CHAPTER 219: GOING BACK HOME [1]

As the sun rose within the Salyan Kingdom, the elves rose from their slumber as well.

To them the last night was the longest night they had ever slept.

Even though they were asleep, they could still tell something was wrong with their bodies.

Perhaps it was their subconscious mind that was warning them of the danger.

Yet, none of them knew how close they were to death.

The curse of Greater One Kros had taken every single one of the elves under her.

She wasn’t planning to leave any of them alive no matter the case.

The only reason she gave the condition of burning the World Tree was simple.

She wanted to see them live in misery rather than die in peace.

And that was exactly what the elves were about to go through.

"Huh?"

"Wait, what happened to the World Tree?"

"Where is the World Tree!?"

The noises that came out from one house soon echoed within the entirety of the kingdom.

The World Tree that they worshipped with their lives was now burned to the ground.

Panic spread through the streets as the elves rushed out of their homes.

Some were still half-awake, their bodies sluggish from the long, unnatural sleep.

But the moment their eyes caught the empty horizon where the World Tree once stood, their drowsiness vanished.

Cries rang out everywhere.

Mothers clutched their children, elders fell to their knees, and warriors who once stood proud were left trembling.

"No... no, this isn’t real!"

"The World Tree can’t be gone!"

"Who... who could do this!?"

The streets quickly turned chaotic.

Some screamed in denial, others wept openly, and many simply stared blankly at the smoke still rising in the distance.

Whispers of fear turned to shouts of anger. Already, rumors spread like wildfire.

"Someone burned it!"

"A traitor... there must be a traitor among us!"

"No elf would ever—never! It has to be an outsider!"

Fists clenched. Rage began to overtake grief.

Some shouted names, others cursed unseen enemies, but none had proof.

The only thing they shared was the same hollow pit in their chests.

And above it all, a single truth pressed down on them—without the World Tree, they were vulnerable.

The protection that shielded their lands, the bond that kept their bloodlines strong, the symbol that gave them purpose—everything was gone in one night.

"If the World Tree is gone, then our blessings are gone!"

"We won’t survive without it!"

"Whoever did this has doomed us all!"

A group of younger warriors tried to rally the people, yelling for order, but their voices were drowned out by the chaos.

Just when the entire Kingdom was in chaos, a drum echoed within the capital city.

A man, wearing the Vantage dress, stood in the middle of the city.

He took out a sheet and rolled it in front of everyone.

"To those who are listening!" His voice echoed within the kingdom. "These are the words of the Empress!"

Everyone quieted down even for a second as they listened to what he had to say.

"There was a traitor between us!" He continued his words. "The one who did all this with the help of an outsider!!!"

His voice made the angry mob curse and cry as they demanded the name.

"His name was Lewin!" He replied to them. "The Royal Advisor!"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"Lewin!?"

"The Royal Advisor?"

"No... it can’t be—he was loyal to the crown!"

But denial didn’t last long. Fear and grief needed someone to cling to, someone to blame, and the name was more than enough.

"Yes, Lewin!" the herald shouted, holding the sheet high. "He betrayed the Kingdom! He conspired with outsiders to burn the World Tree and break our bond!"

The mob erupted.

Shouts turned to curses, curses turned to rage.

Mothers pulled their children close, warriors slammed their fists against their chests, and common elves spat on the ground, swearing vengeance.

"Kill him!"

"Bring us his head!"

"He must pay for this!"

The young warriors, who had moments before struggled to restore order, now rallied around the herald’s words.

They lifted their weapons high, their voices joining the crowd’s.

In every corner of the capital, the same cry spread: Lewin, the traitor.

"And the one who did all this!" The man said, his voice echoing. "Calls himself the Devil of Retribution!"

The crowd fell silent at those words.

The Devil of Retribution.

The name carried weight, even among elves who had never seen him.

Whispers spread like wildfire, fear mixing with anger.

