You'll Need to Put in Some Effort
Nowhere in his bearing could she see the passionate young dragon Christina had described—the one who had staked everything on love.
In the end, Perdikion let out a heavy sigh from behind him.
Rune understood exactly how the red dragon felt.
It’s not unreasonable. Still, for someone who was once a dragon, he looks terribly uneasy.
The little fire dragon eventually grabbed one of the scattered back cushions, set it straight, closed his eyes, folded his arms, and clamped his mouth shut.
His entire body radiated a single message: I’m not even angry at this pathetic display.
It was somewhat rude, but if nothing pleasant was going to come out of his mouth anyway, this was probably better.
“Piiyak!”
“Ah! Baekya!”
Suddenly the white phoenix perched on Dullahan’s head fluttered into the air.
The bird circled Rand once, then let out a string of chirps as if trying to say something. “Pirururu.”
“…What a good bird.”
“Piruru!”
When Rand extended his hand, Baekya hovered in place for a moment, flapping its wings, before lightly settling onto his index finger.
But Rand simply stared at the phoenix for a while, then gently sent it on its way.
The bird swooped down and landed squarely on Rune’s head.
Rand’s lips twitched into a crooked half-smile at the sight.
“Whatever. Let’s talk business, kids.”
Rand glanced at the wine bottle, then pushed the cork back in.
“The reason you children came all the way out here… was to obtain some kind of material, I heard.”
“That’s right.”
“What material?”
“Living leaves and thick branches from the World Tree.”
“……”
At Rune’s calm answer, the sharp-eyed elf’s brows rose slightly before settling back into place.
He rolled his turquoise eyes toward the water pipe for a moment, then gave a small nod.
“You want the elves’ sacred tree. That’s more than bold—it’s downright reckless.”
“I know. But I was told you could make it happen, Rand.”
Rand shook his head at Rune’s words, then leaned his lazy frame against the soft back cushion.
“There’s been a misunderstanding. Christina told me you needed a piece of the World Tree. That wasn’t a difficult request. A few dead branches and naturally fallen leaves would have been easy enough. But… what the little one wants is literally ‘a part of the World Tree.’ That’s impossible.”
At Rand’s declaration, the party exchanged glances.
Just then, a deliberate cough came from Dullahan’s direction.
Ahem. This is terribly presumptuous, but might this humble Jed offer a word?
All eyes turned toward the battle axe Paralium.
“Do you have a good idea?”
Rune asked. Rand, who looked like he wanted nothing more than to resume smoking his water pipe, narrowed his eyes.
Perdikion opened his closed eyes and stared intently at the axe as well.
You did say the World Tree, correct? In that case, I believe this Jed may be of assistance!
Jed continued, radiating pride.
Master Rune. Didn’t I meet all sorts of people in my younger days? There are, in fact, several ways to reach the World Tree. Precisely three! Of course, they require a bit of luck and certain conditions.
“How interesting. Even though I cut all ties and lived in seclusion, you’re saying there are methods I don’t know about?”
Rand’s tone was mocking, but Jed answered cheerfully.
Please hear me out. First, the most standard method—only the Elf King and those who have received his permission may enter. Second, those who have been called by the World Tree itself. And this is the important one: the third method.
Once he confirmed everyone’s attention was fixed on him, Jed continued.
It is to enter as a troubleshooter capable of resolving any problems the World Tree may be facing!
“Whoa! Uncle Jed, you’re super smart!”
“Piiyak!”
When Heungmi and Baekya chimed in with praise, Jed puffed out his chest with an Ahem!
But Rand merely tilted his head and flashed a cold smile that looked like a glass mask.
“How interesting. A mere dwarf knows about the World Tree’s troubles?”
Now, now. My story isn’t finished yet. Please keep listening.
Jed pressed on with bold confidence.
It was around the time I was doing business with high-ranking members of the Magic Tower and the Temple. The elves were asking for help because something had gone wrong with the World Tree. Oh, of course! I swore to keep this secret until the day I died. Those elves were very strict—you could only hear the details after making the oath. If you leaked it, the magic they planted in your body would make beasts and insects chase you for the rest of your life until you were torn apart. Goodness. Thinking about it now, it was terrifying, but back then I was so curious I simply had to know.
“Ooh. Uncle Jed, then aren’t you not supposed to talk about it?”
Aigo, Lady Heungmi! How kind of you to worry about me. It’s quite all right! The oath was to keep silent until I died, wasn’t it? Well, I’m already dead.
It wasn’t technically wrong, but he delivered the word “dead” with startling indifference.
Yet nothing happened even after he spoke, proving Jed was correct.
The dwarf even whistled casually after spilling the elves’ secrets.
Of course, right before I made the oath I agonized over whether this was the right thing to do… but I had a feeling I would regret it forever if I didn’t listen. Who could have guessed it would come in handy like this? Truly, the world works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it?
“I get it. So, Jed, you know the World Tree’s symptoms and how to cure them?”
When the story grew long, Rune cut in at the right moment and brought the topic back on track.
Even Rand seemed unfamiliar with the details; he stayed silent, brows furrowed, listening intently to Jed.
