Canna couldn't help but replay Flora's words in his mind: "I swear my loyalty to you, Canna Yakane. We will stand by your side, and together, we will build this sanctuary." Her unwavering commitment and the gravity of her oath resonated deeply within him.
Having a True-Calamity rank ally like Flora by his side was an incredible boon, one that could dramatically alter the future of his domain.
As Canna processed the weight of her words, a notification flashed before his eyes, revealing Flora's stats. What he saw left him momentarily speechless.
[Name: Flora Warden]
Level: 733
Race: Verdant Warden
Rank: True-Calamity
HP: 550,000/550,000
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MP: 750,000/750,000
Strength: 76,000
Speed: 64,500
Defense: 82,000
Intelligence: 500,000
Agility: 61,300
Stamina: 500,000
Vitality: 500,000
Attribute Points: 0
Canna's eyes widened as he scanned through Flora's stats. Each number seemed more impossible than the last. Her intelligence, stamina, and vitality had reached a staggering 500,000, an unimaginable feat that dwarfed even the most powerful beings he had encountered. Every other stat was dangerously close to five digits, a testament to her overwhelming strength and endurance.
Canna couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that Flora's "Eyes of Truth" ability had been the key to her seeing through his carefully concealed stats and titles. Tonitrum had warned him about the dangers of certain racial skills that could pierce illusions, and it seemed Flora's ability was precisely one of those rare exceptions.
For now, Canna decided to let it go, treating the experience as a valuable lesson. Flora had proven to be an incredibly strong opponent, someone who could have potentially pushed him further had circumstances been different.
Flora's defeat wasn't due to a lack of power but rather a disadvantage in terms of affinity. Canna's control over fire and lightning could easily burn and raze any plant-based magic, while Mortem's skills were particularly effective in draining vitality and mana—abilities that had turned the tide in their favor.
However, Canna knew that Flora might have held back, recognizing that an all-out battle would have endangered not only herself but her entire village. In hindsight, Canna concluded that Flora had chosen the path of least destruction, avoiding further chaos.
Presently, half of the Verdant Wardens were making their way into Canna's domain, channeling their magic into raising new grasses, trees, and other forms of vegetation to begin revitalizing the barren landscape. It was a laborious task, one that required a significant amount of mana and concentration. Despite the slow progress, Canna wasn't concerned at all.
In fact, he made it clear that they could take as much time as they needed. He trusted in their nature-driven instincts, knowing that they were a race that thrived in harmony with the natural world. He was confident that they would eventually transform his domain into a lush and thriving sanctuary.
Meanwhile, the other half of the Verdant Wardens, led by Flora, were engaged in casting an enormous spell to move their entire village into Canna's domain in one go. It was a complex and delicate process, one that required constant mana expenditure and the utmost precision. A single mistake could undo all their hard work, which is why Flora had personally taken charge of the operation.
She was joined by half of the village elders, who lent their considerable power and expertise to ensure the success of the spell. The other half of the elders remained in Canna's domain, steadily working on its transformation.
As the days turned into weeks, with the relocation of the village expected to take three weeks in total, Canna decided to focus on himself. He spent most of his time within his domain, taking the opportunity to train and hone his skills. Sparring sessions with Grimruk became a daily routine, pushing both of them to their limits.
Occasionally, Kael and Tiberius would join in, turning the sessions into intense, three-against-one battles that further sharpened Canna's combat prowess.
Beyond training, Canna also immersed himself in his research, particularly intrigued by the mysterious phenomenon of some groundhogs turning green. He spent hours studying the creatures, delving into old texts, and experimenting with various magical theories. The research provided a welcome distraction from the pressures of leadership and the recent conflicts.
Despite his focus on self-improvement, Canna never lost sight of the larger picture. Understanding the immense responsibility that came with protecting the Verdant Wardens during their spell-casting, he ordered Mortem to deploy his undead collection as a protective measure.
High-ranking undead were strategically stationed every fifteen miles, creating a formidable defense network that covered a vast area of the forest. Their presence alone was enough to deter any would-be intruders or hostile forces, ensuring that Flora and the others could concentrate on their task without fear of attack.
The forest, once a haven for countless dangers, became eerily quiet as word spread of the terrifying forces now guarding its depths. The creatures of the forest, sensing the overwhelming power emanating from the undead, wisely kept their distance. The Verdant Wardens, too, were aware of the powerful protection surrounding them, allowing them to work with a greater sense of security.
Despite the chaos of recent events, Canna found a strange sense of peace during these weeks. He enjoyed the mundane tasks—sparring, research, and even overseeing the day-to-day operations of his domain. It was a period of relative calm, a chance to reflect on the journey so far and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Canna also made sure to spend time with Stormy, often retreating to the cave where the giant dragon were sleeping. Nyx, ever loyal, remained by his side, offering silent companionship during these moments of solitude. The quiet time allowed Canna to think about his vision for the sanctuary, how it was slowly but surely taking shape.
As the days passed and the Verdant Wardens continued their efforts, Canna noticed the subtle changes in his domain. Patches of green began to emerge, and the air grew fresher as the Verdant Wardens worked their magic. The once barren landscape was slowly but steadily being transformed, and with it, Canna's vision of a sanctuary seemed closer than ever.
Three weeks would soon pass, and with the village's relocation nearing completion, Canna knew that the real work was just beginning. The Verdant Wardens had chosen to join him, to help him create a place where nature and magic could coexist in harmony. Their journey together was just starting, and the future held endless possibilities.
But for now, Canna was content to wait, to train, to plan, and to ensure that when the time came, he and his newfound allies would be ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.