Man on the ark, forced to become king

As the Elden Ring shattered, the Golden Tree cast its seeds toward the boundary, as if life knew its final fate—after a long period of prosperity, the ancient, immortal tree would also die.

Each seed, imbued with pure vitality, is scattered across the earth; it is the last hope, and also the first sprout.

Each golden seed has the potential to grow into a golden tree. Given the right conditions, they will take root, grow, and carry the power of the original golden tree from destruction to rebirth, until they grow into towering giants.

However, when the magic ring breaks, the boundary no longer has soil to support its growth and can only be used as a restoration tool.

Lin Lu had traveled all over this border region, treading every corner, and collected countless golden seeds. He used some of the seeds to fill the Holy Grail Bottle, while the remaining small portion was brought to this world, where they regained their original function.

The little golden sapling in Longmen was the best example. By chance, he mixed his own flesh and blood to make the seed break through the shell. After a period of energy accumulation, the little sapling was finally born.

However, planting a golden tree in a place like Lungmen is still very difficult. So after learning that the mission target was Kazdel, Lin Lu had an idea – he wanted to replant a golden tree here.

Before coming to this country, he didn't know much about it. He just thought that it was a good place because it was constantly in conflict. But after actually setting foot on this land, he realized that it was a natural breeding ground for golden trees.

The frequent natural disasters in Kazdel provide ample energy, and the constant warfare breeds countless deaths and slaughters. The flesh and souls of the dead are the best nourishment for the growth of the Golden Tree.

If golden trees were planted here, their growth rate would surely far exceed that of the Dragon Gate.

However, the golden tree is just a tree after all; it cannot move, especially when it is a seedling, it has no ability to protect itself. Therefore, the planting location still needs to be carefully selected.

His original plan was to have Melina guard the Golden Tree in Lungmen, plant seeds there, and then establish a two-way connection to create something like a 'blessing point'. This would allow him to use the power of the Golden Tree to achieve long-distance spatial travel, enabling him to travel freely between Lungmen and Kazdel and ensuring the safety of the Golden Tree during its infancy.

However, this sudden natural disaster disrupted his plans. Faced with what could be described as a terrifying natural disaster, Lin Lu felt that he was not yet capable of fighting against it, nor did he dare to gamble on when the aftermath of this catastrophic event would stop. Although it was very rushed, the best solution at present was to plant the golden tree here, allowing the golden seeds to draw power from the power of the natural disaster and calm the storm as soon as possible.

If it were a matter of regaining strength—even if it were only half, a third, or a quarter of its peak—Lin Lu was confident that she would not be afraid of the aftershocks at all.

But there are no "what ifs" in this world; even the most meticulous plans must be modified according to the actual situation.

The reality is that he is not confident in handling this crisis, and the best solution is to plant gold trees.

Fortunately, although it was rushed, planting the seeds here was not entirely useless. The energy from the natural disaster was beyond imagination, and even a small portion that remained could allow the golden seeds to germinate and grow quickly—this thing doesn't have any other abilities in its early stages, except that it can eat a lot.

From this perspective, areas that have just experienced natural disasters or large-scale wars are indeed the most suitable places for the growth of golden trees. Such places are deadly to living organisms, but they are the most fertile land for golden trees.

Lin Lu lay on the ground, pulled out her arm, and a golden branch emerged from the blood-stained hole.

The illusory phantom tree stretched out above the hole, transforming into a sapling over two meters tall. Its branches and leaves swayed, and the energy impact carried by the storm was forcibly pulled into the ground before it could truly reach this place. The orange-red color in the air gradually dimmed, and even the howling wind around the phantom tree seemed to calm down considerably.

Having absorbed enough energy, the tiny sapling, which was initially only a dozen centimeters tall, took root in the earth and grew rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye. In the blink of an eye, it grew to a height of more than two meters, completely overlapping and merging with the illusory phantom tree with swaying branches and leaves.

