Chapter 81: The Shadow of Yggdrasil

As Rohan's party crossed the Silbaren border and entered the central lands, a breathtaking sight unfolded before them.

"This is... Silbaren."

Martin murmured, his face full of shock.

"Yes, a place where nature itself breathes. This is Silbaren."

He had been here before, but coming a second time did nothing to dull the awe.

That was how beautiful this place was.

Under Rohan’s feet, soft moss spread gently, while in the air, translucent particles of light danced as if in celebration.

The massive trees reached elegantly for the sky, incomparable to those of the human world, with lush green leaves rippling like waves.

"How can this be? It's winter now. Yet as soon as we entered Silbaren, the air grew astonishingly warm."

The layers of clothing he had bundled up in now felt stifling.

The air itself was filled with an indescribably sweet fragrance, and with every breeze, thousands of leaves sang a chorus of unique sounds.

In the distance, a sparkling waterfall cascaded down, and beneath it, young Elphyrians laughed as they played in the water.

"This is simply the realm of ‘mystery.’ We've definitely come from the cold north, but it's this warm here."

Martin still seemed unable to believe it as he touched the ground.

"The earth... it's warm."

"That's because of the lava flowing from Loktercia. Beneath us, hot lava always keeps the land warm."

Listening quietly, Retina added with a smile.

"Moreover, this is a space protected by the World Tree. The weather changes to suit it. Isn’t that amazing?"

"Yes, it truly is."

Martin’s face flushed slightly.

Rohan watched with a faint smile.

'He was so disappointed that I didn't bring him to Loktercia.'

Even without words, he understood.

Last time, he had taken only Demico to the Dwarven city of Loktercia, and Martin had been sulking about it ever since.

"Is that tree over there the World Tree?"

At Martin's question, Retina shook her head.

"No, that's the Guardian Tree that protects the World Tree. That's Gadracil."

The sight of the enormous, thick Guardian Tree was truly spectacular.

"Then where’s the World Tree?"

"That, I can't tell you—not even you. The World Tree's location is unknown even to other Elphyrians."

"I see."

It was a top secret, indeed.

After walking a bit further, at last, a grand temple came into view.

"This is the Temple of the World Tree. It's also where Lord Nas resides."

Retina spoke.

The temple’s walls, built of uniquely tan stones, were engraved with complex patterns.

"Come in."

At last, Luna, who had been walking ahead, spoke.

As they prepared to follow her inside the temple—

"Shakan."

"Yes... uh!"

"You’re not allowed in."

"Huh? Why not?"

To Shakan’s clueless question, Luna replied coldly.

"Go back to your family, who are worried about whether you’re alive or dead. And don’t forget to kneel and beg for forgiveness."

"Gasp."

Shakan inhaled sharply.

"Until you’ve done everything I’ve said, you’re forbidden from entering. Do you understand?"

"Yes..."

Shakan stopped, crestfallen.

"Go on. Your family must be terribly worried."

Retina raised her hand, and Shakan nodded.

"Yes, I understand. Then... I’ll see you later."

With a face full of regret, Shakan turned and departed.

"Honestly, there’s no one more childish than him. To think I almost became that guy’s partner!"

Watching his retreating back, Retina snorted with laughter.

"Wow."

Entering the temple, they found themselves in a vast hall.

"It’s strange; outside feels so full, but this place is so empty."

Martin was still busy taking in the surroundings.

"Indeed."

Rohan, too, found himself surprised by the emptiness.

When he had visited before, the kings of neighboring countries had all gathered here, making the place buzz with activity.

Their luggage, attendants, guards...

Given Nas’s penchant for tidiness, he wondered how much restraint he must have shown then.

At the deepest part of the temple.

As they reached a large door, Luna looked to Martin.

"Guards remain outside."

At her words, Rohan nodded to Martin.

"Understood."

Knowing this was an important meeting, Martin simply bowed his head.

Creeeak.

With a heavy sound, the doors opened.

"Are you all here?"

A voice gentle yet powerful resonated through the hall.

It was Nas, King of the Prana Confederation and leader of Silbaren.

His long, golden hair shone like sunlight scattered in the air, and his pale face looked like a sculpture of marble.

But most striking were his eyes.

"Greetings, Lord Nas."

Lunabelin and Retina both bowed with perfect form.

Nas’s eyes were pure gold.

At first glance, they seemed warm, but on closer look, they felt almost not alive—eyes that radiated a strange atmosphere.

Rohan stepped forward.

"Guardian of Silbaren, I greet you, Lord Nas."

"Crown Prince of Schubert, Rohan. I am also pleased to meet you."

They exchanged respectful greetings.

