C297
The Great Elder watched Clopeh Sekka approach him and swallowed hard.
“W-What is going on?”
Unlike his gentle voice, the eyes of the knight looking at him were fierce. His presence was like the winter wind. However, Clopeh's body trembled as if subjected to the cold.
“Great Elder—”
Erza's voice, calling the Great Elder from afar, was also pitiful. Her face was filled with fear.
Uuuh—uuuh—
The air vibrated with a desperate sound similar to a beast's howl. The backyard, still full of many flowers in full bloom, was beautiful, but the atmosphere that now filled it was incomparably empty and full of immense oppression.
“…It seems that the World Tree has come into contact with that human. But I don’t know exactly what’s happening.”
The Great Elder had few words to say. Even he had never experienced such a situation before. He simply told Clopeh, Erza, and the First Bishop:
“You three, step back. Wait outside the backyard. I will take care of this.”
The situation was abnormal.
‘Yes, the World Tree wishes to disappear.’
The Great Elder had never seen the World Tree vanish. What would that scene be like? Thinking about it, he found the answer.
‘It must be like this.’
The temperature was not low. Even so, it was cold. Besides, it seemed like he was going to be suffocated by the void. Moreover, he found it hard to breathe.
‘But that human—’
He is perfectly fine. The Great Elder pressed his lips together as he watched the calmness of Cale Henituse, connected to the World Tree. At that moment, he heard Clopeh's voice.
“I will have to wait here.”
“Haa. I understand your desire to protect your lord as a knight, but this is not a place for people like us—”
“How can I step back when the enemy is approaching?”
“!”
The Great Elder shuddered and turned around at Clopeh's words, who interrupted him.
‘How did I not notice?’
The Great Elder didn't notice the approaching aura due to the void emanating from the World Tree.
‘But how did this human…?’
However, unlike him, the white-haired knight immediately recognized the strange aura amid the void. The Third Inquisitor, Erza, quickly knelt.
“Greetings, my lord.”
Step by step, someone was slowly approaching the backyard in uniform. An impeccable uniform, without a single wrinkle. His short, neat hair and appearance emitted a cold atmosphere. With an icy look that would make anyone think of a general.
He stopped and looked at the Great Elder, Clopeh, Erza, and the First Bishop in turn before speaking.
“It’s a disaster.”
His gaze stopped on Clopeh.
“I am Exion.”
The Three-Star Dragon, the God of Earth, Exion. Upon introducing himself, Clopeh smiled. It was the first time he saw an enemy Dragon using a tone that showed some respect towards a human.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Clopeh Sekka, knight in service to my lord.”
Exion's gaze turned to the World Tree, behind Clopeh.
“…”
Then he silently looked at Cale. He raised his hand.
“Yes, my lord.”
The butler following Exion. Clopeh noticed something in his eyes. He thought he was a common human, but he was enduring in this space despite his body trembling.
Exion spoke.
“The seal?”
“It’s intact.”
The wall surrounding the garden where the World Tree was located was a kind of seal. A dam to prevent the energy of this place from escaping.
“The First Inquisitor?”
“He knows nothing of what’s happening in the backyard. He is conversing with the Emperor.”
“The other Dragons?”
“Some have come, but they are enjoying the banquet.”
Exion, after hearing the response, looked at Clopeh and spoke.
“No one cares about this.”
He then moved his hand in the air. Uuum. The ground shook. Clopeh looked at the ground with a curious expression. The ground he was standing on, without flowers, emitted a heat that slightly relieved the oppression and cold. But the energy dominating the space continued to flow incessantly from the World Tree.
“I can’t destroy it, so I will have to wait.”
With those words, Exion crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
“!”
But soon his eyes contracted.
“Hmm.”
The butler also shuddered, losing his calm expression. Clopeh Sekka smiled.
“As expected.”
He clasped his hands and looked towards the World Tree. Where Cale still stood.
