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After that, the frozen rulers were able to relax as Vera eased down his aura.

Renee smiled faintly and spoke.

“Am I too late?”

Her voice was clear and refreshing.

While the young prince of Chellen shook his head dazedly, Vargo opened his mouth.

“Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for your presence.”

It was practically coercion, and everyone in the room knew that, but it didn’t matter. It was time to get to the point, and the atmosphere needed a shift.

The purpose behind summoning each of the continent’s leaders had to be addressed.

“Five hundred years. That’s truly a considerable amount of time. It has been a long period of silence for Elia, and we could even say it has been a prolonged period of peace, during which the continent has remained untouched by the changes that would necessitate Elia’s intervention.”

Eyes filled with various intents fell upon Vargo at the light introduction.

What ensued next were words that turned it into a defined shape.

“And now, it appears that this peace has been shattered.”

With that single sentence, the air lingering by the round table grew heavy.

Vargo leaned back in his chair.

Then, in a stiff voice, he added.

“An ancient species has begun to move.”

“As for the ancient species…?”

King Nedric asked a question.

The answer to it was a name.

“Alaysia.”

The Smallest World, Alaysia.

It was the name of endless desire, and, at the same time, the name of the most malevolent evil.

Its name came out of Vargo’s mouth.

“Alaysia has moved. Just like in the past, she’s trying to wake up Ardain, who ended the Age of Gods.”

The prevailing expression among those present was one of astonishment.

However, a closer look revealed that their faces were adorned with slightly different expressions.

The Crown Prince of the Empire nodded in understanding.

The King of Oben heaved a sigh, looking concerned.

The Keeper of the Great Woodlands looked calm, and the representative of the Federation of Kingdoms burned in anger. Meanwhile, King Nedric asked again.

“Is the source of this information reliable?”

It was one of the essential things to confirm.

For the sake of the next generation, and for the sake of his son who would rule it.

No matter how powerful the Holy Emperor might be, and even if this was their territory, he couldn’t help but ask.

…No, perhaps the reason for his question was likely because he hoped that it was false information and that it was all a lie.

Nedric’s question was answered by Renee.

“I’ve seen the matter myself.”

It was an affirmation that brought new wrinkles to the old king’s face.

“I’m sure that everyone here knows. I came back here after traveling around the continent.”

Silence meant affirmation.

Renee flashed a small smile and nodded, then continued.

“I confirmed it during my travels across the continent. I’ve encountered every ancient species except for Gorgan.”

Somewhere, a gasp could be heard.

However, no one gave it a second glance.

It was obvious.

It was one of the missions of the Holy Kingdom, which was not known to the outside world.

Renee was now revealing her mission, which was the highest among them.

It was a story on a whole different level.

As it was said that seeing even one of the eight Ancient Species during one’s lifetime was a miracle, it was strange not to be surprised by this.

“I’m sure everyone remembers the incident we helped with at the Empire’s Foundation Day.”

The momentum was shifting towards Renee.

But even in such a moment, every eye in the room turned to Vera.

While the gates of the Heavenly Realm that the Saint had opened and the wide-area divine arts that the two Apostles had unleashed were worthy of discussion, it was Vera’s name that came to mind first when it came to the incident in the Empire.

“Alaysia was behind the incident. Vera and I have been chasing her ever since.”

Finally, people began nodding in agreement.

Certainly, if it was something investigated by the wielders of those powers, and taking into account the dreadful incident that occurred, it was a reasonable judgment to conclude that Alaysia had a hand in it.

Vargo continued after Renee’s words.

“We are here to request assistance from all of you. Following her attack on the Holy Kingdom, she has gone into hiding. She may be plotting something new. We need to find her and stop her.”

Finally, the purpose of this meeting emerged, and murmurs started breaking out.

It was not only because of the urgency of the situation.

Military support and large-scale search operations.

Their responses were because they all knew the chaos it would bring.

“…Allow foreign troops to cross the border. That’s what it sounds like, isn’t it?”

“I won’t deny that.”

Vargo’s demeanor was resolute.

It made them think more deeply.

As mentioned earlier, not all the countries in this room were on good terms with each other.

There were those who were mortal enemies with someone in this room, and there were those who held grudges from unfavorable negotiations.

And there were those who had to allow them to enter their countries.

Vargo himself knew about it.

“I’m not asking for an immediate answer. The initial preparation time for this conference is one week. Over the next week, let’s discuss and coordinate on this matter.”

It was like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment, perfectly fitting this situation.

Vargo watched them as they began to stare at each other and ended the meeting with a sweep of his hand.

“That’s all for today. You may discuss with your retainers.”

With that, he stood up.

Renee and Vera followed suit, rising to their feet to depart. Finally released from the pressure, the leaders’ eyes transformed into the cold, intense gaze of beasts.

***

Shortly after leaving the venue, Renee asked Vera while entering the Grand Temple.

“Huff… I didn’t make a mistake, right?”

“Yes, your appearance held a saintly quality that exceeded my expectations.”

His words were filled with deep satisfaction.

Renee, who breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly noticed the strangeness in Vera’s words and continued to ask questions.

“…Wait, what do you mean by exceeding your expectations? Are you saying I usually don’t?”

Renee’s grip on Vera’s hand tightened.

