—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Black flames began to engulf the forest.
It started as something the size of a quail egg in a small bottle,
But as soon as the bottle broke and the seed was released,
It instantly began to bloom with terrifying momentum, its flowers both dazzling and gruesome.
Starting with a single tree, it devoured everything nearby, and then, at an even faster rate, the flames began to bloom those black flowers of death on all the nearby trees.
And at this very moment.
As they watched those black flowers of death dye the world with black ash and rapidly approach them.
Those who were the primary victims of this hellish scene.
The elves, with expressions filled with despair and shock, were struggling desperately to somehow stop the terrible black flames.
“Damn it! What the hell is this fire?”
“How come it doesn’t go out even when you pour water on it? No… it actually seems to be burning even more fiercely?”
The elves were using magic, or if that didn’t work, carrying water to somehow minimize further damage.
However,
Despite these efforts, at this moment the flames in front of them showed no signs of going out.
Rather, the black flames were using the water poured on them to extinguish them as fuel, burning even more fiercely.
Seeing it completely reversing common sense, the elves who were working hard to put out the fire at the front were eventually forced to retreat.
In the process, dozens of people were unlucky enough to be engulfed in flames and died.
Meanwhile, watching their actions.
From the rear, the Pope and the elders, who were analyzing the situation, pondered how to deal with the black flames that were approaching them every moment.
“According to the investigation… the black flames appear to be similar to the previously known demon flames. However, considering that the rate of spread is excessively fast, and more than anything, it has almost perfect resistance to water, it is presumed that some other magic is combined. Judging from the feeling, it is highly likely to be dark magic, but…”
“Is there any more detailed information on that part?”
“I’m sorry. I haven’t been able to find out that far yet.”
“Hmm…”
“Those Empire bastards… what on earth have they created? Even if the forest is the home of our elves, do they really not know what will happen if that sacred place disappears?”
The Canna Forest, considered to be the sacred place where the first life was born, and a treasure trove of life and resources.
This place was considered very important not only to the elves, but also to the humans and beastmen of the continent.
In particular, the giant World Tree at the heart of the forest and the heart of this Elf Church.
Yupiter was virtually the source of all divine power on the continent and the greatest legacy left by the god who protected the world.
If the entire Canna Forest were to turn to ashes and Yupiter were to disappear as a result, a terrible disaster would surely befall this world, where the blessings of the gods had disappeared.
Nevertheless, the Empire was acting recklessly like this simply to achieve the goal of winning the war, and in response, the elves were increasingly worried and unable to figure out what to do.
“Even if more than half of the Canna Forest is destroyed, we must protect Yupiter at all costs.”
“Protecting the symbol of peace and protection given by God is our elves’ absolute duty. We must find a way to prevent this, even if it costs us our lives.”
In that way, the elves, showing an anxious attitude, continued endless discussions about problems with no apparent solution.
At that time.
Among them, there was one person who cautiously raised their hand.
“Excuse me… may I say something?”
A female elf with bandages on her face due to burn scars and wearing black mourning clothes, mourning the death of someone.
She was quite young compared to the other elves in this place, but
At this moment, the elders there began to focus their attention on her request to speak.
“Of course, please speak, miss.”
“There is no need to feel burdened. As you can see, this place is where even a single person’s wisdom is precious. If it is the opinion of the lady, who is the daughter of His Holiness the Pope, there is no reason not to listen.”
“…Thank you. Then…”
After permission was granted without any problems, the elf woman carefully began to take off the robe she was wearing, as a sign of beginning her speech.
Immediately after,
She is…
Just two days ago.
She, who had lost her master and friends due to those black flames, and had barely survived alone in the worst experience…
Octavia.
With the burn marks, which were more visible than just before, she turned to face the elders in front of her and began to speak.
“Then I will speak. As a result of summarizing the stories so far. It can be said that we currently have almost nothing to find out about those black flames. Not to mention the method of extinguishing the fire, but even its fundamental nature.”
With those words, Octavia frowned as she recalled the image of her master being killed before her eyes in an instant.
However, immediately after, Octavia killed that emotion for a moment and continued to speak.
“Therefore, I think it would be good to ask for cooperation from those who know more about this matter.”
“Someone who knows a lot… you mean?”
“Is there such a person? There’s no way there are any experts in black magic left in the Elf Church…”
“Yes, of course. There is no such person in our Elf Church. There’s no way anyone who has learned black magic, the magic of evil heresy, is breathing in this country. But… nevertheless, we already know the black magic masters that we can try to ask for help from… those who live very close by.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“A master of black magic… there’s no
way I know someone who uses such terrible magic…!”
At that moment, figures suddenly flashed through the minds of those present.
The elders and high-ranking elves showed deep embarrassment and spoke with difficulty.
“Y-you don’t mean…”
“Miss, are you perhaps talking about those people….”
The elves showed a reluctance to even speak the words.
And towards them, Octavia said in a firm voice.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m talking about the demons of the Demon Kingdom across the sea.”
“!!”
“N-no. What on earth are you saying!”
“That can’t be! Demons! Are you saying that our Elf Church, which upholds the will of God, must bow down to those evil children of the devil?”
“Rather, cut off my head, miss! Even if it means death, I cannot join hands with those evil forces of evil!”
The elves expressed fierce opposition and desperately opposed it.
However.
Watching their reaction,
Octavia said in a cold voice without a hint of wavering.
“Forces of evil, you say? Then, in your eyes, do those ugly and filthy humans who are trying to burn down the Holy Land and even Yupiter look like they are on the side of justice?”
“N-no. That’s not what I meant…”
“Get a grip! We are now facing the worst crisis in the 2000-year history of the Elf Church! In this situation, in order to stop those evil Empire bastards, who are not just children of the devil but the devil himself, this is no time to be picky about means and methods! Even at this moment, innocent people and pure creatures are being swallowed by black flames and dying outside!”
“Keuk!….”
“Hmm….”
Octavia shouted with a vein in her neck, filled with genuine anger and passion.
In response, there were no longer any elves who could easily object to her words.
As had been discussed all along, what was urgent for them now was to somehow protect the Canna Forest…
At least, if that was impossible, to protect the World Tree Yupiter to the end.
In that way, even though they really didn’t want to, the overall atmosphere was gradually solidifying, at that time.
Octavia’s father, Julius, the current Pope who rules the Elf Church, watched the situation and spoke calmly, looking around.
“Then, it seems a decision has been made.”
According to your wishes, I will proceed with requesting a solution to this problem from the demons for the time being. Then, who will take on this task?”
“Yes, Your Holiness the Pope. I will go.”
“!”
“A… no, are you saying that Miss Octavia will go herself?”
The elves’ faces were filled with deep embarrassment at the fact that she, who was quite severely injured, and, moreover, the Pope’s daughter, was volunteering to step forward without a moment’s hesitation.
However, watching them,
Octavia said in a firm voice.
“In any case, if we are to resolve this matter and, depending on the situation, even discuss the responsibility for the past war, someone with a certain level of status and authority must go. Moreover, I am a body with the blood of His Holiness the Pope flowing through me. Even if the negotiations go wrong, they will not be able to arbitrarily detain me.”
“Hmm…”
“Even so…”
The elves still showed reluctance at Octavia’s words.
However, despite their attitude, they eventually had no choice but to allow Octavia to go to the Demon Kingdom as an envoy.
And, after that decision was made.
Octavia once again burned the flames of hot hatred in her heart,
She began to vow revenge for her master Sula and her companions who had died before her eyes.
‘Filthy humans… and Cassandra… I will definitely destroy you. Even if I have to make a deal with the devil itself… I will see this through to the end.’
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
