บท 298: Chapter 290: Battle For The World Tree 2
Two days after arriving back from the Summit, Drake and his party were finally within reach of Avalon, the Elven city that Princess Aralleen and her sister came from.
The road to the city was smoother than Drake expected. There had been no traps or waiting ambushes that he was prepared for. Instead just general monsters of average level, roughly 13 to 15. Which by his estimate was slightly above what it was a few weeks ago.
Just as Tatsuki explained as well as Natto before her, the world was still assimilating the changes from the integration as the monsters continued to grow in strength.
Drake during their day's travel had begun working his way through Natto's detailed reports that he had admittedly been reluctantly lazy to read.
The information in them was what he expected. Reports on the daily activities of the city, where manpower was being allocated, where funds were being funneled for growth, how the city was developing in general.
There was also information on specific areas that they lacked, such as laws and regulations, staff and positions on general oversight outside of Natto. They currently had a small force of people who would keep the peace, but with the influx of people Drake had recently rescued it was impossible for them to keep up properly.
Natto wrote several pages worth of requests for more funds, personnel, proper training for said personnel, and more than enough pages yelling at Drake for not enough snacks and sweets being paid.
Drake had to be helped up multiple times by Claire, as he read the documents tripping over nothing from sheer exacerbation.
Moving to the dredges of the reports it began detailing upcoming events and quests Drake should be prepared for.
In particular it detailed the process of ranking up to E-Rank for most individuals, as well as the quests that are commonly associated with them.
"Let's see… So it looks like hitting E-Rank isn't the difficult part normally, just level up to 30 and you go through the same process as F-Rank… Gross does that mean I have to blow up again?" Drake lamented, mumbling to himself as he read, "Skills become stronger and reset Proficiencies, same with Professions. Okay simple enough, but there's an unlock quest normally that is scaled to main class rarity. Now that sounds like a bitch…"
"Hmmm? What are you reading?" Claire asked, leaning over to peek.
"Just reports and stuff I've been slacking on recently. Natto gave me an earful when you arrived at the city, remember?"
Claire pressed a finger to her lips, "Oh I do remember that, I just thought she was yelling at you like she always does. Even when we first met she was always poking fun," she giggled.
"Haha… yeah, She's just oodles and oodles of fun. But this is a little different, I actually deserve it after reading through these. There's a lot of information I haven't been told since I've been away from the city recently. I guess leveling up let her divulge a lot more. There's even some detailed explanations on the races here… Like how Ice Wolves fight in a ceremony of dominance… to… pick…a… mate- God damn it!"
Claire's eyes thinned and she rubbed a knuckle into Drake's side.
"I didn't do it on purpose!"
Their fun ended soon as they came to a small clearing in the woods. Led by Arallen, the Princess stopped pointing to the sky.
"We are a few hours from the city now. You will be able to see the Millenium World Tree Felaern," she explained with a somewhat sorrowful expression.
Drake whistled, "Now that's a tree."
"Falaern is a relatively young World Tree. Even still, they have been rooted since before my family's line was made."
Spread out before them in the distance was something incredible. Never had Drake seen something so large. The monumentally large tree, even at the distance they were, could be seen clearly.
Its enormous canopy spread over the horizon and let down hanging vines so thick they seemed to be fingers reaching for the earth.
Not only this, but there seemed to be a different air about the tree, a small ripple in the air attesting to not only its power but vital energy is the only thing Drake could use to describe it.
"Looks like they aren't going to be taking my advice either," Drake frowned, looking out, seeing the small outline of large walls with blobs of what he could only assume were people running on top of them.
He turned to the group, "Everyone will stay here as planned. The rest of us will go receive their warm welcome."
"Drake, you are seriously going to go through with this and not take us with you? You know how much my skills will help, especially with your magic!" Claire protested.
"No. We're doing this with just us. And Charlotte here specializes in lighting combat magic, so save your buff skills for her. I've let you have your way and come along, but this is where I put my foot down. You are staying here."
"But-"
"No buts! You're staying here where I know you'll be safe and I can focus on doing what I have to," Drake turned away from them and began walking towards the tree in the distance, "Let get this done quickly."
