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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 298: Attack Plan (1)
***
Milene's condition didn't look good.
She was a wrinkled old woman instead of the youthful apparition she had once been.
There was no vitality in her skin or eyes. She looked like a corpse that had been forcibly revived.
"Please forgive me for greeting you in such a state."
Milene was lying on a small bed and branches of the World Tree surrounded it.
Damien observed the tree's trunk. Life force was flowing from the trunk and being absorbed by Milene.
"You're connected to the World Tree. Were you perhaps a Guardian?"
"Yes, that's right. I've been with this tree for a long time."
Milene replied and looked towards the World Tree with affection.
A Guardian was someone who connected the World Tree and the elves.
They conveyed the will of the World Tree to the elves and, in return, received a portion of the tree's power.
Therefore, the throne of the elven kingdom was not passed down through bloodlines. The Guardian was recognized as the leader.
In other words, Milene was both the Guardian of the World Tree and the Queen of Alfheim.
"So that's why you've been able to live so long."
"There was no suitable candidate, so I had no choice but to continue. But my time is almost up."
Milene said with a weak smile. Damien realized that her life was nearing its end.
'That's why I didn't see Milene in my previous life.'
Milene had probably passed away before the War of Destruction began.
The person who had succeeded her as Guardian was probably Sincia.
In his previous life, Sincia had fought against Dorugo as the elven queen.
"I'd like to continue the conversation we started at the harbor."
Damien said, revealing the symbols on the back of his hand.
"You said these authorities could take me back in time. How is that possible? Do you know how? And who was the person who first discovered this fact?"
"You have many questions. I'm sorry, but I don't know much. I haven't studied the authorities you possess."
Milene looked at Damien's hand and said.
"But what I can tell you is... the seven authorities you possess were originally one."
"One?"
"When used individually, they were less effective than when all seven were combined. ‘She’ demonstrated quite a few things."
After speaking for a while, Milene stopped to catch her breath.
After taking a few deep breaths, she continued.
"Opening long-distance dimensional gates or instantly. What was most astonishing was 'Restoration'."
"Restoration?"
"Yes, whether it was a human who had lost a limb, a destroyed object, a collapsed building, or a spell that had started to scatter... She used her power to return everything to its original state."
"So, you mean she fixed them?"
"No, fixing implies adding something to what's already there. She actually turned broken things back to how they were before they were damaged."
"But what if the damaged parts were completely lost...?"
"That didn't matter. Even the missing parts were recreated."
Damien stared at Milene with a face full of disbelief.
If what she said was true, it was far beyond human capabilities.
"Now that I think about it, it wasn't like restoration. It was like... yes, she was rewinding time." Milene muttered to herself as if struck by a revelation.
"That's why I mentioned it. With those authorities, we might be able to turn back time. It could be insurance in case we failed."
"...What was her name? Who was she exactly?"
"You wouldn't know her. It's a name you've never heard before."
Milene said, looking up at the sky.
"Her name was Dorugo."
She added as Damien rubbed his ears in disbelief.
"The one who led Pandemonium and attacked Alfheim."
***
When the name "Dorugo" escaped Milene's lips, Damien had to question his own hearing.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence, a case of mistaken identity. The name Dorugo wasn't common, but the world is full of strange things and coincidences.
- The one who led Pandemonium and attacked Alfheim.
But when he heard the following words, he couldn't deny it anymore.
‘Dorugo’ Milene was talking about was the same Dorugo he was searching for.
"Dorugo was one of the Salvation Squad like you? But why hasn't the name Dorugo been known until now?"
The legend of the Salvation Squad was widely known throughout the continent.
Yet, Damien had never heard that Dorugo was one of them.
"Well..."
A look of reluctance crossed Milene's face. She seemed hesitant to speak.
"Tell me. Why hasn't the name Dorugo been known?"
Damien had no time to consider Milene's feelings.
Then, it happened.
Milene's head suddenly slumped forward. She quickly lifted it, only to let it fall again.
"I'm... sorry... I can't... today... I'm at my limit..."
Extreme fatigue was evident in her voice and face.
"The rest... later... I'll... leave the rest... to you..."
With those words, Milene fell into a deep sleep.
***
"Damien, was your audience satisfactory?"
The Imperial Supreme Sword greeted Damien as soon as he stepped outside.
"Not at all."
Damien was clearly displeased.
"That's unfortunate. But I'm sure another opportunity will arise, so don't be too disheartened."
The Imperial Supreme Sword spoke with an impassive expression, hardly sounding like someone offering consolation.
"...Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes, I had something to ask you. That's why I waited."
The Imperial Supreme Sword turned to Damien.
"Damien, Alfheim is currently under attack by Pandemonium. Can you lend us your strength?"
"As long as it doesn't interfere with my goals, I'm willing to help."
"Good. Then follow me."
The Imperial Supreme Sword turned abruptly and began walking down the corridor. Damien followed after him.
"Alfheim is in a dire situation. The island is on the verge of falling to Pandemonium's attack."
"I've heard about it. They suffered heavy losses from Pandemonium's surprise attack. And their overall forces are far weaker."
The Imperial Supreme Sword nodded.
"You're exactly right. I joined the fight quickly, but it was not enough to turn the tide. Defending this place is very tiresome work."
