Chapter 328

Chapter 328
## Chapter 328: I told you that hostility is never an option.

—

The final name was one that absolutely no one had anticipated.

The Queen of the Elves, who had naturally assumed her name would be the one called, was overtaken by a sense of panic. Looking at the five individuals who had been summoned thus far, she was undoubtedly certain that no one else present could possibly rival her standing.

It wasn’t just the Queen who was left in a state of shock and disbelief. The person in question, Auril, along with every other Elf in the vicinity, wore expressions of total bewilderment.

‘They must find this completely nonsensical,’ I thought, hiding a smirk.

There was a specific reason I had chosen Auril, defying everyone’s expectations. It wasn’t merely because of our prior acquaintance. While that played a small part, there was a far more strategic motivation behind it.

‘The collective might of the Elves is the biggest headache.’

The Elves were the only unified group that had arrived specifically to claim the World Tree. If this turned into a factional struggle, they were the race that concerned me most. If they operated as a single, disciplined unit under their Queen’s command, they would be incredibly difficult to manage. Furthermore, they were a race that had historically siphoned every possible blessing from the World Tree.

Because of that, their average combat power was remarkably high. The High Elves gathered here maintained an average martial level of 14. I had never encountered a group with such concentrated power before, even taking into account the losses they must have sustained in their conflict with the Dark Elves.

However, having survived a war meant that their internal hierarchy was rigid and paramount. And among all the Elves present, the one at the very bottom of that hierarchy was Auril.

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

The reaction was exactly what I had foreseen. They immediately began to voice their indignation. The Elves were fiercely loyal to their Queen, and nothing stung their pride more than the idea of being subordinates to an ordinary member of their kind. A male High Elf voiced the question, but it was clear he was speaking for the Queen herself.

I replied with total indifference.

“If that is unacceptable to you, you are free to follow one of the others I named earlier. Provided, of course, they are willing to take you in.”

Would they ever follow a member of a different race or a different entity? Not a chance. The Elves, who lived in isolation and looked down on outsiders, would never stoop to that. They were left with only two paths: follow Auril, or abandon their hopes of entering the dungeon.

Another High Elf protested, appearing even more flustered.

“O Druid of the Golden Rule. Auril’s standing does not even begin to approach that of our Queen-nim.”

He tried to maintain a polite tone, but his words were sharp. He was arguing that Auril’s honor was incomparable to the Queen’s. Since the World Tree had already provided its own verification, his point wasn’t technically wrong.

However…

“This is not about the World Tree’s verification. This is about whether I ‘acknowledge’ someone or not.”

“B-But, surely, when it comes to who is ‘honorable’…”

“My acknowledgment is the definition of honor.”

“……”

The protesting High Elf fell silent, his mouth clamped shut. The message was clear: there was no higher honor than my recognition. My approval carried more weight than the World Tree’s own assessment, and the Queen of the Elves had not earned it.

“Just… by what standard……”

As the High Elves continued to mutter in disbelief, Great Chieftain Albino, seemingly fed up with the display, stepped forward.

“Are you actually questioning the Druid of the Golden Rule-nim?”

“N-No, that isn’t it. But……”

“Do the Elves truly intend to show hostility toward a Druid?”

“……!!”

A wave of horror washed over the Elves. Druids and Elves share a deep, symbiotic bond. One brings the forest into existence; the other tends to it. However, the task of ‘tending’ can be passed to others—like the Dryads, who also know the secrets of forest management. Consequently, Elves can never afford to be at odds with a Druid.

Albino turned his furious gaze toward the Elf Queen.

“Before the fall, Druids held Elves in high regard. You carried the heavy burden of nurturing the world’s forests and guarding the World Tree. But the Elves of today have withered. You huddle in the ‘Primal Forest’ and turn a blind eye to the rest of the world’s greenery.”

“…Because nothing is more vital than protecting the World Tree, as you yourself noted.”

“Tsk.”

“……?”

Albino clicked his tongue, shaking his head in a gesture of blatant contempt. It was a natural reaction for him.

“The previous Queen had a true spirit, but the current one is pathetic. I see exactly why the Druid of the Golden Rule ignored your name.”

“Albino… even if you are a legend among Druids, I cannot let such an insult pass.”

“And if you can’t, what then?”

