[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 151

    Kaylen headed straight to the World Tree upon returning to the royal capital.

    ‘The mana of Stormwind is still intact.’

    Though the angel had disappeared, the wind mana remaining in Stormwind was completely undisturbed.

    It was more than enough to complete the Wind Sword.

    ‘However, once I absorb it all, this mana suit will no longer be usable...’

    The loss of an S-rank mana suit meant little to Kaylen.

    The words of the angel Ramiel, who had revealed that the Demon Marquis Lucifer was once an archangel, were intriguing. If given the opportunity, Kaylen wanted to learn more details from the angels.

    But if he absorbed all of Stormwind’s mana here, any chance of Ramiel’s revival would be lost.

    ‘Even so, completing the Wind Sword takes priority.’

    Kaylen hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to proceed with absorbing Stormwind’s mana as planned.

    Rather than delving deeper into the identity of the White Demon King, completing the Six Swords was far more important.

    The Wind Sword and the Earth Sword.

    Only by completing both simultaneously could he reclaim the title of Grand Swordmaster.

    “This is it.”

    Kaylen climbed onto the massive World Tree.

    A faint green barrier formed from the leaves of the tree, but—

    Srrr—

    As soon as it recognized Kaylen, the barrier dissipated.

    The World Tree, which guarded itself against all others, allowed only him to pass.

    He stepped into the dense foliage and found a single fruit.

    ‘This is the fruit of the World Tree...’

    It was the size of a watermelon, dark brown in color.

    With its rough texture, it looked like a clump of hardened soil, hardly appetizing in appearance.

    Yet Kaylen could sense the surging earth mana within it.

    “Thank you, Deluna. You’ve gathered plenty.”

    At his words, the leaves of the World Tree rustled in unison.

    Kaylen landed back on the ground and began preparing to complete his sword.

    In his left hand, he held Stormwind in the form of boots.

    In his right hand, he grasped the fruit of the World Tree.

    ‘Absorbing the mana.’

    Crunch.

    Taking a bite of the watermelon-sized fruit, Kaylen grimaced.

    It tasted like dirt.

    ‘I was curious about the taste, but there’s no need to eat any more of it.’

    What mattered was absorbing the mana.

    Eating it or absorbing it directly by hand—at Kaylen’s level, there was little difference between the two methods.

    Shwooo—

    The mana from Stormwind and the fruit of the World Tree surged into him in an instant.

    At the same time, the barely-formed Wind Sword and Earth Sword began to take clearer shape.

    ‘I’ll control the pace and complete them simultaneously.’

    If he focused on just one sword, it would require even more mana to finish the final Six Sword, so Kaylen carefully adjusted the absorption rate.

    When the swords were about halfway complete—

    —What... are you doing?

    From within Stormwind, the voice of the angel Ramiel rang out once more.

    “It seems you haven’t disappeared after all.”

    — ...I just had things to consider. What exactly are you doing, Dragon Sword God?

    “To complete the Six Swords, I need the wind’s mana. So, I have no choice.”

    — Kugh... If you absorb any more mana, Stormwind will no longer function as a mana suit!

    Ramiel hastily warned him, but—

    “It’s fine. Completing the Wind Sword is more important than the mana suit.”

    Kaylen had already made up his mind.

    Shwooo—

    The watermelon-sized fruit of the World Tree shriveled up in an instant.

    At the same time, the green mana stone embedded in the boots of Stormwind began to lose its glow.

    — W-Wait!

    “What?”

    But that would erase the angel’s sanctuary completely, and he would be absorbed along with it.

    Kaylen carefully managed his absorption, ensuring Stormwind wouldn’t collapse entirely.

    The remaining 5% filled at a much slower pace than the first 95%, but he remained focused, absorbing mana bit by bit.

    And then—

    Chiiiik—

    The last remnants of Stormwind lost their light and began crumbling from the toes up.

    — Ah...

    However, one part remained—the section around the ankle, where the green mana stone was embedded in the boot.

    “I kept my promise.”

    — I... see.

    A frail voice, completely different from before.

    Going from an S-rank mana suit to a mere scrap of metal with a mana stone attached—it was an expected result.

    — Thank you.

    But he was still alive.

    Despite everything, Ramiel felt grateful to Kaylen.

    — Though... recovering will take time... These may be my last words for a while.

    “Then fulfill your promise.”

    — Lucifer’s weakness is...

    Ramiel upheld the vow sworn upon the Celestial God.

    — Spirits.

    "...Spirits?"

    The weakness of the Archangel was spirits?

    Kaylen found the revelation so unexpected that he questioned it.

    — Now, I will go and recover...

    With those final words, the light in the green mana stone faded, and the angel Ramiel fell silent.

    Melvria, who had been tasked with an investigation by Caius, initially considered sending her subordinates.

    However—

    — In the capital of the Starn Kingdom, Alzass, a newly built grand cathedral stands. If the undead enter, they will be discovered immediately.

    — The new World Tree has also taken root, granting the capital an exceptional detection ability.

    The lack of competent human investigators within the Geysir Empire had become a serious issue.

    Useless humans were used as food for drakes.

    Talented ones were either recruited into the Dragon Knights or turned into undead—such was the system of the Geysir Empire.

    ‘Alzass, the capital... A place where vampire spies can’t function properly.’

    Until now, vampires had been more than enough to conduct investigations.

    But Alzass, of all places, was completely incompatible with them.

    “I’ll go myself.”

    “Lady Melvria, how could you possibly go alone...?”

    “It’s too dangerous!”

    “No. His Majesty the Emperor has given an order. It must be carried out successfully.”

    Ignoring her subordinates’ protests, Melvria made up her mind to investigate Alzass personally.

    In truth, there was no real need for her to go herself.

    “There must be another way.”

    “The Duke doesn’t need to go personally...”

    “What if we train the Dragon Knights in espionage and send them instead?”

    “We could also gather intelligence through merchants.”

    Her subordinates’ suggestions weren’t entirely unfeasible.

    In fact, they were much safer options than Melvria personally entering enemy territory.

    However—

    “No. His Majesty the Emperor ordered this. I will complete the investigation quickly myself.”

    Was it really just because of the Emperor’s command?

    Melvria knew the answer herself.

    Despite the safer alternatives, she insisted on going to Alzass for another reason.

    ‘I need to see him again... That impostor, Kaylen.’

    She needed to see him one more time—to steel her resolve.

    Thus, after altering her form to appear human, she landed near the capital of the Starn Kingdom, Alzass.

    ‘So this is Alzass...’

    Unlike the Geysir Empire, the city was brimming with life.

    She took her first steps into Alzass.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]