Chapter 255: Chaos upon Chaos (4)

The forest was incredibly thick. The trees were so tall they seemed to touch the sky, and even a strong adult would need to wrap their arms around one many times to hug it. It was hard to believe that such a forest could be found near the desert.

"What's going on here, Wisha-nim?"

The elf they encountered at the edge of the forest, at the point where the thickness began, had a slightly irritated tone as he addressed White Snake. Additionally, he couldn't hide his suspicion towards Cale.

"To explain it, I need time. First, we must go to the guardian."

"And what does that..."

Just as the elf frowned, Wisha sighed and spoke again. However, Cale was the first to act.

"Pendrick."

"Yes, sir."

The healing elf, Pendrick, took off his hood and stepped forward.

"!"

The eyes of the elf on guard filled with surprise.

"Is he a new companion?"

Wisha, hesitating a bit, finally responded:

"...Yes."

"Hmm."

However, the elf did not let his guard down. In response to this, Cale spoke again.

"Raon."

- Understood, human!

Raon deactivated his camouflage. Then, pushing his bulging belly forward, he greeted the elf with a wave of his hand.

"Pleased to meet you, elf! I'm the great Raon Miru!"

Cale was pleased with how confident Raon seemed. All the elves Raon had encountered so far had been very friendly toward dragons, especially Raon. It could even be said that they were almost admirers. That's why Raon wasn't afraid.

"Eh?"

However, the young dragon tilted his head.

"This..."

The elf's reaction was strange. He trembled with the hand holding the wooden spear and looked at Wisha with an expression full of shock.

"Don't tell me you've betrayed us..."

Indeed. The elf before his eyes showed fear, terror, and anger towards Raon. There was not a hint of good emotion. It was the first time Cale had seen an elf like this.

'Wow.'

Wisha looked at Cale as if wondering why he had moved so fast. Of course, Cale had his reasons.

"If we reveal our true identities at the secret base later, it will be even more complicated."

There would be too many people to convince. In that case, it was better to convince the guardian and pass smoothly.

"We..."

Cale opened his mouth, as he didn't want to cause a commotion.

"Ah!"

However, someone was quicker than Cale. As expected, it was Raon. The dragon spoke confidently.

"Don't worry!"

Raon was quite observant, so he knew what to do in this situation.

'If I were the Human, then...!'

He knew how Cale would act, so he shouted confidently:

"Don't be afraid, elf!"

Raon Miru looked imposing.

"I, the Great Dragon Raon, will beat up the Dragon Lord!"

"..."

Cale was speechless.

Nyaaa!

Hong stepped forward.

"You shouldn't say that!"

And then he added:

"Not only a beating, but we'll also scare him, so he never dares to intimidate you!"

Then, with an air of self-satisfaction, he pointed at Cale.

"This is our leader!"

What...?

Cale felt dizzy. Anyway, On took a deep breath and calmed Hong and Raon. Then, she addressed the elf calmly.

"We are a group of over a hundred people, composed of humans, beasts, and dragons. We are currently preparing to fight the Dragon Lord, and we believe it would be good to discuss this with you. That's why we came to visit. Additionally, Miss Wisha mentioned that there is a way to reach the Source of the World, so we brought her with us. If we have caused any inconvenience with our unexpected visit, we apologize."

'What's this now?'

Cale looked at On with a perplexed expression. She, with her usual relaxed attitude, approached Hong and Raon.

"Wow!"

"On Noona is amazing!"

Cale, watching as Hong and Raon praised her, shifted his gaze towards the elf.

"..."

The elf seemed completely bewildered. Cale wondered how he should talk to this guy. While he pondered, Choi Han touched his shoulder and Cale looked at him.

"Look over there."

Cale turned his head in the direction Choi Han indicated.

There, an elf emerged from the darkness. Only then did the distracted elf recover and Wisha spoke up.

"...It seems they contacted immediately."

The elf apologized to Wisha as he spoke.

"Seeing that you didn't come alone, I communicated immediately."

"I see."

Her gaze turned towards the approaching figure.

"However, it's usually a warrior who comes, I didn't expect the Guardian to come in person."

Interestingly, her tone had a sarcastic touch.

Barefoot, stepping on the grass, approached a middle-aged elf.

"Wisha, I haven't come personally because I don't trust you."

The elf pointed behind her.

"Recently, the security at Ryan's Castle has become much tighter. The number of guards patrolling the area has also gone up. I was concerned when I heard you were bringing a large group with you."

Wisha shook her head at her words.

