—”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: