Galloeli followed Elder Safran to the region near the World Tree. The further in she walked, the more she could feel the aura of life originated from the entire forest.
The entire forest exists as an entity with the enormous giant tree as the heart. The tranquil and peaceful aura made Gallolei feel very cozy.
But, the coziness quickly disappeared the moment she stepped foot into where the World Tree was.
“What do you think of the book ‘History of the Farucci Kingdom?'”
“It’s useless! As I remember, that Brass Dragon has been alive for roughly the same amount of time as that human country has existed! He wouldn’t be interested in that book!”
“Then, what about ‘The Way to Raise Marsh Alligators?’ I remember that book is a new work brought back by a young elf.”
“The Protector will frequently enter the forest to prey on the marsh alligators. He knew of the way to... eat those marsh alligators better than any human. Is this all the books Elder Morloc have in his collection?”
Gallolei entered the core region closest to the World Tree. To the Blackwood Elves, this was an incomparably sacred place.
But, at this moment, a large amount of books were scattered on the ground covered in leaves. The books piled up into a small hill.
Several high standing elders of the Blackwood Elves were flipping through those books.
“They are searching for a book that could interest the Protector of the World Tree. The Protector has lived for simply too long. The knowledge he possessed far surpassed any elf or human in the Blackwood Forest. Even though we’ve been trying to converse with him through various different topics, we’ve never been able to pique his interest.”
Elder Safran explained this scene to Gallolei.
He looked to the young human girl, “Gallolei, the Priestess of the Holy Tree Narushi.... I’ve attempted to talk about the things that occurred in the human world with the Protector. But, they did not manage to pique his interest.”
“Elder Safran, you don’t have to worry. Recently, I’ve accompanied my mother to participate in Norland’s World Expo. That is an exposition that exhibited humanity’s latest and greatest achievements. I believe what I’ve experienced in the exposition will be able to pique the Brass Dragon’s interest.”
Gallolei has properly concealed her true intentions before Elder Safran. Nevertheless, the arcanotech devices she witnessed on the World Expo were things that could amaze many intelligent beings.
But... The thing that truly astonished Gallolei, the thing that made her feel the ‘change brought upon by technology’ and have the thought that ‘one will only live with more satisfaction by climbing the tree of technology’ was the invention from the Chaos Demon — the Magic Network.
After she learned to use the magic network, she became completely obsessed with the virtual world. Through the use of the magic network, she was able to communicate with her friends and fans even though they’re far away. She was able to express her own opinions to the people on the magic network.
“World Expo... Norland, was it? That is indeed a city filled with knowledge.”
Elder Safran seemed to be familiar with the neutral nation established by human mages. He took a glance at the World Tree’s leaves that were showing signs of yellowing.
“If you wish to attempt, I will not stop you. But, Gallolei... the Protector is under the influence of the ailment and no longer that easy to communicate with. He is currently in a very frantic state. Should you enter the cave he lives in, even we will not be able to ensure your safety,” said Elder Safran.
“Young miss... it is better to have the elders handle the task of appeasing the Protector.”
Gallolei’s elven bodyguard Flay grabbed her hand. Flay has seen the Brass Dragon before. Even though the Brass Dragon’s temperament was rather... abnormal, it was still a giant dragon. Taking away a human’s life was an effortless task for the Brass Dragon.
“Elder Safran, what will end up happening if we’re unable to treat the Protector’s ailment?”
After being warned by Elder Safran, Gallolei started hesitating too. Merely the roar from the Brass Dragon was enough to make her lose her sense of hearing.
If she was to face an irritable giant dragon directly, she could very possibly be eaten by the giant dragon before she could recommend the magic network to it.
“The Holy Tree is mourning. The disease the Protector was infected with has extended to the Holy Tree’s roots. If the Protector fails to cure that illness with his own powers...”
As Elder Safran’s words reached this point, he didn’t dare continue. That was the reason why all the other elven elders were searching for books that could pique the Brass Dragon’s interest with complete disregard for their appearances.
The World Tree could possibly wither?
Gallolei thought of a terrifying outcome. Ineffably, she recalled the appearance on her mother as she sent her off last night. That scene continued to linger in her mind.
