Chapter 318

Chapter 318
## Chapter 318

—

O, Noble Knights of the Round Table…!

The manifestation of the second World Tree sent ripples through the entire world of Pangenia. Most notably, every individual who prided themselves on their “integrity” began to congregate at the Sanctuary. They traveled there to have their personal dignity validated by the World Tree itself, or to seek the glory of their Second Job Advancement!

“It is inconceivable that anyone could possess more virtue than myself.”

“You speak the truth, Arms-nim.”

“Your reputation as the ‘Knight of Light’ is well-earned for a reason!”

“The World Tree will undoubtedly grant you its favor, Arms-nim. There is no question!”

Arms, known as the Knight of Light, reached the Sanctuary with an air of immense pride, followed by a retinue of roughly one hundred loyal knights. According to ancient lore, the World Tree of Honor was famous for producing countless Great Heroes in the past. If a person was merely acknowledged by the World Tree of Honor, they could instantly gain renown across the entire continent. Was that the only benefit? The geographical shifts currently taking place and the merging of the dark abyssal zones were all moving under the command of the World Tree. Consequently, it was obvious that the World Tree would stand at the heart of all future global transformations.

Yet, the very second he stepped into the Sanctuary, Arms found his confidence beginning to waver.

“……The Goddess Church?”

The primary sight that greeted him was a massive assembly from the Goddess Church. No fewer than three Saintesses were present, accompanied by hundreds of Paladins. However, there was only one figure who truly commanded Arms’ attention.

“Saintess Sea……!”

He swallowed hard. He couldn’t believe it was Saintess Sea! Was she not the holy woman reported to have perished during the Great Expedition? He had heard whispers that she had surfaced recently within the Kingdom of Balan, but he hadn’t expected those rumors to be factual. And yet, Saintess Sea was merely the start of the spectacle.

‘Kasim the Superhuman of Radiance, Smith the Mage of Saintly Radiance, and even the esteemed Lady Baraman the Light Spirit Master…… the list is endless. Heroes who had remained in hidden seclusion for ages have all come forward.’

His jaw dropped in sheer disbelief. There were even legendary figures from centuries ago. People long assumed to be deceased, or those who had vanished without a trace. Every single one of them had assembled before the “World Tree of Honor.” He could identify them instantly because they were just that iconic. They were the subjects of legends and myths, beings that every student of history had to study and commit to memory.

……If the human contingent was this impressive, what of the non-human entities?

‘Turtle-lum the Sea Monster King, the Giant of Evil Destruction, the Mother of Fire, the Snake of the Ancient King, the White King, the Elf Queen, the Blade Dragon God……’

Monstrous beings that typically avoided human contact had also appeared in massive numbers. From the Star Guardians who watched over the heavens to the monarchs who ruled the peaks of various races. Among them, the “Blade Dragon God” was the very Dragon God that had been seen in the “Tower of the War God.” Even though it was rumored to have been defeated, it was a mystery how it had manifested here once more.

“……I am withdrawing.”

“What? Arms-nim. You mean to tell us you are leaving after we traveled all this way?”

Arms gave a small, humble nod. “This is a gathering where I simply do not belong.”

—

The Elf Queen.

She and her fellow Elves shivered slightly as they gazed up at the World Tree that pierced the heavens.

“Ah……”

“My Queen. Look, it is the World Tree.”

“If we can only establish a ‘connection,’ the Dark Elves will never dare to show themselves again!”

They were overwhelmed by a surge of raw emotion. It was unavoidable. In recent times, the Elves had been locked in a brutal conflict with the Dark Elves. Countless Elves had been slaughtered or taken captive, and even the Queen and their own World Tree had nearly faced total destruction. In such a dark era, the rise of the second World Tree represented a beacon of salvation for them.

The fundamental power used by Elves was derived from “trees.” They attained immense strength by “connecting” with the flora, the woodlands, and the natural world. This was why they dwelled together at the World Tree within the Primal Forest. Now that a second World Tree had bloomed, it presented a golden chance for them to reclaim their honor.

“We must rescue Elder Aruwen. I will attempt to ‘connect.'”

