[243] Papa~

Carefully sensing it, August realized that his demonic power was continuously being absorbed by the inner world within him. Not only that, but his mental energy was also being drained, which explained why he had been feeling constantly drowsy and exhausted.

"No need to worry. I know what's going on."

With those words, August's figure vanished in an instant, leaving Sona, Rias, and Yolda stunned.

Only Hilda understood that August had likely entered his own personal world, a realm exclusive to him alone.

Meanwhile, within the inner world, August discovered that the magical energy here was incredibly sparse. Even his servants, usually brimming with power, were almost entirely depleted.

The culprit behind this was none other than the mysterious sapling that had sprouted from the seed he had planted yesterday. It had absorbed a considerable amount of his demonic energy, merely scratching the surface of its growth.

Now, it was drawing nourishment from its surroundings to continue growing. However, the inner world was too small, with too little magical energy and nutrients to sustain it properly.

All the magical energy in the inner world had been absorbed, leaving even its inhabitants with barely any left. This included August himself, who was continuously drained of demonic energy and mental strength.

Stepping into the center of the inner world, August found the mysterious plant, which had now grown into a small sapling, measuring just over ten centimeters tall. Despite its size, it already boasted numerous tender leaves on its tiny branches.

As he approached, August sensed a flurry of emotions emanating from the sapling: joy, excitement, gratitude, goodwill, and even a sense of dependency. These emotions belonged to the sapling itself, leaving August bewildered.

Could this enigmatic plant truly possess consciousness?

"Papa~ Papa~"

A faint yet crisp voice suddenly rang out.

August was at a loss for words. Not only did this sapling seem to possess consciousness, but it also called him "Papa."

Now completely flustered, August struggled to comprehend the situation. He had come to investigate a problem, only to discover that he had inadvertently gained a plant child.

"Um, why are you calling me dad?"

"Papa~ Nurture me~ Protect me~ Family~"

The soft, melodious voice sounded almost childlike, tugging at August's heartstrings.

Unable to form a coherent response, August found himself in a dilemma. He had unexpectedly gained a sapling child, one that seemed unique and conscious.

"Since you like calling me Papa, why absorb my power then?"

"Absorb~ Grow~ Help Papa~"

With each innocent word, the sapling melted August's heart. If it truly was a child, then it was undoubtedly an adorable one.

"Can you stop absorbing then? Papa's strength is very weak, and if you keep absorbing like this, Papa won't be able to handle it."

"Okay~"

The next moment, the sensation of continuous loss of energy disappeared.

August knew that his sapling child had stopped.

This inner world was simply too small to accommodate such a mysterious plant.

As August pondered whether to transplant it to the Underworld, where energy was abundant, he could also rally everyone in his domain to provide energy.

Just hearing those few 'Papa~' calls had already lifted August's spirits.

Boom~

Just as August was lost in thought, the entire inner world suddenly trembled.

Using his authority as the controller of this world, August probed and discovered that the underground of the inner world was now occupied by the roots of this sapling.

Moreover, these roots were now extending into the void beyond the mist, startling August.

These mists were not only the weapons of this world but also its barriers. It was because of these mists that the inner world had not been consumed by nothingness.

An inner world like this was far inferior to a grain of sand in a vast sea within the records.

Even the slightest disturbance could lead to the destruction of this world.

As August worried, he further noticed that once these roots entered the void, they seemed to anchor themselves and began absorbing the energy of nothingness bit by bit.

"Papa~ Power~ For you~"

A surge of pure energy entered August's body, causing a slight increase in his power.

Do not underestimate this slight increase. August's total power was immense, and this tiny boost was already formidable.

"What are you doing?"

"Going outside~ Absorb~ Nutrients~"

"Will everything be okay?"

"No problem~"

August was struck. The nothingness, which he considered a catastrophe, was merely prey in the eyes of the sapling.

Subconsciously, August looked at the mysterious sapling, and then a bunch of information floated before him.

[Name: World Tree (Sapling)]

[Owner: Augustus Divus Pracentum]

[Growth Stage: Sprouting Period (0.001%)]

[Innate Abilities: Space (World Tree's realm, space more stable), Elemental (World Tree's realm, elements more concentrated and active), Devour (World Tree's realm, can grow by devouring everything)]

(P.S.: You've had a stroke of luck. You've awakened a dormant World Tree seedling. However, it's impossible for you to see it grow into maturity within tens of thousands of years.)

August was almost speechless. A World Tree seed? A World Tree sapling?

Was this a joke?

He drew a gacha and got a World Tree seed?

This was the World Tree, a legendary divine tree capable of carrying countless worlds, and now, it was his?

However, looking at the [Sprouting Period (0.001%)], August felt bitter. He had almost exhausted himself, and yet, it had only absorbed a fraction of his energy, just 0.001%.

This was only the sprouting period, and there were definitely several stages behind this. It would take who knows how long for the World Tree to mature.

Also, this World Tree sapling actually called him Papa, satisfying August's vanity instantly. What a status symbol.

"Baby, can you tell Papa what you need to grow?"

"~~~"

This time the little one didn't respond, but shortly after, some information entered August's mind.

The World Tree's growth required nutrients. Everything in the world could become nutrients for the World Tree, and even the world itself was the World Tree's target.

This made August break out in a cold sweat. Truly, it was a World Tree; it could even devour the world itself.

___

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