Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The True Purpose (2)
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Somewhere near the Great Forest.
This land, which should have been brimming with vitality under the World Tree's influence, had now become a desolate wasteland.
The water dries up.
The earth cracks, and the soil turns to dust.
Even rain changes nothing.
Why?
This was none other than the Western Continent.
With the World Tree right next door, purifying all things, dying land was a clear case of 'abnormality'.
Of course, there was a cause.
"A letter arrived?"
Hogs, the 2nd Legion Commander of the Demon King's army.
The 'Black Warrior' clad head to toe in thick armor.
He was the one driving the power of the demon realm into this land.
"Yes, it's from the Elf Elder."
"No compromise, he says? What a joker."
To repeat: this was peaceful land near the Great Forest.
Now, it was one of the Demon King's army outposts.
Hogs opened the letter.
"Ha."
Then he laughed.
The contents were utterly repulsive.
To think the so-called guardians would resort to such sleazy tactics!
The situation was so amusing he could barely contain himself.
"If I may ask, what does it say?"
"Nothing much. They've got a candidate in their forest, so they want us to kill the brat."
"Pardon?"
Hogs, barely stifling his laughter, slowly rose from his seat.
"You plan to accept the terms?"
"Of course."
"I don't understand."
The objection came from Hogs' aide, Katie.
Katie couldn't make sense of the situation.
Neither the Elf Elder offering up a hero candidate, nor Hogs accepting so readily.
"To be frank, I find the Elder suspicious."
"Why?"
"All these promises from a single letter? Either the Elder's an idiot, or there's something else at play."
"Well said, Katie. I appreciate your loyalty and concern."
With that, Hogs calmly tore the letter in half.
The split paper fluttered weakly before mending itself.
"......What?"
"As you see, it's no ordinary letter. It's a contract."
A vow sworn on one's soul—a pledge.
This paper held the ritual of that oath.
"If I accept, the Elder must fulfill it. No exceptions."
By Hogs' reckoning, the Elder wasn't a fool.
Using candidate time for barriers was obvious scheming, but it also meant confidence.
The World Tree would be untouchable for quite a while.
"But that would isolate the World Tree..."
"Doesn't matter."
Hogs' orders were to 'thoroughly burn the World Tree'.
The World Tree was one of the powers His Majesty the Demon King feared most.
As the foundation of the holy sword, its constant purifying power was the demons' natural enemy.
It had to be destroyed for victory.
Yet the elves managing it were sealing themselves away.
The reinforced barrier would completely sever the World Tree from the outside world—no different from burning it.
A win-win.
"War with the elves would cost us troops too. Those so-called candidates are just shells before selection. The Elder knows what we want and offered this."
Hogs pulled his sword from the ground.
"If one side cheats, the oath fails. That's the world's rule. The Elder's terms are genuine."
He turned, looking behind him.
Hundreds of elite demons awaited.
"Katie, relay to all."
The paper in his hand burned away.
The contract was sealed.
The Elder would bring the hero sprouts here; they would kill them.
"Today's not the elves."
Elves everywhere.
The Elder at the front.
Two particularly strong elves flanked him.
But Roel stayed calm.
"Please answer."
The Elder's cold gaze fell on her.
A hint of doubt and displeasure.
Then resignation.
Only after that did the Elder speak.
"I'm sorry."
"...?"
"Your fellow kin must have picked a fight first. As Elder, I apologize on their behalf."
An utterly unexpected response.
Roel stared blankly before thinking.
"Truth is, many elves still harbor ill will toward humans. I told them it's time to forget and unite, but they were rude to our guests anyway."
Ah, playing it this way?
"Now, to your earlier question: we're not plotting anything—"
"Lies."
Roel cut him off decisively.
No evidence. No context.
Just a gut feeling.
She saw right through it.
This elf was telling a horrific lie!
"What answer do you want then?"
"The truth."
