Panic in Ermengard
Below the lush canopy of the colossal World Tree stood the meticulously crafted elven metropolis of Ermengard. The grand conference chamber at the heart of its massive royal palace was now thick with a silence so frigid it could freeze the air itself, laced with palpable tension.
"I have a report to deliver."
Breaking the hush was the captain of the elven kingdom's defense forces, the one responsible for national security. The high elf's face, usually the picture of elegance, was gaunt and hollowed out, as if he'd spent days without sleep.
"The ecosystem in the depths of the World Tree has completely collapsed. We've just received the Mage Tower's analysis of yesterday's horrific natural disaster."
The captain swallowed dryly and read from the report.
"The massive lightning bolt that flashed from the depths yesterday is strongly believed to have been fueled by the mana of Turaka, one of the Four Kings dominating the World Tree's core—the thunder venom serpent. And the enormous storm that immediately after reshaped the surrounding terrain entirely is presumed to be the work of that gigantic black bird that appeared in the skies above the forest."
Gasps of despair and shock erupted from various corners of the chamber.
"W-what did you say? It survived Turaka's lightning and then unleashed a storm?!"
"Does that mean one of those arrogant Four Kings has fallen...?!"
The defense captain nodded gravely.
"Yes. In fact, since this morning, the high-ranking magic beasts and spirit creatures dwelling in the depths seem to have sensed Turaka's death. They're abandoning their territories and fleeing madly toward the forest's outskirts. It's most likely that this off-the-charts black bird killed Turaka and has now built a new nest on the World Tree's largest lateral branch."
From his seat at the head of the table, where he'd been resting his chin on his hand, the elven king—a high elf named Kaelion Aetheris—spoke heavily.
"For one of the Four Kings that governed the forest's ecosystem to be devoured by a mere beast overnight... a calamity of that magnitude."
Kaelion's deep green eyes rippled with worry. Even he, who had lived for thousands of years, had never witnessed such vast and ominous power. A force that brushed aside thousands upon thousands of arrows like mosquitoes, devoured Turaka's deadly venom and lightning, and laid waste to the forest depths with overwhelming destructive might.
"Normally, an upheaval of this scale would prompt some oracle or warning from the gods of the Divine Realm."
The ministers in the chamber nodded solemnly in unison at Kaelion's words. The World Tree was a colossal conduit linking the mortal world and the Divine Realm. Yet the heavens remained eerily silent despite a gigantic calamity descending to prey on one of the Four Kings.
"The lack of any contact suggests... the repairs on that dimensional rift from recently are taking far longer than we imagined."
The chamber's air grew even heavier under the weight of the king's somber voice. The dimensional rift—a unprecedented breach where the boundary between the mortal plane and the otherworlds had momentarily wavered. But the elves, their faces etched with grave concern as they continued the meeting, could never dream that the stray soul which had plummeted to the mortal world through that very rift was none other than the apocalyptic black bird they now feared. Nor that the massive storm which had ravaged the forest was merely the petty tantrum of a bird pissed off after getting bitten on the leg by a snake.
"If we cannot rely on aid from the Divine Realm, then we must protect this forest and our kingdom ourselves."
Kaelion rose from his seat and declared firmly.
"Dispatch elite scout and search parties to the World Tree depths immediately! We must identify exactly what this calamity beast is and ascertain its intentions if we are to prepare defenses for the kingdom!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!!"
Thus, the elven kingdom entered a state of emergency, staking the fate of their race.
At the same moment, unbeknownst to them, the very calamity beast they unanimously dreaded was simply snoring away blissfully inside a transparent wind tent he'd set up to guard his Turaka jerky.
Warm morning sunlight pierced the transparent wind barrier, shattering into dazzling fragments.
"Caaawww~"
Letting out a deeply satisfied cry as if I'd slept like a rock, I stretched my wings wide and yawned hugely.
Wild mornings usually kicked off with chirping birds or buzzing insects, but today the surroundings were weirdly silent. Was the wind tent's soundproofing that good? Or had that big snake yesterday been the local thug, scaring off all the neighborhood critters?
"Caw."
Nodding contentedly at the peace and quiet, I dispelled the wind barrier encircling my feathers.
Whoosh—clear air rushed in, and a refreshing morning breeze brushed my cheeks.
As I rose and shook out my body, I realized my condition was way better than after eating that meat yesterday.
My body feels totally different. Like, reborn or something?
The pain from the snake bite had faded after chowing down yesterday, but after a solid night's sleep, it was like I had a brand-new body. The holes punched in my legs and wings by those fangs were now smooth, covered in fresh feathers without a scar, and boundless energy bubbled through me.
Fsssh—whoosh!
"Caw?"
I flapped my wings once on instinct and tilted my head. Blue sparks crackled from between my jet-black feathers.
Looking closer in surprise, the glossy obsidian tips of my feathers now shimmered with a subtle blue hue. Every movement sent tiny static—no, lightning-like—bursts crackling off them.
That snake meat must've been super nutritious. Not only did it heal me perfectly, but now my feathers are sparking too.
Of course, I had no clue that the thing I'd eaten yesterday was one of the forest's ruling Four Kings, or that these sparks were the signature thunder mana of Turaka himself. I just chalked it up to 'Huh, no winter yet and it's already this dry? Static city's wild.'
"Cawgak."
Whatever. Feeling lighter was a win. Humming cheerfully, I hopped over to the snake carcass I'd slung across the branches.
After a night in the breeze, the meat had turned into perfect semi-dried jerky—crispy outside, juicy within. I tore off a big chunk with my beak and popped it in. The umami was double today's portion.
