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CHAPTER 13: OH LIGHT OF PURIFICATION(3)

"Two chapter to go bud hehe" Cage reminded bud of the challenge

"No one chapter and then the title will change" Bud said with a voice of confirmation 

'Sigh why I am his friend again' Glenn had a existential crisis while taylor just shrugged at their behavior

"The concept of white magic here is different from what I know."

Eruhaben crossed his legs as he spoke in a low voice.

"The white magic we know is just magic that we use" Glenn said as he know magic more than a average person 

"True, but on that planet, they use dead mana as white magic," Rosalyn added thoughtfully, her brows furrowing in contemplation

"It even looks holy," Jack remarked, nodding in agreement

"Not holier than Cale-nim," Clopeh mumbled under his breath, but whether the others didn't hear him or simply chose to ignore him remained unclear

After the issue with the Wall of Purification, they followed the Pope into a study or office.

Cale's group members were either sitting on couches and chairs around the room or standing and looking at the map on the table at the center of the room. Their gazes turned toward Eruhaben.

"Usually, white magic is a term given to magic using regular mana and not dead mana in order to differentiate it from black magic. The term is not used very often."

The mages in the room nodded in agreement

"I am kinda curios how they do that" Sheritt said in a mischievous voice

"That white holy light right?" Mila asked as she was curious with it too

The ancient Dragon then looked at the Pope who gulped.

'Why did I not notice it?'

The Pope had not felt the ancient Dragon's presence earlier. However, the ancient Dragon gave off such a large presence once they came into the room and he took off his hood.

'It is highly likely that he is a Dragon.'

"I am glad they know what a dragon is so that means a dragon should exist there right" Choi han asked

"Ha even if a dragon was there why is it not doing anything against those hunter bastards" Rasheel snarled in annoyance that he guessed that even a dragon existed it should have sided with the black bloods

"It probably sided with the enemies or hiding which I doubt" Eruhaben replied with a click on his tongue

There might be another Dragon in addition to that small and cute black Dragon. This one seemed like a proper adult Dragon as well. The moment the Pope had this hypothesis that was more of a certainty...

"Hehe, that's true! I am a cute, handsome, and amazingly beautiful dragon, right?" Raon exclaimed joyfully, his eyes sparkling with pride

"Youngest is the cutest, nya!" Hong chimed in, boosting Raon's confidence as always. On followed suit, nodding in agreement

"My son is the cutest," Sheritt added warmly, pulling Raon into a hug. Raon, now flustered, stammered, "M-Mom..."

She couldn't help but speak formally to the individual who was speaking informally to her.

"Yes, sir, that is true. The basic magic that is used is also called white magic."

Cale, who was seated next to Eruhaben, was thinking about how the youngest young lady Orsena had shouted, 'white magic.'

'Which white magic was she talking about?'

"She might have talk about that white magic which uses dark mana" Tasha said and added "No one calls it white magic anymore"

"Well it is certainly possible" Alberu nodded

Was the seven-year-old talking about white magic using regular mana or was she talking about black magic that gave off a holy light?

The Pope continued to speak.

"Even now, that white magic, mm, I will just call white magic using regular mana just 'magic' in order to differentiate."

"This is so confusing" Bud whined in annoyance

"Because you are an idiot" Glenn said with no remorse 

"Glennn~ how could you say that" Bud just whined more 

'Omg please shut up' Glenn internally cursed at his so called friend

Cale looked at the map.

The three continents of the Xiaolen World... Most of it was dyed black. The ocean was dyed black as well.

"The ocean too..." paeston become uneasy

"The ocean contain so many lifeform than in the land" Rosalyn said as her face become dark

"Dead mana must have killed so many lifeforms including the beast people if there is some" King Shickler while Whitira frowned as she likes to protect weak lifeform from predators  

To be more specific, 81.29 percent of it was black as the world informed Cale earlier.

There was less than 20 percent that was maintaining its original color.

"Magic is still surviving through the named mage families. It is a symbol of a family's history and long-standing legitimacy."

"Magic will be useful if its used by right people" Harol said surprisingly because he understood some things after the war that magic couldnt be avoided instead people who are abusing that power should be removed

"You are correct chief harol" Rosalyn nodded in agreement

The Pope smiled awkwardly and continued to speak.

"Of course, magic is still used quite often, as 20 percent of the lands maintain their functions."

"How did the world end up like this?"

The Pope stopped talking for a moment at Eruhaben's question. She then let out a short sigh.

"...The land started to become dyed black about 300 years ago."

"300 years ago" Choi han repeated 

"That means that world was slowly consumed by dead mana" Tasha said noticing 

"Did they not notice it" Toonka asked surprising 

"More like they didnt know what to do even after noticing" Harol replied with a frown 'Why does the hunters ruin a world is it for fun or some other cause'

"Mm."

Choi Han groaned.

300 years.

That meant that the world was slowly taken over by dead mana starting quite a long time ago.

"The cause?"