If the Imperial Supreme Sword left, the royal palace would soon fall to Pandemonium. And then the World Tree would be in danger.
That was why the Imperial Supreme Sword was forced to stay in the palace.
Now that you're here, the situation has changed. It's time to put into action the plan I've been putting off."
"Do you have a way to turn the tide?"
The Imperial Supreme Sword nodded to Damien's question.
"We've found the enemy's main base where their leader is. If we destroy it, the war will be ours."
Damien's eyes widened at the mention of the leader.
"...By leader, do you mean Dorugo?"
"It seems you've heard from Milene. Yes, we've found Dorugo. It's thanks to the sacrifice of many elves."
Damien involuntarily clutched his chest.
His heart began to race. As his pulse quickened, so did his emotions.
'Finally.'
He could finally meet Dorugo.
He could finally destroy that damned skeleton.
He could finally achieve the peace that he had longed for.
"...Woh Woh, Control your killing intent."
The Imperial Supreme Sword said with a playful expression. Damien covered his face with his hands.
"I absolutely must participate in this."
"That's a good attitude. But that's not up to me to decide."
"What?"
"You need the commander-in-chief's permission."
Damien looked bewildered.
"There's another commander-in-chief?"
Damien had assumed that the Imperial Supreme Sword would be commanding the elves.
There couldn't possibly be a warrior who surpassed the Imperial Supreme Sword in terms of skill or experience.
Damien found it hard to believe.
Could it be that even someone as powerful as the Imperial Supreme Sword had so little authority?
"Alfheim is a kingdom too. They have their own ranks, rules, and systems."
"So we're going to the commander-in-chief now?"
"That's right. Be prepared, though."
"What do you mean...?"
"The elves aren't very fond of us."
"Us?"
Damien was human, and the Imperial Supreme Sword was a half-elf. Strictly speaking, they were of different races, yet the Imperial Supreme Sword had used the word "us." Damien found this odd.
"This is it."
The council chamber was located within the World Tree.
As they entered, Damien saw elves sitting around a large wooden table.
They all appeared to be young and it was impossible to guess their ages based on their appearance alone.
"Eos, is this the human you were talking about?"
A white-haired elf asked. The Imperial Supreme Sword immediately replied.
"Yes, that is Damien Haksen."
Damien stared at the Imperial Supreme Sword in surprise. The Imperial Supreme Sword was using formal language?
"Damn it, bringing a human into Alfheim. This is going to stir things up."
"This man is not an enemy of elves."
"You never know. Humans are unpredictable creatures!"
"You can trust Damien Haksen. I guarantee it..."
"Eos, don't overstep your bounds."
The white-haired elf's voice turned cold.
"We've only accepted you because of the urgent situation... but Alfheim is not a place for half-elves like you."
Even Damien, who was just listening from the side, felt offended. But the Imperial Supreme Sword's expression remained impassive.
"Human, come closer."
The white-haired elf beckoned to Damien. Damien approached the elf.
"I am Srynder, the commander-in-chief of Alfheim. I will allow you to join our plans."
As he spoke, Srynder gave Damien a hostile look. It was clear that he didn't like Damien at all.
'For someone asking for help, he's awfully arrogant.'
Alfheim's counterattack depended on Damien's participation.
Given the circumstances, Damien found Srynder's obstruction highly irritating.
"We plan to attack the enemy's main base. While Eos and I assault the base, you'll stay here and guard the palace."
But when Damien heard the following words, he immediately dismissed his concerns.
"I can't agree to that."
"...What?"
"There's someone I need to kill. Please include me in the assault team."
Srynder's eyebrows shot up.
"If I include you, Eos will have to stay here. What makes you think I can trust you enough to take you in an assault team?"
Damien turned to the Imperial Supreme Sword and asked.
"Are you willing to stay here in my place?"
"That wouldn't be a bad idea."
The Imperial Supreme Sword replied without hesitation.
He knew Damien's true abilities and could easily make such a decision.
But Srynder was not so easily convinced. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted.
"Eos! Are you crazy?"
"I guarantee Damien Haksen's abilities."
The Imperial Supreme Sword replied.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Damien Haksen! Stop being stubborn and guard the palace! If you dare to argue with me again, I'll kick you out of this plan!"
"You're a real pain in the ass."
Damien said in an irritated voice. Srynder's expression momentarily froze.
"What did you say?"
"If you deny my request, I will leave the palace and attack their base alone."
A look of shock crossed Srynder's face.
"Don't say things you don't mean..."
His voice had suddenly dropped as if his previous outburst had been a lie.
Damien couldn't help but chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just funny that you’re trying to pick a fight with me, a human when your kingdom is in danger."
As a human, Damien was unwelcome in Alfheim.
But the elves desperately needed the help of that very 'human'.
That's why they had resorted to bullying Damien to save face.
But it was Damien, not the elves, who held the upper hand.
"I have only one request. Include me in the assault team. If you don't, I'll leave the palace."
"Go ahead and try! The enemy's main base is hidden underground! Only we elves here know its location..."
Srynder said with his expression sour.
Damien was carefully examining the elves in the council chamber.
"What are you looking at?"
"I was thinking about who to kidnap."
"What? What did you say?"
"Even elves become talkative if you break their limbs."
Srynder's jaw dropped at Damien’s words.
***
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Kie]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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