Leave a comment

There was a slight hiccup, but the group eventually reached the throne, on which a figure was sitting, waiting for the group…

“Oh my, I’ve got quite the cute visitors today.”
“Leave me alone…”

The girl sitting on the throne chuckled as she spoke. But Crim turned away in a bad mood, feeling mocked by her words. There was currently a red swollen bruise on Crim’s face, who sulked while being carried in Freya’s arms.

“That’s why you should always watch your step, you know?”
“Don’t treat me like a child!”

Freya squatted a bit and said that with a bright smile, which only triggered Crim to protest more. The person on the throne watched that scene with an amicable look. But soon enough there was someone who stepped forward and knelt like a noble in front of the throne, Sorleon.

“I’m Sorleon, Master of the Nord Glacier Guild. And these are my friends, Masters of their own guilds…”

Following Sorleon’s lead, Crim was the next one to introduce herself.

“I’m Crim Lua Cheia, Master of the Lua Cheia Guild.”
“Same here, I lead the Lan Canglong Guild. Shao Xinglou’s the name.”

The girl on the throne glanced at them, nodding pensively, and then got ready to introduce herself as well.

“Good, I have no objections with your presence. I’m the former Red Lion Emperor, Eurelia Argent. And please feel at ease, there’s no need to be formal here.”

The girl, the Red Emperor Eurelia, rested her cheek on a hand while leaning on the throne’s armrest, greeting them casually. She had abundant blonde hair, and slightly slanted green eyes, filled with a strong will. Her clothing was like a military uniform, mainly red with golden accents, which seemed a bit too luxurious when compared to the usual image one would have of an emperor. But there was no frailty or timidness to her at all, and instead she looked calm and composed, like a willow that endured through many hardships and stood strong.

“I must emphasize that, for some reason, this castle has been preserved as it was in my younger years.”

She had noticed the question in everyone’s mind, and so she replied without waiting for someone to actually voice it, chuckling a bit as she looked down at herself, her body looking like that of a fifteen year old.

“So the emperor was a girl…though it makes sense…”

The Cloak of the Young Red Lion Emperor which Crim was wearing was styled for a woman to wear, but it still felt like a powerful reveal.

“Oh… I recognize a nostalgic garment on you. It seems to have lost its blessing over time though. Here.”

Saying that, the Red Lion Emperor held her hand out towards Crim, which made the cloak she was wearing start to glow faintly.

“Good, that should be enough. Make sure to check that the effect is active later.”
“Th-thank you…”

While the girl nodded to herself with satisfaction, Crim accidentally reverted to her real way of speaking. That also explained why the cloak felt so underwhelming for a unique item at first. It was meant to be powered up later on.

“It is my pleasure. However, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you. I do not wish to frame it as an exchange, but it is rather urgent and requires your attention.”
“Something…from us?”
“Yes, and it’s also the reason why I left all of these ordeals to weed out those who weren’t strong enough.”

Starting with that, she coughed slightly to clear her throat, then looked at everyone with a more serious look.

“There’s a place to the south of this castle, surrounded by a steep mountain ridge. It’s mostly occupied by a forest which houses supernatural beings of nature known as spirits…”
“A…forest?”
“Yes, a forest known as Fairy Village. I would often be absconded there by the fairies and spirits living there, who were rather fond of toying with me.”

The Red Lion Emperor stared off into the distance as she reminisced how she would be taken there once every three days or so and subjected to unfunny pranks that nearly ended her life. Hearing that, everyone could only smile awkwardly, not knowing how to react.

“I apologize for my digression. The World Tree Seyfert thrives within that forest, tasked with the vital role of purifying the residue of expended mana, thereby recycling it and replenishing the world’s mana reservoir for subsequent utilization…”

At that point, the Red Lion Emperor’s face clouded over.

“Owing to prolonged and relentless conflicts, the tree has assimilated an excessive amount of darkness, resulting in the emergence of corrupted growths upon its form. While presently manageable, this affliction may escalate over time. Failure to address it promptly could precipitate the spread of this curse throughout the entirety of World Tree Seyfert, impacting the entire world.”
“…And if that happens what would be the effects?”

Shao asked that question, which made the Red Lion Emperor nod once before replying.

“Eventually, the curse will run rampant through the world, filling it with wicked and powerful monsters, the ground will be corrupted by miasma, rotting the foundations of life and ruining all human settlements.”

Wouldn’t that just be a bad ending then?!

That was likely the reaction that ran through the minds of everyone there.

“I see… So that’s why that GM lady told us about this raid dungeon after the event…”

They had some years of leeway, but it was still a location hidden in a remote region with few people inhabiting it. It would be a bad idea for the developers to leave it secret for too long.

