Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos.

Chapter 123. Arrival of the Inevitable Disaster.

It started when Liu Shu began her Leveling Up process. The energy in the surroundings increased in density as it was sucked around Liu Shu for her to create the <Energy Cycle>. 

During this time, everything around Liu Shu was in constant change. As she grew in size, not only her height but also the buildings connected to her transformed.

Flor looked around and muttered. "This is quite… a big event."

Verdantia agreed. "If those people come again, it will probably be a harsh fight."

Flor looked at the three Sylvans and asked. "How are you doing? Are you recovered?"

Cinderielle smiled widely and reassured the worried Rose Fairy Queen. "Of course! Moreover, thanks to Liu Shu's aura, we are even feeling better than ever."

Tempestria agreed. "I feel like some old wounds have also healed."

Cinderielle looked at Tempestria with disdain. "What old wounds are you talking about? You've been a mercenary for no more than two years!" 

Tempestria raised her eyebrow. "And? Did you think I had no training before I became Level 1?"

Cinderielle asked. "Did you?"

Tempestria smiled and laughed. "Who knows?"

"Hateful!" 

Flor laughed softly and looked sideways at the other woman present. The Ant Queen was looking at Liu Shu quite attentively, and this piqued Flor's curiosity. "What's wrong, Ignatia?" 

Ignatia looked at Flor and after hesitating for a while, she commented. "Flor, how about you flee this place? Liu Shu's Level Up is bound to attract many creatures and troubles. I don't think we are ready to face something like this."

Flor was confused. "Huh? This is new."

Ignatia sighed. "I usually wouldn't say anything like this, but Liu Shu is growing too fast! She is entering Level 10 already! How long has she been alive as a World Tree? Two years? Three years? When you found her, she was, at most, Level 3 or 4, right?"

Flor smiled. "Well, since I got to know Liu Shu, I also leveled up quite a lot. I am Level 14, right?" 

Ignatia shook her head and picked up the tiny fairy, hugging her. "Flor, I am serious. Can you at least hide with me until Liu Shu finishes her Level Up? During the Level Up, nothing can really happen to her."

Flor's smile wilted, and a frown appeared on her face. "What are you talking about? What if a beast or something comes to attack her? Or what if those evil people come to try and uproot Liu Shu? I can't leave her alone!"

The three Sylvans looked from the side, neither of them speaking. While they would remain regardless of whether Flor and Ignatia left or not, and having Ignatia and Flor was an advantage military-wise, it was also a disadvantage. 

If only Sylvans were in the town and any intelligent race came, they would be able to open conversation. However, the three Sylvans also knew that people who try to traffic World Trees and harm them are often not a caste that can be talked to. 

Therefore, Flor's and Ignatia's presence meant little for the Sylvans who simply wanted to protect Liu Shu.

Of course, Ignatia also knew that Flor was very fond of the World Tree, and that she would never leave. Hence, she didn't say anything else to her. However, in ant tongue, she started ordering her children around. "Open an escape path that can be easily closed. Direct it to the underground cave Liu Shu discovered. There, we will be hard to attack and find."

All ants that smelled her pheromones spread her word and got to work. 

The bustling of ants didn't alarm anyone since they were always doing something and walking around.

In Sirol City, Eldric was cold-faced as he looked at the man sitting before him. "Leader of the Void Witherwood Exarchs, you lied to me." 

Malachai answered calmly, his hood and robes only revealing his pair of striking purple eyes. "I did not. You were overconfident and sent the weakest of your bodyguard groups. Their death has nothing to do with me. We lost 50 people as well. What reason do I have to set you up if I lose 50 people from my side?"

Eldric knew that, but knowing and accepting information were two different things. "I don't care. Your entire power will mobilize with me to investigate the Golden Sap Forest. I refuse to believe that whatever is in that place can defeat our combined forces."

Malachai hummed and agreed. "Sure. I'll participate personally. I've already lost enough people to whatever monster is roaming there. It might be a Level 25 monster or a group of high-level people."

Eldric snorted. "Whatever. They've killed ten of my family's riders. If I were to report it back home, our family's army would come and sweep the entire forest."

Malachai laughed. "And why aren't you doing that?"

Eldric gritted his teeth. "Because instead of doing things by myself as I did in the past, the imbecile of me decided to team up with your power!" 

Malachai's lips were not visible, but the glint in his purple eyes told Eldric that he was probably laughing. He sighed and leaned back. "So, how many people?" 

Malachai commented. "How about everyone? It has been a while since my group moved to raid something. If the things there are strong enough to kill so many groups, they must have something of value." 

Eldric nodded. "I will also participate personally with my remaining guard group." 

Malachai asked. "How did you report the loss to your father?"

Eldric stood up, and after straightening his luxurious clothes, he answered flatly. "Monster attack while exploring the Dark Aether Swamp to the south."

Malachai laughed. "Well, a plausible explanation for the loss of 10 people of that strength."

Seeing Eldric roll his eyes and leave with the group of higher-level riders, Malachai smiled under his mask. "Interesting~. I wonder what's causing so much trouble? Prepare everyone. We are raiding that place."

Aeliana, the woman who previously negotiated with Eldric, asked. "Leader, what if those strong families discover our movement? Won't our base fall into trouble without anyone defending?"

Malachai shook his head while standing up. "The continent is not quite peaceful lately. It seems that many World Trees have started feeling slightly restless and have started actively expanding again. Even Fortuna seems to have started actively using skills again instead of being silent. Our people in Fortuna City have reported nightly activity from the World Tree." 

