Fey Wilds, Wailing Woods
The branches of the ancient trees are twisted and knotted, like ghost claws, stretching into the gray sky. The bark is covered with black moss that looks like tear stains. The ground is muddy and slippery, exuding the smell of decaying plants.
There is almost no light in the forest.
Dark, gloomy.
Only a few clusters of fungi emitting pale phosphorescence or some dark flowers with distorted shapes provided negligible illumination.
Sadness, anger, hunger, fear...
Red Iron Dragon Walking in this woodland, you can clearly feel the emotional fluctuations in it.
This is similar to what it was like in Verdant Garden, but it's just on the completely opposite side.
Moreover, it is not a strong spiritual attack, but more like some kind of subtle halo, quietly seeping into the consciousness like a drizzle, gradually casting a layer of gloom over the heart.
Garos has the characteristic "Heart of Iron", and the existence of Frenzied Flame can also weaken most of his psychic attacks.
But even he could not help but feel vaguely irritable.
It felt like fine sand had entered the dragon's scales. It wasn't painful or itchy, but the friction continued to affect him.
He noticed that his breathing was slightly heavier than usual, his claws unconsciously increased their force when landing on the ground, and they made too crisp a sound when they broke the rotten branches.
"However, although the influence here is inevitable, it cannot affect my judgment."
Garos confirmed in his heart.
In his life, he spent too much time fighting against instinctive desires and Frenzied Flame. In comparison, the emotional interference caused by this woodland could only be regarded as background noise.
As he walked, he observed his surroundings.
Behind the twisted trees, you can occasionally glimpse shadows that quickly hide.
That's the evil Fae or other dark creature that lives here.
They peered at this uninvited guest, but did not dare to approach easily.
"If I trigger Frenzied Flame here, the effect will definitely be more intense."
he thought.
How will Frenzied Flame resonate with the negative emotions in this land? If the two meet, they may trigger unpredictable reactions.
"Perhaps, I can train specifically for Frenzied Flame in a similar place."
This thought cheered up Garos.
For some reasons that cannot be completely determined, his Frenzied Flame was gradually becoming difficult to control when he was Material Plane, and that violent power seemed to be ready to move with self-awareness.
The evolution of Garos often requires time accumulation and cannot be achieved overnight.
But in Fey Wilds, in such an environment rich in emotional energy, it does not seem impossible to regain control of Frenzied Flame in a short time.
Red Iron Dragon thought deeply and gradually went deep into Wailing Woods.
He didn't come alone.
Following him at this moment is little Flower Fairy Vif who is timid but very curious.
Fairy Dragon Vera flew to other Fae settlements to promote the message of "win-win cooperation".
"It's so dark in here..."
Flower Fairy tightly grasped the edge of the dragon scale at Red Iron Dragon's shoulder blades, and curled up its wings.
She looked at the gloomy and terrifying scene around her, couldn't help but shudder, and whispered, "Yi...Ignas Your Majesty, it's so scary here... You... aren't you afraid? Should we walk slower and be more careful?"
Red Iron Dragon paused slightly and was silent for a few seconds.
He seemed to be thinking seriously about this issue.
Then, the huge and majestic head slowly turned, and its vertical pupils scanned the surrounding dim forest.
As far as the eye could see, all the evil creatures hiding in the shadows held their breaths, their bodies were trembling, and they did not dare to make a sound, for fear of attracting the attention of this Red-Iron Dragon.
In this supposedly dark woodland, it is obvious who the most dangerous and terrifying existence is.
Garos withdrew his gaze and looked at the little one on his shoulder.
"Well, it's my first time here, so I also feel a little uneasy."
"However, the best way to overcome fear is to face it. The slower you go and the longer you stay, the more fear will take root."
Flower Fairy blinked his eyes, thoughtfully.
She looked down at her slightly trembling hands, then looked up at Garos's majestic face, and made up her mind.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I want to overcome my fear..."
She encouraged herself in a low voice, and then bravely flew down from Red Iron Dragon's shoulder.
However, just when she left the protection of the dragon scale, she caught a glimpse of Hag hidden among the branches of a twisted ancient tree on the left.
The creature was ugly, with skin like cracked tree bark and eyes that glowed viciously in the dim light.
Flower Fairy's body stiffened instantly, and he opened his mouth to scream.
But before she could speak out, Hag took the lead.
