episode_0032

[Help me…]

It’s definitely her.

This is Shayella’s telepathy.

For some reason, she sensed my predicament and sent telepathy.

But how?

Has her ability partially recovered?

I confirmed the view of the main body.

I saw Shayella at home, leaning one hand against the stem wall.

The ability to communicate when touching the body.

She was focusing all her strength on that.

But why help me?

Did she realize I was in trouble because of the elves’ actions?

[Help me? No.]

Telepathy urges me.

What are you going to do?

Swish.

I put my curiosity aside for a moment and quickly scanned the surroundings.

Elves kneeling and suppressing their anger.

Twenty slave warriors watching over them.

And Kardephion, who is looking around the elves one by one, saying he will find another slave.

Of course, I can’t save them with my own power.

I was going to ignore it, but the desperate longing of the green-haired elf grabbed my ankle.

They just wanted an ordinary life.

I want to help them.

They need help.

A powerful force…

[Help me.]

There was no use in worrying for too long.

I stated my wish.

In response, Shayella smiled slyly in front of my stem.

[I’ve been waiting for that.]

*

Clarity comes to mind.

Thinking that I’m not alone, the way forward becomes clear.

When I prepare myself, I remember the room.

There was no need to groan.

After all, this body was made with the expectation of death. The initial goal of understanding the city has already been ruined, so if I do as I please, that’s enough.

I will rescue the elves.

Of course, I’m not going to rush in blindly.

There are many things to consider even if Shayella defeats Kardephion.

So, I conveyed the planned operation.

[Shayella. If you help me, please follow my instructions from now on. Can you do that?]

[…What? Say it again. It’s cut off.]

However, his ability is not complete.

I had no choice but to move the main stem to create a human form in front of Shayella.

“If I do this, can you hear me?”

“…Yes. The voice. It’s a shame.”

“I’ll ask you directly. Shayella, how strong are you?”

Snick.

“I was the absolute ruler. The strongest.”

“This time, the enemy is not to be underestimated. And you are not fully recovered yet. Tell me honestly. How much have you recovered now?”

“…I don’t know?”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“Just trust me. I am strong.”

“…Alright. But you have to be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Then I’ll tell you the plan.”

I explained the situation and what needed to be done to Shayella as concisely as possible.

Shayella’s task is to deal with Kardephion.

And.

“Take me with you to this place.”

“What… What do you mean?”

Swoosh.

Instead of answering, I split the stem on the wall into a sphere the size of a fist.

“Take this.”

“What is this?”

Thud.

Shayella, puzzled, accepted the spherical structure.

“That’s me.”

“…Huh?”

“My main body is inside that. Handle it carefully. If it explodes, I’ll die.”

“Wha…?”

Shayella, who was about to squeeze the sphere tightly, quickly opened her palms and held it with both hands.

“Bring it to me carefully.”

“…Is this really you in this small thing?”

She might be somewhat skeptical.

At the sight of my smaller form than expected.

But it’s the main body with transcendent power. It can create elves, create or modify physical bodies, and cover the surrounding area with stems in an instant.

If it’s the main body, it might be able to fight Kardephion.

And with Shayella here, wouldn’t it be okay?

“Because that’s me. Don’t ever break it.”

“…….”

Hehe.

Shayella smiled instead of answering.

Then, with one hand.

Swoosh~ Swish.

“Right~”

She stroked the main body.

“What are you doing again?”

“Shoo, grow~”

Poof~

Golden light swirled again.

At the same time, an uncontrollable thrill swept through my senses.

​

“What…?”

​

Thump, thump.

A pulsating feeling.

But it felt comfortable and cozy, like basking in the warm sunlight.

​

Is this what photosynthesis feels like?

The sensation is much clearer than what my spirit felt.

​

Wow, this feels really good.

It’s like something I could get addicted to…

​

What was I just thinking?

​

Shaking off the distractions, I initiated a conversation.

​

“I’ll say it again, the enemy is incredibly strong.”

​

“I’ll kill them.”

​

“…Wait, they’re strong?”

​

“I said I’ll kill them.”

​

“….”

​

“Immediately. I’ll kill them.”

​

“Um… I’ll trust you for now.”

​

“Good. Now. Let’s go there.”

​

“Do you know where to go?”

​

“I can feel it. You.”

​

“…?”

​

The conversation ended here.

Now it’s time to execute the plan.

​

Pop~

​

I bounced off my main body with elastic force and rose above Shaela’s head.

​

“Huh?”

​

Rolling down slightly and moving to the back of her neck.

I anchored the stem to her shoulders and neck.

​

“This way, you can see better. So if you don’t know the way, ask me.”

