Chapter 345: I will not let you down!

Words : 1172 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 345: I will not let you down!"Dragonblood Crystal counts as a Level 3 Special Resource," Auremax said without hesitation. Ethan nodded, then followed up with another question. "Alright, then let me ask you this—if you had to pick just one Level 4 Special Resource that would benefit Emerald Castle the most right now, which one would you choose?" Auremax paused, caught off guard. His brow furrowed slightly as he replied, "My Lord, that’s... something I’d really need to think about. As far as I know, there aren’t many Level 4 Special Resources out there, but each one has its own strengths. If I had to pick just one... I’d need some time to give you a proper answer." "No rush. Take your time and let me know when you’ve decided." Ethan gave a small nod, then added, "Alright, that’s it for now. Auremax, go find Oakenmaw for me. I need to speak with him." "Yes, my Lord." Auremax gave a respectful nod and turned to leave. BOOM! A deep, thunderous rumble echoed through the ground not long after. A towering Treant—massive beyond belief—slowly made his way into Ethan’s presence. With a deep, resonant voice, he bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, my honored Lord. Auremax said you were looking for me?" "Yeah..." Ethan nodded, getting straight to the point. Without wasting time, he pulled out two items: Zylarion’s Arcstone and a B-grade fragment of Order Dragon Asha’s power. He handed them both to the Ancient War Tree, Oakenmaw. "Oakenmaw, I’m not sure if you recognize these. This one’s Zylarion’s Arcstone—it’ll directly accelerate your evolution, helping you reach Hero Unit status faster. "And this one... is a B-grade fragment of Order Dragon Asha’s power. I’m giving you both. With these two artifacts, I think you’ve got everything you need to evolve into a Hero Unit, right?" "This... this is really for me?!" Oakenmaw froze, stunned. Then, pure joy exploded across his ancient wooden face. But even as excitement surged through him, a deep disbelief lingered in his heart. Because honestly, even though he considered himself one of Ethan’s oldest and most loyal followers, his personality—or rather, the nature of all Treants—was quiet, reserved, and unassuming. They never fought for attention, never sought the spotlight. Their presence in Emerald Castle had always been... subdued. And over time, that low-key nature had translated into a kind of quiet marginalization. Even they themselves had come to accept it as the natural order of things. But Ethan had always treated them fairly—never harsh, never neglectful. So they’d simply gone with the flow, content with their place. They never expected anything more. Which is why even Oakenmaw himself couldn’t believe it. That he—Ancient War Tree Oakenmaw—was being given this kind of recognition by the Lord himself? This was a chance to become a Hero Unit—maybe even a Crimson Ultimate Hero someday! An opportunity like this? Even the most elite Ace Units would kill for it. And yet now? Now, out of nowhere, this dreamlike opportunity had just... landed in his lap. It was surreal. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, emotions swelling in his chest. But when he opened his mouth, he found himself speechless. The gratitude, the awe—it was overwhelming. After a moment of hesitation, he clenched his wooden jaw and said, "My Lord... perhaps you should give these to Green Dragon Orryn instead?" Ethan blinked, surprised. "Why would you say that?" "..." Oakenmaw didn’t know how to answer. He just gave a sheepish, awkward smile, clearly flustered. But deep down, he truly believed that someone like Green Dragon Orryn might be more deserving of such a gift than himself. First off, Orryn comes from the Green Dragon bloodline—he’s a direct descendant of Seraphina herself. His lineage is pure, noble, and unquestionable. And just like me, he’s one of the original veterans under your command. So, by all accounts, he’s probably more qualified than I am." Oakenmaw hesitated, then continued, "Second... I know him well. We’re close. And because of that, I understand his heart. Orryn’s a dragon who craves strength. He’s proud—just like Seraphina. Always pushing himself to be better. So if he ever found out he missed out on an opportunity like this..." Oakenmaw trailed off, his voice low. "He wouldn’t resent anyone, of course. That’s not who he is. But he’d definitely be disappointed. Probably deeply. And as someone who considers him a friend... I don’t want to see him like that." As Oakenmaw spoke, Ethan watched him closely. For a moment, he was surprised—but then, reading the sincerity in the Treant’s eyes, he understood exactly what was going through his mind. And that made him chuckle, shaking his head with a helpless smile. "You really overthink things, you know that?" Ethan said, amused. "Yeah, these items are rare. But it’s not like I only have one of each. I gave them to you because, right now, you’re the better fit. That’s all. I treat everyone here equally. So stop worrying and just take them." "...Then I thank you, my Lord," Oakenmaw said quietly. THUD! Suddenly, the massive Treant took a deep breath—and then, to Ethan’s surprise, he lowered his towering form and knelt before him. His massive limbs bowed low, and in that moment, he offered the highest form of reverence known to the Treant race. "Oh great and noble Lord, to bask in your light is the greatest honor of my life. By the sacred name of Earth Dragon Sylena, I, Ancient War Tree Oakenmaw, swear this oath: I will dedicate my life to you, my Lord of Emerald Castle. I will forge ahead through thorns and fire, and if need be—lay down my life in your name!" ... Ethan stood there, stunned for a moment. Then, something stirred in his heart. Right then and there, a thought took root—he wanted to build an entire army of Ancient War Trees. A force led by Oakenmaw himself. Because Ethan was someone who could be moved—deeply and easily. As a Lord, he’d always wanted to treat his people fairly. And now, seeing Oakenmaw’s loyalty, his humility, and his unwavering belief... it made Ethan feel like all the effort, all the ideals he held onto—they were worth it. "Alright, alright... get up," Ethan said with a smile. "Oakenmaw, I hope that the next time I see you, you’ll have already evolved into a Hero Unit." "And more than that—I believe you can lead your Treant kin to carve out a place for yourselves in the future of Emerald Castle. You’ve got what it takes. I believe in you." Oakenmaw’s voice was firm, unwavering. "Great and noble Lord, thank you for your grace and kindness. I swear to you—no matter the cost, even if it takes my life—I will not let you down!" Ethan nodded, smiling warmly, then gestured for him to go. As Oakenmaw turned and left, Ethan’s gaze shifted back to Cicero, who was still in the midst of his awakening. He stood there quietly, watching, waiting. And then— Without warning, something changed.

Chapter 345: I will not let you down!

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