A massive fire serpent, so large it could be mistaken for a dragon, coiled around the World Tree.
The once lush green land was now littered with the half-burnt corpses of elves, and the previously clear blue sky was marred by black cracks, as if about to collapse.
Elves shot white arrows and unleashed powerful spirit arts, but the fire serpent ignored everything and sank its red fangs into the World Tree.
Kwoooooom!
The mana barrier protecting the World Tree shattered into pieces, and crimson flames began to blaze from its lower right side.
As despair filled the elves' eyes, a High Elf who resembled Sterin stepped forward.
Though he looked exhausted, likely from fighting elsewhere, his eyes shone fiercely.
The High Elf's arrow, shot like a lightning bolt, struck the mouth of the serpent burning the World Tree.
The fire serpent screamed for the first time and detached from the World Tree.
However, the flames it left behind continued to burn both the inside and outside of the World Tree.
As the High Elf approached the World Tree to extinguish the flames, a red-haired fiend with a spiral horn on his forehead emerged from the crack.
The fiend blocked the High Elf's path with a blazing red flame, like a serpent's tongue.
The High Elf frowned and shot a white arrow at the fiend.
But his arrow could not penetrate the fiend's flames and melted in mid-air.
From the crack opened by the red-haired fiend, humans dressed similarly to him emerged, attacking the elves and empowering the fire serpent.
The giant serpent rose again, coiled tightly around the World Tree, and sank its fangs once more.
The flames engulfing the World Tree burned more intensely, as if painted with red dye.
The High Elf, exhausted from the moment he appeared and desperate over his kin's deaths, ultimately fell to the fiend's strike.
It was a single mistake, but the result was devastating. The High Elf fell with a black hole in his abdomen.
The red-haired fiend approached the World Tree with a mocking smile towards the dying High Elf.
His subordinates unleashed flames in all directions, as if wanting to erase not just the World Tree but the entire area.
Zzzzaaaak!
As the land, once filled with nature's energy, turned into hell and howled, the black sky split open, and brilliant flames like the sun poured down.
The golden flames, extending with a majestic wind, instantly engulfed the crimson flames burning the land and the fiend's subordinates.
A knight in silver armor descended onto the land split by darkness.
A now familiar figure. It was an ancestor of Zieghart.
He silently aimed his sword at the fiend.
The ever-composed fiend's mouth twisted.
The red-haired fiend thrust forward with flames around his hand, just as he had when he killed the High Elf.
But this attack was on a different level. Ten flaming spheres burned in the air and fell like meteors towards the ancestor's head.
The Zieghart ancestor didn't even look at the falling fireballs. He focused solely on the fiend, softly opening the hand holding his sword.
Paaaang!
The sword that left his hand became an explosive golden flash, piercing the fiend's heart, shattering the head of the red serpent, and embedding itself in the center of the World Tree.
Now it was visible. Sword Flight. It seemed the ancestor imbued the technique with the essence of destruction through willpower.
The fiend looked down at the hole in his chest in disbelief before collapsing, and the fire serpent, too, writhed headless before turning to dust.
"Sorry."
The ancestor muttered an apology to the dead elves for arriving late and approached the World Tree.
He frowned at the base and roots of the World Tree, which had turned black as if dying.
"If it stays like this, it can't survive."
As the ancestor said, the World Tree had suffered a great shock. If only the exterior had burned, it might have healed itself, but the serpent had punctured it with its fangs and burned it from the inside, making recovery seem impossible.
"This must be fate too."
The ancestor closed his eyes deeply and then opened them, taking out a red orb and a blue orb from what seemed to be a subspace pouch.
No, it might not be accurate to call them orbs. They looked like animal eggs or perhaps jewels.
However, an unprecedentedly pure natural energy was flowing from within them.
The ancestor placed each orb into the holes left by the fire serpent's fangs, then used the flames of Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation to seal the holes.
"Live."
He looked up and gently stroked the World Tree.
Wooooong!
