An impactful incident sent waves throughout the Mirror World while Seong-Hwi and the others were spending time in Subterra. Over a hundred cities around Forestis were simultaneously attacked, regardless of race. Casualties were estimated to be over ten million.

“H-help me!”

“Run! Hurry!”

“Get out of the city!”

The attacker was Dry Tree, the new Named Chaos, assumed to be at least Hispar-rank. However, the Mirror World residents realized after over a hundred cities were simultaneously attacked that it was not the work of a mere Hispar-rank Chaos—not even a Lang-rank Chaos could do such a thing.

An Akasha Message soon appeared to answer the residents’ questions.

[Lumber the World Tree (World Quest)

Rank: —

Description: The World Tree, Sefirot, located in the fifth zone of Forestis, has run rampant. The World Tree is trying to absorb all nutrients in its surroundings. Lumber the World Tree to protect the Mirror World.]

A world quest that all races of the Mirror World had to clear together had been generated. The only other world quest they knew of was the Path of Life quest, which was about obtaining the Master Stone. This world quest left everyone in the Mirror World in shock. Lumbering the World Tree meant eradicating the elves. However, yet another world quest was generated before the shock subsided.

[Kill Insectum (World Quest)

Rank: —

Description: Insectum, the Insect King, has become a Chaos. The Entomancy Stone of the insectoids, which he possessed, is also being corrupted by Chaos Mana. Kill Insectum and acquire the Entomancy Stone to stop the corruption of the entire insectoid race.]

The shock from two consecutive world quests was like the atomic bombing on Nagasaki, only a few days after the bombing on Hiroshima. Insectum was the king of the insectoids, twentieth in the world ranking, and the Tenth Fiend. They couldn’t understand how he had become a Chaos. Even an old man from the countryside could tell that something serious was happening in the Mirror World.

It was only natural that an emergency race conference would be held in Justitia, the legislative city of the Sēmen.

***

The conference room in Justitia, a city located on the western edge of the fifth zone, was so tall that its ceiling couldn’t be seen, and wider than an airstrip. The stone round table in the middle of the room was like a tiny leaf compared to the vastness of the room.

“I’m surprised. This is the first time that the number of attendees reached the double digits.”

Only one individual was seated at the round table. He had three stubby horns and one eye directly above his nose. He was Judicium, also known as the One-Eyed Judge. He was one of the three judges of the Sēmen and the prime minister, being one of the only two people who could host the great conference of races.

Just then, a voice filled the vast space.

— Who are the attendees?

It was from one of the twenty orbs placed throughout the round table. There were twenty-one seats on the table, including Judicium’s seat. The table was round to symbolize that all those with a seat at the table were of high positions. It was only natural because the only individuals who could attend this conference were the Ten Lords and Fiends.

“The Second Lord, Third Lord, Sixth Lord, Seventh Lord, Eighth Lord, Tenth Lord, Third Fiend, Fifth Fiend, Seventh Fiend, and Ninth Fiend have attended, and the rest are absent,” Judicium replied.

— Half of us, then.

— Have the demons all boycotted?

“I did receive a message from Lord Curiositas.”

— From that incomprehensible son of a bitch? What did he say?

“He said not to bother with it since it’s no big deal.”

— G-gahaha!

— He’s as unlikable as always.

— Does he think we attend because we have all the time in the world?

Complaints sounded from the orbs, but no one thought about complaining to Curiositas directly. The Second Fiend had always been incomprehensible; associating with him was a waste of time.

— The First Fiend aside, since they have never shown themselves, why is the First Lord absent? I thought he would be the host of this conference.

The voice of the Second Lord, the God of Heaven, Creo, sounded from a crystal orb shining with mystical Holy Force.

Judicium answered, “He is currently busy. Or, do you believe that a conference I’m hosting has no value?”

— Of course not. I have no qualms about any of your decisions, One-Eyed Judge. Well, excluding your efforts to put my son, Gabriel, on trial.

“Lord Creo. The archangel Gabriel is suspected of leveling Pollon Nest. It is a first-degree felony.”

— And the birdfolk are our subordinate race. I would appreciate it if you didn’t bother with whatever I do to my possessions.

Judicium’s eye shook. He wanted to retort, but couldn’t because Creo was technically correct. Leaving aside the deceased Uriel, Gabriel had not broken the World Law. The other members of the Ten Lords and Fiends also seemed to agree with Creo.

