This Lich Requests More Remuneration-Chapter 208 - 192 Druid Habits

Chapter 208: Chapter 192 Druid Habits

Chapter 208 -192 Druid Habits

In the eyes of many, the Holy Light is considered the energy diametrically opposed to Dark Magic Power, while the force of nature is more inclusive, for death too is a part of nature, and there should be no obvious conflict between the two.

This statement isn’t wrong, but it’s not entirely correct.

Because many people think that the concept of death in the Undead is the same thing as the death understood by Druids.

In reality, this isn’t the case, as death in the eyes of the Undead is eternal, whereas death in the eyes of Druids is a cycle.

Undead: “Ah, I have died, but I have also attained eternal life. I shall exist forever.”

Druid: “No, no, that’s not allowed. You need to become nourishment for other life forms, die a bit more thoroughly for me!”

Herein lies the contradiction.

Therefore, the force of nature can accommodate death, as long as you’re willing to be a part of the cycle, but it can’t tolerate Dark Magic Power, as its existence is a disruption of the cycle.

Of course, this only refers to the more widespread Druid perspective, and not all of them.

There are also certain Druids who choose a different path, like those of the Spore Consortium, who play with corpses more skillfully than many Liches.

Moreover, this dark presence is unusual, and does not seem like the work of the Undead, but rather that of some Evil God.

How could an Evil God dare to show up in the territory of the Father of the Oak?

It’s puzzling, but Amberser isn’t inclined to bother with it at the moment, as he’s still figuring out how to make Monger Greyriver’s death seem reasonable.

Following the Druid, there are always creeping vines underfoot, which fit perfectly with one’s footsteps, transporting people forward as if on a moving walkway.

As a result, one’s speed of travel is very fast, almost like a full sprint.

The whole forest is like a massive living organism, capable of producing effects beyond imagination.

Amberser feels this omnipresent “harmony,” yet finds it a bit strange.

Indeed, each kingdom has its own geographical advantages: Tide Fury, a poor kingdom, has the sea as a barrier; the desert has the line of death to block Laine’s army; and the forest of the Druids is probably even more terrifying than the line of death. An invasion by outside forces would mean making enemies of the entire forest—an utter death sentence.

But with such formidable advantages already, why would they erect the Dreamweave Barrier?

Maintaining a Magic Barrier large enough to envelop a kingdom is incredibly cost-intensive, requiring massive manpower even with the blessing of a Deity, much like constructing a wonder—mostly a waste in most circumstances.

Although Laine is formidable, surely the Druids aren’t so fearful?

Connecting the previous sensation of Dark Magic Power, Amberser speculates that something has changed in Emerald Dream Forest, leading them to not trust their safety to the forest.

If that’s the case, could this situation be used to an advantage?

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As Amberser ponders the problem, a small town hidden within the dense forest appears before him.

Druids dislike altering the natural environment excessively, so the town is situated within a natural hollow, with houses constructed simply from stone and adorned with climbing vines and flowers, appearing very primitive, but in truth, they are all wonders created by natural magic. Various animals wander freely in the town, and it’s nearly impossible to tell which are Druids and which are actual wild beasts.

The Druids arrange several rooms for Amberser and his companions; although the stone houses are crude, the spaces are reasonably spacious.

Elder Saress asks them to wait, as the Grand Druids will soon send representatives to meet with them.

Once the Druids are gone, Airel leans in close to Amberser and says, “This place is very strange, it feels like eyes are watching from everywhere.”

Although Airel isn’t very bright, she’s quite sensitive to such matters.

Amberser, teasing a little squirrel on the table that isn’t at all afraid of humans, says nonchalantly, “In the land of Druids, anything alive can be their spy. Look at this little guy, who knows if it’s a real squirrel or a Druid in disguise? All the snakes, bugs, mice, and ants here are either transformed by Druids or their pets, you’ll get used to it.”

“If we can’t distinguish them at all, aren’t we in great danger?” Airel says anxiously.

Amberser reassures her, “Don’t worry so much; some dangers can’t be avoided.”

Various animals, large and small, are an indispensable part of the dense forest, and they might leap out at any moment to deliver a fatal blow.

Therefore, in Emerald Dream Forest, being overly vigilant is useless and only serves to make one anxious.

Seeing that Airel still seems unsettled, Amberser can only say, “If you absolutely have to distinguish which are Druids, I do have a method, but it only works for identifying male Druids.”

Airel, very interested, asks, “What’s the method?”

Amberser says, “For you, just stripping in your own room would suffice. Since Druids can freely transform into animals, shape-shifting for the purpose of peeping is a grave offense among them. The moment you undress, those male Druids would surely turn tail and run; they wouldn’t dare commit such a sin under the watchful gaze of the Father of the Oak.”

Immediately, Airel blushes and says through gritted teeth, “How do you know this method? Have you been to Emerald Dream Forest before?”

Amberser shook his head and said, “Read more books, everything’s in them.”