Swaaah—
Although there wasn't a drop of water, the sound of waves could be heard. Moreover, a clear and refreshing energy began to emerge little by little. Like the clear water of a stream in a summer mountain. Or like the clean but unfathomable water of a lake. A serene and pure energy began to permeate the air.
That’s why Clopeh smiled, but the others couldn’t.
“…!”
Especially the butler, who couldn’t hide his astonishment.
‘My lord—’
The Three-Star Dragon, Exion, who had already stopped crossing his arms and was stroking the back of his hand. His skin was prickling. Moreover, in his cold eyes, there was intense emotion.
The name of that emotion was.
‘Expectation.’
Exion, not hiding his expectation, looked at the World Tree and Cale with burning eyes. For the others, he still appeared as the cold knight, but the butler, who had served him for a long time, could see the hidden emotion inside him.
And then...
Koom!
The ground shook violently. No.
“This!”
The Great Elder was horrified. He looked down. It wasn’t the ground that was shaking.
The roots.
The roots of the World Tree that covered the entire backyard began to move. Something was happening within them. The Great Elder heard Clopeh Sekka’s low voice.
“A new Legend will be written.”
He didn’t respond to that, but he thought to himself. No matter what happens.
‘Something immense is happening that I can’t even imagine!’
The Great Elder swallowed hard. The tension made his mouth dry.
-------------------
And Cale, instead of drying his mouth from tension, walked calmly.
“…….”
The young World Tree watched him with his mouth agape.
“Wow.”
Cale was impressed. He seemed to be in a very good mood.
“There’s so much water! I love it!”
Hahaha! He laughed heartily as he continued walking. The young World Tree, who could see many things even with his eyes covered by leaves, was astonished at the scene.
Swaaah—
The wind blew, stirring the young man’s hair. It was different from a snowstorm.
“…Waterstorm—”
Yes, this was a waterstorm. A huge vortex of water extended over the snowy field.
Swaaah—
Not a drop of water touched Cale’s clothes, who was at the center of the vortex. He walked calmly. With each step he took, the white snow covering the ground melted and joined the vortex, making it grow.
As if it were going to reach the sky.
-More, more!
Sky Eating Water desired more.
-I need more water!
She couldn’t hide her excitement.
-Though it’s a chain made by a Saint, what’s inside is the power of a God. Enough to trap the World Tree.
She continued speaking.
-The gray clouds do not belong to the God of War.
Gray clouds. Cale seemed to have an answer.
-The God of Chaos. It seems made by a Saint of that God.
It’s not difficult.
‘Wait.’
Cale suddenly stopped, remembering something. The White Star whom he had defeated. The priest who followed him was related to the Demon World and worshiped the Demon God. Though the White Star wanted to become that God.
‘Wasn’t his power gray?’
Wasn’t his aura gray? Cale’s expression hardened. His memories flowed back to the past.
‘Wait.’
Now the Sky Eating Water. Before, she was the Water of Judgment, chained under the lake. The color of that lake was—
‘Wasn’t it gray?’
Yes, and that forest with the lake was called the Forest of Gray Eyes because of the water’s color, similar to human eyes.
“Wait.”
…Eyes? Did I just say ‘gray eyes’? Facing the God of Chaos, he remembered the numerous eyes on the gray wall.
“Ha.”
Cale let out a laugh of astonishment.
“Well then.”
The Water of Judgment is an Ancient Power, an ancient existence. Since then, the Gods of War and Chaos have been allies. So—
“Wow—”
Cale couldn’t even express his conclusion out loud.
‘Does this make sense?’
No, yes it does—
“Yes.”
It makes sense. Cale reconsidered his conclusion.
“The White Star has existed twice so far.”
The ancient and the one Cale defeated. Both wanted to be Gods. And probably both had Hunters behind them. And now—
‘The Hunters are trying to create another God, an Absolute God.’
The Gods of War and Chaos are working together on it.