​

“Oh… Got it.”

​

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

​

Swoosh.

​

I returned to Volpir’s physical body.

Although I focused on my main body, I continued to observe the situation here.

​

Currently, Cardepion is selecting slaves by inspecting each elf. They have already selected one more elf, and the slave warriors have lined up the elves who have been chosen.

​

The timing was perfect as the selection process had just finished.

​

“Alright, Volpir. Let’s go back to the carriage.”

​

“Yes.”

​

We returned to the carriage together.

At the same time, I sent telepathy to all the elves of the Shinnok.

​

“Illian. And up to the tenth Elysion. You have a task to do.”

​

“Shinnok? Please tell us!”

​

“We will do anything!”

​

“We are always ready to help the Shinnok!”

​

This operation’s main objective is for Shaela and me to take down Cardepion, but in doing so, the elves will also be dragged into the fight. These are measures to prepare for that.

​

The plan consists of three steps.

​

1. Persuade Cardepion to release the captured elves.

2. Shaela and I will confront Cardepion once he is separated.

3. Meanwhile, Illian’s group will free the captured elves from the slave warriors and protect the elves who fled earlier.

​

I communicated these instructions to my subordinates.

​

“We will prepare and depart immediately.”

​

“We will do our best to help our abandoned elven kin!”

​

The elves of the Shinnok also strengthened their resolve and set off.

With the current group, they should be able to easily defeat the separated slave warriors.

​

With the plan in place, I felt much more at ease.

This is a fight worth trying.

Because I’m not alone.

​

Thud.

Swoosh~

​

I climbed into the carriage.

​

“Haha. You seem happy to have caught a good slave.”

​

“Ugh….”

​

Cardepion lifted an elf, not a slave warrior, onto the carriage with both arms.

​

One was the high elf Neria.

The other was a strong-looking female elf.

It seemed like he was planning to have fun with them inside the carriage.

​

Perhaps because of that.

Neria’s pitifully bowed head and prayer still echoed clearly.

​

“My remaining light has always flickered. I’m afraid it will go out. Great one. Is my wish impossible to fulfill?….”

​

Please….

I want to live.

Please protect me.

​

A strong desire lingers.

I didn’t give any answer, but I kept waiting for one.

​

I guess I can’t hold on without praying.

​

Yes, I lost.

​

“Hold on a little longer.”

​

“…Ahh!! G-Great one, are you…?”

​

“Stay still. Don’t make a sound. And don’t call me great. If I were truly great, I would have saved you already.”

[Is this the end for us?]

[No, endure. Keep enduring. Eventually, an opportunity will come.]

They didn’t bother to reveal the plan.

It might be a futile hope.

It’s better to deliver success through strategy rather than hope.

…if it’s possible.

So, from now on.

“Hmm? Do you have something to say to me?”

I faced Kardephion.

Now, I have to persuade this guy.

Fortunately, he seems to trust me after capturing the elves.

I immediately made a proposal.

“Kardephion, there are still elf villages left. We can release those we’ve captured through slave warriors and attack the village. What do you think?”

“Oh… you said we should retreat because there was a strong one before. Have you changed your mind now?”

“Yes. Seeing your powerlessness, I’ve changed my mind. The one I saw was strong, but definitely no match for you, Kardephion.”

“Hahaha!! Of course. That’s obvious. I’m curious to see how strong this person is. If possible, making them my special slave is also acceptable.”

Surprisingly, persuasion was easy.

No, Kardephion just had confidence that it didn’t matter who came.

After that, except for the elves on both sides, he ordered 12 slave warriors to take the captured elves to the city. The slave warriors seemed genuinely willing to follow Kardephion.

They will probably head to the city with the captured elves without much trouble.

I need to remember that direction.

I have to inform Illian.

The carriage moved forward again.

Kardephion and I.

The remaining 8 slave warriors.

And the two elves on either side.

With a reduced number of people, we headed towards the elf village.

It’s time to execute the second plan.

*

A day passed.

Kardephion mocked the elves, made them recite poems, and sing, and if he got bored, he slept, spending a peaceful time.

During that time, I gave instructions for the operation.

I informed Illian of the detailed direction where the elves went, divided the personnel to search for the elves who escaped to the seventh Jermeon, and kept a close eye on Shaela’s movements.

But.

What the hell is this guy.

Shaela arrived near me within a day without a break.

Even though his senses may not be intact, he sensed my location and ran through the forest.

Thanks to him, the decisive battle will soon begin.

At this rate…

In 10 seconds.

“Shaela, don’t worry about my clone, just eliminate it as soon as you see the carriage. Because the real me is behind you anyway.”

Trust me.

Swoosh.

