CHAPTER 115

Absilon.

Imperial word meaning "Tea of the Elves."

However, it had long ceased to refer to the tea of the elves, instead becoming a term for the empire's tea.

"The suicides among young noble heirs have been increasing noticeably."

The scent that spreads is refreshing enough to remind you of a forest, and the taste in your mouth is spicy enough to brighten your eyes.

Absilon, which was not just a passing trend but also had practical utility, had gained popularity among young nobles.

"But by the time we realized this was the cause, it was already too late."

The man in the gray hood chuckled ruefully as he looked down at the pouch in his hand.

"Suicide, huh? Did this Absilon tea turn into some kind of hallucinogen?"

"No."

The man in the gray hood shook his head at Vlad.

"If there had been such serious side effects from the beginning, we would have noticed sooner."

Substances like narcotics tend to cause serious side effects.

Not only do they cause mental confusion, but they also induce various physical ailments, making it impossible for individuals to engage in normal activities in society.

"So, what are the side effects of Absilon?"

If there are no serious side effects, then it shouldn't be a big problem, right?

The man in the gray hood sighed in response to Vlad's obvious question.

"High dependency, exceptionally enhanced awakening effects, and depression to an extreme degree."

"And that's it?"

Vlad couldn't help but laugh when he heard about the side effects of Absilon.

Was it really such a serious matter to talk about with just these side effects?

However, unlike Vlad's dismissive reaction, the man in the gray hood remained solemn.

"It's the kind of depression that makes you want to jump out the window in front of your mother."

"....Hmm."

Vlad, who had thought it was nothing serious, closed his mouth along with the breath that caught in his throat.

The weight of the response he heard was so heavy that he felt almost ashamed for having dared to mock it.

"These days, young lads have always been depressed. It's the era, you see."

Possibility is a beautiful thing, and young people who can express it into their own world are precious.

Therefore, you should protect that moment.

"And that's why we didn't realize."

The founding King, Frausen.

He was someone who cherished and loved the potential of children and youths.

However, the current empire, contrary to the will of the founding king, could no longer offer a future to the youth.

The deteriorating state of the empire continued to push the youth into dangerous battlefields, and those who had already taken their place no longer left any glorious positions for the young.

It was indeed a depressing time for everyone.

"Then shouldn't we just prohibit it by law?"

Vlad didn't know much about the law, but if something was that dangerous, then prohibition would be appropriate.

However, the man in the gray hood chuckled in response to Vlad's innocent question.

Look at this naive young man.

The child who doesn't recognize the dark web that stretches deeply into this world.

"······One person's misfortune is another's happiness."

The man in the gray hood opened the mouth of the pouch and began to pour out the elven tea leaves.

Tea leaves fluttered in the wind.

The elves' tea leaves, fluttering like ash, were slowly flowing through the dirty mud in the back alley.

"The influence of Absilon already has its roots deeply entrenched in the depths of the empire. It's not something that can be stopped with just a few deaths."

Absilon brings profit.

And profit brings power.

The rulers of this era were people who didn't care about the gold shining through the deaths of the youth.

"I want to stop that."

An unknown looter.

A retired man wearing a shabby hood.

But he was someone who had saved as many lives as the weight of the tea leaves he had looted.

The man's sword that Vlad had encountered on the stone bridge that day shone so brightly that Vlad couldn't possibly handle it.

※※※※

In the dark night.

Vlad was quietly ascending the hill on the outskirts of the city alone.

It wasn't particularly high, but it overlooked the cityscape.

From there, overlooking the city of Tanoboya, Vlad could sense that what the man in the gray hood had said was true.

"······Indeed."

There were always places in any city where the light didn't reach.

The existence of slums was a phenomenon that occurred naturally regardless of the ability of the ruler.

"It was built not long ago."

However, what Vlad saw now seemed a bit different.

A boundary seemed to be drawn like a line between the center and the outskirts of the slum.

Vlad's eyes were drawn to the slums on the outskirts that suddenly changed color instead of slowly accumulating and dyeing the same color.

"······."

There must be a reason for the sudden expansion of the slums.

There were always stories behind people being pushed out from the ground they tread upon.

Vlad, who knew this, turned his head and looked at the large building near the slums.

Even though it was a dark night, the four-story building still had its lights on.

Depressing smoke wafted from the chimney on top of the building.

"It's the same everywhere."

As the city of Tanoboya became richer over time, the Bitskaya family established itself as the new powerhouse in the central region.

However, the very people who should have shared in those benefits were gradually pushed to the outskirts of the city, being employed even in the production of drugs.

The powerless were merely struggling under the weight of the vast world everywhere.

Vlad spat out the bitter feeling rising within him onto the ground as he began to descend the hill.

"But I have to do this."

He risked his life on the stone bridge.

And he also had clues about the voice.

Furthermore, he had a personal debt to repay to Count Bitskaya.

There was no reason for Vlad to hesitate over the proposal presented by the man in the gray hood.

'Slay the dragon, use the imperial sword, and make friends with spirits here and there.'

However, something else was troubling Vlad's mind.

'What on earth are you doing?'

A person related to spirits, likely to have slain a dragon, and above all, a person who uses the imperial sword.

The more clues Vlad uncovered about the voice, the more confused he became.

Why would someone so remarkable suddenly appear before him like in the form of black lightning bolt?

Now, Vlad was more curious about why he became like this than about the identity of the voice.

※※※※

Even though it was winter, the forest was lush with greenery.

Underneath the towering trees, so large that it was difficult to capture with the eye no matter how much one raised their head, were houses packed tightly.

No, there were trees that looked like houses.

The forest of the elves. Ausrina.

There was a man busy in the place overlooking the World Tree.

"Lord Baradis! The priestess······."

"....I already know."

Though he was trying hard to maintain his usual cold demeanor, his restless eyes continued to dart around.

"Open the door."

"Yes."

With his subordinates guarding him, Baradis strode into the largest tree beneath the World Tree.

If measured by human standards, the tree was taller than a ten-story building, yet without anyone's intervention, a tree naturally took the form of a house inside.

"You've come, Baradis."

"...I apologize for being late."

"No need."

Closest to the World Tree.

Baradis, who ran to the highest point of the tree, lowered his head as he looked at the elders who were already waiting for him.

"Is it a prophecy?"

"It seems so."

The oldest among the elders.

The old elf, as cracked as an old tree, nodded quietly, holding his cane.

However, even though his face was hardened by age, there was a look of anticipation on his face that could not be hidden.

"...Indeed, it's been a long time since receiving such a prophecy."

A history filled with suffering and trials.

For humans, it might have been a glorious era, but for the elves gradually pushed to the outskirts of the continent, it was a shameful era.

Even during that time, only a handful of prophecies from the World Tree came down, so the elves must have felt as if they were wading through a dark, vast sea without a single light in sight.

"Are you really okay?"

Unlike the elders who were eagerly anticipating, Baradis, with a deeply worried expression on his face, pushed past the wall of elders and walked inside.

Fragrances wafting from all directions. Countless candles burning amidst those scents. In the midst of it all, a girl lay trembling in agony.

"It's the first prophecy I've received since being appointed as the priestess of the World Tree. There is bound to be a burden."

Baradis gently stroked the platinum blonde hair of the girl, soaked in sweat, who continued to writhe in pain.

Her hands and feet were still restless, and even her eyes, devoid of pupils, were now white.

"······."

Baradis held both hands tightly for his sister, who was shaking as if she had epilepsy and was struggling with the energy of the World Tree.

Her hands felt so cold.

"It's... here."

Finally, the girl began to feel Baradis's warmth, and slowly started to speak.

With her words, the candles and scents around her began to flicker erratically.

"Everyone, be quiet."

As instructed by the oldest elder, the elders cautiously exhaled, barely making a sound.

Amidst the silence, the candles scattered throughout the area began to burn brightly as if about to explode.

It was a prophecy.

"The dragon... is coming."

Baradis felt the girl's hands tightening in his grip.

The girl's frowning expression, as if she was having a nightmare, was pitiful.

"But I saw a dragon. What should we do?"

With every utterance, the voice changed.

Amidst the alternating voices of the prophecy of the World Tree and the girl, the words began to take shape.

"....Show yourself."

The girl's breathing began to become increasingly difficult as she was panting.

"Elder."

Varadis urgently turned around to see the girl whose complexion was becoming increasingly pale.

"What... What do you mean?"

The elder nodded as he looked at him, closed his eyes quietly, and grabbed the staff he was holding.

This priestess is still young and inexperienced, so she must be treated with care.

As the oldest present, he had willingly opened up his world to share the prophecy with the youngest girl in this place.

"W-what... What should I show... What should I show you..."

The elder guided the prophecy from the girl through questions.

Droplets of sweat fell slowly from his clasped hands, gathered as if in prayer.

"The sword!"

Prophecies that had not yet been conveyed through the girl's lips began to flow into the mind of the oldest elder.

"Gah!"

A clear place began to appear in the oldest elder's mind.

Beneath the roots of a tree.

In a damp cavern, amidst stalactites, deep within lies a rock.

Upon that rock, planted firmly, is a single sword.

"Oh... I see."

A sword that has not lost its light despite the passage of many years.

The elder's eyes widened as he recognized the sword.