The World Tree seemed to feel the ancestor's heart, creating a soft resonance as its branches and leaves swayed. The surviving transparent leaves fluttered gently.
The ancestor caressed the World Tree for a long time before standing up and turning around. His red eyes fiercely swayed as if looking directly at me.
As I leaned forward to get a closer look at the ancestor's face, the Ring of Fire resonated again, and my vision turned black.
* * *
"...on. Raon!"
"Ah...."
Raon lowered his head slightly at someone's call.
"Did you not sleep last night? Why are you dozing off while standing?"
Rimmer chuckled, asking why he was spacing out like Runaan.
"Sorry."
Raon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and shook his head.
-Where did you go this time?
Wrath glared at him with blue eyes as he clung to Raon's shoulder.
'I just went to see the ancestor for a bit.'
-What nonsense as always!
Even though he told the truth, Wrath, of course, didn't believe him and turned his head sharply.
Raon chuckled and looked at the World Tree. Seeing it grow even more grandly than in his memory, as if it had forgotten the past fire disaster, he felt the ancestor's greatness once more.
'But...'
'What is the identity of that fiend?'
The fiends that appeared whenever he saw the ancestor's memories. They looked like demons with their inverted black and white eyes, but the aura they exuded was undoubtedly human.
'And what are those orbs?'
The ancestor and the orbs not only saved the dying World Tree but also made it grow larger. He wondered what those orbs were.
'Could they still be inside there?'
The orbs left by the Zieghart ancestor and the fact that the World Tree survived made him want to retrieve them if possible.
"Sigh...."
As he pondered how to find the orbs, he heard Rimmer's sigh.
"Here come the old-fashioned ones."
"What?"
"There are typical old-fashioned elves over there."
Rimmer pointed to the elves positioned behind the World Tree.
There were eleven elderly elves with wrinkles like Sterin, and behind them stood younger elves dressed as Guardians, forming a formation.
"Those are...."
"They're the Elders."
Rimmer frowned as he looked at the elves approaching.
"Ugh...."
At the word "Elders," Siyana, who was hiding under the blanket, let out a short groan and shuddered.
It seemed these Elders were the ones who had nagged and insulted her all this time.
"We greet the Guardian."
The blonde elf standing in the center bowed to Sterin.
"Did you come early to prepare for the ceremony?"
Sterin nodded, thanking them for preparing the Purification Ceremony.
"Of course, it is our duty. However...."
The blonde Elder's gaze turned to Raon.
"Why is there a human here?"
He wasn't just puzzled; he showed outright hostility.
"This is a sacred place for elves only. Humans should not enter."
"It's okay. This human will become the Spirit King's Contractor."
The response didn't come from Rimmer or Sterin, but from Erian standing behind the Elders. He still shouted that Raon was the Spirit King's Contractor, raising his fist.
"Erian."
"Yes. Chief Elder."
Erian bowed confidently.
"I didn't ask you. Keep your mouth shut."
"I-I'm sorry."
At the Chief Elder's cold voice, Erian flinched and stepped back.
"Guardian."
The Chief Elder clicked his tongue briefly and looked at Sterin again.
"I will ask again. Why is a human in this sacred land?"
His eyes shot a cold glare, questioning what they were thinking.
"Are you not aware that it was humans who tried to burn the World Tree?"
"Are you trying to say this child is the same as the humans who attacked Sepia?"
Sterin spoke calmly, narrowing his eyes.
"They are not different! They are the same humans!"
The Chief Elder shouted as if excited, but his eyes still glinted coldly.
"What I learned from the ancestors is that humans almost burned the World Tree!"
He pointed to the lower right side of the World Tree, where the traces of the fire disaster still remained.
"The Chief Elder is right."
"Humans should not dare to tread on this sacred ground."
"Please remove them immediately!"
"Guardian!"
Other Elders also shook their heads, unable to accept it.
Raon frowned at the Elders, who had stubborn expressions.
'He didn't leave any records.'
