Chapter 584
Raon lifted his head, a smile on his face. The World Tree swayed its branches, scattering the pure energy of nature as if to greet him.
‘Thank you for remembering.’
From the moment he saw the ancestor’s memory, he was sure of it. The World Tree, being a spiritual being, would remember the ancestor saving its life. Initially, the tree seemed confused and unresponsive, but as soon as the mana from his [Flow of Mana] penetrated the outer layer, the World Tree recalled the ancestor and expressed its joy and gratitude through a massive surge of mana. The wave of emotion emanating from the tree was so overwhelming that Raon’s chest ached.
“How… how can this be…?”
The Great Elder’s face turned pale, his jaw trembling.
“This… this is impossible!”
“How can it react like this to a human…?”
“I’ve never seen the World Tree so vibrant…”
“Am I dreaming?”
The elders and other elves were in shock, blinking in disbelief at the scene before them.
“How did you do this?”
Even Rimmer, clearly taken aback, swallowed nervously as he watched the swaying branches of the World Tree.
“I told you! That human is a Spirit King’s contractor!”
Erian, even more ecstatic than Rimmer, raised his hands in triumph.
“Raon Zieghart.”
Sterin approached, his voice filled with astonishment.
“What exactly did you do?”
“What?”
“Others may not realize it, but the World Tree is thanking you right now.”
Sterin’s eyes, twitching as if in shock, looked up at the tree.
“Why is the World Tree expressing gratitude to someone it’s never met?”
Sterin’s gaze returned to Raon, filled with curiosity.
“I thought it was strange when you confidently accepted the bet. Have you encountered the World Tree before?”
“No, this is my first time.”
Raon shook his head, still touching the World Tree’s bark.
“Then how…?”
“The World Tree is not thanking me but a swordsman from Zieghart.”
“A swordsman from Zieghart?”
“Yes. I learned this from the martial arts records of Zieghart…”
Raon explained to everyone that what he saw was recorded in the martial arts manuscripts.
“I can’t believe it!”
The Great Elder shook his head, rejecting the idea.
“The World Tree was restored through the dedication of elves, not humans…”
“You’ll understand when you see this.”
Raon ran his hand over the sealed part of the tree, where the ancestor had filled the hole. Despite the burning sensation from the mana, the World Tree responded with an even stronger wave of grateful mana, its fragrance sweet and soothing.
“Oh…”
“I can feel it. The World Tree is shouting its thanks…”
“Was it really Zieghart who helped?”
The elves trembled, feeling the heightened emotions of the World Tree.
“Hah…”
Sterin laughed weakly, holding his forehead.
“So that’s it…”
“What?”
“When I looked at the records from that time, there were too many inconsistencies. I suspected someone other than an elf might have helped, and now it makes sense.”
He approached Raon and held his hands tightly, a warm sincerity conveyed through his grip.
“Your ancestor saved the elves and the World Tree.”
Sterin nodded, finally understanding the situation.
Raon smirked as he watched the trembling Great Elder and the other elders.
‘It worked.’
If he had revealed this at the beginning, he would have been dismissed as a madman and kicked out. But thanks to the Great Elder’s setup and the World Tree’s intense reaction, the elves couldn’t doubt him now.
‘I can take full advantage of this.’
Even with the bet, getting everything he wanted from the Great Elder would be challenging in Sephia. However, the ancestor’s story might allow him to receive more than just the promised conditions.
‘No one will call me a Spirit King’s contractor now.’
Raon looked at Erian, who greeted him with an even wider smile and a thumbs-up.
“You weren’t the Spirit King’s contractor for nothing! The world is indeed fair!”
Erian still seemed convinced that Raon was the Spirit King’s contractor, a stubborn belief.
“No one will doubt you now, seeing how happy the World Tree is.”
Sterin, after staring at the World Tree for a long time, finally nodded. He placed his joined hands over his chest and bowed.
“As the Guardian of Sephia, I greet the descendant of our benefactor.”
“I greet the descendant of our benefactor.”
Not just Sterin, but all the elves surrounding the World Tree followed suit, bowing in unison.
“Please, don’t do this.”
Raon waved his hands, lifting Sterin back up. He hadn’t shared the ancestor’s story to receive such bows.
“It was not me but my ancestor who did this.”
“But your ancestor isn’t here now. You should accept our gratitude on his behalf.”
Sterin insisted, saying that elves understood the importance of gratitude.