It shrank back in a panic, trying to cover its body with the few branches. It didn't look like a ferocious and vicious evil life, but more like a frightened little animal, afraid of being noticed.
"Huh?"
Vif's scream was stuck in her throat, and she froze.
"It seems to be scared?"
Seeing this, Flower Fairy's body gradually straightened up.
Since you are afraid of me, then I am not afraid of you anymore!
This simple logic made her more courageous.
She started flying in front of Red Iron Dragon. Wherever she passed, the evil creatures hiding around her, whether it was the Goblin ghost squatting at the roots of the tree or the Shadow Bat hanging on the vines, all retreated, showing signs of fear.
"Aha, Your Majesty Ignas, please let Flower Fairy Vif clear the way for you!"
Vif's voice regained its former briskness.
She waved her little fist and said with a smile, "As long as I am here, these evil creatures will not dare to approach you!"
She knows what the evil creatures are afraid of.
Behind her, Red Iron Dragon walking slowly was the source of their fear.
However, she also enjoys the feeling of being a fox and a tiger, which allows her to find a sense of security in this gloomy forest.
"Okay, then it's up to you."
Red Iron Dragon walked forward leisurely.
He came here not only to observe the environment and think about Frenzied Flame's cultivation possibilities, but more importantly, he wanted to see if there were resources worth paying attention to where the evil Faes lived.
Not long after, Garos stopped in front of an orchard.
The orchard here is completely different from the one at Verdant Garden.
The trees were twisted and short, as if bent by invisible pain, and the leaves were withered and yellow with black spots, as if they were rusty.
Most of the fruits produced above are dim in color and weird in shape, some look like shriveled hearts, some look like twisted faces, and some have surfaces covered with spikes.
Garos can clearly sense that these fruits exude strong negative emotional energy.
Vif cautiously stuck his head out, pointed at the fruits and began to introduce them.
"This one is black, and eating it will make you sad all day long; that one is gray, and one bite will give you nightmares; and those are hot..." She pointed to a dark red fruit that looked like a pepper.
"If you eat it, you will lose your temper uncontrollably."
"There was a Pixie in our hometown who accidentally tasted some of it and was so angry that he smashed his favorite mushroom house."
Listening to Flower Fairy's introduction, Garos's eyes shifted and finally locked on Fruit of Anger.
It looks like a pepper, with fine uneven textures on its surface.
Like a solidified flame, and like the veins of blood vessels.
Red Iron Dragon stretched out his paw and picked off a Fruit of Anger.
He leaned closer and smelled it, and a spicy and pungent smell rushed into his nose, bringing with it an inexplicable feeling of irritation.
He felt it carefully for a few seconds at close range, but did not eat it.
If this fruit is eaten rashly, if it reacts violently with Frenzied Flame, it may cause him to lose control. At least, make some preparations before trying, just in case.
"It smells so bad, it smells so bad."
Vif covered his nose with his small hands and wrinkled his little face.
"They must be more delicious than I thought. Your Majesty, please don't try them!"
Garos did not respond, but carefully observed the orchard.
He noticed that although these fruits were ugly in shape, they were generally plump and huge and hung heavily on the branches.
"These fruits look very plump."
he said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, that means they're tastier."
Vif answered of course, "The bad Faes who live here are either scared, angry or crazy all day long. Their bad emotions penetrate into the soil, and the fruits they grow are ugly and unpalatable. Unlike us, the fruits grown with joy and love are fragrant and sweet!"
Garos felt something in his heart.
Wait, the fullness of these fruits seems to be caused by the fear of evil Fae towards him?
After he stepped into Wailing Woods, the creatures fled in all directions, and fear filled the air.
And these emotions are the nourishment for the growth of this land.
Doesn't this mean that fighting and suppressing evil Fae is like protecting and treating normal Fae, but it can actually make the corresponding fruit quality better?
"I have made the most perfect choice, and I am worthy of it."
Garos nodded with satisfaction.
Standing on the side of normal Fae can maximize the effects of both fruits at the same time, killing two birds with one stone.
"However, Fey Wilds's resources are definitely more than just these Emotion Fruit."
"There's more to explore here," he thought.
Garos is very patient and continues to search in Wailing Woods.
He walked through a depression covered with dark moss, bypassed several strange trees that were constantly leaking mucus, and crossed a small stream with gray-black water.
