44 – Fruit
Prince of the Mersen Empire.
Cervis Caldevrion.
He was now sitting on a rock, resting, with his army stationed in the dense forest.
This place was a forest that could be reached by going a little in the direction of the capital from Tenafel.
Compared to the vast forests of Liven Guard, it was like a drop of blood, but it was still a sufficient place to hide an army.
The soldiers, after setting up tents in various places, were resting quietly without speaking.
They were armed at all times, as if waiting for an ambush that could happen at any moment.
“….”
However, Service had no intention of moving the army if possible.
For now, he was just waiting for a very easy task that he could handle quietly on his own.
His target was the life of Eos, a different brother and notorious prince.
Until now, he had obediently followed Mohu’s plan.
But recently, he had come to know for sure.
Although he was the son of the empress, he was not the son of the emperor.
And as long as Eos, the son of the emperor, was alive.
Everything that he should rightfully have could disappear in an instant like foam.
It was harsh, but it wasn’t an unbearable truth.
If he just killed the bastard, he wouldn’t have to worry.
“….”
But why?
The image of the blonde woman he had seen at the meeting between the Count of Tenafel and the elf kept coming back to him.
And incessantly, curiosity about that woman was growing stronger.
“Is she the granddaughter of a count…?”
But that eccentric old man had only one grandson.
Of course, that didn’t mean she was related to the elves, who despised humans.
In that case, she must be an acquaintance of the Crown Prince…
Servis had not heard anything about his engagement yet.
Partly because it hadn’t been announced, but also because she had been busy dealing with deadly affairs and touring the empire before coming here.
“Could it be…are they lovers?”
As she thought that, a sense of discomfort surged within her.
It was a more unpleasant feeling than the resentment she had harbored, thinking about her exceptional brother who would live happily in the palace, receiving the prince’s favor alone.
But soon, his head shook and his frowning expression softened again.
Right now, Eos was addicted to poison, making it impossible for him to form any good relationships.
Thanks to the elven commander, he had somehow survived since the Battle of the Fiery Tower, but it was undoubtedly harder for Eos to maintain a relationship with a woman than to survive.
“….”
Watching the ants marching in line beneath her feet, Servis continued her thoughts.
Then who is that woman exactly?
What is her name, and how old is she?
Strangely, her interest kept growing, and an irresistible curiosity continued to well up within her.
She even wanted to cancel the plans she had made in advance and rush to that woman right away to have a conversation.
“Why am I suddenly acting like this…?”
She was so confused by this emotion she had never experienced before, but now she had her own life at stake, and above all, something important right in front of her.
Prince Eos, the perfect opportunity to kill him had arrived as he stepped out of the palace.
Thump!
As proof that he had regained his composure, Servis crushed the swarm of ants with his foot.
He was confident.
There would never be a better opportunity than today.
Of course, the war with the elves was still a concern.
When the war broke out, the Empire would undoubtedly suffer significant losses.
But sometimes, sacrifices had to be made for greater value.
If sacrificing the lives and properties of the people could ensure his rule as the emperor, it was more than worth enduring the war.
If he could shift the blame for starting the war to the infamous Prince Eos, the fickle people would soon forget.
Since even his own mother, who possessed natural cunning, had approved of it, there would be no problem at all.
Servis looked towards the direction of the Tenafer Viscounty and laughed.
Today, the prince would definitely die by his hands.
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The only momentary concern was if there was a blonde woman beside the prince.
“Would it be possible to kill the prince in front of that woman…?”
But such worries were easily resolved by a thought that came to mind.
If he lured them to an unseen place and killed them, it would be over.
***
“How did you come up with such a clever idea?”
That was what King Gartagon, the Elf King, exclaimed cheerfully as soon as I put a piece of meat in my mouth during the meal with the nobles.
“To think that you created such a sophisticated humanoid golem, just like my daughter Weblea’s son.”
“Cup! Cough!”
Thanks to that, I heard whispers, but the twelve princes and princesses, as if they already knew, nodded in unison and even added their own compliments.
Everyone had noticed.
Applatus laughed as he looked at me.
“Well, he knows too. All the brothers and sisters have already figured it out. Maybe those who have reached a certain level have all figured it out. But what could we do when Father allowed it?”
I cautiously observed the faces of the nobles.
Mixed in their expressions towards me were curiosity about their first cousin and a deep longing for the youngest Weblea.
“Oh, by the way, I’m a bit late with my gratitude.”
Gartagon smiled proudly at Elaine.
“This girl easily blocked a meteor with her light magic. Oh, right, your name was Elaine, right? How old are you this year?”
“Eighteen, Your Majesty.”
Elaine answered carefully, her face slightly blushing.
“Oh, my. What a coincidence. My wife and I are also one year apart. I am 1002 years old, and my wife is 1001 years old.”
Whack!
Then, the queen, who also looked like she was in her 20s, slightly hit the king’s arm with her blushing face.
“Seriously, I told you not to bring up age outside. You keep doing this. There’s nothing we can’t do in front of children.”
Gartagon forced a laugh, enduring the pain.
“Perhaps they are also fated like us. However, Elaine, I hope you won’t resort to violence like a queen.”
“Yes, yes!”
Elaine shouted loudly, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Then, one of the elven princesses spoke.
“I heard you two are getting married. Is that true?”
“Yes….”
As Elaine shyly smiled, the princesses rushed towards her like a pack of hunting lions.
“Oh my, look at her blushing face, she’s so cute!”
“Can I touch her cheek?”
“Stop it, you’ll suffocate her!”
“Her hair is golden! Hoho!”
Although everyone had similar silver hair and features, making it difficult to distinguish who was who, the atmosphere became lively and cheerful in no time.
Then, Gartagon looked at me with a slightly hardened expression.
“What do you think, Eos? If you want, I can let both of you live in Rivengard. Staying here would be better for both of you than risking danger in the wilderness, wouldn’t it?”
Gartagon’s words were quite enticing.
But it was just a pissing contest on someone else’s territory.
Whenever it happened, Cerberus would certainly try to kill me. If I stayed here, there was no doubt that Rivengard would also become dangerous because of me.
“I will go back.”
“Yes, I understand your intentions well. Right now, you look like Weblea leaving this place. You must have resolved to walk the same rough path as your mother. However, going there bare-handed might be a bit difficult.”
“….”
Somehow, it felt like something difficult was going to be asked of me again, and I was quite taken aback.
“Before you leave, take Wibrea’s legacy with you. Elaine, I will give you a gift as well.”
But the words that came out with a gentle smile were no different from what any grandfather would give to his grandson.
***
The world tree, which looked like a cliff, extended its branches to me.
One long object was hanging from it, resembling a silver apple.
“This is the power and lifespan that Wibrea has sealed. You have enough qualifications, so eat it here and now.”
Like chemical signals flowing through my veins, the will of the world tree transmitted that meaning through my touching hands.
Crunch!
The fruit had no seeds that should naturally be inside a fruit.
It was sweeter than any fruit I had ever tasted and had a delightful scent.
With each bite, power surged from the depths of my body, and my mana was increasing as well.
And when I finished eating it, even the sensation of perceiving the world was distinctly different from before.
Whoa-
The abilities of the elves, which were considered the best in Rivengard’s history, were truly beyond imagination.
Not to mention the dramatically enhanced physical abilities, I could sense the mana of countless things in the forest, spanning a vast area.
Insects, small birds, wind, spirits, and even the things belonging to the elves were all clearly discernible.
And then, in a moment, I felt a scrutinizing gaze, so I raised my head and saw something transparent like glass attached to the cracked bark of the world tree.