The blazing white Sunflower of Blazing Sun.
As its immense power surged, the range of its fiery blasts also lengthened.
Fireballs flew an astonishing distance.
【Kugh!】
【Raise the Barrier of Water!】
【We cannot let the front lines collapse!】
The enemies were thrown into chaos, scrambling frantically.
The Naga formed a watery shield to block the sunflower’s assault.
Thanks to elemental opposition, they managed to stop it—though not perfectly.
【We need to retreat for now.】
【Fall back!】
【Pull out!】
【Everyone, pull back!】
Watching the enemy hastily withdraw, Ropenheim raised his hand.
Prohibition of Pursuit Order.
The Goblins riding Wyverns and the allied Elves ceased their attack and returned to the walls.
Ropenheim took in the scene before him.
Whoosh!
Fwoosh!
Brilliant white flames engulfed the forest.
Yet, oddly, the trees were not burning.
Only the flames remained, but the forest itself was untouched.
“Fryra, could you explain this to me?”
【I’m not sure myself. Suddenly, I felt a surge of heat, and then the sunflowers just powered up on their own.】
“Is that so?”
If this wasn’t Fryra’s intention,
There was only one being capable of such a feat.
The one absent from this place.
It was certain that the Celestial Dragon Emperor, who had entrusted this place to him and left, had done something.
“Seems someone’s gained something new.”
Thanks to that, they’d been able to defend the walls against the enemy. This battle for the defense must have bought them quite a bit of time.
The enemy wouldn’t be able to mount another challenge so easily.
‘It has to be one of two things.’
Either they’d conquer the Fifth Forest and come over,
Or they’d throw everything they had at this place for another assault.
Of course, measures were already in place against both possibilities.
There were Portals to move between both sides, so if one was pressured, reinforcements could quickly join and drive the enemy out.
“Can you use that power again?”
【Yes. Not much, but… I think I can use it one more time.】
“At least once more, then.”
And if he used the Destruction Blood Heaven Demon Array, which hadn’t been deployed yet, they could buy even more time, even if the enemy attacked with all their might.
After organizing his thoughts, Ropenheim looked around to reassemble the lines.
The Dryads and Elves began repairing the shattered walls.
The Dwarves checked the equipment used in the battle.
“Hurry up and come eat. If you don’t fill up while you have the chance, you won’t be able to fight later.”
Balak, in charge of the cooking, began distributing meals first to the Goblins and Wyverns.
Simple and fast—hamburgers.
Vegetables grown by Fryra herself, patties made from cows raised on the Pasture, soft bread baked from wheat harvested on the Farm.
Topped off with Balak’s Special Sauce.
The flavor was so tantalizing that just imagining it made mouths water, and the Goblins crammed the food in with greedy abandon.
【Hmm? Why does this taste better?】
“What are you talking about? What do you mean, ‘taste better’? Are you saying it was bad before?”
【No, that’s not it. This… it’s just really good. The previous ones were good too, but this… it’s on a whole different level.】
【Wow… this is insane.】
【Is this what happens when a god cooks food?】
【This is…】
【I feel an insane surge of energy!】
【I’m overflowing with strength!】
“What’s gotten into you all?”
As the Goblins raved, Balak grabbed a hamburger himself and took a big bite.
“Hm?”
Balak narrowed his eyes.
He seemed to sense something off, so he grabbed a hamburger and approached Ropenheim.
“Elder, would you care to try this?”
“Is something wrong?”
“Yes. Maybe because I made it myself, I’m not sure. I’d appreciate your objective judgment.”
Ropenheim took the hamburger Balak offered and bit into it.
Juices from the patty and sauce melded perfectly, while the crisp vegetables added to the texture.
“…Ho.”
He couldn’t help but exclaim at the outstanding taste.
He’d tasted many of Balak’s dishes before, but this hamburger was on a whole other level.
“It’s truly delicious.”
“Right?”
“It seems it’s not just the taste.”
Ropenheim became aware of changes in his body—a surge of vitality and Mana coursing through him.
“When did this start?”
“I don’t know either. I think it started with this batch…”
“It seems your change is also thanks to the Dragon Emperor.”
Sunflower of Blazing Sun.
Cooking with fire.
It was clear they’d obtained an item that granted fire-related buffs.
Thinking of fire brought something else to mind.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Dwarves were tending to their weapons at a portable forge.
【Something feels strange.】
【Me too.】
【You too? Same here. It feels like things are forging better.】
Just as Ropenheim had predicted, the Dwarves were also experiencing a change.
“If this is the case… we stand a fighting chance.”
Vampire Lord, and the one known as Blood Queen, Rynne.
She clicked her tongue at her subordinate’s report.
“They didn’t break through?”
“I apologize.”
“At least give me an excuse.”
“The enemy’s level was far higher than expected.”
The subordinate gave a detailed account of the battle at the walls.
Rynne listened calmly to every word.
After hearing it all, she sent her subordinate away, then turned to look at the High Elf and the Naga Queen.
“You two didn’t send your elite troops, did you?”
-You didn’t, either.
-I figured we wouldn’t need to.
“Send them now. We need to crush them while they’re feeling overconfident.”
