Ch.21270. Cursed Causality.

And then it was cut off.

More precisely, it would be correct to say that all the scenes and sights I was watching and hearing had frozen.

Along with that, my consciousness returned.

“……”

A sanctuary, is it?

And it seems I had been indebted to this place before.

-Why the face? Like someone who had their food stolen while trying to fill an empty stomach?

“……”

Seeing the Demon King floating in the air with his arms crossed, I become aware once again that this is reality.

“Why did it stop there?”

-Perhaps because I thought you’d figure it out after seeing that much?

“……”

-Or maybe what comes next requires the right timing or specific conditions?

“So you’re saying that my inability to see what happens next is also part of the plan?”

Not because of some misfortune or problem that arose.

-That, I don’t know.

“……”

That neither-here-nor-there answer.

As always, it grates on my nerves.

“By the way, I was completely… different back then.”

-Depending on how you define ‘different,’ that may or may not be true?

“…Hmm.”

I keep my mouth shut and let out a slight nasal sound to express my frustration.

“……”

Anyway.

“What was this ‘Guide of the Black Star’?”

-Am I an encyclopedia? You keep asking questions? Don’t you have a brain?

“…I have my suspicions, but I’m asking just in case.”

That being was probably someone who walked, or is walking, a path similar to mine or Grandeus.

But even that was… ultimately part of the arrangement.

“……”

Deep breathing, you know.

I was vague about when I learned it, but was it here?

‘It’s different.’

But I feel something off.

It seems like I definitely learned it for the first time back then.

Yet somehow, I feel like I learned it from someone else besides him.

“……”

Still.

Now I recognize it clearly, not just at a subconscious level.

Every time my mind became scattered or my condition deteriorated, I would unconsciously recall and practice this.

“……”

And now, it will be a bit different.

This deep breathing is not simply about respiration.

This too is a kind of mental technique.

Black Star.

The world originally began from a single point.

Return to the source.

Beginning and end, seed and tree and fruit.

…None has a predetermined beginning or end.

“……”

Dominātur abnōdō.

“……”

Condensing it further.

Εννέα (Ennea).

Gathering scattered pieces, piecing them together.

Click.

Clack.

Thud.

Pop!

“……”

Hyper-focus.

Just one breath, and the flow of space-time becomes sluggish.

Consciousness awakens in an instant.

‘This is…’

Somewhat absurd.

In a way, it seems trivial.

Yet even this “trivial” thing is a realm that others couldn’t reach even if they burned their lives trying.

A state sometimes only attainable in moments near death.

To be able to access it just by recalling… is actually quite miraculous.

But.

…That’s not the end.

From there, I advance one step further.

To use an analogy, this is like just entering the water’s surface.

As my concentration intensifies beyond hyper-focus.

Things I couldn’t see or feel before begin to make themselves known.

Suddenly, I sense gazes converging on me.

Despite these beings being at immeasurable distances.

Somehow, their presence feels as vivid as if they were right before me.

-Seems you’ve reached it.

A familiar voice.

‘…Lake Dragon?’

Though invisible, I can vaguely sense his gaze and emotions.

And.

Another being opposite the Lake Dragon.

From that being, I feel something cold and chilling… yet warm.

-You are… the True Dark Heavenly Lord?

Though I’ve never heard this language before, I understand it strangely quickly.

And.

Less prominent than them, but still clearly discernible, I realize other beings are also taking notice of me.

……

No words reach me.

But emotions do.

Fear.

Competitive spirit.

Frustration.

Irritation.

Anger.

Affection.

…Killing intent.

All these crash into me like waves.

……

It was just a moment, but the sensation was unmistakable.

-Looks like you’re starting to attract attention.

The Demon King rested his chin on his hand and smirked.

“What was that just now?”

-Let’s call it rank. When you reach a certain level, well, that sort of thing happens.

“…What kind of half-hearted explanation is that?”

-It’s not particularly important.

The Demon King dismissed it.

-Just know that such beings exist, and you’ve reached the point where you can perceive them. That’s all you need to understand. As I said, it’s not particularly important.

“I saw the Lake Dragon. And another being comparable to him.”

-Rather than seeing, you probably sensed them, but that’s close enough.

The Demon King said, turning his neck.

“Take it as ‘the world has finally begun to deliberately be wary of your existence.'”

“…So it wasn’t before?”

-Even if ants eat away at a stone and cause a dam to collapse. At most, that would only sink a village or a city, right? Such incidents have been quite common throughout past, present, and future.

“Then now…”

-It means you can do more than that.

After saying this, the Demon King gestured toward the exit.

-Anyway, if you’re not going to stay cooped up here, shall we get moving?

“……”

Finally, I open my mouth to let out a sigh.

Why do more things keep popping up the deeper I dig?

How troublesome.

====

The Elves’ Millennial Kingdom.

Ardisus, its royal capital, was actually a capital that had established its position not for a thousand years, but for several thousand.

Once home to the Clan of Light, and now steadily to the Clan of Forest.

