black eagles, and the Queen presented me with the largest and finest-looking one.
“Ride. They will guide us to the Mother of Life.”
“…”
A million thoughts crossed my mind, but I closed my eyes and climbed onto the giant black eagle’s back.
“Soar!”
At the Elf Queen’s command, dozens of black eagles carrying Elves took flight. Riding the updrafts, the formation soared so high the Imperial palace looked tiny.
‘Incredible!’
The palace was swarmed with people drawn by news of the conquest banquet and the Elves’ arrival, like an ant colony. The palace looked like a giant toy model. I breathed deeply, savoring the openness.
We crossed the continent and sea, heading for Fog Island. The World Tree, visible from afar, stood like a pillar connecting sky and earth.
The black eagles circled the World Tree before landing at its cradle. Countless Elves and Fairies were already gathered, waiting with reverence.
“…”
Except for the wind, no sound was heard. The mountains and plants prepared to welcome a distinguished guest. The earth bowed, and the sky cleared itself.
Descending from the raptor, I approached the World Tree slowly.
“…World Tree, I heard you summoned me.”
As I spoke, a massive branch, thicker than a tree, descended from the lofty heights.
I stepped onto it without letting my guard down. To my surprise, the Elf Queen joined me.
“I will convey the World Tree’s will.”
The branch slowly ascended. Where was it taking me? Then I saw it—a grand bedroom made of wood and leaves.
‘A bedroom…?’
It had everything: a bed, a bookshelf, tableware. The most striking was a small wooden box on the table. As we entered, the Elf Queen hurried to pull out a chair.
“Guardian, please sit.”
I sat, and the Elf Queen took the opposite seat.
“I will now convey the World Tree’s words.”
Before she finished, branches and leaves sprouted from the wooden chair, entwining me. As I sat still, unsure what to do, the Elf Queen smiled gently.
“The World Tree seems to like you very much, Guardian.”
She pulled the small wooden box closer and began opening it.
“The World Tree has decided to entrust this item’s fate to you, Guardian.”
Inside was a green gem. It didn’t inspire awe—it was authoritative, like something demanding reverence.
“…Not an ordinary gem.”
Know-It-All (Lv 4) accesses the great library. It’s one of the Nature Five: Authority of the Jungle.
The third of the Nature Five, following the Desert Hierophant and Majesty of the Mountain. In the original story, the World Tree was said to possess it, the only one the protagonist’s party finds and uses.
“You’re giving this to me?”
“The World Tree clearly says so. It believes you know where this treasure belongs.”
Bord. The bear-like man destined to become the strongest shield among humans.
‘No matter how I think, there’s no better candidate.’
The Elf Queen closed the box containing the Authority of the Jungle and handed it to me.
“I’ll use it rightly.”
I took the box and stored it in my magic pouch. As I tucked the pouch away—
“The World Tree desires the red gem in that pouch.”
“Red gem?”
What red gem? Garnet? Ruby?
‘…No.’
I understood.
“You mean this?”
If the World Tree would take interest in a gem, it could only be this.
I pulled out the red Soul Stone, brimming with an eerie aura. An arrogant, domineering gem. The cursed red gem said to contain the condensed souls of the Defardly Empire’s emperors.