-How about targeting the Fifth Forest instead?
Rynne clicked her tongue at the High Elf’s suggestion.
“They’ve probably prepared defenses there. Didn’t you see how well they held the walls?”
-What if they poured all their forces there? Then maybe the Fifth Forest is left weak?
“And what if we break through? We’d still have to conquer the Sixth Forest and push through to the Seventh. It’s faster to smash through the center with elites.”
-Hmm.
-I’m sending them now. Can I go too?
Rynne shrugged at the Naga Queen’s words.
“That’s up to you. What will you do there?”
-Isn’t it better if at least one of us goes to make sure they’re crushed?
“Well, that’s true.”
-You’re too much of a coward to go, and the Elf hates leaving the forest, so you two will stay. I’ll just go and finish this.
“I’m no coward. It’s just dangerous outside the castle.”
-Coward.
“I am not!”
-Anyway, I’m taking my elites. Send good support troops, or I won’t stand for any weirdos.
The Naga Queen’s image vanished, and the High Elf gave Rynne a wry smile before disappearing as well.
“These brats…”
Rynne furrowed her brow, unable to retort, and let out a deep sigh.
She then sipped blood from her cup to calm her nerves.
As she drank the fine blood, a thought occurred to her.
“What about humans? Are there any?”
The waiting subordinate shook his head.
“I didn’t see any humans.”
“But you said you smelled one.”
“Yes. The scent was there, but it seems it’s been a while since they left. The smell was faint.”
“When you go next time, try to track them down.”
“Yes, understood.”
With the Comet Necklace in hand, I headed straight to the Fourth Forest.
The place holding a Sacred Relic related to Divine Power.
I followed the path indicated by the Eye of Bluecat, and soon the Fourth Forest came into view.
It was reminiscent of the Seventh Forest.
Overall, the atmosphere was clear and fresh—the scent of grass so strong it seemed to fill the air.
But it didn’t seem to fit the inhabitants.
‘A place where Vampires live.’
The rulers of this forest were Vampires, beings sustained by drinking blood.
At first, I expected a gloomy, blood-soaked atmosphere.
But according to Anne, the Vampires maintained such a forest on purpose, to ensure a steady supply of fresh blood.
Not that the scenes I’d imagined were completely absent.
Anne had said that, deeper in the forest, there was an ancient castle and a special place where it was night all year round.
‘I’ll admire the view later.’
I pressed on to accomplish my purpose here, using detection magic to search for any Vampires lurking nearby.
Maybe because everyone’s attention was focused on the center, I didn’t see any Vampires.
I kicked off the ground and moved quickly.
After running for a while, I arrived at a massive Pasture. Inside the wide fences were all kinds of animals.
“Mooooo.”
“Oink oink oink.”
There were the usual cows and pigs found at the Dragon Lair Pasture, but also some rare and special creatures.
Should I call them rare species?
The ones managing the animals were Demihumans, able to move freely even under the hot sun.
They carried food and tended the animals themselves.
The Eye of Bluecat pointed to a small lake at the center of the Pasture.
‘Hmm.’
I checked the number of Demihumans and Vampires working around the Pasture.
One hundred Demihumans working.
Thirty Vampires lurking in the shade.
Luckily, none seemed too skilled, so taking them down wouldn’t be hard.
I took a small pouch from the Dragon Lair.
Scooping up a handful of powder from inside, I let the wind scatter it.
Anne’s Special Sleeping Agent.
I used Mana to conjure a strong gust, spreading the sleeping agent toward the enemies.
As it spread quickly, Demihumans and animals collapsed one after another, and even the Vampires hiding in the trees dropped to the ground.
Once I’d confirmed there were no escapees, I moved in.
Using Fly Magic, I soared over the tall fences and went straight for the central lake.
Once there, the Eye of Bluecat sent a signal.
The lake was small in area, but looked deep.
What I sought was inside.
I created an oxygen mask to block the water and generate air around my face, then dove into the depths.
Splash!
As I swam down, the Eye of Bluecat grew clearer.
Deep below, a white box came into view.
Just like when I’d found the Comet Necklace, pure white chains wrapped the box.
[Using Golden Dragon Eye.]
[Sealed Sacred Relic: Sanctified Fragment]
-To obtain the Sacred Relic, you must pass the trial set by the Relic.
-Complete the trial and prove your qualification.
-If you fail, you will never be able to attempt the trial again.
This time, no Portal appeared.
Instead, the trial I must undertake appeared before my eyes.
[Trial: Qualification]
-To obtain the Sanctified Fragment, you must become the Lord of the Fourth Forest.
-Bring the leader of the Vampires under your command and become Lord of the Fourth Forest.
The priority had simply changed.
It was what I’d intended to do anyway.
‘I need to deal with the Vampires first.’
First, I had to get out of here, so I surfaced from the lake.
As I emerged, I sensed presences closing in from all directions.
“Guess I’ve been found out.”
Using heat to dry my wet clothes, I began warming up the Mana within my Dragon Heart.
Since things had turned out this way, I’d just subdue the enemies and ask where the Vampire Castle was.
I prepared to face the approaching foes.