The Martial Unity

Chapter 3195: Evolution Upon Suffering

He knew that the elves were undoubtedly eager to gain more information on the flora of the Panama Continent. After all, the only way that they could harness the power of the treasures of the Panama Continent was through their botanical biotechnology.

They harmonized with flora, and as a civilization, they had grown stronger by using their botanical biotechnology to enhance the power of their trees. They were similar to the therianthropes who also used biotechnology to enhance the fauna that they cultivated.

”We can drip feed our botany to them while getting their biotechnology in return,” Rui mused to the Elder Tree. ”Specifically, what my father is most interested in is using the technology that they used to build that bridge from Genora to the Panama Continent. That can be of invaluable help when it comes to creating the economic corridors that my father seeks to create to connect human civilization.”

The Elder Tree was enthusiastic about the idea.

We of the Beast Domain would much prefer if you used their tree technology to construct your bridges through the Beast Domain rather than your conventional, disruptive human technology. The latter disrupts our ecosystems, while the former will likely be able to integrate and assimilate into our ecosystem.

Rui nodded. ”That makes sense. You will also need to leverage the authority that I have bestowed upon you to coordinate the beasts and monsters to help with the establishment of the economic corridors after we get our hands on the technology. Also...”

Rui’s expression grew complicated. ”There is a chance that the dark elves will not operate entirely in good faith when they hand their biotechnology to us. We do have the Divine Doctor and the Ecologer, but it is best if you help in ensuring that the botanical biotechnology they hand us doesn’t contain any... subversive elements.”

The Elder Tree seemed to grow thoughtful at those words.

Do you not trust the dark elves?

”I don’t trust anybody in the true world.” Rui shook his head. ”I would be a fool to. They have every incentive to lie and deceive if it allows them to get their hands on the treasures of this continent. It is the ultimate goal and has probably become the new highest priority of every true world polity out there.”

I see...

The Elder Tree was amenable to Rui’s request.

I will do everything in my power to ensure that we are not disenfranchised. However, I will need some assurances.

”State your conditions.”

I have high demands for esoteric nutrition, as you very well know, simply surviving is a highly demanding and taxing process, the Elder Tree explained. I cannot survive, however, if you humans mine and sell too many of our esoteric reserves to the true world in order to get allies. Thus, the price of my cooperation will be to have a hard limit on the number of esoteric substances that leave this continent.

Rui’s expression grew complicated.

That was not an easy demand to fulfill.

”You’ll have to negotiate that with my father,” Rui carefully replied. ”What I will say is that you will have to be prepared for some degree of esoterics exiting this continent. It is simply not tenable to keep all our esoteric resources in this political climate. If we don’t share, we will make everybody our enemy. What we need to do is ensure that it is the bare minimum.”

By finding just enough military allies in militaristic alliances, they would be able to deter their absolute enemies from attacking.

The former, however, could only be achieved by concessions of access to esoteric resources.

I understand that some concessions are needed, the Elder Tree replied with a knowing tone. I hope that you humans will not disenfranchise the Beast Domain in your attempt to fulfill those concessions.

”That, I promise, will not happen,” Rui assured the Elder Tree. ”I have already spoken with my father, and once I update him on our agreements, he will ensure that your needs are met.”

Then you have my full support with everything.

Rui smiled at the Elder Tree. ”I appreciate that. I suppose that concludes our business.”

The animals and beasts of my garden will be pleased to learn of this agreement.

Rui’s gaze shifted to all the beasts and monsters within the expansive domain of the Elder Tree, shaking his head.

”Sometimes I think you are too kind for your own good,” Rui mused. ”Do not exercise this kindness to turn the Beast Domain into a version of your Garden, understand? Beasts and monsters should not be coddled or protected. Evolution is a process that cannot occur without suffering. Without their death. Without their predation. I need the beasts and monsters of the Beast Domain to suffer, because that is the only way they will grow stronger.”

The Elder Tree was not happy to hear those words. Are you saying that I should watch as they die? Despite the fact that you have given me the power to prevent them from dying?

”Yes,” Rui replied without hesitation. ”I need you to let them suffer and let them die. All the Quasi-Transcendents except for you are dead. We will not produce more powerful species like them without considerable evolution by natural selection. Only the fittest may survive. That is how nature has been. And that is how nature will always be.”

...I did not intend to halt evolution itself, but I did intend to take measures to make the Beast Domain more gentle and kind. If you insist on this that much, however, then I suppose that I will have to reluctantly adhere to your words.

”It must be because you’re a tree,” Rui huffed. ”You haven’t an aggressive bone in your body.”

I don’t have any bones in my body, the Elder Tree replied innocently. I am made of wood.

”It must be why the elves are so pacifist, too,” Rui replied, gazing in the direction of the Genora Continent, despite the fact that it was far, far outside of his field of senses. ”But that makes them easier to deal with.”