Chapter 90: Secrets of the Royal Palace

Reaching the capital of Lysette took at least a week, no matter how fast one traveled. Although El was furious, I decided to take this as an opportunity.

Fortunately, the elves treated their prisoners humanely and elegantly. In Roshan, it was common for prisoners to die during transport. So, having three meals a day was something to be grateful for.

I didn't do the stupid thing of locking myself in the prisoner carriage and brooding over my depression. Isn't one of the strengths of Koreans their dedication to self-improvement even in the smallest moments? I immersed myself in reading an old book.

What Grizel, or rather, Selrem, vomited up was definitely a shard of the Origin God.

How did I know that? After I obtained the bead, one of the seven markings on the map in the old book disappeared. The purple bead embedded in the bow and the purple feather that sprouted from Beepy's tail were surely shards of the Origin God.

Even if just for a brief moment, I felt an immense power…

It was such a powerful force that it was understandable how he annihilated six dark elf villages. Without the blessing of Lynshaka and Beepy's help, I wouldn't have been able to stop him either.

Despite his immense power, his body and soul were unstable which gave us a fighting chance. It was a great relief. If he had been in a stable condition, I couldn't guarantee that I would have been a match for him.

On the way to the capital, I meditated and offered prayers of gratitude to Lynshaka, who protected me with the [Child of the Forest] trait. In my spare time, I carved arrows and prepared various materials…. Before going to sleep, I taught Morse code to El and Lloyd. Since Morse code didn't exist in this world, it could serve as a secret code useful only to us. Fortunately, they both quickly learned Morse code and even found it quite fun.

– Clatter!

And so we arrived again at the capital of Lysette.

I looked around to see if Darion's parents, the Silvanus couple, were nearby, but the streets were deserted and eerily quiet.

Why?

Since Grizel's curse was lifted, the queen should have emerged from the labyrinth of dreams. But the atmosphere was unsettling. I whispered to Lloyd and El in a low voice.

"…We don't know what might happen. If you can't reach me, escape from Lysette on your own."

El couldn't hide her shock, and Lloyd appeared thoughtful for a moment. Thankfully, unlike El, he nodded his head.

"Understood. Prioritize your safety. I will do the same. Got it, El?"

"…Yes."

"Maybe Ayla followed the scent and came to the nearby forest. If things go wrong, try to find Ayla."

"Yes, Master."

El nodded her head. We were led, or rather ordered, by the elf soldiers to different places. In my case, I was thrown back into the solitary cell where I had been previously confined.

– What is this unpleasant place?

A grumbling voice came from the tiny shadow cast by the light shining above. It was Cuscus.

"It's a prison made by the elves."

– What a terrible imagination.

He shuddered and stretched his shadow long, but had to return to its original size quickly. The elf prison was not a place to take lightly.

How long would they keep me this time? I let out a deep sigh and sat cross-legged on the floor. With nothing else to do, I decided to take this opportunity to pray extensively.

Prayer was a curious system. It was a really tedious and annoying task, but the more consistently you did it, the higher your chances of receiving divine favor, or "blessings". In reality, it was often criticized for the low return compared to the time invested, but in my current situation, it was quite useful. Praying was actually quite easy. In a game, it might be different, but in reality, sitting comfortably and praying was much easier than beheading fifty goblins.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath lightly. Calmly. Then I began to pray to Lynshaka. Starting with praising Lynshaka's long-standing achievements, I expressed gratitude for the countless favors she bestowed, from small things like meals to great things like saving my life. I credited all glory to her, pleaded for continued enlightenment, and asked for my peace…

As I continued, I couldn't help but think it was similar to being dragged to the teacher's office and writing a reflection essay. Of course, I was quite good at writing reflection essays, so this kind of prayer was a piece of cake.

How much time had passed? Two days? Three days? Maybe even a week had gone by. In the prison, there was no way to tell when the sun rose and set, and since I wasn't provided with meals due to the imperishable elven food called Lembbe cookies, I had no way of knowing how many days had passed. It would have been nice if a clock flower could bloom, but since I couldn't use magical power …

-Chiring…

It was the moment I was about to pray about how delicious the Rouge flowers raised by Lynshaka's grace were. I felt a fresh and refreshing breeze blowing in the enclosed room.

