Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me Chapter 779: The Curious Princess

Within the bustling city plazas, where the clamor of life perpetually surged, an unexpected hush descended.

Messengers garbed in the white and gold vestments of the Holy Empire took their positions in the heart of these squares, unfurling scrolls bearing the resplendent royal seal. Sunlight struck this insignia, transforming it into more than a mere decree; the words themselves seemed imbued with an irresistible authority.

One messenger advanced, commencing to read in a voice that unnaturally filled the expanse.

"By the solemn decree of the Divine Prophet…"

The gathered populace held their collective breath.

"The Cursed Tree, deemed a peril to the continent’s equilibrium, must be eradicated."

Murmurs arose, though most listeners were perplexed. This was a proclamation that had already been issued. Why the repetition? Did the Holy Empire merely wish to ensure its remembrance? The people were truly at a loss.

However, the subsequent declaration shifted these hushed tones to a different frequency.

"A foreign entity… harbors this tree."

Silence reclaimed the area, but this time it was weightier. The revelation was difficult to grasp. This transcended mere guardianship; it was an act of defiance against a divine mandate!

Yet, the term "foreign entity" eluded comprehension. Monsters were monsters; what did "foreign" signify? Had it journeyed from beyond the continent’s borders?

Furthermore, what manner of creature could withstand the Holy Empire’s might?

"It has defied the Divine Prophet’s command."

This pronouncement stole the continent’s breath.

In pious enclaves, faces grew ashen as individuals exchanged bewildered glances. Some sank to their knees, murmuring prayers. Others spat the word "apostate" with fiery indignation, as if that single label encapsulated the sheer audacity.

In contrasting locales, where the sword held sway over supplication, smiles began to bloom. Adventurers and seasoned warriors greeted the news with eyes alight with avarice.

"One hundred million gold coins…" a voice chuckled.

"And now, a living quarry presents itself."

Within the regal courts of other empires, where decisions were wielded with razor-sharp finality, an even profounder silence took root. Monarchs and their advisors absorbed the reports with wary expressions.

"A single individual… dares defy the Prophet’s will?"

This had escalated beyond a mere assignment; it was an unpredictable variable. Throughout history, no one had dared to transgress the Divine Prophet’s decree.

Such an event had occurred only once before, prompting a continent-wide mobilization to hunt down the offender.

Could history indeed repeat itself?

From the veiled recesses of hidden Sects and clandestine organizations, different smiles unfurled.

"Perhaps… this is precisely what we awaited."

And so, an inconspicuous spot in the depths of an uncharted forest became the focal point of the entire continent’s attention.

At that precise juncture, deep within that very forest, untouched by the external clamor yet palpably affected by its ripples, Daniel remained in his seated posture.

However, the surrounding environment had transformed.

The tree’s roots had extended further from the earth than before, writhing like silent serpents across the ground in an unseen quest.

The luminous glow emanating from the fruit overhead had intensified. Following the absorption of the life essence from those five individuals, its maturation had entered a brief, accelerated phase.

Yet, the fruit’s accelerated growth appeared to influence its surroundings, as neighboring trees also exhibited hastened development.

Daniel surmised this phenomenon was likely attributable to the fruit’s peculiar radiance.

His eyes were closed at this moment.

His physique was utterly motionless, but this immobility signaled not repose, but a profound concentration, honed to a degree where physical action became superfluous.

Faintly, imperceptible shifts occurred in the ambient flows of Qi.

The Mana, once perceived as remarkably orderly within this forest, now began to swirl erratically. Shadows deepened, and an intrinsic force, emanating from his very blood – something distinct from pure Mana – started to intermingle with this altered state.

Within his consciousness, pathways started to materialize.

"This is insufficient…"

The surging flows converged, only to diverge at the precipice of connection.

"There must be a nexus… something to bridge these elements…"

He endeavored repeatedly, each attempt bringing him closer, each conviction that success was imminent.

And each time, a crucial component was absent. A subtle flaw, elusive to precise identification, yet a vague sensation, akin to a missing piece in a puzzle whose overall form was known but the fragment’s placement remained a mystery.

