297th Episode
Before departing toward the World Tree, Ray completed his final checks.
The number of companions accompanying Ray to the domain of the World Tree was not very large.
It was a rather embarrassing size for an imperial delegation, but there were several reasons why the group appeared so modest in number.
Firstly, contact with the elves living within the World Tree’s territory was maintained on a strictly confidential basis.
Occasionally, when delegations were sent out in elaborate and ostentatious fashion, the elves would feel uncomfortable and refuse access into ‘the forest.’
Thus, increasing the size of the delegation only gave the Empire unnecessary headaches.
Moreover, this visit did not carry any clear purpose or objective from the Empire’s perspective, so there was no need to make it overly conspicuous.
Of course, since Ray was leading the delegation, a few high-level operatives were dispatched to assist him, including one member of the Royal Guard, which outwardly showed sufficient respect for Ray.
“Where…”
Inside the quiet carriage moving through the Warp Gate, Ray examined a map.
Within a certain radius around the World Tree, Warp magic was impossible.
This phenomenon also occurred in the Demonic Realm, with the influence of transcendent beings suspected as the cause.
Only an extremely small number of entities were permitted to manipulate space and create passages under the influence of such transcendent beings.
Though there were indeed exceptional cases found upon reviewing history.
“Entering Grania, we’ll take this route…”
Grania was an imperial city located near the boundary where the desert began.
Centuries ago, it was much more lush, but now it was a city where sandstorms constantly blew.
However, since Grania housed the Empire’s Warp Gate, it greatly reduced the time needed to reach the World Tree.
“…Hey, Rafaela.”
Ray, sitting across from Rafaela, called her by name rather than her usual nickname and shrugged his shoulders.
“Come on, can’t you lighten up already? You’re going back to Mother’s embrace like you’ve always wanted.”
“…”
“It’s not like I didn’t adjust my schedule pretty quickly for your sake.”
“…”
Rafaela did not respond, pulling out something soft from her pocket and inserting it into her ears.
With her ears plugged, Rafaela seemed to be struggling to adjust, fidgeting with them.
Apparently, they were earplugs meant to block desert sand, but Ray watched her curiously and asked with mock seriousness,
“So, can someone with big ears actually walk properly if they plug their ears?”
“Shut up, byproduct.”
“Hmm, sounds like you can hear me just fine even with your ears plugged. Why do you call humans ‘byproducts,’ anyway? Is there some special reason?”
“…”
Rafaela ignored him completely, standing up and leaving the carriage.
Ray clicked his tongue, then absentmindedly patted his chest where he could feel a bulge beneath his clothes – the Dragon Heart given to him by Luna, originally belonging to Valerius.
He had not yet implanted the Dragon Heart into his body. Luna had requested that it remain in contact with his physical form temporarily to gather data on how it reacted with his mana.
As Ray tapped the Dragon Heart through his clothing, thoughts of Titi crossed his mind, prompting him to sigh.
“I hope things go well and we can resolve your situation this time.”
Titi, once known as Resina, wouldn’t regain her lost memories even if her curse was lifted.
For this reason, the great mage Resina had left behind one last arrangement before her mental state deteriorated completely.
She had preserved Resina’s memories in digital form, entrusting Aptel with the task of restoring those memories to her someday after the curse was lifted.
While it wouldn’t restore all memories perfectly, and the years lived after preservation would remain mostly blank, it would at least help maintain Resina’s identity.
Neither Resina nor her mentor expected this arrangement to ever truly come to fruition.
Ray himself had no intention of going to extreme lengths solely for Resina’s sake.
Still…
“Wouldn’t it be nice…”
He hoped for a happy ending.
*
Ray’s party arrived at Grania via the Warp Gate.
A person named Pinel, responsible for managing the city, greeted them casually.
Guiding emissaries sent by the Empire to communicate with the elves was a familiar task for Pinel.
Pinel neither knew nor cared about the identities of the delegation members.
His role was simple: guide them appropriately without making mistakes.
“Please follow me.”
Under Pinel’s guidance, Ray felt the harsh sandstorm blowing as they walked.
Even though Grania was located at the edge of the desert, the wind was already quite fierce.
Pinel warned them in a slightly casual tone,
“When you enter further inside, the wind will get stronger until you approach the forest, where it will calm down again. Just remember, don’t expose your eyes to the sandstorm for too long.”
“Thanks for the advice. Where are we headed now?”
“Ah… Is this your first time in Grania?”
“Yes.”
“My apologies. I’m showing you the means of transportation you’ll use during your journey. Carriages won’t cut it here in the desert.”
Among the Empire’s modes of transportation were vehicles created using Demon Path engineering, but they were inefficient and prone to breaking down in this region due to both the sandstorms and the World Tree’s strong influence.
“That’s why, unless you want to walk, I recommend taking these creatures instead.”
At Pinel’s indication, a group of large animals resembling dried rhinoceroses was tied nearby.
Their appearance was strange, but their demeanor seemed gentle as Pinel lightly tapped one while explaining.
“You might have heard of them – Mwu. There aren’t many creatures in the desert more reliable than them.”
“Well, then give us sturdy ones, please.”
“Is there any doubt?”
Afterward, Ray received a brief tour of Grania.
The city wasn’t small, but its vitality didn’t match its size.
There were abandoned buildings visible on the outskirts, results of worsening living conditions due to desertification reducing the transient population.
Though Grania wasn’t entirely uninhabitable, it certainly lacked appeal.
