My dear witch, please turn evil according to the script!

Chapter 324 Sword in the Tree

The story of the World Tree continues.

This will be the last story of this world.

And you... are the protagonist of the story.

Therefore, the protagonist shouldn't know too much about the plot.

At the very least... he shouldn't have his own story, which hasn't even begun, told to him by other characters in the story.

Please remember—Son of Man, you are the last hope, the last variable in this world.

Your life is far more valuable than you imagine.

By the way, since you didn't like my previous gift... take it out, and I'll get you a different one.

I never imagined that even though you're no longer the person I used to know, you two are surprisingly similar in some ways.

You have an instinctive aversion, or rather, disdain, for magic other than runic magic.

[What an annoying commonality.]

【Take out your two holy swords.】

Then, stand in front of me.

Roland nodded.

Then he handed over the green ball.

This green sphere, which most likely contained all the magic in the world, was returned to the World Tree by Roland.

Just like the World Tree said... I'm really not that interested in magic.

Or rather, he didn't have the interest or desire to learn all magic.

In a sense, Roland was the kind of enemy he was most restrained by.

I only like to study a few useful, commonly used, and widely applicable techniques.

Unfortunately, Roland doesn't need to add too many spells right now.

Of course, the most crucial issue is that he has to learn the knowledge he gains from the green ball himself.

Although his learning speed is not slow, perhaps it's because his time has been too tight lately, and it's difficult to find even two or three days to study.

It should be noted that the physical training he scheduled with Russell has only resulted in one strength test so far.

For a combination of reasons, Roland was indeed not very fond of this ball.

Its greatest use is to seduce Flam.

In return, he would get this guy to do things for him.

That was at least my original plan.

But I still judged him by my own petty standards.

Frum was surprisingly tolerant and generous. He was almost never refused when he asked her for help, and on several occasions she even offered to help him.

The reason was simply because he was Kalia's lover.

What a wonderful elder!

Roland thought to himself, while feeling a little guilty about his recent thoughts about Fram.

Also.

Since it's a rare opportunity to accompany elders back to their hometown, it's best to go along with them.

It's just public funds spending, right? No big deal.

At least I enjoyed that meal.

Kalia was being too cautious.

It's perfectly normal for elven chefs to cook human food.

But Kalia was right; those elven delicacies were indeed inedible.

Roland thought that a normal human would not like something as overly refreshing as cactus salad with mint sauce.

Even though the elves made it look like a delicate green dessert, it couldn't hide its bizarre taste combination.

Although it is still within the edible range, it is definitely not normal food.

Camels probably really like eating this stuff.

The World Tree sensed Roland's drifting thoughts and seemed somewhat helpless.

Roland clearly had no idea what he was about to obtain.

Forget it...

it's the same.

As Roland drifted off into his own thoughts, he walked toward the branches of the World Tree, carrying two holy swords.

The journey took longer than he had anticipated.

The proverb "looking at a mountain makes a horse run itself to death" surprisingly applies to this giant tree.

After spending some time wandering in the spiritual world, Roland finally arrived at the branches of the World Tree.

"What should I do next?"

It's simple, just pierce my branch.

Don't be nervous or afraid; these things can't hurt me.

Furthermore, this isn't the gift I was supposed to exchange; it's the weapon that should have been given to you in the first place.

[In the original plan... you wouldn't have obtained the Sword of Silence directly, at least not so easily.]

However, it is clear that both those who formulated the plan and those who implemented it underestimated the role of variables.

In short... you've been spared a very troublesome task.

Roland glanced at the pair of holy swords in his hand, which were exactly the same in shape, except for the color of the blades and the inscriptions on them, and fell into a brief state of contemplation.

Before poking the tree, Roland asked, "Won't the next step be the merging of the Holy Sword into one?"

"I also want to try dual-wielding."

World Tree: [...]

[Partially correct.]

These two holy swords will indeed merge into one, becoming the true holy sword.

But this is merely the key to unlock the chains, not the real gift.

"Alright, let's speed things up. I can't waste too much time and energy on this." Roland smiled after being urged, "I'm just following King Thran's advice to chat with you a little longer."

"Since you're so busy, I'll speed things up a bit."

After saying that, Roland plunged both holy swords into the World Tree without hesitation.

I reckon I'm probably the only one in the World Tree who can poke at it like that.

As the holy sword pierced through, both holy swords were swallowed by the tree trunk.

After a burst of withered yellow light, the branches of the World Tree trembled twice.