He struggled to reconcile his bloodline with his inherent nature; every endeavor led to an impasse.

He had exhausted all conceivable methods, only to encounter failure, as if these two aspects were fundamentally incompatible.

Just when this dead end felt insurmountable, a shift occurred.

It was as if a previously sealed door had swung open, bringing clarity to his thoughts.

Connections that had been nebulous until that very instant snapped into sharp focus.

It wasn't a novel realization, but rather a rediscovery of something that had always existed, yet remained unseen by him.

His eyelids lifted slightly, his gaze fixing upon the ancient tree.

And in that fleeting moment, comprehension dawned.

This assistance... it hadn't originated from him. For several seconds, he remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the tree.

"...Was it you?"

No verbal response was given, yet within the profound silence, a subtle presence lingered. It felt like a nascent life form, not fully awakened but undeniably there.

Daniel concentrated further, attempting to establish a connection, but no direct reply came.

Only that faint, indistinct feeling persisted. He closed his eyes once more, in quiet contemplation.

"Could this be its way of showing gratitude?"

At that precise moment, another sensation captured his attention.

A presence, too faint to be considered a genuine threat.

Concealed, yet intimately familiar. Indeed, from the very first instant it registered, he knew its identity.

The presence advanced tentatively, its approach marked by a caution that seemed akin to hesitation rather than outright fear, eventually halting at a deliberate distance. It was as if its occupant was uncertain whether to reveal herself.

A subtle smile touched Daniel's lips.

"Princess... welcome." He then spoke aloud.

After a brief pause, the figure emerged, discarding her shawl.

It was, without question, Elisira.

She took a few steps forward, her gaze unwavering as it met Daniel's.

"Even the Grand Minister cannot locate me when I wear this shawl," she remarked, her tone fluctuating between amusement and exasperation.

"Concealing yourself from me is no simple feat," Daniel responded, his eyes not directly meeting hers.

A brief silence descended between them.

"I had assumed you would not dare to return."

"I did not wish to come..." Elisira inhaled softly, as if acknowledging her own uncertainty regarding the decision.

She paused, then added,

"But my curiosity compelled me."

Daniel let out a soft chuckle. He hadn't anticipated this young woman would be among those whose curiosity overshadowed their sense of self-preservation.

"Sigh, don't laugh... Do you have any idea how challenging it was to get here? My father has doubled my guards since yesterday," Elisira huffed, moving closer to him before settling down.

"I'm undecided whether to deem you courageous or foolish. Are you not concerned I might end your life?"

"If you intended to eliminate us, you would have done so already... You only strike those who pose a threat to the tree, correct?" the Princess inquired, a smile gracing her lips, though an undercurrent of doubt tinged her voice.

Daniel offered no reply, choosing to remain silent.

Sensing the prevailing silence, Elisira mustered her courage to voice the central question that had drawn her there.

"Are you... human? Or perhaps a monster?"

"Neither. Though I was once human," Daniel answered without any hesitation.

His statement was truthful. His current form transcended humanity and could not be classified as such, yet it was equally distinct from that of a monster.

"Then why do you protect it?" Elisira sighed, her gaze momentarily drifting towards the tree.

She surmised that whatever this entity was, it wouldn't provide a complete answer to her prior inquiry, prompting her to pose a different question.

"Because I desired to, and additionally, I was bored." Daniel executed a casual shrug.

"...What?" The Princess's eyes widened in sheer astonishment.

"I had absolutely nothing else to occupy my time." His demeanor suggested complete sincerity.

"You incurred the animosity of the entire continent merely out of boredom?"

Daniel offered no retort, simply meeting her gaze. Revealing that a system of unknown origin had directed his actions was hardly an option, was it?

"Did you know the Holy Empire has just announced your existence to the entire continent?" Elisira struggled to reconcile his response with reality.

"Everyone is converging now," she added, issuing a grave warning.

She observed him intently, awaiting his reaction. Would it be fear? Exhilaration? Derision?

However, what unfolded before her defied all her expectations.