Episode 298: Attack Plan (1)
Mylene’s condition was far from ideal.
Unlike the youthful image she projected, Mylene’s true form was that of a frail old woman, her skin lined with wrinkles.
There was no vitality in her eyes or skin, as if she were a corpse kept alive by sheer will.
“Please forgive me for receiving you in such a state.”
Mylene lay on a small bed, surrounded by branches extending from the World Tree.
Damian observed the trunk of the World Tree. The life force flowing from it was being absorbed by Mylene.
“So, you’re connected to the World Tree. Were you its guardian?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I’ve been with it for a long time.”
Mylene spoke with a tender gaze directed at the World Tree.
A guardian was someone who connected the World Tree with the elves, conveying its will to them and receiving a portion of its power in return.
Thus, the throne of the Elven Kingdom wasn’t passed down by bloodline. The guardian was recognized as the leader.
In essence, Mylene was both the guardian of the World Tree and the queen of Elfheim.
“That’s how you’ve managed to live for so long.”
“There were no suitable candidates, so I had to continue. But my time is almost up.”
Mylene smiled weakly, and Damian realized her life was nearing its end.
‘That’s why I never saw Mylene in my past life.’
She must have passed away before the War of Destruction began, with Cynthia succeeding her as the guardian.
In his past life, Cynthia had fought against Dorgo as the Elven Queen.
“I’d like to continue our conversation from the harbor.”
Damian showed the mark on his hand.
“You said these powers could take me back in time. How is that possible? Do you know the method? And who was the woman who first discovered this?”
“You have many questions. I’m sorry, but I don’t know much. I didn’t study the powers you possess.”
Mylene looked at the mark on Damian’s hand.
“But I can tell you this… the seven powers you hold were originally meant to function as one.”
“As one?”
“When combined, they were far more potent than when used individually. She demonstrated quite a few things.”
Mylene paused, catching her breath after speaking at length.
After a few deep breaths, she continued.
“Opening long-distance dimensional gates, instantly healing the exhausted… but the most astonishing was ‘restoration.’”
“Restoration?”
“She used the powers to return lost body parts, destroyed objects, collapsed buildings, and even dissipating magic to their original state.”
“You mean she fixed them?”
“No, fixing implies adding something new. She returned broken things to their state before they were damaged.”
“But if the missing parts can’t be found…”
“That wasn’t an issue. Even the missing parts were recreated.”
Damian looked at Mylene in disbelief.
If what she said was true, it was beyond human capability.
“Thinking back, it wasn’t restoration. It was… yes, it was turning back time.”
Mylene murmured to herself, as if realizing something.
“That’s why I mentioned the possibility. With the powers, you might be able to turn back time. It could be a safeguard if we fail.”
”…What was the woman’s name? Who was she?”
“You wouldn’t know even if I told you. It’s a name you’ve never heard.”
Mylene looked up at the ceiling.
“Dorgo.”
Damian’s ears couldn’t believe what they heard.
“Dorgo led the attack on Elfheim with Pandemonium.”
When Mylene mentioned the name Dorgo, Damian doubted his ears.
It could be a coincidence, a common name. But Dorgo wasn’t exactly a name you heard every day.
But as the conversation continued, he had to accept it.
The Dorgo Mylene spoke of was indeed the Dorgo Damian was searching for.
“Dorgo was part of your group of saviors? Then why hasn’t his name been known until now?”
The legend of the saviors was known across the continent.
Yet Damian had never heard of Dorgo being one of them.
“That’s because…”
Mylene’s face showed a hint of reluctance. She seemed unwilling to speak.
“Tell me. Why isn’t Dorgo’s name known?”
But Damian had no time to consider Mylene’s feelings.
At that moment, Mylene’s head drooped. She tried to lift it but failed.
“I’m sorry… I’m at my limit… for today…”
Her voice and face were heavy with exhaustion.
“The rest… next time… I’ll leave it… to you…”
With those words, Mylene fell into a deep sleep.
Damian had no choice but to leave.
“Damian Haxen, was the audience satisfactory?”
As soon as he stepped outside, he was greeted by the face of the Empire’s greatest swordsman. Damian replied with dissatisfaction.
“Not at all.”
“That’s unfortunate. But don’t be too disheartened; another opportunity will come.”
The swordsman spoke with a blank expression, not exactly comforting.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes, I have something to ask you. That’s why I waited.”
The Empire’s greatest swordsman spoke to the puzzled Damian.
“Damian Haxen, Elfheim is currently under attack by Pandemonium. Can we count on your strength?”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with my goals, I’m willing to help.”
“That’s good to hear. Then follow me.”
The swordsman turned sharply and walked down the corridor, with Damian following.
“Elfheim is in a dire situation. The island is on the brink of falling due to Pandemonium’s assault.”
“I’ve heard. They suffered significant losses from the initial surprise attack. Their forces are much stronger.”
The swordsman nodded.
“You’re well-informed. I joined in haste, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Just defending this place was a struggle.”
If the swordsman left, the royal castle would soon fall to Pandemonium, putting the World Tree in danger.
Thus, he was bound to the castle.
