Chapter 327

Chapter 327
Chapter 327: I Warned You Not to Defy Them

The final name was one that caught everyone off guard.

The Elf Queen, who had been waiting for her own name with total certainty, was suddenly overcome by a sense of dread. Five figures had already been summoned. She had clearly believed that no one else present could possibly stand on equal footing with those elites.

It wasn’t just the Queen who felt the shock ripple through them. Auril, the very individual I had named, stood frozen alongside the rest of the elven delegation. Every one of them looked completely stunned.

‘They’re speechless,’ I noted, a small smile forming in my mind.

My choice to select Auril over the obvious candidates wasn’t random. While my personal history with Auril played a minor role, there was a much more strategic calculation at play.

‘The collective might of the elves is the biggest wildcard.’

Among all the various factions that had traveled to the World Tree, only the elves arrived as a unified military block. If this turned into a contest between organized groups, the elves were the most formidable threat. Under the Queen’s direct command, they would be an incredibly difficult force to manage if they acted as a single weapon.

Furthermore, they were the primary beneficiaries of the World Tree’s essence. Their baseline power reflected that; the high elves present held an average combat rating of roughly 14Lv. I had never encountered a standing army with such a high level of individual strength. Even after taking heavy losses in their conflict with the dark elves, they remained elite.

However, that recent war meant their internal social structure and “chain of command” had become even more rigid. And of all the elves standing here, Auril held the lowest social standing.

“Are you suggesting… that we are expected to serve a common elf?”

The pushback came exactly as I anticipated. They began to voice their dissatisfaction immediately. For the elves, who were fiercely loyal to their monarch, nothing could be more insulting than being ordered to follow a low-ranking member of their own kind.

A male high elf threw out the challenge, but it was clear he was merely the mouthpiece for the Queen’s own indignation. I gave him a cold, disinterested look.

“If that is unacceptable to you, you are free to pledge yourself to one of the other leaders I previously appointed. Assuming, of course, they have any interest in taking you in.”

Could they really bring themselves to serve a different species—beings that weren’t even elves? Absolutely not. It was an impossibility. These were elves who had lived in isolation, having almost no meaningful contact with the outside world. They were trapped: they either had to fall in line behind Auril or abandon their chance to enter the dungeon entirely.

Another high elf, even more agitated now, snapped back.

“O Druid of the Golden Rule. Auril’s standing and merit cannot be compared to our Queen’s.”

He tried to keep his tone respectful, but the underlying venom was obvious. He was arguing that Auril lacked the prestige the World Tree had already validated in the Queen. Strictly speaking, based on the tree’s assessment, he wasn’t wrong.

However, that didn’t matter.

“This isn’t a forum to revisit the World Tree’s validation process. This is about whether *I* choose to recognize you.”

“B-but… you spoke of finding ‘honorable’ souls—”

“My recognition is the highest honor you can receive.”

“…”

The high elf’s mouth snapped shut. My words had silenced him. I was making it clear: my seal of approval carried more weight than any verification from the World Tree. And the Elf Queen simply did not have it.

“On what grounds would you—”

As the high elves continued to grumble, unable to accept the situation, Great Chief Albino finally lost his patience and moved to intervene.

“Do you truly intend to question the Druid of the Golden Rule?”

“N-no, that isn’t it. We just—”

“Are the elves declaring themselves enemies of the Druids?”

“!!”

A wave of terror washed over the elven ranks. The relationship between Druids and elves was one of fundamental symbiosis. One group birthed the forests; the other tended to them. But “tending” was a job that could be passed to others—like the dryads. The dryads were perfectly capable of forest management. The elves, however, could not survive being cut off by the Druids.

Albino, his face a mask of fury, looked directly at the Elf Queen.

“Before the rise of Ruin, Druids held your people in high regard. You performed the sacred task of guarding the world’s greenery and the World Tree. But the elves of this era have grown stagnant and selfish. You hide away in the Primordial Forest and ignore the rest of the world’s suffering.”

“There is no duty more vital than the defense of the World Tree,” she replied defensively.

“Tsk.”

“?”

Albino’s click of the tongue was dripping with pure contempt. It was a reaction born of legitimate history.

