Chapter 615: The First Material Form

—”The world’s first material form.”

As the name suggests, this refers to the first matter that appeared in the world of Omnipotence. It was born after the Supreme God created this world with supreme power. It was formed from the residual power of the Supreme God after creation.

Its birth was an accident. However, it was indeed the first thing to appear in this world, containing the residual power used by the Supreme God to create the world, a crystal of divine creation.

The Supreme God discovered it but chose to leave it in this world. So, it took root and gradually merged with the earth over a long period.

Those who knew of its existence called it the “Branch of Rejuvenation.” Its appearance resembled a tree branch, hence the name.

Many had searched for it, but none succeeded. The Hero who founded the Ragna Empire also searched for many years on the land where it took root but ultimately found nothing, only establishing his country there.

Until now, besides the Supreme God, no one has seen this world’s first material form, the divine crystal left to this world.

The Supreme God left a prophecy for it:

“—When the sky is shrouded in darkness, and the earth becomes a crimson hell, the Branch of Rejuvenation will awaken from its slumber and descend upon this universe—”

It was said that only when all the conditions in the prophecy were met would the Branch of Rejuvenation separate from the earth and appear.

It was said that those who obtained it could wield the power of the Supreme God contained within, gaining the same power used to create this world.

No one knew what that power could do.

Some believed it could grant immortality.

Some believed it could create a new world or race.

Some even believed it could transform one into a member of the God Race.

It was undoubtedly one of the highest-level treasures in this world.

However, since the world’s creation, no one has found the Branch of Rejuvenation. Gradually, the stories about it became a legend, passed down only by word of mouth.

The royal family possessed records of this legend because it involved their ancestors, the founding Hero Ragna. Since the founding Hero searched for it, even establishing his country for this reason, it was passed down as a legend and recorded within the Imperial Family.

Every Emperor read this book. Some believed it and searched, but found nothing. Others treated it as a mere story. Even the former Imperial Consort used it as a bedtime story for Harvis and Capeline.

Until the former Imperial Consort was deposed and Mara took her place, only Harvis and Capeline, who had heard this story as children, knew about the legend.

…

“So that’s how it is…”

Shien looked at the records in the ancient book and had a realization.

“No wonder everyone regards it as a legend. Besides the Supreme God, no one has ever seen this Branch of Rejuvenation.”

Moreover, the appearance of the Branch of Rejuvenation could be traced back to the world’s creation. At that time, neither humans nor the God Race existed, and the Demon King hadn’t challenged the Supreme God. Therefore, how could anyone regard it as a true event?

“Well, all the flags are raised.”

Shien couldn’t help but comment.

Usually, such seemingly unrealistic legends eventually come true.

Shien felt he had seen through it.

“Was the High Priest really trying to unearth the Branch of Rejuvenation, which is why she had people digging in that place?”

It felt ridiculous.

Hiding in the wilderness, threatening people to dig secretly, what could they possibly unearth? The Branch of Rejuvenation wasn’t buried, but rooted in the earth, merging with it. It would only appear when the conditions in the Supreme God’s prophecy were met. And yet, they were digging? They were digging their own graves.

“Forget it, I shouldn’t complain.”

Shien sighed and pondered.

He knew the High Priest’s actions must have another meaning, not just trying to dig out the Branch of Rejuvenation like Capeline guessed.

The one in charge wasn’t the High Priest, but Mara.

Mara definitely knew about the prophecy. Therefore, her purpose wasn’t to unearth the Branch of Rejuvenation, but something else.

Although Shien didn’t know her plan, he could guess her motive.

“She must be trying to fulfill the conditions in the prophecy.”

Shien was certain.

Why did Hero Ragna establish a country on this land? Just to live there and conveniently search for the treasure?

Shien didn’t think the Hero was that naive. He must have had a purpose, the same as Mara: to fulfill the prophecy’s conditions.

Unfortunately, before Hero Ragna could succeed, he was killed by a Dragon Demon for being too conspicuous.

Mara came to this country after learning about this.