“……Aauril. You are not a ‘High Elf,’ remember?”

The Elf Queen shook her head in disapproval. Aauril would be unable to survive the strain of “connecting” with a World Tree. Such a feat was reserved exclusively for a High Elf. However, the Dark Elves had murdered far too many High Elves. Others had been dragged away into captivity. That was the fate of Elder Aruwen as well. They were currently in a state where they didn’t even know if he still breathed.

“I can manage it. Please, grant me this chance.”

Aauril bit her lip until it turned white, stubborn in her plea. Her motivations were clear. Aauril was a remarkably talented warrior, even among their elite. After trailing Elder Aruwen in the search for the “Master of Verdure,” she had spent some time in the company of a human. Upon her return, the “Laurel Leaf” in Aauril’s possession had experienced a sudden, massive growth. It was as though…… she had discovered the “Mother Tree” that served as the validation of a High Elf.

But Aauril had arrived just a moment too late. By the time she reached home, the conflict was nearly finished. Elder Aruwen had already been taken.

‘If not for the intervention of the White King and Priest Andrew……’

The Elf Queen herself would have perished. By chance, those two individuals were also present here. However, there were far too many prying eyes for her to attempt an approach.

……Right then.

“My Queen?”

“Is something wrong?”

The Elf Queen’s face suddenly turned pale. It was because of the figures who had just appeared next to the World Tree. The moment she laid eyes on them, the Elf Queen was struck by total bewilderment.

“Druids……”

The Druids, a race thought to have been wiped from existence, were standing right there. They were the people who planted seeds and birthed entire forests. In the past, the Elves had maintained the greenery that the Druids created. They had shared a symbiotic bond for ages, but the Druids were the tragic victims that “Destruction” had supposedly eradicated completely. So, how were they standing here?

The Elf Queen wasn’t the only person stunned. Others were equally shocked by the sudden emergence of the Druids.

“We seek those whose honor outweighs all others. Those who are genuinely holy and devoid of deceit, as verified by the World Tree. The World Tree shall grant you a ‘True Name,’ but I, Albino, the Great Chief of the Druids, will personally strike down any who present themselves with false honor.”

“Albino?”

“The Great Chief Albino……?”

“Is it possible that a Druid from the era before ‘Destruction’ appeared is still breathing today?”

A few people recognized Albino’s name. He was one of the legendary Great Chiefs of the Druids, and “Albino” was a name spoken with reverence even among his own kind. Though he had vanished at the very end. He was the sole Druid credited with making life sprout once more on the scorched lands left by Destruction. That was the legend of Albino. Normally, life could never return to soil touched by Destruction. Because he had achieved the impossible, his name was a staple of history.

“He did not flee; he was guarding the World Tree……”

The Elf Queen nodded to herself. The Druids survived. And among them was the mythical Druid Albino. They might actually be able to safeguard the World Tree and perhaps even restore their own. However, the Elf Queen felt a chill down her spine at Albino’s following words.

“Furthermore, there is one whose honor surpasses all. One who possesses a pristine soul. The ‘High Druid’ himself will emerge to welcome them personally.”

“……!!!”

“A-A High Druid?”

The High Druid! The solitary ruler who governed all Druids. While regular Druids produced trees and woods, the High Druid was the creator of “World Trees.” In the ancient days when the world was first formed, it was said the High Druid brought forth “eight” “World Trees” to uphold the foundations of reality. Since that time, a “High Druid” had never been seen again. Certainly, there were Druids who had claimed the title over the years, but none could actually make a “World Tree” grow. The best they could do was communicate with one.

“Druid. Does a High Druid truly walk among us?”

The Elf Queen felt compelled to ask. She needed to understand the reality behind those claims.

“The ‘High Druid’ is the one who caused the ‘World Tree of Honor’ to bloom in its full glory. Elf Queen, you should recognize this better than anyone.”

