Warhammer Divine Throne

”Because the tree spirits want to remain isolated, they wouldn’t accept the entire Kingdom becoming a realm of vampires, so they are considering forming an alliance with the Kingdom.” Mogiana’s face showed some hesitation as she explained the situation to Laine and the others.

”If the tree spirits indeed think this way, it’s understandable that they’d want to ally with us.” Francois was the first to speak, tapping his fingers on the table: ”For centuries, both the wood elves and tree spirits have adhered to a strictly isolationist diplomatic policy, but when Brittania was embroiled in war and danger, history teaches us of instances where the wood elves or tree spirits extended their help to us.”

”Yes, in any case, the Kingdom and Aisloron have a mutual aid pact. Compared to the spreading corruption and death of vampires, it’s evident they’d prefer us, Brittania, to shield them from external threats, allowing them to continue their isolation.” Laine nodded, and from this perspective, it’s not surprising that the tree spirits would propose an alliance.

”Let’s wait until I’ve met with the Tree-man Elder to say more. We’ll have to rely on ourselves to fight against the Red Duke and his undead. If the Tree-man Elder’s conditions are too excessive, I won’t agree.” Mogiana nodded: ”I’ll be leaving shortly.”

The beautiful visage of the Lake God Witch was resolute as she safeguarded the nation.

”...Should I accompany you? Your Highness Mogiana? It’s too dangerous to go alone.” Laine felt something was amiss, so he tried asking.

”No need, I can go alone. The tree spirits are eccentric beings, especially the Tree-man Elder, and dealing with them is demanding. I know what I’m doing.” Mogiana calmly refused: ”Too many people would provoke the tree spirits’ displeasure.”

Laine wanted to say more, but Mogiana gestured with her hand, indicating the matter was settled.

After sitting for a while, the Lake God Witch rode the Unicorn Hillphain and departed alone, heading toward Charon Forest.

Laine and Francois remained in the guest room with Julius and Surya, not knowing why but the thought of Mogiana’s back gave Laine a vague sense of unease. He tried speaking to Francois: ”My Duke, something feels off. Do you recall the incident of the Merciful Goddess Archbishop’s disappearance and the series of vampire activities?”

”Hmm...”

......

Mogiana rode the Unicorn Hillphain, going deeper into Charon Forest.

The place agreed upon between the tree spirits and the Lake God Witch was deep within Charon Forest, in a sparse woodland area. Even though the unicorn could nimbly navigate all obstacles and entwined roots within the forest, it still took Mogiana nearly a day to arrive.

”Stop, Hillphain, stop.” Mogiana could sense that the Tree-man Elder was just ahead.

It was a towering tree-man nearly ten meters tall, covered with numerous tendrils and massive, sharp claws. Ancient magical spells, owned since the world’s inception, were engraved upon it.

The Tree-man Elder, accompanied by hordes of tree spirits and tree monsters, appeared both volatile and frenzied. As Mogiana approached on the unicorn, the Tree-man Elder also stepped forward. In the forest, these tree spirits’ faces were filled with malice, their attacks potent and lethal.

Mogiana couldn’t help but recall the origins and history of the tree spirits.

The creation of tree spirits dates back to the world’s inception when Aisloron Forest was half the size of present-day Brittania. After the Era Oak took root, Forest Essences emerged, and these pure energy beings, when attached to trees, were called Zoya if weak, and tree-men if strong.

Some ancient tree-men are as old as the world itself.

When the elves retreated from the continent, some refused to leave because they had allied with the tree spirits of Aisloron Forest. The tree spirits and elves shared living spaces, with elves providing protection during the tree spirits’ dormant and weakened winter months. This pact lasted thousands of years.

But not all tree spirits liked elves, particularly as the corruption of Chaos deepened in the world, causing many Tree-man Elders to become berserk. Every year, raving tree spirits were annihilated and sealed by the wood elves.

The leading massive tree-man spoke to the far-traveled Mogiana, its body emitting waves of heat, eyes glowing like molten lava: ”Brittan... ia, Fairy... Witch?”

”Yes, I am indeed the Lake God Witch Mogiana. Are you the Tree-man Elder here to negotiate?” Mogiana looked up, raising the Potion Chalice in one hand and holding her longsword in the other, speaking with caution.

”Not... me.” The Tree-man Elder suddenly stepped back.

Mogiana frowned and looked past the Tree-man Elder.

A female tree spirit with a graceful figure emerged.

Describing her as having a graceful figure feels strange, as it’s not a usual term for tree spirits. However, in the eyes of the Lake God Witch, the female tree spirit before her did indeed possess a graceful figure, her bark-covered body having a complete female humanoid contour. Thick branches and roots resembled her long hair, and her twisted face was filled with hateful malice, directed not at Mogiana but at all things in the world.