"Lies."

The elf completely ignored the cold gaze of White Snake. And then he looked at the group accompanying Wisha.

Cale also silently observed the Guardian.

'Guardian.'

He had heard about the Guardian from Wisha.

Guardian.

A knight or paladin who protects the Dragon Lord.

They were called Guardians.

'She's not the real Guardian.'

The true Guardian stood beside the Dragon Lord.

Instead, the Guardian in front of him was an impostor who had usurped the name and position of the true Guardian who betrayed the World Tree and joined the Dragon Lord.

"So, it's you."

And this elf-

"You're the human seeking the Source of the World."

It was said that among the elves, she was the only one who had been in contact with the Source of the World and was the only one who could receive the revelation of the Source of the World.

That's why she could become the Guardian.

"Cale Henituse, is that your name?"

Cale, who was now the center of attention of the Guardian, smiled. And said:

"Was the Source of the World waiting for me?"

The Guardian bowed respectfully.

"I was ordered to bring you."

As she raised her head, her eyes sparkled. And the moment she continued speaking, the air around her changed.

"Cale Henituse, it is said that the world's savior will come to see me. Those were the words of the Source of the World."

Wisha, the white snake, the elf, and the werewolves stared at Cale with wide eyes.

Savior.

The weight of that name was not light.

And Cale, upon hearing these words, spat them out:

"Savior, what nonsense."

Xiaolen, from the Central Plains. And next, Aipotu. Suddenly, Cale felt uncomfortable continuing the conversation with this woman. His face became serious immediately.

However, Cale said nothing more and demanded of the Guardian:

"Let's go see the Source of the World right now. Lead us."

There's no time.

"Very well."

The same went for her.

At that moment...

Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing~

A sharp, piercing sound echoed throughout the forest.

"What's that sound? I've never heard anything like it before," said Wisha, puzzled.

With an anxious expression, the Guardian replied, "We don't know either. But it seems that Ryan is up to something."

Quickly, she ventured into the darkness of the forest, gesturing to Cale and his group. "Follow me quickly. When this alarm sounds, the castle's security becomes extreme. We have to enter undetected."

At that moment, Cale saw Raon tilting his head. While everyone else moved quickly, Cale approached him.

"What's wrong?"

"Human, that sound is strange. I don't know why, but I feel like something is subtly off!"

Raon couldn't explain the reason for his unease, something that was unusual for him.

The sound, akin to that of a blaring siren, didn't cease.

"..."

Cale noticed that, besides Raon, another person had stopped in their tracks.

"Choi Han?"

Choi Han wasn't moving.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he replied, shaking his head. But under Cale's insistent gaze, he whispered what he felt, "I hear a faint crying mixed with the sound."

"A crying?"

Choi Han claimed to have heard a cry that neither the White Snake, nor the elf, nor the dark elf, nor even Lock had detected. Cale didn't overlook this. If both Raon and Choi Han had sensed it, it was a sign that something was happening.

"That crying sounds familiar to me…"

"From where?"

To Cale's question, Choi Han hesitated before responding.

"…Do you remember the Black Despair?"

Cale's expression hardened instantly, as did Choi Han's.

The Black Despair. A liquid created by the Necromancers of the Alchemy Tower during the battle against the Mogoru Empire.

An object that combined Dead Mana with something else: The numerous despairs, resentments, angers, and injustices of those who had perished. Negative emotions condensed into a liquid that emitted a horrible cry. The personification of despair dyed black.

Choi Han had discovered hope in the midst of hopelessness when he confronted the Black Despair and Crown Prince Adin of the Mogoru Empire, which led to the strengthening of his Aura and essence.

"It's not the Black Despair, but I can faintly hear the crying we heard back then."

In other words, a cry filled with sadness could be heard among the loud, painful noises. At least, that's what Choi Han thought.

Of all the people there, including elves, werewolves, and others, Choi Han was the most experienced in understanding the depths of despair.

The sharp sound continued.

Cale's gaze shifted towards the direction of Ryan's Castle.

'What's happening there?'

As his face wrinkled, he suddenly saw Lock, behind Choi Han, trying to hide his unease.

"Cale-nim?"

However, Cale suppressed his doubts and resumed his march. He followed Wisha's steps quickly. His priority was to meet with the Source of the World.

* * *

In the capital of the Holy Empire, a city that was once a shining example of greatness but is now facing challenges and has lost some of its former luster, the emperor, Alt, had a strange look in his eyes.

