Treeditions

Treeditions

Year 117

This way. Jura led them into the tunnels. Fifteen of them, young teenagers whove trained for a year or two. In another world, theyd be school-going teenagers, but here, they are warriors, rangers, mages, druids or knights, ready to face monsters to the death.

This way? One of the young mage asked. He held up his staff, and the crystal glowed in the darkness of the tunnel. It was one of the many [root tunnels] that lead to the Valley of the Unrotten. Theyve never been here, after all, access to this area is restricted to the heroes, Jura, Laufen, Kavio, and a few others of the new priesthood, who escorted the dead bodies to their burial grounds in the valley.

Yes. Jura pointed. They walked past a bunch of beetle guards. They stood, a little surprised to see the unmoving beetles. Your promotion awaits. Come.

The fifteen nodded. They knew this was it. The moment many have been waiting for. They soon saw the faint light at the end of the tunnel, and they soon stood at the entrance of the Valley of the Unrotten.

The valley now is home to very few people, so Giant Attendant Trees, many of them on fire scattered throughout the valley, were the main source of light. Theres still one small airwell at the top, above my main tree.

The valley glowed with the orange fire, the trees here survived mainly on the nutrition and energy I feed them. Herbs and flowers are everywhere, and then theres the small stream of black-fires, the suppressed energies of the demonic corruption. The excess corrupting energy gathered here, to be processed by my main body and the trees.

Their path was made of wood, hardened from the roots that covered everywhere, and flanked by wooden statues. I made them, as practice. My surplus wooden weapons, and the large anti-demon bolts were also used as fencing, since I had little place to store them.

They soon passed a field of olives, fruits, and a mix of other crops I have cultivated in small quantities. Remnants of the earlier era when the survivors still lived in the valley. Old buildings, that looked like theyve seen some years. And ghosts. Soul harvesters and nightmare harvesters. Here in the valley, where they are closest to me, they are easily visible to anyone with the slightest affinity to magic. They resembled giant shrouds, and they floated everywhere.

Some of them felt fear.

[Haunted Forest].

Jura tapped them on their back. Dont embarrass yourself. Aeons watching. A test for the young Valthorns, to receive their familiars. In many ways, this was actually a ritual, more than an actual test. The walk to the Valley of the Unrotten, and to see the origins of their institution.

A beetle would occasionally run across their backs, and they would turn, startled. The rangers especially, with their bow and arrows.

Eventually, they arrived at where Kavio gave his briefing. A small round area flanked by tall trees, with a small Tree of Prayer in the middle. Theres also a pedestal, where they can stand to see my main tree.

Well, were here. Stand on the pedestal, and receive your familiar.

A ritual. Its a silly thing, I could just as easily give them their familiar when theyre sleeping in their rooms back in Freshka. But given easily, they would not know the weight and value of what is given, and they are young, impressionable teens. A part of me felt it was important that the weight of the responsibility is made clear.

So a ritual it is.

A walk to the Valley of the Unrotten. To see where the survivors lived, and meet the protector of the valley.

How could one receive the familiar without ever knowing what gives you your familiar?

The fifteen teens break down in different ways when they receive their familiar contracts. Theyve never been here.

One cup appeared for all fifteen of them, and each of the tall trees that flanked the tree of prayers revealed a pod.

Time to drink. Jura instructed. Finish it and enter into the pods.Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

[Tree sap], [Mystical Dreams], [Dream Tutor]

A dream is just a dream, or it can be more. For these fifteen young teens whove accepted their familiar contract, Ive given them a dream of what the familiars can do, like a tutorial. At the same time, its also... a message. Familiars have served many masters over the century. Many have died with their familiars, and I felt it was important to drill in the fact that familiars, though useful, it ultimately is up to them to make the full use of it.

Again. With power, comes responsibility. But also, with responsibility, comes power.

After about 3 hours in the pod, they all emerged a little dazed, and Jura led them back to Freshka.

I wondered about my methods. Its probably a little too... big brother. What I did with dreams, maybe in another world, it would reek of a government reeducation camp.

Back in Freshka, Howd they take it? Yvon asked Jura after the kids were back.

Theyre quiet. I think theyll be okay. Jura nodded. Its been a long day, he had a large cold tea mixed with a bit of lemon and ginger for refreshments.

I wished I could be there. Yvon sighed. My form restricts me no further than 10 feet out of that door. Again, heroes are unique like that. Erizs ability to split her body into multiple nursery trees is special to her class, and Yvon too, can split her body into each of the training trees she is in. Right now, she could have 3 training trees.

Just talk to them when you see them. I think they all need a bit of sleep after what theyve seen.

