Lola was dumbstruck, she had no idea what was even happening. But, she calmed down swiftly and stared at Shin who was still tilting his head curiously.

Not sure why, Lola felt sweat running down her back.

This…

“Cough…”

Lola faked a cough and continued speaking.

“You said you will give me one favour in trade for the Elder Tree.”

Still with a cold expression, she said with a serious tone.

“When you have done what you need to do, return here and marry me.”

“Alright!”

Shin complied at once, then he pouted and asked while staring at Lola.

“How do I marry you?”

For the first time in her life, Lola felt a headache. She caressed her temple and sighed softly.

“You will understand that meaning sooner or later, just remember that you will marry me.”

Shin nodded, still not sure how to ‘marry’ someone.

“Then, can I have that large tree now?”

He lowered his head slightly while staring at Lola.

Lola’s eyes twitched for a moment before standing up from her throne.

“Follow me.”

She only left those words before swiftly walking.

Shin smiled happily while following her.

The only one remaining, Eva, knelt there absentmindedly.

For hundreds of years, Lola has never acknowledged anyone. Who would have thought she would choose him.

Haah… Perhaps it is for the best, he is after all directed by the First Wood King.

The first thought Shin was thinking, was that Lola sure was fast.

It didn’t take them a minute before they went up the staircase and ran towards the large tree.

“Here is the Elder tree that you wanted, what will you do now?”

Lola asked while staring at him.

Shin didn’t feel uncomfortable at all from Lola’s gaze. He was observing the large tree, he felt a pure energy within the tree which made him satisfied. Shin absentmindedly walked towards the large tree, no one stopped him.

After standing right in front of it, Shin raised his hands and touched the tree.

Shin felt a cooling sensation entering his body little by little. Shin had his eyes closed, so he couldn’t see any changes.

On the other hand, Lola could see changes appearing. The Elder Tree which was supposed to be healthy, was slowly wilting. The green leaves were turning yellow before being turned into dust in the wind.

Sigh… It is unbelievable and also shocking. For him to take in the energy of the Elder Tree, would mean that his injuries are far more serious that I would have thought.

But, Lola didn’t stop Shin, that was because she was sure the agreement she had with Shin was more important than a tree.

While Shin was engrossed with taking the energy from the large tree, a shadow was sneaking up on him.

Lola had a bad premonition, but she was too late, she couldn’t stop it.

The shadow was nearing Shin, a snicker could be heard as it wanted to snap Shin’s neck.

Shin knew what was happening, but he had no way to stop it.

Suddenly, Shin felt blood on his back. He tried sensing what was happening with his aura, what he saw was a dagger stabbing trough the shadow. Behind the shadow, stood a man in a dark cloak with fierce red eyes.

The man snickered while glancing at the shadow before raising his head and stared towards Shin.

“Don’t you worry, I will protect you.”

He said in a deep voice.

Shin calmed himself down, he had no idea who that man was, nor why he would help him. But, Shin was glad that someone was willingly helping him.

Shin furrowed his eyebrows and concentrated on the large tree.

On the other hand, the cloaked man turned around and said in a loud voice.

“Are you not going to act?”

On the other side, a shadow appeared, walking slowly towards Shin and the cloaked man. A cold and deep voice escaped the shadow’s mouth.

“When did you find out?”

“Humph!”

The cloaked man glared at the shadow and said with a snicker.

“Since the start.”

The shadow didn’t mind, it waited for a few seconds before it opened its mouth again.

“I am here for that child, if you leave now, I will not pursue."

Sweat could be seen running down Shin’s face, he could hear everything, he was in a very bad position, he couldn’t leave the tree now.

Not knowing when, a couple elves jumped and surrounded Lola. They had bows on their back and a scimitar in their hand.

“Your Majesty.”

One of the males spoke without taking his eyes off the shadow and the cloaked man.

Lola had to decide fast, she finally understood that her thinking was way too shallow.

Of course, someone like him would have enemies. Is this why he needs the Elder Tree, to fight his enemies?

It didn’t take Lola three seconds before she decided what to do.

“Don’t let anyone near that child.”

Her tone was chilly, she understood that if she did this, she would have decided a path for the Elven race. Lola only hoped that this path would be the correct one.

The cloaked man didn’t move at all, only staring at the shadow.

“I have to break it down to you, I will not leave until that kid is safe.”

“Is it worth angering us for that child!?”

For once, the shadow became angry.

“Let me ask you this then.”

The cloaked man stood tall and fearlessly stared at the shadow.

“Is it worth fighting us for that kid?”

“You see, that muscle-head on the throne back home thinks that this child is worth fighting for.”

“Besides…”

Qui went silent for a moment before speaking.

“I have followed that kid for two days, he has shown me his will and it is worthy of my respect.”

The shadow didn’t speak at all, slowly but surely, the shadow fragments on its body faded away. Not long after, all that was left was a twenty-year-old male wearing a white robe. His hair was black and short, his eyes were brown, and he had a remarkable face.

“Lord told me to kill this child no matter what.”

Zilva said in an angered tone before vanishing.

Qui narrowed his eyes and flicked his dagger pushing it above his face.

“Clang!”

A loud clash could be heard, not knowing when, a red spear was stopped by Qui’s dagger.

Qui felt his hand shaking, but he sneered while glancing at Zilva in front of him.

Qui managed to hold off the spear with one dagger, he raised his leg and kicked with all his might.

Zilva smirked and evaded the leg, he dropped the spear and flicked his hands which made a slender sword appear in his hand. He stabbed towards Qui’s heart with precise accuracy.

“Humph…!”

Qui tried taking a step back, but he was too late, he could sense blood flowing out from his chest. Fortunately, the wound wasn’t that deep. With a reckless movement, Qui tapped the ground and pushed forward towards Zilva.

Zilva wasn’t prepared for Qui’s retaliation, he could only stay defensive and try to counter-attack if there were an opportunity.

“Hah!”

Qui knew that he had the advantage, he knew that making a mistake now would cost severely.

While Qui and Zilva were engrossed in their fight, suddenly a grey aura engulfed everything.

Everyone turned around towards the Elder Tree. What they saw was Shin’s clothes turned into a dark cloak and his eyes turned grey.

“Hehe… It has been a long time since I stretched my body…”

A crispy voice came out of Shin’s mouth.

“It seems like we have visitors. Master, who are the ones you want defeated?”

Ker’Vrak was using Shin’s body, muttering to himself.

“I personally don’t mind destroying Malika’s territory, he really got a beating earlier…”

Ker’Vrak went quiet for a moment, during this, no one moved, they only stared at Shin’s body.

“Haah…”

Ker’Vrak sighed deeply, nodding at last.

“I understand, Master. I acknowledge your request, let me fulfil your wish.”

Ker’Vrak turned towards Zilva and walked slowly step by step.

“Hehe, I heard that you wanted to take my Master’s life?”

“If you tell me who sent you, I might kill you fast, but if you say nothing, hehe, then let’s see how long you can hold it.”

After saying this, the grey aura shrouded Zilva.

Lola and the elves stared at Shin in fright, especially Lola.

No way! There are more than one who’s protecting Shin? And it seems like they are on the same strength as the First Wood King!

Can it be? The only ones who was at the same strength as Malika of the Woods were the other Rulers!

Lola felt sweat drenching her back, she wasn’t stupid, she figured out that Shin was being guarded by more than two Rulers of the Ancient Era and they seemed to protect Shin.

Not only that… The one possessing Shin right now should be a Ruler, but that Ruler called Shin ‘Master’ respectfully…!

Fortunately I didn’t offend him and he accepted my deal by himself…