"Anyway… that's it."
"I have something very important to do next, so, as always… I'll leave everything to you, C.C."
Leon smiled gently as he said this, turning his gaze toward the green-haired witch beside him.
With a natural motion—as if he had repeated that action countless times over the years—he lightly touched her cheek in a brief yet intimate gesture.
Soon after, he handed her his clothes.
Night had already fallen completely.
But Leon and Nahida's birthday celebration was far from over.
During the day, there had been the Festival of the Flower Goddess, celebrated alongside the common people.
But at night, it was time for the social banquet.
An event reserved for the elite: high-ranking nobles, influential merchants, and important figures from all across Sumeru.
Leon had never had the slightest interest in that kind of occasion.
Besides, there was something far more important to be done.
He needed to go to the World Tree.
And meet the previous Archon.
The being known as the wisest and most beautiful in Sumeru's history.
"Yes… as always."
C.C. let out a soft sigh.
"You keep pushing this witch to her limits… although I'm already used to it."
She took Leon's clothes.
Without hesitation, she began removing her magical disguise accessories.
Over time, she had practically become his "copy."
Thanks to her exceptional acting skills, there had never been any flaws when impersonating Leon.
"Haha… if you don't want to, I can take that role."
A soft laugh echoed from nearby.
It was Yelan.
She was already curiously fiddling with the disguise accessories.
"An opportunity to openly dress as Your Highness doesn't come around every day."
For someone like her—a top-tier spy directly subordinate to Leon—impersonating someone else was simple.
"I don't mind…"
C.C. replied, casting a critical glance.
"But if it's you… you won't be able to hide those two useless lumps of flesh."
Her gaze fell directly on Yelan's chest.
Although C.C. wasn't exactly small, her figure leaned toward a modestly full size—her growth having stopped at nineteen.
And as an immortal witch, that would never change.
Even so, she could easily conceal it with a few wrappings.
But Yelan was a different story.
Leon glanced at the spy.
And based on his experience, he was certain that, at the very least, she was above average.
"…Alright."
Yelan shrugged, raising her hands in surrender.
But as soon as she stepped back slightly, she puffed out her chest, as if silently proving a point.
In truth, she had always thought that way.
For someone who constantly operated on infiltration missions, it was more of a hindrance than an advantage.
She had already gotten stuck in narrow passages, ducts, and even walls during operations—situations that nearly became side stories on their own.
"Ahem… anyway."
Leon interrupted, clearing his throat.
"I'll leave the entertainment of those annoying nobles to you, C.C. I'll handle everything else as quickly as possible."
"I know." C.C. replied, already putting on his clothes with impressive speed. "But don't forget the payment."
"I know—a new pizza flavor."
In just a few seconds, she completed the transformation.
Putting on the magical mask, she became indistinguishable from Leon.
"No problem." He smiled. "After all these years… you still haven't gotten tired of it?"
"Of course not." C.C. replied immediately. "If it's pizza… I could eat it for another hundred years without getting bored."
"…I see." Leon chuckled softly.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"You can handle everything however you want… but that woman—I'll deal with her when I return."
"Understood."
There was no need for further explanation.
C.C. already knew exactly who he was referring to.
The understanding between the witch and the "demon" was absolute.
Yelan, standing nearby, watched in silence.
A faint trace of envy passed through her eyes.
Unlike the others, she spent long periods away on missions.
Sometimes, she truly envied people like Eula, Anis, and C.C.
Who could remain by Leon's side without restriction.
Even so, she had no doubts.
If Leon were to evaluate her, she would be among the three most important to him.
In his own words—
"Even while living on missions, you still manage to enjoy yourself quite a lot. More than a certain troublesome queen."
Yelan was a cold and seductive spy with… peculiar tastes.
Behind her professional demeanor was an entirely different side.
Something that only surfaced at very specific moments.
Especially when she received her "reward."
On those occasions, Leon's castle basement would usually be… unrecognizable the next day.
"So that's that." Leon clapped his hands lightly. "Let's get to work."
—
At the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
Nahida gazed at the building before her.
Her eyes carried deep emotion.
Before, that place had been her prison.
But in the past, it had also been where her sister distanced herself from the world.
If her sister's departure had been the first turning point in her life—
Then meeting Leon was the second.
Nahida clenched her small hands tightly.
Now, she wanted to reclaim what she had lost.
And for that, she relied on him.
She believed with all her heart.
Leon was a hero.
A living miracle.
Someone capable of turning the impossible into reality.
"I need to tell my sister…" she murmured softly. "I need to say I'm sorry… I'm not suited to be Sumeru's ruler."
Even though she possessed wisdom, her heart was too sensitive.
Too gentle.
(A god may love the world… but the world is not always worthy of that love.)
But that was no longer a problem.
Sumeru now had a new king.
Someone extraordinary.
Nahida believed, without the slightest doubt, that Leon would become the greatest ruler the world had ever seen.
"Nahida… are you ready?"
The voice came from behind her.
She turned and saw Leon.
"Yes." she replied with a small nod. "I can go at any moment."
"Then… let's go." he nodded.
Holding her small hand carefully, he used his other hand to take out an object.
A green piece, resembling a chess piece.
The Heart of God.
Leon had complete mastery over that power—something the Great Sage had spent years trying to achieve, without success.
In the next instant, a green light blossomed.
And then the two disappeared.
When they opened their eyes again, the world had changed.
A dreamlike, ethereal space.
Beautiful beyond words.
A place that made anyone believe they were dreaming.
And at the center of it all, there was a colossal tree.
As if it had come straight out of a fairy tale.
Leon and Nahida stood atop a massive root tinted in shades of pink and violet.
Even a single root was thicker than the trunks of ordinary trees.
They looked up—and understood.
Without a doubt, that was the World Tree.
A place that transcended reality and existence.
Where all the world's information was recorded and preserved.
An impossible presence.
And yet, there it was.
A gentle voice echoed.
"…The destined moment has arrived."
Nahida closed her eyes for a brief instant.
"Yes… I can feel it…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"That aura… it's my sister's… there's no doubt."
---
(End of Chapter)