"Lord Nas. On the way here, we encountered and took care of the disruptive ones you mentioned."

"You’ve done well. As expected, Captain Luna—I knew you’d handle it."

"We’ll collect the remnants and investigate thoroughly."

"Yes, give me the detailed report later."

"Understood."

Lunabelin bowed and exited.

Retina nudged Rohan’s side and whispered.

"Did you see that? Her face turned red."

"Really? Why?"

"Why do you think!"

With a sly look, Retina grinned at Nas.

"Luna has had a long, unrequited love."

"What? I thought Elphyrians have their fate determined."

"That doesn’t apply to Lord Nas. He’s the only Elphyrian without a destined fate—that’s Lord Nas."

Was that why the Elphyrian leader never married?

That was news to him.

"Then, Luna—?"

"She had someone, but now..."

"Come, Rohan. Please, have a seat here."

But the conversation didn’t last long.

As Nas invited them, they sat on a hard wooden sofa.

On the table rested tea that had cooled a little.

"First, Retina. You worked hard on the long journey. It took some time, but thanks to your diligence, we were able to meet at last."

"It’s nothing, really."

"Frankly, knowing your nature, I worried you might just abandon the mission and run away."

"Ahem, what do you take me for..."

At Nas’s words, Retina coughed awkwardly.

Well.

She was the very woman who’d shattered the fabled fate board, after all.

It was no wonder Nas thought so.

"Rohan. I also thank you for accepting the invitation."

"I didn’t expect to come here so soon myself. Things have been so busy in Schubert."

"I understand. The position of Crown Prince is not one that can be left so easily."

He sipped his tea.

"But it’s exactly what we hoped for. The situation is becoming dire."

"The situation... what do you mean?"

At Rohan’s question, Nas set down his teacup and spoke.

"I’m talking about ‘those things’ you met at the Silbaren border."

"Could those be related to the World Tree’s prophecy?"

At his follow-up, Nas raised his eyebrows.

"So you know that much. Yes."

His face looked tired.

"A dark shadow is spreading across the northern continent. Those things have been lurking and stirring for ages."

"But there’s something odd. What do they have to do with me?"

He finally voiced the question that had bothered him all along.

The strange shadowy vines were strange enough, but stranger still—

"Why is the World Tree seeking me, a human?"

That was it.

With so many Elphyrians around, why had it chosen him?

Nas fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

"You have already experienced death once, haven’t you?"

"...!"

Rohan’s eyes widened.

Retina was shocked as well.

"How did you...?"

"And there must have been something suspicious about that death, right?"

If there was anything suspicious...

"Are you referring to being drawn by an unknown force and falling from the tower? Is that what you mean?"

Nas shook his head.

"I don’t know exactly how you died. But there is one thing I know for certain."

His golden eyes turned cold.

"The strange power that killed you—that came from the World Tree."

"...!"

The power that had controlled his body, from the World Tree?

"You probably think it makes no sense. Why would the World Tree, guardian of the continent, try to kill you? Of course it’s hard to understand."

A breeze drifted in from the window.

Nas’s long, golden hair fluttered in the wind as he closed his eyes for a moment.

"But the World Tree’s power that drove you to death was not an ordinary one. It was..."

He opened his eyes and continued.

"The Dark World Tree. It was the power of the World Tree that exists in the reverse world."

"Lord Nas, that’s..."

Retina stammered, aghast.

She seemed to understand the meaning of the Dark World Tree.

"That’s impossible. Isn’t that just a legend?"

"Retina."

Nas’s face was as calm as ever.

"In the Prana Confederation, at least, there are no legends that exist only as fiction."

"...!"

Retina drew in a sharp breath.

"And didn’t you see it with your own eyes?"

"..."

He was right.

They had faced a bizarre army of shadows and even fought them.

"Before humans ever settled on the continent, we lived here around the World Tree since ancient times."

In truth, the other races were the original masters of this land.

But then humans invaded, trying to seize their home.

"The Hundred Years’ War brought great suffering to us Elphyrians and the other races. The World Tree, Yggdrasil, watched and despaired."

This was a story from ages long past.

One not recorded anywhere.

"The tears of the grieving World Tree flowed deep underground, and its roots, filled with despair, stretched into unreachable places."

"Then..."

"Yes."

Nas nodded.

"That became the foundation of the World Tree in the reverse world. The Dark World Tree, born of rage, seeks to destroy this world."

He looked up and met Rohan’s gaze.

"And the one beside us now... is the ‘key’ the World Tree prepared to correct its own mistake."

Nas rose from his seat.

His long, smooth hand reached toward Rohan.

"Rohan. Come with me to meet the World Tree. It will reveal everything to you."