Pinel guided them through the city with minimal enthusiasm, then asked Ray,
“How many days will you rest here before setting off?”
“No, we’ll decide our route and move out as soon as preparations are ready.”
Deciding the route caused a minor disagreement.
Rafaela firmly insisted on taking the shortest path straight to the Forest of the World Tree.
“There’s no more time to waste.”
“Not true, Rafaela.”
Ray frowned as he questioned her.
“We could go in a straight line, sure. But when we arrive at the forest, will all of us be allowed entry?”
“The elves will not permit it. The invitation is extended to you alone.”
“Alright, let’s set aside the rudeness of treating invited guests this way. Even if we all went rushing in, the elves wouldn’t receive us anyway.”
“…”
“In that case, while I’m inside the forest, my companions will have to wait outside. It’s not practical to wait right here in the middle of the desert, and returning to Grania repeatedly would be too far.”
Pinel, who had been listening nearby, interjected,
“For that reason, previous delegations utilized the outpost cities.”
Beyond the desert lay scattered villages inhabited by people.
Some larger and more stable settlements were referred to as “outpost cities,” fulfilling their function as key points in the desert.
“Previous delegations passed through Hogu, an outpost city, and waited at Rif, another outpost city.”
Pinel pointed alternately at the cities on the map.
Rif, the outpost city, was located relatively close to the elves’ forest.
Realizing she couldn’t persist with her stance, Rafaela stepped back with a disgruntled expression.
Ray glanced at his companions while gathering the map.
“Shall we depart quickly?”
“Ah, but wait a moment…”
Pinel pulled Ray aside and whispered quietly,
“Just in case, watch out for people.”
“What do you mean?”
“This area may technically fall under the Empire’s influence, but it’s not exactly closely monitored, is it?”
“That’s obvious, but surely no one would dare attack us recklessly?”
“Tch tch, we’ve already informed everyone, so they won’t commit such foolish acts.”
Messing with the Empire’s delegation?
Even in isolated areas, people weren’t that clueless. In fact, they usually groveled and cooperated when the delegation arrived.
Because of this, the Empire didn’t bother investigating occasional bad rumors about the outpost cities.
“Still, to avoid unnecessary trouble, I suggest revealing your identities clearly beforehand.”
“Understood. Thanks for the advice.”
*
The sandstorm continued to rage.
It was quite harsh for ordinary humans to endure.
However, thanks to the protective barriers conjured by the few mages traveling with Ray, the air remained pleasantly breathable.
The Mwu carrying Ray’s party, shielded from the sandstorm, happily advanced across the desert at a fast pace.
The excited stomping of the large Mwu eventually drew a reaction from the famous ‘Sandworm.’
Though debated in academic circles, Sandworms were classified as demons and were among the most renowned creatures dwelling in the desert.
The ground began to tremble violently.
Realizing their mischief too late, the Mwu froze stiff.
Meanwhile, Ray awaited the Sandworm’s emergence with considerable excitement.
Soon enough, a massive sandworm erupted from the ground, easily capable of swallowing a person whole.
“Oh…!”
Ray perked up.
Encountering a Sandworm, getting swallowed, escaping by tearing through its insides, and discovering an underground dungeon – these were clichés often used in stories.
Ray briefly entertained such fantasies, but the next moment, chunks of the Sandworm, torn apart and ablaze, rained down.
“…”
With elite operatives from the Empire present, how could a demon find an opportunity to strike?
Though disappointed by the lack of romance, Ray acknowledged the efficiency as they made rapid progress across the desert.
As a result, Ray’s party decided to head directly to Rif, bypassing Hogu.
Rafaela seemed satisfied with the humans’ swift advance.
Still, whenever exposed to the sandstorm, she incessantly flapped her large ears, likely irritated by sand particles clinging to them.
With the help of guides and magic alternating, Ray’s party reached the vicinity of Rif without incident.
When the distant outline of the outpost city came into view, Ray removed the mask gifted to him by Johanna.
“Hold the magic barrier for a moment.”
Following Ray’s command, the mages dissolved the wind shield.
Those with sensitive senses immediately detected a faint scent of human blood mixed with the sandstorm at this distance.
“Ah, was there some sort of massacre?”
Even though this area fell under the Empire’s influence, the outpost cities were not much different from wild lands.
It wouldn’t be surprising if a major conflict resulted in numerous casualties.
“There’s no need to worry too much.”
The Royal Guard calmly voiced his opinion beside Ray.
Even if they fought amongst themselves, they would surely bow their heads before the Empire’s delegation.
Ray agreed with the Royal Guard’s assessment and muttered a complaint before falling silent.
And when they arrived at the entrance of the outpost city,
The first thing to greet Ray’s party was a severed head lying on the ground.
Everyone initially paid it little attention, intending to step past it.
But some knights hesitated mid-step, abruptly stopping.
“…?”
A strong sense of unease, almost verging on chill-inducing dread, ran down their spines.
The intuition honed over decades of sharpening blades alerted them to a subtle detail they couldn’t ignore.
Despite being mixed with sand, the cross-section of the severed neck appeared eerily clean.
The smell of blood still lingered heavily within the outpost city.
Then, amidst the swirling sandstorm, a shadowy figure emerged from deeper within the city.
The Royal Guard sensed the presence and instinctively reached for his sword.
But Ray extended his hand, pressing down on the hilt of the Royal Guard’s weapon.
“Wait.”
“…!”
“Careless movements… might cost you your head.”
(To be continued)
