I Start with 13 Hidden Traits Chapter-327

Ch-327. < I told you that we should never be hostile. >

—

The last name—one no one had anticipated.

The Elf Queen, who had fully expected to be called, fell into panic.

Of the five who had already been named,

she must have believed that there was no one besides herself who could stand on equal footing with them.

And it wasn’t only the Elf Queen who was stunned.

Auril herself—and all the other elves as well—

every single one of them wore vacant expressions.

*‘Looks like they find it absurd.’*

I smiled faintly to myself.

The reason I chose Auril, going beyond everyone’s expectations.

It wasn’t simply because I knew her.

That did play a part, but there was a more important reason.

*‘Because a united elven force is the most troublesome.’*

Among all the “groups” that had come seeking the World Tree, elves were the only ones acting as a collective.

If competition turned into a clash between groups, the elves were, without question, the most bothersome race.

With the queen at their head, if they moved as one body, they would be exceedingly difficult to deal with.

On top of that, they were a race that had received every conceivable benefit from the World Tree.

Perhaps because of that, the average combat power of elves was high.

The High Elves gathered here possessed an average combat level of **Lv. 14**.

I had never seen a combat group this powerful before.

And this was despite the heavy losses they must have suffered in the war against the Dark Elves.

But having endured war meant, conversely, that **hierarchy** had become all the more important.

And among the elves gathered here, the one with the lowest standing was Auril.

“A mere elf…… you expect us to follow her?”

Just as expected.

Complaints surfaced immediately.

Elves tightly united around their queen.

Nothing would wound their pride more than following an ordinary elf.

Though the question came from a male High Elf, it was no different from the queen herself asking it.

So I replied indifferently.

“If you dislike that, then follow one of those I named earlier. Of course—only if they’re willing to accept you.”

Would they truly be able to follow another race, another being, not an elf?

Nonsense.

That would never happen.

Elves who maintained no interaction whatsoever with foreign lands or other races.

They had only two choices: follow Auril, or give up entering the dungeon altogether.

Still flustered, another High Elf raised an objection.

“Golden-Scale Druid. Auril’s qualifications do not surpass Her Majesty the Queen’s.”

He spoke as politely as possible, but his words were barbed.

It meant that Auril’s honor could not be compared to the Elf Queen’s.

Since the World Tree had verified it, that wasn’t wrong.

However—

“This is not a place to debate the World Tree’s evaluation. It is a place to decide whether **I** acknowledge someone or not.”

“B-But you clearly said ‘honorable’—”

“My acknowledgment is **honor.**”

“…….”

The High Elf arguing shut his mouth tightly.

It meant there was nothing more honorable than my acknowledgment.

That my recognition outweighed even the World Tree’s evaluation.

And that the Elf Queen had not received it.

“By what criteria…… exactly…….”

As the High Elves muttered, still unable to accept it, the Great Chieftain **Albino** stepped forward.

“Are you questioning the Golden-Scale Druid?”

“N-No, that’s not it. It’s just—”

“Are the elves thinking of antagonizing the druids?”

“……!!”

All the elves listening were horrified.

Druids and elves exist in a symbiotic relationship.

Those who create forests, and those who manage them.

Yet the role of “management” could be delegated to other races.

For example, the **dryads**.

Dryads, who live alongside forests, also know how to tend them.

Therefore, elves can never afford to antagonize druids.

With a furious expression, Albino spoke toward the Elf Queen.

“Since before the advent of Destruction, druids have respected the elves. Elves have borne the immense responsibility of nurturing forests across the world and protecting the greenery and the World Tree. But the elves of today have become corrupted. You gather in the ‘Primordial Forest’ and neglect all other forests.”

“…As you say, there is nothing more important than protecting the World Tree.”

“Tsk.”

“……?”

Albino clicked his tongue and shook his head.

A blatant display of **disdain**.

But Albino’s reaction was only natural.

“The previous Elf Queens possessed spirit. But the current queen is utterly lacking. Now I understand why the Golden-Scale Druid did not call upon you.”

“Albino… even if you are the legendary druid, I cannot simply let those words pass.”

“If you cannot let them pass—then what?”

*Step.*

Albino took a step forward.

Then—

**KRAAACK!**

Albino’s body swelled, his horns growing longer.

At the same time, flames roared across his entire body.

Wings of fire, stretching over ten meters, unfurled from his back, and in one hand he now held a long spear of blazing inferno.

An overwhelming presence.

If there were an incarnation of fire, might it look like this?

Above his head, a number appeared.

**【Lv. 18】**

…It wasn’t just his appearance that was overwhelming.

A legendary druid who had existed since before Destruction.

This was a clear display of why he was called “legendary.”

