【 “DEMACIA!” 】

—

Upon hearing the sound of the door being pushed open by Dio, Kelez, who had been praying before the holy statue, slowly opened his eyes.

“Your Majesty, Matriarch… may you guide me to the true light…”

Dio heard Kelez murmuring softly to himself. His voice was hoarse and low, yet it carried a resolute will.

The kneeling elf then rose slowly to his feet and, under Dio’s somewhat uneasy gaze, turned around.

“Lord Kelez…”

Dio hurriedly bowed in respect.

“There is no need for such formality.”

Kelez waved his hand gently. Then, with a faint and warm smile, he spoke in a deep voice:

“Dio, I heard from Old Cole that some unexpected events have occurred today in the city?”

Dio’s expression turned serious.

“That is correct, Lord Kelez.”

As he spoke, he recounted once again, in greater detail, everything he had previously told the old elf.

“A silver-haired elf? A royalty from the Moonlight Clan? And possessing great strength? Are you certain of these facts?”

Kelez frowned slightly.

“Yes. When I left, the entire city was pursuing them. There is no mistake about it.” Dio replied.

Kelez slowly shook his head.

“That is impossible.”

As he spoke, he stepped forward and walked out of the prayer chamber, with Dio hastily following behind.

Upon arriving at the underground hall outside the chamber, Kelez’s gaze lingered briefly on the busy members of their organization before he said:

“When my teacher and I led our people to this world, only five members of the Moonlight Clan have accompanied the Shadowshade Clan.”

“Two of them perished before we even set foot on this continent, and the remaining three… died at the hands of that Evil Tree in the battle eight hundred and fifty years ago.”

“None of those five royalty had left any descendants in this world.”

After hearing Kelez’s words, Dio was momentarily stunned.

Then he asked instinctively:

“Then… Lord Kelez, could it be a mixed-blood half-elf? As you know, some humans also have silver hair, and… if it were a first-generation hybrid, they might not appear very different from a pure-blooded elf…”

Kelez shook his head again.

“That is even less possible.”

“To contend with over a hundred Guardian Knights, this individual’s strength must have already reached the Legendary-rank.”

“Do you believe anyone in this world could break through to the Legendary-rank?”

Dio froze slightly.

Then he fell silent.

What Lord Kelez said just now was indeed correct.

In this realm of Mindel, no one had ever been able to break through to the Legendary-rank.

Perhaps it might have been possible more than eight hundred years ago since according to the old records, when their forebears had first arrived in this world, the concentration of mana had still been abundant.

Even the late Lord Eris had personally stated that this world’s energy level was high enough to accommodate demigods.

At that time, Lord Kelez had been the most anticipated figure among their people. Everyone believed that, given enough time, he would inevitably ascend to the demigod rank.

But ever since the Church awakened that evil giant tree more than eight hundred years ago, everything had changed.

Aside from that mysterious ruin, the concentration of mana across the entire world had been steadily declining. As such, not to mention the Legendary-rank, even advancing to the Gold-rank had become increasingly difficult.

Now, even their organization’s number of high-ranking experts had dwindled as a result.

It could be said that Lord Kelez alone was sustaining everything.

In contrast, the power of that Evil Tree had continued to grow stronger. It could even directly elevate exceptionally talented individuals to the Gold-rank, turning them into Guardian Knights.

“But… the commotion earlier in the city had been so intensive. It should not be false, should it? Could it be a lie deliberately fabricated by the Church?”

Dio asked, frowning.

“It is unlikely to be a fabrication. Although the Church has already fallen under the control of that Evil Tree, it would not go so far as to fabricate an incident so absurd.”

Kelez shook his head.

“Then… what do you mean, Milord?”

Dio grew increasingly confused.

Kelez’s gaze suddenly deepened.

“What I mean is that it is absolutely impossible for any member of the Moonlight Clan to exist in this world.”

“Unless… the individual came from outside, that is.”

Dio’s eyes widened.

“O-Outside?!”

A trace of confusion appeared in his expression.

“But… didn’t you say that ever since that Evil Tree awakened, this world has been completely sealed? Even you Milord cannot open a path to the outside realm…”

Kelez let out a soft sigh.

“That is indeed correct. Not only that, but after this world was completely sealed, even my late Master’s power would likely be insufficient enough to open a passageway to the outside realm.”

“In the beginning, my Master chose the Realm of Mindel precisely because she discovered that the power sealing this world could conceal our traces.”

“However, no one expected the sealing force of this world to be even stronger than we had initially imagined.”

“But… if the other party truly came from outside, would that not mean that somewhere in this world, a passageway to the outside already exists?”

Dio asked again.

Kelez nodded.

“That is one possibility.”

Then, a flicker of thought passed through his eyes.

