I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 549 549: The Holy Tree of Ymir

The Utopian War had finally come to an end after nearly three long, grueling months.

By now, unless someone had been living under a rock—or inside a cave—there was no way they hadnʼt heard about the war between the Elven Alliance of Utopia, led by the Three Kings of Utopia, and Sancta Vedelia, led by the Heads of the Great Houses. It had been an event of historic proportions, one that would undoubtedly be written down in books and told to future generations.

For Sancta Vedelia, the war was more than just a battle for survival—it was a defining victory. They had been the ones under siege, the ones invaded, and yet, in the end, they had emerged triumphant. This victory was more than just a strategic win; it was a point of immense national pride. And the fact that they had crushed Utopia, the same nation that had constantly questioned their legitimacy over these lands, made the victory even sweeter.

The world had barely begun to digest the warʼs outcome when something even more shocking took place.

Not even two days after the supposed fall of Utopiaʼs capital, a worldwide broadcast aired—one that no one had expected.

It wasnʼt a declaration of surrender.

It wasnʼt an announcement of war crimes or political restructuring.

It was a wedding.

A ceremony of union in the elegant, time-honored style of the elves.

People stared in utter disbelief at their screens.

Was this real?

Had they heard correctly?

The broadcast took place in Elyen Kiora, within the grand royal gardens behind the palace. A setting of serene beauty—the lush greenery, the cascading floral arrangements, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns—framed the scene perfectly.

On the left stood a woman so breathtaking that even those who had never seen an elf before would forever remember her as the first and most beautiful one they had ever laid eyes on.

Freya Ruvelion.

The High Elf Princess of Utopia—a treasured jewel of her people—stood gracefully, clad in a flowing golden elven gown, shimmering under the soft sunlight. A delicate crown of woven flowers rested atop her golden hair, styled in a beautiful braid that cascaded down her back. Her beauty was ethereal, almost unreal.

And beside her, the man who joined her was equally captivating.

A strikingly handsome man with grey hair, neatly tied back, and piercing amber eyes.

Together, they formed a couple so stunning, so perfect, that it felt as if they had walked straight out of a legend.

As the ceremony began, an elderly figure slowly approached the couple, leaning slightly on his ornate cane. For those from Utopia knew him well—Grukel, the longtime advisor of the previous King, and a man revered as the Elder of Utopia.

The world watched in silence.

Grukel stood in his formal ceremonial robes, his aged gaze fixed on the two figures before him—Freya Ruvelion, the High Elf Princess, and the man standing beside her.

Despite the air of celebration, there was no denying the weight of the moment. Utopia had fallen. Their defeat was still fresh, their wounds—both physical and emotional—still present. Yet here they were, not mourning, not wallowing in despair, but standing together before their people.

Grukel then turned toward the nobles but also to the world through the floating orbs filming and broadcasting everything to the world.

”We have gathered here today—yes, in haste, and yes, in the aftermath of our downfall. Some may say this is not the time for a ceremony, that it is foolish and ill-timed. But I say this—here is no better time. Hardships lie ahead, the road before us will be steep, but we must not lose hope! We must not waste time mourning what is lost, for our future is still ours to shape!”

A hush fell over the gathered nobility—High Elves, Blood Elves, and Dark Elves—as they exchanged glances. Their expressions shifted. The grief, the uncertainty—it did not vanish, but it was tempered by something stronger.

Even beyond the palace gardens, across the three great cities of Utopia, countless citizens watched the live broadcast in silence. Moments ago, many had still been weeping for their homeland, their fallen warriors, their lost pride. But now… their gazes turned toward the screen, toward their Princess, their symbol of hope, waiting to see what would come next.

They needed this.

They needed hope.

”And so, let this be the beginning of our new Utopia! We shall take our first step forward with the union of two Great Houses! First, I present to you our Royal Princess—the gem of Utopia, the pride of our people—Her Highness, Freya Ruvelion!”

A wave of thunderous cheers erupted from the nobles, but it did not stop there. Across Utopia, the voices of knights, men, women, and even children rang out in celebration. Freya Ruvelion was adored by her people. They had fought and bled for her, and now, seeing her standing strong—unbroken—filled them with a newfound hope.