Exactly! As for the World Tree’s symptoms, they said the cause was contamination by demonic power. Something was planted incorrectly? As you know, while researching demonic swords I also studied the demons themselves—just a little, of course.
Of course, it couldn’t have been just a little.
Christina had warned him, and since many dragons were hostile toward demons, he had carefully adjusted his wording.
Fortunately, no one present pointed that out.
Do you know what the best part of becoming Master Rune’s vassal is?
“What is it?”
Master Rune’s power is not easily corroded by demonic energy! In fact, it can even swallow it, though only in small amounts.
“!”
Rune’s face stiffened slightly in surprise as he guessed what would come next.
Rune’s darkness embraced any attribute.
It was a trait he had developed from handling all kinds of powers during his previous life as an Imugi.
He had even awakened the ability called Attribute Combination.
I see. Demonic power is also a kind of attribute… so it can be combined or manipulated.
While Rune’s mind raced, Jed laid out his own thoughts.
Isn’t it fascinating? An attribute that can swallow or counter demonic power. I’ve never seen anything like it except for Master Rune’s ‘darkness’! Thanks to that, I received tremendous help when conducting life-shortening experiments.
This guy is openly admitting he did dangerous experiments even after Christina stopped him.
At least he hadn’t said it in front of her. That was a relief.
She might have already guessed, though.
In the end, Jed was proving it with his own existence.
Using Rune’s darkness, one could oppose or even devour demonic power.
I never imagined Jed would be the one to discover that fact.
His obsession with new inventions, his sense of purpose, his tenacity.
It was truly admirable.
Unaware that Rune was looking at the dwarf with rare approval, Jed finished his explanation.
Anyway, that’s what I think. If even a mere dwarf vassal can do this much, then the source—Master Rune himself—should be able to erase the demonic energy and even grant immunity.
The more Rune mulled over the explanation, the clearer it became how diligently Jed had studied the power he received as Rune’s vassal.
This idea even held more advantages than the method Rune had thought of.
Rune nodded.
“You’re right. If it’s demonic power, I can interfere. It’s possible.”
“What? Rune. You’re saying it’s really possible?”
“Yeah. Though there is one thing we’ll need.”
Perdikion, who had shifted his posture, asked in a tense voice.
“What is it?”
Rune dropped the answer as if it were obvious.
“We’ll have to touch the demonic energy dwelling in the World Tree. That means we need to be able to influence and be influenced by the sacred tree… and for that, we need the Seal of the Forest.”
“The Seal of the Forest…”
Perdikion murmured, turning his gaze toward Rand.
Rand, who had been listening silently, gave a small nod.
“A suggestion… I suppose I can make.”
A moment later, the elf picked up the turban he had taken off.
Without a word, he began preparing to head outside again.
Heungmi thought hard about the changing situation, then asked Rune.
“Then… are you going to heal the sick tree, Master Rune?”
“Pretty much.”
“That’s amazing! Right, Lahan? Baekya?”
“Piiyak!”
Clank!
Unlike the dwarves, the reason the elves had been able to keep living in their homeland even after being invaded by demons.
Of course, part of it was thanks to the power of the dragon Rand who had protected them.
But the most important factor was that the World Tree—the Mother of the Forest and the foundation of all life—had remained safe.
Healing a World Tree like that with only thick branches and leaves feels too meager.
In truth, Rune already knew a more efficient and immediate way to cleanse the World Tree’s corruption.
Using his Resurrection Authority and Baekya’s tears.
But that method has the drawback of revealing my Word of Power. If we use Jed’s method instead, I can hide the power of my authority and obtain the Seal of the Forest as a bonus.
Though his expression remained indifferent, inside Rune was cheering with delight.
Indeed. Since it involves touching the greatest sacred tree known as the World Tree, you’ll need a high affinity with the forest, so you’ll have to put in some effort. Goodness, I regret not thinking of that sooner!
“It was plenty. You did very well, Jed.”
Huuuuh! Master Rune is praising me! It’s been so long! Oh dear, I’m itching to set off fireworks to celebrate but I can’t—it's driving me crazy!
“Absolutely not. This is someone else’s house. Hold it in no matter what.”
Seeing Paralium begin to glow red, Rune immediately shut him down.
Even though the house was in danger of catching fire, Rand simply waved one hand in annoyance.
“I’m taking you to the elves’ forest… If you can’t control fire, I’ll have to leave you behind.”
Aigo, Lord Rand. Leave me behind? How can you say something so heartbreaking? I will behave most obediently, so please don’t worry at all.
The way he sounded like he was rubbing his hands together made his voice oddly spineless.
Suddenly Rand looked at Dullahan and the Ego Weapon Jed, muttering slowly.
“I will take you there, but… you won’t exactly be welcomed.”
Leaving behind those cryptic words, Rand stepped out of the tent, rounded his right thumb and index finger, and put them to his lips.
Fweeeet!
A high, sharp whistle.
It rang out across the clear desert sky, and soon the heavy sound of wingbeats came from far away.
“Ah! Heungmi knows that bird! It’s a griffin!”
Heungmi perked up her fox ears and pointed at the dot appearing at the edge of the sky.