HPDBC Chapter 354 The Cursed Seeds of the Fallen World Tree
Chapter 354 The Cursed Seeds of the Fallen World Tree
In a beautiful room within the huge twisting tree in the centre of the Elven capital city of Ar'soleil. Asura, Celine, Al Menitos and Empress Ar Melania sat around an elegant table of pure white created with dragon bones.
The group sipped from delicate white cups, each adorned with sophisticated golden markings, a clear portrayal of the Empress's skill and artistry.
The cups, like the room they were in, were not just beautiful but also carried the weight of the Elven history of conflict with the dragon race and each one a unique antique with distinct patterns and grooves.
"Please, Prince Asura, our guest from the other side of the great sea. Enjoy the tea brewed with the world tree's sap. No other guest has enjoyed this honour in almost a millennia." The Empress curled her lips and loosened her cheeks with a lovely smile.
"I still don't accept this man and my sister..." Al Mentios's voice, tinged with a protective edge, cut through the air. "However, I am grateful for your aid in curing her body, a concern that has long plagued us."
I guess this guy is just a doting brother when it comes down to it.
"What's the matter, Asura?" The lovely eyes of Celine appeared worried because he didn't take the cup, tilting her head while looking adorable. "Is it too hot? Do you want me to blow it for you?"
"!!!"
Her brother's face turned pale upon hearing her words. However, Asura found it quite charming and felt a sense of relief that her family wasn't terrible.
I am just glad we determined the cult's involvement. If I had never come, what would have happened!?
"No, it's just a beautiful cup, however... I am part dragon, you know. I just felt a little apprehensive, drinking from the body of my kin. But since you look so adorable, I'll take a sip."
The Empress watched the interaction between her youngest daughter and this mysterious prince from the human lands from above the rim of her cup. Her eyes narrowed with a curious glint while Menitos looked shocked at his sister's manner and their apparent intimacy.
Asura first lifted the cup.
He noticed how heavy and durable it felt before taking a smell. The sap gives off a sweet aroma like a warm, citrus fruit filled with caramel. This was Elven alcohol! Once it touched his tongue like a high-quality whiskey, the warm and enveloping flavour flooded his taste buds.
"Delicious..." Asura's words only that, as he sipped the smallest amount, wanting to avoid finishing this wonderful ichor.
"Hehe... Asura, you look so funny—your nose is flared, and your eyes are bloodshot. Is it to your liking?" Celine whispered while looking at his lips as if locked in a trance.
She shifted her chair towards him while her curious eyes continued to watch him gulp down the sap. Your journey continues on empire
"Shall we discuss the important topic at hand before you end up kissing each other?" The Empress cleared her throat while giving a charming smile, tapping the desk as Asura and Celine parted suddenly, the pair of them quite embarrassed at how close they became.
"Ahem... Yeah, that might be good." Asura continued while Celine rushed to her seat and covered her face with both hands, making some adorable sounds.
The atmosphere of the room transformed in the next moment as the Empress narrowed her eyes and looked at Asura and her son. "Somebody managed to get hold of the former world tree's corpse; this seed is a corrupted seed from a dying or dead world tree."
Al Menitos joined his hands, trying to think of how such a thing could happen while looking at Asura to see if he could get any clues from him, yet the prince looked as perplexed as him.
"Someone managed to corrupt a world tree... I don't understand how that could happen; our ancestors were born from such a tree."
Asura's mouth opened, but he hesitated to speak. His mind returned to the stench of the void oozing from the corrupted seed, and only one thought came to mind... The former queen and Azoth.
In that memory, he regained after connecting with Mu Xue and remembering Muru and many other memories. The feeling that Menitos gave off reminded him of the princess in those visions.
I guess the corruption started a long time ago before Celine and Menitos were even born...
Asura knew it might lead to a hard conversation or even invite anger in Melania because her mother was involved, and she might not know the truth. "May I ask if you remember the name Azoth and the former Empress Ar Philis?"
The Empress's eyes narrowed upon hearing his words. "You speak of my aunt and... her father."
"I believe your aunt is related to the corruption; I'm sorry if it makes you angry." Asura knew that even though Melania's face transformed, her face went through several shades of emotions: sadness, anger and acceptance. He couldn't avoid this conversation, though in the visions, it was the daughter of Philis who would take the throne, Melania's cousin.
Melania sighed. "There is no need to apologise, Prince Asura. My aunt was never quite right in the head, that is not after that event... When she killed her beloved and exiled her daughter before handing the crown to me." She tilted her head and looked at her son, her eyes sad and angry. "I have never told you this, but my cousin was supposed to take the throne before me."
Asura nodded while Al Menitos just looked on, confused, while Celine showed an innocent look, probably because she never heard of this before.
"That woman murdered her husband, a man she loved more than anything in this world. However, I always felt it was impossible; Aunt Philis loved the devil Azoth enough to discard her heritage to fall into becoming a dark elf... Still, after breaking the rules of our people, her charisma couldn't be matched. Until the day those strange knights appeared, and she attacked the void beneath us."
Asura continued to listen as he only knew one side of the events. To hear this side helped him complete the picture. Also, he realised that something important didn't get answered. "Who replaced Azoth and became the guardian to the lowest seat for the Abyss Monarchs."
The Empress's fingers tapped on the table as she remembered the nightmare she endured that day and the tragedy that led to her becoming the Empress, watching her beloved aunt and cousin at odds before they both left her almost alone to guide the empire that struggled with war against the dragons in those days.
"That final day..."