However, even among the Forest Clan, the dominant faction had consistently changed according to different sects.

Known as Wood Elves.

But before the Wood Elves, there were Plant Elves, and before them, Lotus Elves.

That’s why they would simplify their history to other races with songs saying they spread from flowers to plants to trees.

In truth, before the Lotus Elves, there were also Flame, Fruit, and Sprout Elves… but since the mainstream of that era was the Lotus Elves, they generally lumped it all together unless one delved into specifics.

Even so.

By human standards, it would be a long history spanning many generations.

“……”

Only after more than 10 days since arriving here did Mines begin to get somewhat accustomed to life in this place.

…She had stayed quite a while at the Lake Dragon’s valley too, but this was different.

Above all, with the World Tree covering the sky as if pressing down on it, she often felt a strange sense of constriction in her chest.

“If it’s just about staying here.”

It wouldn’t particularly matter.

After all, she and the others needed rest.

It took 6 days to get here from the desert.

Even after arriving here under Hamern’s guidance, vigilance continued for a while.

As for Kariel… she hadn’t seen his face for the past few days.

“How was last night?”

“Somewhat.”

Neither uncomfortable nor comfortable.

Just… rested, more or less.

Hamern, who had approached without notice, showed understanding in his eyes at Mines’ emotionless response.

“How’s the situation?”

“Not critical, but unpredictable.”

“Is it okay?”

When Mines gave him a drowsy look, Hamern shook his head.

“I suppose.”

The situation was as follows:

Kariel, with Hamern leading the way, had arrived at Ardisus with Mines and Alesia, but the problem was that the Guardian of the East had requested their participation.

What kind of participation?

…A dimensional gate had opened, albeit on a small scale, and demonic beings had started pouring out.

After participating for about a day, Kariel was able to negotiate with the Guardian of the East and proceed directly to the central area.

That was fine, but.

There was still an issue after arriving at the center.

The elves who welcomed Kariel were extremely friendly.

Conversely, elves who seemed to be of high status were, for some reason, displaying a very pessimistic attitude toward him.

Still, thanks to the queen’s warm welcome, there were no problems with their treatment.

“Is it because of the Demon King after all?”

“I’m not certain, but that’s likely the main reason.”

Currently, the entire elven realm was being plagued by invasions of various scales.

At first, she thought this was happening across the continent, but that wasn’t the case.

“The higher-ups suspect their main objective is to contaminate the Divine Tree. Or perhaps they’re trying to steal divine artifacts.”

“……”

This was beyond Mines’ understanding.

So she refrained from commenting.

The place they arrived at, following Hamern, was near the central city, quite far from the forest.

Mines moved almost as if flying through the sky, while Hamern navigated through the trees.

Their movement and speed were comparable to birds in full flight.

Or like arrows released from a drawn bowstring.

After traveling for a while, they spotted numerous elves cleaning up what seemed to be the aftermath of a battle.

And there, they also found a woman using holy power to heal the elves.

Being a head taller than the slender elves, she naturally caught the eye.

“What? Is it shift change time?”

Alesia, who had just spotted Mines and Hamern as they landed and joined the group, greeted them with a nonchalant expression.

“While I’m displeased about being used at full capacity… nevertheless.”

At Mines’ words, Alesia grinned.

“Take it easy. Think of it as payment for food and shelter.”

“……”

Mines thought she might be too high-caliber for such a trade.

To begin with, the concept of fighting or protecting for someone else’s sake wasn’t something she favored.

Even enduring unpleasant tasks for her younger brother’s sake was something she’d rather do just once.

Mines asked:

“The enemies?”

“Just brute force, nothing clever.”

Despite the slight mismatch in their exchange, she understood the point.

Even a cursory glance at the surroundings revealed traces of large, massive enemies who had rampaged through, leaving their mark.

They say corpses turn to ash and scatter the moment life leaves them.

…But the battle traces remained intact, making it not too difficult to infer what had happened.

Especially.

…Seeing dozens of trees chopped, shattered, or broken gave a rough idea.

What was fascinating, though, was how these damaged trees were absorbed back into the ground.

And trees from the outside would fill the gaps, naturally restoring the area.

“This is just my guess, but.”

Alesia said, fiddling with her cheek.

“This feels less like an attack and more like… they’re being driven out.”

“Driven out? What? The demons?”

“If I had to come up with a reason, maybe they’re testing the waters? Checking our response?”

“Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know either.”

It’s unclear whether this is an accident or an incident.

“……”

She’s intuitive but unreliable in these matters.

Mines was repeatedly reminded of this.

“There’s some merit to that.”

Hamern, perhaps having his own insights, agreed with Alesia’s opinion.

“In reality, rather than attacking, ambushing, or invading… it’s more like movements for survival? Responses? That interpretation makes their actions somewhat coherent.”

“That…”

Mines didn’t disagree with this point either.

In fact, there were numerous instances where, rather than just defending, they had to chase and eliminate those trying to flee.

It would have been easier to respond if they had just charged in mindlessly.

“So there’s a problem in the demon realm?”