Freya offered a soft smile and lifted a hand in greeting, waving gently toward the hovering orb of light.

Grukelʼs gaze turned toward the assembled nobles before him. He could see it in their eyes—weariness, sorrow, even the weight of their recent defeat—but beneath it all, a glimmer of hope. And that hope grew even brighter as their attention shifted to the man standing beside their Princess.

A man whose name had already begun to spread like wildfire.

”And standing at her side, we have all heard of him—the Hero of Elyen Kiora! The one who fought against impossible odds, the man who had saved Elyen Kiora from the invaders of Sancta Vedelia! The man who had breached the city of Valachia! He has gone by many names, but the one that reached our ears… was Loki!”

A ripple of shock swept through the noble assembly. Gasps of disbelief, whispers of confusion.

”Loki…? The hero of Elyen Kiora?”

”Wait—I thought Loki was a woman?”

”As did I! What does this mean?”

”Why is he marrying our Princess? Does he even have the status for such a union?”

The murmurs grew, some skeptical, some cautious, others outright stunned.

But beyond the nobility, in the streets of Utopia, the reaction was vastly different.

”Loki! Loki! Loki!”

The people roared his name, a wave of cheers and celebration sweeping through the city. Children ran through the streets, screaming his name in joy, while families stepped outside their homes, faces alight with wonder. The Hero of Elyen Kiora was already a legend among them.

They had of course heard of Loki. His name had spread like wildfire during the war, whispered in noble courts and roared in the streets. Yet, the rumor that Loki was a woman? That had only circulated among a small handful of people, insignificant in the grand scale of Utopia.

For most, Loki was a figure of Hero who saved Elyen Kiora.

And every tale they had heard spoke only in admiration.

But the next revelation was about to shake them to their core.

Grukel straightened, taking a more serious tone.

”But his true name! Lokiʼs true name is... Edward Falkrona!”

A shockwave rippled through the assembled nobles, their once-excited cheers vanishing into stunned silence.

After a moment, they broke out in whispers of shock.

”Falkrona?”

”Wait… the Falkrona House?”

”But they are humans!”

”Donʼt tell me Loki is—heʼs a human?”

Murmurs grew, a mixture of bewilderment and apprehension tinging the crowd. Some nobles stiffened, their expressions shifting from awe to reluctance.

And then, before their eyes, the man himself—Edward Falkrona—lifted a hand, brushing back the strands of silver hair that had partially concealed his ears.

Human ears.

”I am Edward Falkrona,” he confirmed. ”Belle Falkrona of the Kingdom of Celesta is my mother.”

His words sent a heavy silence going through all three great cities of Utopia. From nobles to commoners, no one knew how to react.

A human?

Marrying their Princess of high blood?

It was absurd.

Unheard of.

A direct insult to the very foundation of Utopiaʼs noble hierarchy.

But before the murmurs could devolve into full-blown outrage, Freyja spoke up.

”Edward Falkrona is of the Falkrona House. He hails from the main branch—a lineage that descends directly from the Gods themselves.”

Her words sent a shudder through the crowd.

”What…?”

”The Falkrona House… descended from the Gods?”

”That canʼt be…”

”Wait… but their power—could it be true?”

”Surely, you have all heard of the Falkrona name. One of the strongest Houses in the world. A House with the strength to overthrow entire kingdoms. Their lands have even been home to a God. Their royals are not merely human, but of Divine Blood…” She smirked slightly. ”...just like myself.”

Silence fell.

If what she said was true…

If Edward Falkrona was truly of Divine Blood…

Then he was not an outsider. Not just a human. He was akin to them or maybe more.

”Edward Falkrona is no ordinary man. He was sent by the Goddess Freyja herself to aid me in rebuilding Utopia—to forge a new Kingdom.”

With a smile, she spread her arms taking the appearance of a really true Goddess.

Edward could feel it.

She was using Brísingamen to enhance her charm—to soften their minds, to guide their thoughts, allowing them to process the truth, her truth without resistance.