Albino took a single, deliberate step forward.

Suddenly, a loud cracking sound echoed!

Albino’s stature expanded, and his horns stretched toward the sky. Simultaneously, intense flames erupted across his entire frame. Wings of fire, spanning over ten meters, unfurled behind him, and he suddenly gripped a massive spear belonging to the Fire Demon.

His presence was suffocating. He looked like the literal incarnation of fire. Then, a number materialized above his head.

**[18Lv]**

It wasn’t just his looks that were overwhelming. As a legendary Druid from the era before the destruction, that number explained exactly why he was considered a legend.

‘……Level 18?’

Even so, it was hard to wrap my head around. Even with the world’s power levels shifting upward after the Great Expedition, that level was staggering. But it made sense if you thought about it. For an eternity, he must have pushed himself to the brink, surviving countless brushes with death just to ensure he would never have to flee from destruction again. He was an apex predator, nearly without equal in either the abyss or the continent. This was the true form of Albino, Great Elder of the Eight Families and Great Chieftain of the Druids, restored by the World Tree of Honor.

“……!!”

“Ugh……”

The Elf Queen wasn’t the only one crushed by Albino’s sheer presence. Most onlookers were gasping for air, desperately summoning their own energy just to stay standing. Many retreated, their faces pale and lips trembling.

‘Incredible.’

Unlike the rest, I felt no ill effects. This was because Albino was actively shielding me from the pressure of his aura. But my fascination came from a different source entirely.

**[Unique Authority ‘World Tree Domain Enhancement (32Lv)’]**
**[Unique Authority ‘Sanctity Inviolability (32Lv)’]**
**[Unique Authority ‘Non-Hostility (32Lv)’]**
**[Unique Authority ‘No Approach (32Lv)’]**

*《’Albino’ is in an enhanced state within the ‘World Tree Domain’.》*
*《You can cut through Unique Authorities using ‘Martial God’s Mind Sword (Disarm, 35Lv)’.》*

The powers Albino possessed were absolute, rooted in the concept of ‘indestructibility.’ They were the traits of a supreme being who could make himself unapproachable and erase any hostile intent from an enemy’s mind. And yet, I could sever those very authorities, just as I had pierced the sanctuary’s barrier.

What struck me more was the ‘Level’ attached to them.

‘Even the impossible has a level.’

The levels were incredibly high. This meant that the Martial God’s Mind Sword could potentially shatter ‘impossible’ concepts, provided my swordsmanship and level were superior.

‘…But why can I see Albino’s level?’

It was strange. Beings as powerful as Albino usually kept their levels hidden. In fact, only about half the people here had visible levels. Most used equipment or skills to block observation. Albino’s level hadn’t been visible yesterday, so what changed?

‘It’s not because my trait evolved. If it were, I would have seen it sooner.’

If this wasn’t a result of my ‘Druid of the Golden Rule’ trait, it had to be something else—likely tied to his current attitude toward me. I remembered Hudson. Back at the casino, when he opened up completely, I was able to see his full stats.

‘……Albino trusts me implicitly?’

He had truly begun to believe. He saw me as the God of Druids, the master he was destined to follow.

‘It’s likely the influence of the role I’m playing.’

If I treated this role as a lie, it would eventually show. The powerful figures here are experts at sensing deception. If I didn’t fully commit to the idea that I was a supreme being worthy of their worship, they would eventually see through me. Regardless, this was a positive development. It was proof that the Eight Families and the Druids were sincerely devoted to me.

Albino spoke again, his voice carrying the weight of a vengeful deity.

“Did your predecessor never teach you that being hostile to a Druid is forbidden?”

“T-That form is……”

“Specifically, were you not warned never to oppose a Druid who stands beside the World Tree?”

“……”

The Elf Queen closed her eyes tightly. She knew. She had read the ancient records regarding ‘Albino.’

* *Albino is the one who walks closest to the High Druid.*
* *When the seven World Trees glow, Albino becomes a legend.*
* *The Elves must never cross Albino.*

The names were there in the chronicles of the past Queens. She knew Albino was a legend, even if no one knew why he had vanished. No one could have guessed he was here, guarding the World Tree of Honor.

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

“Q-Queen-nim……!”

