Chapter 258
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 258
Following the rise of Demon King Roen’s army, reports of the Great Wall’s collapse and the fall of the Winter Castle arrived in rapid, devastating succession.
The unexpected turn of the war plunged the human alliance into a state of total emergency. Never before had they faced such a large-scale, coordinated invasion from the Demon Realm. Until now, demonic incursions had been localized—sporadic skirmishes erupting in isolated regions. Even at their largest, these raids were typically led by only one or two Venerables commanding their personal retinues.
But the sheer destructive power of this unified grand army was immense, far exceeding anything a single noble house could hope to repel. This held true even for the renowned Devalis and Gunhild families, the traditional bulwarks of humanity.
In such a crisis, humanity should have consolidated its strength to retaliate. The problem, however, was that they never even had the chance to face the enemy on an open battlefield.
The demon army struck key strategic points with elusive, unpredictable movements before vanishing into thin air. The enemy moved with uncanny speed—suspected to be the result of large-scale teleportation—traversing the continent at will and maintaining a crushing strategic advantage. It was impossible to mount a defense when no one could predict where the next strike would fall.
Just as the tide of war turned decisively against the allied forces, with defeat looming after a series of one-sided slaughters and repeated losses… the shadow of the army reached the Sea of Trees.
Near the World Tree, under the protection of the Spirit King Yggdrasil, Kiriel sat perched on a balcony. She gazed out at the ancient forest with a heavy heart, hugging her knees and burying her face against them.
She didn’t want to believe it. She refused to believe it.
The news that Roen was leading the grand army of the Demon Realm, spreading carnage across the continent, felt like a nightmare. The days she had spent with him were still vivid in her mind—the bickering, the private Spiritology lessons he had given her, the excitement of the academy festival, and the chaos of the school trip.
She could still see the image of Roen being dragged away, fighting their enemies to his very last breath.
For that same person to not only join the enemy but to become their king and wage war against humanity… it was a reality she desperately wished was a lie.
But… if it’s true that he’s become the Demon King…
Then she, Kiriel, would have to be the one to stop him.
Because I am the Spirit King’s Contractor.
She would protect this beautiful forest and the World Tree from the demon army. She would bring him back to his senses.
It was at that moment, as Kiriel solidified her resolve while looking out over the verdant canopy, that the world shifted.
[Kiriel, be careful!]
Simultaneously with Spirit King Yggdrasil’s warning, a heavy vibration shook the air.
Zzzzzung—!
A massive magic circle materialized in mid-air, and the fabric of space itself tore open.
“……!”
A man with a familiar face stepped through the rift, having bypassed the barrier protected by the Spirit King’s blessing. Kiriel stared blankly at the intruder. It was Roen, though his appearance had changed. His face was paler and more gaunted than she remembered, and his hair had turned snow-white, as if he had endured years of hardship in a matter of months.
Kiriel looked at him for a long moment before averting her gaze. Her voice was a mere whisper.
“……I missed you.”
It wasn't something one should say in a situation like this, but Kiriel couldn't help but reveal her heart. Regardless of their current circumstances or the blood on his hands, that was how she felt. It was a departure from her old self—the girl who would always shout and bluster to hide her true feelings.
After a brief silence, Roen replied.
“The same goes for me.”
The memory of Kiriel’s foolish, bright grin felt like something from a distant lifetime. To meet again like this… fate was a cruel thing. Roen let out a deep, weary sigh.
“You’re still a fool.”
Shweek—!
Roen manipulated the surrounding space, attempting to seal Kiriel within a pocket dimension. As long as the Spirit King’s Contractor was active, invading the Sea of Trees would be a nightmare.
Tung—!
However, Roen’s authority was deflected by a shimmering protective barrier that materialized instantly. Kiriel offered a faint, sad smile.
“Don’t underestimate me, Roen. I’m not the same person I used to be.”
Since her contract with Spirit King Yggdrasil, Kiriel’s affinity with spirits had reached unprecedented heights. Roen readily acknowledged her growth.
“You’ve grown a lot. It seems my teaching wasn't in vain.”