Pale golden light emanated from the arm-thick trunk and sparse branches, spreading outwards. Within the reach of the light, the suffocatingly violent storm quickly subsided, and the energy surges that swept over the area were plundered and devoured by the power of the golden tree before they even had a chance to get close, turning into nourishment.

The newly sprouted golden tree devoured all the energy it could reach, like a black hole, absorbing nutrients and growing stronger in the most unreasonable and tyrannical way. In just a few minutes, it surpassed the 'mother tree' of the golden tree in Lungmen.

Unfortunately, because it desperately needed its power to create a safe haven, the Golden Tree used all the energy it plundered to fuel its own growth, and Lin Lu didn't get much of it.

Bang!

A muffled thud came from behind, followed by the sound of metal clashing. The door of the SUV was violently pushed open by a slender, fair arm and fell to the ground. Fiameta, with her hair in a mess, crawled out, followed by Mostima, who was holding the petite Lani and was also covered in dust.

Even worse was W, who crawled out last. Her forehead was covered in obvious bruises and swelling, and bright red blood was flowing from her nose, which she smeared on her face with her hands. Clearly, the weakest mercenary girl had failed to protect herself when the vehicle was overturned, or at least not to a very good extent.

"Cough, cough...that's really something!"

Fiameta struggled to drag his weapon case out of the car, muttering curses and occasionally throwing in some unintelligible words, perhaps some kind of Lateran dialect, which were probably not pleasant.

Mostima noticed the golden tree immediately; in fact, with the surrounding area of ​​several dozen meters violently extracted into a near-vacuum, it would have been difficult for her not to notice it.

In the dim light of the world, the presence of the golden tree was more conspicuous than ink on a blank sheet of paper.

"This...what is this?"

"This is a miracle!"

In response to her question, Lin Lu turned around, a soft glow bathing him and gilding his entire body with gold.

He opened his arms, turned his back to the golden tree, and smiled exceptionally brightly.

"Rejoice, Mostima! This will be the beginning of a new era!"

Chapter Sixty-Three: The Golden Angel Mostima

"The beginning of a new era?"

Lin Lu, with his back to the golden tree, was draped in a golden veil, making him appear radiant. Dazzling golden light gathered in his eyes, turning his pupils into pure gold.

That was the blessing of the golden tree, a symbol of power that could grant short-lived mortals the chance to achieve immortality.

Although Mostima did not know what kind of power it was, she could still sense a vast and ancient aura from the radiance.

Ushering in a new era is not something that can be achieved by mere words. What exactly is it that deserves such praise?

"That's right, this will be the starting point of a new era."

Lin Lu lowered her arms, and the dazzling golden light in her eyes gradually subsided, calming down along with the raging winds around her.

Perhaps the power it contained had been exhausted, after several impacts the storm that swept across the world calmed down, the aftershocks of the natural disaster began to subside, and the golden tree that had been blooming like the sun quietly withdrew, revealing its true form.

Looking directly into Mostima's eyes, Lin Lu slowly spoke: "The power of gold can make mortals immortal, bring the dead back to life, heal wounds, turn the mediocre into the best warriors, and make the old return to youth. It can even change the rules of this world. If this doesn't count as ushering in a new era, then what does?"

"That's not—"

Looking up at the lush, leafy tree, Mostima blurted out, then stopped abruptly.

Isn't this the kind of power that the gods worshipped in Lateran religion should possess? Is there really something in this world capable of doing this? And a tree at that?

If this is true, then all the existing order on this land will be destroyed as a result. It may bring unprecedented hope, or it may be... the beginning of true destruction.

It can bring new life or bring about destruction; whoever masters it may ascend the ladder to surpass all living beings.

Such a... such a dangerous thing should...

The black and white staffs unconsciously came together, the illusory figure constantly unfolding from the void, vaguely shrouded in mist, a colossal beast roaring ferociously. Mostima suddenly awoke, only to find that she had almost directly attacked, directing her strongest power at the nascent tree in front of her.

