Chapter 90
Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Secrets of the Royal Palace
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It would take at least a week to reach the capital of Lüset, no matter how fast we traveled. El vented his frustration, but I decided to turn this into an opportunity.
Fortunately, the elves treated their prisoners with remarkable humanity and grace. In Roshan, countless prisoners died during transport. So, just having three proper meals a day was something to be grateful for.
I didn't waste time moping in the prisoner wagon. Wasting even the smallest moment on self-pity would be foolish. Devoting every spare second to self-improvement—that's a Korean virtue, isn't it? I immersed myself in the tattered book.
'Grizzel, or rather Selem, definitely spat out a Fragment of the Origin God.'
How did I know? After I obtained the orb, one of the seven markers on the map in the tattered book vanished. The purple orb embedded in the bow, the purple feather sprouting from Pipi's tail. It had to be one of the Fragments of the Origin God.
'It was only for a moment, but I felt an enormous power...'
The power was so immense it explained how that thing wiped out six Dark Elf villages. Without Lynshaka's blessing and Pipi's help, I wouldn't have been able to stop it either.
We had a chance to win because its body and soul were unstable compared to its overwhelming strength. A stroke of incredible luck. If it had been in perfect condition, I couldn't guarantee I would have stood a chance.
On the way to the capital, I meditated and offered prayers of thanks to Lynshaka, who had protected me with the [Child of the Forest] trait. In my spare time, I whittled arrows, refined various materials... and before bed, I taught El and Lloyd Morse code. Since Morse code doesn't exist in this world, it could serve as a highly useful private cipher if used right. Fortunately, they picked it up quickly. They even seemed to enjoy it.
-Clunk!
And just like that, we arrived back in Lüset's capital.
I scanned the surroundings, wondering if Daryon's parents, the Sylvanus couple, might be nearby, but the streets were deserted and eerily silent.
Why?
With Grizzel's curse lifted, the queen should have escaped the dream labyrinth. But what was with this atmosphere? Something was off. I lowered my voice and whispered to Lloyd and El.
"...We don't know what might happen. If you lose contact with me, the two of you escape from Lüset, no matter what."
El couldn't hide his shock, while Lloyd's face grew thoughtful. Thankfully, unlike El, he nodded.
"Understood. Prioritize your own safety. I'll do the same. Got it, El?"
"...Yes."
"Ayla might have followed our scent to the nearby forest. If things go wrong, go find Ayla."
"Yes, Master."
El nodded. Following the elves' soldiers' guidance—or rather, orders—we were led in separate directions. In my case, I was thrown back into the same solitary cell as before.
-What's with this awful place?
A grumbling voice leaked from the tiny shadow cast by the light beaming down from above. It was Kusukus.
"It's a prison made by the elves."
-What sick imagination.
It shuddered, stretching its shadow long. Of course, it had to snap back to normal size right away. Elf prisons weren't that easy to deal with.
How long would they keep me locked up this time? I let out a deep sigh and sat cross-legged on the floor. With nothing else to do, I figured I'd pray to my heart's content.
Prayer was a strange system. It was tedious and boring, but the more consistently you did it, the higher your chances of receiving a god's love—in other words, a 'blessing.' In reality, it was a system that got flak for poor returns on time invested, but in my current situation, it was quite useful. Prayer was actually pretty easy. Unlike in a game, in real life, sitting comfortably and praying beat hacking through fifty goblins any day.
I closed my eyes and took a light deep breath. Calmly. Then I began praying to Lynshaka. I started by praising her ancient deeds, expressed gratitude for her countless graces (from small things like meals to life-saving interventions), attributed all merits to her, begged for enlightenment in the future, and asked for my peace...
As I kept at it, it started feeling like writing a reflection essay in the teacher's office. Of course, I was always good at those. So prayer like this was a piece of cake.
How much time passed? Two days? Three? Maybe even a week? In the cell, I couldn't tell day from night, and with the non-perishing elf food—Rêmbe cookies—I wasn't even getting separate meals, so I had no clue how many days had gone by. If only I could grow a clockflower, but I couldn't use mana...
-Chiring...
It was right when I was about to pray that the Royju nurtured by Lynshaka's grace was delicious. A cool, refreshing breeze blew through the sealed room.