— Haha. Look, I couldn’t care less about the conflict between Orbis and the Sēmen. Why don’t we move on to the main agenda?

The voice of an elderly man sounded from a crystal orb shining bright gold. It was the voice of the Sixth Lord, Modak, the chairman of the beastfolk society, Barbaria.

“As you all know, there are two agendas in this conference—the world quests Lumber the World Tree and Kill Insectum.”

— The World Tree, huh? I suppose it would be difficult to know the details of what’s happening inside since the Fifth Lord is absent.

— Why is he absent?

— Why else? The quest, Lumber the World Tree, is practically a death sentence to the elves. He’s probably preparing for war.

As the voices discussed opinions, Judicium said, “Before the world quests appeared, I dispatched Volkanu, one of the Sēmen’s consuls, to Elvenheim to investigate the recent anomalies around Forestis.” He continued with rage, “However, he never returned. I assume Keter killed him.”

Judicium couldn’t believe someone dared to kill a consul of the Sēmen. Not even the Fifth Lord could be excused of such a crime. Not only was it an act of murder, but it was also Elvenheim’s declaration of war against the Sēmen. In other words, it was a serious violation of public order.

— I understand your rage. Volkanu is a fellow dragon, one with noble blood, no less. Of course, his death at the hands of a lowly elf must be mortifying.

The voice belonged to the Third Lord, Regnator, the Dragon King.

“You must have misunderstood my rage. Once one is a member of the Sēmen, their race and ranking become meaningless. Volkanu was not a dragon, but simply a consul of the Sēmen.”

— What does that matter? Relationships and blood bonds can’t be broken that easily. I minutely understand Regnator’s rage, said a female voice from an orb shining with a mystical green light. She was the Eighth Lord, Vipera Anguis, whom everyone knew was a fervent supporter of Regnator.

— A lowly elf, you say? Keh! Big words, scaly freaks, a deep voice said from a light green orb.

— What? Aha, come to think of it, you’re an elf, too. Right, Seventh Fiend? No, fallen Hod!

— Do not call me by that name, lowly snake. You’re nothing but Regnator’s bitch. My name is Lapsus, not one of those disgusting Sefirah.

— L-lowly snake? Regnator’s bitch?! Vipera said furiously.

Judicium stepped in and said, “Stop it, both of you. Lord Lapsus, are you perhaps aware of what is happening inside Elvenheim?”

— I am not. It was closed off recently. Besides, I am proud to have left that blasted place, Lapsus answered.

“I see,” Judicium said in disappointment.

— However, I know better than anyone why this happened. What do you think the World Tree is?

Everyone focused on Lapsus’s words.

— It’s just a tree, isn’t it? One that’s considered sacred by the elves.

— It’s required to continue the elven race.

A few members voiced their opinions. However, no one expected Lapsus’s response.

— I can describe it with just one word. It is a parasite, Lapsus answered.

— A parasite?

— Correct. The World Tree is a tree that absorbs mana, Nature Force, and all other powers.

Not even the Ten Lords and Fiends had known about this. It was only natural since the information was kept top secret by the high elves.

— Usually, this characteristic would be used for the older generation to pass down their powers to the next.

Lapsus continued his explanation. Essentially, the World Tree was an energy tank that could extract and store various types of power. If under control, it could help the growth of the elven race by passing down that power to the next generation.

— The World Tree was used the way it should be in our home dimension, Viridis. However, its uses changed once we came to the Mirror World.

Lapsus stopped momentarily to quell his surging emotions.

— A few elves began to steal the power stored in the World Tree, with the excuse that it must be done to survive in the Mirror World.

— Steal, huh?

A voice mumbled, seeming with great interest, from a dark red orb enveloped in dark energy. It belonged to the Ninth Fiend, the Progenitor, Haema Sanguis.

— It was nothing but petty theft. The few elves monopolized the power that was stored to pass down to the next generation of elves.

Hence, the weak elves grew even weaker with each generation, and the strong elves grew even stronger. The poor got poorer, and the rich got richer. Fruit grew from the World Tree using the nutrients it absorbed with its roots, and the elves who monopolized the fruit began to be called high elves.

— There is no such thing as a high elf. It’s complete bullshit. We were all the same from the beginning. The elves who monopolized the power wanted their theft to be justified, which led to their claim of the right of blood.