As expected of the Spirit King’s Contractor.
Kiriel had been born with the kind of talent that appeared only once in a millennium. However…
She is still no match for me.
Roen summoned Kabeltar, commanding the Dark Spirit to strike the barrier shielding Kiriel. Despite being a creature of darkness, Kabeltar was still a spirit. Thus, it could resist the spirit power that was typically fatal to demonic energy.
Kududuk—!
“Kuhk…!”
Kabeltar, now fully matured into the form of a terrifying black dragon, coiled around Kiriel’s barrier like a constrictor and crushed it.
Kwajangchang—!
“……!”
“No matter how great the Spirit King’s power is, it is ultimately limited by the user’s own capacity,” Roen said coldly.
Kiriel might be a once-in-a-millennium genius, but she was still a sapling that had yet to reach maturity. Roen, on the other hand, had not only inherited the power of the Demon God—who had prepared his grand design for millennia—but had also harvested a staggering amount of Negative Energy through the war. He couldn't lose even if he wanted to.
“Kh… keuk…!”
Roen used spatial manipulation to completely bind Kiriel’s limbs, rendering her immobile.
Tuduk—.
He reached out and tore the necklace from her neck. It contained the seed of the World Tree—the primary objective of this invasion. After securing the artifact, Roen looked down at her with a warning in his eyes.
“You will all remember this day for a long time.”
Zzzzzung—!
Spatial magic unfolded behind him, creating a massive dimensional rift that connected the forest to the heart of the demon realm.
Kuuung—!
From beyond the portal, countless demonic beasts poured out. This was the secret behind the enemy’s elusive movements. Roen’s appearance didn't just signal a battle; it signified the end of whatever region he visited.
*
The World Tree burned.
Thanks to Roen’s spatial magic, the grand army of the Demon Realm had successfully bypassed the Spirit King’s barrier, crushing the allied forces of the Sea of Trees from within. They had lost track of Kiriel in the chaos, but the Venerables didn't seem to mind. The Spirit King’s Contractor was not someone who could be easily captured if she intended to hide.
The result was a massacre.
High Garden, the heart of the Sea of Trees and home to numerous ancient races, was engulfed in flames. The World Tree burned for days and nights before the titan finally fell.
I watched the heartbreaking scene in silence before looking down at the World Tree’s seed in my palm.
“……”
Is it possible for a seed of life to sprout anew from ashes where everything has been reduced to nothing? Can offering new life to those who have suffered the agony of loss truly provide comfort?
I didn't have the answers. Nor did I know if this war I was waging was truly a just act. To push countless lives to the brink of death in the name of preventing the world’s destruction… to walk such a cruel, blood-soaked path for the sake of an uncertain plan…
Was this truly the right way?
As I was lost in thought, Amur approached to give his report.
“My King, we have captured the enemy’s leader.”
Whish—.
Amur forced the person he had dragged forward to kneel before me. It was Ariel. She was completely bound, glaring at me with eyes full of murderous loathing. She was gagged, unable to speak a single word.
I met Ariel’s furious gaze for a moment before turning to Amur.
“……Let her go.”
“Are you sure, Your Majesty? The remnants of the Sea of Trees will surely rally around her.”
I gestured with my chin toward the smoldering remains of the World Tree.
“The World Tree has burned. Their contracts with the spirits are severed. Elves who cannot wield the power of spirits are nothing more than beautiful trophies.”
“Ughp!”
Ariel’s body writhed in a fit of rage at my words. I approached her, leaning in close, and spoke in a low, mocking voice for the benefit of the demons watching.
“Or… perhaps you would like to join us? The position of the Elven Venerable happens to be vacant.”
“Uhp!”
Ariel trembled, her face contorted with fury. As I continued to taunt her aloud, I sent a telepathic message directly into her mind—a voice no one else could hear. My spoken words were a performance; the real conversation was happening in the silence between us.
“It would be better for you to join us, if only to find your runaway sister.”
[Ariel, if you cooperate with me, I will guarantee Kiriel’s life. She has escaped the Sea of Trees. As long as we do not pursue her, she will be safe.]
