After speaking, the specter fell silent, bitterness clouding its gaze. The dragon shifted its attention from the specter to Taesan.

"[You must be one chosen by the will of the gods to descend here. Take this.]"

From the dragon’s claw, a pure white aura drifted toward Taesan.

"[You have been acknowledged by the guardian dragon as a protector of this world.]"

"[Then, even if it’s a false world, I hope you manage to save it.]"

With those words, the dragon retreated into the depths of the ravine.

As the dragon disappeared, Taesan asked, "So, will you do nothing?"

"[I am a protector of this world, here to guard against external threats,]" the dragon replied somberly. "[In other words, unless it’s an invasion by beings like the Void Entity, I am unable to intervene.]"

The dragon's voice held a touch of sorrow as it disappeared further into the ravine.

"[It’s a tragic irony, isn't it? To know of the world’s demise but to be helpless to stop it—that is my duty.]"

---

With the third trial completed, Taesan returned to the capital.

Seeing Taesan return in less than a few days, Bardray was visibly surprised.

“Already? That was quick.”

“I’ve completed the third trial.”

“…What?”

“What’s the next step for the remaining trials?”

Two trials remained: retrieving the root of the World Tree from the elven domain and securing a fragment of the god located within the sanctuary.

Bardray rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“As it happens, we’ve begun working on the fourth trial. I’ve sent an envoy to the elven domain. They should be returning soon…”

No sooner had he spoken than a pale-faced attendant came rushing in.

“Your Highness, the envoy you sent to the elven domain has….”

“It seems there’s been an incident.”

The attendant led Bardray to the entrance of the castle. There, only a lone horse stood. People observed it warily, unwilling to approach.

“Hmm.”

Bardray rubbed his chin, expressionless.

On the horse’s back rested a severed ear.

“They left the horse untouched—such is the way of nature’s kin.”

After assessing the situation with indifference, he turned to Taesan.

“It seems they have little regard for our presence. We’ll need to go in person this time. I’ll accompany you.”

“Are you certain, Your Highness?”

“To satisfy those strict beings, it might require noble blood.”

Bardray’s eyes were filled with curiosity as he spoke.

Several hours later, having completed preparations, Bardray departed with Taesan.

As they rode toward the elven domain, citizens of the empire cheered Bardray with enthusiastic shouts. Though some gasped at the sight of Taesan, it didn’t diminish their fervor.

From their reverence alone, it was clear how deeply they respected Bardray.

The specter observed quietly, reflecting on something it once had.

The elven domain wasn’t far. Situated adjacent to the empire’s territory, they arrived without much trouble.

“We don’t know much about the elves as a species.”

As they rode, Bardray spoke, with Taesan walking alongside. Initially amused, Bardray had grown used to Taesan’s pace and now reacted with calm acceptance.

“They isolate themselves from the outside world, living in their own secluded realm. Many mysteries surround them. Even so, as part of the prophecy, I expected cooperation… not the killing of our envoy. This won’t be easy.”

Before long, they arrived at the elven domain.

A vast forest stretched before them.

Taesan could sense the overwhelming presence emanating from the colossal tree deep within.

The World Tree. Taesan had once seen equipment made from it in the depths of the labyrinth.

“A rather unwelcoming reception.”

Bardray muttered as he sensed numerous presences approaching from within the forest.

He stepped forward and called out.

“Hear me, elves! I am Bardray Alcarite, rightful prince of the Cabarte Empire! I come to speak of prophecy!”

Thwap!

Before Bardray could finish, an arrow flew toward him.

With a swift movement, Bardray deflected it with his sword, while Taesan casually caught one in his hand.

“Isn’t it common courtesy to show yourselves? Or are elven manners different?”

Bardray spoke nonchalantly. Judging it necessary, the elves finally revealed themselves.

“Oh.”

Bardray let out a quiet exclamation.

The elves were as beautiful as legends described, possessing an ethereal beauty rarely seen among humans.

However, Bardray quickly regained his composure.

“They don’t compare to Revensia.”

Bardray muttered dismissively.

The elf who had stepped forward glared at Bardray, spitting his words with disdain as he looked down at the grass trodden underfoot.

“How dare you, lowly human, step into our domain?”

The elf raised his hand, and the sound of bows being drawn filled the air.

Bardray lifted his hand.

“Let’s talk, elf. Surely you’re aware of the prophecy.”

He spoke with a gentle smile.

“The Demon King will soon invade our world. To prevent this, the prophecy must be fulfilled. I understand you despise humanity, but with the world’s survival at stake, might we cooperate?”

“Leave.”

The elf replied coldly.

Bardray’s expression hardened.

“Is that a refusal?”

“We do not cooperate with lowly beings.”

As if to reinforce his words, the elf waved his hand, and a hail of arrows rained down upon them.

Tch-tch-tch!

