An Inglorious Ending

The Wisdom Tree's tendrils continued to move.

Within the translucent light and shadow, countless restless Beast Tides surrounded tiny Peach Blossom Paradise Town from all directions.

The situation was even worse than Dragon City at its most perilous hour.

And yet, in the face of destruction, the vast majority of Peach Blossom Paradise Town's residents burst forth with astonishing courage and fearless brilliance.

United as one and disregarding life and death, they repelled monsters ten times their number again and again, staging one stirring, heartrending, and heroic tale after another.

"I was both shocked and delighted to discover that, in the face of the Beast Tide's threat, those 'Army Ants' who had fought the floods during the early days after the crossing had returned!"

The Wisdom Tree continued, "The vast majority of humans erupted with astonishing courage, perseverance, and wisdom. Though there had been no fundamental change in their strength or weapons, and resources had even grown scarcer, their combat power surged three to fivefold!

"This made me feel the profound mystery of 'civilization' even more deeply.

"You must understand that the strength of muddleheaded monsters is determined entirely by claws, fangs, and flesh. So-called 'spirit' and 'will' are things that simply do not exist.

"Yet when I turned my interested gaze toward the leaders and powerful figures ruling Peach Blossom Paradise Town, I witnessed a scene that left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"At first, when they realized that the monsters were constantly evolving and Peach Blossom Paradise Town faced an increasingly grave threat to its survival, the leaders and powerful figures did manage to rouse themselves for a while. They seemed to return to the old days, when they fought wholeheartedly for Peach Blossom Paradise Town, recovering their former courage, resolve, fairness, and kindness. They