“……!”
Ariel’s eyes widened at the mention of her sister’s safety. I glanced around at my subordinates before continuing.
“The World Tree is gone, and most of your people are dead. It might be better for you to come to the Demon Realm and lead what remains of the elves.”
[I will also help rebuild the World Tree. I have the seed. If you cooperate with me, I can even bring back the races of the Sea of Trees who died in this war.]
Ariel’s eyes nearly bulged in disbelief at the claim that I could resurrect the fallen. I didn't expect her to believe me immediately, but I knew she would accept the offer—if only for Kiriel’s sake.
“If you accept, you can save your own life as well. I will promise you eternal life through a covenant.”
[But you must die here. I will revive you later, but you must face death once.]
Only then could I deceive the other Venerables and the demon army. Ariel was essential for using the power of the World Tree. To succeed in my plan, I needed that power, and to revive the tree, I needed her.
I could have used Kiriel’s power, but she needed to stay with the human forces. She needed to grow stronger and develop her abilities as the Spirit King’s Contractor independently, rather than being tied to me.
Therefore, my plan was to kill Ariel here and now, then revive her in secret, recruiting her under my command without the Demon Realm noticing.
“What do you say? Will you accept my offer?”
[What do you say? Will you accept my offer?]
To be honest, I didn't have high hopes. I felt sorry for Ariel, but if she refused, I was prepared to revive her later and force her consent then. However, contrary to my expectations, Ariel’s eyes gleamed with a subtle light after a moment of consideration.
It was a sign of agreement.
“……”
I can’t believe she actually accepted.
It was true that I had made her several offers in secret, but none of them were guaranteed. Who would believe such words—that I could revive the dead and rebuild a forest from ashes? Even if it were true, she shouldn't have wanted to trust the man who had just burned her home.
In this situation, she must have agreed solely to save Kiriel. Or perhaps she calculated that if she was going to die anyway, she might as well grasp at the faintest sliver of hope.
I confirmed her resolve.
[Understood. Then, for now, refuse me.]
Chwak—.
As I removed her gag, Ariel spoke in a cold, low voice.
“……I refuse your offer.”
“A pity. Then die.”
I extended my hand toward her and sent one final thought.
[A wise choice. I will make sure you never regret it.]
Ariel would be revived after the Human-Demon War and would work for me. One day, she would become the dagger that would pierce our true enemies. Until then, I hoped she could find some rest in the void.
“[Power Word: Kill].”
The incantation of absolute death descended upon her.
*
Thud—.
With the utterance of the word that bestowed death, Ariel collapsed limply.
“……”
Gilean stared at Ariel’s lifeless body, feeling an indescribable sense of unease. There was no sign of life left in her. No soul, no breath. She was definitely dead.
But why had the King been so capricious? First, he said he would let her go, then he suddenly offered her the position of a Venerable. And when she refused, he killed her instantly. The flow of the conversation was incomprehensible.
No, before that…
What change of heart had the King undergone to be able to kill humans so ruthlessly? Even if it was a choice made to prevent the world’s destruction, considering the King’s original nature, this course of action was unthinkable.
Yet, the King was eliminating those he had connections with one by one, ordering the slaughter of the human realm’s soldiers and citizens without a moment’s hesitation. It was as if he had some kind of absolute assurance.
“……”
As Gilean pondered, a chill ran down his spine, and an unbelievable hypothesis took root in his mind.
Perhaps… he has a way to ‘undo’ all of this.
Starting with that hypothesis, Gilean’s thoughts expanded.
The King’s fiancée, Ciel, who is always by his side… and the mysterious girl next to her.
The girl who always kept her entire body hidden under a thick veil. She even altered her voice and never showed her face to anyone. But Gilean felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity from her.
What was her true identity? And that wasn't all. What was the purpose of the massive research complex and the gargantuan magic circle the King was building beneath the Demon King’s castle at such enormous expense?
What did he truly want, and what was he preparing for?
Feeling a wave of unknown anxiety, Gilean nevertheless bowed his head deeply to his King.