Chapter 116: When the world tree blossoms (1)
Y1NtknA cry spread from somewhere in the mansion.0q0bOp
bOEWWpThe voice of a woman crying sorrowfully is heartbreaking.VSDzLg6
MWBlXAlthough she could no longer breathe, only dry tear marks remained around the eyes of the woman who cried bitterly.2mm
OB0iIt seems that the sadness contained in the tears alone was not enough to rid her of all the pain of losing a child.nOrHI
0iwRXW“Lord August.”ZO6
9pD3uA broken window.yOwWlm
D7vSFTea items scattered everywhere.mfDAz7
dCjHowever, unlike the dizzying surroundings, the tea in the cup had a bright green color.gD7OdfK
4f4k“From now on, we will manage the site ourselves.”gzhCo1V
qnocjThe commander of the imperial guard turned around upon hearing a voice.ErC
XSzG8Armor with golden engravings.qzvYPxV
FuHDDHUThat armor was armor that only the emperor’s guards could wear in the empire.2SCe6c3
PoCS“…The crimes that occurred in the capital are the responsibility of our knightly order to manage.”lW06pdE
WG4QtPX“Of course, I know.”ROnBvEu
dN9UThe middle-aged man standing in front of the commander of the imperial guard pulled out from his arms a piece of parchment rolled up with a small smile.BScZk16
Rbf4WSUEdict with a golden seal.WG41
76FrThe middle-aged man, holding a golden edict that only the emperor of the empire could issue, nodded and opened his mouth.3ea1lZ7
mofGE“But it’s something His Majesty directly ordered, so I can’t do anything about it.”3BZA
2vz“Everyone in the empire knows he’s bedridden.”XN691j
XYCA middle-aged man wearing royal guard armor.j36y
8WvhRt0He just shrugged with an exaggerated gesture after hearing August’s words.FgR
6tQTLIp“What kind of blasphemous talk is this? Apparently, I went to see His Majesty this morning.”cX1iH5f
eMAC“…”ndzI6vd
XLPHTDAugust bit his lip as he looked at the man spouting nonsense.iH257b
iwfAnIThe commander of the guard, who was supposed to protect the emperor, was actually waving his name around.2AHTKc
FFTENyThe mood of the imperial knights, who noticed August’s anger, began to sharpen.2Qe
WCCCOK7“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, transfer the investigative authority immediately. August, Commander of the Imperial Guard.”Epv
VzyHowever, even as the situation became more heated, the middle-aged man simply rolled up the unfolded parchment.AEVzwbo
4b18fzWith a slight sneer on his lips.OCY966w
tve“From now on, our Imperial Guard will take charge of the scene here.”y6TN34
ISiuOA cause heavier than a sword.u3Ly
CMXFacing the commander of the guard wielding a noble golden sword, August could only bow his head with a feeling of resentment.mXh7
38QC6The still dark mansion was filled with the mournful cries of a mother who lost her son.AnA2WDl
P7z8L1F***Lh4G
r9MZ“But how are you going to stop him?”4GPVX
Cm480Snow up to their ankles.fbQUIDR
jrwDK8The group wandering deep into the forest dismounted their horses and moved forward, holding onto the reins.qZzwCuQ
EHUUjHowever, even as their steps progressed, Vlad’s eyes were focused on the man in the gray hood.0eJY
R7WG“If we keep raiding wagons, won’t the tea be sold? I heard it’s doing very well.”PqcRopo
xsdI don’t know exactly what he was doing, but it was related to the imperial family.BDk
NTSbFurthermore, since he was someone who recognized the sound of the voice, it was natural for Vlad to express curiosity towards him.BW3Vdv
KurAt 18, he was still young enough to crave experience and knowledge.tJM7ioP
irZsTqj“…As you said, we couldn’t prevent it from being sold.”c5Sp
d0sQ14The man in the gray hood looked at Vlad with a bitter smile.N16o
z9zAs Vlad said, the imperial guard, who had been crippled, couldn’t remove the cobwebs deeply entrenched in the empire.k41ZS
bgB“That’s why we cut it off immediately.”3QF
QyPC“What?”FJOF2G
QVMH6fa“Hive. I need to find out what’s inside.”VMGCCl
klxUIf you can’t unearth what’s hidden at the bottom, you have to pull it out.9x6fenm
L9EPTAugust, who knew this, used himself as bait to steal Vitskaya’s carriage.xnai5H
so7P“…By the way, you said the Count had asked for help from the Dragon Slayer Knights, right?”1USiW
jf2TGNJ“If they said so.”rFsgBE
fHSAlthough it was only a young knight named Vlad who was dragged against his initial intention, the youth in front of him still asked for the only information he wanted.sb7
ZjODuuIt was information about a fallen dragon huddled in a hive.oioHZ
RN91M‘Asking for help directly from Dragulia instead of resorting to the imperial family…’syEZ1FG
