Chapter 100
Chapter 100: Three-Way Battle (2)
The Great Cataclysm caused all sorts of problems throughout the world.
[Garcian Kingdom Western County Declares Abandonment.]
[Great Earthquake Occurs at Border Between Allied Nations and Solar Holy Army. Border Regions of Both Kingdoms Devastated.]
[Abnormal Climate Phenomena Observed Across Continent. Presumed to be caused by Ancient Dragon's Awakening.]
Even though the Labyrinth had granted a 60-day reprieve, the world continued to deteriorate.
The Empire fared better than other nations, but this did not mean the people's anxiety disappeared.
Rather, because it was the Empire, there were aspects where the damage was more severe.
"How could such a thing happen to the Great Empire!"
A situation where faith in the Imperial Family might crack.
Starting from the southern granary region crisis that was well-known from Imperial Daily News, to the catastrophes caused by the Great Cataclysm.
The appearance of the Labyrinth's Floor Master in the heart of the capital was equally shocking.
They had managed to suppress some of that anxiety by appointing Ruelle as the Empire's Saint.
"The water hasn't been flowing well since yesterday, has it?"
"I wondered what the Magic Tower was doing all night..."
"We've never had water problems before, have we?"
"Could there be some issue?"
Even that became moot as the water supply was cut off.
In the Empire's remote regions, it was common for water sources to become contaminated due to monster problems or the expansion of the Demon Realm.
But it was unprecedented in the capital.
"It doesn't seem to be a major problem. You heard the news too, right?"
"The Festival Celebration? With all that promotion through amplification magic, how could anyone not know?"
The Empire had thus made its move.
Peeeeeee!
—The solemn Imperial Festival Celebration shall now begin!
It was the Empire's intention to suppress this anxiety through a grand event.
"Waaaaahhhhh!!!"
From the Imperial Palace to Royal Road in District 2, the path opened wide.
Noble and Imperial lands were opened to the common people.
The masses lined up on both sides of the road, and various facilities for the event were erected upon it.
"We shall hold an execution ceremony!!!"
It began as a prelude.
A public execution to relieve the people's stress began.
"Oh, execution ceremonies for Possessors have been rare lately..."
One of the great entertainments of this world was indeed the public execution ceremony.
A massive guillotine was erected in the middle of the street, and upon it, a sharp blade gleamed.
"We now execute six Black Mages who caused the descent of a demon in the southern granary region of the Empire."
A bureaucrat conducting the execution withdrew his seal bearing the guillotine's symbol and recited the charges.
The black dragon descent incident in the southern granary region, well-known from Imperial Daily News.
The primary culprits were the first execution targets.
"You worthless wretches!!!"
The people of the Empire shouted in anger toward the guillotine.
Given that the Imperial military had suffered great damage from the Lucifer Incident in the past, the people harbored deep hatred toward Black Mages.
Clang!
The blade fell, and white smoke rippled.
A phenomenon that appeared when executing Black Mages and Possessors.
"The only good Black Mage is a dead Black Mage!"
At this, the people cheered.
It was a slogan that had been in vogue since the Lucifer Incident.
Afterward, criminals bearing various charges disappeared into the morning dew of the execution ground.
"Those accursed wretches!"
"Isn't it because of those bastards that the water problem occurred?"
"According to the Imperial Daily News, other kingdoms suffered catastrophic damage..."
"How is it that we're getting by normally?"
"It's all thanks to His Majesty's reign."
Execution was not merely a festival.
It made the people aware of the existence of responsibility, and served as proof that punishment had been carried out against the criminals.
It was how the Empire built trust with its people.
"Long live the Emperor!!!"
The atmosphere reached its peak.
Now was the time to drive home the point.
Boom! Boom! Bang!
Through the thunderous cheers, heavy footsteps echoed.
The Continental Unification Army stationed at the border entered the capital through the Imperial Palace's teleportation magic circle.
"T, the military!"
"The Continental Unification Army!"
Amazement lasted only briefly as silence fell under the might and aura the army exuded.
