104 – Randor’s Death-2
Emperor Adran, his closest aides, and seven dragons all arrived together at the Crescent Triangle on the day after next. Sultan called the chieftains from various regions, explained the situation, and Adran made a heartfelt plea to these chieftains.
“We need your strength in the war against the elves. Please send your troops.”
Despite Adran’s earnest appeal, the response was lukewarm. More precisely, there was a strong reluctance to step forward.
“Isn’t this all because that World Tree woman is acting stubborn? The Empire is not facing imminent destruction. If those guys come to attack the Empire, we will respond, but we won’t initiate the attack.”
“As I just explained, we need to go in and gather all our forces in front of the World Tree. By doing so, we can draw out the main elven forces and then send in special forces to extract the soul of Loruma embedded in the heart of the World Tree, only then can we achieve victory.”
Even to Adran’s words, the dragons shook their heads with discontented faces.
“I disagree with your opinions. We pledged to protect the Empire, not to actively engage in war.”
“I agree. If the enemies try to land on Aylam and Karamba, we will use our powers to drive them out. But we absolutely oppose being mobilized for war. We won’t step in!”
In response to the dragons, the chieftains of Karamba also nodded in agreement.
“If it comes to this, it will be even more difficult for us to step in.”
“That’s right. To move troops across the sea, we absolutely need the power of the dragons. When the dragon lords say they will actively participate, then we will. We will participate as well.”
Seeing the somewhat tense atmosphere, Selene bowed her head low to conceal it from others and let out a soft sigh.
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The cowardly dragons, afraid of fighting against hundreds of top-tier spirit mages empowered by the Covenant, even with a small scratch, and the people of Karamba who wanted to avoid war by adopting a defensive attitude, agreeing with those dragons.
It was a simple matter of extracting the soul of Loruma embedded in the heart of Mother Tree, but there were too many obstacles to overcome to achieve that.
Eventually, it all came down to these guys.
Round and round these guys.
“Oh, great ones.”
Suppressing the frustration welling up inside me, I gazed at the seven dragons.
“We will go on a short-term basis. We have no intention of dragging this out. We will devise a plan to finish within a week. Can’t you step up to the front for that?”
The most crucial beings for this operation.
Great beings who could easily transfer tens of thousands of troops across the sea. While some in Karamba were reluctant to start a war, the dragons refusing to engage in full-scale battle were the biggest issue.
All seven of them simultaneously nodded at my words. It felt like a rehearsed timing.
“We will never step forward. With our powers, we can prevent the enemies from setting foot on the continent.”
“If those tree huggers can’t control even a single elf, do we have to clean up the mess they create?”
The dragons withdrew their feet.
Of course, they never mentioned that they were afraid of getting hurt while fighting hundreds of top-level elementalists.
“If the elves can’t even set foot on the continent, there’s no urgent need for war, right?”
“Correct. If those pointy-eared ones land on the continent, it would be a different story, but until then, there’s no need to rush into battle.”
The chieftains of Karamba also nodded in agreement.
Selene and Karia, Karl Hanson anticipated this, while Adran and Rashid remained expressionless.
The Sultan and the Emperor gaze at me.
I nod and rise from my seat.
“I believe it’s right to rescue the World Tree. Elves are powerful forces, not comparable to the great dragons, but they are essential. As the second World Tree grew in the Limnakal Plains, if we choose any path other than rescuing our mother World Tree, we will be creating powerful enemies who desire the destruction of humanity beyond the veil.”
I look at the dragons.
“You cowardly lot!! Even if you get a scratch, considering your level, it’s nothing compared to a scratch on your scales! Just stand up and fight like real men!!” I couldn’t say that, so I turned and said:
“Although you said the great beings will push back, if the elves desperately seek a way for hundreds of years, there will inevitably be vulnerabilities. I believe if our empire has survived for centuries, it would be good if it continues. Therefore, I think we should try everything we can from our side.”
“So are you saying we should end the war?”
The Red Dragon asked solemnly. Even if you talk like that, we won’t move. That was the expression. It was a truly infuriating expression, but I skillfully put on a smiley face of a trusted subordinate and nodded.
“Yes. I still think that method is right. But since everyone is reluctant to step forward, I would like to try a variation of my method.”
“How?”
“My silver tongue, of course. Isn’t that what I do best? I plan to lie that the seven dragons and tens of thousands of Karamba warriors will come rushing in. By threatening the enemies with that, I will make them frightened and let go of the Mother Tree.”
Logically speaking, it was a truly absurd statement. However, surprisingly, there was little opposition. If it were someone else, doubts like ‘Even if you sweet-talk them, can you really manipulate those elves?’ might have arisen, but who am I?
A being who built an empire to this position with just a silver tongue.
Each expression seemed to say, ‘If it’s Randor, it might be possible.’
The only one.
“I object! It’s too risky! We don’t know what those arrogant elves will do in retaliation to the deception.”
Only Karia objected.
I smiled at her.
“It’s an action taken out of confidence. General, trust me.”
“But!……..”