The atmosphere in the forest was always oppressive, but Garos's pace was steady, and the gloomy environment had no effect on him.
After some time, he paused slightly and his huge nostrils twitched slightly.
"This smell..."
There was a hint of familiar yet unfamiliar smell in the air, which shocked Garos's spirit.
Black Oil, he smelled something similar to Black Oil!
In the growth process of Garos, Black Oil played a very key role.
This liquid can produce huge energy after being refined.
Even now, he often eats Black Oil Crystal to stimulate his physical activity and improve his exercise efficiency.
It's not food.
When dieting and exercising the digestive system, Black Oil Crystal can still be effective.
However, the concentration and refining of Black Oil Crystal consumes a lot of money.
Garos consumes astronomical amounts of Black Oil almost every day.
With the Aura Kingdom's current Black Oil reserves, he can squander it, but the formation of this thing takes a long time to accumulate. After all, it is not unlimited. Use less and less.
Garos never thinks he has too many Black Oilfield.
"Fey Wilds also has Black Oil? That's good news."
Red Iron Dragon's eyes lit up and he walked forward following the smell.
A few minutes later, Red Iron Dragon came to a pool.
The water in the pool was as dark as ink, dead still, without a trace of waves, like thick asphalt.
Judging from the appearance and texture, it is exactly what Garos needs Black Oil most.
But it's not exactly the same.
Garos can clearly feel that these Black Oil also contain rich emotional energy, and they have both sides, covering almost all emotions.
There is the heaviness of sadness, the heat of anger, the coldness of fear, and even some indescribable twisted desires.
Red Iron Dragon squatted by the dark pool.
After thinking for a moment, he stretched out his paw and prepared to dip a little Black Oil in the pool to study it carefully.
"Eh? This... ah! Your Majesty, be careful, don't touch it!"
Garos stopped moving and looked at Flower Fairy who exclaimed.
Vif flew next to Red Iron Dragon's paws, with obvious fear and fear on its little face, and its wings flapped rapidly, bringing up a small burst of air.
"This is 'gooey'."
Flower Fairy's voice was a little trembling, "There are similar things in many places underground under our Verdant Garden, but... the slime is scary, super dangerous, and must not be touched!"
Garos retracted his claws and asked, "What's so scary about the slime in your mouth?"
Vif flapped its wings and flew in front of Red Iron Dragon. His face tightened and he tried to make his voice sound serious, "I will tell you a story and you will know."
"It is said that a long time ago, there was a very naughty Pixie named Pobi."
"He is extremely curious and always likes to explore places that are forbidden by his elders."
"One day, he ignored the persuasion of his elders and sneaked to play near the sticky area. There was nothing interesting there, only some ordinary stones and dead branches. Pobi felt bored, so he took out his favorite bouncy ball, which was made of Moonlight Mushroom and Rainbow Tree Silk. It was very beautiful and elastic, and he played with it in the open space."
"It turns out he was too involved in playing."
"Accidentally, the bouncy ball bounced high, drew an arc, and fell straight into the goo."
"Pobi ran over quickly, but it was so sticky that the bouncy ball had sunk and I couldn't get it out."
"Pobi was so sad that he sat by the pool and cried all afternoon. His eyes were swollen from crying. It was his favorite toy."
"After dark, he was tired of crying, so he could only run home whimpering. He didn't even eat dinner, so he lay on the bed and continued to cry. He cried and fell asleep without knowing it."
"Then, he had a dream."
"He dreamed that his bouncy ball was back. It was still so beautiful, so elastic, sparkling in the moonlight. The bouncy ball played with him in the garden, jumping around. He was so happy... However, in the middle of the night, Pobi suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if he was holding something wet and sticky in his arms."
"When he opened his eyes in a daze..."
At this point, Vif's voice became even lower. "He saw a sticky elastic ball lying in his arms! The ball was still trembling slightly, as if it was alive! And his bed, hands, and face were all covered in sticky... ah, so scary!"
After the story was told, Flower Fairy flew behind Red Iron Dragon and shrank his head, as if he could avoid the terrible imagination.
Garos is thoughtful.
This story sounded like a weird story used by Faes to scare children, but he was keenly aware of some key information in it.
The bouncy ball "came back" by itself, and "seemed to be alive."
Considering the complex emotional energy contained in this type of Black Oil, a speculation is ready to come out.
