291 Submission (2)

What’s she yammering about

In the Holy Tree Matriarch Temple, only Nizemar remained unphased.

The talk of choosing and abandoning timelines or the Void Sovereign’s origins was lost on her. To Nizemar, the Holy Spirit was an infinite existence that transcended time and space. The Eighth Holy Spirit, Hermit, was no exception. He should have lived in the Realm of Light, but instead chose to be born on the Vic Continent as William Kane, out of pity for Currere.

Being an incarnation of the Holy Spirit, it wasn’t surprising that William could control Currere’s timeline.

After all, the Currere was created by the Holy Spirits and molding its timeline was only natural.

While others struggled to grasp these complex time theories, Nizemar had a more pressing concern.

Nizemar, who had returned to William’s side, gently released Elise’s hand and stood in front of Floral. She said with a serious and pious expression, “So, are you saying that you’re willing to submit to William Kanethe Eighth Holy Spirit, Lord of the Vic Continent, true emperor of the empire, leader of the Doomsday Watchers, Presiding Judge of the 13 Judges, and the Moon Realm’s Calamity? And, are you offering to hand over the entire Emerald Province as proof of your loyalty?”

“Nizemar!”

William was taken aback by Nizemar’s sudden boldness, and he stopped her verbally.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I”

After William shouted her name, Nizemar’s shoulders trembled in fear. She turned around immediately and looked sincerely apologetic. She lowered her head slightly and apologized.

Before William could speak, she continued, “Is it wrong for me to call it the Emerald Province, a region demarcated by the false Holy Spirit? Perhaps I should call it Ravenwood and the neighboring tribal kingdoms as you do in your time period?”

Was that the main point?

William realized that talking to Nizemar about this would only drag him down to her level.

He had come with the intention of expanding his influence to encompass the entire Ravenwood area, but was her question too straightforward?

After a simple interaction, William could sense that Floral seemed like someone who could be convinced but not forced. William understood that taking power from her would be easy, but finding a suitable ruler within the Oak Council would be a greater challenge than finding a peaceful monster in the King of Deathblood’s domain.

However

“I’m willing to offer you the entire Emerald Province or Ravenwood. I’m willing to submit to the Eighth Holy Spirit for the rest of my life, just to see peace in the four seas and the empire ruled by the right person” Floral said slowly.

But William thought to himself.

“But all of this is contingent on one thing. The country you rule can’t become a desolate wasteland. The most efficient and secure way to thwart the Lady of Starvation’s scheme is to ignite the Ravenwood Forest until it’s nothing but ashes. To be blunt, burning it to the ground could be the right decision whether it’s based on reason or emotion.”

Floral met William’s gaze with a steely determination.

“But if you go through with your plan, know this: I’ll stand in your way. And let me tell you, I won’t go down easy. You might see me as a mere inconvenience, but I’ll do everything in my power to put a stop to this madness. Even if it means giving up my life. I may not have the ability to change the outcome, but that’s exactly why I cling to this shattered country and why I’m still alive to this day.”

Looking at the determination in the other party’s eyes, William sighed and said, “May I ask why?”

Floral replied, “Because this is my home and because I believe I can make it through. Because”

At this point, Floral paused as if she was hesitating about whether to continue.

After a moment of silence, she said with a sense of conviction, “But, if I may overstep my boundaries, it’s also for the sake of Nehe, my benefactor. His final wish was for Ravenwood to endure forever and for all the Forest Elves to find salvation. You may find it absurd that I refer to him as my benefactor, considering a thousand years have passed since his time and I only obtained his legacy through some scrolls. But I will do everything in my power to honor his wish and protect it.”

She let out a long sigh and looked at William nervously, waiting for his final verdict.

William’s face was blank, his gaze fixed on the magical device in his hand and the pristine Holy Spirit emblem in the temple. After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh.

Floral felt her heart skip a beat, though she was long past having a real heartbeat.

“I don’t want your loyalty built on false pretenses and coercion. That’s worthless and a threat waiting to happen. So let me be clear. If the only way to save Currere is by burning Ravenwood to the ground, I will make that choice. And I’ll eliminate anyone who stands in my way as an enemy” William said.

Floral’s face fell and she tightened her grip on the magical device. Nizemar grew tense as well.

“But I promise you this: I, William Kane, will do everything in my power to prevent the worst outcome. As long as there’s even a one in ten thousand chance of saving Ravenwood, I will do my utmost to save it. Not just for the 40 million Forest Elves who have been trapped as trees, but to honor the final wish of my friend Nehe, to protect this land.”

William walked towards Floral, lowering his head to look into her icy blue eyes.

“To have any chance of saving Ravenwood, I need your complete assistance. At the very least, until we know for certain that it can’t be saved, you must help me. And if I determine that the final solution is necessary, I will inform you and give you a chance to stop me. Do you accept these terms?”

William extended his hand, adorned with glittering rings, towards her.

Floral processed his words, her voice trembling as she spoke, “What are the odds of saving Ravenwood? And more importantly, can I trust you?”

Floral’s black gown, adorned with golden threads, rustled as she straightened it. With graceful poise, she dropped to one knee in front of the legendary figure from a thousand years ago.

In front of all those assembled, she raised William’s hand and pressed her lips to the ring that symbolized the Judges.