Synopsis

The chapter begins with the protagonist learning about a human fortress emitting a dark aura, powered by a 'draconic tree,' which is draining life from the world tree and weakening nearby entities. The protagonist is then contacted by a Marquis, who gifts him instructions for item creation and requests help obtaining a rare alloy and investigating a criminal organization. Finally, the protagonist's encounter with elves reveals their sensitivity to damage of their life source, leading to conflict that the protagonist tries to resolve by showcasing a past token of friendship. The protagonist also learns that the humans who attacked the world tree before have lead to their heightened defenses.