“It’s really fine. I don’t need any thanks. All I want is…”
Raon’s gaze shifted to the Great Elder, who had not bowed his head.
“…his apology.”
“Kuh!”
The Great Elder’s shoulders trembled violently at his words.
“Not only did you ignore the benefactor’s descendant, but you tried to drive him out…”
Rimmer shook his head at the Great Elder.
“You should learn to be more humble.”
He clicked his tongue, saying the Great Elder had embarrassed all elves.
Raon approached the Great Elder, tilting his head slightly.
“Are you deaf? I told you to kneel, so why are you still standing?”
“I… I can’t believe it!”
The Great Elder bit his lip and shook his head.
“I can’t believe a human saved the World Tree…”
“Oh. Don’t believe it.”
Raon cut him off, nodding calmly.
“Oh…?”
The Great Elder’s eyes widened, surprised at Raon’s easy acceptance.
“Believe it or not, just kneel.”
Raon pointed to the ground with a smirk.
“Kneeling has nothing to do with me being a benefactor’s descendant. The esteemed elder of the elves wouldn’t break a promise, right?”
“Why are you suddenly speaking informally?”
“You spoke informally first.”
Raon found it amusing that the elf was concerned with formalities, but he answered politely.
-This guy is obsessed with formal speech!
Wrath shook his head, exasperated.
“Ugh…”
The Great Elder looked around for support, but the other elders and elves had abandoned him.
“Where’s the person who said they’d do everything?”
Raon mocked him with a raised tone.
“I’ll do it. I’ll kneel!”
The Great Elder mumbled that elves don’t lie like humans and knelt with trembling knees.
“Is that enough…?”
“No.”
Raon shook his head and called Sterin and Siyan over.
“The bet was for you to kneel and apologize sincerely to the three of us. Apologize to each of us, genuinely.”
He folded his arms and looked down at the Great Elder.
“Kuuuuh…”
The Great Elder, after a long pause, turned towards Sterin.
“Guardian. I apologize for my rudeness.”
His voice trembled as he bowed his head.
“You should learn to be more humble.”
“Yes…”
“I accept your apology.”
Sterin, frowning, accepted the apology, maintaining his noble demeanor.
“Hooo…”
The Great Elder sighed deeply and turned to Siyan.
“Siyan, I apologize for calling you a disgrace.”
He bowed to her as well.
“It’s… it’s okay.”
Siyan, still wrapped in her blanket, nodded. Despite the discomfort of the situation, her voice seemed oddly lively.
“Now, it’s my turn.”
Raon signaled with his chin for the Great Elder to continue.
“Kuuuuh…”
The Great Elder, groaning, faced Raon.
“I apologize for my rudeness towards you.”
Unlike his previous apologies, he barely bowed and muttered the words.
“Whew…”
“You can’t rise yet.”
As the Great Elder tried to stand, Raon pressed down on his shoulder.
“What nonsense! I apologized properly!”
“You didn’t bow fully or speak clearly, unlike with Sterin and Siyan.”
“Th-that’s…”
“You promised a sincere apology. I didn’t feel it.”
Raon flicked his finger dismissively, brushing off the Great Elder’s intense aura.
“You said you’d do everything, but you can’t even apologize properly.”
“Raon is right.”
Sterin nodded at the Great Elder.
“You promised to do everything you could. You must keep your word. Show dignity in front of your family.”
He gestured towards the elves watching them.
“Haaa…”
The Great Elder, meeting the somber eyes of the other elves, knelt again.
“I apologize for my disrespect, treating you as less than human.”
He finally bowed properly and spoke clearly.
“Is that enough…?”
“This time, your bow angle was a bit off.”
Raon shook his head, saying it wasn’t good enough.
“Oh…”
“Oh…”
“He’s crazy.”
The Great Elder’s eyes filled with despair, and the other elves turned pale, realizing they were dealing with a madman.
Raon finally helped the Great Elder up after he apologized six times.
“Is it enough now?”
The Great Elder, looking a hundred years older, panted heavily.
“You haven’t given me the fruit of the Mountain Spirit yet.”
Raon extended his hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll send it to your quarters.”
The Great Elder, assuring he wouldn’t deceive, shook his head.
“Then I’ll be expecting a hundred.”
Raon nodded lightly.
“A hundred! What do you mean by that?”
The Great Elder, turning to leave, yelled back.
“What?”
“Why did it become a hundred fruits all of a sudden?”
“I always thought of it as a hundred.”
“You never mentioned that…”
“You said you’d grant all my requests, so I didn’t mention it.”