“Why didn’t she target the Mitra Kingdom, but instead came to the Empire to cause trouble, when she hated Heroes so much?”

“Why did she become the Imperial Consort here for ten years?”

There was only one answer: she could achieve her goal in this Empire.

She wanted the Branch of Rejuvenation.

For this, she needed to make arrangements in the Ragna Empire, fulfilling the prophecy’s conditions.

But the question remained:

“What is her purpose in targeting Diere?”

This bothered Shien. He came here for Diere.

Mara targeted Diere for a reason.

But what did Diere have that she needed?

Could this be related to fulfilling the prophecy’s conditions?

But why was Diere, a descendant of a Kingdom noble and a true Hero descendant, involved in the conditions for the Branch of Rejuvenation’s appearance?

Just because she was a descendant of the Raifurut family? Then why not just target the Raifuruts directly?

“Ugh, I don’t understand…”

Shien couldn’t figure it out. He knew too little about the Empire and Mara. He hadn’t even seen her face.

“Now that the High Priest’s base is destroyed, this lead is gone.”

He could only pursue the other lead Harvis gave him.

“Leni Bafein…”

Lasha and Lilith should still be watching her.

“After leaving the palace, I’ll go find them.”

Shien flipped through the ancient book again, confirming there was no other information, then put it back.

“Mmm… mmmmm…!”

A muffled cry for help snapped Shien out of his thoughts.

He turned towards the source.

The Emperor, still hanging upside down, his face bruised and swollen, a cloth stuffed in his mouth, struggled miserably.

Shien walked towards him.

“…!?”

The Emperor seemed to have just woken up, instinctively crying out. Seeing Shien, he remembered what happened and stopped struggling, his swollen eyes filled with fear and a plea for mercy. He recognized Shien as the mysterious expert who destroyed the Raifuruts and thought Shien was going to kill him.

Shien did consider it. Such an incompetent Emperor was a scourge.

But…

“Someone told me not to kill you, because he wants you to repent before his mother.”

Shien said.

“So, I won’t kill you.”

The Emperor was relieved.

But Shien continued,

“Although I won’t kill you, you’re an eyesore.”

He extended a hand towards the Emperor.

“Since you forced someone into a deep sleep, I’ll turn you into a madman, ridiculed by everyone.”

“Don’t thank me.”

“I’m just doing a good deed.”

Ignoring the Emperor’s terrified gaze, Shien cast his magic.

“[Bestowal: Madness].”

That day, the Emperor went mad.

The Empire descended into true chaos.

About half an hour later, a group of noble officials who had just entered the Emperor’s bedchamber rushed out in panic.

Shocking news came from their mouths:

“His Majesty has gone mad!”

“His Majesty has lost his mind!”

“Quickly inform the priests of the Temple!”

“Hurry!”

As this news spread throughout the Imperial Palace and beyond, chaos erupted.

No matter how foolish or incompetent, he was the Emperor of the Ragna Empire.

Now that he’d gone mad, the shock and impact were unimaginable.

Many nobles rushed to the palace, while others went to the Temple, requesting the priests to diagnose the Emperor.

The entire palace was in a state of chaos and tension.

Harvis, in his bedchamber, heard the commotion.

“Mad?” he muttered, knowing it was Shien’s doing.

“Good.”

He commented indifferently, no longer seeing the Emperor as his father. Their bond had been severed when the Emperor, influenced by Mara, attacked his own children.

Capeline was indifferent to the Emperor, but Harvis felt nothing but apathy.

“Even if you’re mad, I’ll make you repent before my mother,” Harvis muttered.

He closed the curtains and returned to his bed, continuing his life under house arrest.

Soon, a priest from the Temple arrived and diagnosed the mad Emperor.

His report shocked everyone:

“His Majesty has been afflicted with madness-inducing magic.”

“The magic is very powerful, and my Restoration Magic can’t dispel it.”

“Only the Pope of the Kingdom’s Temple, the Legendary Yuler, can dispel it.”

Many realized the situation in the Imperial Capital was about to change drastically.

News spread like wildfire:

“An intruder entered the Imperial Palace and harmed the Emperor.”

