Ch.143Chapter 143 – Eldran, the First Demon

Between the Eastern Continent and the Western Continent lies a vast sea known as the Sea of Trade.

This sea is controlled by a union of island nations called the Archipelago Alliance, and the countries of both the Eastern and Western Continents have formed alliances with this Archipelago Alliance to conduct various trade activities.

Merchants and peddlers traveling between countries exclusively used the sea routes controlled by the Archipelago Alliance.

This was because the sea was inherently an unpredictable place.

However, the Archipelago Alliance was a union composed of seafaring people who had lived on the ocean for generations.

Therefore, for them, the sea was essentially their home stage.

The people of the Archipelago Alliance surveyed the geography of the surrounding waters to create safe sea charts for intermediary trade between the Eastern and Western Continents.

After creating these safe sea charts, the Archipelago Alliance grew into a hub for intermediary trade between merchants from both continents.

Consequently, it became common knowledge that to cross to another continent, one must pass through the Archipelago Alliance.

Why would anyone risk taking the opposite sea route where the Archipelago Alliance had no presence?

Moreover, traveling through the Archipelago Alliance allowed one to reach the other continent about two weeks faster than going through the opposite sea.

For these reasons, the sea between the Eastern and Western Continents on the opposite side of the Archipelago Alliance became a place of little interest to anyone.

Furthermore, that sea featured much rougher and more treacherous waters than the areas controlled by the Archipelago Alliance.

In the past, the Gelebrio Empire had secretly dispatched an expedition to pioneer a new trade route, but the result was the loss of contact with the expedition team.

All that returned were wooden fragments that appeared to be from the ship and a sailor’s log preserved in a waterproof pouch.

After that day, the Gelebrio Empire abandoned any further attempts to pioneer new trade routes.

However, people remained unaware of who inhabited the sea on the opposite side of the Archipelago Alliance.

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The sea on the opposite side of the Archipelago Alliance.

There existed a land so barren that no living being could survive there.

Though it was a desolate land where even monsters could not thrive, there were still beings who tenaciously survived there.

These were beings who lived deep underground beneath the barren land.

Deep underground, within an artificial tower-like structure, there was a massive cathedral.

Not a cathedral that evoked a holy and solemn atmosphere.

But one that exuded a sinister and blasphemous aura.

Inside this cathedral was a throne more magnificent and enormous than even that of the Gelebrio Empire’s emperor.

On this throne sat an elf wearing elaborate clothing with black fabric adorned with gold and red patterns.

“So, the World Tree’s slave has gone to seek out humans?”

The elaborately dressed elf was looking at another elf prostrating before him.

The “World Tree’s slave” he referred to was none other than Shreka.

His identity was that of the leader of the Dark Elves, known as “Demon Folk,” and the Pope of the Demon Cult.

“Yes, Lord Eldran.”

It was Eldran.

“Shreka went to a place called Glesius Academy.”

“Glesius Academy… isn’t that where the short-lived male we’ve been watching is located?”

“That is correct.”

Eldran’s red irises in his reversed eyes continued to gaze at the figure prostrated before him.

“Telio. Raise your head.”

“Yes, Lord Eldran.”

Telio, the Demon Folk prostrating before Eldran, looked similar to the elves who escorted Shreka, unlike Eldran.

“Your efforts are truly commendable. The fact that the World Tree’s slave has begun to move surely indicates that our plan is progressing successfully, does it not?”

“Indeed it is, Lord Eldran.”

“I shall entrust you with one more task. Use this when the World Tree’s slave and that short-lived one approach the World Tree.”

As Eldran finished speaking, a dark red stone floated up from within his robes.

Upon seeing the dark red stone, Telio reacted as if witnessing a rapturous sight.

“Ah, could that possibly be…?”

“Indeed. This is the ‘Ascension Stone.'”

The Ascension Stone.

It was a supreme-grade magic stone corrupted by demonic energy.

“To bestow something so precious upon me! I am truly honored!”

Telio’s excitement stemmed from the purpose of the Ascension Stone.

The Ascension Stone was necessary for an elf to completely transform into a Demon Folk.

