Chapter 170: 170. The Cursed Tree
Chapter 170: 170. The Cursed Tree
The general thought for a moment before he said, "There isn't anything special that could attract the attention of one of the seven Magi families and even if there were, it should have already been in the clutches of the main family."
Orion frowned. If there wasn't really anything the Valen family wanted from them, then why did they do this? Why the need to go extreme.
There were occasions when two magi families exchanged goods based on their interests with each other so if the Valen family had come up with a deal, the Darkwood family wouldn't have ignored them.
If they could really do the whole thing the proper way, then why did they take the worst-case scenario?
"Prince, I think I know about a place in Roele that could attract some unwanted attention here."
At that moment, the general said something that caught Orion's interest.
"What is it?" he asked.
"There is a tree on this planet called the Cursed Tree," the general said. "Nobody knows how long this tree has been here but one thing everyone knows about this tree is that it's cursed."
"Why?" Orion asked with interest. "Why does everyone think it's a cursed tree? Is there any specific reason behind this?"
The general thought for a moment before he said, "The area where the tree is located is completely barren. No trees, grasses, animals, or even monsters could be seen there. Only the yellow and brown stretches of land could be seen, as far as the eyes could see. However, this tree is the only thing that grows there—the only living thing that exists in that area.
Because of it, the people on the planet Roele called the tree—The Cursed Tree, saying it drained every bit of life around it and became the only overlord in the area."
Orion found this tree really fascinating and terrible. To be able to grow in an area where not a single living thing existed was an achievement worth the title it had—The Cursed Tree.
Though he also wondered if what the people said was true—that the tree absorbed all the life forces around itself to sustain itself—and that was the reason why the area around the tree was completely barren.
Looking at the general, Orion asked, "I get what you said, but what does this have to do with the attack of the Valen Family and their stealing of the mana essence pool?"
The general took a deep breath, hearing Orion as if he were about to reveal something big.
"There is a rumour around The Cursed Tree that it bears a fruit that, when eaten by someone, could get rid of their curses permanently."
"Why are the royal family interfering?" Orion asked.
"Good question. Think about it: if all the strongest people in the world were to fight for some fruits, which might not actually be as miraculous as the legend says, then what would the world turn into? A war would be the least of the emperor's problems if that were to happen.
Therefore, only one platinum-rank individual would be there and that too would be from the royal family for maintaining peace and integrity."
Orion understood how serious the situation would be if that were to truly happen.
At the very least, the peace of the Magus Kingdom would be over, and the royal family definitely wouldn't want that, especially considering that only five years remained before the demon race, if not all three enemy races, attacked the human race together.
They were already in a bind because of these threats, and if an internal war were to break out, the fall of the human race, at least in the Magus Kingdom, would be inevitable.
"Father, one last question: how did the rumours about the world tree spread so fast?" Orion asked. He had previously thought that since the Valen family had their eyes on the fruits, they would be very quiet about it. However, the reality was exactly the opposite of what he had expected. This made him wonder if the rumours were spread intentionally by them or if there were other forces at work.
"We don't know the exact source but what I can tell you is that only a Magi family could spread such rumours to the entire world in such a short amount of time."
"A magi family, huh?" Orion felt that his assumption about the Valen family spreading the rumours might actually be true.
"Alright, this is all I wanted to say. Though remember this, although the mission I gave you is important, it isn't more than your life. So remember, safety always comes first."
With those words, the badge General Khan had been holding stopped vibrating and became silent.
Knowing the seriousness of the situation, Orion didn't waste any time and tuned in to General Khan.
"Take your strongest men and meet me outside, fast." He ordered him.
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