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The massive Kann Forest, where countless lush trees thrive.

In this place, with an unknown number of trees flourishing, various creatures live their lives in their own ways, and it has long provided the continent’s life forms with the grace of nature through diverse natural resources like wood, fruits, and herbs.

Thus, Kann Forest, a treasure of nature and a habitat for the elves of the Elf Church Country, has served as a living, breathing fortress for thousands of years, regarded with respect and blessings by many across the continent, not just the elves.

However.

At this moment.

In the depths of this forest, a group of soldiers had no appreciation for such facts in their hearts.

“Is this really Kann Forest? I’ve heard a lot about it, but surprisingly, there’s nothing special here.”

“Well, it is a forest, after all. It’s natural that we only see trees and bugs at a glance.”

Cassandra, one of the Empire’s Three Knights, spoke with an indifferent tone. Her aide, as always, provided an appropriate response, and listening to him, Cassandra suppressed her displeasure and immediately began to take action.

“Well, that’s true. Anyway, I’m starting the operation now.”

“Yes, General.”

As soon as Cassandra’s orders were given, the soldiers immediately commenced their actions. At that moment, each of them held black bottles, containing oval-shaped spheres the size of quail eggs.

It was an object that exuded an ominous feeling at first glance.

And with the same item in hand, Cassandra momentarily gazed at it, lost in thought.

‘Achilles… I feel this every time, but you’ve come up with a really dirty plan again. To fulfill our family’s ambitions, we must eliminate that man first…’

Just then…

“!”

In a flash, a sharp presence brushed past Cassandra’s mind.

Without hesitation, she leapt from her spot and raised her shield, creating a massive defensive wall.

Right after…

-KWA-BOOM!!!

Green beams filled with energy crashed against her wall.

In that instant, a cold smile began to form on Cassandra’s lips.

“Oh my, isn’t that you, my teacher? It’s been quite a while.”

“Cassandra… I felt a familiar aura and came to confirm, and indeed, it was you.”

A male elf clad in green armor appeared before her, accompanied by a handful of elf soldiers.

With a middle-aged appearance, he wore a black eye patch over one eye.

Sula, standing before the proud Cassandra Inklement of the Falcon Empire…

Or rather, to be precise.

He witnessed the young paladin who was once his proud disciple and began to wear a cold expression.

“Well, I never expected to see you here, teacher. Honestly, I would love to have a warm conversation between former student and teacher, but it seems I’m rather busy right now.”

“Shut up! I have no interest in sharing words with you, so step back! Do not dare to commit suspicious acts in this holy Kann Forest!”

While Cassandra remained composed, Sula was glaring with evident hostility.

In response, Cassandra offered a light smile, addressing her former mentor.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. Despite appearances, I’m rather busy trying to fulfill His Majesty the Emperor’s wishes.”

“! D-Do you mean…”

As Cassandra spoke while looking at the bottle in her hand, Sula’s expression hardened as he gazed at the black bottle.

“You… Do you even understand what you are trying to do?”

“Of course, teacher. I’m planning to eliminate this annoying obstacle for the Empire’s victory.”

“You little brat!”

With a face filled with deep anger, Sula leapt down from the tree and stood before Cassandra.

He then brandished a sword imbued with a green glow and aimed it directly at her.

Without any intention for conversation or compromise, Cassandra appeared resolute to execute a direct elimination.

Seeing this, Cassandra drew her sword and shield, beginning to unleash magic power to envelop herself.

“It’s been quite some time, but your personality hasn’t changed, has it, Teacher Sula? Well, that’s fine. After all, this was something that had to happen eventually. I’ll end this by taking your head.”

With that remark, Cassandra charged at her opponent.

Witnessing her in action, Sula swung his glowing sword down at her.

-CLANG!!!

With a sharp sound, the weapons of the two clashed.

Cassandra’s shield, enveloped in blue light, was not just a tool for defense; it functioned almost like a blunt weapon, deflecting Sula’s sword strikes.

Immediately afterward, she swung the sword held in one hand, aiming to attack Sula.

However, in the next instant.

Her attack was repelled as if blocked by an unseen wall in mid-air.

-CLANG!

After exchanging blows, the two fighters swung their weapons again.

Instead of merely overpowering each other, Sula charged at Cassandra with swift moves, executing rapid swordplay.

Nonetheless, despite the heavy blows he struck, they were easily rendered ineffective by Cassandra’s shield, which moved with remarkable speed.

Meanwhile, at every opportunity, Cassandra attacked Sula.

Though her attacks failed to cause significant damage, she remained calm and unfazed.

In this moment, she was already well aware.

While she stood firm, utilizing her shield imbued with powerful magic for defense, Sula’s defenses were purely reliant on his magic power, which was gradually, moment by moment, growing weaker.

And as a result…

“!”

-CRACK!!!

With a breaking sound, Sula’s barrier shattered into pieces.

Cassandra’s attack aimed straight at Sula’s abdomen.

However.

“Tsk!”

-POOF!!

In an instant, Sula’s figure seemed to evaporate before her eyes.

With that, Cassandra let out a brief click of her tongue, and simultaneously, Sula reappeared about ten meters away from her.

“Ha… Ha…”

Breathlessly gasping, it was evident that Sula was in a poor state.

Observing this, Cassandra maintained her composed expression and spoke to her former mentor.

“You’ve weakened considerably. You, being an elf, shouldn’t have aged… Is it due to that chronic illness, perhaps?”

“Ugh…”

“Indeed, that’s it. How unfortunate. To think that the formidable Teacher Sula would display such a state. As a disciple, it truly pains me. In that regard…”

“!”

“At this moment, as your disciple, I shall grant you the honorable end you’ve always desired.”

With those words, Cassandra sheathed her sword and took out the black bottle she had kept hidden in her robes.

At the moment she revealed it, Sula’s face hardened in shock.

“You… you little brat!”

“Farewell, Teacher Sula!”

With that, she lightly smashed the bottle and threw it somewhere.

However, it was not aimed at where Sula stood before her.

No, it was towards the spot where the few elf soldiers he had brought were gathered.

Recognizable as his disciples, the ‘thing’ that Cassandra threw sped rapidly toward them.

Immediately after,

Sula threw himself forward, blocking their path.

And then…

-KWA-BOOM!!!!

An enormous black explosion erupted, consuming Sula’s body as if it were merely a piece of paper tossed into flames.

Having lived for hundreds of years and trained countless paladins, Sula met his end fighting for his beloved disciples until the very last.

However, not a shred of happiness or glory remained in his heart.

Thoughts clouded his dying mind.

It was…

The inevitable future that would begin with his death.

About the great disaster that would engulf not only the Elf Church Country but the entire continent.

*

Octavia, the elven paladin.

The last scene she witnessed alongside Sula in battle was that of her mentor pouring out his remaining magic power to protect them.

That moment marked the end as her teacher succumbed to the black flames engulfing him.

Yet, without time to feel sorrow, Octavia could only feel a profound sense of dread at the enormity of the situation that began to unfold.

The black flames that completely consumed Sula.

They rapidly spread outward like a fuse, swiftly engulfing the forest.

The trees of Kann Forest, which had withstood many flames over the course of hundreds and thousands of years, now faced an unknown black flame.

In this moment, those ancient trees transformed into charcoal in an instant.

A scene that starkly revealed the paradise of nature being engulfed by the hellfire.

With that, enveloped by a heat far too intense to endure, Octavia lost consciousness.

In her last moments, she etched into her memory the horrific sight of her fallen companions…

 

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