[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 129

    [I don’t want to go.]

    Deluna clung to Kaylen’s hand, pouting.

    When Kaylen slowed his pace in response, she quickly shook her head, telling him not to.

    [This is about the future of my people. I’ve already gathered the Earth’s energy, so I can’t let personal desires get in the way any longer.]

    “A day or two late wouldn’t hurt anyone. You’re still the same as ever.”

    [You’ve changed. You used to be strict about separating public and private matters.]

    “Well, can’t I afford to take it easy for a few days?”

    [Hehe. Should I take this as you caring more because I’m about to become the World Tree?]

    “Think whatever you want.”

    On the third day of their peaceful journey through the forest, the capital’s walls finally came into view.

    “Where do you plan to take root?”

    [Near the royal palace. That’s where the World Tree has designated the spot.]

    “I don’t mind, but... is there a reason it has to be there? The World Tree could grow anywhere, couldn’t it?”

    [I don’t know the reason either. But I feel like I’ll understand once I begin to take root.]

    Kaylen glanced at Deluna.

    ‘...It’s almost time.’

    At first, the World Tree’s seed had only given off a faint glow from within her body.

    But now, it had grown large enough to completely consume her form.

    It was time for her to take root and become the World Tree.

    Kaylen passed through the city gates, walking alongside Deluna as they made their way through the capital.

    Citizens bowed as their king passed, whispering amongst themselves.

    —Who is that woman beside His Majesty?

    —She’s transparent... Is she a ghost? With those long ears, maybe an elven ghost?

    —They look amazing together. If she really is a ghost, that’s such a shame.

    [Ern, did you hear that? They said we look good together!]

    “Hm. We used to hear that a lot back in the day, didn’t we?”

    [Still... it feels new every time I hear it.]

    As they walked toward the palace, Deluna grew more lively.

    In contrast, Kaylen gradually became quieter.

    But Deluna, determined to savor the moment, kept chatting with him.

    [Ern, even after a thousand years, human nations seem more underdeveloped than the Meier Empire was. When I first visited the Meier Empire, I was stunned.]

    “Why?”

    [It was just... magnificent. Grand. Immaculately clean. I was amazed at how much humanity had advanced. But that’s not the case anymore.]

    “After becoming a colony of the Demon Realm, civilization regressed a lot. It’s unfortunate.”

    [But you’ll rebuild it, won’t you? Now that you’re king.]

    “We’ll see. Surviving comes first.”

    [I’ll help you.]

    Back then, at least, the world hadn’t been under the rule of the Demon Realm.

    It was one thing when humans fought among themselves,

    but now they had to find a way to survive under foreign domination—making it an even greater challenge.

    [...The palace is split in half. What happened?]

    “I used the Great Sword.”

    [You used that in the palace? ...Wait. Wouldn’t it be a good place to plant the World Tree?]

    “You think so?”

    [Hehe. Just kidding.]

    Deluna smiled as she looked at Kaylen.

    [Unfortunately, the place the World Tree has designated is not here.]

    She then walked toward the place where the Lily Palace had once burned.

    [The place where sacred blood stained the earth. It is here that I must take root in order to gain the strength to oppose the red moon.]

    “Sacred blood...” The Lily Palace.

    The place where Violet’s mother, Queen Diana, had lived.

    Now that he thought about it, she had said that no matter how much damage she took, she would regenerate herself.

    When Kaylen mentioned this, Deluna slowly nodded.

    [She must have had the qualities of a Saint. After all, she healed her own wounds.]

    “The qualities of a Saint... But Saint Theresia is still alive.”

    [Is she? That may actually be why the sacred blood that stained this land is so powerful.]

    Due to the presence of Theresia, a Saint who hadn’t appeared for many years,

    Deluna speculated that the holy power might have been condensed over nearly a thousand years.

    [Well then, Ern. I... should be going.]

    As Deluna’s face was covered by the light of the seed,

    only her voice echoed from the green light.

    [Though it was a short time, I was so happy to have you all to myself. I’ll leave with good memories.]

    Inside the large office, sleeping on the floor was a massive snake.

    With every breath it took, a faint flame flickered from its scales and vanished.

    At this moment, it was only breathing, but if it woke up and the fire spread everywhere?

    ‘I-I’d turn to ashes in an instant, wouldn’t I?’

    Looking at the walls of the office, Bail noticed that they were covered in fire-resistant magic circles.

    ‘...I’ll just leave the report and go.’

    Moving quietly, Bail flew over to the desk where the reports had piled up.

    Though it was a special alert, was it really okay to do it this way?

    No, do you want to die by reporting?

    Two emotions crossed through Bail’s mind several times.

    But true to the lazy demons of the observation post, Bail chose not to report it.

    Thud.

    But maybe because he was in such a hurry,

    he carefully placed the report, but the already stacked reports were off balance.

    Thud. Thud. Thud—

    The reports, stacked like a tower, started falling down in heaps.

    It was only natural that they would touch the scales of the snake.

    Flash—

    The massive snake’s eyes snapped open, and flames erupted in every direction.

    Whoooosh!

    “Ah. Aaaaahh...!”

    [Imp.]

    The station chief could hardly be bothered to speak, but Bail could feel a deep killing intent in that voice.

    If he were to translate the word "Imp"—

    - An imp dares to wake me from my sleep? Die.

    That’s how it could be interpreted.

    ‘I’m going to die at this rate!’ Bail shouted in panic.

    “Special, special alert! The Holy Sword, the Holy Sword has appeared!”

    At that, the flames from the scales, which seemed like they would burn down the entire office, abruptly stopped.

    Instead, the massive snake’s eyes turned toward Bail.

    [Holy Sword...]

    It had been ten days since the Holy Sword’s fall incident.

    The Sanctuary had mobilized all of its intelligence to search for the Holy Sword, but had not achieved any meaningful results.

    Saint Theresia had deduced that Kaylen was likely the target of the Holy Sword.

    Since it was such an important matter, she had no choice but to return to the capital, Alzass.

    ‘I’m sure it was still the Bormian Kingdom when I left. How did it suddenly turn into the Meier Kingdom...?’

    Theresia had been so occupied with the Holy Sword’s disappearance that she hadn’t had the time to consider what had happened in the Bormian Kingdom.

    She had only found out about it after arriving in Bormian.

    ‘And... the World Tree has appeared too?’

    What kind of kingdom changes so drastically in just a few months?

    It was absurd, but for now, finding the Holy Sword was the priority.

    After requesting an audience with the king through the Dungeon Guild, Theresia received a reply to come toward the World Tree.

    She headed to the royal palace with the paladins.

    “You all stay here and wait.”

    “But, Lady Saint, we should be accompanying you...”

    “I’m going to meet the one who split the palace in half. Why would I need protection? It will be harder to persuade him with more people.”

    At the entrance to the palace,

    she left the paladins behind to meet with Kaylen alone and went to where the World Tree stood.

    ‘This is the World Tree...’

    It hadn’t been established for long, so the World Tree was only about the size of a large tree.

    Kaylen was sitting with his back to the World Tree’s trunk, reading a report.

    Theresia couldn’t hide her excitement and called out.

    “Kaylen...!?!”

    Whoooosh—

    Suddenly, wind blew toward her.

    And—

    Thud, thud, thud—

    Leaves began to fall from the tree.

    At first, Theresia thought it was just the wind blowing too hard, and she shook it off, but...

    “Ugh... what is this? Why all of a sudden...?”

    When only she was getting bombarded by falling leaves, she couldn’t help but be flustered.

    Meanwhile, Kaylen smiled wryly as he stood up.

    Deluna. She’s really a woman who gets things done when she decides to.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]