Different from the Dark Elf, the previous rulers gave up their throne not because they wanted to control the Empire from behind. They gave up their throne simply because they could no longer keep it. They have weakened and so they forfeited their seat before they were slain by the next ruler in line. Because of this reason, taking down the hierarchy of Lithandrel's Royalty is a piece of cake.
After subduing the Elders, Eryn, Arieda, Haletha, and I proceed to the emperor's chamber. While I am tempted to join Millonia and Aurelia in the Treasure Chamber, I am quite curious about the Divine Relic Aether which is said to be kept there. Eryn admits that she has never heard about Aether until today. She has visited her father's room a lot of times but never once seen Aether.
When we are before the emperor's chamber, we find that the door is sealed. No one can open it except for Eagnor. I ask Eryn if the room holds any customary sentiment, getting me a no from her. I decide that brute-forcing is the only way to open it. Putting my hand on the handle, I channel my Draconic Mana into it. The Runes engraved on the door light up, blocking my Mana. It is a futile battle as my Mana burns the Runes a few seconds later.
With no more resistance, I push the door open. The sight that greets me is expected from a room that belongs to an Emperor. Its size is not so different from the usual bedroom, but the decorations inside are enough to make one think it is a Treasure Chamber. Encased armor and weapons alike can be found scattered around the room. Some of the furniture in the room is even Blue-Grade Relics. In short, the Mana pressure inside is quite unusual.
'Layland, I can sense something Divine in the ceiling,' Luxia notifies.
I look up and find a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I spread my Mana Sense, trying to sense what Luxia senses but to no avail. It seems only those with Divinity can sense Divinity. Unfortunately, this time, the rule also applies to me. I point at the chandelier and pull it down with my Mana. The chandelier goes down, pulling a golden box out of the ceiling. As a Demon, I instinctively step back upon being exposed to the Divinity it is radiating even though it doesn't hurt me.
"So that's Aether…" Eryn mutters. "That is the thing that makes us so special. I can't believe we lie for millennia because of this thing."
She sounds resentful, but no one mentions it. I turn to Haletha, prompting her to step up. I want to touch the box but don't think it is appropriate to do that. She takes the golden box and opens it. Before our eyes, we can see a golden crystal orb the size of a grown man's fist. Being exposed to it makes us feel invigorated. Although in my case it warms my body up, the effect is the same as I feel quite eager to move around.
Haletha takes Aether out of the box and holds it in her palm with fascination. I am curious what it does, so I suggest she channel her Mana into it. As soon as her Mana is about to enter it, she drops it in horror. I catch the orb before it touches the ground and look at Haletha in wonder. She looks at me apprehensively while breathing raggedly.
"That thing…is trying to purify me," she squeaks out fearfully. "It is trying to change what makes me a Dark Elf. It wants to mold me into the perfect vessel that can host it."
"Well, it seems Eagnor wasn't telling us the whole truth. Not that I expected him to," I remark. "Let's ask about what it does to the Elders."
Eryn decides to raise her hand at this moment, attracting our attention. "What if it turns Dark Elves into Light Elves?" she asks cautiously.
"That's an interesting conjecture, but I doubt that is the case. That can be true only if Dark Elves are cursed which they are not. They possess a certain trait belonging to Nyx which causes them to turn this way. A Relic created by Nyx won't consider Nyx's trait impure and thus needs to be purified," I rebut. "Let's just ask the Elders."
Everyone nods collectively. We get out of the room and head to the palace's main hall which is where the Elders are being held captive. Upon reaching there, the Elders turn their heads to us at the same time. Their eyes are immediately glued to the orb in my hands. They seem to be dazed, so I walk to them. It is at this moment that they snap at me.
"What do you think a filth such as you are doing!? Put that back to where it belongs!"
"Don't hold such a sacred Relic so casually like that!"
"Put your filthy hand away from Aether!"
The Dark Elf Guardians watching over them look at me inquiringly. They seem eager to beat up the loudmouthed talking fossils. In response to their gaze and the talking fossils' barrage of insults, I flare my Draconic Mana. It shuts them up instantly and causes the Guardians to kneel in fright. I send an apologetic gaze to the Guardians and they shoot me a wry smile. I did my best to focus my pressure on the Elders, but it was potent enough to pressure them.
"Don't force me to kill you now. I need you to die before the people for the sake of harmony," I state evenly, causing the eyes of the Elders to sink. "Now, tell me what this Relic does. Don't waste my time. I can forcefully extract information from you, but it won't be a pleasant experience. You have suffered enough, don't you? Might as well leave this world painlessly."
One of the Elders dreadfully sputters, "It absorbs light and turns it into life force. It blesses us with our radiant appearance and higher affinity toward Natural Energy. That is what it gives you if you share it with many people. If you use it on someone who hasn't been dead for a week, you may revive him. If you use it by yourself, you will perish as your body can't stand the power of God."
"Theoretically, if I manage to withstand it, I can be a God?"
"That should be the case."
"Hmm…. Interesting."
I have figured out Galhador's true reason for betraying half of his kin. It was not so his clan could rise to power. He wanted that power for himself. The harsh truth that his body could not withstand the power must be what forced him to share Aether with others. A sobering thought crosses my mind. What if Galhador is still out there waiting for the right time to absorb Aether? It is certainly a scary thought.
"Do Light Elves need it to stay alive?" I ask.
"No. The trait it gives us has already been deeply engraved in our blood. The only thing it does to us now is boost our growth and the fertility of our land."
ραndαsnοvεl.cοm "I see." Turning to Haletha, I quirk an eyebrow. "Do you mind if I keep this thing?"
The Elders collectively fume, but my Draconic Mana, once again, shuts them up.
"We don't need that. You can take it," Haletha says with a shake of her head. "Besides, you were the one who killed Eagnor. You earn the ownership of everything he used to possess."
"I second that," Eryn supports.
Given the confirmation, I cast a Dragon Spell designated for spatial storage. A black marking appears on the back of my right forearm when the spatial storage is established. I will Aether to enter the spatial storage, allowing it to be absorbed into it. Soon enough, the marking changes. It turns into a spherical tribal marking colored in gold. Now, anyone who wants to have Aether must kill me first.
"Do you know where Galhador is buried?"
My question is met with a shake of their head. I might be a little paranoid, but it makes me more certain that I should take Aether with me. My curiosity is satiated, so it is time to meet up with the girls. Millonia and Aurelia are giggling as they come out of the Treasure Chamber. They tell me they have secured the best stuff proudly. I ask them if they have asked the others if they don't mind. They say that they were forced by the Guardians to take something.
Millonia has a violent tendency but never lies. She also has Aurelia on her side, so I believe their words. Hopefully, the look of horror I see in the Guardians' eyes is only a sign that they have witnessed what the two can do on the battlefield. Moving out of the palace, we meet up with Winerva, Vibiane, and Eliseus. They are resting in the camp with the Warriors and Guardians.
"Have you got what you wanted, Layland," Eliseus asks curiously.
"I have. Why didn't you join Millonia and Aurelia?" I respond.
"Good weapons made for Elves contain Divinity. While the amount is minuscule, it will certainly affect my combat ability in the long run."
"Great reasoning."
"Not every Demon is immune to Divinity like you, you know," she remarks with a hint of mirth.
Turning my gaze to Winerva, I quirk an eyebrow at how she shuffles awkwardly. Lunea used to show me that look in the past, so I kind of know what she wants. I open my arms, causing her to instantly embrace me. I can feel her relief but can't help smiling wryly. I do want her to accept me but not fall for me like the others.
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