Post-battle assessment

Post-battle assessment

Year 81 Month 6 (continued)

"We lived." Yvon sat. "I thought that was... not the hardest battle Ive been in."

Jura tapped her shoulder. "We still got work to do." He pointed to the many, many injured soldiers, and the dead. The energy blasts from the Demon Walker still killed many, and there was a portion of New Freeka that's blasted wide open. A whole load of repairs to be done.

"But... but... the demon walker was defeated... we deserve a celebration!" The captains said.

Jura smiled, "Perhaps. Though I would give credit to TreeTree's exceptional anti-demon weapons. The demon general would have lasted a lot longer without his demon-draining weapons."

"But you would still win." Jura just smiled and looked at a young girl running over, her short hair fluttering.

Lausanne ran, she's covered in dirt, blood, and a whole load of demonic shards. Mostly unhurt.

"Uncle!" She landed right in front of him. "I destroyed 87 demons!"

"Good job." Jura smiled and just rubbed her head. "Hope you gain a level!"

"I hope I gain many levels!"

Jura smiled. "How is it, your first true battlefield experience?"

"Oh it is a lot less bloody and messy than my dreams. I think TreeTree exaggerated how gory and brutal it is..."

"TreeTree been giving you gory war-dreams, eh?" Jura frowned a little. Using the essences, and my own memories of wars, I could somewhat mold the general direction and types of dreams Lausanne gets. I honestly don't know what exactly happens in the dreams, [dream tutor] is kinda like a random map generator where I put in the parameters, ingredients, and things just happen.

"Yeah. I told him I wanted to feel like-" Lausanne then paused. "Oops."

Yvon frowned too. "I better check what dreams the other kids are getting, it's not good to have visions of death and destruction at that age."

What, I need to start parental guidances for dreams now?

Lausanne shook her head. "TreeTree is just helping, so that I know what to do when it's the real thing."

Jura sighed, "Anyway, not a good time to argue aboit it. Let's get the wounded to the healers, those seriously wounded to the biopods, and the dead back to the morgue."

There's a lot of wounded and dead soldiers, despite my interference. About 800 soldiers, and close to 7,000 beetles still died in the fight against the demons, the soldier deaths mostly from the demon knights. But then, my new [healing aura] kicked in, and for the injured, their wounds begin to heal, even before the healers get to them. And my new aura even improves the effect of healing.

New skill? Jura asked, noticing the unusually quick recover of his own cuts and wounds, and those injured suddenly finding their strength returning to them.

Yup.

The mood all round is mixed, but getting better. Some groups are upset and mourn the death of their comrades. Some are just incredibly amazed that they survived a battle against a towering giant, and of those that survived, a lot of the soldiers would gain levels from this battle.

The citizens also got the signal to leave their respective bunkers and hideouts, and there is a big blast that wrecked a portion of the city. I also had to get the mages to help put out the fires, since I don't have my own water magic.

Beetles closed in on what remains of the demon walker. I had a quarantine zone established, and Madeus, our resident wizard, tasked to investigate the remains. There's a massive rubble where the main body of the walker collapsed, and most of the demon walker's body disintegrated into nothingness, there are still some remains.

The rotting thing that is the hex. Like a sludge, it now pooled on the ground.

"Aeon, can you see this?" Madeus poked it with his wooden stick. It kinda latched on, like a slimy thing. Madeus likes to refer to me as Aeon, since he feels its inappropriate to refer to me as TreeTree. He poked it. Its not exactly... a slime, but it sure radiated a kind of energy. I dont feel too good being so close.

Hmm, then stay away.

[Inspection]

A hex, made from the sacrifice of souls.

Uh. Doesnt tell much,

Can you do anything about it?

Uh... Madeus tried to use some spells, the hex kind of just... stayed there. It didnt react to it.

Can you blast it to smithereens or something?

Nope. Madeus did a fireball. Hex remained. Its not exactly... destroy-able. It kinda just gets splattered.

So... we just leave it there? I ask, this is new to me.

Madeus looked at his staff, the hex damaged the wood somewhat, a section that came in contact with the hex rots. Yeah. I think its best we just seal off this area, and let the hex dissipate naturally.

Uh. Hmm... Im not sure whether I should get near the hex, though. Alexiss nuclear description somehow made me suspicious that this hex might be radioactive residue. But, I have to know for sure. Can you take a very small sample? Just one cup?

Oh. Okay. I had one of the beetles carry the small wooden container. The almost-black hex-slime seemed to have a purple glow, and really, Alexis took a glance at it, shook her head.

Disgusting.

