An absolute silence pervaded the room, as if even the hum of the magical orb had ceased in reverence to the overwhelming presence of the man standing in the shadows.
Luc Diamond Mind looked at the scarred man. His gaze was not that of an arrogant Archduke, but of an equal who understood the true worth of the person before him.
Luc (In a calm, poised tone): "Hmm... a monster in human form? If that is what you say, then it is quite plausible. As they say, monsters recognize their own kind, don't they, Emperor of the Blade?"
The image of Sage Greenford within the crystal ball trembled. His eyes widened as he watched the man step into the light.
Luc: "Or would you prefer I call you by the title you've recently become famous for... the Lone Wolf of the North, Maxim?"
Maxim gave a faint smile, but it did not reach his eyes, which were as harsh as northern ice. He placed a rough hand on the table, as if the sheer weight of his existence might shatter the fine wood.
Maxim: "Titles are merely shackles the weak place on the strong to make them easier to comprehend. Call me what you wish, Luc. In the end, I am just an old man watching the world burn from afar."
The Sage: "Wait! What are you two talking about? A mission? A monster? The fate of the world?"
Maxim (With wonder): "What? Didn't you tell him, Luc?"
Luc: "Hmm... well, where should I begin? Do you remember Archduke Claude?"
The Sage: "Yes. Was he not the former Guardian of the Dawn Continent and the head of the Erebus family? The one that rebelled against the previous Emperor and was destroyed—every member executed twenty years ago? Why mention him now? Wait... don't tell me you believe that story?"
Luc: "Well, they say a person's truth manifests when death overtakes them. In those moments, their purest voices emerge in their final words—expressing regret, sorrow, or happiness. They speak to those they love, as if unwilling to leave this world. Their final words are either a struggle to cling to life or an effort to protect something vital—like guarding a flame in the middle of a blizzard. But to those who listen, that flame is a raging fire. If one cannot contain that fire, it swallows them and leaves only ashes. But those who master it can use it to burn their enemies... or lose control and burn the entire world. So, what of a man who heard three different people repeat the same words before they died? How could I not believe after all that?"
The Sage (Angrily): "So you are telling me you devised this plan—which could lead to the extinction of your family or a continental war involving the entire world—based on the ramblings of dead men? You've disappointed me, boy. I expected much from a Diamond Mind and my brother's grandson, but I didn't expect to waste my time on the nonsense of the dead. I've had enough. I'm leaving."
Luc: "First of all, these are not my words, nor is the plan mine. And the words you mock... are the words of your elder brother, Sage."
The Sage: "Nonsense! My brother would never say such things."
Luc (Laughing): "Hahaha! That is exactly what my grandfather and father said you would say. And they told me that when you did, I should give you this, and you would agree immediately."
The Sage (Stunned): "T-this... Boy, how long has it been since my brother disappeared?"
Luc: "Ha... my grandfather died twenty years ago."
The Sage: "Oh, right... he died. It seems senility has struck me." (The Sage thought to himself: Died? That's nonsense. What he gave me proves he is still alive. But why he hide this from his family?)
Luc: "What is that? Is it something important? It looks like an ordinary branch."
The Sage: "Hmm... this is no ordinary branch. It is a branch from the World Tree. When an Elf reaches their Twenty years, they go to the World Tree for the Ritual of Binding. During this ritual, the Elf binds with the tree and receives three things: First, knowledge—which varies; for me, it granted wisdom by grafting the knowledge of previous sages into my mind. The second type, which is very rare, shows glimpses of the future or past. Second, it grants the Blessing of Mana—protection against curses, poisons, and mental attacks. Third, and most importantly, it grants a branch. Its value is determined by its origin: lower branches are common, middle are high, and upper are excellent. But there is an exception: the Ancient Branches, which are over a thousand years old. Those who receive them are extremely rare, and this is one of them. It is said that when the World Tree gives such a branch, it is proof that a monumental change is coming to the world."
The Sage paused, thinking: (No need to tell them more if my brother didn't.) He then continued: "Fine, I understand. I will cooperate. But you must know that what we are about to face is something we cannot overcome, even if we faced it together."
Luc: "Hmm... but didn't you say that if Gale were here? We have Maxim, who is almost as strong as Gale. Why do you say we can't do it now?"
The Sage: "I know this brat is as strong as Gale, but Gale was 'special,' and you know what I mean."
Luc: "Yes, I know."
Maxim: "But there is hope, old man. How can you call yourself a Sage if you only believe what you see or hear? It may be known among people that I am the strongest, or Gale, or Archduke Claude... but there are monsters in this world who have not yet appeared, still lurking in the shadows. Know this: there was one person whom neither I nor Gale could defeat."
The Sage: "Oh? Really? If even the 'special' Gale couldn't defeat him, he must be even more exceptional. Where is he now?"
Maxim: "Well, I went to visit him in Tartaros, but he didn't answer me."
The Sage: "Wait... Tartaros? Isn't that the fortress of the Erebus family? Does he live in a fortress full of the souls of the dead? What a strange man."
Maxim: "He is strange indeed. But don't worry; his cub will fight with us instead of him."
The Sage: "Nonsense! What use is a mere cub to us?"
Maxim (Laughing): "Hahaha! He won't be of use now. But that cub didn't live a normal life. Instead of growing into a full lion, he is on his way to becoming a Chimera. He swallows everything—every experience, every lesson—and incorporates it in a terrifying way. He is a genius. He stayed with me for six years; the plan was to teach him combat, swordsmanship, the basics of magic, and world history. But he learned everything in three years, by the age of sixteen. In the remaining three years, he refined what he learned until he reached the limits of self-learning. What he lacks now is the refinement that comes from life-threatening battles and learning magic properly. Since I am not a specialist, I could only teach him what I know. Moreover, he refused to learn any information about the world except what helps him achieve his goal. Once he learns what he lacks, no one will be able to compete with him."
The Sage: "So he is the monster you mentioned earlier? From what I see, he is the core of your plan. Dammit! What fool created a plan that will determine the fate of the world based on a nineteen-year-old boy?"
Luc (With a mocking smile): "It was your elder brother."
The Sage (Angrily): "Curse him! I should have burned all those storybooks back then!"