“It’s hard to understand.”

Deflecting the arrows, Bardray remarked,

“If the prophecy isn’t fulfilled, we won’t be able to stand against the Demon King. That would mean annihilation for you as well. Is that what you desire?”

“The Demon King would destroy us?”

The elf sneered.

“We are not so fragile as to be destroyed by such a contrivance. Leave.”

“That’s your belief, and I won’t interfere, but… if you don’t cooperate, the world will fall. Surely you could help in some capacity.”

“Why should we? It would be our pleasure to see it happen.”

The elf’s tone was disdainful.

“We have no need for other races in this world. Only despicable creatures who covet nature and destroy the world. If the Demon King exterminates them, we would be grateful.”

Bardray’s expression grew grim.

The elf’s gaze shifted to Taesan.

“And especially you, with your dark hair. You’re of that traitor’s blood, aren’t you? A filthy lineage that betrayed the world dares to trespass here?”

“Rather aggressive for an elf.”

Taesan muttered.

“Aren’t you the ones betraying the world now?”

“Silence. Only we are acknowledged by the world. The death of humanity is exactly what the world desires.”

Hypocritical words filled with nothing but resentment.

The elf spoke harshly, as if to end the conversation.

“Leave now. Otherwise…”

“What will you do?”

Taesan stepped forward.

The intensity of emotion he sensed from them grew. The elf’s face twisted with anger.

“Then you’ll die. Spirits, come forth!”

Nature itself responded to the elf’s will.

Arrows, carried by wind, flew at twice their previous speed, while plants rose to entangle Taesan’s feet. Spirits began to appear.

Taesan observed them calmly.

Just as the arrows were about to reach him, they all deflected.

The plants that had risen to entangle him recoiled in fear, lying flat on the ground.

The spirits, upon seeing Taesan, hesitated, then began to retreat of their own accord, terrified, returning to where they came from.

“Spirits! Why…!”

“Your Highness, I assume you have no objections?”

“…The hero is you. Do as you wish.”

The prince, his face cold, stepped back.

“What a tedious species.”

Taesan glanced at the elves.

Seeing their attacks fail, they grew visibly flustered.

The specter’s emotions radiated to Taesan.

The roiling intensity pointed toward a single action.

This was a quest that required moving in harmony with the owner of the memories, with rewards shaped by their emotions.

In that case, Taesan saw no reason not to oblige.

“You think you can stand against the Demon King?”

Then you should be able to stop this as well.

A flame, once capable of ending worlds, ignited in Taesan’s hand.

"[You have activated Embers of Catastrophe.]"

The fire roared, sweeping through the forest.

---

“Aaaah!”

The elves screamed as they frantically summoned spirits and drew upon water to extinguish the flames devouring the forest.

But it was futile.

The fire, which existed only by Taesan’s will, consumed both the water and spirits, growing even stronger.

“Human!”

A shout of rage rang out.

Hundreds of arrows flew toward Taesan.

He did nothing to stop them.

Thwack!

The arrows fell to the ground before they could reach him.

The elves were too weak to harm Taesan. Ignoring them, he walked deeper into the burning forest.

"[How splendidly it burns.]"

The specter, previously silent, spoke, a rare hint of satisfaction in its voice.

The elves resisted, striking back desperately to kill Taesan.

But they fell instead.

Eventually, none came forward to face him.

Taesan ventured further into the forest.

“Oh… oh…”

Before the World Tree stood an ancient elf. The specter sneered upon seeing him.

"[It’s been a while. That repulsive face.]"

“Oh…”

The elf looked around in horror,

 his face contorted in despair.

“How dare you! How dare you ravage the elven domain and attack us! You will suffer divine retribution! The gods will never forgive you!”

"[Divine retribution? Unforgiving gods?]"

At the elf’s words, the specter’s emotions erupted.

"[How dare you speak those words! Do you remember what I begged you for? I pleaded with you, humbly, to let me pass just once! But you refused to open the way!]"

Despite his death, the specter’s rage took on a palpable form.

The elf’s face went pale.

"[I never asked for much! Just a little—a small chance to fulfill the prophecy! It wouldn’t have cost you anything! I even promised you my very limbs when it was over! But you mocked me, clinging to your arrogance as the world fell to ruin!]"

“H-hurgh…”

The elf collapsed.

Crushed by the specter’s immense emotions, he lost his senses. The specter ground its teeth.

"[I treated you as equals. I did everything I could to accept your demands. But all you did was ridicule me. You… you are useless beings.]"

Taesan stood before the World Tree. Even amidst the world-devouring flames, it remained untouched.

Thunk.

He drove his sword into its roots, breaking free a branch and a single leaf.

"[You have obtained the root of the World Tree.]"

"[You have obtained a leaf of the World Tree.]"

"[You have seized the World Tree’s root, guarded by the elves.]"