The Zieghart ancestor in his memory left this place after saving the World Tree without meeting anyone. It seemed his act of saving the World Tree was not recorded in history.
"Due to the Guardian's request, we accepted dealings with humans, but not the World Tree."
The Chief Elder blocked the path and stood tall confidently.
From what he gathered, it seemed Sterin had made a deal with the Elders to interact with humans.
"Hmm...."
Sterin furrowed his brows as if he hadn't expected this interference.
"That's harsh."
Rimmer shook his head as he moved next to Sterin.
"He's my student. You could understand that much...."
"You're a problem too."
The Chief Elder turned his gaze to Rimmer and frowned.
"A troublemaker corrupted by humans, how dare you speak here!"
His eyes were sharper than when he looked at Raon as he glared at Rimmer.
"You old geezer! Do you want to see what a real troublemaker is like?"
"Enough."
As Rimmer was about to explode, Sterin stepped forward.
"Do you all think the same?"
"Yes."
The Elders stood behind the Chief Elder, supporting his opinion.
"And...."
The Chief Elder frowned as he looked at Siyana standing next to Raon.
"To come to this sacred space in such a state, I wonder how far Lady Siyana will undermine the dignity of the elves."
"Ugh...."
At his sharp voice and presence, Siyana shuddered.
"First, please remove that human and Rimmer from this place. Lady Siyana also cannot enter in that state."
As the Chief Elder's gaze grew sharper, Siyana's shoulder tremors intensified.
"Are you challenging me now?"
Sterin, now annoyed, raised his chin and exuded a chilling aura.
"Of course not. We only think of the elves' prosperity. Please reconsider."
The Chief Elder waved his hand and stepped back.
"Please reconsider!"
However, the Elders and other elves supporting his opinion did not retreat and stood their ground.
"Hmm...."
"Division Leader."
As Sterin bit his lips slightly while looking at the elves, Raon gestured to Rimmer.
"The Guardian of the elves is like the head of the house or a king, right?"
"Well, yes."
"But there are many here who disregard the king."
At the mocking tone, the Elders and Sterin's gazes turned towards them.
"What did you just say?"
"Isn't it true?"
Raon stepped forward and curled his lips.
"The Guardian told me two days ago that he would show me the World Tree. Other elves knew, so there's no way you Elders didn't. Yet you didn't object immediately and came all the way here to block the way. Isn't that just ignoring the Guardian?"
"T-That is...."
The Elders couldn't refute and turned their gazes away.
"Even the humans you disregard stop factional fights and show the good side of their families when external guests come. But you supposedly superior elves only reveal your flaws in front of a human."
"That's not it. We...."
"Oh, actually, it doesn't matter."
Raon cut off the Chief Elder's words abruptly.
-He did it. Interrupting mid-sentence!
Wrath frowned as he looked at Raon.
-This guy's most infuriating skill number one!
Wrath bit his lips, saying it was most annoying when Raon interrupted without giving a chance for excuses.
"More than anything else, I find your words laughable."
"Laughable?"
The Chief Elder's brows furrowed deeply. His aura sharpened and spread out as if to slice through Raon.
"If you don't speak properly, you won't even be treated as a guest."
He frowned as if genuinely angry.
"Chief Elder!"
"Wait a moment."
As Sterin was about to step forward, Rimmer raised his hand.
"Trust that guy for once. He must have a plan."
Rimmer smiled, saying Raon wasn't someone who acted without a plan.
"Y-Yes."
Siyana also mumbled, saying she read it in a book and suggested trusting him.
"Hmm...."
Listening to his grandchildren, Sterin crossed his arms and stepped back.
"Isn't it true? Who guaranteed that the World Tree belongs to the elves? From what I see, the World Tree seems to like me more than you."
"You must be out of your mind. I have served the World Tree since I was crawling. I may not be a High Elf, but I've dedicated my life to the World Tree. How dare you speak so arrogantly!"
The Chief Elder sneered, saying Raon was talking nonsense.