"Can the emotional energy in Black Oil make dead objects "alive"?" Garos whispered to himself, "Or to be more precise, can it give some emotions to inanimate objects?"
If this is true, then the value of these Black Oil is even higher.
"If it is used to condense it into crystals, after I eat it, in addition to my physical body, my spirit will most likely be stimulated, and my exercise efficiency in both areas will be improved at the same time."
Garos is thinking quickly.
"On the other hand, if this kind of Black Oil is used as energy to supply Alchemical Constructs or structures..."
Bernardo Planet and Alchemy Golem, all of which are more advanced, have a certain degree of intelligence, but this kind of intelligence is more like a preset command and response mode, rather than true intelligence.
They are powerful, precise, and loyal, but lack a real "soul".
But what if this Black Oil, which is full of complex emotional energy, is used as energy?
Is it possible for Alchemical Constructs to awaken the real "Machine Soul"?
Even if it is just a prototype or fragment, it will be a revolutionary breakthrough.
Just imagine:
When the engine of a Alchemy Golem was destroyed and was about to stall, it suddenly shouted a low mechanical sound of "For Red Emperor", and then in a way that violated alchemy, stood up abruptly and continued to fight the enemy bravely...
Previously, except for the refining of Black Oil, Aura Kingdom's alchemy industry developed very slowly compared with the soldiers under his command.
Those constructs, Alchemy Golem and other creations are not advanced enough and cannot be used against the enemy as they are not as good as the hard-tempered bodies of Aura warriors. They can only do simple transportation and patrol work.
However, after winning Battle of Lain Plateau and acquiring a lot of technical knowledge from various countries, Aura Kingdom's alchemy industry is developing rapidly. It is developing rapidly in the true sense, but it still lacks its own characteristics and is more like a hodgepodge of technologies from various countries.
Now, Garos seems to have discovered a Aura characteristic industrial road.
"Vif, in your impression, Black Oil... is there a lot of slime?"
Red Iron Dragon asked.
Flower Fairy poked his head out from behind the dragon scales and tilted his head to think.
"I'm not sure. I haven't thought about it specifically, but I've heard that there seems to be slime in many underground areas. Some places have more, some have less, but it's present in many places."
After a pause, she asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty, why do you ask this?"
"Both us and those evil Fae basically hate slime. It seems to have no other effect besides being dangerous. Everyone will stay away from it for fear of getting involved."
Red Iron Dragon grinned, revealing a row of sharp teeth.
"In a short time, you will no longer be afraid of "gooey", and you will even regard it as a treasure."
Garos said.
Flower Fairy shook his little head in distress, not quite understanding. It was so slimy and scary, how could it become a treasure? But since His Majesty Ignas said it, then maybe... maybe it is true?
She decided not to think deeply about this problem, since the great Red Emperor would not lie to her anyway.
Garos doesn't have much explanation.
He wandered around the woodland for another half day, observed several other unique plants and minerals, noted their locations and characteristics, and then returned to Verdant Garden with Flower Fairy.
Along the way, those evil creatures still stayed far away, only daring to peek in the shadows.
Back at Verdant Garden, the warm sunshine and cheerful atmosphere made Vif let out a long sigh of relief. She flapped her wings and flew around among the flowers.
Garos continued shopping in Verdant Garden.
He has realized that there are many things that Fae people take for granted, and getting Material Plane is a treasure.
These things need to be discovered by oneself and cannot be learned by asking, because Fae people do not pay attention to them, they are just a part of life.
Time passed by leisurely.
A few days later, a familiar voice came from the edge of Verdant Garden.
"The great Lord Vera is back!"
As soon as the shouts of Fairy Dragon rang out, many Faes flew around her, cheering and cheering around her like a colorful cloud, welcoming her home.
Vera made several beautiful rolls in the air, attracting bursts of exclamation and applause.
But soon, the Faes discovered that in addition to Master Vera, there was another person following them.
It was a human man, wearing a robe made of magic vines and some kind of flexible bark. It was simple but exuded a natural atmosphere.
He looks about forty years old, with a thin face and fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but his eyes are bright and clear, as if he can see through the surface to the essence, and his whole person exudes a calm temperament that has accumulated over the years.
"This is the guardian of Verdant Jungle, Hollis."
Vera introduced to the surrounding Fae.
Fey Wilds is dominated by Fae life forms, but humans are not uncommon either.
