CHAPTER 522: HEALING TIME [I]

The aftermath cleanup was gross and messy for the cleaners, but they didn’t complain, especially seeing how the enemies they are hoping to quickly die have been diced to pieces and are now dead without any means to come back and live. Despite the messy collection of worms’ body parts, they prefer to have them in this state rather than seeing their companions chewed and killed by the same monsters.

While the majority of the pixies are cleaning up the mess that happened, Elaina is currently explaining the discoveries she found in the deeper parts of the cave. Naturally, she also didn’t conceal the fact that a second World Tree is currently present deep down the cave, and this dragon is one of the main causes for the rot to happen.

"I never expected that the one we are fearing the most is actually a dragon knight, and he has been suffering for a long time. And not only that, but a second World Tree that we didn’t know had existed was silently growing deep down this place. So that is why, even when we try to explore there, we can’t properly investigate the place. It was an overload of mana thanks to the corruption of the World Tree and the addition of the black blood of the Dragon Knight. No wonder even the young sapling has been affected," The elder pixie shook his head, realizing what was going on at long last.

"Which is why I wanted you to get rid of the barrier that stops everyone from entering deep into that place, as the only way to slowly but surely rehabilitate the World Tree condition is to remove the main source of that same power that made the rot of the world tree itself which is the dragon knight’s blood and to heal the injuries of the dragon knight, he has to be removed from the influence of the World Tree. Their existences cancel each other, which results in a troublesome outcome in the process," Elaina lightly tapped the barrier like it were a thick wall separating her and the path to the inner cave.

"Does that really help a lot in the curing process of the tree?"

"Although I am not too sure about the healing process quickly happening, removing the main cause of it should be a catalyst for the tree to slowly heal up the damage it has accumulated over the years of its existence. After all, with how the blood has made the second World Tree almost black due to the rot, there is a possibility that the World Tree will slowly flush out every impurity slowly but surely in the process, just like how sicknesses work. Removing the main cause of the sickness allows the healing process to progress much better and for the sickness itself to disappear and be purged from the body without problems. And if you are not convinced, this method also works for the plants. I am a farmer and have worked with plants plenty of times," Elaina explained carefully, just to ensure that the Elder Pixie does not decline her plea to open up the barrier.

The elder sighed and shook his head. He looked like he was reluctant to do so as he kept glancing at the barrier and the unconscious dragon knight again and again. Elaina thought that he would soon decline it, but he seemed to be eager to have this problem gone for good this time around.

"Alright, I am convinced. But I hope this one works well. And I also know this won’t be a quick cure in itself, but if it allows the survival of the World Tree and the restoration of the land itself, I am not against that problem. However, are you sure that it is a wise thing to remove that man from this place? Considering that he was stabbed by a dragon slayer spear, doesn’t that mean someone has stabbed and made him stay there for a reason?"

Elaina already thought about that earlier, but considering she still has the dragon slayer spear with her, she is not afraid to be held accountable if something goes wrong. "If that is the case, I will be handling the dragon knight myself and deal with him without relying on anyone for help."

"Fine, but don’t blame me if what I am fearing turned out to be true."

Elaina nodded, and the Elder Pixie started chanting as he held the barrier with his small hands. A few seconds while he was chanting, and the barrier started glowing brightly. It was so bright that it looked like the barrier was shining like the sun. Thankfully, it only lasted a few seconds as the barrier began to disintegrate.

"There, the barrier is gone, and anyone can come and go inside this place as long as the barrier remains."

Elaina nodded and then suggested something. "With the barrier gone, I suggest you put the barrier in the main entrance of the cave. They are all clearly hoping to devour the World Tree growing deep within the cave. Shouldn’t you have done that since the beginning?"

"I can’t do that. Even though we would indeed be perfectly safe from the Worms, the fairies can’t also head outside and find food for everyone. And you know the situation above ground. Pixies have to venture far from this cave just to find food to eat, so shutting the place down and waiting for our doom. And if you said about the brooch, well, this brooch is a one-of-a-kind item that nullifies barriers, but it is a unique item and I have yet to find a way to replicate it. If we do, this conversation would not be happening in the first place."

Elaina was surprised as she removed the brooch from her clothes. And here she thought the brooch was made by the Elder Pixie just to use it for someone whom he deemed trustworthy enough to pass through the barrier. It wasn’t like that in the first place, and the brooch is something that the Elder Pixie has no power to make more of its kind.

"How did you even have this brooch in the first place when you don’t know how to make it?" Elaina examined the brooch and she doesn’t find the brooch even that unique in terms of its fashion style.

"It’s an ancient artifact found here inside the cave. Since it is a small brooch, one of the pixies decided to use it and since we don’t know its main purpose at that time, we let her use it. That is until the barrier was up. Since the same pixie was a troublemaker at times, she decided to try and find a way inside the barrier without telling permission. And to her surprise, she managed to pass through the place without difficulty. But since I can easily detect who managed to pass the barrier, I caught her and before she can even proceed further, she collapsed near the entrance due to the overload of mana and we have to drag her back to safety. Since no other pixies can enter the barrier like she did, we quickly assumed she have something that nullifies the effects of the barrier and we were right since the moment she removed the brooch, she couldn’t pass into the barrier anymore."

Elaina examined the brooch closely. It looks so intricate that there is no way a regular craftsman made it. She guessed someone who knows his way to blacksmithing is able to replicate the brooch though she is only speculating. And she knows the people who can try to do so.

"May I borrow the brooch? I have something I wanted to try and see. Dont’ worry, I will be returning the brooch since I don’t really see the need for me to use it. I just wanted to see if I can ask someone trustworthy to replicate the brooch and perhaps replicate its magic. That way, I can bring lots of these brooch and distribute it to everyone."

"That’s fine. We don’t have much use of the brooch at the moment with the barrier to the second World Tree gone right now. If you have indeed found a way to replicate the thing with its ability and distribute it to us, then it will be a very beneficial tool for all of us."

"You can count on me."

After the discussions are over, Elaina started to drag the Dragon Knight again but this time, into the surface. Thankfully for her, the Pixies decided to help her using magic to lessen the weight of a person or an object to a lesser amount, which is what they are doing to carry the carcass of the worms and pile them up. The process this time is much smoother and Elaina is visibly relieved after knowing about the magic. She was so worried that her back and shoulders would break in the process if she continues pulling the unconscious dragon knight.