The terrorist act that One Who Devours the Twilight was trying to orchestrate ended in failure.
Now, all that’s left is to find out Eve’s location from Tuberose.
“Whew.”
With a deep sigh, I dismissed Basilieus.
The lingering sense of exhilaration faded, and all that remained was an exhaustion so overwhelming it felt like I might collapse at any moment.
Just then, my vision swayed, and my body tilted precariously.
-■■■!
-▲▲▲?!
Suddenly, I felt a cool sensation from my shoulders and sides, supporting my body.
Curious, I lazily turned my head and found a few small, inconsequential water-blob beasts clinging to me.
“…Ah, spirits?”
I was slow to realize it due to my mental fog, but these were the ones that had bowed before me when I first sat on the throne.
They seemed to be working to control the waterways of the banquet hall…
“What were you doing while I was fighting so hard, huh?”
-■■■…!
-▲▲▲!!
The water blobs squeaked in protest, their wobbly movements making them look quite aggrieved.
“Well, I guess it wasn’t the right situation for you to butt in. Low-grade spirits, right?”
They weren’t spitting water to create a river but were just flowing existing water to make it look like a river, so I should have figured it out the moment two of them latched onto me.
These little guys were baby spirits. Considering that the host of this banquet is Tuberose…
“Are you perhaps the betrayer’s contract spirits?”
-■! ■■-!
-▲▲! ▲?
The two squeaked vehemently. Although I had no idea what they were saying, their intent to deny was crystal clear.
“Alright, alright. So you’re saying you’re not? Then please help me out a bit. It’s fine to hold me up now, but I’ve been feeling kinda hot for a while now.”
I had fought wrapped in the flames of a Phoenix, protected by Thorn Armor. Although the direct flames didn’t touch me, they were close enough for the heat to reach me.
I’d been moving like a madman and squeezing out my mental energy in the midst of that heat.
The moment the tension eased, I felt light-headed as if I might suffer from heat stroke.
“So, sprinkle some water on me.”
-■■■!
-▲▲▲!
The little blobs wobbled as if to say, “Leave it to us,” before launching themselves up above my head and spitting water as if they were drooling.
Swoosh-!
“……Is this your best effort?”
-■■■…?
-▲▲▲….
“Well, it’s refreshing enough, so I can’t complain.”
Smirking with my slightly clearer head, the water spirits climbed onto my shoulders.
Call it wishful thinking, but I felt a strong sense of affection coming from them.
Maybe the Avatar of Love or Basilieus holds great significance for spirits.
Or perhaps they just don’t want to be executed for their association with Tuberose.
“Huff. Don’t fall off, alright? Stick on tight.”
Either way, they helped me, so it would be pointless to suffer a disadvantage by being linked to Tuberose.
I glanced at Tania, now fully turned into wood, with the two tiny hands clutching my hair.
Honestly, I thought that when the iron maiden I faced first found out I had the Goddess of Love’s favor, she’d realize her mistake.
But Tania, on the contrary, sought to snatch that favor from me and stole it for herself.
In front of One Who Devours the Twilight, using the Sanctuary and the powers of the Goddess of Love is something to do with caution.
Just like how Karen the Inquisitor might obediently become submissive to me… it could just as easily backfire.
“Let’s get going.”
I said to myself as I exited the wooden space. …As expected, all eyes were on me.
However, this time, the nature of that attention felt a bit different from the usual worship.
That’s right. If I had to describe it… admiration? And a little lust?
“Huh?”
I thought everyone suddenly went mad, but then I remembered the puddle of water the spirits had created earlier.
In it, I saw my reflection… my usual seductive beauty that I would have to fake was now exuding naturally.
My hair soaked with some liquid, I had no idea if it was water or sweat. Likewise, the expensive suit I had borrowed clung to my body due to moisture.
And on top of that, I had dark circles under my eyes, with a gaze dulled by fatigue.
This could come in handy later!
Internally celebrating, I slowly made my way toward the empty throne.
The pseudo World Tree that had been integrated with me had already been spent to take down Tania… but the chair remained steadfast in its original place.
As I ascended the seat, Lydia and Benny followed closely from each side, as if they had been waiting.
“Thanks for waiting.”
“What’s going on… I was dragged here for a party, and it’s a mess.”
“Thank you both. I’ll definitely repay you later, but could you please help me a little more?”
“Sure. Just give the order.”
“Order? Lydia, is that your kind of thing?”
“…Don’t equate a knight’s duty with Benny’s walls.”
“Aha? Playing knight? That’s fine, but I’m not into masochism, alright?! Sure, the current Jonah being all soaked does evoke some inappropriate thoughts, but I’m a reasonable person who keeps such ideas to myself!”
“….”
Benny grumbled something utterly untrustworthy but obediently followed me with her body.
Arriving at the throne once more, I lightly crossed my legs as I sat.
Then, with a heavy slam of her greatsword against the floor, Lydia made a signal.
As if understanding this signal, both the elves in good shape and those not so much knelt down on one knee, showing their utmost respect.