hyHbmIt wasn’t unusual for a local lord to ask for help from the Dragon Slayer Knights to solve a difficult task.yOUGv
fbPle3However, there was an order and a procedure in everything, and August had never heard that the Vitskaya family followed that procedure.8cLK5
aECBXb3“Why the Dragon Slayer Knights?”PbVmG
URUV“No.”wojyH
dOZPMERThe young knight in front of you may be curious about everything in the world, but sometimes it’s better not to know.xOj9E6L
5slbP1nIf the fallen dragon is gnawing at its leash as you think, then just knowing about it will make you very angry.JWqvo3
NsRe“Look over there, Captain! I guess it’s over there!”GTQPO
14C4H5P“…So.”Xuy
WwDsqLVlad, who had been conversing with August for a while, inadvertently opened his mouth when he heard Goethe shout.1LSuo7m
GnJVcFm“What’s so big?”R4b
LVXSGxThere was a forest.hkXqN
LqvcPOA forest that doesn’t lose its green color even in winter.nAXPurd
PGXWlAlthough it was tinged with white by the falling snow, a warmth that not even the cold snow could control was felt in the forest before me.xqRvyQN
leHCT“That’s the elves’ forest.”Q8m
GFsQAn elf forest that hides in the depths and doesn’t easily open the door to anyone.dcd0
IHh2Vlad couldn’t close his mouth as he looked at the seemingly endless green horizon.ytNCrYv
xeuIV“So that’s the World Tree?”LKek
msVGnI“Yes.”JJ6ljD
KvHIrElf forest. Ausurin.NMTh6
hYGhM5A massive tree towered above the green sea, looking down at Vlad.MODIP
6OA***8KHm
yw5mThe brightly lit office of someone.VOIfrI
RSRW3cdIn a place completely covered with brown trees, the platinum blonde hair of the girl gleamed in the sunlight.ClsrEmQ
Hml7“Brother.”4bUT
4PJK“Yes. Lady.”SGk
sImblJmThere was a chair, but the platinum blonde girl sitting at the desk frowned as if she didn’t like Varadis’s response.JXDzga
3xxclD“…Okay.”qblzXY
pFY8She said it as if pouting, but she knew it was something she couldn’t avoid.myzdYp
ASbtRfStill, I couldn’t help but feel disappointment growing in my heart and puffing up my small cheeks.Q4D
tlSc“Take this with you when you go.”BV2mcUu
aTxp“Yes?”WzB5P
S0GVaradis had a puzzled expression on his face as he looked at the basket the girl was handing him.WIr5MHP
uLrF1JBefore I knew it, a basket full of fruit had piled up around the room.QfVX6Q
zWsThe girl’s golden eyes gleamed with the brightness of the shiny fruit.GrNvA
QEiC1as“It seemed like you were hungry.”xZEp
xl0lGjW“…Who’s hungry?”0bkzRJs
5EsVaradis couldn’t hide his puzzled expression as he accepted the basket.sAusbXT
WUvEven when she was young, she had a peculiar side, but after becoming a priestess of the World Tree, she became even harder to understand.QJzcDI
c3dFy2O“Lord Varadis.”a7Pllz
6XsF3Uy“Hmm?”w7mdBzC
6mDHowever, the answer to the question came from someone other than the girl.eFvw
VsusK“During the reconnaissance, we found humans wandering nearby.”fIYr
q2zMjt“Throw them out.”HbslB7G
cZjaHsA report you don’t have to worry about.2JjoV
Ml07However, the elf who came to report seemed concerned and continued speaking.9D4V6Y
kSj“That’s…”MQTp
yId“What.”v4O9htH
fAQqVaradis’s expression was completely different from when he faced the girl.jGm
q4jrktyVaradis’s expression had transformed into that of a firm-hearted, cold-hearted leader without anyone noticing.2Jzs4
ClOviT“The intruders are looking for Varadis.”B9yZ
EvgB“…What?”i2KIcGB
XWhoN“To be exact, they say they were invited by Varadis.”FncY3O
hDsSYVaradis frowned and looked at the informant in front of him.ZgyF
K9khezeThe elf, who recognized the question with his eyes even though he didn’t say it verbally, brought forth a name he had brought before him.JAKfXv
JH6TEiF“The intruder introduced himself as Vlad of Soara.”ngXP
DRU3VcJ“…”0Jtqga
SGMGAfter hearing the informant’s words, Varadis looked at the basket he was holding unconsciously.FXUpK6
qvqI1Y“You said you were hungry?”RRC
oeVZ9AY“Yes?”WEoAo
QLpVaradis turned his head and looked at the girl.4PKAmRx
KsZ8The girl laughed and tapped her feet as if telling him to go ahead.7Ahn
N1yK4***McYio
gVfNy“Elves have prisons too.”ybD
HGFJQTY“It’s also my first time coming here.”w36jf
FXkp“Do they not use nails? There’s no trace of anything related.”LeejWO
h1WgCTUnlike Goethe, who was crouched in a corner with a gloomy expression, Vlad wandered through the elves’ prison.GG8QNj
1XPRT9f“Captain. Are you really invited?”rJM
Z3cIO“I heard it’s true.”tP3dg
FMJpg“So, is it good etiquette for elves to shoot arrows at all their guests?”1IF