“The Queen who came before you had spirit. You, however, are a disappointment. It is no mystery to me why the Druid of the Golden Rule passed over your name.”

“Albino… legendary Druid or not, I will not stand for such insults.”

“You won’t stand for it?”

Albino took a deliberate step forward.

*Craaaack!*

His physical form began to expand violently. His horns stretched toward the sky as fire erupted across his skin. Massive wings of pure flame, spanning over ten meters, unfurled behind him. In his grip appeared the long, searing spear of the fire demon.

He looked like the literal embodiment of a fire god. Then, the numerical value of his power manifested above him.

【18Lv】

It wasn’t just his visual transformation that was terrifying. This was a man who had lived since before the Ruin. This was why he was a legend.

’18Lv?’ I thought, stunned.

Even with the global power levels rising after the Great Expedition, that number was staggering. But I could guess how he got there. He had spent an eternity training with a singular, obsessive focus: killing Ruin. He must have danced on the edge of death countless times to ensure he would never have to run again. He was an apex predator of the continent and the abyss alike.

This was the true power of Albino, Great Elder of the Eight Houses and Great Chief of the Druids, restored to his prime by the World Tree of Honor.

“!!”

“Ugh…”

The Elf Queen wasn’t the only one crushed by the weight of Albino’s presence. Most of the onlookers were gasping for air, desperately trying to circulate their energy to keep from collapsing. Many retreated several steps, their faces pale and trembling.

‘That’s strange.’

I noticed that I wasn’t feeling the pressure at all. I realized Albino was subconsciously shielding me, diverting his aura away from my direction. But that wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention.

【Unique Authority ‘World Tree Domain Enhancement (32Lv)】
【Unique Authority ‘Inviolability (32Lv)’】
【Unique Authority ‘Hostility Nullification (32Lv)’】
【Unique Authority ‘Approach Nullification (32Lv)’】
《’Albino’ is in an enhanced state within the ‘World Tree Domain’.》
《You can use ‘War God’s Heart Sword (Disarmament, 35Lv)’ to sever the unique authorities.》

Albino’s authorities were absolute—conceptual powers that made him untouchable and erased the very thought of aggression in his enemies. And yet, I could cut through them. Just as I had breached the Sanctuary’s barrier, my sword mastery allowed me to dismantle even these “absolute” nullifications because my level in that specific skill was higher.

‘But why am I seeing his levels now?’

That was the real mystery. Beings of Albino’s caliber usually had ways to hide their stats. Only about half the people in this clearing had visible levels; the rest used high-tier artifacts or skills to mask themselves. Yesterday, Albino’s level was hidden from me.

‘It’s not my trait evolving. I would have noticed that immediately.’

If the shift from High Druid to Druid of the Golden Rule didn’t cause this, there had to be another trigger. I remembered Hudson—at the casino, once he had fully confessed and placed his trust in me, I could see his entire status window.

‘Is Albino giving me his complete trust?’

He had finally accepted me. Not just as a temporary leader, but as the true god of the Druids. He had committed himself to being led by me.

‘The role probably demands it.’

If he secretly viewed me as a fraud, it would eventually slip. To maintain the charade in front of all these other sovereigns, he had to believe in me with every fiber of his being—believing that I was a supreme entity worth his life. Whatever the cause, it was a positive development. It confirmed that the Eight Houses were truly mine.

Albino, still radiating the aura of a celestial disaster, spoke again.

“Did your predecessor never teach you that being hostile to Druids is a death sentence?”

“That transformation…”

“Did she not warn you to never cross a Druid who stands within the reach of a World Tree?”

“…”

The Elf Queen squeezed her eyes shut. She knew. She had read the ancient scrolls concerning ‘Albino.’

*—Albino is the closest to reaching the rank of High Druid.*
*—When the seven World Trees bloom, Albino becomes a living legend.*
*—The elven race must never, under any circumstance, oppose Albino.*

The warnings of the past queens were clear. Albino was a name of myth. No one knew why he had vanished, or that he had been standing guard over the World Tree of Honor all this time.

“I… I offer my deepest apologies, O Druid of the Golden Rule.”

“Q-Queen!”