The military arrayed on Royal Road split to both sides in perfect unison, and between them appeared a man of overwhelming stature.
"Since His Majesty the Emperor has willed to punish the Three Kingdoms who neglected the Labyrinth Conquest and caused damage to the Empire—"
In the silence, the Northern Archduke, clad in silver armor, withdrew a Fragment of the Moon and announced the army's deployment.
The content was thus:
[To punish the Solar Holy Army, which created a Demon Realm in the Eastern Great Forest of Imperial Territory, and to fulfill the Empire's secret desire to unite the continent as one.]
"Long live the Emperor!!!"
"Long live the Emperor!!!"
"Long live the Emperor!!!"
The military's deployment.
The entire population cheered.
"The atmosphere is excellent."
Meanwhile, the Emperor observed the scene from the Imperial Palace.
Before the Sacred Throne, a man with sharp features waited with his head bowed, awaiting the Emperor's words.
"Fellian, the Continental Unification Army will march across Imperial Territory toward the Eastern Great Forest as planned."
For the Empire, a military campaign was a momentous event.
They planned to display their might as they passed through the entire Imperial Territory.
"Your Majesty, did you say the Eastern Great Forest?"
Fellian Rupel Arman, the Second Prince who oversaw military matters, approached the Sacred Throne.
The Emperor continued, gazing at his second son.
"The Pope of the Astia Religious Order visited."
They had come quietly and left quietly.
The Emperor had a brief conversation with the Pope and heard several pieces of good news.
"A path has opened through the Eastern Great Forest. Furthermore, the Saint of the Solar Holy Army is dead."
"The battle will be easier then, sire."
"Yes. Fellian, as you know, the Solar Holy Army are difficult to absorb."
"Your Majesty, I shall annihilate the abominable Solar Holy Army and bring you the head of the Solar Holy King."
His voice growled as if thirsting for blood.
At this, the Emperor nodded.
"Those scientists insulted the Moon... and furthermore, their basis was the Sun."
The Emperor's eyes blazed with fury.
"The Moon only shines by reflecting sunlight! It is certainly not something transcendent!"
At one point, the Emperor had captured those Possessors who called themselves scientists or professors.
The earliest Possessors had received the Emperor's mercy and favorable treatment.
'The concept that divine power was a form of energy allowed them to create counterfeit holy water, but...'
However, the Emperor soon regretted it.
Their ideology was dangerous.
They misinterpreted the world's will as they pleased.
They worshipped false things while giving them names like laws of physics.
'Those fools who couldn't even explain the principles of teleportation magic circles, yet spouted off about science and dimensions.'
They had insulted the Emperor who communed with the Moon and pushed through their own assertions.
"Science is great! The light reflected from sunlight is merely moonlight!"
A Possessor who went to the execution ground without ever bending his assertions.
From the Emperor's perspective, he had been insulted to the end.
Was it not because of this anger that he had even proclaimed the Immediate Execution Law for Possessors?
'There is no way the Sun could make the Moon shine.'
The Emperor's anger had not yet subsided.
"Fellian, along with the Archduke, bring not only the Solar Holy King's entire family but also the Saint's head."
***
'Why is the arrow turning toward me?'
Erik was going insane.
His plan had been to move the World Tree to his Divine Edifice through the [Divine Edifice Management] window, and in doing so, create a common enemy to improve relations between Riferoze and Ruelle, but...
"A, already having an affair?!"
"I raised them carefully, and not only did they set up house together, but my disciple is already meeting a new woman! Ah! How tragic!"
He was being treated as a philanderer.
Erik felt somewhat wronged.
"Hmph!"
Especially by Ruelle.
'But I haven't done anything...'
He and the World Tree had no relationship whatsoever.
"Erik, could that possibly be your type?"
Seeing Ruelle's wavering eyes, Erik truly felt like a criminal.
"Both of you. This is a misunderstanding."
Erik said this while staring hard at the World Tree.
What should he do?
His mind had gone blank.
"Ah! Repotting, you say...?"
The World Tree continued approaching him.
He was in a dilemma.
Because of the World Tree's unique nature, he couldn't come up with any countermeasures.
