Karayan sighed as if reluctant to admit it. Then, looking at his outstretched hand, he calmly murmured, “The spirits aren’t responding.”

“What?”

“It’s been quite a while. Even to my call, the spirits didn’t respond.”

Spirits contracted by a Spirit Master not responding? Does that make any sense?

“I checked with other Spirit Masters… there are even those who have been showing symptoms for a long time.”

“Is it just you, oppa?”

“Spirit Masters who can still summon spirits have inquired about the whole situation.”

“To the spirits?”

“Yeah.”

“What did they say?”

“They cried.”

Karayan laughed bitterly.

“Why should we help humans who harm nature? Even if we want to help, we can’t. Nature doesn’t desire it.”

“What do you mean humans harm nature? When have we ever harmed nature…!”

“Somewhere, Genevra’s experiments with the corrupt World Tree. According to the causality, it said natural disasters would soon cover the world, leading to its destruction.”

I was speechless. Watching me wide-eyed, Karayan nodded, as if he understood.

“The power of the corrupt World Tree is rampant everywhere, so it’s not a false statement.”

So, to prevent this destruction, the experiment to create the World Tree he had tried was, in fact, further instigating the world’s demise?

‘What a foolish…’

I sighed heavily, pressing my forehead. Seeing Karayan, who didn’t outwardly express it but seemed to be upset about the spirits not responding, made my heart ache.

The spirits were a part of Karayan. They were friends who had been together since childhood, a source of confidence in his younger days. Now, they were so close that they couldn’t be separated from his body.

The fact that the spirits didn’t respond to his call must have been an upsetting matter for Karayan.

“Still, just in case, try again.”

“…I’ve tried several times, but they didn’t respond.”

“They might have been busy.”

“The spirits?”

Karayan laughed softly at my comforting words. When I joined his laughter, he reached out, indicating that he understood.

Unlike the usual casual way Karayan would summon spirits as easily as breathing, this time he called them with a tense expression.

However, the spirits still showed no reaction. Karayan’s shoulders slumped. It wasn’t his fault.

“Karayan, I…”

As I cautiously put my hand on his back to comfort him, it happened.

[Dashi]Contract holder.

It wasn’t a voice heard through the ears but a voice transmitted directly into the mind. I turned my head in surprise, and Karayan’s spirits revealed themselves, communicating through his thoughts.

“The spirits…!”

Karayan was also surprised, standing up abruptly. The wolf-shaped water spirits walked slinkily towards Karayan and gently touched their heads to him.

[Dashi]We wanted to respond to the call, but the vitality of this land isn’t abundant enough. Nature doesn’t wish for it. Understand, contract holder.
The fact that the vitality is not abundant on this land likely means that this world is gradually approaching its demise.

As I communicated sufficiently with Karayan, the advanced water spirit, whom I hadn’t met before, turned to me.

[Dashi]However, the power of the World Tree allowed us to reveal our forms.

The power of the World Tree, referring to the power within my body. This force, filled with vitality, seemed to enable the spirits to reveal themselves once again.

‘The spirits recognize my power.’

I thought that the unusually friendly behavior of the spirits towards me might be due to the power of the World Tree within me, the power of nature itself.

As I reached out, the advanced water spirit in the form of a wolf approached, lowering its legs so I could pat its head.

“Always stay by Karayan’s side and protect my brother.”

[Dashi]Having the power of the World Tree bestowed upon the contract holder, we can respond to your call once again. Nature views the contract holder with favor.

Feeling the energy I emitted, the advanced water spirit nodded quietly. With the advanced spirit by his side, Karayan would no longer be in as much danger.

‘I’m relieved.’

I let out a cautious sigh of relief.

‘If just my touch can infuse the power of the World Tree and summon the spirits again… I might be able to help the Spirit Masters who currently can’t use their powers.’

Spirit Masters were crucial. They lent their strength, drawing upon the power of nature to prevent the world from falling into ruin.

Once I returned, I would have to instruct Rejim to select a list of Spirit Masters who currently couldn’t use their powers among the advanced Spirit Masters on the continent.

That was my resolution.

Bang!

The door opened forcefully. There was only one person in Karayan’s palace who would behave so aggressively.

“Revanthel? What’s going on?”

I faced Revanthel, who entered without surprise. He, who had taken a step back, relinquishing the time between siblings, came rushing with a pale face.

“…Teri.”

Revanthel grimaced as if he had just had a terrifying nightmare.

“We’ve received an urgent message from the Royal Palace. We have to go back immediately, Teri.”