If a catastrophe was to occur in the Blackwood Forest, it will most definitely cause disastrous damages to her family’s territory too. The most terrible outcome would be a deterioration of her family’s status.
“Please allow me... to give it a try.”
Gallolei gave up on the foolish thought of ‘taking a picture with the giant dragon and posting it onto her camp.’ With a serious expression, she requested for Elder Safran’s permission again.
Her elven bodyguard Flay was able to tell how determined Gallolei was from the tone of her voice. She opened her mouth with the intention to advise against Gallolei but was unable to utter any word out.
“May the Holy Tree protect you, Gallolei...”
Elder Safran accepted Gallolei’s request. Following his guidance, Gallolei walked past the plaza before the World Tree and entered the enormous ancient tree.
The moment she entered the World Tree’s trunk, she felt like she had arrived at a completely different world. Gradually, her surrounding temperature started to rise. The ground beneath her foot also changed from soil to sandstone.
“Safran... you shouldn’t disturb me at a time like this.”
A heavy and displeased voice sounded from the world inside the World Tree. One cannot feel any sense of delight from that voice for it sounded like an iron hammer striking down upon an iron needle.
The moment Gallolei heard that voice, she took a small step backward. Suddenly, a pair of eyes opened before her. Some sort of golden substance was burning inside those eyes... A giant dragon so large that it could devore her whole slowly got up from deep inside the World Tree.
As the giant dragon’s claws landed on the sandstone ground, the surrounding temperature ascended to levels unbearable for ordinary people.
The moment Gallolei was locked on by that dragon’s eyes, she felt like she was suffocating...
“Offering a human will not be able to help me concentrate my energies in dispersing these repulsive shadows! Damn it!”
The giant dragon’s voice was filled with unreconciliation as he shook his head. Although that movement was insignificant, Gallolei could feel the entire world tremble.
“Protector of the World Tree, she came here to share with you her experiences...”
Elder Safran looked to the Brass Dragon worriedly. The colors of his scales have started fading. To a giant dragon, that was a sign of a very serious ailment. If the Brass Dragon fails to defeat the ailment on his own, he could very possibly lose his senses.”
“Share with me her experiences? A little human girl?”
The Brass Dragon lowered his head and stared at Gallolei standing before him.
“Don’t bother wasting time... Saf...”
The Brass Dragon was preparing to order the Blackwood Elf to bring the human out its dwelling place when a large amount of malice-filled mutterings exploded in his head.
“These shadows...”
The curse-like mutterings have tormented the Brass Dragon for an entire week now. Whenever they appear, they will cause his body and mind to feel an endless amount of pain.
In order to vent the pain it was suffering from, the Brass Dragon began to beat at the ground with its tail. This caused the ground to tremble violently. At this moment, Gallolei failed to maintain her balance and fell to the ground.
“Young miss!”
Gallolei’s elven bodyguard immediately helped her up.
The World Tree also began to utilize its power to suppress the shadows eroding the Brass Dragon. Its roots enveloped the Brass Dragon’s body. But, its efforts failed to do anything.
In a rage, the Brass Dragon struggled free from the World Tree’s roots. The Brass Dragon’s golden scales started to gradually turn ash-colored. At the same time, dark gray mist started spilling out from his body.
“Have the singers chant the epic...”
Seeing this scene, Elder Safran immediately ordered for the other elves in the internal area of the World Tree to suppress the Brass Dragon running wild.
The Elven Epic passed down by the ancestors of the Blackwood Elves had the ability to suppress the berserking giant dragon...
But, when the young elven girls ran into the World Tree with harps in hand, the berserk Brass Dragon let out another terrifying roar.
The dragon roar echoed through the entire Blackwood Forest. Standing right in the center of the roar, Gallolei could sense the shockwaves...
After roaring, the Brass Dragon firmly bit down upon his own lower jaw. His golden eyes turned to Elder Safran.
“Quickly... tell me... something!” With a very loud and imposing voice, he spoke to Elder Safran.
“Are you interested in the origin of the human Farucci Kingdom’s family name?”
Elder Safran looked at the elven singer girls behind him. The dragon’s roar had injured them. It would appear that they would not be able to sing-chant their elven epic anytime soon.
