"What I researched here in this Magic Tower was the origin of the magic used by humanity."
White Night looked at the piece of wood - a branch of Everblack - in her mechanical hand and continued her explanation.
"The guardian tree of humanity, Everblack, which brought the miracle of magic to humanity. My research was to unravel how it operates."
"..."
"The miracle of abilities like magic... it can be used only with the help of the guardian tree of that race, which connects to the spirit world and draws out the power of the soul."
I remembered the roots of Everblack stretching into the spirit realm.
Perhaps they were like a power transmission tower or a frequency antenna, drawing power from the spirit realm and delivering it to the physical world.
"In the distant past, there were many more guardian trees. But ancient races waged wars to burn and kill each other's trees... and in the end, only five trees remained on the surface."
By the way, the reason why the revived monsters here can use magic without their respective guardian trees is that the Demon King directly provides them with power, White Night explained.
Anyway - White Night turned back to the topic at hand.
"So I researched the four guardian trees of each race and the human guardian tree, Everblack. Well, the originals are no longer in this country, so I had to research using only these preserved corpses."
White Night glanced at the preserved trees around her.
"The guardian trees of the other races were all directly planted by different gods. But the human guardian tree... Everblack."
She repeated what she had said a moment ago.
"Is an artificially created result. A long time ago, someone... forcibly grafted four trees together and magically synthesized them into an artificial tree."
"..."
In the silence, I cautiously asked.
"Who? Why? Why would they do that?"
"Unfortunately, all records of that time have been lost, as if someone deliberately erased them. The only certainty is that this Lake Kingdom was the site of its manifestation."
White Night smiled wryly with her skeletal face.
"But the reason can be guessed."
"The reason?"
"It's said that humanity was originally a slave race subjugated by other races. Without a guardian tree, they couldn't use magic and were always persecuted... Perhaps it was to give humanity freedom and a future?"
"..."
I was a bit taken aback to hear hopeful words like freedom and future from the mouth of this Lich.
But... yes. It might really have been like that.
Someone in the distant past pitied humanity and took the dangerous step of creating a new guardian tree.
"So, White Night."
Anyway, enough of these cosmological setting plays.
I asked the real reason I came to this Magic Tower.
"If I bring the trees of the other four races in their living state... can you synthesize a living Everblack?"
"It's possible."
White Night nodded eagerly.
"That's exactly what I've been researching here in the Magic Tower. Theoretically, it's completely feasible. Even just a stem or branch of each guardian tree would be fine, as long as it's alive..."
"Good. It's a deal then."
I nodded.
"I'll take responsibility for killing the other you. In exchange, when I bring the other four guardian trees, you'll synthesize Everblack for me."
"A mutually beneficial arrangement. I like it."
Pleased, White Night then looked puzzled.
"But... what do you plan to do with Everblack once it's created?"
"Well, since I'm the prince of the kingdom named after that tree."
I grinned wickedly.
"With that tree, I can do a great many things."
This is precisely.
My insurance for a decisive blow in the war against Fernandez.
***
With the deal concluded,
White Night ventured deeper into the innermost part of the botanical garden alone. She went to retrieve the 'Holy Grail' I had requested earlier.
Holy Grail.
The object Verdandi and her party - the Holy Grail Seekers - had been searching for over a hundred years.
A hundred years ago, during the racial wars, the Elven Queen issued a secret order to her royal guards to retrieve the Holy Grail, a source of magical power that was once a national treasure of the Elven Kingdom but had been stolen.
She believed that with the Holy Grail, they could use the ancient magic of the Elven Kingdom, which had been lost.
"..."
Verdandi bit her pale lips. I stood quietly beside her.
It wasn't long before White Night returned. She manipulated the arm of her mechanical device and extended something towards us.
"Take this. This is the Holy Grail."
Surprised, Verdandi quickly took it and swallowed hard.
It was a long sapling, with branches shaped like a cup, from which clear water pooled.
Verdandi asked with a trembling voice,
"Is this, by any chance... a sapling of the World Tree?"
"Yes. It's a child tree sprouted by the World Tree Evergreen itself."
White Night explained calmly.
"Guardian trees are living beings too. They try to reproduce. The World Tree Evergreen 'gave birth' to three saplings, and the Elven Queen at that time secretly sent one to the Lake Kingdom. This Magic Tower also served as a seed bank in case of emergencies."
It's ironic that the seed bank itself sank first - White Night laughed self-deprecatingly.
"And Elf, the fact that you are searching for this means... the situation in the Elven Kingdom is dire."
"..."
Verdandi stuttered,
"I thought the Holy Grail was just a source of magic."
"That sapling itself is indeed a tremendous source of magic. It contains the energy to grow into a World Tree."
"Then, can it be used to revive the dying World Tree of my homeland?"
"It's possible. But it will only revive part of the dead tree."
"..."
"And if you use it as a source of magic, the sapling will immediately exhaust its life."