“But now that you’re here, the situation has changed. It’s time to execute the plan we’ve been holding off.”
“Do you have a strategy to turn the tide?”
The swordsman nodded at Damian’s question.
“We’ve located the enemy’s leader. If we eliminate them, the war will end in our favor.”
The mention of a leader made Damian’s eyes widen.
”…By leader, do you mean Dorgo?”
“You heard from Mylene, I see. Yes, we’ve found Dorgo’s location, thanks to the sacrifices of many elves.”
Damian unconsciously clutched his chest.
His heart began to race, and as it did, his emotions surged.
‘Finally.’
He could meet Dorgo.
He could destroy that cursed skeleton once more.
He could finally secure the peace his family deserved.
”…Your expression is terrifying.”
The swordsman commented in a dry tone. Damian covered his face with his hand.
“I must be part of this.”
“That’s the right attitude. But it’s not up to me.”
“Excuse me?”
“You need the approval of the supreme commander.”
Damian asked, bewildered.
“There’s a supreme commander?”
He had assumed the Empire’s greatest swordsman would lead the elves.
Given his skill and experience, no warrior could surpass him.
“Elfheim is a kingdom. It has ranks, rules, and a system.”
Damian found it hard to accept.
Could someone of the swordsman’s caliber really lack such authority?
“Are we going to the supreme commander now?”
“Yes. But be prepared.”
“What do you mean by that…”
“The elves might not be fond of us.”
Us.
Damian was human, and the swordsman was a half-elf.
Technically, they were different species, yet the swordsman used the term “us.” Damian found this curious.
“Here we are.”
The meeting room was within the trunk of the World Tree.
Inside, elves surrounded a large wooden table.
As the two entered, the elves’ gazes focused on them.
They all appeared youthful, making it impossible to guess their ages.
“Eos, is that the human?”
A white-haired elf asked. The swordsman immediately replied.
“Yes, this is Damian Haxen.”
The swordsman used honorifics, surprising Damian.
“Damn, letting a human into Elfheim. It’s unsettling.”
“This man is not an enemy of the elves.”
“You never know. Humans are an unpredictable species!”
“Damian Haxen is trustworthy. I can vouch for him—”
“Eos, don’t overstep your bounds.”
The voice of the white-haired elf turned icy.
“We had no choice but to accept you due to the urgency of the situation… but Elfheim is not a place for half-elves.”
Damian, listening nearby, felt a twinge of irritation. Yet, the expression of the Empire’s greatest swordsman remained indifferent.
“Human, come closer.”
The white-haired elf beckoned Damian with a finger. Damian approached him.
“I am Slyndor, the commander of Elfheim. I will allow you to join our plan.”
Throughout his speech, Slyndor’s gaze was filled with displeasure. It was clear he didn’t like Damian at all.
‘For someone asking for help, he sure is stiff-necked.’
Elfheim’s counterattack couldn’t proceed without Damian Haxen’s involvement. Given the circumstances, Damian couldn’t help but feel annoyed by the elf’s attitude.
“We plan to attack the enemy’s main camp. While Eos and I lead the assault, you will stay here and guard the royal castle.”
But as soon as Damian heard this, his concerns vanished.
“That won’t do.”
”…What did you say?”
“There’s someone I need to kill. Let me join the assault team.”
Slyndor’s eyebrows shot up, nearly touching his forehead.
“If I put you in the assault team, Eos will have to stay behind. Why should I trust you to lead an attack on the main camp?”
Damian turned to the Empire’s greatest swordsman and asked, “Would you stay here in my place?”
“That wouldn’t be a problem.”
The swordsman replied without hesitation. He knew Damian’s true capabilities, which made the decision easy for him.
But Slyndor was not convinced. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted.
“Eos! Are you out of your mind?”
“I vouch for Damian Haxen’s skills.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Slyndor bellowed.
“Damian Haxen! Stop being stubborn and guard the castle! If you argue with me again, I’ll remove you from this plan!”
“You’re being incredibly annoying.”
Damian’s voice was laced with irritation. Slyndor’s expression momentarily went blank.
“What did you say?”
“If you won’t meet my demand, I’ll leave Elfheim.”
Slyndor’s face showed a flicker of panic.
“D-Don’t say things you don’t mean…”
Slyndor’s voice softened dramatically, as if his earlier anger had been a lie.
Damian couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s amusing, really. At a time when the kingdom is in danger, you’re trying to play power games with a human like me.”
As a human, Damian was not welcome in Elfheim. Yet, the elves desperately needed his help.
So, to save face, they tried to assert dominance over him. But it wasn’t Damian who was at a disadvantage.
“I have only one condition. Put me in the assault team. If not, I’ll leave Elfheim.”
“Go ahead, do as you please! The main camp of Pandemonium is hidden underground! Only we elves here know its location…”
Slyndor’s voice trailed off, his face uncertain.
Damian was scanning the elves in the room with a serious look.
“W-What are you looking at?”
“Deciding who to kidnap.”
“W-What?”
“Even an elf will loosen their tongue if you twist an arm or two.”
Slyndor’s jaw dropped.