Shaela leaped from a distance.

Soaring high in the sky, defying gravity, he slowly accelerated towards where the carriage was. His path was exactly straight.

I briefly checked Kardephion.

He was in a daze.

Probably, Shaela will crash in 5 seconds.

Let’s move.

Swish.

Thud.

“Whoa!?”

“Ugh!?”

I grabbed the two elves who were about to die on either side of Kardephion and forcefully threw them out of the carriage door.

Boom!

“Ahhhh!!?!”

“Ahhhhhh!!!!”

They might get hurt, but it’s better than dying.

At the same time, I reached out to Kardephion, who was waking up from sleep.

“What are you doing-”

I quickly mixed the poison.

What I need now is Mountain Air Poison. I have to maximize Shaela’s attack.

Smack!

“Ouch!?”

I slapped Kardephion’s face with my palm.

Shrrrrk!

A stem emerged from his clothes and wrapped around Kardephion’s body.

Swoosh!

The entire stem emitted a toxic gas.

Not only that, but the entire carriage was engulfed in poison, to further intoxicate.

The poison distorted the body and mana.

I don’t know if it will work on Cardepion, but there’s no harm in trying.

“What are you doing right now!!!”

Boom!!

A tremendous force burst the stem, but without hesitation, the clone tightly grasped the body.

It’s about time now.

“Dieeeee!!!!!”

Along with the voice coming from the carriage.

Kwaaang!!!!

“Kehh!!!?……….”

Kwagwagwag!!!!

Kwaaaaa!!!-

A powerful shock crushed the carriage.

It felt like Volpir’s body was losing its form under the intense impact.

Therefore, it returned to its original form.

Koohooong!!!-

“Kkeh!!?”

“Aaaah!!!”

With the main body attached to Shaela’s neck, the surroundings were covered.

The growth rate was incomparable to before.

In just one second, the ground turned into a stem floor.

This is not the end.

Shoosh!!-

Kwoooom!!….

The stem swelled up in an instant.

Rather than being overturned, it seemed more appropriate to say it was flattened.

If it were an ordinary creature, it would have been crushed to death.

But.

Kuguk!!

The giant stem trembled.

A cry came from the ground.

“What the hell is happening all of a sudden!!!”

Indeed, it seems like he’s still alive.

Although Volpir’s physical body died instantly, he’s truly a monster.

It must be finished immediately.

White venom.

Chiiiiii!!!-

“Kuk!? Kuaaaa!!!?”

Another scream came out.

It seemed effective, but it only felt more surprised than anything.

It would take a lot of time to kill with poison.

Behind Shaela.

The main stem formed a mouth.

“Shaela!! Strike again!!!”

“Huup!!”

Above the stem.

He immediately took a deep breath.

The golden energy flickered in the raised fist, giving a strange feeling of grasping the surrounding area.

Is that really the concept of a fist?

It’s different from the instant blows he’s been delivering.

It feels like he’s engulfing this entire place.

But.

“I will not forgive you!!!”

Kugugu!!!

Shyaaaa!!!-

A powerful energy surged from below to the sky.

The stem involuntarily pushed aside, revealing the appearance of a giant being.

Twitch.

Even the main body trembled involuntarily.

A strong sense of oppression spread around.

Cardepion.

This crazy guy endured all the poison.

Not only that, but his body is rapidly swelling into something huge.

‘What is this now…’

Kuguk!!-

Kugugugu!!

A presence that makes the body stiff.

A being of a different caliber is descending.

Just feeling the energy, I know I can never win.

[DHow dare you awaken this body. It’s best not to think that everyone will come back alive.]

It appears.

It emerges.

Golden scales.

A massive body.

A dragon with intense light and energy around its mouth rises up-

“Perish!!!”

Kwaaaang!!!!

“Kuhaaa!!!!?…….”

He was slammed into the ground.

Kwagwagwag!!!!

“Huh?”

Kuguguguk!!!-

Kwagwagwagwagwag!!!!

An earthquake occurred.

The ground crumbled.

The dragon’s body is being crushed.

Unable to withstand the pressure, it shrinks again.

​

“…Huh?……”

​

The main body’s mouth involuntarily opened.

Even after looking closely, it was confusing as if seeing it wrong.

​

Huuuuung!!-

Kugugugu……

​

Sinking vibrations.

Pouring dust.

The heavily powdered ground.

The being buried there.

​

Something….

Was strange.

Why did it collapse?

​

It was a life-threatening operation.

It was a plan prepared for risking one’s life.

But to be struck down by that fearsome creature like this?

Even if it’s a slave hunter… wasn’t this one on a different level?

​

No way.

​

Is it over?