"That's what I said. No other motives. We just want to bestow wisdom upon you..."
"Lies."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Not about the Elder's lies, of course.
More like, 'How dare a barbaric human question the Elder!'
"Quiet, everyone."
The Elder quelled the unrest himself.
"I know your name. Roel Griffith."
"Does it matter?"
"Of course. They say you're closer to hero than anyone at the Academy right now."
Roel didn't reply.
"Your boldness makes sense now."
Elves had a lofty image.
Beautiful, pale skin, self-proclaimed guardians.
But a little thought revealed flaws.
"Here's a proposal."
Elves living naturally in the forest.
Hierarchy by strength alone.
Their 'wisdom'—an unknown power akin to blessings.
"Duel an elf warrior of my choosing. Win, and I'll tell you everything. Lose, and stay quiet while you're here."
Indeed.
Elves were shockingly like 'savages'.
"This is a vow."
Roel had barged in alone, pushing on instinct alone.
If they stonewalled her, she'd have no way to uncover the truth.
A vowed duel in that scenario?
The easiest path for Roel.
"Deal."
Agreement sparked duel preparations.
Word spread to invited humans and resident elves; crowds flooded the Great Forest's center.
"Hey, Roel! What the hell are you doing?!"
"Whatever. Let's cheer her on."
Her friends were there, naturally.
"Elves use wooden weapons."
The Elder spoke.
"Some humans call it a contradiction... but it's not."
The Elder whispered to the earth and trees in an unintelligible tongue.
"We ask nature for them. Food, weapons alike."
The ground trembled.
By a force neither magic nor anything, an arena formed itself.
"Good luck."
Dry well-wishes.
Roel watched the Elder's retreating back, then drew her sword.
"You the one causing trouble?"
"Yes."
"Arrogant as they say."
She stepped into the arena.
Though dirt, it felt as firm as stone flooring.
"Are you the strongest elf?"
"The Elder's strongest. I'm second."
"Good enough. Let's begin."
For his plan, the Elder chose a 'sure' method, troublesome as it was.
Detum, the elves' number two.
A mighty warrior even the Elder couldn't guarantee victory over in close quarters!
Roel couldn't beat Detum.
Not just elves—the Academy thought so too.
"What is Cadet Roel thinking...?"
"Ah! No idea! She'll handle it!"
"But that elf looks insanely strong?"
Detum's massive build set him apart from typical elves.
He hefted shield and spear.
"I'll cure that arrogance."
The duel began.
Detum lowered his stance, shield forward.
No hesitation—he charged.
Thud.
Thud!
Two steps to close in.
His heavy pressure was like a charging carriage.
Cigarette Lindelhart pressed her forehead.
No blocking that attack.
Must evade—but Roel's reaction was too slow.
'Defeat.'
"Cadet Sera, Cadet Laila. Prepare to retrieve Cadet Roel..."
The words trailed off.
"Huh...?"
Sera Evans let out a bewildered noise.
Laila Bellakshi beside her was no different—stunned.
And the chilling aura from behind.
Cigarette whirled around urgently.
Krunch.
Roel's sword was planted in the ground.
Her fist had moved, her fist had struck.
Detum's shield shattered.
Her fist kept going, slamming his solar plexus.
"Guhk, urk!"
A pained groan.
Not Roel's.
Explosive energy surged into her fist again.
She twisted her waist powerfully.
Gaze downward.
Fist buried in Detum's solar plexus—she hammered down.
"Hup!"
BOOOOM!!
Detum's massive body crashed into the arena floor.
Dust billowed everywhere.
The ruined arena collapsed.
Roel casually dusted off her fist.
Detum didn't move.
What...? How on earth?'
The Elder, Cigarette—everyone had overlooked it.
Assuming Roel's level hadn't advanced much since finals.
Wrong.
She was one—no, two steps stronger.
"No one's announcing the result."
In summary...
"I win, right?"
Roel's victory.