As a precaution, I created a biolab some distance away, such that, if anything happened, such as... rotting, I could cut off the biolab and I dont suffer the consequences.

This hex thing... its created from sacrifices, eh? I asked.

Yeah. Blood magics quite special in the sense that it powers itself, and lasts really long. But of course, the cost of it is... usually someones life. Its common in the countries with extensive slavery some time ago, but its practice and use has dwindled as the constant use of slaves is... unsustainable, and theres often a great deal of backlash from blood magic, such as the spellcasters suffering nightmares or perpetual hauntings. Alexis went into full nerdy magic mode. Even Madeus didnt know that much, but it seems Alexis was a mage, and she did somehow manage to read such things.

Its just bad. Meela frowned her wooden eyebrows. I think they look like little stems from a flower. She's got an actual flower on her head now, she says it helps in the whole hospitality business thing.

According to our modern sensibilities. Alexis frowned. But blood magic is primordial, I recall meeting a shaman on one of the islands we visited, and they used to sacrifice goats and cows to the gods, and they say theyve been doing for ages. Kind of like our ancient civilisations, Meela.

Which one?

Most of the mesoamerican ones, even now theres some ritual sacrifices that happen in many cultures. I would think there must be some parallels with how blood magic is in this world. Perhaps, they sacrifice and trade for some godly powers?

I take a look at the blackish hex-liquid. Godly? Certainly doesnt feel that way, but well, what do I know?

How do you plan to investigate it? Biolab? Pour it into your pod and figure it out? Alexis asked.

Yeah. It certainly looks a bit... organic. Well. Yeah. Black, hex like thing. Maybe its like sludge, from like... a petrol spill? But theres a purple glow, so theres clearly some magic to it happening.

I decided I needed more time to think about what Im going to do, so I let the specimen sit on a little storage container in that lone biolab in a corner of the valley.

-

Beetle - anti-magma armors stage 4 - completedMetal hyperaccumulator trees - Stage 1 - completedPhytoremediation process - basic - 10 months

[Concentrated ginseng - medium quality] that takes the appearance of a brownish paste, kinda like those kind of funky paste used in exotic oriental massages.

Is this it? Maybe I need to soak it in mana or something? Like how theres a layer of mana on the body? Its really not going anywhere, is it.

Again? Jura asked. Well, he's busy. Theres still a lot of demonic movements to keep track off. Its been a year since the rifts opened, so the demon king should appear soon.

No, I just wanted to test something out...

Infusing ginseng into Juras soul using the soul forge took about an hour, strangely easy

[Ginseng infusion successful.]

How do you feel?

Uh... nothing? Did you do anything? Jura woke up from the quick nap. "Or maybe not yet?"

"Maybe it takes a while."

Year 81 Month 8

"Will the Council grant us rights to grant us refuge, rights to purchase land and build a mansion?" A royal envoy from a nearby nation of Rajahskan came, with 'gifts', and money. They were not the only one.

Well, what's happening was quite simple.

The royalties of the nearby nation, now that they realised I could fend off a Demon Walker, want to set up a refuge. Essentially, they will buy land, build a small palace where their family can hide. Although the Kings usually do not leave, there are some weird rules about King's powers being related to being 'present' in their Kingdoms, these Kings want to protect their offspring and successors by sending them away to a safehouse. Kind of like what Madeus' allies did. But they want exemptions, special treatment, and the ability to rule over their own properties. Which, is absolutely ridiculous.

"It's politically advantageous for us to accept. But if we do, we must be prepared to accept most of them, except those who have crossed us." A councillor said.

A delegation from the Council, and the envoys came to present the case. The Council, being the usual politicians, would like to agree. But Jura said. "This is a decision for Aeon. It is his protection to give, not us"

"I do not fancy the creation of a royal district where our laws do not apply." The idea that all these runaway princes come to my place and set up little outposts just frankly annoys me. When I imagine all these stuck up royals treating this little valley of mine as their summer palace, I just feel disgusted. No. They may come as regular guests, but they will be treated in the same manner as any other refugee in this valley. If the Council wishes to extend any privileged treatment to them, let them know that I will not recognise that privilege, and if I so desire, I will not hesitate to crush them. In this valley, they are ordinary souls, like anyone else.

The Councillors froze. But... but... Counsel Jura, surely Aeon can recognise the value these royals can bring?

Jura shrugged. Im afraid the Tree Spirit is very firm about not giving royals any privileged treatment. And if I may add, accepting royals and granting them special treatment contradicts why New Freeka exists. Do you guys really want to put up with the whims of royalty all over again? Do you not forget that it is royal conflicts that brought all of you here? They can still come, should the demons ever threaten their lands, but they will be like any other refugee.

