Chapter 215

That, that phenomenon.

Even seeing it directly with both eyes, there was no perception.

Harmony beyond comprehension.

Carriel.

Unlike before when they met again, he who was already dark…

That thing is darker and more desolate than him, or rather such expressions can’t even begin to describe this sight.

If one had to compare, it’s like stars spread across the sky behind him, maybe another sky and universe.

Such a bizarre scene.

Darkness dyed black.

A steadfast darkness so impenetrable not even light can pass through.

And yet…

It shines brilliantly.

More radiant than anything else.

That darkness, the circular form resembling it and the surrounding light encircling it like a border.

These beams and rings of light stretch endlessly, filling everything until it seems like they could easily cover the entire world without hesitation.

I have no idea.

An unfathomable realm.

An unfathomable phenomenon.

Ultimately, it returns to the original question.

What in the world is this?

“Hehehe!”

The war deity who was just mercilessly mocking the world moments ago—his divine presence and stature… vanished in an instant, feeling distant now.

…Just like that, he plummeted.

Still, for some reason, the deity was smiling.

Realization flashes.

The battle between Carriel and him might not be over yet.

“Is there some condition involved?”

“…”

Carriel didn’t respond.

Even without being told, even without explicitly revealing it, both of them possessed the insight and qualifications to intuitively understand what it was.

“This skill must’ve been made to specifically target those who have everything. How pitiful. So very pitiful. This idiocy has reached perfection as comedy.”

“…”

“Fine. Let’s say you won this round.”

The military deity in the form of darkness gradually disappeared, spewing black smoke.

“The next encounter, you can look forward to it. Next time, I’ll crush your jaw with my fist, not just a finger.”

With that ominous declaration, he vanished as if it were effortless, leaving almost no trace behind—as if the battle that just occurred was nothing but a dream.

Except for the pristine white ground, now in disarray, and nearby plants scorched black into ash by his flames.

…He truly disappeared cleanly.

“Are you alright?”

“…Yes.”

After sheathing his sword back into its scabbard and reattaching it to his waist, Carriel quietly replied to the queen’s approach.

“This should’ve been enough time bought.”

“But this kind of meaningless defeat must’ve been completely unexpected.”

“…Even considering that, our strategy accounted for every possibility. Your Majesty knows this, does He not?”

“The otherworldly Carriel called a war deity…”

Even with only a fraction, half of half, of his memories extracted, the person currently holding all of those fragmented recollections must surely be Queen Dianaikis alone.

“To the Sacred Tree then?”

“Yes. Anything that happens will happen there.”

Still…

“I don’t fully understand, but there are aspects I can’t entirely predict or foresee, centered around that World Tree.”

Carriel himself could be seen as possessing the two core abilities most crucial to elves: the ability to see deeply and the ability to see far.

…Though delving deeper, both kinds differ drastically in type, method, and essence.

In fact, Carriel’s way of delving deep is smoother, more adept, and more effective than even the High Elves’.

And the futures he glimpses aren’t predetermined but possibilities.

Branches born from these possibilities, infinite yet finite in scope—that’s the ability he possesses.

Vivsaarin’s eye is a cursed divine artifact.

Its bearer, unable to handle its power, becomes enslaved to fate tied to the future.

However, controlling and regulating it, degrading it from a curse into a tool defined by oneself—that’s the comprehensive ability Carriel currently wields to observe and decide future branches.

…Though he still struggles with handling it.

Like fire and steel, their use and effects vary wildly depending on proper handling.

“If he anticipated your early intervention, he would’ve prepared a countermeasure, or at least something equivalent.”

“Yes. That point is also considered.”

So now…

“We do the best we can.”

====

The instruction given to the Demon King by Carriel was clear: under no circumstances allow close combat.

“Even a small wound means the end, right?”

Any effective strike, even a minor scratch, is fatal.

How annoying, it’s not like dealing with those poison-insect bastards where even the slow-moving ones are irritating.

Remira, wearing armor, nonchalantly dealt with a crazy assault of thorns and branches. He finally agreed with Carriel a hundred times.

“If I hadn’t known beforehand, this would’ve been trouble.”

While waiting near the World Tree, she could still faintly sense the current Demon King’s divine aura from afar using her keen hearing and spirit magic.

Even without visual contact, sharpening her hearing and touch allowed for detailed deduction.

Elven warriors, especially fairy clans, excel in sensory refinement, often perceived as superhuman by ordinary humans.

But in open plains without terrain or obstacles, elves cannot claim superiority over humans or other races.

“It’s about timing and placement, right?”

However, under specific conditions, elves become unstoppable juggernauts where defeat is unimaginable.

…But.

This situation doesn’t seem favorable for Remira either.

Swinging her wooden practice sword to deflect enemy attacks.

Defense and evasion take precedence over offense.

Switching her practice sword into a bow, she pulled out strands of her hair to serve as bowstrings, crafting arrows from sprouting tree branches—an impressive feat.

“It’s irritating that it’s short-ranged due to the lack of fletching.”