“Yes, yes, I understand the General’s concerns. But aside from the insane danger of going in alone into enemy territory, my method is the safest and least burdensome way. I have all the plans laid out. It will work. I promise to return unharmed this time as well.”
At my words, Karia looked at me with a worried expression, but soon closed her eyes and cautiously nodded. After receiving my wife’s approval, I looked at everyone.
“Let’s proceed with this method if everyone agrees. I believe there will be no objections.”
The dragons nodded.
“If a threat across the sea is eliminated with just a silver tongue…”
“Our Karamba is also satisfied. It will be the best if it goes like that.”
I looked at Adran and Rashd. Both were tightly clenching their fists.
They know.
That I am going to die.
But even knowing that, they nodded their heads.
“Permission granted. Elond Changebaek. Command to resolve and return.”
“We look forward to excellent diplomatic outcomes.”
I smiled contently and nodded at the words of the two.
“Kal Hanson.”
“Yes, Lord Randor.”
“Instruct the Merchant Guild people to prepare gifts. Also, Lord Gold Dragon, prepare for long-distance teleportation.”
I gazed out beyond the sea.
“I will resolve it and return.”
Three days later. The preparations for departure were complete.
Before departing, Karia held my hand tightly and wouldn’t let go for a long time.
“Nothing will go wrong, right? Promise me?”
I nodded.
“Nothing will go wrong. You know me, right? I will resolve it safely as always. I have always succeeded in the impossible, haven’t I?”
Karia forced a smile to hide her anxiety at my words.
“Yes. I worry unnecessarily… Come back safely. My dear.”
I kissed her.
That night, we went to sleep for the last time.
Randor and the envoy flew to the fantasy land using the long-distance teleportation of the Gold Dragon. Additionally, Randor carried a special video stone developed by the Gold Dragon and Matap to communicate with the mainland.
Through the video stone cleverly hidden in the brooch on the chest, people in the mainland could vividly share Randor’s perspective.
“If the meeting ends successfully, broadcast this video through the broadcasting station! The citizens should know that the crisis related to the Second World Tree has been resolved! hahahaha!”
Randor tapped the brooch and said so before walking with the envoy towards the Mother Tree located at the center of the fantasy land.
A humble envoy consisting of no more than a dozen people and Randor alone.
Randor explained that the envoy was composed this way to reassure the cautious and privileged elves.
Before long, elven warriors spotted them, drew their weapons, and charged menacingly.
Randor raised both hands and explained their situation to the elves.
Fortunately, the elves did not immediately kill them.
“Follow us!”
The elves led Randor and the envoy to the Mother Tree.
There, Randor could meet with the High Elf Council.
Randor offered them a gift.
And as always, he began to persuade.
The council, with an indifferent expression, looked at the man in front of them who was smiling and offering the gift.
Through translation magic, he could understand what the other party was saying.
“So, in summary, if we go to war, seven dragons will be on your side, and the Karamba, those simple-minded fellows, will send their elephants and cavalry, right?”
“Yes. We do not desire war. So, if you cease the malicious acts against the Mother Tree and release her, I assure you, there will be no further issues.”
“It’s frightening. It’s so scary that it feels like I might wet myself.”
The elder seemed to be trembling as if in fear, but suddenly flicked his finger.
At that moment, Randor, firmly bound by the wind spirit, was dragged in front of the elder.
“Well, hold on. What is this all about!……..”
“Do you think we wouldn’t know that dragons are cowards? Those guys must be doing all sorts of nonsense to avoid fighting. The disgusting followers of Karamba and the beasts they lead cannot make us afraid.”
The elder drew his sword from his waist.
The faces of everyone watching through the brooch paled at the sight. The moment the thought that Randor would do something disappeared. They realized where Randor had ventured.
Especially Karria,
“Well, hold on. Just a moment! This isn’t right! We must send him back!! Dragon! Call the dragon and send him back immediately!!!”
She was almost pleading.
But before Karria could summon the dragon to summon Randor,
“So this is our answer.”
The elder stabbed Randor’s heart with the drawn sword.
The eerie sound of flesh being pierced and the spurting blood were broadcast live across the sea through the brooch to the palace of Aylam.
Randor fell to the ground weakly, and the brooch, struck by the impact, bounced out and illuminated the fallen Randor.
Randor, with his heart pierced by the sword, writhed for a moment, gazing at the blade in his heart before shaking his head.
A face horribly pale.
Eyes staring emptily.
A body covered in blood.
And behind him, the envoys being slaughtered were also reflected in the same way.
“Throw him in the burial ground. Quickly cremate him.”
The elder looked at the fallen Randor and burst into a mocking laugh.
“Such a terribly foolish fellow. Coming here just to die without any meaning. Seems like he was quite confident in himself, huh?”
Karria fainted and fell.
The nobles supported her.
Chaos erupted in the hall.
And amidst all that spectacle.
Adran and Rashd stood quietly, fists clenched, staring at the elder’s face.
The very next day,
Randor’s death was announced, and along with it, Aylam and Karamba declared an all-out war against the elves.