Free Web NovelChapter 22: The Third Chosen One
"Of course Iโll devour it!"
The indifferent expression on Riosโ face transformed into a greedy and ruthless smile as he stared at the Tree of Life.
"T-This... My Lord, please reconsider."
Horror spread across Elenaโs face as well as the faces of the three advisors as they looked at Rios. Queen Elena quickly dropped to her knees and pleaded with him.
In the faith of the Elves, the sacred trees were pure beings that must never be defiled no matter what happened. They would risk everything to prevent such a thing from occurring, let alone allow someone to devour a sacred tree.
The problem was... Rios himself was also a sacred tree.
"What? Are you going to try to stop me?"
Rios turned toward the four Elves with mockery and disdain in his gaze, as if they did not even exist in his eyes.
And in truth, they didnโt.
"N-No... we wouldnโt dare."
Queen Elena and the three advisors hurriedly retreated before kneeling again in fear and apologizing.
"Itโs not that you wouldnโt dare. Itโs that you lack the ability to stop me."
Rios sneered again, making it clear who held absolute authority here while establishing the place everyone should know, respect, and never overstep.
"We... we..."
Queen Elena tried to say something, but Rios interrupted her.
"Now that you have become my people, and since I am your protector and your king, I owe you at least this explanation. I will not be a cruel ruler, nor will I enslave you. Effort will be rewarded, mistakes will be punished, those with rightful claims will receive what they deserve, and anyone who oppresses others will become an example for the rest."
"As for the Tree of Life, it has become useless, and I need to gain power as quickly as possible and reach the fourth level so I can establish my dominion over this world. The fastest way to do that is to devour the Tree of Life and obtain its power. Or do you wish to remain weak forever?"
Rios addressed them in a tone that allowed no argument before continuing confidently,
"It will take five days for me to devour the Tree of Life. During that time, you must protect this garden with everything you have, even if it costs you your lives. Once I emerge from my seclusion, the City of Light will welcome an era that no Elf has ever dared dream of. So prepare yourselves well and ready yourselves for what is to come!"
The four Elves looked at one another, each with different emotions reflected in their eyes. Some felt excitement and anticipation for the future, others felt fear, while some grew even more ambitious.
As for the Elf Queen...
"We shall follow your will as you command, My Lord."
Queen Elena bowed her head in submission before rising to her feet.
"With Your Majestyโs permission."
"Mm. You may leave. Remember, no one except the four of you is permitted to enter this garden, or the consequences will be severe."
"As you command, My Lord."
The four Elves bowed respectfully before turning to leave. freewฤbnoveโ.com
Once everyone had departed, Rios looked toward the Tree of Life and opened the system panel.
"System... how do I devour the Tree of Life?"
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[An Immortal Tree has been detected.]
Race: Tree of Life
Bloodline: Immortal
Level: Master (2)
Status: Sealed
Devouring Requirements:
1. Fifty million points.
2. Attach yourself to the Tree of Life as though the two of you are one.
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"T-This...!"
When Rios saw the requirements for devouring, his mouth hung open, and he felt like cursing the system with every insult imaginable, yet not a single word came out.
Setting aside the blatant robberyโwhich had become as natural to the system as drinking waterโwhat the hell was this attachment requirement? Was it some kind of damned tree mating ritual?
Damn it! Was this cursed system making fun of him?
"Hey, System, how exactly am I supposed to attach myself to this tree? Is standing beside it enough, or does it go deeper than that?"
[The host must wrap the Tree of Life with his branches and roots as though embracing it.]
"Damn you. I knew it."
Grumbling angrily, Rios moved his roots and branches, surrounding the trunk and branches of the Tree of Life in a bizarre scene that made them look like lovers embracing one another.
Have you ever seenโor even imaginedโa romantic relationship between two trees?
No?
Well, now you can.
"Damn it... start the damned devouring already. Did I really have to use such a humiliating position?"
Rios complained as he gave the order to begin.
ูููููููููููููููููููููููููููููููููููููููู
[Devouring will begin immediately.]
[Fifty million points have been deducted from the hostโs account.]
[Remaining points: 40 million.]
[Time remaining until devouring is complete: Five days.]
[No. The host did not need to use such a ridiculous pose. I simply thought it would make for a cute scene. Hehehehehe.]
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The system spoke in its usual mechanical voice, but suddenly it changed into that ancient voice Rios had heard before when he first reached the peak of the third level.
"Y-You... youโre not..."
Rios was instantly alarmed, but before he could finish speaking, he froze completely, unable to move or even think, as though he had become a statue while the system initiated the devouring process.
[Good luck... my third chosen one.]
..
..
..
Outside the garden. freewebnoveโ.com
"Your Majesty... are you truly going to allow that sacred tree to devour the Tree of Life?"
As soon as they had put enough distance between themselves and the garden, Advisor Gao finally voiced everything he had been suppressing.
As a Wood Elf, Gao possessed the deepest connection to nature and plants, and the Tree of Life was the sacred tree most closely tied to nature itself. Because of that, he, more than the other Elves from different clans, felt an extraordinary sense of reverence and attachment toward it.
Especially this particular Tree of Life.
He had witnessed its birth with his own eyes and watched it grow during the brief weeks it remained conscious. As the leader of the Wood Elf clan, he had personally cared for it before that bolt of lightning struck and sealed it away.
For the past hundred years, no one had tended to it more faithfully than he had.
The bond between Gao and the Tree of Life could not simply be reduced to that of an Elf revering a sacred tree.
"Hey, old Gao, watch your words carefully. King Rios is our king now. More importantly, the future of the City of Light rests with him. The fact that he saved us and our city only a short while ago is worth more than anything else. Or would you have preferred those barbaric Centaurs to break through the formation, slaughter everyone, and burn the sacred Tree of Life?"
Thandria shouted directly at Gao without the slightest regard for his status.
Then she clenched her teeth, drew her sword, pressed it against Advisor Gaoโs neck, and unleashed her killing intent without holding back.
"So the next time you even think about insulting His Majestyโs honor, Iโll personally tear your head from your shoulders and present it to His Majesty as an offering to atone for your sins. Do you understand?"
"Y-Youโre... youโre insane!"
