Chapter 609: Chapter 609- Revival of the World Tree & Aurelian (8)

Under the effects of the song, the Origin Seed finally responded.

The light around it intensified, and it could no longer retain its form. It expanded and unfolded like a sprout breaking free.

The Origin Seed began to grow rapidly. Roots extended, branches appeared.

As Cecilia’s singing deepened and filled with emotions of yearning and heartfelt wish, the seed answered.

Soon, a sapling formed. Radiant and pure, its presence filled the space with what it lacked… vitality.

Although this white space was now filled with colors, it couldn’t be said to be alive. But now, with the appearance of the sapling, the space finally seemed full of life.

A stark contrast to its previous appearance.

Reinhardt watched silently. For once, even he felt a trace of awe.

This… was the birth of the World Tree.

A phenomenon that would lead the world to its dawn.

That said, life is an inseparable compound of good and evil. You cannot have the peak without the depth of the low moments.

At this moment, with the birth of the World Tree imminent, a stain silently appeared in the canvas. Subtle and barely noticeable amidst the explosion of colors.

However, the moment it appeared, it started spreading fiercely. It distorted the colors into something more malignant.

Like rot, it crawled along the roots, seeping through the ground and creeping into the sky.

Reinhardt observed all this with solemn eyes.

“So you can’t wait any longer, huh? Since you decided to show yourself, then allow me to see who you really are.”

The force that had previously tried to devour Cecilia, the malignant energy that had seeped into the core of this place, was finally showing itself.

With the appearance of this malignant energy, the world began to turn dull. Wherever it spread, colors would fade away, and the vibrant world began to wither.

At the same time, at an unknown corner of the spiritual world, something nefarious slowly shifted. Two pairs of deep crimson eyes watched everything silently.

It had observed Reinhardt and Cecilia in this world, their motive, and the presence of the High Elf Priestess. It had watched everything silently, and when their guard was down, it attacked.

The corruption surged.

Like a starving beast finally unchained, it lunged toward Cecilia. Black tendrils of rot tore through the radiant world, devouring color, devouring light, and even devouring life itself.

Cecilia, who was the target, seemed unaware of the attack. She still stood at the center with her eyes closed and lips moving as she continued to sing a soothing lullaby.

She didn’t see the rot spreading toward her, nor did she feel it.

That said, there was no need for her to feel bothered because there was someone protecting her.

Reinhardt looked at the spreading malignant energy with his golden eyes, and for the first time since entering this realm, a killing intent surfaced.

The corruption slowly spread all across the world. However, just as it was about a few meters away from reaching the projection of the World Tree, it suddenly stopped.

No, not stopped. To be more precise, it was denied.

A huge golden barrier formed around Cecilia and the World Tree, like a sphere of pale gold.

The golden barrier projected a divine light and kept all corruption away. The spreading malignant energy could no longer proceed forward.

What’s more, every time it tried to creep near the barrier, it was burned and disintegrated.

SSSSHHHHHH!!

The corruption recoiled violently, like something that had just touched its natural predator.

“[Divine Sanctum],” Reinhardt slowly muttered under his breath.

[Divine Sanctum] – The paladin designates a fixed area as Divine Territory. Effects: Absolute Rejection. Any form of demonic, abyssal, or corrupted energy is instantly nullified upon contact. Hostile entities and energies within proximity are disintegrated.

Within the domain, the laws of corruption, decay, and fear are overwritten by divine authority. Furthermore, all allies within are immune to fear, despair, illusion, and spiritual erosion.

It was this skill that stopped the spreading malignant energy earlier.

[Divine Sanctum] was one of the few support type skills in Reinhardt’s arsenal. While not as good as the [Aegis of the Eternal Flame] in terms of defense or [Radiant Ascension] in terms of offense, and although it was limited in use, when it came to protecting a fixed large area, there was no other skill better than [Divine Sanctum].