[Your prayers have moved Lynshaka.]
[Lynshaka responds to your prayers.]
[The trait 'Child of the Forest' evolves into 'Beloved of the Forest.']
I rubbed my eyes in shock and stared at the shimmering text again.
[Beloved of the Forest]
[You are a 'Child of the Forest' whom the goddess of forests and earth, Lynshaka, cherishes especially.]
[The divine power of Lynshaka dwelling within you grows stronger.]
[The forests and earth tended by Lynshaka will welcome you.]
[The forests and earth tended by Lynshaka will protect you.]
[The impure will fear you even more.]
The trait's abilities had been significantly upgraded, with great additional effects. Especially the part about 'The forests and earth will welcome you.'
It meant regions across the continent—like impenetrable forests and mountains—were now 'unlocked' for me. That would ease some difficulties during the quest to find the Fragments of the Origin God.
I wasn't sure exactly what 'protect' meant. Would it literally block physical attacks, or something else...?
I'd have to test it once I got out of here.
I glared at the firmly shut door. That infuriating slab showed no sign of opening. The moment I thought about kicking it...
-Grgrgrgrk...
The door opened with a heavy groan.
Who appeared was none other than Blanche. He stood ramrod straight as ever, looking down at me with a stern face.
"Druid."
"You can call me Theodor, you know."
"Follow me."
"You're not going to explain, I take it."
"The crimes you've committed are best known to you, so there's no need for me to explain."
Crimes?
I stared at him in disbelief.
Saving the Dark Elves and stopping Grizzel's atrocities—which amounted to a sort of 'treason'—was a crime?
'What the hell is the queen doing?'
This was way off! Were they done with me now and planning to discard me? I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists without thinking. I never imagined elves could be this cowardly. I thought the dwarves' gripes were just sour grapes.
For now, I quietly followed Blanche. Causing a scene wouldn't help. I'd play along and observe the situation.
At the end of the corridor was a room with a portal. Did I have to do the proving ritual again? My worries were brief; Blanche spoke first.
"You are about to set foot in Lüset's most sacred place. Though you are no different from a worthless worm, your abilities will be used for Lüset's glory..."
What nonsense is this?
"...Give thanks to the god of fate who led you here."
At the same time, elf soldiers clamped restraints like handcuffs on my wrists. Made of mithril, perhaps? They were incredibly light yet sturdy. The restraints bore unfamiliar runes engraved on them.
Pushed from behind, I stepped into the portal.
-Tak.
My footsteps echoed through an endless, silent corridor. I looked around. Familiar portraits hung on the walls.
'This place...'
It was 'that' corridor from the dream labyrinth.
Which meant, at the end of this corridor...
Before I could think further, someone shoved my back again. Turning, I saw Blanche and the elf elders. They watched me with faces that seemed expectant yet fearful.
"Proceed forward, druid."
Blanche's staff poked my back again. I began walking the long corridor with the elf elders trailing behind.
'Is the queen at the end of this corridor?'
As I walked the seemingly endless hall, the portraits on the walls glared at me. As if I were some heinous criminal. I held my breath and walked on. A premonition of some inescapable, colossal misfortune awaiting me grew stronger.
-Kkiiiiiik...
The massive door at the corridor's end creaked open heavily. The interior was grand beyond measure, almost solemn. Enormous pillars, floor, ceiling, and walls of white marble... Exquisite decorations and sculptures all forged in gold. Crystal windows in the ceiling poured in rainbow light, creating a breathtaking scene.
And in the center...
-Gulp.
The queen lay sleeping.
On a bed seemingly woven from swan feathers, the queen lay as if not breathing. Like a statue, or taxidermy. She didn't seem alive at all. But...
-Saralak...
-Flutter.
-Saralak...
-Flutter.
A branch of the Guardian Tree by her bedside endlessly bloomed and withered, proving her life had not yet faded.
"Rude."
Just then, as I stared entranced, Blanche struck my knee with his staff. The impact forced me to my knees. He pressed the staff's tip down on my head, bowing me before the queen.
"Consider it an honor to offer your lowly life to Her Majesty, druid."