Chapter 298
Chapter 298
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 298
Chapter Title: Attack Plan (1)
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Milene's condition did not look good at all.
Unlike the illusion of a young woman, Milene's true appearance was that of a wrinkled old hag.
There was no vitality in her skin or eyes. She looked like a corpse that had been forcibly revived.
"Please forgive me for greeting you in this state."
Milene lay on a small bed. Branches extending from the World Tree encircled the bed.
Demian observed the World Tree's trunk. The life force flowing from it was being absorbed into Milene.
"You're connected to the World Tree. Were you its guardian?"
"Yes, that's right. I've been with her for a long time."
Milene spoke while gazing at the World Tree with affectionate eyes.
A guardian was the being who connected the World Tree with the elves.
They conveyed the World Tree's will to the elves and, in return, received a portion of its power.
That was why the throne of the elf kingdom was not passed down by blood. The guardian recognized as leader took it.
In other words, Milene was the World Tree's guardian and the queen of Elfheim.
"So that's how you've managed to live this long."
"There was no suitable successor, so I had no choice but to keep going. But now, my time is almost up."
Milene smiled weakly. Demian realized her lifespan was at its end.
'No wonder I never saw Milene in my previous life.'
She must have passed from this world before the War of Annihilation began.
The one who succeeded her as guardian would have been Cynthia.
In his previous life, Cynthia had fought Dorgo as the elf queen.
"I want to hear the rest of what you said at the port."
Demian revealed the pattern on the back of his hand.
"You said these powers allow one to return to the past? How is that possible? Do you know the method? And who is this woman who first discovered it?"
"You have a lot of questions. I'm sorry, but I don't know much either. I never researched the powers you possess."
Milene looked at the back of Demian's hand.
"But what I do know is this... The seven powers you have were originally meant to function as one."
"As one?"
"When used individually, they have some effect, but combining all seven produces far greater results. She demonstrated quite a few."
Even that bit of lengthy speech left her breathless, so Milene paused.
She took several deep breaths before continuing.
"Opening long-distance dimensional gates, instantly restoring exhausted people. But the most amazing was 'Restoration.'"
"Restoration?"
"Humans who lost body parts, destroyed objects, collapsed buildings, magic starting to dissipate... She used the powers to return them all to their original state."
"You mean she fixed them?"
"No, fixing means patching with something else. She reverted the damaged things to before they were damaged."
"But if the damaged part is lost..."
"It didn't matter. Even lost parts were recreated."
Demian stared at Milene in disbelief.
If true, this went far beyond human capabilities.
"Now that I think about it, it wasn't really restoration. It was... yes, turning back time."
As if struck by realization, Milene muttered to herself.
"That's why she said it. That with these powers, you might be able to turn back time. As insurance in case we failed."
"...What's that woman's name? Who the hell is she?"
"You wouldn't know even if I told you. It's a name you've never heard before."
Milene looked up into empty space.
"Dorgo."
Demian doubted his ears, but Milene added,
"The one who leads Pandemonium and is attacking Elfheim."
* * *
When the name Dorgo came from Milene's lips, Demian doubted his own ears.
It could be a coincidence—someone with the same name. Dorgo wasn't common, but coincidences happen.
-The one who leads Pandemonium and is attacking Elfheim.
But hearing what followed, he had no choice but to accept it.
The Dorgo Milene spoke of was the very Dorgo Demian sought.
"Dorgo was in the same rescue party as you? Then why hasn't his name been known until now?"
The legends of the rescue party were known across the continent—no one was unaware.
Yet Demian had never heard Dorgo was part of it.
"That's..."
For a moment, an unpleasant emotion crossed Milene's face. She clearly didn't want to say.
"Tell me. Why hasn't Dorgo's name been revealed?"
But Demian had no time to consider Milene's feelings.
It was then.
Milene's head suddenly drooped toward the floor. She hastily lifted it, only for it to fall again.
"I'm... sorry... Today... is the limit..."
Her voice and face radiated profound drowsiness.
"The rest... next time... I'll leave the aftermath... to you..."
With those words, Milene fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
Demian had no choice but to leave.
"Demian Haksen, was the audience satisfying?"
As soon as he stepped out, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman's face appeared. Demian replied discontentedly.
"It was not."
"That's a shame. But another chance will come, so don't be too disheartened."
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman spoke with an expressionless face. It was hardly the attitude of someone consoling.
"...Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes, I have something to ask you. That's why I waited."
To the puzzled Demian, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman said,
"Demian Haksen, Elfheim is currently under invasion by Pandemonium. Can I borrow your strength?"
"If it doesn't interfere with my goals, I'll lend it gladly."
"Good. Then follow me."
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman turned sharply and walked down the corridor. Demian followed.
"Elfheim is in dire straits. The island is on the verge of falling to Pandemonium's attacks."
"I heard roughly. They suffered heavy losses from the initial surprise attack. And their forces are far stronger overall."
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman nodded.
"You know accurately. I joined in haste, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide. Defending this place alone was overwhelming."
