-1662- Wait for me...

In the end, Rozen naturally didn't actually choose to reincarnate as a Cait Sith, instead opting to ally with the Cait Sith race.

It wasn't just because the reincarnation system hadn't fully launched yet; even if it were, Rozen wouldn't make that choice under these circumstances.

Indeed, with Rozen's talent and abilities, choosing the Cait Sith would undoubtedly bring out his full potential. But since Leafa liked the Sylphs and wanted him to become one as well, Rozen decided to go along with her wish.

After all, Rozen was already nearly invincible in this world. Even Eugene, the so-called strongest player, was no match for him. The sixty-eight elite Salamander soldiers had also been helplessly slaughtered by him. Given that, Rozen saw no need to continue chasing power.

After all, ALO was different from SAO; it was just a game.

So, with his current power, Rozen was already content, with no need to pursue more strength.

After Rozen expressed his intentions, although Alicia Rue was a little disappointed, she seemed mentally prepared.

"If you ever want to reincarnate, just let big sister know, all right? No matter when, big sister will be waiting for you."

Alicia Rue flirtatiously winked at Rozen as she spoke, making him laugh helplessly and provoking Sakuya's objections.

"If you keep trying to steal my people, don't blame me for getting rough, Rue."

Sakuya said this fiercely.

Then the two leaders had yet another argument, much to Leafa's exasperation.

"What matters now is the alliance! Al-li-ance!"

Leafa kept correcting them angrily, clearly displeased with Sakuya and Alicia Rue fighting over Rozen the entire time.

Finally, after much persuasion, the group got back on track and immediately decided to form an alliance. From that day forward, they would fight side-by-side to resist the Salamanders' aggression and to take on the World Tree quest in hopes of surpassing the other races.

"The Salamanders will likely need some time to prepare if they want to conquer the World Tree."

"During that time, we should also prepare thoroughly. If we can conquer the World Tree before the Salamanders, all the better."

"When the time comes, we hope you two will lend us your strength."

"Especially you, little Rozen. We'll be counting on you, okay?"

Sakuya and Alicia Rue both directed these words at Rozen and Leafa. Then, taking their Sylphs and Cait Sith players with them, they left the Butterfly Valley, heading back toward their respective territories.

Given the Salamanders' withdrawal, there was little chance of another ambush, so Rozen and Leafa didn't plan to travel with them, intending instead to follow their original route to Alne.

As for Sigurd, before disbanding, Sakuya used her authority as the Sylph leader to formally exile him.

This wasn't done with brute force but through the system itself, exiling Sigurd so that he was instantly transported to a neutral zone.

From that moment on, Sigurd was no longer recognized by the system as a Sylph citizen. If he ever stepped foot in a Sylph city again, he would immediately be arrested—or worse, killed—without any chance of escape.

This incident caused quite a stir among the Sylphs. It was said that Sigurd even filed a report against Sakuya, accusing her of abusing her authority as a leader. However, his complaint was not accepted by the game officials.

Thus, Sigurd was utterly finished, no longer a high-ranking official among the Sylphs, but rather a pariah.

He reportedly continued to stir up trouble online, protesting wildly, only to have his account suspended, leaving him unable to post anything.

In the end, with nowhere else to turn, Sigurd tried to join the Salamanders, only to be unceremoniously kicked aside, as he had lost all utility to them.

In desperation, he was reportedly considering deleting his account.

But that's a story for another time.

At present, Rozen and Leafa simply watched Sakuya, Alicia Rue, and the others leave, leaving just the two of them.

Leafa then received a message from Rekon.

"It seems Rekon has been rescued. He's been revived in Swilvane and is free from paralysis and poison, no longer under the Salamanders' control."

Reading Rekon's message, Leafa sighed in relief, her tone finally relaxed.

With that, the incident between the Sylphs and the Cait Sith was completely over, bringing Leafa a great sense of joy.

Rozen, however, noticed part of Rekon's message and spoke with a smirk.

"Your friend seems to be saying that you should absolutely wait here for him; he's on his way over right now, isn't he?"

That was indeed what Rozen saw in the message.

Leafa, however, seemed unconcerned.

"With his flying speed and technique, there's no way he could make it through Legrue Corridor. He might not even be able to get past the Ancient Forest. The only way he can safely reach here is by following a caravan or a player party, taking a detour through Cait Sith territory and coming from Butterfly Valley. By the time he gets here, it'll probably be days later."

In other words, Leafa didn't plan on waiting for Rekon here.

"Let's head out on our own." Leafa turned around cheerfully, looking ahead. "Look, the World Tree is over there."

At Leafa's words, Rozen turned as well.

And in the next instant, he saw it.

In fact, Rozen had already caught sight of it when they crossed Legrue Corridor.

In the distant sea of clouds stood a colossal, hazy silhouette.

It was a massive tree that seemed to reach the heavens, as though it alone supported the entire sky.

A thick trunk stretched from earth to sky.

The branches spread out like another celestial body, stretching in all directions.

Since crossing the mountains, translating this into real-world distance, reaching the tree's location would require covering nearly twenty kilometers.

Yet, even from twenty kilometers away, the tree loomed like an entity occupying a corner of the sky, exuding an overwhelming presence. One could hardly imagine what it would be like to stand at its base.

"So that's the World Tree?"

Gazing at the incomparably vast tree, Rozen murmured.

"This is my first time seeing it too…"

Leafa's voice was reverent.

They both stared at the immense tree, mesmerized.

After a while, they finally snapped out of it.

"The city at the base of that tree is the central city, Alne," Leafa turned to Rozen, saying, "Shall we go?"

Was there even a question?

"We've already wasted enough time." Rozen replied without hesitation, "Let's go."

"Mm." Leafa nodded enthusiastically.

With that, they spread their wings and soared toward the majestic tree.

As he gazed at the tree ahead, Rozen murmured in a voice only he could hear.

"Wait for me…"

With those words, Rozen accelerated.

Leafa could only keep pace behind him, her eyes glinting as she watched Rozen's back.