Then, just as Roland pierced the part of the holy sword, he spat out a longsword that shimmered with silver and black.

Roland instinctively reached out and grasped the longsword, then drew it.

[Ding, detected that the host has acquired—Holy Sword Durandal (True)]

[It was in its original form when the Holy Sword was first created, but it was split in two by the Elf King Thrann, and each part was given to one of two heroes in their respective eras, destined to play supporting roles.]

Glory remains silent, for it knows that heroes have already perished before dawn.

Effect 1: Ignores all spell-based defensive skills. Units hit by it will lose their ability to cast spells.

[Effect 2: When facing a stronger enemy, ignore all of their defenses and mark them. Attacking a marked enemy increases your own damage, and the first attack will always hit.]

[Active Skill: Locks onto an opponent. If the enemy is stronger than the user, the user's strength will be temporarily increased to match the opponent's strength.]

[If the user's strength is lower than the holder's, a deterrent effect will be applied, rendering them unable to take any action for ten seconds.]

[Note: The greater the increase in strength, the greater the burden on the body after the amplification effect ends.]

This load can be fatal.

As soon as Roland acquired the Holy Sword, he felt an instant sense of control over it, and the system also began to provide an introduction.

This surprised Roland.

When I first obtained Durandal from King Thrann, the system didn't pop up an introduction.

Son of Man, it is not over yet.

Next... pull your weapon out of the tree.

The voice of the World Tree echoed in Roland's ears once more.

Roland then noticed that the yellowish light from where he had previously pierced the tree trunk had not yet dissipated.

A sword hilt, entwined with withered yellow branches, sat quietly in the withered yellow light.

Roland stepped forward, expecting to pull him out as easily as he had pulled out Durandal, but he encountered tremendous resistance.

Roland began to increase the force in his hands, activating the amplification runes on his magic circuits at full power, and even activating the projection power of the Sun Runestone.

Giving it your all—that's Roland's state of mind right now.

Even so, the mysterious longsword remained completely still.

If Roland hadn't thought the World Tree wouldn't play such a silly joke on him, he would have assumed the World Tree didn't want to give him this seemingly unusual item.

Could it be that the method is wrong?
That's true. Pulling it up by brute force wouldn't fit the mystical style of the World Tree.

Since it's said to be a weapon that once belonged to them... then is some kind of certification process missing?
Does this other world's divine weapon also require a blood oath process?

What truly belongs to oneself...?

Roland thought to himself, and then subconsciously activated his innate spell.

Mental-matter interference... Roland always felt that this talent technique had an extra function, but so far it could only be used to perform functions similar to telekinesis. At this moment, it enveloped the hilt of the sword.

Then Roland effortlessly pulled a greatsword from a branch of the World Tree.

Unlike Roland's usual cross-shaped longsword, which can be used with one hand, this is a true two-handed greatsword.

However... apart from the hilt, this greatsword is really unremarkable.

The sword, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, was covered with three enormous blood grooves, roughly in the shape of a triangle. This reminded Roland of a strange weapon he had seen before he transmigrated, when he watched a sword-forging competition—the Five-Finger Sword.

The only difference is that the hilt is longer, and the blade itself is also longer.

The greatsword was entirely gray-black, without any inscriptions or decorations on it.

Ignoring its unusual form, this looks like a greatsword that any blacksmith in any town could forge.

At this moment, the system also thoughtfully introduced Roland.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained the Sword in the Tree: Dawn of Destruction (Fragment)]

[Sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle]

【■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■】

[Effect: Unknown]

[Active Skill: Unusable]

[Note: This weapon is in a damaged state. Please find a way to repair it.]

Roland paused for a moment, then looked at the World Tree: "This greatsword doesn't seem to be complete."

You are very perceptive, but I'm sorry, I'm merely a custodian of this weapon.

[How to repair it, how to mend it... perhaps you should simply ask the Dragon God on Dragon Island.]

Of course, even if it's flawed, it's still far more powerful than the holy sword in your hand.

It's just lacking in some functionality.

Alright, now claim your new gift.

Since you don't like magic, then... I'll give you a rune combination technique.

I believe you've already realized that runic magic, like dragon magic, is essentially a language.

Since it is language, the power that words and sentences can exert is definitely greater than that of a single character.

Please relax and don't be on guard.

I will directly send the memory of this 'language' into your mind.

[Afterwards, you just need to slowly recall them, and you'll understand these techniques.]

Roland: "..."

What should I do? I didn't actually notice.

Oh well, it's come to this, so I'll just pretend I know a lot.

(End of this chapter)