The ancient Dragon calmly asked while observing Cale who seemed to be deep in thought. He also looked at the Beast named Sui Khan, who seemed to be just as deep in thought.

'They both act the same, I am pretty sure this sui khan knows more about this young master' Ron thought as he made up his mind to talk to him if he got his chance

 However, the ancient Dragon couldn't help but look at the Pope after hearing her response.

"The start was the extinction of the Dragons."

"WHAT!?" both Dodori and Raon shouted as they slammed their fist and paws in the tea table which did have scratch but repaired itself 

"Are they serious? extinction of dragons?" Rasheel also yelled in anger 

"No wonder that world become like this" Mila said that even tho she doesnt like to do what the divine said to the dragons but she understand that dragons are the closest to the nature and need them alive

"The same method as white star" Rok soo said anger visible on his face

"What?" Dragon half blood asked in a weak but stern voice

"In my timeline the dragons were the first one to die taking one by one it was mention in the novel but Cale didnt read it"

"Are you serious!? How could I die? I'm too amazing to die!" Rasheel exclaimed, trying to mask his concern with bravado. But the other dragons ignored his outburst, recognizing the weight of Rok Soo's words. This was no joke.

Boom!

The Pope turned her head after hearing a loud noise. The black Dragon, who was with the two Kittens, had slammed the ground with both front paws.

Crack.

The temple floor crumbled.

"Extinction?!"

Raon looked at Cale in shock and Cale shook his head.

"Please explain in detail, Pope-nim."

"Of course, esteemed purifier."

The Pope continued to speak in a more devoted voice.

"All of the Dragons on the three continents and the oceans died. The humans did not know about this at first. It was rare for humans to ever see Dragons."

"She is right" Eruhaben confirmed 'If it isnt that punk I would have died already I hate to say it but thats the truth'

"They are taking advantage of dragons isolate nature, if it isnt Cale or the dark elves who search for us we would never known what is going on in this world" Mila exclaimed as she was thankful towards them that her child can live in a peaceful environment well atleast dodori seem to enjoy the company of other dragons and living beings

"I-it isnt nothing dragon nim" Obante exclaimed while Rasheel clicked his tongue

She was right.

Cale was a peculiar case but most humans would usually have no Dragon sightings throughout their lives.

"A big weirdo" Bud said earning so many glares from the dragons and his own allies

'Well at first I didnt even want to have dragons, seriously when did all my plan fall, where did I go wrong?' Cale pondered internally oblivious to the vicious aura because of bud 

"But one day, there was a sudden incident where a mountain at the center of a continent suddenly sank down."

"A mountain crumbled?"

"What does a mountain crumble have to do with this" Toonka asked as his patience is running out, he just want some more drama in the screen or violence 

"Maybe because of dead mana" Harol said 

"No, sir. It didn't crumble, it sank down. It sank underground."

"Mm."

Eruhaben suddenly groaned and uncrossed his legs.

The Pope continued in a shaky voice as Cale's eyes clouded over while looking at Eruhaben's movements.

"The Elves came to find the humans at that time and informed the humans about the extinction of the Dragons."

"Wow who would have thought the prideful elves had the time to inform the humans about the fall of dragons" Archie said sarcastically earning a smack from whitira

"Archie you are becoming so comfortable" Whitira said with a dark smile while archie nervously shifted

This was written in the records of the church.

It described the incident.

The Elves had looked desperate while some of them were even crying when they came to find the humans.

"Doesnt the elves worship dragons like they are the gods" Bud asked 

"Hate to admit it but they do" Mila said with a groan 

"Atleast they are not worse than dark elves" Sheritt said in a low voice but the dark elves looked so prideful ever

" 'The World Tree has died.' "

The dragons groaned at this

"H-how can the world tree? no what about the elves that live their" Tasha said panic in her voice

"That world is in worser state than I thought well it is to be expected" Sui khan mumbled 

Eruhaben let out a deep sigh.

The Pope looked into the purifier's firm gaze as she spoke.

"That is what the Elves said and the world started to become dyed black after that."

"Excuse me."

Cale raised his hand to stop her for a moment.

"Isn't the World Tree an immortal?"

-- "That is true the world tree lives even after I burned it" Cheapstake said with a proud voice

'Wouldn't it come back to life as itself even if it died? Isn't that why it continues its life nonstop?'

"I'm not sure about that, oh esteemed purifier. Based on the records that were left behind, the Elves said a mysterious existence killed the World Tree and that the representatives of the different races went to confirm it was true."

"It is similar to The White star method" Choi han said as he looked at Cale who nodded in agreement 

"It is similar, just like that world in this world also the white star tried to destroy the world tree" lock said while Gashan nodded

"Cale-nim."

Choi Han, who had been quietly listening, started to speak.

"It is the same. It is the same as the White Star's methods."

Cale silently nodded his head.

'Choi Han is right. The pattern is similar.'

The only difference was that the White Star had failed.