One of the Councillors stared at Jura. The Tree Spirit has no concept of royalty, isnt it?

Jura nodded. He is aware of it, but he does not intend to recognise their power in this valley.

Three of the envoys, from three kingdoms were present. Surely there is something that our Kingdoms may provide, to sway the Tree Spirits view?

It is one of the Orders head priests who responded. Aeons Protection is a blessing, and one cannot haggle or bargain ones blessing, even if you are royalty. Accept, or do not. When you stand before a local deity, what is a royal?

I mentally cheered for the priest, good comeback. Im a bit embarrassed that they think Im some kind of deity, but Im too far into that whole religious schtick to bother correcting it now. And if I gain even more levels, I guess a deity isnt too far off anyway.

The envoys frowned. One of the envoys, the one from Rajahskan then said. Its a shame that the Tree Spirit of this valley rejects our Kings offer. I will relay the message and I fear he will not be pleased.

I told Jura then. Is that a threat? I dont like receiving threats. Of course, the envoys couldnt hear this.

Jura smiled at the envoy. I am afraid your King must get used to it. Aeons under no obligation to obey a Kings demands. What more one of another nation.

And Aeon doesnt not even heed the views of his Council? The envoy retorted.

Aeon was here before the Council was born, and he may remove the Council should he so pleases. Jura smiled, but it was the creepy kind of smile, and the rooms air suddenly felt heavy. A [Warlord]s Skill, [Heavyweight Presence]. He looked at the Councillors, and the Councillors somehow all took two steps back.

The envoy too, took a step back. Then, he took a deep breath, and sighed. I see. But surely... we can still purchase property in New Freeka?

You may, but your property will be subject to all of New Freekas rules and regulations. There will be no exemptions. In short, you will be like any other wealthy merchant who invests in a property in New Freeka. And know this, you will be watched.

The envoys traded glances. They discussed with each other a bit, but then they all decided to leave. But I could still eavesdrop on them as they walk back to their inns.

Who does this Tree Spirit think it is? One envoy said. Our Kings adventurers can chop down a tree.

But your adventurers cannot slay a demon walker. The envoy for another country said. Or you wouldnt be here.

Ugh.

The Rajahskan envoy said, A powerful druid or monster tamer should be able to sway this Tree Spirits mind.

I wouldnt count on that. Any monster able to slay a demon walker has to be at least Level 100, and you wont find many druids or monster tamers willing to do even try taming a creature of that level. Its a life-or-death battle.

The Rajahskan envoy nodded. Perhaps. Maybe a heroic artifact could.

The two other envoys eyes lit up. Ah... that certainly changes things. Is there such an artifact?

The Rajahskan envoy, The Elven Kingdoms may still possess Roanas Staff. I reckon a level 80 druid wielding that can bend this Trees will.

The two envoys laughed. And I thought you have such an item! That staff was destroyed long ago!

Is it? I had the impression its what they used to keep the Guardian Tree of the Elven Capital under control...

Hah. Dont tell me you believe some of that kind of silly propaganda. Its a myth to maintain the royal family's legitimacy.

The envoy frowned. Well... the King wont be pleased with this. I... I dont know how to go back.

Well, were in the same boat. I bet the Kings gonna have my head. He tends to do that when he loses his temper.

Im just going to fake my death. Demons killed me on the journey back. Thats going to be my story.

The three envoys sulked together. Are there seriously no good Kings around? Or do they just die because they are too nice?

Year 81 Month 9

Another demon walker has been spotted on our continent this month, and strength returned to the demonoid forces throughout the continent. Thankfully, it appeared so far south, nearer to Gila. I guess they can use their newfound sacrificial blood-magic powers, and test it out. For us, we still see small packs of roaming demonoids close to our territories, but they are easily crushed by the patrolling beetles.

Its a bit annoying that we only free from demon walkers for 3 months, but then again, Im expecting the demon king within the next 6 months. Cant be helped that the escorts will increase before the main character comes along. Lets just hope it appears on the Southern Continent, where there are now 6 demon walkers. The nations in the South managed to kill 1 using the blood magic, but it takes more than one shot to slay the demon walkers.

So, its really quite a miserable battlefield, the Southern Continent. I heard from Jura that theyve sent all sorts of requests for assistance.

Ah, too bad for them, thats their problem. For now, I focus on rebuilding my stockpile of anti-demon bolts.

Announcement next chapter oct 20-21 or so. thanks for reading/commenting/reviewing/rating etc. :)