Chapter 189
Chapter 189
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Tree and Iron
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"Gladly."
Via let out a light breath. She'd heard that elves under the World Tree's influence didn't feel the cold much in this forest, but white vapor still rose from her mouth all the same. She gazed quietly at Judah for a moment, then bowed her head slightly.
"First, allow me to thank you for saving the elves from the humans."
"No need. I only saved them to get into the forest. If anything, you could say I used them."
Judah shrugged as he replied. His blunt honesty left Via momentarily stunned. She'd asked him to be honest, but she hadn't expected him to be this straightforward and sincere.
"Aren't you being a bit too honest?"
"You said you wanted honesty."
True enough—
Via fell silent for a moment, then sighed. Fine, this actually made him more trustworthy.
"…I hope you'll answer my other questions with the same candor. First question: Did you really not lay a hand on the elves you saved? You know what I mean."
"I swear, I didn't touch them. Didn't they tell you? If anything, I fed them, housed them, clothed them, and protected them. I did more than enough."
"Why?"
"What good would it do me to touch them? As I said, I saved them to enter this elven forest. I had to preserve their maximum value to make a rightful demand. It's only natural."
"Then second question: What was your intention in coming to the elven forest?"
An easy question. Judah answered without hesitation.
"Two things. One is the fragment of Perlnirn that you revere as your guardian, Lüsen Ardahan. The other is the holy water in Gabriel's temple."
Via nodded without much surprise. From her reaction, it seemed she'd already heard about it from Shyrin, the male elf he'd saved first.
"Why?"
"For the holy water in Gabriel's temple, I plan to give it to my companion walking with me. Oh, and some World Tree sap would be great too…"
"World Tree sap…?"
"My companion got into some unfortunate trouble while saving the elves. Surely you could provide a single drop of sap, Lady Via?"
It wasn't impossible. But what left her dumbfounded was how brazenly Judah made the request. About to refuse firmly, Via reconsidered that it might be wise to repay the debt and agreed.
'Good. With the holy water and World Tree sap… I should be able to dull her mutation.'
"But what do you mean by 'unfortunate trouble'?"
Via continued, curiosity piqued.
"Does that count as a question?"
"Yes."
Judah slowed his pace. Those leading ahead moved quickly, and the distance opened up soon enough. At this range, low voices would be drowned out by the wind.
"Do you know about demons?"
"To what extent?"
"The Seven Deadly Sins."
"I do."
"That makes this easier. I encountered Asmodeus—one of the Seven Deadly Sins—while rescuing the elves."
Via's eyes widened. The Seven Deadly Sins were the archdemons serving the absolute evils of the demon realm, the overlords. To meet one and survive was a mystery.
"Luckily, it was just an avatar, so I could handle it with my skills. But Asmodeus went ahead and turned Arhil… my companion… into an apostle on his own."
"So, she's…?"
"Undergoing demonic mutation, I suppose. That's why I need the World Tree sap and holy water to halt it. Conveniently, I knew they were in the elven forest."
The holy water from Gabriel's temple and World Tree sap could buy more time against her mutation. Completely stopping it would be ideal, but Judah judged the odds low.
"Very well. I promise the World Tree sap and a guide to the temple. It's the least I can do for saving the elves."
With the Asmodeus story done, they quickened their pace again. Widening his stride to catch up, she matched it effortlessly—as if it were her natural gait.
"Now, third question. The guardian…"
"Lüsen Ardahan."
"No, to us, it's our guardian."
Judah shrugged.
"Why mention the guardian? Do you want to see it?"
"No, to take it."
Via's eyes turned to Judah. She understood what "take" meant. She let out a dry chuckle.
"Do you know the size of Lüsen Ardahan you're talking about? It's not something you can just take because you want to."
"No, it's the elves who don't know. As I said earlier, Lüsen Ardahan—the fragment of the lord you believe is your guardian—is merely protecting this land on a whim. Now that its true master has appeared, it's time to leave."
"And how are you so sure you're the true master?"
Her voice sharpened. If he really meant to take it, she'd stop him with force. Judah stared at her silently, lost in thought, then extended his hand as if resolved.
"Since we agreed no lies, I'll share a startling secret."
A red aura rose from his palm. Seeing it, Via stepped back three paces, hand on the sword at her waist. As the blade peeked from its sheath, Judah broke into a cold sweat.
'The gap's still huge, huh.'
Her speed was imperceptible, impressive. Planning to check her stats later if time allowed, Judah showed her the Altemia summoned in his palm.
"Relax, I'm just showing you."
"What's your intent?"
"This dagger isn't ordinary. Don't you feel a similar aura?"
