I Regressed to My Ruined Family – 95

 #I returned, and my family was ruined (96)

The elves’ ears drooped when they saw the red tree. A black aura enveloped the roots of the World Tree.

The same aura enveloped the entire tree.

It was a tree that made you feel uncomfortable just by looking at it. Irina asked with a frown.

“Is that tree what did this to Mshuron?”

“Yes.”

Ethan nodded and approached the tree.

He did so with a white flame burning on his broadsword.

Step by step.

The closer he got to the dragon tree, the more its body began to tremble.

The black energy spreading around it coiled like a poisonous snake, wary of Ethan.

However, it couldn’t rush forward recklessly.

The white flames were filled with the power of purification.

This was an energy that was like a natural enemy to Yongrinmok.

Burrr!

The tree, which had been shaking violently, finally shot out its energy. It was to stop the approaching human.

However.

The dragon tree was too weak.

Squeak!

With a single sword strike, the black energy began to burn white.

Kiaa!

Yongrinmok screamed as the white flames slowly spread.

He only managed to hold on for a moment.

Soon, hundreds of branches began to droop.

Thud.

That was when Yongrin, who had been hanging in the air, fell.

Edan grabbed the fruit.

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“I’ll take this.”

The spirit fruit contained considerable energy.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t completely ripe, but it was about 70% mature, so consuming it would generate a considerable amount of mana. Irina and the other elves nodded.

If it weren’t for the duke in front of them, they wouldn’t have been able to do anything until the world tree died completely.

That was obviously the price the duke had to pay.

The dragon’s tree burned with white flames, and acrid smoke flowed between the mountain ranges. The smoke, which was gray at first, turned white as time passed. The evil energy was gradually being purified.

That was when it happened.

Ilya looked at Ethan and said,

“Huh? Duke.”

“Why?”

“Are you just going to burn it all?”

“Probably.”

The dragon tree was a resilient creature. Every last bit of it had to be burned so that it would never grow back. Ilia pondered Ethan’s words.

“Hmm, that’s a shame… Is there any way we can leave just one branch?”

“Why the branch?”

“I want to use it as a material to restore the hilt of the Divine Sword.”

“The Yongrinmok?”

“Isn’t the Duke’s power strong enough to purify that evil tree? If we purify the branch, we can use it for something useful. For example… it could absorb mana from the air.”

“Hmm.”

Ethan’s eyes lit up.

In his previous life, Yongrinmok was a plant that had to be killed without leaving a single root behind.

It was a tree filled with nothing but unpleasant memories. That was why he had never even considered utilizing it.

“Purify it and reuse it.”

With the power of Baekyeom.

It seemed possible to use it that way, as Ilia had said.

“I’ll leave one branch.”

Ethan skillfully controlled the white flames clinging to the tree.

He burned every last piece of the roots hidden beneath the ground.

He sent the white flames upward.

The energy of the dragon tree moved violently, trying to avoid the white ash.

The energy that had been chasing and being chased eventually gathered on a thick branch.

“You bastard!”

The moment Ilia moved her mana.

The branch fell onto her hand.

“Huh. You’re trembling with fear. You’re scared. Here, take it. Don’t purify it completely.”

“Yes.”

The purification process was quick.

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The branch remained, retaining some of the dragon tree’s characteristics while purifying its evil nature to a moderate degree.

Ilia’s eyes lit up as she took the branch.

“It’s purified just right. With the branch of the World Tree as the center… Using the characteristics of the dragon tree… I can make a fantastic handle…”

Mumble, mumble.

As expected of a crafting magician, she already seemed to be designing a plan.

“Let’s go back.”

The business in the Great Mountain Range was finished.

Now all that was left to do was

Obtain the branch of the World Tree.

* *

Blue wind.

When they returned to the elven tribe.

Irina and the other elves bowed their heads.

“Thank you for saving our tribe. If it weren’t for you, we would have… surely met our doom without knowing anything.”

“I only did what I had to do. There is no need to thank me.”

Duke Ethan.

He had the bearing of a true nobleman.

“You said you needed a branch from Mshiron? I will give it to you.”

The high elf approached the world tree and stroked it.

Then, a thick branch fell from the tree.

“This is the part of the branch that contains the most energy.”

“I see.”

Ethan took the branch and looked at Irina.

“Are you planning to grow the world tree again here?”

“…I’m not sure.”

Mushiron.

The World Tree was dying.

Even though the Dragon’s Eye had been destroyed, that fact remained unchanged. It had already been drained of its essence to the point of no return.

The high elf sighed.

The World Tree gave its seeds when it died. The high elves had a duty to nurture those seeds and grow them into lush trees.

“Should we find the seeds and grow them here again… or should we migrate?”

“If we grow them here again, we may be attacked by those guys again. They were after the World Tree.”

“…I have one question.”

“Ask.”

“The force that is after the World Tree… Is it a large force?”

“Yes, it is. The ones we met today are insignificant compared to the entire force.”

The Narakus Sect.

This sect had already grown powerful enough to be recognized as an official “church” by all nations except the Kingdom of Haidern. It was not an organization that could be said to have suffered a major blow just because a single bishop in a single kingdom had been killed.

“…I see.”

Iriana sighed.

“…What if they attack the mountains again?”

