WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Hydrogen B
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◈ Whispers of a Scheming Demon ◈
Chapter 183: Arne (2)
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Months ago, Mapheltan turned Alquines, the World Tree, into a Demon Core and consumed it.
He had devoured the Earth Mother, the mother of forests and land.
Arne had lost their mother to Mapheltan.
Mapheltan mentioned that fact as he mocked Arne.
Arne could hardly contain their anger.
“I'll shred that filthy tongue of yours to pieces!”
The enormous tree shook as if it were exploding. Its canopy, which covered the sky, swayed and scattered blue leaves in every direction.
Every leaf filling the surroundings spun at high speed.
A sharp whistle pierced the air.
The atmosphere convulsed.
Mapheltan snickered.
“You've got quite a foul mouth.”
Lumina smacked a hand to her forehead.
“I don't think you're one to say that.”
The moment she finished speaking, every leaf in the air rushed toward Mapheltan.
Mapheltan quickly condensed Demonic Energy.
‘Ah, wait.’
He had meant to draw the Dread Spear Turabak, but then remembered that the Evil Spear now belonged to Gawain again.
Mapheltan no longer had a useful weapon.
He clicked his tongue.
The blade-like leaves had already reached him.
“Die!”
Just before his entire body was torn apart, Mapheltan vanished.
He scattered into black smoke.
The spinning leaves all plunged into the ground.
A massive explosion rang out.
Dust rose into the air.
The surroundings turned hazy.
Raguel cried out.
“N-No! Mapheltan!”
His eyes frantically searched in every direction.
Mapheltan was nowhere to be seen.
Only a chilling voice could be heard.
“Don't worry. I won't fall for such shallow tricks.”
Raguel tilted his head upward.
Mapheltan sat atop a branch of the enormous tree, wearing a relaxed expression.
Arne flew into a rage.
“How dare you climb onto my body?! Get down at once!”
Sharp thorns shot up from the branch.
Mapheltan's body was pierced through in an instant.
But the attack did nothing.
He merely scattered like smoke again.
Lumina sighed.
“Mapheltan, enough playing around. Let's get to the point.”
Mapheltan appeared again.
This time, he was high in the sky, looking down at them.
He shrugged.
“It doesn't seem like Arne has any intention of talking with me.”
At the same time, the ground heaved. Compacted soil surged upward toward Mapheltan.
A huge carnivorous plant soared into the air with its maw wide open.
Beautiful flowers spewed deadly poison.
Nature itself was aiming for Mapheltan in the sky.
“There is nothing to discuss with you. There is only blood vengeance!”
Arne's cry was thick with resentment.
Lumina frowned.
A formula appeared above her hand.
“Turn to nothingness.”
The instant her incantation ended, a gap opened in the air.
A pitch-black Void devoured everything rushing toward Mapheltan.
The rising soil, the huge carnivorous plant, and every poison all disappeared.
As if they had never existed, they vanished completely from the world.
Only the black Void remained.
Mapheltan let out an admiring sound.
“...Lumina, have you perhaps advanced?”
The end of Spatial Magic was the Void.
A Mage who could wield the Void freely earned the right to ascend.
They would rise to the rank of Ringbearer.
From the rank of Ringbearer onward, one was no longer human.
It was the realm of demigods.
Lumina shook her head.
“I haven't attained complete enlightenment yet. But I'm on the verge of advancing.”
The corners of Mapheltan's mouth lifted into a broad grin.
“This is truly cause for celebration. Your long-cherished wish will soon be fulfilled.”
He was genuinely pleased.
Lumina found that somewhat strange.
“...Mapheltan, why are you happier about this than I am?”
“What a strange question. Is it wrong to be happy for a companion's achievement?”
She would surely be a great help in preparing for the latter half of the apocalypse.
Mapheltan already considered Lumina completely on his side.
Lumina cleared her throat.
“A companion. I see.”
“I don't understand why you're embarrassed. Don't tell me you haven't had a single companion in one hundred and sixty years?”
Mapheltan grinned slyly.
Lumina shrieked.
“That isn't true! I have, too...”
Her words abruptly stopped.
Arne shouted in a threatening voice.
“What are you all doing with me right in front of you?!”
The enormous tree trembled.
Lumina let out a faint sigh.
Her gaze turned cold.
“Did you say your name was Arne? In any case, you'd better stop now. If you make enemies of us, you'll meet a terrible end just like the other Elves.”
Arne spoke in a voice like swallowing lava.
“Even if you are on the verge of becoming a Ringbearer, it means nothing in my domain. Stop with your pathetic threats.”
Lumina scoffed.
“When did I say I'd chop you down myself? Someone else will pull up your roots.”
“That young Apostle will eventually...”
Lumina cut Arne off.
“Idiot, listen until I'm finished. The person who will end you is Michael, the Emperor of the Empire.”
Mapheltan added, “More precisely, Valerion. The First Emperor of the Empire.”
The moment the name Valerion was mentioned, Arne stiffened.
The enormous tree stopped trembling.
“What are you bastards talking about?”
Mapheltan spoke calmly.
“I completely understand the relationship between Michael and Valerion. I possess far more information than you do, so don't bother trying to test me.”