Leon looked over as well, nodding to Ari who bowed slightly and stayed with the remaining group without a fuss.
Drake gave a glance to Leon and his expression soured more.
"What?!" Drake scowled.
"I didn't say anything dumbass. Don't bring it here just cause you're frustrated at yourself," Leon scoffed, throwing his hands behind his head.
"Who said I'm frustrated?"
"It's all over your face dude," Damian pointed, "Why can't I be strong enough to just protect them! Ahhh, you better shut your ass about that dawg. We plenty strong out here, but things just happen. You remember that time we was grinding in the back lot of that map?"
"Oh the one we thought no one would bother coming to because it was such a pain to get there?" Leon said, remembering the game Damian was mentioning.
"Dats right. And what happened at 4 AM on a weekday?"
Drake sighed, "Some assholes decided to raid our spot just because."
"Yup. We all know sometimes people just do shit just cause. And bad things happen sometimes just cause. If Ekko was here she'd say the same thing, she smart like that."
"Your point?" Drake grumbled.
"Point? You know damn well what my point is, Shot. You ain't dumb. For all our power there are going to be things that are unexpected, it's just how it goes. And your ass is trying to keep them in a nice little box so it don't happen."
"Is that so wrong?"
"We all been there," Leon yawned, "But you're missing what Wow-fi is sayin'. You're trying to take away their choice in the matter."
Drake flinched, frozen in his tracks for a moment as a conversation he had with natto in the tutorial flashed in his mind.
"Yeah, there it is," Leon smiled, "There's the classic, I've heard that before from someone else look."
Drake frowned, "You've never seen my face before a few days ago, how would you know what the hell this face is."
Leon waved his hand, "Dude, we could see that face through the mic a thousand times, how long do you think we've known you? Not to mention our asses are older than you, we been through everything you have dumbass. Just wish you would listen to us the first time instead of having us drill it into your fat head."
"You guys are pretty old," Drake scoffed.
Leon swung his spear, hitting Drake in the back of the head.
"You're old too, dumbass."
Drake rubbed the back of his head, but couldn't help but smile. It was nice having them back like the old times.
He had lost his father when he was young and these two were the ones teaching him growing up for better or worse. Drake's dad was gone so there was no one to keep him in check and tell him when he was being stupid or crazy.
It was a nostalgic feeling, like he was back in his room just talking to them on the computer again. Telling them about his problems.
"We've arrived, Lord Wallen," Aralleen spoke up, being silent for the entire walk.
He felt a little embarrassed for letting her listen in on their conversation but Drake put his head back on straight. He wasn't going it alone, having to protect everyone again this time around. This time he had his old friends by his side. Ones he had trusted his back to time and time again.
Other Primordials.
They all looked at the towering walls on par with ReUnites. However these were made of twisted and petrified vines.
"The World Tree Falaern's branches formed these walls," Aralleen explained, "They are very sturdy and will be difficult to get past," she looked behind to their small force of less than 30 people.
Drake had only brought themselves and the small contingent of Aralleen's personal guards.
"I don't think will be havin' any kinda problem getting through," Damian smiled and tapped on his suit's massive blue leg, "Things like this are kinda our specialty."
Leon placed his hand to his head like a vision, looking up at the wall, moreso the people than the structure itself.
"Drake, Elf girl. You think these people are prepared?" Leon asked.
"I thought you said it wasn't your problem?" Drake shot back.
"It isn't but I don't like killing weaklings."
Drake looked over to Aralleen, "What do you think Princess?"
"I fear all the sensible citizens left when we had. Anyone remaining will either be forced to comply due to Valor holding their families captive, or are just that fanatical in their loyalty to Valor. We elves are stout of heart and I am sure they are prepared for what should happen while they are on top those walls," she said sorrowfully.
Drake took in a deep breath, stepping ahead of the others, "I'll be giving them one last chance."
Clapping his hands together a large green magic circle formed in front of him. The wind around them beginning to kick up.
"Citizens of Avalon. This is your last warning to vacate the city," Drake began, his voice carried by the wind, "Your leader has partaken in vile dealings with the undead, selling off your own for his selfish gain. I urge you to reassess your loyalties and not meaninglessly lose your lives in a fight that is not yours. I will give you one hour! And any one that surrenders peacefully will be treated fairly by Princess Aralleen!"
