"Why have you come here?" The Sea Dragon spoke coldly as he looked at everyone before stopping his gaze at Cyril.
The two Dragons did not let their guard down at all as they retained their oppressive aura around them. However, they maintained a safe distance since the five Demons with him were also wary and ready to fight back.
"I'm here to find something in your Arcane World… Of course, I hope that you can help me to make it a lot easier. I'm willing to repay you through whatever means if you can do this for me."
Cyril spoke using the Dragon Language.
This scaled Sea Dragon appears really cool and aesthetic. It mysteriously floats in the sky and carries several blobs of water around him.
"Go ahead. Tell us what you're looking for. If you wanted to take our life and be called a Dragon Slayer, you should know that you wouldn't die easily." The Sea Dragon threatened.
Cyril took a deep breath as he carefully choose his words.
"I need to find the Tree of Life. I heard that the Dragon King is aware of its location. No, I was told that it is located at the Sacred Altar protected by the Dragon Race."
Cyril said as he nervously held his Staff. He's unsure how would these Dragons react after finding out the truth after all.
The existence of the Tree of Life might be a very huge secret for them considering how only the kings of various races are allowed to know its location.
"Gahaha! So you also want the Tree of Life!"
This time, it was the silent Sand Dragon who laughed after Cyril mentioned his intention for coming here.
Even the Sea Dragon started looking amused at Cyril after hearing this.
"The Tree of Life… So you humans are already aware of it, huh… Or was it mentioned by the Demons serving you?" The Sea Dragon asked.
Cyril remained calm at this as he knows that the existence of the Tree of Life should only be discovered about 12 years from now. Learning about it this early is definitely out of the norm.
Nevertheless, what was important is that the Tree of Life should already be existing.
'Great! From their words, it seems that they know about the Tree of Life. This is good.' Cyril felt happy even though the Dragons are still hostile. Now, he just had to show his negotiation skills in order to find more clues about the Tree.
"I heard about the existence of the Tree of Life from an Elf Princess that I've assisted… She told me that the Tree of Life is carefully protected by the Dragon Race. I'm here to ask for your help. I need to find it at all costs." Cyril announced as he looked at the two Dragons.
In truth, his Conqueror's Domain is still active and he's also ready to cast his Magic Seal if he sees one of them trying to attack.
Then, he also secretly ordered his Demons to fight if something went wrong with their negotiation.
"Gahaha! Do you think you deserve to even have a glimpse of that tree?! You ignorant fool!"
The Sand Dragon suddenly said and without waiting for Cyril's reply, the Dragon's long tail started making its way on their spot.
"Tsk! What's with this dragon?!" Cyril complained as he looked at the Sea Dragon who was just calmly watching everything. It seems that it's not going to attack so he decided to just focus on the Dragon's attack.
Cyril wanted to lead the defense but he was suddenly stopped by Amaris as she pointed at the two demons. They are the Snake and Centipede Demon.
"We'll take care of it!" These Demon Servants said as they burst with power and suddenly become giants.
Though they are not as big as the Dragons, they are huge enough to grab the tail and launch their own attacks. The Demons don't have control of the elemental powers like wind or fire… However, their rank allows them to use mysterious dark energy that slowly corrupts their target. It would either corrode them or make them submissive to the Demon. This is actually a very scary ability and even the Dragons are wary of it.
They are always covering themselves with Draconic Might that expels any foreign power from messing with their bodies.
"Master… Those two won't be able to hold it for long. They have not corrupted a lot of people after all. We need to help them while the Sea Dragon doesn't have plans to attack."
Amaris suggested seeing that the Sea Dragon who seemed to be stronger than the Sand Dragon is not moving at all and only watching them with a curious gaze.
"That's enough Ordycreth… Just lead them and get them to leave after they see the Tree of Life."
"Eh?"
Cyril was shocked as soon as the Sea Dragon spoke. They were just about to fully assault the Sand Dragon when the voice of the Sea Dragon reverberated throughout the desert.
"Ordycreth… Is it the name of the Sand Dragon?" Cyril muttered seeing how the Sand Dragon decided to back away and no longer fight the two Giant Demons.
"Heh… Are you sure, Gradrus?" Ordycreth looked at his fellow Dragon.
"Yes… It's just the Tree of Life. There are many of them. Allowing them to see it should be fine. I'm sure that the Nirgurth wouldn't mind it as well."
The Sea Dragon replied.
Cyril suspected that Nirgurth is another Dragon living in this Arcane World.
'Three Dragons? Isn't this too dangerous? Ugh… I just hope that getting out of this Arcane World doesn't have a strict restriction like killing one of the Dragons.' Cyril couldn't help but be nervous. He's quite confident about handling a single Dragon after seeing the gap in their strength.
However, fighting three of them or even two of them at the same is very disadvantageous to them.
"Bah! I want to at least kill one or two Demons here… Why can't you just wait? Isn't better if that human with Elf Spirit would be scared of us?" The Sand Dragon complained but he still retracted his hostile intent.
Of course, Cyril didn't want these Demons to die just yet. After all, he wouldn't be able to explain it to Selma once she decided to visit him again.
However, the two Demons were also tough as they replied.
"Gahaha! You think you can kill us?"
"Bring it on!"
They started provoking the Dragon seeing that they are being ridiculed. It certainly hurt their pride and they wouldn't just let the Sand Dragon get off with it.
"Whatever… Just follow me." Odycreth dismissed the two Demons' words as he noticed Gradrus' chilly expression.
"Amaris… Follow him cautiously. This might also be a trap." Cyril said as he looked at the Sand Dragon moving away.
After being betrayed by someone he even thought was the love of his life, Cyril already has a habit of doubting someone first.
This is why he wanted to take it slow so they wouldn't be surprised if they were suddenly ambushed or gone into a trap.
However, after following the Sand Dragon for twenty minutes nothing happened to them at all.
Cyril wanted to ask the Sand Dragon how long will take but before he could even speak, the Sand Dragon suddenly opened its large and smelly mouth.
Whom~
An invisible force came out of its mouth as it suddenly cleared hundreds of sand dunes ahead. It appears that it was some kind of illusion array as they are now seeing a kilometer-wide oasis!
There are many trees, a couple of large lakes and what was even more noticeable is the tall and beautiful purple tree at the center of the oasis.
Cyril's heartbeat quickened as he made an inquisitive look at the Sand Dragon.
Honestly, he's curious why they have suddenly changed their mind and decided to bring him to the Tree of Life. He thought that they would eagerly hide the existence of the Tree of Life after all.
But looking at it now, it seems that they are really planning to show it to him!
'What's going on… Is it really this easy? Is there a trap?' Cyril was confused.
His original plan was to just find a clue about the Tree of Life… but he's already close to it!
"That's the Tree of Life you're looking for, suicidal human. If you pass the trial, you will be allowed to take its fruits, leaves, or even a branch." Odycreth said with a voice that seems to look down on him.
"A trial?" Cyril asked as he finally understood why he has been allowed to reach this place. It seems that they have some kind of rule for people who are looking for the Tree of Life.
"That's correct. There is a Dragon Spirit there that will give you a test. These puny Demons can't join you. If you die there, I will eat them so you won't be alone.. Gahaha!" Odycreth laughed as he signaled Cyril to approach the Tree of Life.