Verdandi, closing and then opening her eyes, asked cautiously,
"If we plant this sapling... how long would it take for it to grow into a new World Tree?"
"As long as the time that has passed since the birth of your race until now. And there's no guarantee it will grow properly."
"..."
White Night summarized the situation for the anguished Verdandi.
"You have to choose one. Either revive part of the old tree or take the gamble of growing a new tree from scratch."
"...It's not my decision to make."
Verdandi looked at me and then bowed her head.
"I will return to my homeland and discuss this with my sister and Queen Skuld."
"Do that. Have a thorough discussion."
I had planned to send Verdandi in that direction anyway, due to the fallen king's plan. It would be good to have this meeting as well.
"Thank you, White Night."
Verdandi also bowed to White Night.
"For preserving this sapling for such a long time."
"It's just returning what I received, Elf. Besides, you all are allies who will help kill the other me. It's only right for me to help as much as I can."
And so, our conversation ended warmly.
Our business here was now finished.
[Area 8: Magic Tower]
- Clear Progress: Normal Rooms 10/10, Boss Room 1/1
- Treasure Chests Acquired: 11/11
Area 8 Magic Tower, all clear!
No battles, just solving puzzles easily, and receiving numerous rewards. Finally looted the ultimate equipment, Snow White, and found the long-sought Holy Grail.
Moreover, Everblack will become the biggest variable in the battle with Fernandez. I've even secured the NPC who will synthesize it.
"It seems I've gathered everything necessary."
Looking around at the heroes, I smiled slyly.
"Shall we head back now?"
***
[Free Exploration Ended!]
[Level-Up Characters]
- None
[Deceased or Injured Characters]
- None
[Equipment Acquired]
- Snow White (SSR)
- Venom Fang (SSR)
- Plus 9 other types
[Items Acquired]
- World Tree Sapling (EX)
- Magic Goblin Room Key
***
Clearing the dungeon activated the teleport gate in the first floor lobby of the magic tower. Now, if there's business here, this gate can be used for travel.
Flash!
I returned comfortably using this gate.
"Everyone worked hard today. Rest up and..."
I faced Verdandi and the Holy Grail Seekers, who had followed me to Crossroad.
"From tomorrow, let's seriously discuss what lies ahead."
Verdandi nodded firmly with a tense face. I gave her a bright smile.
Finally.
The time has come to put into practice the 'Fallen King' plan - the method for cultivating the Team of Terror.
Back in my room in the mansion, I pulled out the plan I had written beforehand and began to organize it once more.
Sending messengers to the fallen kings in various places to build an alliance.
To the elves, Verdandi.
To the beastmen, Kuilan.
To the dwarves, Kellibey.
To the merfolk, Serenade.
'To dispatch messengers like this to the four major non-human races.'
And then, to the minor nations and nobles of the South.
Those who had come as reinforcements to Crossroad in the past... I plan to send Dusk Bringar to them.
During my six-month absence, most of the 1st Imperial Army had withdrawn from the Bringar Duchy, and the war between the two countries had fizzled out.
Dusk Bringar seems to have regained quite a bit of control within the Bringar Duchy.
I'm not exactly sure why she continues to support me here without returning...
In any case, if the 'Dragon Queen who survived the war with Everblack' steps forward, it should be possible to bring together some power from the various minor nations in the south and west.
'And the North... Maybe I'll ask Yun for a favor.'
The Ariane Kingdom, which now holds the real power in the North. Its second princess, Yun.
I'm not sure of her exact intentions, but she stayed as a guest in Crossroad and helped with the defense.
She should help me to some extent. I will send her as a messenger to the North.
'Lastly... the real fallen kings hidden in various places.'
I turned my head and looked at the hotel building rising high on one side of the city.
The magical construction technology derived from the Defense Tower construction is really efficient; the completion date is already in sight.
'With the completion of the hotel, I should soon hold an event to lure in the rest of the fallen kings.'
The event name... perhaps Casino Royal.
It was about time the tourist city plan I've been preparing since the first year started yielding results.
"Sigh."
After finishing the writing, I lifted the pen from the plan.
The names of numerous 'fallen kings' I had identified during my 742 rounds of the game were written in rows on the plan.
'Of course, not all these people will easily come under my command just because they're asked.'
The center of this world is the Everblack Empire, and Fernandez holds its Imperial Capital.
I'm significantly behind in terms of power. However.
I precisely know what each of them wants. And I have the capability to grant it to each one.
...Even if it means making a few empty promises for now.
'I will make them an offer they cannot refuse.'
To choose me over Fernandez.
Even if it means boasting and lying, mixing in empty promises and bluffs, I will bring them all under my command.
"Let's go head-to-head, second brother."
And then - after defeating Fernandez.
I will mobilize the gathered strength of humanity to conquer the Lake Kingdom... to subdue the Demon King in one fell swoop.
I smirked.
It appeared.
The path to clear victory. Undoubtedly.