Drake released the spell, the magic circle vanishing into particles of mana only for the shouts above the walls to fill the area.
"Begone Demon!"
"There is no quarter for you and your lies here!"
"The Princess is just the daughter of liars and tyrants! Of course she would ask for aid from such a monster!"
"We have seen what you have done to cities!"
"Do not underestimate the strength of our city!"
Leon clasped Drake on the shoulder, "Still want to give them that hour?"
Drake bit his lip and nodded, "I just wanted to hope."
"You doing a lot of that lately?" Leon asked.
"It's all I have right now… Isn't it?"
"That one's over my head. But, stop putting your fucking head down. It's pissing me off. If you're going to do things your way even against our advice. At least do it with a raised chin and a straight back. A man bears the accidents and bumps in the road as they come, with strength and the determination to go on, making the best of times."
"Wow that was really-"
"Even if I think you're being incredibly fucking stupid."
"Aaaaand it's gone. You know, you and Natto might be brother and sister."
Another slap came from his side and Drake looked down at Damian.
"Life didn't give no got damn manual to us, and it sure as shit didn't give it to you. Work through it just like we did man. Now, how you wanna handle this? Iron man style or are we steam rolling this city?"
Drake scratched the back of his head, "We don't know what's inside. They've had enough time to call for reinforcements from almost anywhere I'd guess…"
"Man come on, you acting just like you did before that castle siege back in the day. You remember that Leon?" Damian spat.
"Oh? The one everyone else canceled on so we had to go in with just us?"
"Dats the one. Bunch a bitches! They all backed out because it was running late, then Shot went into trying to figure out the best way to fight it. But what ended up happening huh?"
Drake laughed, "We ended up rushing the front gate and steam rolling them anyway."
"Yup. But now there's a big difference."
"What's that?"
"Now we got Lady," Damian thumbed to his mech.
"You named your ride?" Leon bursted out laughing.
"Don't be jealous," Damian scoffed, "Me and Lady got the gate, you two figure out the rest."
Leon and Drake looked at each other and shrugged, "Yeah, whatever."
"Please wait! Falaern has a constant barrier surrounding the city. Not even a thousand warriors could penetrate it without substantial preparation!" Aralleen interjected.
"You're just bringing this up now?" Drake rolled his eyes, "What do you say now Wow-fi? Your Blue-MAU able to handle it?"
"Man…. Fuck that barrier," Damian scoffed, jumping into his mech.
—---------------
Damian settled into his sports seat inside his mech, Lady. Pressing a small button on the console as music began playing and a cup holder extended out in front of him.
"Welcome back, Pilot."
A mechanical female voice greeted him.
Damian took in a deep breath with a satisfied ah.
"Nothing like the inside a sci-fi killing machine. Smells like got damn winning in here! Boot up the cannon. Armor pen rounds. Let's dump 50%."
"Initializing Siege Cannon… Processing…"
Damian leaned back, pulling a large cup from his inventory as the sound of humming began to overtake the music.
"Turn up the jams Lady. We be showing off today. Blast the Free Bird."
"Loading 700mm AP Antimatter Shell… Round Seated… Charging Mana Battery Fold…"
Looking at the display screen, the surroundings began to glow and Damian could see the elves in the distance begin chanting spells and bombarding him with skill empowered arrows. But none of them were powerful enough to penetrate his Mech's armor.
"Depleting main Monster Core storage by Pilot directed 50%... Mana Battery Fold overcharged by 30%."
"Let it be," Damian took a sip from his cup and placed it into the holder. "Twilight Salvos. Fire."
"Positive Pilot Voice Confirmation. Firing Twilight Salvos."
The cockpit lit up instantly, the bright flare of energy being discharged whiting out the heads-up screen and shaking the entire Mecha for a brief moment.
Once the screen dimmed and then normalized, Damian smiled at his work. A massive hole was punched into the wall, scorching the earth black around the weapon's impact. Further out he saw the still smoldering hole punched into the center of the World Tree.
Taking the cup from the holder he took another sip.
"That's what I call a bang."
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