The scenery twisted and shimmered before their eyes. Trees that once clustered thickly around them faded into nothingness, replaced by an entirely different landscape.
Then, the heart of Rusotu revealed itself—the World Tree.
From the towering transmission platform above the elven capital, Lee Seong-jun looked out upon the colossal tree that dominated the skyline.
"…Incredible."
It pierced the heavens, its vast canopy spreading wide enough to shelter the entire city beneath its emerald shadow. Around its immense trunk, dwellings of living wood and sprawling mushrooms formed the homes of elves—life interwoven with nature itself.
The very air brimmed with vitality. The life force pulsing from the World Tree was so immense that even Seong-jun, who had seen countless wonders, felt a tremor of awe.
Anna's eyes sparkled with the same wonder. "So this is the pride of the elves… The World Tree truly lives up to its name."
Sharua, their guide, smiled proudly. "Indeed. It is by Her grace that our people have prospered."
Seong-jun nodded, his tone wistful. "I'm honestly jealous. If something like this existed on Earth, our world might have never suffered the Cataclysm."
Sharua's voice carried quiet reverence as they walked. "The World Tree has been with us since the birth of Rusotu. She is our mother, our protector, and our beginning."
Listening to her words and watching the elves' radiant city filled Seong-jun's heart with warmth. For the first time in a while, he felt a genuine admiration for another world. Rusotu was alive, thriving, peaceful.
Anna glanced around, smiling faintly. "It's beautiful here. I can see why the elves cherish this land so deeply."
That peace, however, didn't last.
As they neared the great hall of the elven imperial palace, angry voices echoed through its corridors.
"I object! We can never align ourselves with humans!"
"Have you forgotten what happened during the Great Upheaval? The elves who fought beside Earth paid for it with their lives!"
"The human who calls himself Ma-Hwang will bring only calamity!"
The voices were distant and muffled by the palace's soundproofing—inaudible to normal ears. But Seong-jun's divine senses caught every word.
Anna froze, her eyes glacial. Power flared around her like a winter storm. "How dare they—"
Before she could act, Seong-jun gently raised his hand. "Don't. There's no need for rashness."
Her anger subsided, though barely. "Then what will you do?"
He smiled faintly. "Face it directly. Better to clear doubts now than let them fester."
Their eyes met, understanding passing between them. Together, they strode toward the grand doors of the council chamber.
With a single push, the doors burst open.
Thud.
Every elf inside turned at once, startled by the sudden intrusion.
"Nice to meet you," Seong-jun said calmly. "I am Lee Seong-jun—the so-called Ma-Hwang of Earth. Since you were discussing me, I thought it best to show myself and let you judge with your own eyes."
Silence fell. For a heartbeat, only stunned faces stared back at him. Then an elf, sharp-eyed and defiant, stepped forward.
"If you've heard, then you already know. Most of us have no wish to ally with humans."
Before Seong-jun could respond, a firm voice rang from the throne.
"Enough!"
The elven emperor, Wihgrat, rose to his feet. His wooden crown glimmered faintly with green light. "Do not cross the line, Councillor. I personally invited our guest here."
He turned to Seong-jun and bowed slightly. "My apologies, Mr. Lee. These views do not represent all of Rusotu. Would you grant me a private audience?"
Seong-jun nodded. "Of course."
Once the others were dismissed and the great doors shut behind them, only three remained: Seong-jun, Anna, and Wihgrat.
The emperor gestured to the seats before him. "Please, sit. This may take some time."
When they had settled, he inclined his head. "First, allow me to apologize for the disrespect you just witnessed."
"It's fine," Seong-jun said lightly. "They were just voicing their fears. And… they're not entirely wrong."
Wihgrat gave a strained smile. "You're more understanding than I expected. They don't hate you, you see. They're afraid."
"Afraid?" Seong-jun repeated.
"For any parent," the emperor murmured, "the greatest pain is to lose a child. Many of those voices you heard belonged to elves who lost loved ones during the war on Earth. They fear repeating that tragedy."
Seong-jun's eyes softened. He could understand that—loss had no race or age. But still, something didn't sit right.
"There's no guarantee such a war will ever happen again," he said. "And if it does, wouldn't unity make us stronger?"
Wihgrat's expression turned distant. "…Do you believe in fate, Mr. Lee?"
Seong-jun frowned slightly. "No. I've never had much reason to."
He recalled false prophets he'd met before—liars who sold visions of destiny to the desperate. He had long since discarded such notions.
The emperor smiled faintly. "Then what I say may sound foolish." He looked up, his eyes reflecting the green light of the World Tree beyond the window. "Those chosen by the Tree—those like me—can sense the flow of fate. Not by sight, but by instinct. Every living thing walks among countless threads of destiny. I can feel when those threads twist."
Seong-jun said nothing, listening intently.
"The fate I felt for Earth…" Wihgrat continued, voice heavy, "was extinction. But something—or someone—has defied that path. You, Lee Seong-jun, are that anomaly."
Seong-jun blinked once. "A twist of fate."
"Yes. That's why I wished to meet you. To confirm with my own eyes the man who changed destiny itself."
Wihgrat's tone deepened. "But a distortion that powerful has consequences. When a single life bends its destined path, all of creation shudders. The chaos yet to come… may engulf both our worlds."
Anna's hand tightened into a fist, but Seong-jun remained still.
"So that's why your people hesitate," he murmured. "You fear the storm I might bring."
He rose quietly. "If that's the case, I won't force an alliance. Cooperation born of fear isn't true unity."
He turned to leave, bowing politely. "Thank you for your honesty, Your Majesty."
"Wait."
Wihgrat's voice stopped him. When Seong-jun turned back, he saw the emperor's eyes burn with desperate resolve.
"This… is only the opinion of my people," he said softly. "I, however, have a personal request."
Seong-jun's gaze sharpened.
"Please," Wihgrat said, his voice trembling like leaves in the wind, "save the elves. Save Rusotu."