"What…?"
"You should be able to tell."
Narrowing her eyes, Via approached cautiously, glancing warily. Then her eyes widened.
'No way.'
Unbelievable. The dagger in Judah's hand emanated an aura identical to Lüsen Ardahan, the fragment of the lord the elves revered besides her. Not similar—exactly the same, as if it were originally one piece. For the first time, she thought he might truly take the guardian.
"Figured it out? It's the same as Lüsen Ardahan, right?"
"……."
"You must have seen it in the past. A meteor falling from the sky. In truth, it was one of twenty-four fragments Lord Perlnirn scattered into the mortal realm. Remember what the lord said? I wasn't born yet, wasn't there, but you were—you'll remember."
As if by magic, the memory flooded Via's mind. An unforgettable one: the figure appearing in the sky, the voice echoing like a god's, sending shivers.
「Behold, frail beings. What fell into your world are weapons forged from pieces of my heart. The number of fragments bearing my power, the fourth lord's, is twenty-four.」
She recalled watching Lüsen Ardahan rise from the massive crater, hearing the voice from the heavens.
「Whoever gathers them all, regardless of race or being, shall inherit everything of mine. Demon, angel, human—it matters not. Gather them.」
And she understood why Judah called himself the true master. Why he'd saved the elves and sought entry to claim the fragment.
「Those who would succeed me as the absolute being, the fourth lord of the demon realm, gather the fragments with skill.」
To inherit the fourth lord, Perlnirn's power.
「Thus shall you be reborn as a new existence, placing all beneath your feet.」
Via's heart raced.
She couldn't yield the guardian. Couldn't let him take it.
Earlier, Judah had said, 'Humans have waged war on the forest again.' She'd confirmed it through the elves who came with them. If true, she needed the guardian's—Lüsen Ardahan's—power.
'What if I kill him now…?'
If she killed him, he couldn't take it. Saving the elves was grateful, but protecting them required the guardian. Seeing her hardened expression, Judah seemed to read her thoughts and continued flatly.
"Killing me won't change anything. No matter what, the outcome stays the same."
"!"
Even if he died and regressed, the result wouldn't change. The path might differ, but he'd claim the fragment Lüsen Ardahan. Thinking idly of food or drink, Judah added,
"You were excited—your killing intent leaked a bit. Enough for even me to notice."
"……."
Staring into her deep sapphire eyes, Judah nodded.
"Well, I'm not oblivious to the elves' plight. I don't plan to take it for nothing."
"Then?"
"I'll help you. I'll stake everything, repeat as many times as needed, to let you elves protect this land, this forest. So you won't wail gazing at the World Tree, won't watch kin captured. In exchange…"
He whispered to her like a devil, smiling.
"I'll take the fragment."
Via stared into Judah's eyes. Blacker than the night sky, devoid of light—like voids of darkness. Clearly weaker than her. Even as a Spirit Sword bearer, his skill was laughably inferior to her toes, in her view. Yet his words inspired trust.
Unbelievable.
To trust a human she'd just met—after all she'd done against humans, it was impossible.
"You."
"Yes?"
"You're not a demon, are you?"
Judah chuckled in disbelief.
"Of course not. At least for now, I'm human. One who bleeds, whose heart beats, who knows love—and pity, fear—a frail human."
She breathed quietly. Then, as if resolved, nodded.
"I can't allow you to take the guardian right now. And it's not my decision alone."
"Then?"
"Prove your words. If you protect the elves and our forest from the humans… I'll do my utmost to let you take the fragment as you wish."
Judah nodded with a smile. But she overlooked one thing. The choice to take the fragment or not wasn't hers. It was Judah's—his alone.
========== Author's Note ==========
My deepest condolences to the late Mysterious Author.
It's bittersweet learning that the author of a work I briefly saw on Tube has passed away.
I usually avoid mentioning my previous works while writing this novel, but this time I feel compelled to share. Back when I wrote my Greek-Roman mythology story, I agonized over finishing it before or after military service.
If I finished after, I could end it better.
But what if I died unluckily in the military?
After much deliberation, I wrapped it up before going.
Why share this? I visited Mysterious Author's page, and every work is complete. Impressive, right?
I haven't read them all, but completing every story they envisioned is truly admirable. Just my thought, but despite any regrets about their works, they finished all their tales, so they must have gone proudly to a better place.
I don't know how many more years I'll write…
But to all you readers, I want to show you the endings of my stories until my last breath. I'm no good at this sentimental stuff, though.
Thank you.
I wonder if this afterword note is out of place.
If it bothers anyone, I'll delete it right away.