Chapter 26

The man kneeling before me reports that there is something strange happening in the forest.

It’s odd.

That forest will soon be entirely mine, the king.

Just a little more.

It’s futile for them to do anything now.

There’s no need to rush.

Fool.

“Offer your blood and strengthen yourself.”

As the mage leaves the audience chamber, I can’t help but laugh.

Just a little more, and this world will be mine.

There were detestable kings in the forest, but that was long ago.

Many may have died, but some may have survived.

I will use them until they die under my rule.

It’s an honor to be able to serve the king of this world.

……

Strange happenings in the forest?

It’s said that it’s far away and not certain, but it was faintly glowing.

What is happening?

Is the forest… dying…

The composite magic eye spell cast over the entire forest by the Empire of Empelus.

This is what caused all the order to collapse.

Many of the holy beasts that lived in the forest disappeared, and mindless monsters and beasts began to overflow.

How was the composite magic eye spell created?

It’s rumored that sacrifices were offered.

No one knows the truth, but that country is strict with anything other than humans.

“If the forest falls under the control of the Empire of Empelus…”

……

The sound of gasps can be heard from those around me as I listen to the report.

The Empire of Empelus has been trying to dominate the forest for nearly 200 years.

The forest has been gradually changing its appearance.

What does this recent strange occurrence mean?

There were two countries surrounding the Empire of Empelus.

They disappeared about 200 years ago.

It’s said that many of their citizens suddenly vanished.

The composite magic eye spell, which was originally created to dominate the forest.

It was rumored that sacrifices were offered to it.

But everyone thought it was just a rumor.

Of course, if it were true, it would mean that hundreds of thousands of lives and blood were sacrificed.

Such a taboo would never be broken.

But, it’s probably true.

The Empire of Empelus broke the taboo.

We made a mistake in our response.