Some are travelers who strayed into this place by mistake, some are hermits who came here to seek peace, and some, like Hollis, have settled here for many years and become part of the Fae community.
Faes don't have much hostility towards humans.
As long as the other party respects their habits, they can coexist peacefully.
"It's our first time meeting you. I'll give you some small gifts."
Hollis said gently.
Immediately afterwards, like a magic trick, he took out many beautiful garlands or exquisite ornaments from the pockets of his robes and distributed them to Fae those around him.
Seeing how happy they were after receiving the gifts, Spellcaster couldn't help but smile.
However, when he felt the hot breath in Verdant Garden that was hard to ignore, his smile faded and his heart became heavy.
The news brought by Fairy Dragon sounds too good to be true.
A dragon emperor from Material Plane helped solve the Demon Wraith that had troubled Fae for a long time, and he still wants to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with the Faes?
This sounds almost like Evil Dragon's standard opening line to coax innocent creatures.
Hollis knows dragons better than most Fae.
Those creatures are inherently greedy, arrogant, and violent, viewing the weak as prey and deception as a tool.
They may temporarily disguise themselves, but their ultimate goal is often to plunder and conquer.
A Dragon of Red and Iron came across dimensions and easily killed the powerful Demon Wraith. Was it really just the so-called "clone" of Fairy Dragon?
No, a story is just a story.
Hollis is more inclined to believe that the so-called Red Emperor used some means to deceive the simple Fairy Dragon, and now, he wants to deceive more Fae.
He instinctively felt wary and disgusted.
He has been protecting Verdant Jungle for many years and has long regarded the simple-minded Fae as his responsibility and family.
He has witnessed too many outsiders trying to take advantage of Fae's kindness and innocence. Some succeeded and brought harm to Fae; some were blocked, but the process was often full of twists and turns.
He will never tolerate any outsiders taking advantage of Fae's innocence to harm them.
At this moment, there was a slight tremor under my feet.
Fae people became quiet and moved out of the way.
A figure more than ten meters long walked slowly over, its scales glowing with a metallic luster in the sun. With every step it took, the earth seemed to tremble slightly.
Is this Red Emperor?
Hollis looked at Red Iron Dragon and ignored its small size at first glance.
Obviously, Red Iron Dragon used Shapeshifting Spell.
Hollis's eyes mainly glanced at the dense Battleworn Mark roads on the dragon's scales. Those interlaced scars told the stories of countless battles; then, he noticed the special body structure and extremely strong muscles on the dragon's body.
The human's expression became solemn, and the fear in his heart deepened.
But even so, he did not retreat.
He took a deep breath, took a few steps forward, and stood in front of the Faes who were happily flocking to Red Emperor.
These little things already regard Red Iron Dragon as a hero and protector, which makes him even more worried.
"Dear... Your Majesty Ignas."
Hollis first spoke politely, with a clear and steady voice, and then introduced himself, "I am the guardian of Verdant Jungle, Hollis. First of all, thank you for eliminating the threat of Demon Wraith for Verdant Garden."
"That monster has been plaguing this place for a long time. It's really a thing worth thanking you for getting rid of it."
Hearing this, Red Iron Dragon's eyes narrowed slightly.
Hollis's words were complimentary on the surface, but there was a trace of hostility hidden in his tone.
At the same time, Faes were alert and felt the subtle changes in the atmosphere.
They stopped cheering and retreated quietly one by one, keeping a distance, but unwilling to leave completely. They just poked their heads in and looked at the conversation curiously.
Hollis paused and his eyes became sharp.
"But please allow me to speak frankly."
He said bluntly, "The Faes of Fey Wilds have pure minds and love peace and beauty. They may trust you and worship you because of the power you have shown and your previous stories."
"But I must warn you."
"Please do not treat these simple creatures as objects that can be fooled or used at will."
"Their ability to thrive in this vast and complex plane, establish so many homes, and become the main race in this plane is not simply dependent on luck or kindness."
Hollis can feel the power of Red Iron Dragon, which is an almost substantial sense of oppression.
Rumors about his deeds, the Battleworn Mark on his body, and his exaggeratedly strong body... all prove his strength.
But Hollis is not afraid of Dragon Might.
Living in Fey Wilds for many years, he has established a deep connection with this land.
Moreover, although Fey Wilds and Legendary Realm are strong, they are not strong enough to do whatever they want.