However, this was a lie. Amberser hadn’t learned it from any book.

When Amberser was younger, he had a somewhat impure friendship with a female Druid, from whom he had inquired a lot about Druid customs and practices.

Although Airel blushed at hearing this, she wasn’t the kind of woman to make a fuss. She quickly composed herself and began to discuss the matter earnestly with Amberser.

“But what’s the point of just driving away the men? Aren’t there female Druids too?” asked Airel.

Amberser laughed and said, “It’s simple. First, let a man go in and scare off the women by taking off his clothes, and then you go in and scare off the men. That’ll do it.”

Airel felt something was off and pressed on, “But won’t they send someone else to watch?”

Amberser shook his head and said, “No, they wouldn’t dare take the risk of being punished to come back and check if the person inside has changed clothes or switched out. Druids don’t even get paid, who would risk their life for nothing? Of course, this isn’t foolproof. If you happen to encounter someone bold enough not to fear being called to account, then you can only blame bad luck.”

Airel’s eyes widened. Could it actually work like this? This guy’s grasp of human nature was too terrifying.

After Amberser finished speaking, the squirrel that he had just petted spoke up, “Since when did the Children of the Storm have such a clever figure?”

Airel was startled, jumping up from her chair so quickly that by the time she steadied herself, she had already grabbed her hammer, inadvertently summoning the power of lightning.

The thin layer of nature’s energy around her body shattered almost instantly under the force of the lightning, and Airel immediately felt a wave of fatigue hit her, as if she hadn’t slept for days, struggling to keep her eyelids open.

But she immediately administered some electrotherapy to herself. Surrounded by crackling electricity, she managed to maintain her lucidity, though it was clear she was struggling immensely.

The little squirrel leaped lightly onto the table and with a somersault in midair, transformed into an old woman leaning on a cane, her face covered in oils.

The old woman took a vine-woven bracelet out of her pocket and handed it to Airel, saying, “Don’t be nervous, young lady. Wear this. It’s no good trying to resist the effects of the Dreamweave Barrier through pain; you’ll only hurt yourself.”

Amberser also said quietly, “Princess, please put on the bracelet. Don’t overexert yourself.”

Airel, barely able to keep her eyes open, heeded Amberser’s words, reined in the thunderous glow, and hurriedly put on the new bracelet.

Once again, nature’s energy enveloped her body, and the drowsiness she felt just moments before disappeared without a trace.

Amberser asked the old woman, “How may I address you, elder?”

The old woman gave Amberser a puzzled look before replying, “My name is Teresa, and Saress is my husband. You don’t seem like you’re from the Fury Tide Kingdom. Not many of the Children of the Storm keep their cool, and I’ve never heard of a Child of the Storm who understands our Druid ways so well.”

“Elder Teresa, your words border on prejudice. The great Lord of the Storm taught us to be courageous and to pursue power, but he never told us to discard our own brains,” Amberser retorted.

Teresa laughed and said, “Heh, that sounds more like a cunning mockingbird than a Child of the Storm. But there’s no need for such pointless tactics now; I will have them withdraw.”

“Do you swear by the Father of the Oak?” Amberser asked.

Teresa glanced at Amberser and then declared, “Yes, I pledge by the name of the Pine Needle Tribe and the Father of the Oak, as long as you don’t leave this tribe, no one shall spy on you again.”

Spying, if undetected, was one thing, but now that Amberser had pointed it out openly, it would be disrespectful to continue. Despite the strained relations with the Fury Tide Kingdom, the other party was a princess, a high-ranking official, and face needed to be given unless they wanted to foster immediate enmity.

After all, they just needed to prevent them from leaving this place.

Teresa tapped the ground with her cane, and a host of rustling sounds filled the room as numerous animals scurried out of the dwelling.

“Then I’m truly grateful,” Amberser sincerely said.

Teresa, taking Amberser’s words for sarcasm, left the room with a severe expression on her face.

Once the Druids had left, Amberser told Airel, “Now we can be sure it’s safe. Go back and rest a bit; I estimate we’ll be meeting with the envoys of the Grand Druids soon.”

Airel voiced her doubt, “Is it really safe now?”

“If you don’t believe it, you can still try out the method I just mentioned,” Amberser said, sending Airel on her way.

After shutting the door, Amberser sat alone in the room, extending his perception outward and letting it spread far and wide.

Past five hundred meters, Amberser found it hard to accurately sense anything. At best, he could make out vague shapes. Beyond a thousand meters, even those outlines disappeared, leaving him only a rough sense of significant elevations and depressions.

Nevertheless, Amberser did not give up, continuing to extend his perception until he could detect nothing at all. Unable to confirm a specific distance, he simply strained his mind as far as it would go.

And that’s when he finally found what he was looking for—his beast companion.

In the depths of the Emerald Dream Forest, Naomi, who had been lying next to Katherine, lifted her head in surprise and said to Katherine, “He’s back.”