If the Empire's Greatest Swordsman left, the royal castle would fall to Pandemonium quickly. Then the World Tree would be endangered.
Thus, he was stuck at the castle.
"But now that you've come, things change. It's time to execute the plan we've postponed."
"A surefire way to reverse the tide?"
At Demian's question, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman nodded.
"We've found the enemy's main base, where their leader is. Annihilate it, and the war ends in our victory."
At the word "leader," Demian's eyes flashed.
"...By leader, do you mean Dorgo?"
"You must have heard from Lady Milene. Yes. We've located where Dorgo is. Thanks to the sacrifice of not a few elves."
Unconsciously, Demian clutched his chest.
His heart began pounding fiercely. With each acceleration, his emotions surged.
'Finally.'
He could meet Dorgo.
He could smash that damned skull again.
He could secure the peace his family so desired.
"...Your expression is frightening."
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman spoke in a hesitant tone. Covering his face with his hand, Demian said,
"I want to join this operation no matter what."
"Good attitude. But that's not for me to decide."
"Pardon?"
"The supreme commander must permit it."
Demian asked with a baffled look.
"There's a separate supreme commander?"
Demian had assumed the Empire's Greatest Swordsman commanded the elves.
No warrior could surpass him in skill or experience.
"Elfheim is a kingdom too. It has ranks, rules, and systems."
Demian couldn't easily accept it.
Even so, someone like the Empire's Greatest Swordsman lacked this much authority?
"Then we're going to the supreme commander now?"
"Yes. But prepare your mind."
"What do you mean..."
"The elves don't like us much."
Us.
Demian was human, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman half-elf.
Though different races, he used "us." Demian felt doubt at that.
"Here it is."
The conference room was within the World Tree's trunk.
Entering, they saw elves surrounding a large wooden table.
As the two entered, the elves' gazes focused.
All appeared youthful, making ages indeterminable from looks.
"Eos, is that human the one?"
A white-haired elf asked. The Empire's Greatest Swordsman immediately replied.
"Yes. Demian Haksen."
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman using honorifics? Demian looked at him in surprise.
"Damn, letting a human into Elfheim. Nights will be restless."
"This man is not our enemy."
"Who knows. Humans are an inscrutable race!"
"Demian Haksen is trustworthy. I guarantee..."
"Eos, don't overstep."
The white-haired elf's voice turned icy.
"We accepted you out of urgency... But Elfheim was never a place for half-elves."
Demian, listening beside, felt unpleasant. But the Empire's Greatest Swordsman's expression remained impassive.
"Human, come closer."
The white-haired elf beckoned Demian. He approached.
"I am Srinder, supreme commander of Elfheim. I'll allow you to join our plan."
Throughout, Srinder shot displeased glances. Clearly, Demian irked him greatly.
'For someone asking for help, he's awfully stiff-necked.'
Elfheim's counterattack required Demian Haksen.
Yet placing obstacles like this made Demian resentful.
"We plan to attack the enemy's main base. While Eos and I raid it, you stay here and defend the castle."
But at those words, Demian forgot his irritation instantly.
"That won't do."
"...What?"
"There's someone I must kill. Put me in the assault team."
Srinder's eyebrows shot up nearly to his hairline.
"Putting you in means Eos stays here. What makes me trust you enough to take you on a raid?"
Demian turned to the Empire's Greatest Swordsman.
"Empire's Greatest Swordsman, will you stay here in my place?"
"That wouldn't be bad."
He answered without hesitation.
He knew Demian's true strength, allowing such easy decision.
But not Srinder. He slammed the table with his fist and shouted.
"Eos! Are you mad?"
"I guarantee Demian Haksen's abilities."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Srinder bellowed.
"Demian Haksen! Don't be stubborn—guard the castle! If you argue again, I'll exclude you from the plan!"
"What a pain in the ass."
Demian spoke in an irritated voice. Srinder's face blanked momentarily.
"What did you say?"
"If you won't meet my demand, I'll leave Elfheim."
At that, bewilderment crossed Srinder's face.
"D-Don't say such nonsense..."
His voice, which had raged moments ago, dropped sharply, as if it were a lie.
Demian couldn't help but scoff at the sight.
"What's so funny?"
"How could it not be? At this critical moment for your kingdom, you're trying to power-play a human like me."
A human like Demian was unwelcome in Elfheim.
Yet the elves desperately needed that "human's" help.
So he acted domineering to salvage some pride.
But unlike the Empire's Greatest Swordsman, the needy side wasn't Demian.
"My demand is simple: put me in the assault team. Otherwise, I'll leave Elfheim."
"G-Go ahead, try it! Pandemonium's base is hidden underground! Only we here know its location..."
Srinder asked hesitantly.
Demian was scanning the elves in the conference room with deadly serious eyes.
"Wh-What's that look?"
"I'm deciding who to kidnap."
"Wh-What?"
"Elves or not, twist an arm or leg, and their lips loosen."
Srinder's mouth gaped wide.