…I didn’t expect them to go this far.
So this is how people can be driven mad by power. I felt a tingle down my spine. Specifically, it was like only a fraction of what it felt like to pull a 4-star gacha…?
Nodding in satisfaction, I called Lemon and Apple, still pretending not to sprinkle potion on Tuberose, who was suffering.
“Lemon, Apple. Bring the betrayer here.”
“Ah! Can’t we hold off just a bit longer…?”
“Shut it and drag Tuberose here, Lemon. The enemy will be dealt with by Jonah.”
Apple slapped Lemon’s back hard, dragging the now-damaged and helpless Tuberose over.
To be honest, given the state he was in, I thought he was dead, but he was still hanging in there.
Smirking, I nodded at him.
“Tuberose. Your pitiful plan is finished. Now, how about you tell me where Miss Eve is? Then I’ll grant you a nice death.”
“Ha, ha! How absurd! The plan to restore the elves’ greatness ends in the hands of none other than the one who received the World Tree’s powers.”
“What nonsense. You’ve been nothing but a nuisance to the elven race. Whether I do anything or not, the Cradle Association will collapse, and when it does, what do you think will happen to it after being mired in such disgrace?!”
“That’s a story for those who have failed. If I had succeeded, elves would have enjoyed glory comparable to, no, even greater than the pre-Smith War era.”
“No, how does robbing Miss Eve’s powers alongside One Who Devours the Twilight relate to the elves’ glory?”
“It absolutely does relate.”
Despite being blind from the knife wound, Tuberose exuded pressure, looking directly at me as if he could see perfectly at this moment.
“Of course, it does. Elves have long lifespans, youthful appearances, and their accumulated wisdom and wealth are levels unmatched by other races.”
“Sure, sure. On top of that, they’re generally talented in magic, aura, spirit arts, alchemy, and a bit of everything. I know that. But so what? Beastmen are great fighters, why can’t they dominate the world? Humans have numbers, and what’s their use?”
The answer is known by everyone.
The world is not so simple. Each race that survived the Smith War has its own merits.
Determining superiority among the races that survived countless brushes with extinction is anything but simple.
But it seems Tuberose is convinced that the elves are the greatest and most deserving of glory.
Despite my scoffing, and facing death, he continued speaking with unwavering resolve.
“The greatest moment for elves isn’t under Mother World Tree’s protection nor under the guidance of the Eternal Queen Eve. It is when the entire race unites as one!”
“Huh?”
“I respect your nobility. I can praise your achievements all I want… However, the World Tree has entered eternal rest, and Queen Eve has withdrawn from her throne. Money can fuel us, but it won’t give us direction. We need a new center, a new unity. Ideally, that would be me.”
I can guess roughly what he intended.
After seizing Eve’s powers, he would’ve dealt a tragic enough death to enrage the elves, only for Tuberose, possessing similar powers to Eve, to rise up.
Proclaiming vengeance for Eve and climbing to become the next queen, he would unify the elves again, no doubt.
What they would strive to achieve once united, I could only wonder.
“Jonah, chosen child of another World Tree. Legitimate elven king. You might think I have failed. But that is not the case. From today, the elves will begin to unite under a new king. It’s unfortunate that I won’t be that one, but the elves will undoubtedly become one.”
“…You’re really a crazy piece of work.”
Sighing heavily in disbelief, Tuberose, who had been chuckling in a voice bubbling with venom, suddenly straightened his waist.
Then, with a voice that threatened to echo through the banquet hall, he proclaimed.
“Even if a knife were to pierce my throat, I will never reveal the location of that wretched Eve! A being of the old age must remain in the old age! Try to stop me if you can!”
Naturally, the elf’s reactions were intense. My skin tingled with their fury, which was felt more painfully than usual.
They would tear Tuberose apart right there if I allowed it.
Tuberose, who surely knew this better than anyone, whispered with a relieved smile that was only audible to me.
“Your Majesty is in the basement of the association. Fortunately, she may not have sustained severe injuries, so do not worry. And if possible, please say sorry to my daughter, Rosemary….”
“Shut it. That’s problematic.”
Cutting Tuberose off midway, I stood up.
The room fell silent in an instant. I slowly stepped in front of Tuberose, deliberately making noise with my footsteps.
And without hesitation, I drew the Unicorn Dagger and stabbed it into his throat.
Thud!
“Grrk!”
Whispering in a satisfied expression to the dying Tuberose’s ear.
“The age of elves will never come. I will ensure that.”
“?!”
Sliding the dagger out from Tuberose’s neck, the blade bloodied.
As I crushed the head of the still struggling Tuberose, spewing blood like a fountain, I continued speaking.
“The glory belongs to the half-elves.”
“……?!”
Tuberose, shocked in a way different from before. That was the end of him. Then.
“Jonah declares that he will devour every elf…!”
“Elf devouring! Total chaos!”
“Ah! Everyone, shut up!”
I used Shadow to quiet Lemon and Apple, who were creating a commotion beside Tuberose.