In other words, by giving Telio the Ascension Stone and instructing him to use it, Eldran was acknowledging that Telio was worthy of becoming a Demon Folk.

Telio felt an overwhelming sense of elation at being recognized by Eldran, the Pope of the Demon Cult who ruled over all Demon Folk on this land as the proxy of the Demon God.

The end of the journey he had chosen to escape from the outdated burden of protecting the World Tree was approaching.

“I will ensure success without fail. Even at the cost of my life, I will certainly…”

“Do not throw away your life carelessly! After the Demon God is resurrected, it is we, the Demon Folk, who shall rule over all living beings on this land.”

Telio began to weep at Eldran’s words.

Now, he would no longer be bound by the outdated custom of protecting the World Tree.

He had earned the qualification to be reborn as a Demon Folk through the Ascension Stone.

“Return alive! There is much to prepare for the resurrection of the Demon God. So, do not die under any circumstances and return safely.”

“Yes, Lord Eldran! I will ensure success and return safely without fail!”

After making a deep bow to Eldran, Telio left the audience chamber.

After Telio’s departure, Eldran fell into contemplation.

‘The fact that Shreka has begun to move in earnest means that the roots of the World Tree are gradually being corrupted by the curse.’

A smile formed on Eldran’s face.

“When all the roots of the World Tree are corrupted by the curse, this world will no longer be filled with mana, but with demonic energy.”

Unlike Shreka’s belief, Eldran was not trying to wither the World Tree.

Rather, he had chosen the World Tree as the vessel to convert the mana drawn from beneath the earth into demonic energy and spread it throughout the world.

“Shreka. You still have much to learn. Why would I, the former High Elf Grand Elder, abandon such a fine vessel as the World Tree and choose a difficult path?”

Eldran’s true identity was that of Shreka’s predecessor as the High Elf Grand Elder.

Unlike Shreka, who had maintained the position of Grand Elder for about 500 years, Eldran had held the position for over 2,000 years.

During those 2,000 years, the elven generations had changed twice, yet he still maintained his position as Grand Elder.

While living such a monotonous and tedious life, he happened to come into contact with a fragment of the Demon God.

[Oh my, you are a slave of the World Tree. How pitiful. Follow me, and I shall gift you freedom. You will no longer need to be bound by the ancient custom of protecting the World Tree.]

An opportunity that came to Eldran, who had never even considered the idea of escaping from the custom of protecting the World Tree.

He seized that opportunity and became the first Demon Folk.

Now he was no longer the High Elf Grand Elder, but the first Demon Folk and the Pope of the Demon Cult.

What he desired was just one thing:

‘To spread demonic energy throughout the world through the corruption of the World Tree, and thereby weaken the power of the sealing formation that prevents the resurrection of the Demon God, allowing for the Demon God’s revival.’

The complete resurrection of the Demon God.

‘Although the destruction of the Demon Sword has caused some delay, there are still many opportunities.’

A flash of light momentarily gleamed in Eldran’s red irises.

“Shreka. I will soon help you lay down that heavy burden as well.”

Eldran felt sympathy for Shreka, who, like himself, carried the burden of protecting the World Tree.

‘When the Demon God is resurrected, the World Tree will be corrupted and reborn as the Demonic Tree, and at that time… my former kin who were bound by the shackles of protecting the World Tree will be liberated.’

To Eldran, who had tasted freedom, protecting the World Tree was unnecessary.

Moreover, once the Demon God was resurrected, even the self-righteous gods would no longer be able to interfere with this world.

[I promise freedom to you and your kin.]

“We shall never be slaves again.”

Eldran’s eyes began to fill with exaltation at the thought of liberating his former kinsmen from the burden of protecting the World Tree.

Having escaped from the shackles of protecting the World Tree, Eldran wanted to show his former kin the taste of such freedom.

Although he was now branded as a traitor by his kin, he had no intention of giving up.

“Someday, without fail…”

Eldran thought of Shreka.

In his memory, Shreka was a child who had been particularly fond of him.

Recalling how he too had cherished and cared for Shreka like a daughter, Eldran began to prepare his next plan.

All while being completely unaware that everything was unfolding according to the Demon God’s intentions.