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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a high ceiling. He felt a soft, plush texture at his fingertips. He was on a bed. Raymond sat up and immediately surveyed his surroundings.
He remembered using mana overload to fight the High Assassins of the Edryger Kingdom and collapsing. Then, while unconscious, he was pulled into the thought realm of the World Tree and received the “Blessing of the Eternal Forest.”
“I never expected to receive a blessing…”
Muttering to himself, Raymond summoned his mana. He could sense a faint trace of the forest’s energy within the pure mana.
In the original novel, the protagonist Richard had only managed to help Sylvia, receiving the “Blessing of the Sword and Magic” and the goodwill of the Platinum Grass Tribe. However, Raymond had now received the “Blessing of the Eternal Forest” as well, gaining the favor of all elves.
“Something has changed.”
The fact that they had chosen to grant him the Blessing of the Eternal Forest first suggested they had lost many of their fragments. That meant their gratitude toward Raymond, who had saved a fragment in the Platinum Grass Tribe’s village, was even greater.
“Could this be related to the Apocalypse Association?”
Raymond’s eyes sharpened. The biggest unknown he had encountered so far was the “Apocalypse Association.”
Just as the author had left many details unfinished, the association seemed to be completing its own setting through overlapping variables, just as Raymond had gained new life through possession.
His thoughts were interrupted when he sensed movement outside, followed by a knock at the door.
“Fifth Prince, may I come in?”
The clear voice belonged to Desia.
“Come in.”
At his permission, the door opened, and Desia stepped inside. She wasn’t alone. Behind her, moving carefully even in the dim lighting, was Sylvia, her platinum hair gleaming faintly.
“How long was I unconscious?”
This was the most important question. As soon as their eyes met, Raymond asked.
“You were unconscious for about two days.”
Desia’s voice was calm. Raymond nodded slowly.
Even though his body had undergone reconstruction, he had used Mana Overload, a secret technique of magic swordsmen, while still unfamiliar with his new form. Side effects had been expected from the start.
If he had only been unconscious for two days, it was actually shorter than he had anticipated.
“Nothing unusual happened, right?”
“There haven’t been any major movements near the border.”
“You sound too certain.”
Desia immediately realized that Raymond wasn’t asking about the Platinum Grass Tribe’s village.
Even though no one in their group was a top-tier mage capable of long-distance communication magic, she spoke with unwavering confidence. Raymond casually pointed it out.
“Your Highness… don’t I seem different?”
He hadn’t expected this question. Raymond cooled his thoughts and examined Desia.
She wasn’t the type to joke. Though her question seemed unrelated, there had to be a connection.
After a minute of silent observation, the lingering effects of his unconscious state faded, and he clearly sensed the change in her.
“You’ve reached the level of a top-tier mage.”
The density of mana gently emanating from her entire body had deepened. She wasn’t deliberately revealing it, but she wasn’t trying to hide it either. Recognizing that she had reached such a high level was easy.
“It’s all thanks to you, Your Highness.”
She wasn’t just being polite. When Raymond received the “Blessing of the Sword and Magic” and his body underwent reconstruction, Desia had remained by his side, witnessing the process firsthand. By observing ancient magic in action, she had gained enlightenment.
“That’s frighteningly fast.”
Raymond shook his head lightly. He had known from the setting guide and his own observations that she was talented, but he hadn’t expected this level of growth.
She was only in her early twenties. She had been learning magic for less than four years.
Yet she had reached the top-tier level, which normally required at least a decade of effort, even for prodigies. Such achievements were rare in history, but that didn’t make them any less remarkable.
“That means you can now contact the Blue Tower Master.”
“Fortunately, I brought a magic device just in case.”
She spoke as if it was mere coincidence, but Raymond was certain she had planned this all along.
She must have been confident that she would reach the top-tier level during this journey.
“Tell the Blue Tower Master that things are settled here and I’ll be there soon.”
The last thing he had heard was that the Free Isiria Kingdom’s Heavy Cavalry had entered the Black Mountains.
They wouldn’t have ventured into the dangerous Black Mountains just for sightseeing. By now, a battle must have already begun.
“I’ll deliver the message.”
Desia nodded and stepped back. But Sylvia remained behind, looking as though she had something to say.
“Sylvia…”
“It’s alright. You can go ahead.”
Desia started to leave with Sylvia, but Raymond told her it was fine and dismissed her first.
Now that he had received the “Blessing of the Eternal Forest,” he was curious to see how a High Elf would react.
“You’ve received the Blessing of the Eternal Forest.”
“That’s right.”
Raymond acknowledged it.
“May I ask how it happened?”
Sylvia asked calmly and respectfully. She had been polite before, but back then, it hadn’t been sincere.
She had maintained cold, dead eyes while observing formalities out of necessity. But now, things were different.
Her gaze upon the Fifth Prince held genuine concern and respect. The lifelessness in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a vibrant glow.
“Do I need to explain?”
“No. It was simply my curiosity. You don’t have to answer if you prefer silence.”
Her response could have seemed cold, but Sylvia simply smiled and shook her head. He was the benefactor of the World Tree. She couldn’t demand an answer from him.
“First, let me express my gratitude.”
“Just with words?”
“If you need anything, we will do our best to—”
“Forget it. I was joking. Don’t worry about it.”
Seeing her tense response, Raymond chuckled softly.
The Platinum Grass Tribe had suffered greatly because of the Second Prince’s schemes.
Raymond didn’t like seeing himself at a disadvantage, but right now, he had no intention of squeezing anything out of the Platinum Grass Tribe.