Squelch, smack.
"Caw!"
Mmm, special breakfast treat. I grinned inwardly, satisfied. Belly full, condition at 200%. Time to tackle yesterday's postponed project: home sweet home interior design.
I surveyed the massive lateral branch of the World Tree I'd claimed, and the crystal-clear pond in its center—which by human standards was a full-on lake.
To turn this natural paradise into a swanky suite, I needed top-tier, super-soft, high-quality building materials.
That snake skin for the floor? Nah, scales too hard—would scratch.
Mulling it over while glancing around, my eyes landed on the World Tree's enormous leaves blanketing the branches above. Each one dwarfed a king-size bed, emanating a soft, warm glow from their surface. They looked insanely plush without even touching.
If an elven scout saw this, they'd keel over. To elves, those leaves were sacred relics pulsing with immense mana just by existing.
But to this ignorant crow? Prime natural latex mattress material.
"Caw! Cawgak!"
Jackpot—bed sorted! I cawed excitedly and flew up to the upper branches.
Then I mercilessly ripped off king-size leaves with beak and talons.
Thud—pop!
Each sacred leaf torn free sent massive mana waves rippling through the entire forest, but I just grumbled 'Man, these are tough.' and shuttled them busily to the lakeside.
I layered about ten leaves in a cozy circle, topped with soft leather from the snake's tail for flair.
Pat, pat. Tested the cushion with my feet.
"Caaaawww—!!"
This. Was. It. Overwhelmed with emotion, I flailed dramatically.
Lake view, natural windbreak, deluxe sacred mattress bed, and step-out-the-door unlimited premium jerky pantry. I curled up in the plush World Tree leaf nest's center.
Thus, my illicit penthouse in fantasy world's tier-1 forbidden zone—the World Tree depths—was fully furnished in glorious style.
At the same time, the elven kingdom's elite search party crept stealthily toward the World Tree depths.
Search party captain Sylvaster wiped the cold sweat trickling down his spine and signaled his unit to halt with hand signs.
"Captain... the forest... it's too quiet."
His lieutenant whispered, face drained pale.
Sylvaster swallowed dryly too. Normally, you'd hear low-rank magic beasts crying or insects buzzing, but the deeper they went, the more an eerie silence smothered everything, as if the world had been muted.
Only the thick stench of blood and the horrifying predator aura that made every hair stand on end warned that calamity lurked ahead.
"Stay sharp, everyone. Our foe slaughtered one of the Four Kings, Turaka. We cannot be detected..."
Rumble—boom!!
Fwosh—!!
Then it hit. An enormous mana surge exploded from above the World Tree like a dam breaking.
Under the pure, overwhelming pressure, the elven scouts gasped and flung themselves flat on the branches.
"Nngh...! Captain! What's happening up there?!"
"Th-this is... World Tree leaves!"
Sylvaster's eyes shook like aspen leaves in shock.
"That calamity beast is ripping off the sacred leaves. Is it targeting the World Tree's foundation?"
Thud—pop!
Each wave from the sacred leaves being torn made the elves' hearts plummet.
They pictured the horrific black bird, drenched in Turaka's blood, savagely shredding the leaves in some evil ritual.
"No more delays. We can't let it desecrate the sacred leaves and destroy the World Tree. If we're spotted, sacrifice ourselves to draw its attention and relay intel to the main force!"
Steeling their resolve like a suicide squad, Sylvaster gripped his weapon and cautiously peeked toward the source of the waves—the largest lateral branch.
Finally, through the leaves, the nest came into view.
And Sylvaster froze, breath catching at the sight before him.
Th-that... what is that...?
First to catch his eye: massive meat chunks strewn across the thickest branches. Blue-tinged tough scales, grotesque horn. No doubt—it was the corpse of Turaka, the Four King who terrorized these depths.
But the nightmare king's body was casually hung out to dry in breezy spots, like human laundry on a line!
Tr-treating Turaka like mere emergency rations...!
Sylvaster's gaze trembled toward the nest's center.
There loomed the calamity beast they'd dreaded: the gigantic jet-black crow.
"Caaaawww~"
A lazy, yawning cry drifted from the nest's heart, like 'Ahh, so fluffy.'
"......?"
Sylvaster doubted his own eyes for a moment. Ritual of destruction? Sacrilege? The beast had simply layered the freshly torn sacred World Tree leaves on the ground and was now rolling blissfully on them, rubbing his back with utter satisfaction. Like a neighborhood mutt frolicking on a sunny lawn.
Turaka's skin served as a makeshift mattress cover, and with every roll, azure thunder mana sparks crackled menacingly from his obsidian feathers.
Gulp.
One lieutenant swallowed in terror.
How did it look to the elves? The arrogance of butchering a Four King into jerky and hanging it out, using its hide as a rug. The blasphemy of tearing sacred World Tree leaves for a mere bed. Topped with calamity-level thunder mana radiating from its body.
"Caw! Cawgak!"
(Hell yeah, moving's the best! This house view slaps!)
The black bird cawed happily, flapping its wings.
Of course, to the bird it was just housewarming cheers, but to the elven scouts, it was like the Grim Reaper pressing a scythe to their throats—pure, horrifying despair.
Th-that thing... no way our entire elven kingdom could take it, even all together...!
Sylvaster clamped a shaking hand over his mouth. The mad calamity that reduced absolute tyrant Turaka to food had now perfectly entrenched itself in the World Tree's heart, coiling into its lair.