“Kariel already mentioned it. Elhermina inflicted a fatal wound on the Demon King and repelled him.”

“The question is what connection that has to the current situation.”

It’s a troubling matter.

“So the vague speculation is that they might be trying to contaminate the Divine Tree to open a large-scale gate. And these intermittent yet widespread attacks… might be to divert attention.”

At Hamern’s words, Alesia tilted her head.

“Divert attention from what?”

“I don’t know exactly. That’s why we’re pondering.”

“Could it be related to Kariel or not?”

“……”

It was an even more troubling matter.

As they were catching their breath, Mines frowned in confusion.

“What? What’s wrong now?”

“…Something seems to be coming.”

“Something? Why so ominous!”

Alesia made a fuss.

…And at the same time.

“You’re saying it can’t be confirmed right now?”

“For the moment, yes.”

At Kariel’s words, the queen who had received him in the reception room stroked her blue lips and sighed deeply.

“But you must have learned something of the circumstances.”

“The memories… records from right after I arrived here remain.”

“And despite being human, you were able to glimpse them, correct?”

The queen, wearing snow-white gloves, clenched her fist.

She tapped her forehead with her clenched hand.

“Kariel. I’m not sure if you are the same person I knew, but… right now, you are less human and more… like us.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But even that isn’t entirely clear.”

“……”

“In fact, when it comes to the ability to see deeply, the current you surpasses us in that aspect.”

“It must be related to the World Tree.”

“Certainly.”

The queen seemed to know the past Kariel very well.

What I saw through the World Tree was somewhat filtered, so I can’t clearly deduce everything.

“Still, thanks to the precautions and strategies you laid out, we were able to pursue both stability and integration. The absolute compliance contract that bound you, the contract that governed and controlled our race, also dissolved at that time.”

However.

“…We don’t know about that either. Perhaps the you of that time thought it best not to know.”

“……”

Everything has meaning.

From what I observed, my past self proceeded with that premise.

“I suppose my engagement to Your Majesty was purely formal.”

“Kariel. I never took it that way. I was sincere in my own way.”

“……”

“At my position, words and actions carry responsibility.”

“Yes. That’s why it had meaning.”

“……”

She would have known even without my explanation.

“I suspect the purpose was to provide legitimacy so that my father, upon arriving here, would not take action.”

“…That’s likely correct.”

We are treating the past Kariel as a stranger, an outsider, a person of the past.

That’s the premise under which we’re having this conversation.

“If you had understood my intentions, it would have been even harder for you to take action.”

Being bound to the Elven Queen, how many moves could be made—even if my father didn’t realize it, others probably had various thoughts.

Regardless, my father eventually took me back to the Empire.

Even this was part of the plan in a sense.

And there’s a trap that’s not really a trap.

“If I, at that time, knew or accepted that I would become like this, then things would make some sense.”

“That might be a stretch, Kariel.”

“…I hope so.”

There’s merit to her words, as the young me I witnessed at the end was surprisingly exuding the aura and atmosphere of an extraordinary powerhouse.

Was it at the level of a dull Legion Commander?

It wouldn’t have been.

But I can make some inferences.

‘If that councilor or whoever wasn’t going to kill me, they would have shifted their stance to either protect or cooperate with me.’

A demon openly invading the courtyard and even entering the interior, and then dealing with me there? That doesn’t make sense.

If that’s the case, the demon remnants and elves would have clashed.

Then, did I just watch? Or did I join one side or the other to pursue a different path?

‘……’

There’s much to speculate, but nothing to be certain of.

What’s clear is that the me of that era was an incomprehensible being to the current me.

‘Just what.’

What were you trying to accomplish?

Just as I was about to ignite these thoughts.

A chill ran down my spine.

“…Kariel.”

“Yes.”

The queen must have felt it too.

“It’s in front of the palace.”

A sudden presence.

Despite being inside the building, it feels like being hit by a gust of wind.

“I’ll go check.”

“No. Let’s go together.”

As soon as we stepped out, guards followed.

Two men called Guardian Sentinels also joined.

Hurrying our steps, we opened the main gate of the queen’s palace.

At one corner of the entrance, which resembled a white plaza, it stood.

“What the hell? You bastard. You were here too?”

It’s completely black all over.

There’s no other way to describe it.

A being from whose entire body black smoke, light, shade, and shadow emanate thickly.

He thrust a branch into the ground where he stood and said:

“What? Why are you looking at me like it’s the first time? Don’t you know me?”

“……”

That person.

He was clearly looking directly at Kariel as he spoke.

“Or is it not time yet?”

“……”

“This dropout bastard can’t understand what I’m saying. Tsk.”

Amidst the rough speech, I sense an alien dissonance.

Something familiar yet somehow detached… that kind of dissonance.

“Kariel…”

The queen called me softly.

“What?”

“……”

While I kept my gaze fixed on the opponent, slightly turning my head toward her.

The other side responded with a vehement retort as if saying “what’s this?”

In other words, that’s it.

He reacted precisely to that call.

What this implies is…