Chapter 217: Chapter 217: what would I do?

Time quickly passed, and a month went by.The people of Blackwood each took turns holding Katie, eagerly competing to take care of the child.

Recalling when the fourth generation of children were born, Luna and Mary couldn't avoid them fast enough, but now they had grown fond of caring for children. According to them, taking care of one child was life, but taking care of a group was sheer madness.

Joseph stood still, watching as the elders took Katie from his arms.

The elders also scolded him a bit.

It was mostly about him not knowing what others were up to and not seeing him with a girl he loved.

"It's all from the same mother, can't you treat them equally? Always talking about getting married, what about breeding?"

Joseph rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath before leaping up to the top of the Primordial Blood Tree.

His body shimmered with golden light as he entered a dream state, his abilities gradually increasing.

Ethan watched this scene.

Joseph, this kid... keeps a low profile, indifferent to fame and fortune, always getting scolded, but just a drop of 'ancient god blood' is enough to ensure he's never outshined by his sister.

And on this day,

Blackwood was decked out in celebration, heralding the birth of a genius in their midst.

The entire Gratitude Village was once again festooned for a grand feast, hosting not only the townsfolk but all their allied forces.

However, Blackwood's forces were somewhat diminished today, as most from the Thunderfire Demon Cave and the Demon Hunters Alliance had already departed, and many from Dawn were out on missions.

It was a time of great chaos.

During the feast,

The people of Blackwood's expressions changed as a phantom appeared in the sky.

This figure, clad in a beastly robe and painted face, wielding a scepter, was a muscular barbarian.

[Clark High Priest (Phantom)]

Ethan clicked on the phantom, and a message appeared.

The Giant Rock clan had already fallen at the hands of Blackwood, and it was said that Clark had turned around and devoured all that was left of them.

"Word has it that Blackwood has a daughter, Katie, born with exceptional talents. You people of Cloudview County have a tradition called 'the full moon celebration.'"

Clark, the High Priest, with a smile visible to all, said, "Out of respect, I, Luke, on behalf of Clark, bring a full moon gift!"

Upon hearing this,

The people of Blackwood shifted from initial wariness to a calm demeanor, Nathan, with his psychic powers, addressed the gathering, "Folks, it's just a shadow. Let's continue to eat and drink."

Then, his expression turning cold as he stared at the ten-meter-high phantom in the sky, he scoffed, "If you truly understood our customs, you wouldn't bother with these mystical theatrics. Don't disrupt our celebration today, come down!"

"My apologies, then," said Luke.

The High Priest didn't mind and transformed his phantom into a human form, bringing a brocaded box, its origins unknown, perhaps plundered by a druid from some city.

He approached the banquet.

The people of Blackwood merely frowned, seemingly ignoring him, and continued to enjoy their meal and conversation.

Though the two parties were enemies, it wasn't a matter of life and death. Even if Luke himself had come in person, Blackwood would have welcomed him, as long as he behaved properly.

"Luke, right? I've heard of you, Clark High Priest, recently plotting to take over the counties surrounding Blackwood for Clark."

Nathan didn't even glance at George.

He tore a piece of meat from a beast's leg, swallowed it forcefully, then cleaned his hands with his psychic powers, "We Blackwoods are simple farmers; we speak and act straightforwardly, and we have no need for formalities with you druids. Speak plainly."

"That's much better."

Luke still smiled faintly, "We've seen the strength and influence of Blackwood. You've destroyed an important tribe of ours, but I'm not angry. In fact, I admire Blackwood."

"See, still nonsense."

Nathan angrily tossed aside a bone, grabbing another chunk of the beast's leg to gnaw on.

Luke's face briefly showed a flash of anger as he continued, "We've also investigated Blackwood's deeds over the past few years. Frankly, if Blackwood were to stand up, all the forces in Cloudview County would follow your lead."

"You, sir, are a wise man. You should understand the current situation. Our druidic power is vast, and just our three factions alone have overwhelmed many forces in Azure Cloud, with the Duke's Mansion avoiding confrontation."

"Actually..."

George chuckled softly, "We don't necessarily have to be at war. We could sit together like today, have a friendly conversation, right? Blackwood would gain immense benefits, power, and glory."

Nathan's hand paused.

Then, overwhelmed with joy and disbelief, he looked at Luke, "Are you saying that you, Clark, want to be our dog?"

"You..."

Luke slammed the table in anger!

"Bang!"

The desk shook as Luke, unable to contain his anger, exclaimed, "What? Clark wants to be Blackwood's dog?"

His words were cryptic, but he knew everyone in Blackwood could understand him clearly—he wanted Blackwood to collaborate with the Druids!

"You..."

But before Luke could finish, the psychic powers emanating from the people of Blackwood lifted his phantom into the air, silencing him mid-sentence. All eyes turned to Nathan.

"Put away your tricks."

Nathan said mockingly, "Over the years, we in Blackwood have been oppressed and have fled across Cloudview County, but we have never yielded! We Blackwoods are few, descendants of six generations over a hundred years, but not one of us is a coward! Forget about persuading us to surrender. Bring on whatever clever tricks you have, I'll face them one by one!"

"Boom!"

As his words fell, Luke's phantom vanished.

It was as if nothing had happened at Blackwood. They continued to eat, drink, and laugh at the banquet, treating the recent disturbance as nothing more than an annoying fly.

While eating, smiles appeared on the faces of the people of Blackwood, their eyes sparkling with an unyielding spirit.

...

As night fell,

Nathan entered the family shrine.

Upon entering, he knelt on the ground and bowed towards the Psychic Position of the Forebearer, "Forebearer, I was perhaps too rash today. I understand that collaborating with the Druids might be the best choice. The Druids are powerful, and many clans are ready to join the battle at any time. It would be wise to align with the strong, to prosper in these chaotic times under their protection." Sёarch* The ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"But..."

Ethan watched the scene unfold in the game.

A pop-up appeared on his screen.

[Special Event—Choice of Allegiance]

[Clark represents the Druids, inviting your family to become allies of the Druids. The Druids are powerful, possessing vast lands and countless masters. Cloudview County only faces three factions now, but more Druids will join in the future.]

[Does your family have the opportunity to join the powerful Druids and persuade the major forces of Cloudview County, or will you stand with the weak and resist stubbornly?]

"What kind of choice is this?"

Ethan exhaled deeply. According to the game's mechanics, joining the Druids would indeed be the best move.

Even in reality, many would choose to stand with the powerful, to become servants to a powerful master.

"If I were really faced with this choice, what would I do?"

Ethan looked again at Nathan in the game.

Nathan was still repenting.

"Forebearer, I don't know if what I did today was right. I still have a chance, but I don't want to be a traitor. I don't want my descendants to remember me as someone who, raised on the soil of Cloudview County, crawled to the Druids like a dog."

"They would say, I was nurtured by the land of Cloudview County, yet I crawled to the Druids' side like a dog."