[Your prayer has moved Lynshaka.]

[Lynshaka responds to your prayer.]

[The trait 'Child of the Forest' evolves into 'Loved by the Forest'.]

I was startled and rubbed my eyes, then looked back at the glowing words.

[Loved by the Forest]

[You are a special 'Child of the Forest' cherished by Lynshaka, the Goddess of the Forest and Earth.]

[Lynshaka's divine power within you grows stronger.]

[The forests and lands tended by Lynshaka will welcome you.]

[The forests and lands tended by Lynshaka will protect you.]

[Unholy beings will fear you more.]

The trait abilities had significantly improved, and the additional effects were impressive. Particularly the part about "the forests and lands will welcome you".

There were regions like forests and mountains where people couldn't enter across the continent, and this meant those areas were now "unlocked". It might reduce the difficulties faced while completing the quest to find the shards of the origin god.

I wasn't sure exactly what "protect" meant. Would it really block physical attacks, or would it work in some other way…?

I'd have to get out of here to test it.

I glared at the firmly closed door. The annoying door that had no intention of opening. Just as I thought about kicking it down,

-Creaaaaak…

The door opened with a heavy sound.

The one who appeared was none other than Blanche. He stood upright as always while looking down at me with a stern expression.

"Druid."

"You can call me Theodore."

"Follow me."

"It seems you're not going to explain anything."

"You know the sins you've committed better than anyone, so there's no need for me to explain."

Sins?

I looked at him incredulously.

Saving the dark elves and stopping Grizel's misdeeds which was a kind of "treason" was considered a 'sin'?

What is the queen even doing?

This was a completely different story! Was she just discarding me now that she had no use for me? Unknowingly, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists tightly. To think that the Elves were such a cowardly race. I had thought it was just Dwarven slander.

For now, I quietly followed Blanche. Causing a commotion wouldn't help me. I had to pretend to cooperate and watch how the situation unfolded.

When we arrived at the room at the end of the hallway, I saw a portal. Was I going to have to prove myself again? My worry was short-lived as Blanche spoke first.

"From now on, you will step into the most sacred place in Lysette. Though you are nothing more than a worthless insect, your abilities will be used for the glory of Lysette…"

What kind of nonsense is this?

"…be grateful to the god of fate who led you here."

At the same time, Elf soldiers put restraints on my hands. They were made of mithril, which was very light yet sturdy. Strange runes I had never seen before were engraved on the restraints.

A hand pushed me, and I stepped into the portal.

-Thud.

Footsteps echoed in the endless, silent corridor. I looked around. Familiar portraits were hanging.

This place…

It was the same corridor I had seen in the labyrinth of dreams.

If that's the case, at the end of this corridor…

Before I could think further, someone pushed me again. When I looked back, I saw Blanche and the elf elders. They were looking at me with expressions that seemed both eager and fearful.

"Move forward, Druid."

Blanche's cane poked my back again. I started walking down the long corridor with the Elf elders following behind.

Is the queen at the end of this corridor?

While walking down the endless corridor, the portraits on the walls seemed to glare at me, as if I were a high criminal. I held my breath and kept walking. A sense of an inevitable, immense misfortune awaiting me grew stronger.

-Creeeeeak…

The huge door at the end of the corridor opened with a heavy sound. The interior was not only grand but also solemn. Huge pillars, floors, ceilings, and walls made of white marble… All the delicate decorations and carvings were made of gold. Moreover, the light split into various colors through the crystal windows in the ceiling which created a breathtaking scene.

In the midst of it all…

-Gulp.

The queen lay asleep.

On a bed that seemed to be made of swan feathers, the queen's body lay still, as if she weren't breathing. A sculpture or a taxidermy… She didn't seem alive in any way. But…

-Swish…

-Flap.

-Swish…

-Flap.

The branch of the guardian tree at the queen's bedside that continuously bloomed and withered proved that her life had not been extinguished.

"How rude."

At that moment, Blanche hit my knee with his cane as I looked at the scene as if I was fascinated. The impact forced me to kneel down. Blanche pressed the tip of his cane against my head, causing me to bow before the queen.

"Consider it an honor to offer your lowly life to Her Majesty, Druid."