As such, Elder Safran had no choice but to enter the battle himself.
He knew that the shadows were corroding the Brass Dragon’s consciousness. They were trying to seize his thoughts.
If the Brass Dragon wanted to defeat the ‘shadows,’ he needs to continue thinking. He cannot stop thinking for any moment.
“No... I’m not interested! Ahhhh... damn it!”
Irritated, the Brass Dragon showed no trace of politeness. The pain in his head caused him to smash his tail on the ground again. As his upper jaw bit down firmly upon his lower jaw, a large amount of blood started flowing out.
“The arcanotech devices invented by the gnomes...”
“You’ve already mentioned it to me yesterday! Furthermore, I’ve told you to tell those gnomes that their invention will only destroy themselves!”
This Brass Dragon seemed to be a master arcanotech artisan. But, the mutterings in his head that were driving him mad made it impossible for him to concentrate.
He once again lost control over his body. An astonishing amount of heat began to gather in his clenched mouth.
If this giant dragon was to let out a dragon’s breath at such a small area, all the people present will die!
“Flay!”
In the chaos brought upon by the Brass Dragon, Gallolei shouted for her elven bodyguard. At this moment, Gallolei saw scarlet liquid flowing out from Flay’s pointy ears.
Before the Brass Dragon roared earlier, Flay had covered Gallolei’s ears with her hands. Because of that, she ended up receiving the roar without any protection.
Flay was no longer able to hear with her ears. Realizing that, Gallolei immediately opened her magic network interface and wrote a series of words.
‘The originium crystal that contained the movie has fallen over there! Find it and then pour magic power into it!’
The originium crystal containing the movie? She immediately looked over to the direction Gallolei was pointing. Soon, she saw the originium crystal that contained ‘Léon: The Demon.’
Perhaps Gallolei dropped it when she fell earlier.
Several rocks emitting high heat were around that originium crystal. Perhaps those rocks were affected by the chaotic magic emitted by the Brass Dragon.
Flay could sense the surrounding temperature increasing nonstop. She realized that if she doesn’t do anything soon, both she and her master Gallolei will die by the Brass Dragon’s breath...
At this moment, she displayed her skills that gave her the title of the most outstanding member of the young Blackwood Elves. In a blink of an eye, she transcended the astonishingly hot sandstone and grabbed the originium crystal containing ‘Léon: The Demon.’
“Scram out of here!”
The Brass Dragon was unable to contain his anger and killing intent. A large amount of negative emotions had seized his mind. High heat and flames were gathering in his throat.
The Brass Dragon used his remaining consciousness to warn the people present, telling them to leave this dangerous place.
But, Elder Safran did not answer him. A voice that he had never heard before sounded in the World Tree. It was a charming bassy male voice.
“How have you been, Leon?”
“Good.”
“Okay. Let’s talk business then.”
The Brass Dragon opened his golden eyes and looked to the image projected in midair...
His dragon’s breath stopped.
His attention wasn’t captured by the dialogue between the two humans. Instead, his curiosity caused him to ponder exactly how the image appeared!
Once he started pondering, his reasons gradually returned to him. At this moment, a melodious and tranquil singing voice sounded in the entire World Tree.
Elder Safran respectfully listened to the singing that caused one to feel slightly sleepy. Subconsciously, he turned to the several elven girls that had fallen to the ground behind him.
Upon doing so, he discovered that the singing did not originate from them. As he followed the direction of the sound, Elder Safran looked to Gallolei. In shock, he discovered that the singing came from Gallolei.
But, the human girl was not singing. Nevertheless, the epic sung in elven-tongue came precisely from Gallolei.
“This is a song Miss Tylene publicized to the forum. Protector of the World Tree, are you interested in this?”
Gallolei looked at the magic network interface before her. It was currently broadcasting the only song the frost elf Tylene published to the Mage Forum. Using one of the few magics she knew, Voice Amplification, Gallolei transmitted the song.
When the singing that could comfort any creature’s soul and an object that piqued the Brass Dragon’s interest appeared together, the ‘shadows’ that were bringing pain upon the Brass Dragon gradually faded away.