42AUxZh“…But it wasn’t right.”DA9
E32Vlad looked at the gray-hooded man and Goethe staring at him and scratched his cheek with his finger as if embarrassed.nJcwa
dFwFgAs they had been invited, he thought they could enter confidently, but in reality, what greeted them were only deadly arrows and a cold prison.SXs
Pw5“You still haven’t paid for your life.”UsQsO
9GX“You went in first.”eSpc0w
pVcRX3v“Are Northerners really so brazen?”79mrQ
743iFVlad pretended not to notice the criticism and resentment coming from him and gripped the bars with both hands.lQQXvc
p4LL1‘If you’re going to do this, why did you invite me?’lXacL10
U2OlVlad has an idea about the voice.8lfj
oflAugust has a clue about Absilon.SLMhyi
jkzThere was no reason to doubt because what both wanted was here in the elf forest.gWqGc
4C8Even if he knew it would end up like this, it was a place he had to come to.LHEaAE
9FGaEJY‘…It was subtly sharp.’DSf2bt
cQaNHowever, what was putting Vlad on edge wasn’t his current situation in prison.e6vcB
dhVx3A feeling that only people who live in the alleys and are sensitive to crises can smell.UcXg1PY
tIDIgThe elves who found them sensed that familiar feeling.jM98
qBYR8Rumble-t3JBx
40H5Vlad leaned his face against the bars when he heard the sound of the door opening in front of him.SIU
lI2Bi2X“I’m sorry.”oOm3o6
kRtDark blue hair and navy blue eyes.Olmz
ym1m7miA cold-looking elf had mobilized his lieutenants and was approaching with a basket in one hand.1UPW
jBx97GA“Vlad of Soara. Welcome to our forest.”SwzYOrB
lQ4“Do elves say welcome in prison?”iEc
BrnUTvn“Well. Let’s take this first.”unwi
2pQVaradis was superior to Vlad in ignoring people’s words.YLu3sae
Ed6afz“Are you going to get me out of here?”lT1v3
7qPcGJh“Just eat that and wait a day. There are procedures we have to follow to get you out.”cYdAH0
cYLlVlad’s eyebrows narrowed when he was told to wait another day.OVONw
B1TGG“I hope you understand. Nowadays, it’s time for everyone to be smarter. Once people are in prison, the process to get them out is complicated.”8gdY
xUNZgN“But why is everyone so cautious? When I arrived here, it seemed calm nearby.”jbDXNLV
ytxeThe elves’ overly sharp attitude.nL7bcD
zLZVlad felt a strange wariness in their cold demeanor, as if they mistrusted something rather than hostility towards humans.GFxg
ZLIt“…The dragon is coming.”EcPxv
mXEVsIt was a story that didn’t need to be told to humans, but Varadis calmly explained it.OUCXce
tv5KCxqBlue eyes staring at you.q8m59m
eXZTBecause those eyes were what the World Tree priestess was paying attention to.Pfa
X2LKPxzVaradis thought there must be a reason they arrived in Ausurin at that moment.Oma20Cg
vS4RO“It will soon be time for the World Tree to bloom.”UmP6
gV2“Bloom?”MYqAvV
nyHrAfter hearing Varadis’s words, Vlad unconsciously touched Alicia’s amber stone.HHUTM
kaTIn the amber landscape shown by the girl, the red maple was clearly in bloom.9w79
SRbD12“If. Bloom.”e5uHL7
YukraThe name of a single God.TROd
7CUIPguAnd the young World Tree that managed to take root while avoiding imperial ambitions.0V9Fz1
NyqOlHowever, humans were not the only ones focused on the young roots and fragrant flowers.I2oDe5P
kcu“The sharpest dragon has always aimed for the World Tree’s flowers.”yjZlFA
BOphAGYoung petals are fragrant, and young roots are desirable.pUfexu
1im8SHowever, there were countless beings all over the world who coveted fragrant and desirable things.M5p
d9uAlthough all young and delicate things in this world definitely deserve to bloom.rpph
W9jH3OS“I’m sorry to welcome you at a bad time.”pe2Oy
VE6In3R“…No.”vf5zUPK
T2kpwHow remote is the possibility of a world taking root and blooming safely.KzTEZL
UB0Qx“Is there anything I can help you with?”TuX9
HIWj7CThen you must protect that moment.KJW6
EblYx6TAnd I swore before my discipline that I would do so.FXX
CtJF“Thank you for saying something.”b3f
n5elMen’s souls are light, and their mouths rotten.fKZ
tRVBeings that can never be trusted.0pN
KOlVBut now the spirits surrounding the blue-eyed knight were speaking.gwd
FwA4hOThis person is the one who was protected.Z3bj
016jyThe white serpent on the armor and the mole beneath the sword said so.YT9al
pidb“…”7Kl
9nwjtTxThe memory of an amber-carved tree reflected in Varadis’s eyes.djd9
YggjbSFA nostalgic World Tree that can no longer be seen and blooms bright red.OCxPYN
ErgThe knight below clearly held a familiar sword.Myl5oeg
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