Aeliana nodded. "I see. Sorry for asking."

Malachai hummed. "Let's go."

The army they gathered was incredible for this area. There were around 170 Level 10 and above people. On Malachai's side, there were nearly 100 people from levels 10 to 14, around 50 from levels 15 to 19, and finally, Malachai himself at Level 20. Behind this mighty group, around 1200 people of Level 9 and below followed.

Meanwhile, Eldric's side was much weaker but not less intimidating. He was accompanied by 15 <Stormbird Riders>, all being Level 15, including their mounts. 

Malachai's army, assisted by Eldric's cavalry, was extremely lethal, and nothing could stop its movement through the forest. 

Malachai was walking in front of the army when he stopped and looked to his right. 'Hm? What's this aura?'

Eldric, mounted in his own Level 15 stormbird, asked. "What's wrong?"

Malachai hummed. "What Level are you, Eldric?"

Eldric blinked. "Level 9, why?" 

Malachai looked around and saw that nobody was feeling this, so his curiosity increased. "I see. Can you wait here while I check something?"

Eldric spoke coldly. "You can't." 

Malachai paused and looked at him. "Huh?"

Eldric said, looking down at him. "Malachai, I don't trust you. Just guide everyone to the place you want to investigate. Also, I've already programmed something to notify my parents if something were to happen to me. So, you better not get any strange ideas if you don't want to be buried." 

Malachai internally snorted, 'Stupid kid. He can be quite clever sometimes. Well, whatever. I have a few things against him, so it's not like he can escape me unless he suddenly learns the spirit of sacrifice. Someone as arrogant as him won't sacrifice himself for others even if they would die.' 

Malachai guided everyone through the Golden Sap Forest and found a grove area. Eldric remembered. "This place… It was in the reports of Cinderielle's often visits. I wonder what's here that attracts that Sylvan so much?"

With a laugh, Malachai answered. "Something quite… valuable. Although I can't really notice what it is, the aura coming from it is incredibly rich and pure." 

Walking through the forest, Malachai's pupils shrunk and he swiftly disappeared from his standing point, arriving far away and grabbing a creature. "Hm? Rose Fairy?"

"H-Human, release me!"

Looking at the Level 7 Rose Fairy struggling in his hand, Malachai tilted his head. 'Wasn't the Rose Fairy territory slightly more to the northeast?'

Eldric's voice came from the distance. "What's wrong?"

Malachai turned around, showing the small woman struggling in his hand. Eldric exclaimed. "Oh! A Rose Fairy. Hm… Level 7? Quite high, they can be sold for quite a lot."

Malachai shrugged. "Isn't it a bother to carry her around?"

Eldric looked sideways, and one of the raiders approached, lifting the cloth hanging on the sides of the <Stormbird> and showing a large glass vial. "I see. You've come prepared."

Eldric nodded. "There are a few species that sell for quite a bit. Making a small amount of money while we are here is not bad."

Malachai flicked the Rose Fairy's forehead, making her faint, and then placed her in the jar that was closed right after. 

Eldric looked around and muttered. "I wonder if there are more? Stay sharp and capture them whenever you see one!"

Malachai grinned. "Hey, let's divide profits later."

Eldric snorted. "Whatever."

After walking for a while, Aeliana couldn't help but frown. "Rose Fairies, Ants, and now Myconids? Did the monster create an alliance?" 

Malachai laughed, his gaze fixed in one direction. "That's strange, isn't it? Moreover, there are so many broken trees, as if something had been hunting them~. What could it be~?" 

Aeliana was not sure why Malachai was excited, but after walking for a bit longer, everyone understood. 

Beyond the forest line that seemed to end unnaturally, a giant wooden wall blocked their view. What captured their attention, though, was the tall willow tree whose canopy could be seen even with the wall blocking their view. 

While everyone stood there, stunned by the sight of the energy-gathering World Tree, Malachai's eyes were shining with greed and excitement. "No wonder so many died. They were fighting a World Tree!" 

Eldric frowned. "You sure it's not a Life Tree?" 

Malachai shook his head. "They are really difficult to distinguish. However, look at the trunk. It has a budding female shape. While it's not fully developed, only World Trees have trunks naturally shaped like that."

Eldric was still skeptical. "There have been times when Life Trees were trimmed to make it appear as such. Moreover, the shape is so… vague."

Malachai laughed. "That's the good part! It is vague because it is a young World Tree! It's probably Leveling Up, and that's why it is gathering so much energy." 

Aeliana said solemnly. "The energy is too dense, leader. Are you sure we can tackle it?"

Malachai nodded. "I've never seen a World Tree Level Up before, but they are always extremely flashy. Even a Level 1 tree can gather the attention of the surroundings. This one should have a similar level to the walls surrounding it."

Eldric blinked. "Huh? The walls have levels?"

Malachai smirked. "They do. Level 10, to be exact. That World Tree is probably a Level 9 or 10 World Tree. Such a youngling…" His smirk became vicious. "They are really easy to trick." 

Eldric pointed forward with his sword. "Advance and secure the World Tree! Low levels go first! Damage things as little as possible! If there are creatures living here, kill them all! This World Tree will be my, Eldric's, ticket to supremacy!" 

Malachai's eyes flashed with killing intent, but for now, he reigned it in. 'I can't be impatient. Play slowly. First, secure the World Tree. Then, we'll see what to do with this brat.'

"Follow Sir Eldric's orders!" 

The wave of more than 1000 Level 9 and below rushed forward, and soon, the trees on the wooden wall began attacking with incredible ferocity.