If a Evil Dragon that does not belong to Fey Wilds dares to mess around, there will be no good end.
Opposite, Red Iron Dragon listened quietly.
He heard the warning, even the threat, from the human guardian, but showed no offended anger or arrogant contempt.
On the contrary, his posture became more relaxed, as if he had expected such a conversation.
The giant dragon's head tilted slightly, its eyes fell on the human, and looked at him carefully.
"Hollis... a human who has found a home and responsibility in a foreign land."
Garos said slowly and in a low voice, "I have seen a lot of people like you."
"Leave your homeland, take root in a strange land or world, protect the beliefs and ethnic groups you identify with, and be wary of outsiders, especially those who seem powerful and have unknown purposes."
"This is due caution and the duty of a guardian."
There was even a hint of approval in his tone, which was completely beyond Hollis's expectations.
This dragon... is recognizing itself?
Hollis was stunned for a moment, and his prepared follow-up words were stuck in his throat.
He originally thought that the other party would be angry, disdainful, and use Dragon Might to oppress him, but he did not expect such a reaction.
Red Iron Dragon continued, his voice unhurried and slow. "I understand your concerns."
"A powerful dragon came from across dimensions and said it would cooperate with the weak Fae... It does sound like the beginning of a poor fairy tale, or a well-planned conspiracy."
"In most stories, dragons are either villains who steal treasures, or they are the scourge that destroys kingdoms."
He shook his head slightly and said, "However, not all dragons only believe in greed and conquest, and not all cooperation must be based on deception and extraction."
"I control a growing kingdom and I understand the value of order, sustainability and mutual benefit."
"Short-term plunder may bring temporary wealth, but long-term cooperation can create real prosperity."
"Fey Wilds has what I need, unique resources, a friendly environment, and these beings who are willing to treat outsiders with kindness. And Fae can also get what they need or like from communicating with Material Plane, a more stable environment to avoid dangerous intrusions like Demon Wraith."
Red Iron Dragon speaks calmly and clearly, without the arrogance or arrogance that dragons often have.
He even took the initiative to put himself in Hollis's perspective to understand the other party's vigilance and acknowledged the rationality of this concern.
This kind of approachability and reasonableness appears in such a majestic and powerful dragon, and he is also a dragon king. The contrast is very strong, but it is also deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
Hollis's expression became more relaxed, and the cane he held tightly drooped slightly.
The other party doesn't seem to be the traditional Evil Dragon.
Hollis knows that one cannot generalize about individuals based on ethnic group impressions.
Dragons are long-lived and wise creatures. Each dragon has its own unique character and pursuit. At least, this Red Emperor is not like a tyrant who only knows how to plunder.
"Fae is simple, but very sensitive to thoughts."
Hollis pondered in his heart, "If he has malicious intentions, Faes may not be able to detect it rationally, but they will definitely not support him or like him... But judging from the looks of these little guys, they really like this dragon."
"Your... insights surprise me."
Hollis looked at the dragon, and his voice lost the tense tone at the beginning, "Perhaps, you are not the... typical dragon ruler I imagined."
"Typical?"
Red Iron Dragon chuckled, "Maybe."
"Every ruler has his own choice, and my choice is to move towards a broader future by bringing together different wisdom and strength."
The atmosphere has relaxed a lot.
Fae Although they didn't quite understand what serious topic they were talking about, they could feel that the tension was fading away, and they began to talk in low voices again, with brisk voices.
Red Iron Dragon smiled slightly.
Human beings may be born with a bit of resistance when facing a stronger superior, but as long as the superior is willing to show a kind attitude and be approachable, many subordinates will be flattered by it and feel close to them.
--Art of Manipulating People.
After chatting about Fey Wilds for a while, Red Iron Dragon seemed to be interested in Hollis himself.
He suddenly asked, "Before becoming a guardian, which Material Plane did you come from? Judging from your conversation and knowledge, you should come from a place with a fairly high level of civilization."
Hollis was stunned for a moment, not expecting that the other party would ask such a personal question.
He thought for a while and felt that there was nothing to hide, so he replied, "I come from a continent called Faerûn, from the Netheril Magic Empire."
"Our... magical civilization was once extremely glorious, reaching heights unimaginable by mortals."
Magic empire?
Magic empires dominated by Spellcaster often use this type of title.
In Bernardo, all empires and kingdoms do not respect Spellcaster. Instead, there are more professionals such as warriors and knights.