“The other possibility… is that the individual who caused the incident today was sent here by that Evil Sea God.”

Dio’s expression gradually turned solemn.

“Evil Sea God…”

The enemies of their organization were not limited to the evil giant tree that controlled the Church. There was also that Abyssal Sea God worshipped by the creatures of the ocean.

No one knew how that Abyssal deity, who spread his faith among marine life, had discovered Mindel. Yet ever since its power began to seep into it, everything had changed.

The war in this world appeared, on the surface, to be a conflict between land-dwelling beings led by the elves and the oceanic creatures who worshipped the evil god. In truth, however, Dio understood that it was a war between the malevolent giant tree that controlled the Church of All-Divine Mother and the Abyssal Sea God that ruled the seas.

Elves and the various races were merely instruments in their struggle.

Below the true gods, all beings are nothing but ants.

Dio had heard Lord Kelez often say this more than once.

For now, a fragile balance still persisted, which allow the elves and other land-dwelling races to survive.

But Dio knew clearly that once those two mythical-rank entities determined a victor, it would likely mark the beginning of true catastrophe for the Shadowshade Clan and all its affiliated races.

This was the doomsday prophecy spoken of by their organization.

“Sent by that Evil Sea God… could it be… that individual has truly fallen to the lull of the Abyss and become a follower of such a malevolent deity?”

Dio asked with difficulty.

“What is so impossible about that?”

Kelez let out a cold laugh.

Then he sighed softly.

“If even the Church can be deceived and brought under the control of that Evil Tree, then the fall of an elf into the lull of the Abyss would not surprise me in the least…”

Hearing this, Dio’s expression grew even heavier.

Seeing his conflicted look, Kelez smiled faintly and continued:

“Of course, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility that individual truly came from outside this world. A member of the Moonlight Clan who has reached the Legendary-rank… perhaps that person is even an old friend of mine.”

“In that case, we might gain a powerful ally, and perhaps even discover another passageway leading beyond this world.”

Almost impossible…

Dio thought to himself.

Though he was only a little over three hundred years old, he had read many of their organization’s records.

He knew that after the holy war a thousand years ago, the entire elven race had been afflicted by a racial curse. Hence, only those who had come to this world had managed to escape it.

As for those outside…

Their kin beyond this world might very well be in an even worse situation than those here within the Realm of Mindel.

The scenario Lord Kelez described was, in truth, exceedingly unlikely.

“Nevertheless, regardless of the truth of the matter, since such a mysterious and powerful individual has already appeared, it is only proper that we make contact with them.”

Kelez’s expression turned resolute as he spoke again.

“…Even if such unlikely scenario is exceedingly slim.”

His gaze was unwavering.

Dio listened and nodded solemnly.

“I understand. I will arrange for personnel at once to search for that individual in secret…”

“Complete this as soon as possible. We must establish contact before I enter the ruins.”

Kelez instructed.

“Enter the ruins, Milord?”

Dio’s eyes widened.

He looked at Kelez with hesitation.

“Milord… are you finally going to take that step?”

“It can no longer be delayed. The power of that Evil Tree is growing stronger by the day.”

Kelez shook his head.

His expression became increasingly grave.

“Only a being of Mythical-rank can contend with another mythical being. Thus, I must ascend to the demigod-rank if I am to stand against it…”

“If its identity is truly as my Master and I suspect, then entering the ruins may instead provide an opportunity to reclaim the body of the Matriarch, and perhaps even to take control of this world.”

“If I succeed, not only that Evil Tree, but even that Malevolent Sea God will no longer pose a threat to us.”

As he spoke, Kelez turned to Dio and smiled faintly.

“Of course, should I fail, then I must entrust you with leading our organization to continue its purpose.”

“Dio, I hold great expectations for you. If that day truly comes, allow me to offer my apologies in advance…”

“Lord Kelez…”

Dio’s gaze was filled with concern.

“Hey, do not look at me like that, as though I am certain to fail. Who do you think I am? I am the one acknowledged as the greatest genius the Shadowshade Clan has produced in ten thousand years.”

Seeing Dio’s conflicted expression, Kelez let out a scoff.

“Enough. Go and arrange for the investigation. Report to me the moment you obtain any information.”

Dio bowed respectfully.

“I understand.”

However, at that very moment, the entire underground space suddenly trembled, shaking violently.

Soon, the figure of the elderly elf appeared at the entrance. There were traces of blood on his body, and his expression was urgent.

“Lord Kelez! Our location has been exposed! The Guardian Knights have already surrounded the manor above ground!”

“Exposed?!”

Dio was briefly stunned, then his eyes widened.

“How could that be? I had already concealed my tracks. No one should have been following me…”

The old elf shook his head.

