[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 66

    “What... what are you saying?”

    Eldir was flustered.

    To suggest he follow Kaylen and learn from him—what kind of nonsense was this?

    [Eldir. Follow him. And learn from him.]

    “That... that’s absurd! How can I learn from someone so young...?”

    [I witnessed you lose to him in a single strike.]

    Eldir, left speechless, shut his mouth.

    Kaylen silently observed him.

    “So, they want me to teach this guy.”

    Eldir, the Swordmaster.

    An excellent talent, no doubt. But Kaylen couldn’t help but find him annoying.

    After all, he was the son-in-law who had taken his most cherished daughter, only to fall into drunken debauchery and disgrace himself.

    “Still, he might be useful.”

    If he weren’t his son-in-law, Kaylen would have taken him along immediately.

    Yet, watching him wallow in despair, drowning in alcohol, only stirred his anger further.

    Kaylen folded his arms, scrutinizing Eldir, and finally spoke.

    “He must achieve the ‘Evolution’ of his Guardian. Doesn’t he need to remain at the Tower of Magic for that?”

    [That’s not an issue. The ‘Evolution’ project is still far off. Today, after witnessing the artificial spirit, I became certain of it.]

    The artificial spirit Eldir summoned while equipped with his Guardian was undoubtedly powerful. Yet, it was far from complete as a true spirit.

    [It will take at least fifty more years. In the meantime, please teach and utilize Eldir.]

    “Fi... fifty years!?”

    Eldir was shocked by the half a century-long timeline, but Kaylen’s eyes gleamed.

    “That’s a workable timeframe.”

    While the World Tree’s will didn’t mean for Kaylen to keep Eldir that entire time, it was clear he wouldn’t be returning Eldir within a year or two.

    “Still, I can’t just teach him for free.”

    Though the World Tree suggested using Eldir, that alone wasn’t enough for Kaylen.

    Revitalizing a Swordmaster who had stagnated for centuries would require far greater compensation.

    “I have a condition.”

    [State it.]

    “I have several projects in progress. While Lady Irene is assisting with the magic circle research, I’m still in dire need of additional personnel for other studies.”

    [Understood. I’ll ensure you receive sufficient support. However, I request that you guide him at least once a week.]

    “Agreed.”

    “Guide? I’m supposed to take guidance from someone like him?”

    [Yes, you must.]

    The World Tree’s will was resolute.

    Kaylen added, “And on the days I guide you, no drinking.”

    [That’s acceptable. In fact, I’d appreciate it if you enforce that.]

    “No, no way...”

    No drinking? Even if it was just one day a week, the thought alone was dreadful.

    Eldir’s face crumpled in despair.

    [Eldir. You were once the most diligent swordsman in the Elven Guard, completely unfamiliar with alcohol.]

    [But didn’t you turn to drinking after succumbing to despair, believing you could no longer improve? And now, when the opportunity for growth stands before you, are you going to forsake it?]

    Eldir lowered his gaze to Melvria.

    For over a century, it had remained in the form of a staff, never taking its true shape as a sword.

    After the Elven Tower of Magic stabilized and Eldir’s martial skills were no longer in demand...

    There was no longer a necessity for it to be a sword.

    Even though he could have transformed Melvria into a sword for the sake of training, there had been no such attempts in the past 100 years.

    “No matter how much I trained, I never felt stronger.”

    In a world where mana had diminished, growth became impossible.

    Eldir, in the end, abandoned the sword.

    And in its place, he gripped a bottle of alcohol.

    Living in this world with a clear mind had become unbearable.

    But now...

    “Can I... become stronger if I learn from you?”

    “Of course.”

    “No matter if you inherited the legacy of the Great Emperor... teaching is another matter. Can you still make such bold claims?”

    The staff, which seemed it would never change, had now reverted to its original form.

    [My child, Irene.]

    “W-World Tree!”

    A voice flowed from the light, and Irene hurriedly knelt.

    It was the voice of the World Tree, which she had only ever heard during moments of divine revelation.

    [Gather the elven researchers under you and follow Lord Kaylen.]

    “Huh?”

    [One hundred should suffice.]

    The unexpected nature of the World Tree’s words left Irene stunned and questioning, but she quickly replied.

    “Understood.”

    The word of the World Tree carried an absolute weight for elves.

    Even so, Irene couldn’t help but wonder.

    “What exactly happened...?”

    Questions arose in Irene’s mind. Currently, the number of researchers under her command was about two hundred.

    If half of them were conscripted, the research being conducted at the Tower of the Elves would largely come to a halt.

    “The World Tree must know this... Yet it still ordered us to follow Kaylen... I just can’t figure it out.”

    Kaylen’s voice broke her train of thought.

    “Eldir and I will leave first. Irene, gather the research team and meet us at Myorn’s lab. Your lab is nearby, isn’t it?”

    “Yes, that’s correct.”

    “Kaylen will assign the tasks once you’re there.”

    That wasn’t the only question in her mind.

    Her brother, who showed deference to no one but the World Tree, was now being remarkably polite to Kaylen.

    Seeing this unfamiliar side of him, Irene couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality.

    “Let’s go, Eldir.”

    “Understood.”

    “I’ll see you later, World Tree.”

    [Yes... Take care.]

    Kaylen, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, ordered Eldir around and conversed with the World Tree.

    “See you at the lab, Irene.”

    “Oh, yes...”

    Step. Step.

    Irene stared blankly as Kaylen and Eldir left the basement.

    “How am I supposed to make sense of all this?”

    “One hundred people... ha.”

    Of course, she would obey the World Tree’s command, but what could possibly require such a large number of researchers?

    Irene let out a deep sigh.

    She had packed her belongings and come down, but the thought of selecting the elves for the task made her head spin.

    As Kaylen, Eldir, and Irene all departed, the light reflecting off the four parts of the Mana Suit Guardian flickered once.

    [Ernstine. Your successor resembles you far too much.]

    Kaylen, only nineteen years old, bore an uncanny resemblance to Ernstine.

    Though his physical appearance was entirely different from the Great Emperor’s, that was merely superficial.

    His words and actions were strikingly similar to those of Ernstine.

    [Yes... He resembles him too much.]

    The way he unlocked the Six Swords.

    The manner in which he executed his swordsmanship.

    Even his tone of speech.

    It was enough to make one feel as though Ernstine had returned to life.

    [...Perhaps my emotions influenced me too much.]

    Even as the World Tree, meant to make decisions for and by the elves, personal feelings had taken over.

    Thinking of Ernstine, it had promised far more support than it should have—offering not just Eldir but also a significant portion of the research staff.

    It wasn’t something that should have been done.

    Simply because Kaylen resembled the Great Emperor, personal feelings had interfered too much.

    This lapse stemmed from the emotions of Deluna, the High Elf who had trusted and depended on Ernstine more than anyone else.

    [Such a situation must not occur again... I will forget myself once more.]

    The light illuminating the basement gradually dimmed.

    Resolving not to allow personal feelings to surface, the World Tree ceased its thoughts of Kaylen.

    Without delving further into the similarities between Kaylen and Ernstine, it began to erase the persona of Deluna.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]