"I’ve heard of him..." one elf muttered, clutching his neighbor’s arm. "A masked human... a monster."

"They say he commands shadows..." another added, her voice shaking.

"If he was with Lewin, then everything makes sense!"

The mob roared again, louder than before. Anger now had two targets—one close to home, and one they could curse from afar.

"Lewin the traitor!"

"Death to the Devil of Retribution!"

The herald raised his hand, letting the voices echo before continuing.

"The Empress commands us! Find Lewin, root out all who aided him, and bring them to justice! Only then can we begin to heal from this betrayal!"

His words struck like iron, and the people clung to them.

For a kingdom that had just lost its soul, even false direction felt like hope.

---

Akamir looked out of the window as he drank the coffee in his hand.

’Well, looks like things are gonna go good.’

He thought as he walked away from the window.

"The nightmare has started for the elves." Akamir said, closing his eyes. "I hope you are ready."

He channeled his spirit eyes as he looked at Sephrina sitting on the throne.

"It was a good idea to place my people in the crowd." Sephrina replied with a sigh. "...It was easy to distract them."

"Well, the Devil of Retribution." Akamir said with a smile. "That’s some name you chose for me."

Sephrina didn’t reply as she rubbed her eyes in frustration.

Sephrina leaned back on the throne, her shoulders heavy as she let out a slow breath.

"They’ll believe what they want to believe. As long as their anger has a target, they won’t tear each other apart... for now."

Akamir sipped his coffee again, unfazed by the smoke still drifting in the air outside. "Smart move. Better to give them a name than leave them wandering in confusion."

Her fingers curled against the armrest. "But Lewin..." she murmured. "He should have died a more gruesome death."

Akamir didn’t reply as he wasn’t too bothered by him.

Though he was sure Kros wouldn’t let him die that easily.

If his guess is correct then that guy will live all his life in endless torture.

Sephrina turned her gaze toward the empty space where the World Tree once stood. The horizon looked barren without its towering glow.

"And what about you? They’ll hunt for this Devil of Retribution until their last breath."

Akamir gave a small grin, pulling his mask onto the table beside him. "Let them hunt. A mask is easier to kill than a man. As long as they’re chasing shadows, no one will look too closely at you."

Sephrina looked at him sharply, her voice tightening. "You act like it doesn’t matter. But names stick, Akamir. The Devil of Retribution will be remembered, cursed, hated."

"Good," he replied simply. "Better they curse a nobody than you."

The room fell silent. The muffled sound of drums still echoed faintly from the city, each beat reminding them of the anger outside.

Sephrina finally lowered her head, rubbing her temple. "You’re insufferable."

"Maybe," Akamir said, standing and stretching lazily. "But you’ll thank me when the mob comes for a mask and Lewin instead of you."

She didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, where smoke curled endlessly upward.

And in that silence, the first day without the World Tree truly began.

"What will you do now?" She asked, as she looked at him.

"I will go back to my home." Akamir replied as he sat on a chair. "It’s been so long since I ha—."

"This is your home as well." Sephrina replied, cutting him off. "Can’t you stay?"

Akamir quieted down as he glanced at the woman.

She shrugged her shoulders in response.

"I have no one to trust except you." She replied softly. "I can’t run this broken kingdom without you."

"Sephrina I have no reason to stay here and help you." Akamir replied with a straight face.

Sephrina blinked. "Aren’t you my husband?"

"No, that... that doesn’t count."

Sephrina blinked as she walked towards him. "Why is that?" She asked. "You married me Akamir."

"Why does it matter?" Akamir replied, his eyes still closed. "I can’t even see you let alone do what a husband and wife always do."

Sephrina gave him a disgusted look. "You humans are always like this." She replied. "Lustful beings."

"Think what you want." Akamir replied, standing up. "I am going home soon."

She let out a sigh as she responded. "Fine, I will come see you soon."

Akamir nodded as he walked out. "...Reganer will stay here." He said. "He will help you with your problem."