The few monopolizers claimed that their blood was special, leading to the lie of the pure-blooded high elf. Not only that, but they even created a bloodline tree consisting of the ten ultimate bloodlines and twenty-two other bloodlines that were slightly inferior.

Thus, the ten ultimate bloodlines—Keter (crown), Chokmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding), Chesed (kindness), Gevurah (strength), Tiferet (beauty), Netzach (victory), Hod (glory), Yesod (foundation), and Malkuth (kingdom)—were born. The lords of each bloodline inherited these names and ruled the elven race. Together, they came to be known as the Sefirah.

— After much time, only a select few are still alive to know the truth. Even if a few high elves found out about this disgusting truth, they would be too absorbed in self-benefit to care.

He remained silent for a moment and continued.

— Of course, there are a few who did care. The most famous among them would be Consul Floriana, the former Chesed of the Sefirah. I have attended this conference and am exposing the secret of my race as a form of respect for her.

***

For whosoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever has not, from him shall be taken away even what he has.

Matthew 13:12

***

— Haha. All that pretentious behavior, and they turned out to be savage beasts. They’re no different from us, Modak mocked as he laughed.

The other Ten Lords and Fiends laughed alongside him, except for Lapsus. To them, the secret of the elves was nothing but a form of entertainment.

Judicium asked, “So, is that why the World Tree has run rampant?”

— It is a sign that the ten Sefirah have failed to keep the World Tree under control. To be more exact, Keter has failed. They cleverly managed to steal the stored power without repercussions until now, but that has now reached its limit, Lapsus answered.

“How do we stop it?”

— A rotten tree must be cut down, Lapsus said firmly.

He did not have even an ounce of sympathy for his fallen race. That was why he was a Fiend.

— Haha. I don’t care about the world tree quest. Give it to the ones who want to challenge it. What’s more important is the quest to kill Insectum. From reading the description... the Entomancy Stone is on the line, eh?

The crystal orbs surged with blinding light after Modak finished his sentence. Various auras surged to assert dominance inside the immensely vast room, causing the orbs to crack.

— It’s mine!

— Not a chance. I have already gathered Echion’s army.

— Regnator. Your affiliate clan, Nivalis, is already at war with Cadaver. Echion will soon have to go against Necrophilia. I doubt you have the leeway to partake in this.

— Enough bullshit! It belongs to the one who gets their hands on it first!

— Right you are. No negotiations. The most powerful will claim it all.

— Oh? And you claim to be the most powerful?

The Ten Lords and Fiends vehemently opposed one another. The Entomancy Stone of the insectoids was on the line; it was an opportunity to change the unmoved ranking between the Ten Lords and Fiends.

“Please calm down! At this rate, even the Entomancy Stone will be corrupted by Chaos Mana, like what happened last time at Subterra!” Judicium shouted, “Please remember why the Sēmen exists! Our common enemy is the Chaos! We are not here to fight over the Entomancy Stone!”

A similar event had occurred during the Subterranean War. The year-long massacre resulted in no winner—no, technically speaking, the Chaos won because they succeeded in completely corrupting the subterraneans’ Race Stone.

— But Judicium, we cannot trust each other. You must still remember the incident of Regnator stealing the Race Stone of the fairies, said a tranquil voice from an orb shining with a silver light.

It belonged to the Fifth Fiend, Una, the leader of Redeo, the faction that opposed Regnator’s Echion.

— You are the shame of the dragons, Una. You can stay on your ass and talk about peace and pacifism all you like.

— Domination and oppression are not the only answers, Regnator. I wish you would understand that soon.

— That is why you are weak. Dragons are born to dominate!

— Is your oppression against the fairies true domination? All I see is a hooligan who forces them to beg in the street.

More cracks formed on Regnator’s and Una’s orbs.

“Huuu... Please...” Judicium sighed as he placed his hand over his forehead.

The conference was not going anywhere. The Ten Lords and Fiends always competed against each other for various privileges; it might have been impossible for them to negotiate with one another.

Unless a natural enemy that can only be defeated by joining forces were to appear, that is... Judicium thought.

***

A screeching noise felt like it was tearing apart Seong-Hwi’s eardrums. However, it did not physically harm him because it had come from his soul.

“Is this...” Seong-Hwi muttered as he stood under the falling snow. “A lucid dream?”