CHAPTER 2466 COMPROMISED
It wasn't long before they arrived at a secret facility, one that was used to host the Elder Tree connection. The two of them exited the Royal Carriage, protected by two Sages, before quickly heading into the depths of the secret facility.
"Welcome, Your Majesty, Your Highness." The director of the facility bowed to them with a hint of reverence. "It is an honor to host your presence here."
"Mmm, take us to the Elder Tree connection immediately."
"Most certainly, Your Majesty."
"Have you noticed anything strange or out-of-place in regards to the flora that can connect with the Elder Tree?" Rui turned his gaze to the director.
"Hm, I cannot say that I have noticed anything strange, Your Highness," he lightly replied. "However, that might still mean that we have simply failed to notice any anomaly. To this day, we still don't entirely understand how the connection functions and where it even is. We have even deployed Martial Sages to scan all the lands, and not even they have spotted a root emerging from the depths of the Beast Domain that connects with these trees."
Rui knew that the Elder Tree was more subtle than that. It most likely connected with the connector tree by virtue of numerous indirect communication channels through countless other middle-men. It was a shockingly robust and quick communication channel, if so.
"We have arrived, Your Majesty." An enormous gate was opened, leading to a vast mangrove within the facility. STEP
The very moment they set foot into the mangrove, both father and son felt a tremendously powerful presence in the flora around them.
The Elder Tree was a truly powerful creature.
Its familiar aura was deeply heavy, not unlike that of a Martial Sage, bearing down on them with its weight.
It has been some time, Rui, Rael.
Both men narrowed their eyes.
It was good that the Elder Tree retained enough rationality to engage in dialogue.
"…Elder Tree." Rui's tone was familiar and friendly. "It has indeed been a long time. As much as I'd love to chit chat with you and catch up on old times, we don't have time for that."
"My son is correct." Emperor Rael's tone was severe and solemn. "We simply don't have time for pleasantries. We came here hoping to find you well, of course, but also in hopes that you possessed an intimate understanding of the apocalypse that has swept over all of humanity. Any and all intelligence that you are able to pass on to us would be a boon."
Simultaneously, both men paid close attention to the creature's presence with maximal alertness.
Even the slightest hint of a frenzy or uncharacteristic irrationality would mean that the Elder Tree has most likely been compromised.
I know what you seek.
Its message was clear.
I know what you fear.
The two men narrowed their eyes at its words.
I have much to tell you. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
That was good news. More information was always good news.
Not all of it is good news.
The air tingled.
It grew electric.
The Elder Tree's words didn't bode well.
Allow me to explain why all of this is happening.
The two men listened with rapt attention.
They didn't expect to gain such an important piece of intel this easily.
I'm sure the two of you recall the roar that preceded the invasion.
The two men nodded.
It was the single most horrifying sound that they had ever heard in the entirety of their lives, one that evoked immense dread and horror in their hearts.
That roar was not just a random sound produced by a random powerful animal.
The two listened closely.
They had already suspected that, but it was good to have confirmation.
That roar was a command to all sentient life in the Beast Domain.
Their eyes widened with shock.
Although they had already suspected that there was a connection, they had not imagined that it was a command.
A command to reclaim the lost lands of the Beast Domain.
Grave severity appeared on the faces of Emperor Rael and Rui as finally understood why the creatures had gone into a frenzy.
A command to restore the glory of the Beast Domain.
They had never imagined that the Beast Incursion was such an artificially induced phenomenon.
That was why the beasts of the Beast Domain had invaded human civilization. "This…" Emperor Rael fell into thought with a faint murmur. "I had predicted that one day the Beast Domain would retaliate, but I had not expected such a direct command for such a direct retaliation. But who, just what, is capable of commanding the entirety of the Beast Domain?"
…I don't know.
Their eyes widened with shock. To think that the Elder Tree, which was nigh omniscient in regards to the Beast Domain, was unable to know just what was responsible for the Beast Incursion command!
The central regions of the Beast Domain is a zone that is so sensorily isolated that not even I am able to gain the tiniest ounce of insight as to just what is happening there. Not even I am able to fathom just what manner of creature is able to command all sentient life to reclaim the Beast Domain.
Rui's eyes narrowed as he caught on to a subtext in the Elder Tree's response. "'All sentient life'. Are there any exceptions?"
…None that I know of.
Both Rui and Rael grew wary and grim. "And what of yourself?"
…Your worst fears are, unfortunately, true.
In an instant, the friendly light in their eyes turned alert.
The command has evoked urges I never possessed before. I wish to set out on a rampage and destroy all of human civilization. I wish to reclaim all the lands that once belonged to the Beast Domain but have since been annexed by the human species.
Their nerves tingled.
They tingled with danger.
However, my rationality has retained primacy. I have no intention of joining the Beast Incursion. Just as you human do not necessarily steal food, rape, or murder to fulfill your urges, I too am capable of rationality and self-control.
His words were true, but they didn't inspire any confidence in Rui and Rael as the two exchanged gazes.
As far as they were concerned, the Elder Tree was already compromised.
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