Spellcaster is strong, but the quantity is too small, and it is more difficult to reach Crown Rank or above.
Bernardo's magic industry is also underdeveloped, with the alchemy industry being the main industry.
After hearing about different Material Plane things, Garos became interested.
He adjusted his posture so that he could lie on the ground more comfortably and assumed a listening posture.
"In the world I belong to, there are also several powerful empires, and their people are often proud of their empires."
"As a Legendary Realm mage, you should also enjoy a high status. Why did you choose to leave that kind of civilization and settle down in Fey Wilds?"
Hollis was silent for a few seconds, as if recalling the past.
His eyes became distant, returning to the hometown that he both missed and resisted.
Then, he said slowly, with mixed emotions in his voice. "In Netheril, Spellcaster, we live in cities floating in the air, completely separated from the surface."
"We hold Arcane Magic that is unimaginable to mortals, and overlook all living beings with eyes similar to Deity."
"Those cities were... majestic, sophisticated, full of magical wonder, but also... cold and distant."
This... kind of looks like Holden Empire.
But it sounds stronger than Holden.
Garos is thinking in his heart.
The number of Floating City of the Holden Empire was originally small, only a few. Since the development of Abyss, the number of Floating City has begun to surge. One after another has been launched into the sky, and there are still many Holden cities on the earth.
And listening to the description of Hollis, Spellcaster of Netheril seems to have completely abandoned the ground.
Maybe it was too long since he had talked about Material Plane, or maybe it was Red Iron Dragon's listening attitude that made him feel at ease, and Hollis opened up the conversation.
"Living in the clouds, far away from the earth, sounds wonderful."
He whispered, "There is no dirt of earth, no noise of the world, only pure magic research and pursuit of knowledge. However, Spellcaster people have become... arrogant and even indifferent because of this."
"In our empire, magical talent is the only criterion for classification."
His expression gradually became heavy. "People who cannot cast spells are not considered "people" in the imperial system."
"They are called "Groundlings", which means "ground creatures"."
"Among some magic aristocrats, interests such as "Man-Hunter" and "Man-Eater" are even popular. This is not a metaphor, it is really Hunt and edible."
"Spellcasters treat untalented humans as similar looking beasts, not as the same kind."
Mentioning this, Hollis showed an expression of deep hatred but helplessness.
"I was born in a mage family, and I have good talents. I am considered a privileged person. I could have enjoyed all this with peace of mind, living in a high Floating City, looking down at the Groundlings below, and treating them as ants."
He paused and his voice became lower. "But I am born... maybe I am too good at empathy."
"I don't agree with the idea that talent is above all else."
"I often wonder, if I didn't have magic talent, would I appear at other Spellcaster's dinner tables? Or be killed by other Spellcaster with spells for fun?"
"Just because you lack a talent, you lose your qualifications as a human being. This... this is unreasonable."
Hollis sighed tiredly and continued, "The empire system is huge and deeply rooted. Even though I am Legendary Realm, I can't change anything."
"I proposed reforms."
"I've tried to establish laws to protect "Groundlings", I've tried to teach empathy to students in colleges... but I've failed every time."
"I felt like I was doing the right thing, but I was the outlier."
"My family and my relatives are gradually alienating me and treating me as a freak who needs to be corrected."
"So, I finally chose to escape." His voice calmed down and he said, "I passed through Planar Portal and came to Fey Wilds. Here... I feel peaceful and real."
"Fae people will not worship me because of my magical talent, nor will they reject me because I am human."
"They only look at your heart and your behavior. Here, I can finally breathe."
Garos listened quietly, nodding his head slightly.
"The pursuit of inner peace and faith... a choice worthy of respect."
Red Iron Dragon said slowly, "In my world, there is a similar empire. Their Floating City is already high in the clouds. Although they have not reached the level of Netheril, the trend... is somewhat similar."
Hearing this, Hollis's expression became serious.
He looked at Red Iron Dragon and said sincerely, "Dear Your Majesty Ignas, if you can, please remind them for me."
"Don't live in heaven."
"In the long run, people in heaven will no longer be "people", or will not regard other people as "people"."
"Distance creates estrangement, estrangement breeds arrogance, and arrogance breeds cruelty. When you look at people on the ground like ants, you are no longer one of them."
Hearing these words, Red Iron Dragon smiled deeply.