"Since the World Tree was burned by humans, it has closed its heart for hundreds of years."
He turned around and approached the World Tree.
"But thanks to the efforts of many elves, it began to open its heart about a hundred years ago."
As the Chief Elder placed his hand on the World Tree, its branches rustled and emitted a clear mana. The rich scent of mana, as if the world had been transformed, spread all around.
"Are you saying you can handle the World Tree better than I, who has served it like this?"
He shook his head, telling Raon to stop talking nonsense.
"Leave immediately...."
"Then, shall we make a bet?"
"A bet?"
"Yes."
Raon stood next to the Chief Elder and looked up at the World Tree. He nodded, looking at the tree killed and saved by humans.
"What if I can elicit a greater reaction from the World Tree than you?"
"Hah!"
The Chief Elder let out a laugh, finding it ridiculous.
"You're crazy...."
"He saw the World Tree for the first time today, and he's already boasting like that!"
"They said he's the Dragon Slayer who took down Kaivar, but maybe he's just a crazy human?"
Other Elders and elves frowned, finding it absurd.
"If I lose, I'll take Rimmer and leave, never to return."
Raon smiled faintly, saying he would do as the Elders wished.
"Hey, hey! Why are you betting on me too!"
Even Rimmer, who had been shouting to trust him, was flustered and shook his head.
However, Sterin decided to maintain his initial trust and said nothing.
"You'll keep your word, right?"
"Of course."
"Fine. If the World Tree accepts you, I'll grant you anything you want."
The Chief Elder twisted his lips, confident that the World Tree would never accept a human.
"My conditions are two. First, I receive the Fruit of the Mountain Spirit Tree."
"Revealing your greed, as expected."
The Chief Elder scoffed, saying he expected that.
"And the second is that you and the Elders kneel and apologize for your rudeness to me, Lady Siyana, and the Guardian."
"What?"
"How dare you!"
The Elders widened their eyes, not expecting such words.
"That's fine."
The Chief Elder smiled and nodded.
"It's not going to happen anyway. You can say whatever you want."
"Then I'll add one more condition later."
Raon mumbled that he had caught them well and raised his finger.
"...What about me?"
Rimmer tilted his head as he looked between Raon and the Elders. Everyone else's name was mentioned, but not his.
Raon calmly walked to the World Tree. He touched the still imperfectly healed right side, where the Zieghart ancestor had placed the orbs and caressed.
'It was humans who tried to kill you, but it was also humans who saved you.'
He operated Ten Thousand Flames Cultivation and the Ring of Fire like the ancestor, gently stroking the sealed parts to help the World Tree recall those memories.
However, the World Tree didn't move, as if those memories hadn't awakened yet.
"As expected."
"The World Tree won't accept a mere human."
"Rimmer, get ready to leave."
The Elders and elves sneered at the unresponsive World Tree.
"Guardian. It's unfortunate."
Contrary to his words, the Chief Elder raised his chin with a crescent moon smile.
"It seems you cherished that human, but he kicked your kindness away with his own greed. That's what humans are."
"...."
Sterin silently watched Raon's back.
"Hey."
The Chief Elder gestured with a deeper smile. The Guardians standing behind him stepped forward.
"Remove that human, Rimmer, and Lady Siyana. Expel the human and Rimmer from Sepia entirely...."
As he continued his mocking words, a transparent leaf fluttered down from the air.
"Hmm?"
As the Chief Elder looked up, the World Tree spread its majestic aura like wings and shook its branches.
The World Tree's resonance spread like a clear sword sound, soaring to the sky with longing and gratitude.
"W-What is this!"
"Ah...."
"The World Tree is resonating like this...."
The elves' mouths opened wide in awe at the World Tree's waves, shining more brilliantly blue than ever.
"Oh...."
As the Chief Elder's eyes widened as if they would pop out, Raon turned around.
"What are you doing? Kneel."
He curled his lips and gestured with his chin.
"Kneel."