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Chapter 310: The World Tree (2)

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The World Tree was dying. Its once-mighty branches were falling like rain, and its trunk was crumbling like a sandcastle.

"Oh, World Tree..."

The elves watched in despair as their beloved tree withered away.

For the elves, the World Tree was life itself. Its demise was equivalent to the end of the world.

As their connection to the tree severed, the elves\' mana began to fade. The effects were immediate.

"I can\'t breathe!"

"I can\'t feel the spirits!"

The elves clutched their throats and chests in agony. They wept and tried to hold onto the fading mana.

But there was nothing they could do. All they could do was wait for death.

One by one, the elves gave up hope. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, something extraordinary happened.

A brilliant light erupted from the top of the World Tree, where the guardian resided.

The light spread out like ripples, washing over the tree. And then, something incredible happened.

The branches that had fallen to the ground began to rise back into the sky. They reconnected, and new leaves unfurled, vibrant and green.

But that was not all.

A crumbling trunk began to mend itself.

Gaps as large as those made by a gnawing mouse were now seamlessly closed. Life flowed through the tree once more.

The elves\' connection to the tree was restored. They could feel the mana coursing through them.

"I can breathe again!"

"I can feel the spirits!"

The elves were overjoyed but also bewildered.

The World Tree was dead, there was no doubt about that. Everyone had felt it.

So how could it have come back to life? Even a being as powerful as the World Tree should not be able to overcome death.

"We have to find out what happened!"

"I\'ll go with you!"

The elves rushed to the guardian\'s chamber. When they arrived, they were met with an even more astonishing sight.

The chamber was filled with flowers. But these were no ordinary flowers. They were the World Tree\'s flowers, said to bloom only once every hundred years.

"What in the world..."

Elves were confused and saw Damien surrounded by the flowers.

Flowers bloomed around Damien as if to honor him. It was then that the elves realized it was Damien who had revived the World Tree.

The World Tree\'s gift didn\'t end there.

A branch extended towards Damien, and something opened at its tip.

About the size of a walnut, it was far smaller than the World Tree\'s usual fruits.

Yet, when the seed opened, the elves felt a far more intense presence.

"Damien... take this."

Imperial Supreme Sword said in an encouraging voice. Damien pointed at it and asked.

"What is this?"

"It\'s a seed from the World Tree."

Imperial Supreme Sword replied with awe filled voice.

"I\'ve only heard tales of it, but I\'m certain. That is undoubtedly a seed from the World Tree."

As the empire\'s leading figure, the Imperial Supreme Sword had handled countless treasures. But this time he was astonished by this sight

"The World Tree can produce the seed from its vitality. If you accept it, a sapling of the World Tree will take root within you. You\'ll then be able to wield its power."

Damien reached out and took the seed. Instantly, it was absorbed into his body. In that moment, Damien could feel the World Tree\'s seed taking root in his soul.

Damien communed with the sapling. It whispered to him about the things he could do. As a test, Damien manifested one of the sapling\'s powers.

His senses expanded dramatically and enveloped the entire island.

His heightened senses revealed everything about the island.

Damien was overwhelmed by such a marvel and said.

"I can even feel ants crawling on the ground."

While Damien could already perform wide-area scans, he had never been able to sense things in such detail.

Now, he felt like an omnipotent god looking down upon the world.

But the World Tree\'s power didn\'t end there.

"Answer my call."

Fire ignited, wind gathered, and water condensed. Soon, animal shapes appeared. Rabbits, cats, and dogs looked up at him.

Spirits. Beings forbidden to humans had answered Damien\'s call. Or rather, they had been drawn by the sapling. But it didn\'t matter the sapling was his power.

"Congratulations, Damien."

Imperial Supreme Sword said sincerely.

"Even if it\'s just a sapling, the World Tree is the World Tree. You now possess its power."

The elves exchanged glances. Their emotions and expressions varied, but their meaning was clear.

The elves knelt and bowed their heads to Damien.

It was an unbelievable sight to see because of the elves, who were known for their disdain for humans.

“We give thanks to the Savior of Alfheim.”

Someone shouted, and the elves all joined in.

“We thank the Savior of Alfheim!”

***

"So, you\'re leaving."

Imperial Supreme Sword said as if he had expected it. Damien was preparing to leave Alfheim.

"You’re right. You probably figured I would leave now that Dorugo is gone. There\'s no reason for me to stay in Alfheim."

Imperial Supreme Sword nodded. And Damien added.

"There is still plenty force of Pandemonium left. Do you need my help?"

"Are you joking?"

