Chapter 507 - Fourth Episode: The Dryad of the Royal Capital Region II
"Hey, Violet. Have you ever heard of humans trying to burn down a forest with Prominence?"
"I've never seen it. Though I almost burned to death on the fourth floor thanks to Eleanor."
I think it's strange that she was unhurt then, but I probably shouldn't say that.
"But it is an effective strategy."
That's certainly true, but shouldn't there be moderation even in war?
"And you know, slash-and-burn is the same. The difference is whether it's during a war. Cutting down trees for clearing land is the same as cutting down trees to burn charcoal."
That's... true. In fact, Serena opposed it when we tried to cut down trees for highway construction and moved it to the fields.
"I wonder if it was really a war?"
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Because, humans actually value trees and forests. Whether it's a war between humans or a battle with the Demon Lord, it would be faster to burn down the forest where the enemy is hiding all at once, but they didn't do that."
That's certainly true. Except for cutting down trees for highway construction or clearing land to secure food, it has become like a natural rule not to cut down trees all at once. In fact, the Church is instructing people to value the forest. Every country values that teaching accordingly. There's also the example of Northern Gram.
"So, I think they didn't do it because burning was the goal, but for some tactical reason. If that wasn't the case, I think the Elves would have turned into enemies. But that didn't happen, right?"
"I wonder?"
"Yeah. I won't know unless I ask Eleanor, but... for example, isn't that burnt place by a river in the plains?"
"By a river?"
"Yeah. If there's a river, the fire won't spread further."
I see. You mean they decided to burn only up to the river and set the fire?
"Humans value things like rivers and mountain passes during battles, right?"
"It seems so. Paul-san and the others say rivers and passes are natural key points."
If you stretch a defense line along a river, you can force the opponent into a river-crossing battle. If you hold a pass, you can immediately tell the enemy's movements and aim from above. There's no need to go out of one's way to dig moats or build stone walls, and there will be a marked difference in the military strength required to attack compared to moats or stone walls. Utilizing the terrain should be the basics of battle.
"If it seems like we can ask, let's try asking."
"Will it be okay?"
Anyone wants to seal away unpleasant memories. Among the children I met at the orphanage, there were those who saw their parents being killed, and every time they remembered for some reason, they would scream and cry. I have to do it very carefully.
"I see. If Jeanne says so, let's stop."
"Yes. It's better not to ask. But, thank you, Violet. For being considerate of the human side."
"Hmm. If that Dryad can become friends with Jeanne, she can come down to the foot of the mountain instead of being way up here."
"I see, that's right, that's the best thing."
If that happens, the Rabbit Man might also be able to get more bread, sweets, and metal weapons.
While I was talking with Violet, I don't know what kind of discussions were held in the other groups, but I could tell that their attitudes had softened uniformly.
"Jeanne, I have a proposal."
"A proposal?"
It's Renata's clone. Since it's between Dryads, I've left the negotiations entirely to her. However, I was told by Renata in advance to leave it to her. It's better to state things from a Dryad's perspective than to proceed with the talk for human convenience. Depending on the situation, it's fine if she goes to the other side.
"Before going to this child's forest, I'm thinking of having her see my forest. I also want her to meet Serena."
It might be good. The key to this negotiation is whether she can believe that even Dryads can coexist with humans. For that purpose, it'll be faster to actually have her see us than to explain with words.
"However, the condition that the human must be Jeanne alone still stands. Is that okay?"
"I don't mind, but are you going to keep it a secret from Eleanor-sama and the others?"
Since I've been requested to come, I must report the results of the contact. Keeping it a secret is impossible.
"There shouldn't be a problem if you talk about it later."
Then there should be no problem at all.
Hearing that the Rabbit Man would also come, we immediately decided to all go through the tree that Renata's clone gave power to.
First, we jump to Renata's tree.
When we arrived, Renata's main body welcomed us, saying "Welcome."
I can't tell the difference between the main body and the clone except for the size and the clothes they are wearing. But the clone of the Dryad of the Royal Capital area is giving a first-time greeting.
"This tree is..."
She's touching it here and there.
Renata's tree is doing its best to make acorns, but it has turned into a monster. She must have noticed the difference.