…

Meanwhile, Shien, the culprit, returned to the Bigusler residence.

He was either unaware of, or didn’t care about, the impending chaos.

He returned casually, unnoticed by the hidden spies. Even the servants, unaware of his presence, were instructed by Rockto to stay away from his room.

However, upon returning, Shien found Lasha and Lilith had already returned.

No, not just them. They brought someone else back.

“Why are you back?” Shien asked, looking at Lasha and Lilith.

Lasha was tending to someone by the bed, while Lilith jumped into Shien’s arms.

Shien hugged Lilith and looked at Lasha suspiciously.

“Something happened, Mr. Shien,” Lasha said concisely.

The person she was tending to was lying on the bed, seemingly unconscious, a young girl with tanned skin, a unique appearance, and big eyes, about thirteen or fourteen years old.

Shien recognized her from the crystal Harvis gave him.

“That’s Leni Bafein, right?”

“Yes,” Lasha nodded.

Lasha had brought back the person she was supposed to be monitoring.

And she was unconscious.

“What happened?” Shien frowned.

Lasha’s reply was concise: “She was almost killed.”

…

Five minutes later, Shien understood.

“You’re saying that while you were monitoring Leni Bafein, someone attacked her?”

Shien was surprised.

“Yes,” Lasha confirmed, “We saw her being chased, her guards killed, leaving her alone.”

“So?” Shien pondered, “You saved her?”

“Miss Lilith did,” Lasha said, “I judged that Mr. Shien might need her, so we didn’t let her be killed.”

“Alright.” Shien looked at the girl, “What’s wrong with her now?”

“Nothing serious,” Lasha said, “She probably suffered a shock and lost consciousness after Miss Lilith saved her.”

This was understandable. Although her relationship with Mara was unknown, she might be unaware of anything, having lived a normal life for ten years after being adopted by the Bafein family. It was normal for a young girl to be traumatized and lose consciousness after witnessing such an event.

But Shien sensed a strange and eerie magic power from the girl.

He frowned.

Then, Lasha dropped another bombshell:

“Not only was the young lady attacked, but the entire Bafein family, Imperial nobles, was also assassinated.”

Shien was stunned.

“The Bafein family was assassinated?” He asked, “Are they…?”

Lasha’s gaze was calm.

“No survivors.”

“…”

Shien fell silent, then sighed.

“Alright,” he asked, “What about the assassins?”

“Miss Lilith didn’t kill them,” Lasha said, “But after failing, they all committed suicide, detonating magic tools and destroying their bodies.”

Ruthless. There had to be a hidden motive.

“Who would annihilate the entire Bafein family at this time?”

Shien felt he was about to be blamed.

“Perhaps it was the Bafein family’s enemies, taking advantage of the chaos Mr. Shien caused, eliminating them and shifting the blame,” Lasha said, voicing Shien’s thoughts.

Shien was speechless. He felt he would be wrongly accused. After all, he had annihilated the Raifuruts and attacked the Emperor. The Empire would definitely think he was responsible for the Bafein family’s annihilation.

“What a disaster.”

Shien sighed, but he doubted it was truly their enemies. The timing was too suspicious.

“A girl under Mara’s care for ten years suddenly faces an assassination attempt and her family’s annihilation?”

There had to be more to this.

“Things are getting complicated.”

He’d just unearthed the Branch of Rejuvenation, guessed Mara’s goal, and eliminated the High Priest, and now a new mystery appeared. The Imperial Capital was more complex than he thought.

“I need to find Diere and Leisha.”

Shien was restless. The lack of news from Diere worried him. Dealing with Mara could wait, but Diere’s safety was paramount.

Lasha seemed to sense his concern and brought good news.

“Speaking of my lady, I might have found her location.”

“You… you found them?” Shien was stunned, then overjoyed.

Lasha nodded.

“I’m a magical being created by my lady. Although I don’t have magic power, I can sense residual magic when she uses Spatial Magic.”

Lasha told Shien a location.

Shien blinked.

“In that kind of place?”

He was speechless.