*‘……Level 18?’*

Even so, it was hard to comprehend.

Even accounting for the overall rise in the world’s combat standards after the Grand Expedition, this level was excessive.

Yet it wasn’t completely incomprehensible.

Eons of time.

He must have relentlessly driven himself for one purpose alone—to kill Destruction.

Crossing countless brushes with death so he would never flee from Destruction again.

A top-tier apex predator, nearly unmatched across both the Abyss and the continent.

That was Albino—the head elder of the Fang, and the Great Chieftain of the druids.

The true form restored to him by the World Tree of Honor was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

“……!!”

“Ugh……”

It wasn’t only the Elf Queen who was overwhelmed by Albino’s presence.

Most of those present swallowed hard, forcibly drawing up their energy to protect themselves.

Many even stepped back, their lips trembling pale.

*‘Interesting.’*

Yet unlike the others, I felt little effect.

Albino had completely blocked the pressure directed toward me.

Though that wasn’t why I found it interesting.

【Unique Authority ‘World Tree Domain Enhancement (Lv. 32)’】
【Unique Authority ‘Sacred Inviolability (Lv. 32)’】
【Unique Authority ‘Hostility Prohibited (Lv. 32)’】
【Unique Authority ‘Approach Prohibited (Lv. 32)’】

《‘Albino’ is in a strengthened state within the ‘World Tree Domain.’》
《By using ‘Mind Blade of the Martial God (Disarm, Lv. 35)’, you can sever these unique authorities.》

The unique authorities possessed by Albino.

They were absolute powers imbued with the nature of **“Impossibility.”**

They made approach itself impossible, erased even the intent to harbor hostility—an absolute sovereign’s authority.

And I could sever those authorities.

Just as I had cut through the barrier guarding the sacred domain.

What intrigued me even more, however, was the **levels** displayed beside them.

*‘Even abilities with the nature of “impossible” have levels.’*

And they were extraordinarily high.

Which meant that the Mind Blade of the Martial God, depending on swordsmanship proficiency and level, could sever and destroy even higher-tier “impossibilities.”

*‘…Then why can I see Albino’s level?’*

That part puzzled me.

Powerhouses like Albino usually concealed their levels.

In fact, among those gathered here, only about half had their levels visible.

They used equipment, tools, skills, or traits—ones difficult to discern even with hidden traits—to block observation.

The issue was that Albino’s level, which hadn’t been visible until yesterday, now was.

*‘It’s not due to trait evolution. If it were, I would’ve seen it long ago.’*

If it were a change caused by the High Druid’s hidden trait evolving into “Golden-Scale Druid,” it would have appeared much earlier.

Since it appeared only now, the cause had to be something else.

Most likely, it was related to the attitude he was showing toward me.

Something similar had happened before.

**Hudson.**

When he laid bare everything he had at the casino.

At that moment, I had been able to view Hudson’s **entire information**.

*‘……Albino truly trusts me?’*

In other words, Albino had begun to believe in me.

That I was the god of the druids.

That I was the master who would lead him—something he had finally, truly acknowledged.

*‘Probably the influence of this seat.’*

If one merely pretended reverence, it would inevitably show.

Everyone gathered here could tell the difference.

Unless one genuinely brainwashed oneself into believing that the being before them was a supreme existence to be worshipped and protected at all costs, it would only be a matter of time before the assembled sovereigns noticed.

Regardless of the reason, it was a good sign.

Proof that the Fang—and the druids—were sincerely following me.

Soon after, Albino spoke with momentum like that of a ferocious god.

“Have you never heard the words passed down from the former queens—that one must never antagonize a ‘druid’?”

“Th-That appearance is……”

“Especially a druid who stands close to the ‘World Tree’—you were told never to oppose one, were you not?”

“…….”

The Elf Queen squeezed her eyes shut.

Because it was true.

More precisely, she had heard the legends concerning **Albino**.

—“Albino is the one closest to the High Druid.”
—“When all seven World Trees shine brilliantly, Albino becomes a legend.”
—“Elves must never antagonize Albino.”

Records left behind by the former Elf Queens.

She had unquestionably seen Albino’s name there.

All druids were powerful, but among them, Albino was called a legend.

No one knew why he had suddenly disappeared.

Who could have imagined he was here, guarding the World Tree of Honor?

“……I offer my apologies, Golden-Scale Druid.”

“Y-Your Majesty……!”

The Elf Queen bowed her head.

The High Elves gasped at the sight.

At that moment, Albino’s anger subsided.

Because she had bowed to the correct person.

Had she apologized to Albino instead, he would have been disappointed.

Then the Elf Queen continued.

“I have no intention whatsoever of antagonizing or doubting the druids. Elves and druids have been companions since the dawn of time. Likewise, I have no intention of doubting the Golden-Rule Scale’s choice. So please—”

Earnestly.