Raon shrugged, pointing at the Great Elder.
“Grrrr…”
The Great Elder, unable to argue, bit his lip. He was completely trapped by his own words.
“A hundred it is. Don’t miss a single one.”
Raon waved cheerfully at the red-faced Great Elder. He knew getting all a hundred would be tough, but he was determined to get enough to share generously with the Light Wind members.
“I told you, I’d show you what a real scoundrel is.”
Rimmer stepped forward, pointing at Raon.
“He’s the true scoundrel, the greatest in the human world!”
He warned the elves, laughing.
-Not just the human world, but all dimensions.
Wrath ground his teeth.
-There’s no scoundrel like him even in the demon realm!
The Great Elder, looking like a corpse, was eventually carried away by other elves.
Raon watched him go, licking his lips.
‘What should I do with the remaining request?’
-You strip the flesh, skin, and even boil the bones.
Wrath shook his head, calling him ruthless.
‘That’s how you enjoy fish to the fullest.’
Raon nudged Wrath with his elbow.
-How did you know your ancestor saved the World Tree?
‘I told you, I saw the ancestor.’
-Oh…?
Wrath blinked and leaned in.
-That was real?
‘Maybe…’
Raon shrugged and looked at the World Tree.
‘There it is.’
Above the spot where the ancestor sealed the hole was the mark left by his sword.
‘It was a spirit sword.’
His spirit sword was different from the [Holy Sword Technique] or Sterin’s martial arts. It seemed to have a special power.
‘I’ll be able to use it someday with [Flow of Mana].’
Raon, thinking of the future, placed his hand on the sealed spot.
Woooong!
The World Tree hummed happily like a sword’s resonance.
“Oh!”
“The World Tree is happy whenever he touches it!”
“He really is the descendant of our benefactor.”
“A human who resonates with the World Tree. This will be huge.”
Most elves here now regarded Raon as a benefactor’s descendant. It was a bit embarrassing since that wasn’t his goal.
‘I wanted to crush the Great Elder and stop the Spirit King’s contractor talk, but now there are more strange rumors.’
But he was glad he could touch the World Tree freely.
Thanks to being the descendant of a benefactor, no one interfered when he touched the tree.
Raon used the opportunity to infuse his mana into the World Tree.
‘It should be in here.’
He was certain the area where the ancestor placed the orbs was nearby. With a bit of searching, he believed he could find them. However, despite probing the tree’s interior with the heat of his mana and the cold of Glacia, he couldn’t detect any special energy. Only small traces of fire and water remained; the enormous energy he had sensed in the memory was gone.
Raon frowned as he looked up at the World Tree.
‘Has it all been absorbed?’
It had been hundreds, perhaps even a thousand years. It wouldn’t be strange if the energy from the ancestor’s orbs had been fully absorbed by the World Tree.
‘What a pity.’
Raon clicked his tongue in disappointment and withdrew his hand from the tree.
“Hm?”
As he turned around, he saw Siyan standing there, staring at the base of the World Tree.
“Here…”
Siyan, with one eye partially visible, pointed to the spot where she had been holding the tree’s bark.
“Ah, do you need me to move?”
“No, it’s not that. Here…”
As Raon moved aside, Siyan shook her head.
“I used to come here often with my mother.”
There was a hint of sadness in her soft voice.
‘Her mother….’
Rimmer had never mentioned anyone other than Sterin and Siyan. Raon hadn’t asked, sensing it was a painful subject. As he suspected, their parents and possibly other family members were no longer in this world.
“My mother often visited here when she was expecting me. She said she enjoyed the breeze that the World Tree sent.”
Siyan leaned against the spot where the ancestor had sealed the hole.
“Whenever I come here, I feel at peace.”
She murmured that she couldn’t visit often because she felt self-conscious.
“I see.”
Raon nodded but then stopped as something occurred to him.
‘Wait a minute…’
Something Siyan said triggered a thought.
‘Wrath.’
-Why are you calling me?
Wrath lazily emerged, yawning.
‘Didn’t you say that from the moment Siyan was born, she was blocked by something deep and profound?’
-Yes, I did.
Wrath furrowed his brows, wondering why Raon was bringing it up again.
‘Then there’s a possibility.’
Raon approached Siyan and extended his hand.
“Excuse me, but may I check something about you, Lady Siyan?”
Siyan blinked, surprised by the sudden request.
“Check… what?”
“There’s something I need to confirm. It might help.”