‘So, not only have they intervened in the creation of this Absolute God—’
Before that,
since the time of the two White Stars, those two Gods have been involved, right?
‘Come to think of it, the Water of Judgment was suppressed under the God of War.’
Although it is said that the God of War embraced her. In reality, it was like being imprisoned. And the power of the Sky Eating Water is—
‘Incredible.’
If she had had a proper environment to fight, perhaps the ancient White Star wouldn’t have been able to cause so much commotion.
At least he would have been easier to handle.
"Ha."
He let out another sigh.
"Does this idea make sense?"
Someone responded to his words.
-... It doesn't seem like an assumption that should be ignored.
It was Super Rock. But Cale couldn’t delve deeper into that assumption.
-... Aren’t you going to do it?
An excited voice was heard.
Cale stopped abruptly. Being immersed in his thoughts, he hadn't been observing his surroundings.
"Um."
Cale's expression changed.
"Is it good?"
He smiled. There were no eyes around. A massive water vortex swirled like a tornado with Cale at its center.
"Fire, chains. Can we do it all at once?"
-This seems possible.
Sky Eating Water continued speaking.
-I will temporarily push away the fire and break the chains.
-And then we will have to forcibly repel that gray cloud.
Cale approached the World Tree. The water storm met the flames enveloping it.
Chiiiii---
Steam rose. The young World Tree couldn't see Cale through the steam and water, but Cale's voice was heard clearly.
"I will temporarily push away the fire and break the chains. Then, I will forcibly create an opening in that gray cloud."
Then, the real light of the sky, those dazzling colors, would touch the World Tree.
"Will that be enough for you to handle the rest?"
The young World Tree nodded at Cale's question.
"Yes. It’s possible."
He didn't ask how. He just trusted the time spent enduring the suffering. Cale extended his hand. The water vortex moved.
"Let’s go."
Swaaaaaa---
The water rose. And then it became a massive wave that poured forward. No, it surged towards the young World Tree.
The young World Tree watched the water falling towards him.
-Ha ha ha! Finally, I will test my strength!
Sky Eating Water couldn't hide her excitement.
-This time I will break the chains myself!
Hwoooosh-
The flames rose to block the water. The young World Tree looked up. The steam would rise.
Would both the water and the fire disappear?
But reality defied imagination.
Chiiiii-
Steam rose. But there was more water. The snow that constantly fell turned into water and devoured the fire.
No, it pushed it away.
The flames couldn't easily gain more strength.
-Yes. If you lose in terms of compatibility, just use quantity. An overwhelming fight! I learned that from that cheapskate.
Cale frowned at Sky Eating Water's words. But no matter what, the water finally pushed the fire away. And a drop of water fell on the young World Tree’s cheek.
The World Tree, who hadn’t experienced the freshness of water in a long time, smiled unconsciously. This pure and refreshing energy was natural water.
He felt he could breathe. Then, he shuddered.
Plic. Plic.
Drops of water fell. Those drops covered the young World Tree’s body.
--------------------
"Why is it suddenly raining?"
The Great Elder looked around in surprise.
Actually, it wasn't raining. But the body of the World Tree, and the flowers that had grown from its roots, were covered in water droplets.
------------
The young World Tree’s body was completely soaked. His body, which had been burning, was no longer burning.
A fresh and pure energy enveloped him.
"Ah."
At the moment a sigh of relief escaped the World Tree's lips.
"Ugh!"
The young World Tree let out a groan.
'The chains!'
Suddenly, the chains began to tighten.
No.
-Ha ha ha, do you recognize me?
To be precise, the chains aimed at the water that covered the young World Tree’s body. As if trying to trap it.
That's why Sky Eating Water laughed.
-Hahaha! Water can't be trapped! Not even a God can do it!
With those words, more water soaked the young World Tree. No, it enveloped him and began to grow.
Shaa-
And it spun quickly. The chains couldn't penetrate that water.