So far the biggest part of the game was claiming land and growing stronger there, with not much of a story to go along, but now everyone felt like the main story was starting to reveal itself, though it still felt like it was only a figment of it.

“And that is the information with which I have been charged to convey to you.”

Seemingly tired from talking, she reclined back on the throne and took a deep breath.

“I see. I hath been meaning to inquire, how cometh thou and so many other valiant souls from the past doth linger in this castle?”
“Indeed. As I trust you and all others are aware, I have already passed from this realm, fulfilling the cycle of existence. I have departed, and thus, my soul now abides among the spirits.”

She gladly replied to Crim’s question. It was easy to assume that she had not returned from the afterlife of her own will, but had been called back by someone else.

“So you wish to know how I’ve been summoned back to this world, even if for mere moments.”
“…It is I who called Her Majesty and the other knights back to this place.”

A new voice came out from behind the throne, as if continuing where the Red Lion Emperor left off. Standing there was a figure covered in a tattered hood, who seemed to appear out of nowhere.

“There you are, I still can’t believe you called me here just so I can relay that message. In life, you swore loyalty to me, but you were always the one bossing me around, and I never thought that would continue even after my death.”
“I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Stop it, we both know you don’t mean it. Nonetheless, it is nearing the hour for me to retire once more. It is now your turn to take the lead in this conversation.”

Saying that, the Red Lion Emperor reclined her body more against the throne and closed her eyes, only for them to snap open mere moments later.

“It is gratifying to observe your well-being… I must express. Departing from you was my singular remorse, hence, encountering you anew brings solace.”
“Yes…me too. It’s been a delight to be in your presence once again, Your Majesty.”

Hearing the response from the hooded woman, the Red Lion Emperor seemed satisfied and closed her eyes again.

“You are granted permission to utilize this castle according to your discretion. While it requires restoration and refurbishment, I am confident that the caretaker whom I entrusted with its maintenance will also welcome your presence.”
“H-huhh…”

Crim let out a bewildered voice as such a large piece of land was given to them.

“Furthermore, should you desire to engage in combat against me… against us, simply summon us to this location, and we shall willingly engage in a sparring match with you.”
I shall oversee the fulfillment of my final request through your actions…With those last words, the first emperor, the Red Lion Emperor Eurelia Argent finally turned to light and vanished.

And the throne room was left without a master.

“I apologize for my late introduction. I’m Da’at Seyfert, former Eleventh Blade of the Red Lion Emperor’s Twelve Blades, and the current manager of the castle, and keeper of my late companions’ graves.”

Saying that, the woman began to pull back on the hood covering her face.

Seyfert, that was the name of the World Tree. If that was her last name, then she…

“…Thou art not human…nor a demon, then?”

Hearing Crim’s question, she nodded.

“That’s correct… I’m the spirit of a tree, a daughter born to the World Tree in the Fairy Village.”

The hood came off as she said that, revealing a face that certainly warranted some secrecy.

“Wahh she’s so pretty!”
“She looks like a flower spirit..!”

Lycoris and Hinagiku were the first ones to react, like young girls do.

But such a reaction was natural, as the woman’s face looked like it had roots going down her face and neck, and her green hair had flowery vines intertwined, giving her face a rather mystical appearance.

The praise from the young girls seemed to make her slightly embarrassed as her cheeks gained some more color, until she coughed lightly to clear her throat and spoke again.

“So…there’s still the last of the Red Lion Emperor’s Twelve Blades, who vanished after the emperor’s passing. She only came back a little over three decades ago.”

“Three decades ago… Isn’t that the time when sickness spread like wildfire, and violent monsters ran rampant, to the point that the empire collapsed due to protests and revolts?”

Shao brought up some episodes from more recent times of this world’s history, which seemed to weigh heavily on the woman.

“Yes…not only that, but I have a feeling that it was her who caused that.”

Da’at Seyfert looked away with a pained expression. Then after a short pause, and with a more serious voice, continued talking.

“…She’s the Red Lion Emperor’s Twelfth Blade, Da’at Criferd. She’s currently seeding conflict all over the continent, all to gather enough negative energy from battle to topple over the World Tree Seyfert, replacing it as the Underworld Tree Criferd…and she’s my other half.”

That was the conclusion of her explanation…

«The raid dungeon Castle of Seyfert has been cleared for the first time in this server.»
«Memory of the Brilliant Swordsmen, Castle of Seyfert has been added as a raid dungeon to the destinations accessible from all Transport Plazas.»
«Absolute Realm, Castle of Seyfert has been added as a raid dungeon to the destinations accessible from all Transport Plazas.»