It was very easy to distinguish them within the camp. First, their clothing did not match the Hermits' standard attire. Second, they made no attempt to conceal their racial characteristics in the depths of this dense forest.
Half-elves, dwarves, werewolves, catfolk, Winged Humans, Minotaurs, Dragonborn, halflings—Shade even spotted a snakefolk girl. However, she did not have a human upper body and a giant serpent lower body. Rather, she merely had vertical pupils, and about a third of her face was covered in snake scales.
This reminded Shade of when, at the end of the "Black Sand Dock" story, he had traveled by ship to Ice Lake to meet Chloe. There had also been many nonhuman Witches in the little Ice Witch's camp. But back then, nonhuman races could still walk openly in the civilized world. Nowadays, most ancient races hid at the edges of civilization, while nonhuman Ring Arcanists living in the human world for various reasons could only huddle together for warmth.
Steve Davis, the Great Elder of the Hermits of the Forest, welcomed the Witch Council's party outside the camp. He once again thanked the Witches for their rescue during the Battle of Vesta Woodland and expressed his admiration for the God Summoner's achievement in saving this forest.
The Hermits of the Forest would continue operating in Vesta Woodland. This story, which had taken place during the autumn and winter of Sixth Epoch 1854, would be recorded and passed down by them. Although they would not directly participate in the later maintenance of the seal, this forest would still need their protection.
Flora had already given Shade another detailed introduction to the Crescent Moon Secret Society's current composition on the way here. Therefore, when Mr. Davis introduced the society's president to the God Summoner, Shade was not surprised