The malignant energy did not give up. After failing once, it tried again and again.

But every single time, the result was the same. Every time it touched the glowing golden barrier, it was disintegrated into nothing.

Like waves crashing against an unbreakable cliff, it had no effect.

The radiant sphere remained pristine and untainted.

Seeing this, Reinhardt smiled. Then his eyes turned cold as he addressed the hidden enemy.

“It’s useless. As long as the essence of your power remains evil, Divine Sanctum cannot be breached.”

The writhing mass of corruption that had now completely covered the white world surged.

Then, as if responding to his words, a voice sounded out. Deep and booming, as if it was coming straight from the ancient era.

“Foolish human, you dare try to go against the will of the World Tree.”

When Reinhardt heard those words, he could not help but scoff. His golden eyes pierced straight into the depths of the corruption.

“Who are you trying to fool? Do you think I am gullible enough, like that girl, to fall for your tricks? You crawl in shadows… gnaw at the roots… and dare to call yourself the will of the World Tree? Don’t insult something you could never comprehend. You are nothing but a parasite latching onto the roots of the World Tree. An insect of the Abyss.”

Deep disdain and condescension that did not put the other party in his eyes.

There was only one kind of enemy that could bring out Reinhardt’s racist side.

The identity of this mysterious entity was now pretty clear.

Silence fell. For a moment, the corruption stopped moving. Then laughter echoed out.

“Hehehehe… well, well… to think you would see through it.”

The voice that was previously deep and majestic suddenly became low and distorted, crawling into the ears like something whispering from inside your skull.

Even after being looked down on by Reinhardt, it did not get angry. In fact, its voice suggested that it was amused.

“It seems… in the current era, there are still humans like you in Valdonia. Since you managed to reach all the way to this place, it appears those lowly fellows aren’t doing their tasks properly.”

Lowly fellows… current era…

Reinhardt narrowed his eyes. The words of this fellow suggested that it had quite a high standing to be able to look down on its kind like that.

Could it be one of those?

Oblivious to Reinhardt’s thoughts, the voice continued to speak in amusement.

“I commend you, human, for seeing through me. However, what does it change?”

At this moment, the malignant energy in the world started becoming heavy and suffocating, reaching an incredible degree of purity.

All the colors in the world bled away until all that remained was darkness.

Nonetheless, there was still one area in this world the darkness could not devour: the [Divine Sanctum] that was still glowing like a beacon of light in this place.

“I must say, this skill of yours is quite interesting. I have no recollection of such power even in the ancient era. Still, it’s all useless. Even if you can see through me, you can do nothing about it.”

Saying that, the voice started laughing creepily.

“That girl, she is trying to revive the World Tree, is she not?”

Reinhardt frowned when the topic was suddenly changed toward Cecilia.

“Reviving the World Tree… what noble ambitions. I can see what you all are trying to accomplish. The Aether Core cannot be cleansed. However, let’s not talk about the Aether Core. Even the World Tree cannot be revived. Because I am here.”

Suddenly, deep crimson light appeared in the darkness. They formed a pair of huge, unsettling eyes.

“As long as I exist here, the World Tree will never be reborn.”

The voice spoke in a commanding tone.

“You have done well by bringing in a High Elf Priestess and securing the Origin Seed. I never thought that there was still a seed of the World Tree remaining in this world. It should have all been destroyed by our kind. Still, it is all futile. You can stop me for now, but how long will that little sanctuary of yours last?”

Indeed, even though the skill [Divine Sanctum] was powerful and could stop the corruption from reaching the World Tree that was in the midst of being born, it had a time limit.

Like all powers in the world, the skill had a duration. Once that duration was over, the [Divine Sanctum] would naturally fade away.

Reinhardt’s eyes slightly narrowed.

The voice continued to prattle condescendingly.

“Time is on my side. When that little holy field of yours fades away, when that abhorrent energy is gone, I will return again.”

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