'If I push her away, she'll cry out that she loves it...'
But if I leave it be?
'That's even more burdensome.'
Glancing to both sides, he saw Riferoze and Ruelle with their eyes wide open like axes.
It was clear that a great catastrophe would occur the moment he made contact with the World Tree.
About 1 second had passed.
Erik finished all his calculations and acted quickly.
[2,000,000GP has been spent to purchase an extra-large planter.]
He purchased a planter from the Divine Edifice Management window.
Then, he swung the Sword of Creation toward the World Tree.
Shhheeng!
A golden line was drawn before the World Tree's very eyes.
"Ah! A sword for me!!!"
A piercing cry, then the World Tree fell silent and gazed blankly ahead.
Through the sword mark drawn in empty space, the landscape of Erik's Divine Edifice was revealed.
"P, Pure divine power?!!!"
The World Tree cried out in amazement and threw herself toward the Divine Edifice.
"Ungh!"
At this, Riferoze quickly grabbed her by the hair, and Ruelle stretched her body in an X-shape to block the entrance.
"World Tree... if you were to leave this place now, what would become of the crops in the southern part of the Empire?"
Contrary to her action of suddenly grabbing her by the hair, Riferoze's words were somewhat courteous.
'Could it be... she's still hung up on the hierarchy of age and status?'
A concept Erik had once taught her.
Riferoze had become so fixated on it that she even used informal speech with the Emperor.
The fact that she was now using respectful language meant something clear.
"Pillar of the world, who has lived for thousands of years, please do not act rashly."
The World Tree's age was very advanced.
'My teacher won't suddenly beat the World Tree.'
Things were proceeding as Erik had expected so far.
But after that...
Something he could never have imagined happened.
Swoosh!
Ruelle moved her body aside.
Then she began to persuade Riferoze.
"Ruelle? Why are you moving"
"The crops should be fine. The World Tree must have her own thoughts, after all."
Her expression seemed somehow refreshed.
"Y, you're right..."
The World Tree looked at Riferoze with a flushed face.
At this, Riferoze started in surprise and released her grip on the hair, and the World Tree immediately threw herself into Erik's Divine Edifice.
"Ruelle, why did you let her through?"
"We're moving the World Tree's whereabouts to Erik's Divine Edifice to prevent catastrophe for the world. And moreover... someone who has lived for thousands of years wouldn't act without some thought on the matter."
The sharp gaze Ruelle had directed at Erik moments earlier had softened.
For Erik, it was a change he couldn't understand at all.
In truth, Ruelle's true thoughts were simple.
'Over a hundred years old Riferoze and a World Tree that's thousands of years old?'
At this very moment.
Wasn't she the youngest person here?
"Erica the Imperial Princess, aren't you only ten years older than me?"
It was something Erik had frequently said when driving away Erica in the past.
Ruelle had been bothered by it internally.
Moreover...
'Erik's mental age and physical age are different.'
Then which standard should she match?
There was also this ethical concern.
The complex interplay of these reasons had prevented Ruelle from readily closing the distance with Erik.
However, what if her competitors were hundreds and thousands of years old?
'Now I have nothing to lose!'
She was already equal in terms of appearance.
On top of that, she even held the advantage in age.
Ruelle confidently linked her arm through Erik's and asked.
"Erik, we should pot it, right?"
***
A space filled with golden sky above pure white clouds.
Above the largest and highest cloud stood Erik's Divine Edifice, but its landscape had changed somewhat.
Before the Divine Edifice, vast terrain spread out, and upon it appeared a round, extraordinarily large planter.
"Ahhh—"
The World Tree felt as though she had returned to her homeland after thousands of years.
【World Tree, you must remain in this land.】
In a world where the Trinity God had vanished, the World Tree was lonely.
The gods had left this land, and pure divine power had long since disappeared.
What remained of divine power was entirely absorbed by the religions, and she could only take the scraps.
"Such pure power!!!"
However, Erik's Divine Edifice was different.
The World Tree rejoiced, savoring the divine power that filled all directions.
And the three people watched her with vacant expressions.
