Duma's four eyes stared intently at Ed, Ed knew what he meant and what he wanted.
Duma wanted him to strengthen the bodies of those half-tree people, shaping them into a new race that would become part of the Second Holy See. He wanted to witness this happen and be a participant in a piece of history.
Ed lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying:
"Yes, but they need to agree first."
I'll do their work.
Duma turned to leave, but Ed quickly called him back and said earnestly:
"Clearly explain the pros and cons to them; don't use your persuasive abilities."
"Yes, Son of God Highness."
The demon, having received permission, left the cathedral and arrived at an area on the edge of Fir City.
This place used to be the base of two knightly orders, but with the fall of Fir City, the soldiers who were originally stationed here were packed up and sent to Valhalla.
After discussing the matter, the players left the captured half-tree captives here, unsure of what to do with them for the time being.
Fortunately, although there were many prisoners, they were all half-tree people.
As beings whose bodies have been catalyzed by symbiotic plants, their bodies are now completely occupied by plant roots. Some of the half-tree beings who originally had some basic abilities can even manipulate the degree of their Aberration within a certain range.
Duma arrived at the military camp, and after passing through the gate guarded by several Holy Crusaders under Nuolun's command, he saw...
A small piece of forest.
Indeed, this is a small forest, and the half-tree people, without water and food, have begun to transform into tree people.
Their hands and feet showed varying degrees of Aberration; their palms resembled tree branches, while their feet showed a tendency to fuse together and begin to take root in the permafrost.
Duma came to the hundreds of trees and said to them:
"Fellow prisoners, I have some news to tell you—"
His voice echoed among the trees, and the human-shaped trees in front of him began to rapidly change shape. They pulled their roots out of the frozen soil, their crowns began to sway, and the accumulated snow fell to the ground with a rustling sound.
On the tree trunks, pairs of eyes slowly opened, and some trees began to transform in the direction of humans.
Looking at the scene before him Duma continued loudly:
"I know you were all originally genuine human beings, but Antiya Lisi has done many evil things and transformed you into this form."
"He didn't consider your physical condition at all when he did this. Although the Son of God intends to turn you back into humans, I must inform you that while it's possible to become human again, your lifespan will be drastically shortened. If you choose to become human again..."
Duma thought for a moment. It was February of the year 909 in the royal calendar. He said to the people of the Half-Tree:
"If you turn back into humans, you'll hardly see autumn this year."
These words caused an uproar among the half-tree people.
Although they had long suspected something about their physical condition, it was still hard for many half-tree people to accept that a sweet potato spirit had pointed this out.
Suddenly, a series of wailing and howling sounds filled the air. Their bodies had already undergone obvious Aberration, and their mouths resembled bottomless tree hollows.
The wailing echoed in the tree hollow, eventually becoming a sickening sound.
But some of the half-tree beings hadn't completely lost their minds. One half-tree being, who resembled a pine tree, asked:
"Sir, you just said that if we turn back into humans, we won't survive this summer. What if I don't choose to turn back into humans? I have no family; I just want to live."
This was exactly the effect Duma wanted; he nodded in approval at the half-tree person's spontaneous act of helping out.
"Good question. I haven't finished yet. If you continue to be half-tree people, it will be difficult for you to live to see this time next year."
"You need to understand that Antiya Lisi doesn't treat you as human beings at all. They just want to use you as cannon fodder, and cannon fodder doesn't need such a long lifespan."
Duma explained the current situation, and the half-tree race fell silent once again.
Seeing that the atmosphere was well-developed, the demon allowed the sorrow to fester for a while before speaking:
But it's not like there's no way out.
"Whoosh!"
All the half-tree people looked up at the same time, and the treetops rustled together, looking like a strong wind blowing through a grove of trees.
Duma's tone became somewhat unpredictable:
"Do you... want to live?"
The question was meaningless at this moment, and unsurprisingly, Duma received few answers.
The demon revealed a serious yet somewhat reluctant expression:
" The Son of God Child has a way to grant you a lifespan similar to that of normal people, meaning that barring unforeseen circumstances, you can live to at least forty or fifty years old, and even longer, like a great tree, if you are in good condition. But what is the price?"
Duma looked at the half-tree people in front of him:
"The price is that your current state will be solidified to some extent, and the damaged parts of your bodies will be replaced by plant tissue. In other words, if you choose this path, you will forever become a half-tree person."
In fact, Duma selectively ignored the fact that if Ed's strength could reach High Tier, based on the power of the Tree God, it should be possible to turn them back into humans.
However, he deliberately didn't say that, because as a long-lived being, in Duma's eyes, it was unknown how long it would take for Ed to return to the High Tier.
The incomplete Tree God is growing, but it could take decades to grow.
If Ed still hasn't reached the High Tier before this batch of half-tree people dies out, then this so-called promise will become nothing but empty talk.
Ed was naturally unwilling to give the people of Halftree false hope, and from a utilitarian point of view, Duma also did not want such a promise to become an unstable factor.
Rather than giving these half-tree beings an empty promise, it's better to just tell them they can't turn back. That way, if they're still alive when Ed reaches High Tier someday, they'll receive a pleasant surprise.
Duma's sincerity silenced the bushes, and the demon's expression softened slightly, finally uttering a few genuine words:
"Friends, life is precious. I am a demon, and I have witnessed the appearance and disappearance of countless races, many of which you may never have even heard of... In my long life, the only lesson I have learned is to live. Only by living can there be hope. Everyone, not only me, but also the Son of God hopes that you can live."
"As for what others think, my half-tree friends, some disapproving looks are inevitable, but one thing I can guarantee is that the Soul Returner will never look down on you. Look at me, they can even tolerate a red-skinned demon, let alone just a few talking trees."