"One day, when conditions are right, I will try my best to let them return to the earth."
he said, without explaining exactly how that would be done.
Hollis didn't hear the subtext of the dragon.
He nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you. I can't bear to see other countries make the same mistake again. It's a road leading to darkness and will eventually engulf everyone, including those Spellcaster who think they are safe."
Immediately, Red Iron Dragon asked again:
"Netheril Empire, or other empires in your world, are you interested in Fey Wilds? Since you are here, does it mean that the world you are in is familiar with this plane?"
Hollis thought for a moment and shook his head.
"As far as I know, no empire currently has a large-scale interest in Fey Wilds."
"The Spellcasters of Netheril are more keen to explore Astral Realm and pursue those grand or essential mysteries."
"Fey Wilds... To them, it's too emotional, too irrational, and doesn't fit with the way they understand the world."
"Of course, it is not ruled out that there are individual Spellcaster, or small groups, setting up secret observation points or research stations here, but this is completely different from empire-level development."
Astral Realm...Garos chewed on the word.
That is a vaster plane, the realm of thought, the spiritual Ocean.
Developing planes and seizing resources is a common choice of many powerful countries.
Netheril is staring at the Astral Realm, Holden Empire is digging Abyss, and other Material Plane empires may also be exploring other planes... But now, he is standing on Fey Wilds.
Although Fey Wilds cannot be compared with planes such as Astral Realm and Abyss, it is a good start.
The point is, it's much safer than them.
At the same time, Garos is aware of another potential risk.
Faerûn's empire has little interest here, but that doesn't mean other Material Plane haven't gotten involved.
When developing resources across dimensions, we must not only consider the existence of local life, but may also encounter other powerful Material Plane countries, causing competition or even conflict.
"Thank you for your candor, Mr. Hollis."
Garos said, "Your experience and knowledge are very helpful to me."
"This not only makes me understand Fey Wilds better, but also makes me more convinced that working with guardians like you and those Faes who truly love this land is the right way to go."
He paused, and his huge body slowly stood up, casting a shadow.
"Well, let's get down to business."
"Since Verdant Jungle is willing to join the cooperation, we can start with some specific and cautious projects. For example, after establishing enough trust and understanding, we can discuss the possibility of deeper cooperation."
Hollis Looking at the powerful dragon in front of him, the initial hostility almost completely dissipated.
He had to admit that this dragon was completely different from the Evil Dragon in his impression.
The other party is wise, patient, willing to listen, and willing to understand.
He felt like he was talking to an ancient and wise creature.
This person, in Material Plane, might be a Primordial Dragon, and he is a powerful being who has completely defeated his natural instincts.
"... You can try it."
He finally said, "Verdant Jungle is willing to join the cooperation framework between you and Verdant Garden, but we still need to carefully negotiate the specific details to ensure that it is fair to both parties and will not harm the interests of Fae."
This person's attitude is actually quite important.
Garos learned from Vera that most of the guardians of other Fae settlements have a wait-and-see attitude.
They wanted to cooperate, but were worried about being cheated, so they first chose to let the most knowledgeable Hollis come forward to understand the situation before making a decision.
Hollis's recognition is equivalent to putting a seal on this cooperation.
"I come here with sincerity. Negotiation is simple."
Red Iron Dragon smiled slightly and said, "Before that, let us have a small celebration for the upcoming cooperation."
"Fey Wilds likes fun, doesn't it?"
Without waiting for Hollis to refuse, he raised his head and said in a loud voice, "Young boys, play music and dance!"
"Bring out your most delicious fruits and the sweetest honeydew! We are going to hold a banquet to enjoy joy and beauty and celebrate new friendship and cooperation!"
"Yeah!"
"Banquet! Banquet! We want a banquet!"
"Go get my tambourine!"
"I want to dance my new butterfly dance!"
Faes cheered and echoed, and the whole Verdant Garden instantly came to life, full of life and laughter.
the other side.
Hollis looked at Red Iron Dragon surrounded by countless Fae, feeling surprised in his heart.
This legendary Red Emperor has obviously just arrived, but it seems that he has completely adapted to the environment of Fey Wilds and has blended in here, almost like a native creature here.
Hollis The last trace of doubt in his heart gradually dissipated.
He picked up his cane, with a truly relaxed smile on his face, and walked towards the banquet venue that was already becoming lively.