Leveling up the World

Chapter 929: The New Dryad Emperor

WORLD ITEM AWAKENING

Reality changed, taking Dallion, Euryale, and Vihrogon into a stone temple. The place seemed deserted as ever, but there were two noticeable differences from Dallions last visit: although empty, it seemed rather well kept; and the smell of spring plants was felt in the air.

Dark had also insisted on coming, changing his appearance to that of a gecko on Eurlayes shoulder. For some reason, the dragon insisted that this was also his world, given that he had helped the pair gain control over it.

Its different, Euryale said.

Dallion concentrated, yet was unable to feel the extent of the realm. As a domain ruler, he was supposed to. Apparently, world item realms remained items. Back when his aura sword was known as the poison sword responsible for releasing the poison plague in the rest of the world, many powerful individuals fought for it. Archduke Lanitol had hired the Icepicker guild to find its location, while a rogue magepreviously of the Shimmering Orderhad succumbed to the Stars temptation and used it for his own devices.

A lot of things had changed since then. Dallion had become the owner of the weapon, transforming it into the aura sword he was currently using.

Time to see the world, Dallion whispered and made his way through the stone hall.

Stone murals depicting him and Euryale in heroic fashion covered the walls. As far as the inhabitants of the world were concerned, he was the deity that had saved them. That was technically truehe had destroyed the cracklings infesting the world as well as defeated the only surviving guardian of the item. Yet, he didnt regard himself as divine, not like the Moons were.

A vastness of green spread as far as the eye could see. Thanks to his current perception level, Dallion was able to see all the way up to the worlds sea. There was no telling how much time had passed, but it had to be a lot since dozens of cities had emerged, many of them larger than Nerosal even. Created entirely of plants, they rose like multi-layered trees, covered in vines and bushes. Here and there, stone columns would be visible among the vegetation, more a fashion statement than anything else.

A world can see wonders when there are no cracks, Vihrogon noted. Hopefully, theyve not at war with one another.

Why would they be? Dark asked from Euryales shoulder.

Inner demons, the dryad replied. People fight because they cant get rid of their problems. Awakened fight because they cant agree on how best to solve them.

Just like in the real world, Dallion thought.

The Architect had created a world in which everything was possible, yet it had taken the blink of an eye before the first Star to emerge and shatter the world into splinters. Since then, a cycle of chaos and repair had begun, culminating in a world conquest attempt.

Dallion cast a spell, rising into the air. Not to remain undone, Dark leaped off Euryales shoulder and transformed into his full dragon form. Despite growing considerably in size and level, there still was a rebellious stream left, urging him to compete. There was a time when Dallion would have agreed to it, though not now.

No need for that, Vihrogon said. Hell come to us.

Dallion looked down at him.

The world owners return after Moons know how long. You think the guardian will just sit by and ignore it? Hes known about us since the moment we entered. Now that hes estimated our strength, hell make an appearance. Isnt that right, Prolet? he asked casually.

Several steps away, a cluster of grass rose up, shifting into a sapling, then a full-fledged dryad. Everyone could see this wasnt the guardian, but an echo of his.

Not a good sign, Dallion thought. In the past, the guardian had been a lot more open.

Guardian? Euryale approached.

The dryad echo instinctively stepped back, wooden sickles appearing in both his hands. A few tense moments later, the sickles sunk half-way into the echos hands.

Youre back, it said with the hesitation of someone who barely remembered the encounter.

Dallion knew that wasnt the case. Guardians had much better memories than awakened. Most likely, it was the power level that had put Prolet on guard.

You dont seem glad to see us, Dallion floated back down. Any reason for that?

Youre different. The dryad stated flatly.

Weve grown. Dallion corrected.

Thats whats worrisome. To return after all this time, at the levels you are, you must want something.

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Various scenarios ran through Dallions mind. It wouldnt be beyond his capabilities to use his music skills to convince the guardian of anything he wanted. The nearly insurmountable opponent was less than half Dallions level, and not even fully able to take advantage of the realms powers. Hed easily get entangled in a web of music. Yet, anything gained through trickery had a far greater chance of getting unraveled, or at least Dallion tended to believe so.

We want to take the inhabitants back into the real world, he said directly. From what I see, theres a bit more than before.

The echo took a step back. For almost ten seconds he kept staring at Dallion, as if trying to determine if there was anything he could do about it. Fear mixed with hope fluctuated as they emanated from him. He couldnt deny that had been the initial goal of the world items upon their creation. Having it actually happen was a different matter.

I dont know everything thats going on out there, but Ive felt enough battles to know its not a safe place, Prolet responded. Most of my attention is focused on here, but I remain an item guardian. Ive felt the magic surge through the sword each time you fight.

Most times, Dallion corrected mentally.

You havent come here to let the dryads of this world free. Youve come because you need an army.