Still, the tension holds well, and the wooden bow performs exceptionally, making it quite special.

Her hair, empowered by spirit magic, resists breaking easily.

Given more time, she could’ve braided a few strands for better temporary results—but not now.

Reusing the strings from her original bow? Maybe later.

“Just in case.”

Having two bows doesn’t mean they can’t be used.

Moreover, the practice sword-turned-bow isn’t her usual shortbow but a specialized longbow.

Not quite a spear, but using it as a makeshift club works fine too, adjusting its tip for thrusting when necessary.

“…Looks like this is a divine artifact too.”

And apparently, it’s the Demon King’s worst nightmare.

From somewhere, an incomprehensible language conveys intense emotion.

Thorny crimson branches pierce through her armor like projectiles, akin to the barbed arrows shot by certain monsters and sea beasts.

Dozens of such thorny arrows rain down, covering the area where Remira stood.

Leaping into the air and invoking wind magic, Remira moves gracefully.

The string of her longbow stretches to its limit.

The arrow, large and sleek, reminiscent of a longsword made of wood, releases with a thunderous twang, cutting through the air and generating a fierce gust.

-!!!!

Emerging from the Demon King’s body, instead of branches, massive crimson tree trunks rip free and collide with her arrow.

Per-e-ek!

A colossal boom, as if a siege weapon pierced through a wooden fortress wall.

“Haa!”

Fortunately, the Demon King doesn’t appear to be in great shape either.

Judging by his sluggish movements and restrained state, he’s clearly straining and possibly pushing himself beyond limits.

Demon-kind supposedly lose much of their power when entering the Middle Realm, right?

Still, if this is how strong he is now, imagine his full potential.

Especially considering he’s injured and weakened but still putting up this fight.

“But I can’t keep retreating forever.”

She’s here to defend, not evade while striking from the sides or rear.

Had the circumstances been different, toppling him wouldn’t have been impossible.

Yet, slowly but surely, he inches closer toward the Sacred Tree.

What exactly is he planning or scheming here?

It’s obvious this won’t lead to anything positive.

-!!!

“Hm?”

Apparently, this situation irks him too.

Crouching low, the Demon King emits an overwhelming pressure and killing intent.

As crimson energy swirls around him, it engulfs the surrounding area in a crimson haze.

“What’s he planning now?!”

Quickly firing another arrow from her longbow, but again, thorny trees rise up like shields blocking it.

The problem doesn’t end there.

Already, crimson trees have begun spreading and enveloping the entire vicinity, seemingly growing on their own.

Worse, among the moving branches and vines, the Demon King clings to one and rapidly approaches her, appearing as if suspended above moving earth.

“Completely unlike the Demon Kings I’ve heard about…”

Still, this is undeniably abnormal.

Targeting the approaching Demon King with her transformed shield-wall of longbows.

Kwa-dang!

The shields shake but hold firm.

However, the impact transfers fully to her body, causing her to stagger and nearly get hurled into the air.

“How am I supposed to withstand this?!?”

Gradually, the trees start taking on life-like forms.

They even…

Gruh-rrr-lek! Grlek!

…roar.

Though still crude, they’re shaping themselves through intertwining trunks, vines, branches, and stems.

“Not some kind of summoned creature, is it?”

Already, Remira finds herself within a dozen steps of the World Tree.

But this giant tree-monster in front of her, larger than a house, poses a significant threat to the Sacred Tree with just its stomping.

“Will this work against it?”

Effective against Demon Kings, but whether it affects this summoned beast—or whatever it is—is uncertain.

Even if it does, this thing clearly isn’t a normal living creature.

And usually… destroying the core or vital points is required to incapacitate or eliminate such entities.

Lack of information breeds hesitation.

Though brief, just a couple seconds, a tiny pause.

To someone, it feels like an eternal moment.

Gruh-rr-lek!

A strange roar echoes across the area.

The monstrous plant-life crouches dramatically, preparing to charge.

Meanwhile, the attached trees and branches groan and crack, shedding splinters and bark.

“Should I let it charge?”

Isn’t this the typical stance animals take before pouncing?

“Can I block it?”

Earlier, she got thrown by something half this size.

Now, it’s charging head-on with even greater mass and momentum?

This is basically saying “die!”

“Guh!”

No time to hesitate.

Before she can even gasp, it’s already airborne.

Instinctively thickening her shield-wall further…

…but apparently, the strange artifact she inherited can’t infinitely extend its wooden material like the Demon King’s.

“What do I do?”

There’s no time for response or counter—it’s already colliding.

Uu-jig-eum!

The collision sounds like snapping and shattering wood, sending shivers down her spine.

But… somehow, the expected impact feels lighter than anticipated…

“Hm?”

Sparkling white dust rises.

Dust, yes.

But this is…

The icy chill transmitted through her shield-holding hand tells her…

For a brief moment, Remira can actually relax.

Unbeknownst to her, the enormous shield wall she formed was overlaid and reinforced by an even larger wall of ice.

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