Kael couldn't help but facepalm. Canna was just too unpredictable. Summoning three incredibly strong subordinates without any warning, especially with Grimruk holding a weapon, was beyond reckless. In any other place, such an action would have been seen as an assassination attempt. Kael glanced at Canna, who was casually eating again, as if what he had done was the most normal thing in the world.
Kael's exasperation grew with each passing second. Canna had always been this way, acting impulsively and expecting others to adapt to his whims.
Kael's mind raced. He thought about the potential consequences of Canna's actions. The villagers, already wary of strangers, could easily misinterpret the situation and react defensively. He needed to come up with a way to diffuse the tension quickly. Then, an idea struck him. Leaning closer to Canna, Kael whispered something urgently in his ear.
A moment later, Canna's face lit up with a huge smile. "I already had that idea. I was just testing you, Kael, to see if you would catch on," he said, a hint of mischief in his voice. Kael's fist clenched in frustration. He couldn't believe Canna's thick face sometimes. It took all his self-control not to lash out at his companion.
Canna then stood up abruptly, announcing that he would be gone for a minute or two. He stepped inside the portal, his subordinates following him obediently. The villagers watched in stunned silence, unsure of what to expect next. After a few tense minutes, Canna reemerged, this time bearing gifts.
Grimruk and Vorgrim stepped through the portal, each holding a massive mid-calamity rank male boar. The boars, meant to be food for Stormy, were now intended as gifts for the village chief. Their massive forms and powerful presence were enough to make anyone shudder.
Meanwhile, Mortem appeared holding several A-Rank Horned Hares, their sleek, brown bodies and prominent horns making them an impressive sight.
The villagers gasped in surprise, their eyes widening at the sight of the creatures. Even the village chief and Tiberius seemed taken aback. The boars, each a formidable beast in its own right, represented a level of power that only the strongest could tame. Without Tiberius' father, the strongest person in the village was Tiberius, and he was only a low-transcendent rank.
The realization hit them hard—if Canna wanted to destroy their village, all he had to do was release one of these mid-calamity rank boars. The sheer power of the beasts sent cold sweat trickling down the backs of the chief and Tiberius.
Canna smiled, observing their reactions. "I thought it would be good to bring some gifts," he said nonchalantly. "These boars and hares are a token of our goodwill. They were originally intended as food for my own, but I believe they would serve you better."
Canna's interest was piqued. "Verdant Guardians? Tell me more."
Tiberius nodded, taking over the explanation. "The Verdant Guardians are a mysterious race, fiercely protective of their forest. They possess the ability to manipulate plant life, heal the land, and communicate with nature itself. Their magic is ancient and powerful, unlike anything we can wield. But they are also wary of outsiders and do not trust easily."
Kael, now fully engaged in the conversation, asked, "How do we gain their trust? What must we do to meet them?"
Liora sighed, her gaze turning serious. "That is the difficult part. The Verdant Guardians do not reveal themselves to just anyone. You must prove your worth and demonstrate a deep respect for nature. There is a ritual, an ancient rite of passage, that one must undergo to gain their audience.
It involves traversing the Heartwood Trials, a series of challenges that test one's affinity with nature and their ability to protect and nurture the forest."
Canna, undeterred by the potential difficulty, nodded. "I understand. Where do we begin?"
Tiberius stood up, his demeanor resolute. "I can guide you to the edge of the Heartwood Forest, but from there, you must undertake the trials alone. The journey will not be easy, and the trials are designed to test every aspect of your being. We will set off once my father returns." .net
Kael glanced at Canna, a mixture of excitement and concern in his eyes. "Are you sure about this, Canna? These trials sound intense."
Canna, with a determined glint in his eye, finished the last bite of his meal and stood up. "I am. If this is what it takes to revitalize my domain, then I will face the Heartwood Trials. Thank you, Chief Liora, Tiberius. Your guidance is invaluable."
Liora smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "We will prepare you as best we can. You have shown great strength and generosity today, Canna. May the spirits of the forest watch over you."
As preparations for the journey began, the village buzzed with activity. Canna and Kael were given supplies and instructions on what to expect in the Heartwood Forest. The villagers, now more at ease with their presence, offered their support and well-wishes.