The Queen bowed her head. The High Elves were mortified, but in that moment, Albino’s fury evaporated. She had bowed to the right person. Had she apologized to Albino instead of me, he would have remained unsatisfied.

The Queen continued, her voice soft.

“I have no desire to be an enemy of the Druids. Our races have been partners since the dawn of time. I will not question your choice, Druid of the Golden Rule-nim. I beg of you.”

She bowed again, her desperation evident.

“Please, allow us to enter the World Tree’s Dungeon.”

The Queen of the Primal Forest, a woman who reigned at the peak of her society, was now pleading. When she heard of Randolph clearing the Tower of Cracks, she had merely sent an elder. She was a ruler, not a petitioner.

But here, surrounded by the masters of Sacred Domains and ancient suzerains, she realized she was not the highest authority. She understood that if she tried to exert her will here as she did back home, her people would be wiped out.

“I allow it.”

“…My thanks, Druid of the Golden Rule.”

She let out a long breath of relief. I felt a weight lift as well; the Queen was the most difficult variable to manage. By showing her leniency now, I had made it even harder for her to oppose me later.

“Since we are dividing into groups of thirteen, that makes seven teams. Who will lead the final group?” the Giant of Destruction asked, curious if I would choose Albino or someone else.

I replied calmly.

“I will.”

“……Are you picking the twelve members yourself?”

“No.”

“Then how?”

“I will be the one chosen.”

“……?”

“There are seven leaders, including myself. Stand before the person you wish to follow. Once a group hits its limit, we move out.”

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

“Then the leader must prune the ranks. The leader decides who stays.”

“Understood.”

The Giant of Destruction nodded. I turned to the crowd.

“Begin. Gather around your chosen leader.”

“Yes, we shall,” Albino was the first to respond, stepping forward.

“A strange way to do things, but fine……” Raiga added, taking his place.

The crowd began to split. The Star Guardians gathered behind the Giant of Destruction. The Monsters gravitated toward the White King. The Humans flocked to Kasim, the Brilliance Superhuman. The Elves, naturally, lined up behind Auril.

A large crowd swarmed toward me.

‘Albino, Raiga, One-Horn and Two-Horn, Serengeti, Saintess Shea, Hudson, Isaac, Valte, and Priest Andrew. These ten are a given.’

Counting myself, we were at eleven. Only two spots remained, yet nearly twenty people stood before me.

‘The Ancient Phoenix Al Raum and the Guardian of Light… their identities are too mysterious, so no one is lining up for them.’

I couldn’t blame them; I wouldn’t want to follow those two either. I scanned the faces in front of me, deciding who would fill the last two slots. I hadn’t chosen the leaders based solely on power, but on who could actually function alongside me.

‘Those two will do.’

The ones I didn’t pick would have to settle for the Phoenix or the Guardian of Light. I selected the two most capable individuals from the remaining group, finally completing our preparations.

—

*《Entering the ‘Dungeon of Forgotten Honor’.》*

*《The ‘Knights of the Golden Rule (13)’ have consented to entry.》*

*《Total capacity of 91 reached.》*

*《Dungeon Bonus Multiplier: 200%+》*

*《Warning: ‘Forgotten Gods’ will manifest.》*

*《The seven Knight Orders must confront the ‘Forgotten Gods’ and complete the ‘Mystery Achievements’ within the dungeon.》*

*《Total ‘Mystery Achievements’ available: 370.》*

*《Completing an achievement awakens a ‘Soul of a Forgotten Knight’.》*

*《’Souls of Forgotten Knights’ can be used to empower your Knight Order.》*

*《The scale of the reward at the ‘Root of the World Tree’ depends on the number of achievements (Bonus Multiplier applied).》*

*《The Knight Order with the highest achievement count will earn the ‘Most Brilliant Knight Order’ title and extra rewards.》*

*《The Commander of the winning Order will receive the title: ‘King of the Forgotten (Divine)’.》*

…

*《Tip: The ‘Forgotten Gods’ despise ‘Evil Alignments’. If you possess one, keep it hidden.》*

*《Tip: The path to the Root is highly complex. Consult and utilize the ‘Souls of Forgotten Knights’.》*

*《Tip: Locked zones require a suitable ‘Symbol of God’ for entry.》*

*《Tip: Knight Orders are expected to compete with honor.》*

…