She bowed her head low. The high elves were shocked to see their monarch humbled, but the move worked. Albino’s killing intent vanished instantly. Had she apologized to him, he would have remained angry; by bowing to me, she had acknowledged the proper hierarchy.

“We have no desire to be enemies with the Druids,” the Queen continued, her voice trembling but clear. “Our people have been allies since the dawn of time. We will not question the wisdom of your choice. Therefore, I beg of you.”

She bowed even deeper, her desperation palpable.

“Please allow us to enter the dungeon of the World Tree.”

This was the Queen of the Primordial Forest, a woman who usually demanded service rather than asking for it. Even when dealing with the Master of New Green who had conquered the Tower of Fissures, she had only sent an envoy. But here, surrounded by the masters of sacred realms and a literal god of the Druids, she finally understood her place. She realized that the arrogance she displayed in her forest would result in her total destruction here.

“I grant it.”

“Thank you, Druid of the Golden Rule.”

The Queen’s relief was visible. With the most difficult ego in the room now under control, my job became much easier. No one else would dare challenge me now, and the Queen would likely remain in a state of perpetual awe of my mercy.

“But if we are moving in seven groups of thirteen, who leads the final squad?” the Giant of Annihilation asked. He wanted to know if I was appointing another subordinate or if Albino would take the lead.

“I will,” I replied simply.

“Are you picking your twelve followers now?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I will be the one chosen.”

“?”

“Stand before whichever of the seven leaders you wish to follow. Once the groups are full, we move.”

“And if more than thirteen try to join one leader?”

“The leader will prune the excess. They decide who stays and who goes.”

“Fair enough,” the Giant of Annihilation agreed.

I addressed the crowd. “Choose your leaders now.”

“As you command,” Albino said, being the first to step into position.

Lyca followed suit, looking a bit awkward. Soon, the crowd of ninety-one began to sort itself out. The star guardians gathered behind the Giant of Annihilation. The monsters followed the White King. The human warriors flocked to Kasim, the Transcendent of Radiance. The elves, naturally, lined up behind Auril.

The largest crowd, however, formed in front of me.

‘Albino, Lyca, the First and Second Pavilion Lords, Serengeti, Saintess Sea, Hudson, Isaac, Valte, and Priest Andrew. That’s ten.’

Including myself, that made eleven. I only had two slots left, but twenty people were vying for them.

‘The Ancient Phoenix Al Raum and the Guardian of Light are too alien; nobody wants to gamble on them.’

I looked over the candidates. I needed to pick two who wouldn’t just be strong, but who would synergize with my specific group. The ones I didn’t pick would be forced to fill the empty spots under the Phoenix or the Guardian of Light.

I selected the two most capable individuals and finalized the roster.

《Entering the ‘Dungeon of Forgotten Honor’.》
《All 13 members of the ‘Knights of the Golden Rule’ have consented.》
《Total expedition count of 91 reached.》
《Dungeon Multiplier: 200%+》
《Warning: The ‘Forgotten Gods’ have been alerted to your presence.》
《Objective: Each knightly order must confront the ‘Forgotten Gods’ and achieve the ‘Wondrous Feats’ hidden within.》
《There are 370 ‘Wondrous Feats’ available in the ‘Dungeon of Forgotten Honor’.》
《Completing a Feat awakens a ‘Soul of the Forgotten Knight’.》
《These souls may be used to augment your specific knightly order.》
《The total rewards at the ‘Root of the World Tree’ will scale based on Feats achieved (Multipliers apply).》
《The order with the highest number of Feats will earn the title of ‘The Most Radiant Knightly Order’ and receive supreme bonuses.》
《The leader of that order will be granted the Divine title: ‘King of the Forgotten’.》

…

《Tip: The ‘Forgotten Gods’ despise those of ‘Evil Alignment’. Conceal your nature if you are of such a bent.》
《Tip: The route to the World Tree’s root is exceptionally convoluted. Seek guidance from the ‘Souls of the Forgotten Knights’.》
《Tip: Specific ‘God’s Symbols’ are required to unlock sealed sectors.》
《Tip: Maintain the spirit of honorable competition between orders.》

…