Albino gave a direct, unembellished reply. Hearing this, the Elf Queen nodded silently in agreement. The World Tree of Honor. The sheer magnitude of power it radiated, its very life essence, was vastly superior to the “World Tree of the Beginning” located in the “Primal Forest.” Its blossoms were fully open, and its root system had already reached into the abyss. Furthermore, the surrounding area was saturated with natural energy. Already, green shoots were appearing throughout the “Shrine of Honor.” Spirits were forming, and thick trunks were rising from the earth. It was a staggering display. If the Elves relocated here, they would attain power beyond their wildest dreams. A strength that would dwarf their current state.

……Actually, it went deeper than that. If a High Druid existed, he could likely restore the World Tree in the “Primal Forest” to its peak condition as well.

“I request that the Elves be permitted to ‘connect’ with the ‘World Tree of Honor.'”

“That decision lies solely with the ‘High Druid.'”

“So, you are instructing us to prove our worth first.”

“You are perceptive, Queen.”

A trial of worthiness. Who would dare to sit in judgment of the Queen of the Elves? Yet, there was no alternative. The Elves were the ones desperate for help right now.

“High Druid……”

“If he is real, I must see it for myself.”

“You mentioned you were seeking the honorable, yes?”

The High Elves weren’t the only ones filled with fervor. The “extinct” Druids were alive, and a High Druid was supposedly leading them. There had to be a reason for his sudden appearance. That reason might carry more weight than the World Tree itself. Everyone began to rush toward the World Tree, eager to have their honor measured and to prove who among them was the most virtuous.

Thud.

……Despite the rush, there were those who hesitated to approach.

“As I thought, standing around waiting makes me feel quite impatient.”

One such person was the White King. He stepped forward, completely ignoring the queue. Reaching the very front, the White King made his declaration.

“I shall be the first to receive judgment.”

He spoke with total confidence, as if he would tolerate no objections.

—

The honor of humans and the honor of non-humans were vastly different. Their metrics could never be identical. Because their lifestyles were so diverse, they could not follow the same path of virtue. However, every soul possessed its own “benchmark.”

The White King was a perfect example. The White Tiger clan had governed various species since the dawn of time. Just as the White King commanded the North and Kramdel, overseeing the monster populations. The dignity of the White Tiger clan was found in the quality of their leadership. Now that his full power had returned, the White King’s self-assurance was limitless.

“Measure my worth.”

Whooosh!

The blossoms of the World Tree began to swirl in the air. Shortly after, the hue of the petals shifted, turning a deep red.

Red.
Then Orange.
And finally, Yellow.

“King of All Beasts……?”

A faint whisper echoed through the air. He heard the title, the moniker “King of All Beasts.” In an instant, the White King’s snowy mane grew even thicker and more majestic.

“……Remarkable.”

There was tangible power within the “True Name” bestowed by the World Tree. It felt as though a “Second Job Advancement” had taken place within him.

<>

<>

<>

Of course, there was a price to pay. The World Tree claimed a tenth of his honor. It was mentioned that 1% of that would go to the “Master of the World Tree,” who was almost certainly the “High Druid.”

“It is a fair trade.”

Regardless, he felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing the World Tree had validated his status. The White King adjusted his shoulders and stepped away from the tree’s roots. Following him, the process of verification continued without pause. However, most people reached only the Red or Orange stages. No one else managed to reach the Yellow stage like the White King.

Curiosity grew, and they asked. “Druid. How many levels of honor exist in this trial?”

“There are seven stages in total.”

“……Does that mean I only reached the third level?”

Albino let out a faint smirk. “Do not be discouraged. Very few in a century ever manage to reach the third stage.”

“I see. That makes sense.”

“And naturally, the High Druid has progressed beyond the seventh stage.”

“……”

The White King himself was only at level three, yet this High Druid had moved past level seven? It seemed impossible to grasp. This High Druid—just what kind of person was he? He felt a sudden, burning desire to see the man’s face.

But then, another shocking event occurred.

“Green?”

“Look, someone reached the fourth stage. Who is that woman?”

A human had just stepped into the Green light of the fourth stage. It was a sight that many found hard to credit. Reaching the third stage was enough to become a leader of the Eight Houses. The fourth stage was a feat so rare that it might only happen once every hundred years. Who was this person who carried such immense honor and such a pure soul?