A delicate hand reached toward her chest, drawing out an amber pendant that gleamed under the golden sunlight.

”Here, before all of Utopia, I present to you—the Seed of Eden.”

The collective gasp that followed was nearly deafening.

”The Seed?!”

”The Seed of Eden?”

”We… we have it?!””

”Then that means—we will have a Tree of our own?!”

Even beyond the palace, in the streets of Utopia, commoners fell to their knees in sheer disbelief.

For centuries, they had prayed, fought, and suffered for a chance to obtain such a thing. And now…

Had they truly succeeded?

Or was this simply a dream?

No, this wasnʼt a trick.

It was the truth.

And she was going to prove it.

Freyja stepped down from the stage. Behind the castle, a hole had already been dug into the earth—waiting. In her hands, she held the amber seed, cradling it. Without hesitation, she placed it in the hollowed ground and activated Brísingamen.

-BOOOOM!

The reaction was instant. A surge of something divine burst forth, golden and amber light shooting into the heavens. The sheer brilliance of it was breathtaking, illuminating the land in a glow that no ordinary magic could ever replicate.

Everywhere—whether within the castle, throughout Utopia, or even those watching through live broadcasts—people fell into stunned silence, their mouths agape at the spectacle. But for those standing closest, the nobles who were directly in its presence, they could feel it.

This was divine light.

And then, something stirred.

A deep sensation rippled through the ground beneath them as roots took hold, spreading far and wide, intertwining with the very soul of Utopia. All eyes remained fixed on the hole.

Slowly, something emerged.

A sapling—barely a meter tall—rose from the earth, its bark shimmering like gold. Its delicate leaves, each one gilded in celestial light, swayed gently despite the stillness of the air. The tree glowed entirely gold.

And then, Freyja spoke.

”Edward Falkrona. Loki has brought us the Seed of Eden for Utopia.”

Freyja observed the nobles who changed immediately their perception on Edward.

”The Goddess Freyja entrusted Loki to lead us toward a brighter future,” she continued, as she turned toward Edward. Then, with a radiant smile, she made her proclamation.

”I hereby declare, with Freyja as my witness, a union blessed by the Gods themselves between myself and Edward Falkrona!”

-BOOOOM!

A second explosion of divine light erupted from the tree, catching everyone off guard including Edward. The golden light washed over the courtyard like a shockl wave, overwhelming their senses.

Freyja, standing at the heart of it all, simply smiled. A golden emblem manifested on her left arm. The divine markings weaved across her skin like entwining vines, shimmering with beautiful patterns.

”I shall protect Utopia and the Tree as the Priestess of the Holy Tree of Ymir,” she declared, raising her hand for all to see. Then, her gaze shifted to Edward.

Edward who was utterly dumbfounded.

ʼPriestess of the Tree of Ymir? What the hell is going on?ʼ

Before he could even process what was happening, Freyja seized his right arm and rolled up his sleeve.

”Huh?”

There, gleaming against his skin taking his whole right forearm, was a symbol identical to hers—engraved in divine gold.

A stunned silence fell over the crowd.

And then, one by one, they dropped to their knees.

Not just the nobles. Not just the knights. But even the civilians of Utopia, those who had only been watching from afar. They bowed in veneration, their eyes wide with awe as they watched the miracle in front of them.

Freyja tightened her grip on Edwardʼs arm, her smile widening.

”Edward Falkrona has been chosen as the Guardian of the Holy Tree of Ymir,” she said, glancing at Edward not hiding her amusement at Edwardʼs dumbfounded expression.

She then turned back toward the world to see her.

”The Guardian of Utopia….and my Guardian.”

”.....”

A hush fell over Utopia as the world held its breath.

Then, a thunderous roar erupted from the city. Civilians, women, men, children, even the most reluctant nobles—every single soul within Utopia erupted in jubilation, their cheers so deafening that the very ground seemed to tremble.

That day marked another day of history in the world of Eden.

Another Holy Tree appeared and in Elyen Kiora!

That historical Event eclipsed even Sancta Vedeliaʼs victory…over Utopia.