Garden of Deep Return, an ancient forest where trees grow over bones and rivers carry rotting leaves that turn into seeds. The air is heavy with the mixed scent of life and death.
"In this place, open wounds heal far too quickly, while equipment deteriorates with the passage of the battle."
"I don't carry equipment."
"This works even with equipment made of mana."
Enrico gave all the possible information about the last guardian before Elowyn entered. The guardian's mana quality was higher, along with an intelligence focused on the creation of his own magical affinity.
"This place is special to him, because it was here that he grew up before becoming king."
"So this is the place where my ancestor lived."
That's right—this Garden, even with these effects, was where Morgrin Pendrave, the first king of Sanos, lived during his youth.
"And of course, the obvious—he has the same magic as you."
"Yes, that really is obvious."
"If you lose, it will be humiliating for us, princess, so make sure you win."
"Lord Enrico, don't speak like that to our princess. I know we don't have a good relationship and that she did questionable things, but—"
Not caring much about Narisse trying to completely win Enrico over to her side, Elowyn entered the last zone. That discussion behind her was useless, especially since Enrico was already her consort and would have to stand by her loyally.
"So you are my successor this time?"
In front of her, a twenty-year-old man with golden hair sat on a red throne in the middle of the garden. He wore golden armor with white contours. From what she knew, this armor was the family's treasure, having two unique abilities—one a unique ability, and the other capable of fighting gods.
'But the unique ability to defeat gods would only awaken at the user's tenth circle.'
This armor was well guarded, and no one to this day had managed to wear it, as it was created in a cruel way in which hundreds of lives were sacrificed for it to be born. To wear it, one would have to carry those souls every day; many tried to use it but ended up going insane.
'That's why it ended up becoming a forbidden weapon in our family.'
"So, will you choose the path of the wise king or the powerful king, Miss Successor?"
"Of course, the path of the powerful king, because I am not as incredible with words as my father."
Morgrin sighed with a bit of disappointment, since the last successor had been quite interesting to talk to. Standing up, he created a golden sword in his hand.
"If you speak like that, then Alaric is your father, right?"
"Yes."
"He truly was someone impressive with words; he surprised me quite a bit at chess."
In this zone, the only ones who could fight were the successors, and it was not like the previous battles. Here she could choose between two paths: the wise and the powerful. In the wise path, she would have to play chess with Morgrin while discussing how to manage a kingdom.
'I am intelligent, but I am still many steps away from reaching the level of my father and his. I can reach it in the future, but right now it's not possible.'
She admitted she had flaws and certainly would do everything possible in the future to improve her skills, but at the moment the best option was to take the path of the powerful king, where it would be just a fight in which she would gain a certain authority depending on how she performed.
"Very well, my successor. Prepare yourself, and I would like to give a warning—I am not much for talking during battles."
He took his battle stance, holding his golden sword with both hands. Elowyn did something different; she simply summoned several golden swords, both large and thin.
"For me, that's fine… besides, it's not only in chess that I can demonstrate my intelligence. In a fight, that's also possible."
"In a way, you are right."
Holding his sword, he was the first to move, raising his arms and making a downward slash. A golden cut began tearing through the ground toward her. Before the slash could reach her, Elowyn created a golden shield that managed to stop the attack.
'As Enrico said, his power is equal to mine.'
Enrico asked his system for information when Elowyn asked whether the opponent's level would increase. Upon receiving the answer that he was simply set at the same level as Elowyn, he passed the information on to her. With that, she now knew her opponent was almost at the sixth circle, just like her.
'It's very possible that one of us will evolve to the sixth circle in this fight. I just have to make sure it's me.'
A second movement came from Morgrin's sword, causing another slash, but this time stronger. The impact of the golden slash against the shield once again reverberated through the garden, causing exposed roots to break and ancient bones to surface from the soil.
'What a powerful attack—this shield won't hold for long.'
Elowyn dispersed the shield into smaller blades, which spun around her like a controlled swarm. Morgrin advanced without hesitation, the sword changing shape mid-movement, elongating into a golden spear that pierced the air with absolute precision toward her chest.
Elowyn stepped back, dodging with difficulty and calculating her next move. Two of her swords fused into a curved bow, firing solid mana projectiles that regenerated along their path, while others formed luminous chains anchored to the ground. Morgrin spun the weapon, transforming it into a hammer, crushing the chains and deflecting the shots with pure force.
'His physical power is also quite good.'
The garden reacted to the fight, wounds closing far too quickly and mana metal groaning under accelerated wear. They stared at each other for a brief instant, golden mana pulsing in sync. Elowyn was beginning to complete her strategy to defeat him as the battle progressed.
'I just need to analyze his abilities a little more, and I'll win.'
'What a confident successor. It seems she is certain she can defeat me.'
A small smile appeared on Morgrin's face, as he found it quite interesting when his successors showed such confidence—and, of course, the power to back up their words.