-Yes. Since it's the power that tied me, it can't enter my domain.
The chains and the water were forces that couldn’t embrace each other. Instead, they would only repel each other. And there was endless water in this place.
-The chains that bound the World Tree can't beat me.
Boom, boom, boom!
The chains and the water clashed, emitting a roar. And the young World Tree's expression changed slightly.
'They are being pushed away.'
The chains were being repelled by the water. That means—
Crack.
A part of the chains broke. The chains that had tightly bound the young World Tree couldn’t hold on any longer and broke.
Soon, they would completely break.
"Ah."
The World Tree let out a sigh.
Craaaack!
A large crack appeared in the chains and a part broke off. The chains that bound the young World Tree in one piece. Only a part broke, but that was enough.
'Enough.'
The young World Tree was satisfied. And both the water and Cale knew it.
"Let’s go."
When Cale's words reached the young World Tree's ears, he saw the water change shape. Different from the refreshing water droplets that had caressed his cheek.
'A spear.'
Or was it a sword?
The water transformed into an arrow or a sword, aiming at the sky.
"Shoot."
At the moment Cale gave the command. The arrow was shot. From the ground towards the sky.
-More, more, more!
Sky Eating Water roared.
Fwoooosh---
The snow beneath the gray clouds was completely absorbed by the water, transforming into an arrow.
Nothing could block the arrow's path.
Because the arrow had devoured everything in its path and had grown immensely.
'Wow.'
Cale was impressed. It was the largest water arrow he had seen so far. In fact, there was no more snow around him. The arrow had devoured all the snow, finally reaching the gray clouds.
-Cale.
At that moment, Super Rock spoke in a low voice.
-Are you sure you should do this?
Hm?
-This is not a dream, but a space that reflects reality.
Ah?
-... Although you didn’t vomit blood last time, this time, um, eh.
Super Rock stopped.
Cale just stared into the distance.
-Ha ha ha ha ha!
Finally, the arrow...
Boom!
Collided with the gray cloud with a deafening roar.
"Um."
Cale stopped. He instinctively felt he couldn’t win in terms of strength. At the moment he felt that the arrow couldn’t completely repel the gray cloud. Cale spoke.
"It won’t last long!"
Even if an opening is created, it won’t last long. So, it depended on how the World Tree would take advantage of that opening.
Cale supported his extended hand with the other.
'This is no joke.'
The power used by the Saint of the God of Chaos. It was different from the chains.
'How to describe it?'
Like facing a wall that couldn’t be pushed?
Cale's face hardened.
Swaaa---
More snow turned into water arrows, and beads of sweat appeared on Cale's forehead.
-More, more, more! It lacks strength! Just a little more and we can repel it!
Sky Eating Water became more urgent.
At that moment...
-Cale.
A deep voice was heard.
-That power isn’t from the God of Chaos, but from the Saint using his power, right?
Dominating Aura. That scammer appeared after a long time.
-If possible, could we absorb that power?
What?
-No, it’s just that I feel a bit of the God of Chaos’s energy, like a smell, in this beautiful lady of water.
The gray lake in the forest. The gray water in which Sky Eating Water was trapped.
-So, since it’s water, can’t we just infiltrate that cloud instead of fighting it?
Hehe.
Dominating Aura smiled slyly.
-And from inside, tear it to pieces. It seems possible, doesn’t it?
-Because it’s not the God of Chaos, but the Saint’s power.
-I don’t think we have to worry.
-Intimidate him.
-Make that Saint’s power scared and flee on its own, like we trembled before the God of Chaos.
Ha. Really.
This boastful scammer.
"It's weird, but I like what you're saying."
It's worth trying.
-It will be useful when we face the God of Chao
s in the future.
So...
Cale responded to the aura's words, speaking to Sky Eating Water.
"Did you hear that?"
-Great. Let’s do it!
This is a rehearsal for facing the God of Chaos.
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