Raguel spoke up.
“Mapheltan is omniscient. I'll vouch for him.”
Mapheltan added, “For reference, I also know about Hans.”
Hans was the boy Arne was currently sheltering.
He was the Emperor's attendant and friend. Michael came to this hunting ground every year to give Hans life force.
Today was that day.
Michael would soon arrive at the hunting ground.
After remaining silent for a long while, Arne spoke.
“...What is your objective?”
Mapheltan answered immediately.
“To place the Emperor of the Empire beneath my feet. At the same time, to rebuild Elven civilization.”
The enormous tree drew in a sharp breath.
Arne seemed greatly shocked.
“R-Rebuild Elven civilization?”
Mapheltan nodded.
“In the past, I made a Contract with an Elf Elder. We must establish a new World Tree and create a homeland for the Elves on this land. A new World Tree. You are the right candidate, Arne.”
Lumina spoke.
“Arne, think rationally. Mapheltan is actually your benefactor. He purified the corrupted Alquines, and thanks to that, you now have a chance to fill the vacancy left by the World Tree. As the Earth Mother, you can proudly take root in this world.”
Mapheltan raised the corner of his mouth.
“You should be on your knees, bowing to me.”
Lumina shot Mapheltan a glare.
“Mapheltan, please be quiet. Nothing will work if you speak like that. Anyone would feel hostile toward you.”
Raguel spoke carefully.
“...That's right, Mapheltan. Your words are too harsh.”
Mapheltan shrugged.
“Well, I apologize if I went too far. But if your judgment is clouded by my manner of speech, Arne, then you cannot be called a Vessel for the World Tree. Think carefully and answer me. Do you have any intention of rebuilding Elven civilization?”
Arne growled.
“Demon, do you think I would fall for your whispers? I have no intention of becoming the World Tree.”
“No. More precisely, you are unqualified to become one. You have no reproductive capacity.”
He knew exactly where Arne was vulnerable.
He had struck directly at the sore spot.
Arne spoke in a cold voice.
“You continue to cross the line.”
“Does that sting? Fine, I'll offer you a carrot as well. I will make you into a complete World Tree. With the help of the Subterraneans, you will gain reproductive capacity.”
Arne was slightly taken aback.
“...The Subterraneans?”
The Subterraneans were prisoners of Narak's Second Zone.
They currently longed to come up to the surface.
They had even made a Contract with Mapheltan.
Mapheltan said, “Yes, the Subterraneans. You should know well what technology they possess. Developing reproductive capacity is not merely a dream.”
The Subterraneans were the race with the greatest technological prowess in this world.
Their abilities were more than sufficient to cure Arne's infirmity.
Arne spoke skeptically.
“What connection do you have with the Subterraneans to speak such nonsense?”
Mapheltan answered at once.
“I slew Apostle Beris, the Redeemer, and freed every Subterranean from the Moon's Prohibition.”
With Beris defeated and the Subterraneans having aided in the process, they had fully atoned to the Moon.
They could come out to the surface.
Arne cried out in shock.
“B-Beris is dead?!”
Mapheltan wore a playful expression.
“Beris is becoming a Demon Core as well. Like someone else.”
Beris would soon be made into a Demon Core by Ilea.
The moment he consumed that elixir, Mapheltan would grow once more.
He had gained the Authority Nightfall Immersion from the World Tree. What ability would he awaken this time?
His expectations were immense.
Lumina looked at Mapheltan with disbelief.
“Mapheltan, you're enjoying this, aren't you? Tormenting Arne.”
Arne trembled with rage.
The words Demon Core were a trigger.
Mapheltan wore a brazen expression.
“I merely stated the facts. Beris is truly being condensed quite well.”
Arne shook. Their emotions were becoming a delicacy for Mapheltan.
Mapheltan had to eat, too.
If not for occasions like this, he would not even have small opportunities to grow.
Lumina shook her head and muttered, “...Just what you'd expect of a demon.”
Arne immediately shouted.
“Enough! Stop spouting nonsense and look at me properly!”
Mapheltan snickered.
“Where should I look? You're so big that I can hardly find a place to direct my gaze.”
The moment he finished speaking, the center of the huge trunk split apart with a crack.
Deep green light flashed from within the twisted gap.
“Look here and answer me properly. Did you truly kill Beris?”
“Do you have a replica of Mind-Piercing Eye? In any case, it is true. Beris was annihilated by my blade.”
“What is your relationship with the Subterraneans?”
“The Subterraneans will soon live in my territory. They are quite friendly toward me.”
“Will the Subterraneans truly heal me?”
“They possess sufficient willpower and technology. You will gain reproductive capacity and become a true World Tree.”
Arne remained silent for a while.
Mapheltan quietly waited.
Only after quite some time had passed did Arne speak.
“...What do I need to do?”
Raguel smiled brightly.
Lumina let out a quiet laugh.
The corners of Mapheltan's mouth rose into a broad grin.
“First, let us go to my territory. You will settle in the South and rebuild a new Elven civilization.”
Before long, the Myatro territory would become a Grand Duchy, then be elevated into an Empire of Many Races.
An unprecedented power, the strongest on the continent, would be born.
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