What will you bring to this world?

She asked softly, almost as if talking to herself. Fiameta pursed her lips, stood beside her, and gripped the edge of the weapon case with her hand.

As a battle-hardened warrior and a seasoned messenger whose footprints have covered the continent, she shouldn't have easily believed such absurd claims. However, when these words came from Lin Lu's mouth, Mostima found that she didn't have any doubts at all.

Unknown magic, a power system independent of Originium Arts, all known information shrouded this man in layers of mystery, making it seem that whatever situation occurred to him was reasonable and believable.

Some people believe in absolute rationality and logic, while others believe in vague intuition—Mostima was the latter. She instinctively felt that Lin Lu was not lying, and without the slightest doubt, she began to think about the consequences of this matter.

For a fleeting moment, she even considered destroying this golden tree that had the potential to change the world in the future.

However, in the end she did not make a move.

The staff separated and fell, the illusory shadow of the clock vanished, and the fallen angel with two horns walked heavily to Lin Lu, her face solemn. Lin Lu also looked at her seriously, prepared for the worst.

This is undoubtedly a gamble.

He laid out the truth here, under the golden tree, betting that Mostima wouldn't make a move!

Suddenly, a slender, fair hand gently rose and was offered to her.

Mostima removed the pure black tactical glove from his right hand, held it up close, and the solemn expression on his face melted away, turning into a gentle smile.

"So, can the corrupt Sakorta become a witness to the new era?"

"Mastema..."

Fiametta, standing next to her, opened her mouth as if to say something, but hesitated and only called out her name. Mostima ignored her, staring intently at Lin Lu with his hand outstretched.

"of course."

Lin Lu smiled too. He took the angel's hand and led her to the golden tree, where soft light shone down and fell on Mostima.

A pure golden leaf twirled and drifted down from the treetop, floating gently.

"This is... the power of gold?"

Mostima withdrew his gloved hand, opened his palm upward, and caught the falling leaf.

The moment the leaves touched her skin, they dissolved like bubbles and merged into her body. Above her head, the halo that had been tinged with gray became brighter than ever before. Illusory leaves danced in the air and fell one by one, weaving a wreath around Sarkaz's halo. Even the broken, dark brown wings behind her were tinged with pure gold, shining brightly. Two golden rays bloomed from the depths of her azure pupils, replacing her black pupils.

Countless twinkling lights swirled and floated around the angel's figure, enveloping her in a floating golden light, like a dream, as if a myth had descended into reality, beautiful as a painting.

The Golden Angel Mostima received his blessing beneath the original golden tree.

"What is that!"

The scene was comparable to a miracle described in Lateran murals and religious texts. Fiameta, who witnessed the entire event, was so shocked that his mouth dropped open and his body trembled slightly.

She could sense that Mostima's aura had changed from that moment on.

After years of partnership, no one knows Mostima better than her!

If she used to give off an impression of being aloof, cold, and with a touch of the uncanny, now she's like warm sunshine, inspiring new goodwill and making people genuinely want to get closer.

It's no exaggeration to say that, judging from his appearance, Mostima is closer to 'God' than any of the Sarkaz, or even His Holiness the Pope. If the saints who founded Lateran were still alive, they would probably look like this.

The Liberian girl unconsciously moved closer, her arms trembling as she reached out to touch the angel bathed in golden light. But she stopped the moment she made contact, her gaze fixed on Mostima with an indescribable expression—a mixture of shock, piety, and perhaps...longing.

She looked at her friend's figure, which was so familiar and so dazzling, as if it embodied all the beauty she longed for and pursued.

Even at this moment, a rebellious and bold idea came to her mind—if there really is a God in the world, His name might be... Gold?

Chapter Sixty-Four: It's you I choose! Melina!

"This is gold?"

A gentle power flowed into her body, and a vibrant life force coursed through her. Mostima closed her eyes, then slowly opened them again, asking curiously.