Then, without the protection of the World Tree, the elves would have to fight them alone.

No matter how she thought about it, the odds did not seem in their favor.

If those who had failed once came again, they would surely bring stronger allies with them.

Ethan spoke to the high elf who was deep in thought.

“Do you need protection?”

“……What?”

“The Dragonfolk are not only the enemies of the elves, but also my enemies. I don’t want to see them get their hands on the seeds of the World Tree.”

At those words, Irina’s ears perked up.

“…Are you offering to help us?”

“If you want me to.”

Elves were a closed race.

Even if they were of the same race, if they were from different tribes, they would live as strangers.

Naturally, they couldn’t expect help from their own kind.

If they accepted help from another tribe, their own tribe would not only be disbanded, but they would also begin to face discrimination and contempt.

In such a situation, it was hard to believe that a human, who belonged to a completely different race, would offer to help them.

It was almost impossible to believe.

“Protection… How…?”

“Come to the Duchy.”

“…The Duchy?”

“No matter how powerful the ‘cult’ that attacked you is, they won’t be able to easily invade my territory.”

“That… that’s…”

“At least this is a much better choice than staying in the mountains and facing certain death.”

The World Tree.

Not only did it make the surrounding area prosperous, but it also spread energy throughout the land.

Furthermore, elves were a race that excelled at growing and cultivating plants.

If the elves came to the Duchy, they would be able to maintain a rich grain-producing region that would exceed the level of self-sufficiency.

Irina fell silent at Ethan’s words.

Relocating their residence.

Normally, it would not have been something to even consider.

In the past, humans had kidnapped elves and used them as slaves, so elves and humans were not on good terms.

However, unlike other humans, the duke was a hero who had willingly helped them and was a comrade who shared a common enemy.

“What should I do…?”

Iriana was deep in thought.

Iria, who had been listening quietly, joined the conversation.

“Iriana.”

“…Yes.”

“The duke is a decent human being. At least he won’t do anything cruel to you like the humans of the past. Isn’t that right, Duke?”

Ethan nodded.

“If you come to the Duke’s domain, I will grant you autonomy. And the elves will be protected under the name of Ardan.”

“Ardan…”

“Heh heh. Those are good terms. At least there won’t be any humans in the Kingdom of Haidern who are bold enough to touch the elves. That is what it means to be protected under the name of Ardan.”

Iriana nodded as if she had made up her mind at Ilia’s words.

“…All right. Then what can we do for you, Duke?”

“Just take good care of the World Tree.”

“…What? Really… That’s all we have to do?”

Once they started raising the World Tree, the surrounding area would turn into a lush forest.

If that was the only condition, the elves’ lives would not change much from before.

“Yes. You don’t have to live together with humans.”

If he forced humans and elves to live together overnight, it was obvious that it would cause great chaos. That was why he granted them autonomy.

It would be up to them to decide whether or not to interact with humans in the future.

The autonomous territory to be granted to the elves had already been decided.

Londinium, the largest city in the Duchy and also the capital. The plan was to give them the vacant land between Londinium and the Amelton County, which would be developed into a granary in the future.

As the World Tree grew, the surrounding land would become more fertile, which would have a significant impact on the fertile plains.

“Thank you.”

“How many are there in your tribe?”

“About 8,000.”

“I will send escort troops within half a month. Don’t be too wary when the black-armored knights arrive.”

He couldn’t lead 8,000 people by himself. Fortunately, there was a communication crystal nearby, so he moved to a city within range and sent a message.

The best course of action would be to send troops to escort the elves and facilitate their relocation.

“Understood.”

The negotiations with the elves were over.

* *

Three days later.

Ethan arrived near the city closest to the Torran Mountains and blew mana into the crystal.

“Finally, we’re within range.”

A moment later.

Silvia appeared between the crystals.

“Did everything go well?”

“Yes. I got everything I needed.”

“Congratulations.”

The branches of the World Tree and the Dragon’s Tail.

He planned to return, finish the magical treatment on the two branches, and then combine them with the original handles.

“And…”

Ethan continued explaining about the elves. Silvia nodded as she listened to the story.

“Yes. I will dispatch troops. I will also start drafting a plan for the autonomous territory.”

It was convenient to have a clever strategist.

There were fewer things to worry about now.

“Oh, right. The Viscount Bloten said that we should receive the metal in about a month. The reservation has been confirmed.”

“I guess the profits are good.”

Elena’s design.

There was no doubt that it would bring great benefits. Otherwise, there would be no reason to pay double the deposit right away.

“I see.”

“Your Highness, I have one more report. It is about the Black Society that you ordered us to investigate last time.”

The Black Society is an organization of assassins located in the lawless city of Carmen.

“Did you find a lead?”

“Yes.”

Silvia continued her report.

“There is also a place called the ‘Blind Auction House’ in Carmen, located in District 7. This is where the Black Society’s executives are mostly stationed.”

“Well done.”

“You’re welcome.”

That was the end of the conversation.

Ilya, who looked like a young child rather than an old woman, stared intently at us and asked,

“Black Society? What kind of organization is that?”

“It’s a group of assassins.”

“Are you planning to hire an assassin?”

“No way.”

“Huh? Then what?”

“We need to absorb them into our ranks.”

Carmen.

It was a city not far from here.