He had already acquired two blessings, “Blessing of Sword and Magic” and “Blessing of the Eternal Forest,” during this journey through the Blue Forest. One of them was planned, but the other was an unexpected bonus. Just these two blessings were enough to justify the cost.
Even though he had the “Blessing of the Eternal Forest,” this world wasn’t a game. If he made unreasonable demands or acted recklessly, his relationship with the Platinum Grass Tribe would sour. Raymond decided not to be greedy any further.
“Are you leaving soon?”
“Of course.”
Raymond had received one of his fortuitous gifts, the “Blessing of Sword and Magic.” There was no reason to stay in the Blue Forest any longer.
“Are you feeling regretful about leaving the forest?”
One of the rewards for purifying the World Tree was Sylvia Platier’s loyalty.
“Why would I feel regret? I’ll make sure to serve my benefactor well.”
To Sylvia, Raymond was not just someone who had stopped the destruction of the Platinum Grass Tribe, but also someone who had saved her life. Even without the “Blessing of the Eternal Forest,” her loyalty was to be expected.
After a brief conversation, silence fell.
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince!”
The knock and Desia’s urgent voice shattered the calm of the room.
“Come in.”
“It’s an urgent communication from the Blue Tower Master.”
“What’s going on?”
The term “urgent communication” made Raymond frown. Although the Blue Tower Master was known for being overly dramatic, it wouldn’t be typical for him to go as far as to send an urgent message unless something major had happened near the border.
“Speak.”
Desia hesitated. Looking closely, he saw Sylvia standing at the edge of her line of sight. She seemed to be worried about potential leaks of military information. Sylvia soon caught on to the meaning of his gaze.
“I’ll step outside.”
“No need for that.”
Raymond stopped Sylvia, who was quietly trying to leave. He then turned to Desia.
“Sylvia is about to be assigned to my elite guard, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Then I’ll report immediately.”
Desia nodded as Raymond gave a small gesture of approval.
“The heavy cavalry of the Free Isiria Kingdom has attacked and captured the Alvin Fortress in the Black Mountains.”
“The fortress?”
“Yes, they captured the fortress itself, not just a stronghold, and destroyed the key facilities before leaving.”
The last report Raymond had heard was about the destruction of three strongholds by the heavy cavalry. He hadn’t expected them to capture a fortress and destroy it afterward.
“Are they intending to wage a full-scale war in the Black Mountains?”
Raymond muttered under his breath, furrowing his brows.
The Black Mountains were technically covered by the Disarmament Treaty, so even if there was a military conflict, they couldn’t properly protest diplomatically. There were supposed to be no stationed troops there in the first place.
Although some claimed that military presence for monster extermination was allowed, that was almost a stretch, not a formal part of the treaty.
“This doesn’t look good. I need to head to the border right away.”
“We’ll get you there safely and swiftly.”
Sylvia spoke. If she took the lead as the “One Who Walks Ahead,” they could arrive much earlier than planned.
Although Raymond didn’t have a formal oath of loyalty from Sylvia, he was confident she wouldn’t betray him.
Though the events were beginning to twist a little, Sylvia’s role in the original story, as well as her character, had little room for betrayal.
It wasn’t good to be overly trusting, but there was no need to be so anxious or suspicious either.
“Gestain!”
As Raymond, Desia, and Sylvia left the room, Raymond called out for Gestain.
“My lord! You’ve awoken!”
Gestain, who had been guarding the hallway like a statue, rushed toward him at the sound of his voice.
“We’re going to the border right now.”
“We should reach the border by tomorrow.”
Sylvia spoke. Just like when they traveled to the Blue Forest, Raymond was amazed at her control over the wind spirits. Not only did she increase their speed with her blessing, but she also sent spirits ahead to scout for danger and find the fastest route.
Compared to the Tower Masters and Gestain, her combat abilities were rather low, so her skill might seem trivial. However, for Raymond to survive in this perilous world, she was an essential ally.
“To survive the Bloody Funeral, I need her.”
One of the most critical events in Raymond’s story, affecting the whole world, was the “Bloody Funeral.”
Since there was no way to avoid it, Raymond had to do everything he could to survive that hellish event.
“When will the Imperial Army and Magic Tower forces join us?”
Gestain looked toward Desia and asked. She had been in constant communication with the Blue Tower Master through magical communication devices during their journey.
Though Raymond didn’t know the exact reason, it had been a smart choice for Desia to bring the communication crystals.
“They’re on their way. They should join us in about three hours.”
“I’ll urge them to hurry. We need more guards.”
After facing continuous dangers, Gestain, who commanded Raymond’s elite guards, was naturally concerned for his safety.
Normally, the Crayer family’s forces would provide the escort as soon as Raymond left the Blue Forest, but Raymond had turned down their offer, saying that it would slow them down.
Though Sylvia could speed them up with her blessing, there would still be dozens to hundreds of guards accompanying them. She didn’t have enough mana to bless all of them.
So, they had agreed to join forces with the Imperial Army near the border, but Gestain still seemed restless.
After enduring attacks from the Second Prince’s subordinates and the Edryger Kingdom’s assassins, Gestain’s nerves were on edge.
Even though they were in the Crayer family’s territory, he still worried about potential attacks.
“Someone’s approaching.”
Time passed in tense vigilance as Sylvia calmly announced someone’s approach.
“I estimate about 140 people.”
She reported continuously. That number was about equal to the Imperial Army, Raymond’s elite guards, and the Magic Tower’s combat unit combined. Gestain finally relaxed, and before long, the Imperial Army’s flag appeared over the hill.
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