Wain, Erza, Ern, and Alas had been at the root for more than six hours, so in the Forgotten Forest, night had already fallen.

"It was beautiful here in the morning, but this place truly became magical at night." Ern muttered while looking at the Spirits flying in the distance.

The night was a time when everyone slept, that rule didn't always work for fighters, but this night was quiet. Dozens of people who had come here for treasure were just resting now, they were even giving up the easy trials of the Spirits to keep their minds on the beautiful scenery.

"Yes... It's times like this when you realize that sometimes it's worth taking your mind off everything and just resting. You can't be busy doing something all the time, or rather you shouldn't be." Alas muttered as he yawned.

Wain had received the most serious wounds, but Ern, Erza, and Alas were also in combat, so this rest was what they needed.

Erza was silent the whole time. Her gaze occasionally moved from Great Tree to Wain's face, as he still lay in her lap as if on a soft pillow.

'Why am I different from other Inerians?' Erza inwardly muttered, 'If I were to fall in love with any man of my race, no with anyone but Wain, it would be so much easier... But, would it feel so sweet in that case...?'

...

'Damn... How everything hurts...' Wain inwardly muttered as he opened his eyes, 'Ah...?

The first thing he saw after waking up was Erza, she was looking at Great Tree and holding his head gently with her hand.

"Good morning... I presume?" Wain muttered while expecting a harsh response from Erza.

"Yes." Erza nodded as she turned to him, "You slept for quite a while, I didn't think you were such a sleepyhead."

'it's Erza?' Wain muttered to himself as he expected Erza to toss him aside or hit him or do something like that, it was in her manner, 'Maybe while I was asleep, someone switched them, or it all an illusion?'

Wain rose silently and stretched himself. His bones were stiff, so he needed to get in shape before he left for the Great Tree.

"Why are you so calm?" Wain asked while looking up at the clouds, "It's not like you."

"Does it need any particular reason?" Erza asked.

"No... But... Okay, forget it." Wain shook his head.

"Hey! I see you're already awake." Ern exclaimed as he jumped onto the root with Alas.

"Yes. Are you ready?" Wain asked.

"Of course!" Ern clenched his hand into a fist as he punched himself in the chest, "Go! The Royal Spirit and all the other treasures will be ours!"

"Agreed. It's time to get the Royal Spirit." Alas said confidently.

"Good. Let's go." Wain jumped forward.

The entrance to the Great Tree was visible from anywhere on the island. It was a huge, golden gate with seven empty cells. Many tried to break through it or somehow get around the keys, but even the most powerful attack couldn't even scratch it.historical

Whoooooooooosh.

Four shadows appeared in front of the gate. They looked at it as they smiled.

"Great. We're here. Forgive my impertinence, but I want to do this." Wain uttered before heading toward the gate.

He took his time and did everything slowly. Wain enjoyed every step. It had taken him a long time to get here, and he had gone through dozens of battles, so his goal was close at hand.

"Here we go." Wain touched the gate as he sighed.

A grain of Great Tree power passed through his body. Wain shuddered, but not with fear but with awe at something as majestic.

Whooooooosh.

Seven keys with unique auras erupted from his ring. Like stars, they flew into the cells.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The gate trembled, and the golden leaves shone brighter than ever. The light covered the entire island like a golden disc, so everyone noticed it, even those outside the island or the Forgotten Forest, as this light pierced all worlds and spaces for a moment.

"This is much better than I imagined." Ern smiled as a shudder ran through his body.

A crackle.

A blue beam of energy burst out of the gate, then it slowly opened. There was nothing behind the gate, only a vast golden light that attracted anyone who looked at it.

"Let's go." Wain said as he stepped inside.

They disappeared into the golden light while hundreds of fighters headed toward the Great Tree.

The gate's opening was even more important than the appearance of the Forgotten Forest. The golden light did not go unnoticed, even by those who would not normally act in the open.

...

"Well, well, someone has opened the gate after all. How interesting. We haven't been following the situation around the Forgotten Forest for nothing, so this is actually sensational." A man with short purple hair muttered while eating a red apple, sitting spread out on a massive sofa.

He was in a room similar to a hall in an ancient castle. Next to him stood a girl with pink hair and black eyes. She gazed intently into the crystal ball as Wain and the others opened the gate and entered the Great Tree.

Their appearance was unusual because they did not have the traits of any of the Pillars or known races.

"What shall we do?" Man asked.

"Let's go in there and kill him." The girl said in a furious voice while looking at Wain, "I don't know how, but that human killed my sister. I can't let him live, or I'll disgrace her and myself forever."

p "Whatever you say, but I think there's something wrong with this story. I don't believe your sister couldn't kill this human. Moreover, didn't she meet him near Sven's Void?" Man muttered in a thoughtful voice.

"Do you really think Sven helped him? That's impossible. Don't talk nonsense. Your words defile him and others!" The girl exclaimed.

"I'm just kidding." Man grinned, "Just... Even my old man flinches in fear when he hears his name, for him, it would be as easy as snapping his finger."