"Are you telling me explosions were heard at the temple?" Emperor Alt asked, with an unusual gleam in his eyes.

"Yes, Majesty."

The figure responding with a gentle nod was one of the 24 Inquisitors, holding the position of the Fifth inquisitor. A faithful subordinate of the First inquisitor, her voice resonated in the grand hall:

"The location of the explosion was the building where the Pope was temporarily staying. It's said to have been quite a large explosion, even bringing down an outer wall."

Only the Emperor and his closest confidants could hear these words.

"Hoho," a smile formed on the Emperor's lips. Looking down at the Inquisitor, he said:

"Has the chaos finally begun?"

Pope Casillia, the Emperor's greatest nemesis. The Emperor knew she was a Dragon Half-Blood.

And he also knew her death wasn't far off.

"It's possible," the Fifth inquisitor lifted her head. The Emperor and the inquisitor locked eyes. The elf spoke:

"I believe the dragon blood within the Half-Blood Dragon has gone out of control. After all, the human body can't withstand dragon blood, can it?"

A smile formed on the lips of the Fifth inquisitor as she calmly spoke. The Emperor's smile intensified.

"Excellent."

His eyes gleamed greedily.

"A new balance will soon be established."

His gaze turned to the ceiling of the grand hall. The patterns engraved with colorful ornamentation held unknown significance, but they were undoubtedly striking.

"The First inquisitor should be the one at the helm of the Church."

The Fifth inquisitor responded softly to Emperor Alt's words:

"And the Church must handle Church matters, while worldly affairs must be handled by the Emperor, the center of the empire."

Both their gazes met.

"It's good that our interests align so well."

"It is, indeed, Your Majesty."

The Emperor's smile faded. With a cold tone, he said:

"I've heard the Lord will return soon, hasn't he?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Before that, let's finish the preparations."

"Understood."

The Fifth inquisitor smiled and continued:

"Since the Lord has permitted it, there will be no difficulties in the preparations."

"Hahaha, indeed."

The Emperor let out a laugh and then muttered softly:

"Anyway, the Pope and those others are destined to be disposed of."

The Fifth inquisitor, who had been smiling, withdrew from the grand hall.

"She will surely hurry to inform the First inquisitor."

Tsk.

Clicking his tongue, Alt muttered:

"It's a pity for the Pope. She doesn't know that the Lord already knows her plans and is preparing to dispose of them."

He asked casually:

"Is there any response from Har Kingdom?"

"Not yet, Your Majesty."

At his confidant's words, Alt slightly furrowed his brow.

"How insolent. Daring to act like that when they are a kingdom in ruins."

He let out a small sigh.

"Undoubtedly, someone is behind Har Kingdom, taking care of them."

Tapping lightly on the armrest of the chair, the Emperor said nonchalantly:

"Somehow, I feel that the Pope and those Half-Blood Dragon pups are secretly assisting the Har Kingdom."

Undoubtedly-

"They will sow more chaos in this land even before they meet their end."

Emperor Alt looked back up at the ceiling of the grand hall. Normally, a ceiling like this would be adorned with images of the empire's origin or heroic scenes. But here, there were only meaningless patterns.

The Emperor snorted.

"At least there are no images praising the Dragons."

It was better this way, with these senseless patterns. The Emperor clenched his fists.

"Now we serve the Dragons, but…"

It wasn't possible for the Dragons to keep dominating the human world forever.

"If they want to be Gods, they must stop interfering in human affairs."

Muttering with an indifferent tone, Emperor Alt instructed his confidant:

"Press the King of Har further. And bring him here."

"Yes, my lord."

"And once he's in the palace, use any means to gather information about his benefactor."

The confidant responded:

"Are you referring to whether it's the Church that's their benefactor?"

"That's right."

A smile formed on the Emperor's lips.

"Everything has an order. First, let's eliminate the Pope."

And if he eliminated them one by one…

"Everything will fall into my hands."

Alt's smile didn't fade from his face.

* * *

"If you touch that, you'll be able to speak with the Source of the World."

Before Cale's eyes, who had dusted himself off, a huge well appeared.

The inside of the well wasn't dark. It was covered in bright and varied colors, as if watching northern lights display.

The Guardian pointed inside the well, and Wisha said with a serious expression:

"...That's why I got injured."

She warned Cale:

"If you touch that, you could die."

Cale's gaze shifted to Wisha.

"That's a space in balance. If an unbalanced being enters, it absorbs their life force."

Wisha's warning echoed in Cale's ears.

* * *

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Rai_Mayank]