With desperation, she bowed once more.

“Please allow us to enter the World Tree’s dungeon.”

The elves who dwell in the Primordial Forest.

Had their queen—who had reigned supreme at its pinnacle—ever made such a heartfelt request to anyone before?

Even when she learned of Randolph, the Lord of Verdant who cleared the Tower of Rifts, she merely sent Elder Aruwen.

She was someone who commanded others—not someone who pleaded.

But not here.

This was a gathering of the masters of sacred domains and countless sovereigns.

And on top of that, druids had appeared—and their god was present.

Only now did she realize she was in no position to raise her voice and assert herself.

She had finally understood that acting as she did in the Primordial Forest would lead to utter annihilation, leaving not even a blade of grass behind.

“I grant it.”

“…Thank you, Golden-Scale Druid.”

Hearing my permission, the Elf Queen let out a breath of relief.

With the most troublesome figure yielding, my mind felt lighter.

No one would challenge my decisions or opinions anymore.

And having shown mercy, the queen would fear me all the more.

“Then, if we divide into groups of thirteen, that makes seven groups. Who do you intend to have lead the remaining group?”

The Giant of Ruin spoke once more.

He was asking whether I had Albino in mind—or someone else.

I replied casually.

“Me.”

“……Will you personally select the twelve?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“They will be chosen.”

“……?”

“Among the seven—including myself—stand before the one you wish to follow. Once all the courtyards are filled, we depart.”

**“What should we do if more than thirteen gather?”**

“We cut them off. And the one to be cut is chosen by the leader.”

“I see. Understood.”

The Giant of Ruin nodded.

Soon after, I swept my gaze around and spoke.

“From now on, gather around the one you wish to follow.”

“Yes. We will do so.”

The first to answer—unsurprisingly—was Albino.

“Hm. It does feel a bit awkward, though…”

Following Albino, Raiga stepped forward.

Before long, the assembly began to divide neatly into seven groups.

A Star Guardian group following the Giant of Ruin.

A monster group following the White King.

A human group following Kasim, the Radiant Transcendent.

An elven group following Auril.

And most of the rest gathered around me.

*Albino, Raiga, the One-Horned Lord and the Two-Horned Lord, Serengeti, Saintess Seia, Hudson, Isaac, Balte, and Priest Andrew. Those ten are fixed.*

Including myself, that already made eleven.

Only two slots remained.

Yet nearly twenty had gathered before me.

*Ancient Phoenix Al Ra’um, and the Guardian of Light—perhaps because their identities are ambiguous, no one seems inclined to follow them.*

Honestly, I wouldn’t gather around those two either.

I considered my options.

Who to fill the remaining two spots with.

Though I hadn’t named them as leaders, many here were worthy of standing alongside them.

The criteria for dividing leaders wasn’t merely strength or honor; more important was whether they could *blend with me*.

*Those two will do.*

The rest were destined to follow the Ancient Phoenix or the Guardian of Light on their own.

I selected the two most outstanding among them—

…and at last, finished preparing to enter the dungeon.

*

*

《Entering the ‘Forgotten Dungeon of Honor.’》

《All members of the ‘Golden Scale Order (13)’ have agreed to entry.》

《All 91 slots have been filled.》
《Dungeon bonus coefficient: 200%+》
《Warning. ‘Forgotten Gods’ will appear.》
《The seven orders must face the ‘Forgotten Gods’ and complete the ‘Miraculous Feats’ within the dungeon.》
《There are a total of 370 ‘Miraculous Feats’ within the ‘Forgotten Dungeon of Honor.’》
《Completing a ‘Miraculous Feat’ awakens the ‘Soul of a Forgotten Knight.’》
《You may strengthen your ‘Order’ using the ‘Soul of a Forgotten Knight.’》
《Additionally, the greater the number of ‘Miraculous Feats’ achieved, the greater the reward upon reaching the ‘Roots of the World Tree’ (bonus coefficient applied).》
《The order that achieves the most ‘Miraculous Feats’ will complete the additional achievement ‘Most Resplendent Order’ and receive extra rewards and effects.》
《Order Leaders will obtain the title ‘King of the Forgotten (Divine).’》

……

《Tip. The World Tree’s ‘Forgotten Gods’ despise ‘Evil Alignment.’ If you possess ‘Evil Alignment,’ you must conceal it thoroughly.》
《Tip. The path to the World Tree’s roots is far more complex than imagined. Listen to the ‘Souls of Forgotten Knights’ and utilize them actively.》
《Tip. Sealed areas may be entered using corresponding ‘Divine Symbols.’》
《Tip. Orders must compete honorably.》

……

……