Imperial Supreme Sword tilted his head, questioning whether Damien was joking.

The remaining forces of Pandemonium were mere remnants.

With the elves and the Imperial Supreme Sword here, eliminating them would be a piece of cake.

"I was just being polite. What are your plans now?"

"I\'m going to hunt them down and kill them."

Damien\'s voice turned cold.

"I\'ll pursue the demons and kill them all, including Dorugo and the others who have wronged me."

A chilling aura emanated from Damien\'s voice and eyes.

"You\'ve grown stronger."

Imperial Supreme Sword murmured. Unlike other knights, the Imperial Supreme Sword could clearly sense Damien\'s transformation.

"Yes, I\'ve made a little progress."

Damien replied. When he had drawn upon the power of the Death Knight, he had gained a profound understanding. It was ironic that he had gained something from the very power he despised.

"A little progress? You\'re on the verge of becoming a Grandmaster."

Imperial Supreme Sword stared at Damien with astonishment in his eyes.

When he had first met Damien, the latter had merely been a Master class.

Yet, in such a short time, he was on the cusp of becoming a Grandmaster.

A genius? Could such a term even begin to describe him? A shiver ran down the Imperial Supreme Sword\'s spine.

"Damien, I owe you a great debt for this. If you ever need anything, don\'t hesitate to ask."

"Then may I make a request now?"

"Of course."

"When you return to the Empire, please send some knights to protect my family."

The Imperial Supreme Sword quickly understood why Damien had made such a request.

"It\'s because of the demons." He said. Demons were unpredictable creatures.

If such a dangerous being had taken an interest in Damien, it was only natural that he would worry most about his family.

"I\'ll send you some of my best knights,” Imperial Supreme Sword promised.

"Thank you."

Damien replied briefly, boarding a small boat.

Despite its small size, the boat was made from a branch of the World Tree and could travel across continents.

"I\'ll be off then."

Damien raised the sail. Suddenly, a tempest raged above them. A fierce wind swept over the spot where they stood, and soon, a dark shadow covered the ground.

Damien and the Imperial Supreme Sword looked up.

It was a dragon.

A red dragon was descending towards them. The sudden storm had been caused by the dragon\'s flapping wings.

"A dragon?"

Damien muttered in surprise. Dragons were a species thought to have vanished from the continent long ago. Even in his past life, Damien had never seen a living dragon.

The red dragon landed and roared at them.

"Which one of you is Damien Haksen?"

Though it didn\'t seem to be shouting, its voice echoed thunderously.

"I\'m asking you! Which one of you is Damien Haksen!"

Damien and the Imperial Supreme Sword exchanged bewildered glances.

"I am Damien Haksen."

"Good. The Elder Council wants to speak with you about recent events!"

The red dragon glared at Damien.

"You\'d better come quietly. Or you\'ll regret it!"

The red dragon spread its wings. A scorching hot wind swept through the area. Its imposing figure was like a natural disaster.

"...Oh?" Damien muttered.

The problem was that Damien wasn\'t the kind of person who would be intimidated by such threats. In fact, he was starting to feel anger.

"What if I refuse to go with you?"

"That\'s a foolish question! I\'ll simply carry you there. You wouldn\'t want to be digested alive by my stomach acid before we reach the Elder Council, would you?"

Damien opened a subspace and pulled out a wooden club.

Damien pulled out his club, and the red dragon narrowed its eyes.

"Human, what do you think you\'re doing? Are you daring to defy me...?"

Before the dragon could finish its sentence, Damien leaped into the air and brought his club down on the dragon\'s head with a thunderous crash. The dragon\'s head slammed into the ground.

"Gah!"

The dragon roared in pain as its skull throbbed.

"You brainless lizard."

Damien sneered, resting his mace on his shoulder.

"Do you think I\'m crazy enough to follow a suspicious creature like you?"

Damien stood over the dragon and tapped his mace against its head.

"You\'re going to answer my questions first. Tell me everything about why dragons have reappeared and why the Elder Council wants to see me."

"How dare a mere human lay a hand on a member of noble race!"

The dragon roared and reared its head.

Damien rushed forward, swinging his mace and striking the dragon\'s underbelly.

"Hufff!"

"The massive body of the Red Dragon soared into the sky and then fell.

At this point, even the Red Dragon realized that something was wrong.

“Just when I was already in a bad mood, this happens.”

Damien said, tapping his mace against his palm.

At that sound, the Red Dragon\'s face turned pale and froze.

"Wait a moment..."

Damian swung the club at the Red Dragon\'s snout.

The Dragon\'s teeth shattered with a loud crash.

***