Yvon frowned with her wooden form. Shes been their trainer for some time now, and shes about level 40 as a [Training Tree]. Naturally, she cared for her students. I hope Aeon didnt give them the dreams of brutal warfare.

Of all the kinds of dreams I can give a person, the dreams of the brutality of war were apparently the scariest. Its the dream where they were placed in a massive battlefield and everyone around them were killed and mutilated in different ways, and all they could do was run, flee, feel pain and scream.

I think he didnt. They didnt look that horrified.

I see. Yvon said but she was not convinced.

Thats a yes. Well, in elven terms a few years is very short. So eager to see a grandchild? Laufen grinned.

-

There was another event that happened during the year, and one with greater geopolitical impact on the continent. The great dissolution of Harriss Empire into the 7 queenly states of his 7 wives.

Harris had set up a teleportation beacon, all of his wives and children came to Freshka. He used the tremendous funds he had at his disposal, to construct a vast verandah on the outskirts of Freshka, and where a treaty would be signed.

The treaty of Freshka. If it was up to me, Id totally call it Tree-aty of Freshka, but oh well. Maybe a future treaty will enjoy that tree-atment.

Harris declared the Royal Capital his personal imperial holdings, and essentially, delegated the management of his empire into 7 parts, each under one of his wives, turning them into Queens, and then, his now 30 children, each Princes or Princesses of their own regions. Armies, budgets, artifacts and magical items, all divided into 7 parts and any undividable parts are to be held by him personally.

Of course, this wont be ideal. But Mirei was right, it is better that the separation lines be drawn now, than later. At least he lived to mediate any conflict. The signing was held. Everyone was present, even neighbouring royalty. 7 new Queens, and a period of armistice. A big party was held, and the Emperor himself, Harris, gave a long speech explaining that he had hoped for a peaceful transition of power to the 7 wives and their children.

Jasmine, my spy-in-chief, quickly made me listen in to some of the politicians, and some of the royals.

Its insanity, no? Has the Emperor gone mad, to break up his own empire this way? The other nations will sure take the chance to bite!

Its a heros naivety, perhaps. Another delegate explained. Heroes have made very strange choices in the past, it seemed Emperor Harris is no different.

Ah. Still, this is a wonderful opportunity for us. Which Queen do you think will be easier to convince?

I reckon we should speak to each of the young princes and princesses, eager to show off their chops. We could give them some winning chips, but trap them into our influence. Trade and wealth is the way forward, with the Emperors summons still around to maintain peace.

Though Harris is unable to depart for long, his army of summons still roam his empire. No nation is foolish enough to fight the summoned armies of the hero, their strength in combat is legendary.

A long term investment, at least... until the next demon king.

A tough decision, honestly. The delegate said. This dissolved seven queendoms will surely fight the moment the Emperor falls in battle with the next demon king, but then, if he cannot leave this place, surely the demon king will come here.

A look of horror on the other delegate. Oh. That would be bad. We may not be able to retain our investment if the next demon king targets this continent.

Perhaps that is a question we should ask the Emperor, what are his plans for the next demon King.

And so, as Harris socialised with the rest of his children and wives, one of them asked.

Your majesty, whats your plan for the next demon king. With your condition, would you lead the fight with the next demon king?

Harris smiled. Well, though our condition generally requires us to remain close to Aeons healing powers, I foresee its not a problem for the three of us to fight the next demon king. A set of teleportation beacons, and wed be fighting the demon king, and then back. We are also working on an alternative, should that day come, but it is not something I can reveal.

If there was a metaphorical moment when everyone was taking notes, that was it. I could sense a flood of magical messages outward, and Im damned sure Harris and Mirei could too. They are heroes, and they have innate magical sense.

But he just smiled, and let it happen. Eventually, the ceremony ended, an empire officially broken up. Harris let everyone choose whether they wanted to enjoy the comforts of Freshka, or they wanted to go back. All of them went back, and surely, Harris himself predicted a torrent of planning and politicking.

That night, he met Mirei for a drink.

You left early.

I didnt want to steal your thunder. Its your event, Harris. No need for two heroes in the same event.

Heh. I still tire of such politics, even when I have levels for it.

You lasted the whole day, Id say your levels did their job. Mirei smiled. How does it feel, a weight off your shoulders?

A bit. At the same time, I fear I may have laid the foundations for a civil war.

You could use this time to make more magical enchantments, such that if war ever breaks out, the magical enchantments will stop it. You know there are magics that do that.

Its inevitable.

Indeed.

Ever regret sticking your thing into so many places?

Sometimes. Harris sighed, and he got drunk on herbal liqueur that night.

All the time, you mean. Mirei laughed.

-

Spaizzer

Shilling time - My patreon's are ahead by 3 chapters :P