I wont deny that, Dallion retained his calm. Youre not the only world sword I have access to. Ill just tell you the stakes. Whoever wins the war in the real world gets to pass the sixth gate.

The revelation caused the echo to take another step back. Fear emanated from him as a fountain as he glanced at Vihrogon for confirmation.

Yep, Vihrogon nodded. Theres another war for the world, only this time there are four conquerors.

Four? Prolets voice was faint.

Bottom line, whoever wins will pass the gate, and become a Moon to change the world as they see fit. Youve seen us change the world. Do you want to risk someone else doing it?

Who are the conquerors?

Theres me, the emperor of the Tamin Empire

Prolet seemed confused.

Human empire, Vihrogon clarified with a wave of his hand. Hes leading for the moment.

Tiallia the nymph empress, Dallion continued.

The nymphs were banished. The guardian interrupted.

They were, Vihrogon said again. Now theyre back.

And the archbishop of the Order of the Seven Moons.

The final name caused the Prolet to openly blink. Even for him, the Order had existed for as long as anyone remembered. They had never taken sides and always helped all that suffered at the hands of conflict. Having the archbishop try to take over the world sounded absurd to the point of heresy.

Youre not lying, he noted.

No. Those are the four pretenders. As youve probably guessed, Im the weakest, but if the nymphs follow me, that will change.

Follow you A sad smile appeared on the dryads face. So much time and were back where we started. The emperor created the sword marshals to serve as seeds in case we lost the war of conquest. Now, youre asking me to let everyone out so they could take part in another war.

Im not asking anything. If I lose, Ill die, but it wont end there. Too many lines have been crossed for anyone to go back. A single victor will emerge, and they will change everything: oceans, continents, races, and everything within. In the case of this world, its more likely that it will be destroyed before me. You said you knew how often I use the sword in battle. At my current awakening level, itll be a lot easier for them to slowly chip away at my weapons and companions than kill me off directly.

Euryale glared at Dallion with several of her stakes. Although he wasnt using music, with such a threat, he might as well have been. Everything said was technically true, although generations might well pass between the current moment and the potential destruction of the world. On the other hand, should the dryads return to the real world, theyd survive the swords demise provided that Dallion won.

If you pass the gate, Prolet began, How will you change the world?

Ill remove all battle scars and bring all seven races back to the world, Dallion replied without hesitation. Sincerity naturally filled his words. The same I did here.

Theres only one race in this world.

I was still learning back then. A smile shined on Dallions face. Im not here to drag everyone out. Although even non-fighters will be of help, Im only here to take those who are willing to follow.

Only those willing to follow Prolet nodded. Then itll be up for them to decide. Come to the temple city. Ill bring all the rulers there. Itll be your job to convince them.

Sure. And when Im done with that, Ill convince all of their subjects as well.

Do that and youll earn the twi-crown. The echo sunk into the ground.

For the second time since the worlds recreation, a general conclave was made to take place. As Vihrogon had suggested, while the world itself was very much alive and prospering, fractions had formed among the population, bringing rise to several primary and secondary powers. Tensions had risen many times and the only reason for all-out wars to be avoided was the decisive actions of the guardian who had stepped in. The arrival of the worlds creators quickly brought a different air to the gathering. Every ruler had gone to the temple city with serious doubts, only to have them subside upon setting eye on the levels of the visitors.

Men and women with millions of dryads under their command stared at Dallion and Euryale the same way he had stared at the first hunting party that had ventured into his village of Dherma all that time ago. It was a deep held belief that only the greatest awakened could get beyond level twenty, with fifty being reserved for the all-powerful guardian of the world. Anything beyond that defied reality.

Dallion had been forced to use his music skills to calm them down and stop them gawking before he could get to the series matter. It was fair to say that he had some doubts regarding his success, but was optimistic he could get a quarter of the worlds population. Given how much they had grown, that would prove more than enough for him to establish a few cities in some of the uncontested regions of the world before snatching Wetie province and the other world items in the archdukes collection.

To his astonishment, all the rulers were overly eager to prove their strength to the worlds creators. If anything, arguments arose who should be the ones to enter the real world first. Judging by Prolets expression, similar outbursts were normal. And yet again, Dallion had to resort to music skills to bring the tensions down. Ultimately, it was decided that Vihrogonthe proclaimed envoy of the creatorswould lead the rules of all dryad nations simultaneously into the new world when the time came, where each of them would be given their own city.

The general population also felt blessed, grateful that they were the generation that would fulfill the age long prophecy of returning to the world beyond. And, while Dallion had promised that anyone who wished could return to the sword world in the future, should they choose, very few seemed remotely inclined to do so.

The days after Dallions return to the world item, it was unanimously decided that hed be bestowed with the tri-crown, making him the new dryad emperor.