"What on earth...?"
Erik was at a loss for words.
An ultra-giant planter placed before the Divine Edifice.
The World Tree was rolling on the soil in utter delight.
"Of all places, before my statue..."
Ruelle held the back of her neck.
She could see the World Tree rolling directly in front of her statue.
Ruelle's curvaceous form swayed.
Erik moved before the situation could escalate further.
'Let me at least resolve this first.'
He approached the World Tree with quick strides and gazed intently at her rolling on the dirt ground.
Then.
"P, if you stare so intently—"
"It embarrasses you?"
"Ahhh..."
The World Tree trembled.
Erik deliberately ignored this and continued speaking.
Though it was called repotting, the procedure of relocating the World Tree couldn't possibly end here.
"Is rolling around here all there is to it?"
"That couldn't be..."
The World Tree carefully extended her hand.
Above her hand, a small sapling sprouted, and simultaneously, the World Tree's body began to fade.
"Remember. I am your World Tree."
Thud!
The World Tree vanished.
And a small sapling rested upon Erik's hand.
"Ho, truly fortunate."
"R, right..."
The two women, who had been shocked just moments ago when the World Tree was rolling in the dirt, now murmured with a somewhat relieved tone.
Erik let out a soft sigh and headed toward the center of the planter.
"Let's plant it first and think about the rest."
As Erik roughly dug at the ground with his sword, Ruelle placed herself before him with a serious expression.
"W, wait! Let me do it."
She appeared as confident as if she were the mistress of the place.
Ruelle's delicate hands formed a neat, raised mound of soil.
"That should do."
Then, she planted the sapling.
Saaaaaaa!
A massive wave of divine power arose centered on the small sapling.
Then.
Pwoosh!
[The world becomes more vivid.]
'The world?'
A status window appeared before Erik's eyes.
A message slightly different from what usually announced "the clarity of the Divine Edifice," but it was reasonable enough for this to occur.
However...
"Eh? Wh, what is this?!"
Ruelle suddenly cried out in surprise.
She began backing away while flailing her hands in the empty air.
"Erik! Something strange is following me around!"
Erik was equally startled.
'A status window visible to a local person?'
As if confirming Erik's guess, Riferoze uttered a soft exclamation.
"Ho"
She couldn't see the status window, but she could feel it.
She had developed that sense by tearing Erik's apart piece by piece.
"It seems Ruelle's source of faith has indeed transferred to you, Erik. How could a Possessor's... and of all people, to Ruelle?!"
From Riferoze's demeanor, it seemed this change applied only to her believers.
Erik chased after the fleeing Ruelle and caught her.
"Please calm yourself."
"Ugh! Wh, what is this! Strange words keep following me around in the empty air!"
She seemed quite startled.
Since Ruelle, a local person, had never encountered the concept of a "status window" in games or movies, it was certainly reasonable for her to be startled.
'Suddenly having a strange screen following you around must feel odd.'
Erik, looking at Ruelle, uttered words meant to convince her all at once.
"This is what's called a status window."
"A, a status window?"
At those words, Ruelle came to a halt.
A characteristic of Possessors that Erik had told her about when she was younger.
'So that was it.'
She had also learned that it appeared as letters and text within a rectangular frame.
"But why is it appearing for me...?"
"It seems the World Tree has exerted some influence."
Erik gazed intently at the small sapling planted in the center of the massive planter.
'At least give me some kind of hint.'
Wasn't this change far too sudden?
Just as he was startled.
Rustle, rustle!
The small tree shook slightly.
At this, Erik naturally turned and declared that they should go outside for now.
"There must be chaos outside."
The World Tree's essence had shifted to the Divine Edifice, after all.
'I wonder what happened to the World Tree's main body...'
The Elves might be going mad.
Just as Erik was about to leave the Divine Edifice.
Pwoosh!
[New facilities are being opened.]
[Fountain: 200,000GP]
[Dimensional Gate: 200,000GP]
[Additional facilities will open according to the World Tree's growth rate.]
A string of new functions opened up.
Erik laughed bitterly.