He tried to kill the Dragons as well and went to a village of the Elves to get the branch of the World Tree. This might have been just one step in eventually killing the World Tree.

"It is similar" Dodori repeated

"I am glad that the world tree is safe in our world" Mila said with a relief

"No, I am planning on meeting it soon" Eruhaben said with a dark smile Mila looked at it and looked at others who had the same expression saying 'not anymore' 

'Those bastards even made a fake World Tree to- Ah!'

Cale looked down at a badge on his shirt.

The fake tree was in that badge.

"When did you meet the fake World Tree, if I may ask?" Violan inquired politely. Was it wrong for a mother to be curious about her son's activities?

"Well... it was on the Eastern continent, in a kingdom called Molden. The previous ruler there had a fake World Tree that was forced to absorb dead mana," Cale explained, though he intentionally left out half of the story

"The White Star really does whatever he pleases, huh," Deruth muttered with a frown

"Hyung, do you have the World Tree... sealed in that batch?" Basen asked curiously

"Ha, yeah. That World Tree was crying out for rescue, so I did what I could. But now I don't know where to plant it," Cale admitted, while Basen nodded, processing the information

'Hyung nim/oraebuni is truly is a hero' Both Basen and Lily's eyes sparkled 

It was a black World Tree at that.

'Mm.'

There was an odd look on his face and his long-time friends, who recognized it, looked at him wondering what was going on, but... Cale waved them off and motioned for the Pope to continue.

"There is nothing special after that."

The Pope's expression was quite dark for saying there was nothing special.

"The land became taken over by dead mana and the number of creatures dying rose exponentially. A new power started to rise and the power relations were reorganized. I will organize details about that in a document and explain at a later time."

"I can understand from the miles away that the dead mana users will be the one ruling that world while enslaving the others" Bud said nonchalantly but his eyes were sharp

The nobles nodded their head in agreement 

Cale nodded his head.

'I can basically figure out the power relations without explanation.'

The approximately 20 percent of land that wasn't dyed in dead mana yet...

Those places would be the center of power.

"But excuse me..."

Shawn spoke for the first time since coming into this room.

"Dead mana would naturally appear more abundantly as a lot of creatures would die once a decent amount of the land was taken over by dead mana, but, ah, never mind."

"I am pretty sure everyone is aware of it" Shawn responded in embarrassment

"Its ok to give opinion glasses dark elf" Raon said with a smile

"Y-yes Raon nim" Shawn become more embarrassed 'Cute'

He looked at the children averaging nine-years-old and stopped talking. He looked at the others instead.

'They already know.'

They were already thinking about what Shawn was about to say or had quickly realized the situation from what he said.

This was what Shawn was about to say.

– Cale, that Dark Elf is right.

Eruhaben shared his thoughts in Cale's mind.

– In order to first create enough dead mana to dye the land, they would have had to kill a lot of living creatures. It would have been similar to how the White Star was using the Mogoru Empire and creating a large amount of dead mana underneath the Alchemists' Bell Tower.

"I cant help get angry now" Toonka said with a frown 

"The empire really left us with a deep scar" Harol said 

"The slaves, sacrifices are from all over the continent, I am so ashamed to call him a human" Rosalyn said with dark tint of anger

While ron and beacrox were caressing their dagger and knife 

The underground plaza of the Mogoru Empire's Alchemists' Bell Tower had been full of bones and dead mana.

"First."

Everybody looked at Cale once he started to speak. Cale was still organizing his thoughts.

'The Hunters messed with the Roan Kingdom.'

He was almost certain about it.

'And youngest young lady Orsena mentioned white magic.'

So, the top priority right now...

"It looks like I'll need to visit the Black Bloods Household."

"Visit?" Raon asked tilting his head 

"Thats weird nya" Hong commented 

"Whatever he is doing there will be a blast not some cookies and tea talking" Choi jung soo said as he giggled 

'I dont even wanna know what they all have my image in their mind' Cale brushed their thought away from his mind for his own health

Raon tilted his head in confusion. Hong's ears twitched as he tilted his head to the side as well.

"Human! Why visit instead of destroy?"

"That's right, nya! That's weird, nya! It's weird that you are not destroying it, nya!"

Alberu sighed 'Not my world not my problem'

"I wanna see some castle flying" Hannah said with a snicker 

"Blowing up a island is easier than to make a castle flying" Archie said with a determined gaze

'Tf is wrong with the people in here' Rasheel cant help but curse on his mind

The Pope flinched but Cale was calm.

"Have I ever been someone who only destroyed things?"

"Yes!" Many replied with no hesitation 

"You people...." Cale started but sighed in frustration 'Seriously who is crazy the one commanding or the one doing with no remorse to legality huh'

"The time when we looted and destroy things telling it was the 'real arm' was the most amazing time of my life" Rosalyn admitted as she smiled brightly 

"Noonim" Pen cant help but shouted 'My sister is so sweet what is it about destroying maybe she is just saying yes just saying to comfort young master cale'

Smile.

The corners