“No, it is not your fault, Lord Dio. Alas, another one of our members was captured. His soul was likely devoured by that Evil Tree, which led to our location being revealed…”

“How many have come?”

Kelez asked calmly.

“One God’s Chosen Knight, at least thirty Guardian Knights, and an entire Demon-Hunting detachment under the Church. The total number likely exceeds five hundred.”

The old elf replied.

A God’s Chosen Knight…

Kelez’s gaze sharpened.

Those individuals that acquired favor by the gods could wield divine power.

If there was anything in this world capable of contending with him, then it would be the God’s Chosen of that Evil Tree.

“Cole, inform everyone. Initiate emergency evacuation protocol. We will leave through the backup exit. Dio, remember to bring the holy statue of Her Majesty.”

Kelez issued his orders without hesitation.

At his command, the members of the organization immediately sprang into action. Dio offered a brief prayer to the holy statue before decisively carrying it upon his back.

More than three hundred members of the underground base followed Kelez as they moved toward a hidden backdoor passage.

The passage twisted and turned, leading to a forest on the surface.

Concealing their presence, the members of the organization quietly withdrew under Kelez’s leadership.

At that moment, on a hillside near the distant town, the manor had already been engulfed in flames, burning brightly against the night.

However, before their members could even breathe a sigh of relief, a rustling sound suddenly arose from the surrounding undergrowth. One after another, fully armed warriors revealed themselves.

There were elves, half-elves, humans, and members of other races.

Led by more than a dozen Guardian Knights clad in silver armor, they swiftly surrounded the group.

“Blasphemer Kelez, we meet again.”

One of the Guardian Knights, a tall figure, stepped forward with an expressionless face.

A faint radiance shimmered around him, the unmistakable sign of divine favor.

“A God’s Chosen Knight…”

Kelez’s expression grew solemn.

“A mere servant of a false god, and you believe you can detain me?”

He let out a cold laugh.

The God’s Chosen Knight, however, remained expressionless as he replied:

“I have never intended to detain you.”

“Our objective is simply to eliminate as many of you blasphemers as possible.”

Kelez’s expression darkened.

This was precisely what he feared most.

As one who stood at the peak of the Legendary-rank, he did not fear these pitiful individuals, brainwashed by the Evil Tree and forcibly elevated in strength.

But while he himself had nothing to fear, the members of his organization behind him did not share that same strength…

The Church’s control continued to grow stronger, while the number of members within their organization kept steadily declining.

As such, each remaining member had become exceedingly valuable.

Every encirclement and suppression like this dealt a heavy blow to their organization, one from which it would take a long time to recover.

“I will hold them off. Everyone else, break through in separate directions.”

Kelez spoke in a deep voice.

With that, he let out a furious roar.

A silver radiance flared across his body as he charged straight toward the Guardian Knights.

The God’s Chosen Knight’s expression sharpened, as though facing a formidable enemy.

The two sides clashed instantly.

Meanwhile, the members of the organization drew their weapons and attempted to break out in all directions while battle erupted in full swing.

Dio, carrying the holy statue of the Goddess on his back, charged at the forefront.

As one of the few Gold-rank experts in their organization, he raised his longsword high and led his companions straight toward the Guardian Knights.

“Stop him! He carries the statue of the false god. That is the greatest blasphemy against Her Majesty, the All-Divine Mother!”

While leading over a dozen Guardian Knights in their assault on Kelez, the God’s Chosen Knight issued his command to the others.

At once, four or five Guardian Knights rushed toward Dio.

The pressure on him increased sharply.

Before long, fresh wounds began to appear across his body, one after another.

The Guardian Knights pressed in together.

With a single swing of his sword, Dio forced several of them back.

Yet in the next instant, a sharp pain struck his chest. He staggered, unable to steady himself, and the statue he carried fell to the ground.

To his right, a Guardian Knight withdrew an elven longsword.

Dio lowered his gaze and saw a gruesome wound on his body, from which blood poured without restraint.

He could feel his strength rapidly draining away.

The Guardian Knights surged forward once more. Dio barely managed to block a single strike, but he no longer had the strength to continue.

It is over…

As he watched the incoming blade, this thought flashed through his mind.

However, just as the sword was about to pierce him, Dio suddenly heard a resounding shout:

“Demacia!”

In the next moment, a red-haired elf, radiating a sacred golden light, charged onto the battlefield.

Clad in magnificent equipment, he resembled a humanoid beast as he swung a massive greatsword, sending several Guardian Knights flying.

At the sight of him, Dio was momentarily dazed.

It was the Flame Elf he had met in New Rivendell.

In the next instant, several more figures appeared on the battlefield. Each of them shone with the same golden radiance, their auras immensely powerful.

Moreover, the light emanating from them bore the unmistakable aura of those who had likewise received the favor of a god.

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