At that, a look of bewilderment flashed on Vera’s face.

Vargo clicked his tongue.

“Moron.”

He felt it again.

Once more, Vargo couldn’t help but think that there wasn’t a single person he could entrust the empire to.

“Answer me.”

“No. I always respect you and…”

Vera, feeling at a loss, rambled on excuses, and Renee’s face suddenly began to burn with the endless baptism of praise. Suddenly, someone called them.

“Saint! Sir Vera!”

It was a beautiful soprano voice, filled with joy.

The three of them turned their heads towards the voice, revealing a splendid, golden-haired young man.

“…Second Prince?”

It was Albrecht van Freich, the Second Prince of the Empire.

Albrecht, whom couldn’t enter the Grand Temple until then, was running and waving.

On his face was the same beaming smile he always wore.

Vargo asked curtly.

“Are you close with him?”

“I’m not.”

Vera answered quickly.

Even so, there was a little admiration in his eyes as he studied him carefully.

‘Has he awakened his Intention?’

Vera felt a distinct aura from him, whom he met again after nearly half a year.

It was something that only adept swordsmen could know.

A light flashed in Vera’s eyes, and Vargo spoke.

“He’s better than you.”

Vera’s head snapped back at that.

Vargo smirked at Vera, who looked deeply annoyed, and then added.

“His Intention. It’s very upright and firm. It is much neater than yours.”

Vera became furious.

It was because Vargo compared him to no one else but Albrecht.

Thus, he said.

“I’m better than him.”

“Hoho, you have nothing but strong self-esteem.”

Vera’s forehead twitched.

Renee smiled awkwardly and scratched her cheek.

Vargo resumed walking and Vera trailed behind him, a visible vein throbbing on his forehead.

In the distance, Albrecht stiffened.

‘…Did they not notice me?’

No, they definitely saw me.

We even made eye contact.

As his thoughts persisted, a somber silence enveloped the area where Albrecht stood.

It took a long time before he, the embodiment of narcissism, came to the conclusion that Vera had ignored him.

***

While enjoying a break in the Grand Temple, Renee was called out to the reception room by Marie, and there she found a familiar face.

“It’s been a while, Saint.”

A clear voice.

A straight tone.

That alone was enough for Renee to know who was greeting her.

“Friede!”

Friede, the Keeper of the Great Woodlands.

An androgynous elf.

Friede laughed as Renee greeted them with a happy face.

A sentiment welled up in Friede’s heart as the girl, who evoked those deep feelings of gratitude, now exuded the aura of a mature woman.

“Humans really change quickly.”

“Sorry?”

“I’m saying you’re already a grown-up adult.”

A bashful look crossed Renee’s face.

She thought that perhaps the past year had been short for the long-lived elf.

In the warmth of the moment, Friede, seeing Renee smile awkwardly, exclaimed and handed Renee a wooden box.

“Oh, this is a gift.”

Renee’s head tilted as she took the box.

“What is this?”

“Mother’s first leaves. When dried and steeped in hot water, it gives off a truly deep flavor.”

“Ah…ha?”

Renee’s smile grew more awkward.

It was still a gift that her senses could not comprehend.

“Tha-thank you…!”

“No need to mention it.”

Friede chuckled softly, then soon looked directly at Renee and continued.

“Oh my, I haven’t told you the reason I came here.”

“Sorry?”

“I have a message for you, Saint.”

Friede’s voice lowered a little.

Renee’s expression grew serious as well and sensed she was about to hear something very important.

“Mother felt Gorgan’s wavelength.”

A shocking story popped up.

At that moment, Renee remembered a fact that she had put off until now.

“…Has Gorgan awoken?”

Gorgan, the Wave of Despair.

From what her past self had told her, Gorgan would be sealed under Aedrin’s root.

In other words, there was a series of events that would cause that ancient species to be sealed under Aedrin’s root.

Friede nodded.

“Mother says that recently, the tremors have been growing more violent. We couldn’t determine the cause, so we thought we’d come here to let you know…”

Friede trailed off and stared at Renee for a moment before sighing heavily and continuing.

“…After hearing the agenda today, I can roughly grasp the culprit.”

Renee shut her mouth close at the mention of the recent meeting.

‘Alaysia.’

It seemed that Gorgan had also been awakened by her actions.

“Is there any way to stop it?”

“There is. Mother has been bound to Gorgan for a long time, so the method of sealing Gorgan is also passed down among the elves. But there is a lot of manpower needed for that.”

Renee could clearly see the intent of Friede’s words now.

“…The success of the summit. That would be important.”

“I’m glad that you understood quickly. Do humans call this a negotiation?”

Friede laughed, then added.

“Clearly, the purpose of the summit is to mobilize the troops against Alaysia. I dare to request a favor from you. Can you add one more thing to the list of uses for those troops?”

There was no need to ask for a favor.

If Gorgan woke up, it was natural that it wouldn’t end up as only a problem for the Great Woodlands.

However, confirming it wouldn’t hurt.

“What do we gain from this?”

Negotiations and deals.

The most important thing in such a series of interests was the outcome that would prove mutually beneficial to both parties.

A hint of mischief crossed Friede’s face.

In a slightly mischievous tone, Renee was given the answer she wanted.

“The support of the elves for Elia.”

Naturally, and as expected, Renee got what she wanted.