Chapter 49: Someone Stronger Than Abyss
How large was the planet of Hai-Teweru?
Abyss had never measured it. During his travels with his master, the thought had never occurred to him. Most people never considered such things.
Hai-Teweru was a single, massive continent, surrounded by a vast, turbulent ocean, its storms fierce, its magic chaotic, its depths teeming with monstrous creatures, its waters unnavigable. No one had ever attempted to measure the planet’s size—and even if they had, the information would be useless.
The ocean’s powerful sea monsters weren’t the greatest threat. It was the chaotic mana, its energy unpredictable, dangerous to manipulate. Abyss could protect himself from its effects, but even he would struggle against the sea monsters if they attacked.
But now, the problem was solved.
His insect spies had finally reached the end of their journey, mapping the sacred tree’s entire root system.
And it wasn’t just a local network. Its roots spanned the entire planet, reaching even the ocean floor on the opposite side, absorbing the chaotic mana, filtering and purifying it, then channeling it to the tree’s trunk.
Not all the roots grew downwards. Many extended horizontally, emerging from the seabed, drawing in the immense, unusable mana.
The roots’ strength was incredible, protected by powerful magic, allowing them to thrive even in the planet’s core, withstanding immense heat and pressure. Even the hardest rocks were like tofu before them—Abyss’s magically reinforced insects had struggled to penetrate the earth’s crust.
After reaching the ocean floor, their connection to Abyss weakened by the chaotic mana, he released them. They had fulfilled their purpose. And as mindless insects, without true souls, he felt no remorse.
Abyss opened his eyes.
Leona, seeing this, hurried over and began massaging his back, her usual pride forgotten as she anticipated his story. “ABC, ABC, tell me everything! How big is the sacred tree’s root system? Is it really that massive?”
Flora and Rebecca also waited eagerly.
“Yes, its roots span the entire planet. I even measured it. Our planet, twenty thousand kilometers in diameter, is filled with its roots,” Abyss said, nodding. “Over seventy percent of our planet’s surface is covered by oceans, and the sacred tree’s roots emerge from the seabed, absorbing nutrients and mana.”
“And it filters the chaotic mana from the Stormy Sea, transforming it into usable energy?” Rebecca asked.
“Exactly,” Abyss replied. “The sacred tree’s mana source is that seventy percent of the planet’s mana that we can’t normally utilize. I always thought I was the most powerful mage, my mana reserves limitless, but it seems, compared to the sacred tree, my power is finite. Agnes… a true legend. I’m even more intrigued by her now.”
“Incredible!” Leona exclaimed, stopping her massage and leaning against his back, her voice filled with awe, as she addressed Flora and Rebecca. “I always thought Abyss was the strongest, but it seems there’s always someone stronger.”
“The high mana concentration around the sacred tree is negligible compared to the planet’s total mana, not disrupting the balance, but for the Elven Kingdoms, it’s an invaluable resource. The high proportion of high-ranking Druids must be due to the sacred tree’s influence,” Rebecca said, nodding. “Agnes might be gone, but her legacy protects her people. She was truly remarkable.”
“It truly deserves to be called a sacred tree… Astonishing,” Flora said, her voice filled with awe. “Such power, wielded by a single young woman…”
“Then the tsunami that killed Agnes forty years ago must have been more than just a natural disaster,” Rebecca said, her eyes narrowing.
“Perhaps we should ask Miss Agnes herself,” Abyss said, smiling. “My insect army couldn’t pinpoint the source of the problem. All mana sources are chaotic at their origin. I couldn’t distinguish between them. But we’ll still drain the mana around the sacred tree. I need to observe the purified mana flow to find a way to restore it.”
“Do we have anything to do?” Leona asked, comfortably perched on his back, playfully pinching his cheek.
“Perhaps. Just be prepared for a potential attack,” Abyss said after a moment of thought.
“An attack?” Leona asked, confused.
“This isn’t just a natural phenomenon. As the one investigating the sacred tree, I might be targeted. And once I drain the mana, the Druids won’t be able to use their magic to protect me. I’ll need your help,” Abyss explained.
“Don’t worry about your safety. I swear on my honor as a knight,” Leona said instantly.
Flora nodded in agreement. “I’ll support Leona. You won’t be harmed. I’ll do anything to protect you.”
“There’s no need for such dramatic pronouncements, but thank you,” Abyss said, smiling. “And Rebecca, you’re not a fighter. If they encounter something they can’t handle, I’m counting on you.”
“Leave it to me,” Rebecca said, nodding confidently.
“Alright, let’s inform the Druids. It’s time to begin. The weather is perfect. It should put everyone in a good mood.”
Abyss stood up, Leona still clinging to his back, refusing to let go.
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