"It's in this state. But you know, it's my tree."
"Y-Yes."
"Do you want to try looking at it from the outside?"
"Yes..."
She's completely dejected. As soon as she went outside and saw Renata's tree, tears started overflowing from her bright green eyes.
"To think it has become like this... How painful it must have been..."
She's covering her mouth with her left hand and stroking Renata's tree with her right hand.
"Thank you for crying for me. But look, look at that branch."
Where Renata is pointing, there is a thin branch with several green leaves growing from a twisted, black, thick branch. It's proof of regeneration.
"It's healing..."
"That's right. And look, look at the ground there."
There is an acorn that has sprouted its first two leaves.
"It really is recovering. I'm so glad!"
She clung to Renata and started crying and laughing.
While we were being treated to fruit wine made by the Elves by Renata, the Elf Prince himself came. He apparently came to pay his respects after hearing that the Dryad of the Royal Capital area had come.
"Well, well, Renata-sama. I am glad to see you are in good health. And the Dryad-sama living in the Royal Capital area. It is an utmost honor to be able to meet you."
Since he's still not allowed inside the tree, he's prostrating himself outside the door. It's rare for an Elf, the Great Sage of the Forest, to humble himself this much. His flattery... I mean, his greeting to Renata is also well-practiced. Somehow recently, I feel like he's becoming more and more humanized.
"Hey, were Elves like that? Somehow it's different from the memory I inherited..."
The Dryad of the Royal Capital area also has a suspicious face.
For her, he must have a more expressionless and prickly image.
"And, what is 'Renata'?"
"Oh, it's my name. Jeanne's companions gave it to me."
"H-Heh."
First it was Dune. Because we couldn't call her Undine when sightseeing in town. From there, they increased one after another: Flora, Serena, Renata, Violet, and Little Serena. In Mel's case, it was given by the Medioland King of that time who explored the mountain together with the first King of Sertoria. In short, it was to prevent her from being found out as a spirit, but they all seemed happy even though they didn't ask for one. Come to think of it, Alex begged me to give him one.
"Do you want to get one too? You can participate in the banquet at Jeanne's farm."
"No, um, I..."
"Oh right, you were a clone. Sorry."
"No, no."
Renata is quite bold to invite her suddenly.
After that, Serena and Little Serena, who received the contact, also came.
We all share a toast again.
I gave Little Serena fresh water with strawberry jam dissolved in it.
"Among humans, there are those who cut down trees without hesitation and keep reducing the forest. You must not trust them easily."
"Yes. That's for sure."
Serena even went as far as to show her anger after hearing the experience of the Dryad of the Royal Capital area, saying "That's why humans are...", and I didn't know whose side she was on.
"By the way, what kind of conditions did Eleanor give this time?"
Serena beckoned Renata and me, had us put our heads together, and asked in a way that sounded like a secret talk but was audible to everyone. In this case, I probably shouldn't cast a glance toward the Dryad of the Royal Capital area, who is looking out the window while pretending not to notice.
"Um, it seems she intends to build a fortress for anti-Demon Lord army use at the entrance of the Demon Lord's cave and its surroundings to seal in the Demon Lord's army. So, she wants to be allowed to cut down trees only there. After that, she wanted to conclude a mutual non-aggression treaty with humans. In short, she wants you to maintain neutrality."
While looking only into Serena's and Renata's eyes, I reply so that everyone can hear. Of course, it's a secret talk.
"Hmm, hmm. I see."
Serena is being deliberate.
I think it's not a bad condition for a Dryad. After all, the surroundings of the Demon Lord's cave shouldn't be the Dryad's Forest. She's saying to cut down only the trees there and then draw a line for non-aggression.
"That's right. First, it would be proper to meet the main body, but she probably doesn't want to let humans into her forest carelessly. How about it, Sister? If possible, I'd like to invite her here and talk just among ourselves."
"That might be good. Even though she inherited the memory, she's still young, and above all, it's probably her first time negotiating with humans."
"P-Please, I beg of you!"
In the end, it turned into a Dryad meeting.
Well, that'll go much better than anything I could say.
It was decided to proceed with a tour before the meeting, and we went for a sightseeing flight over the Northeastern Forest in the bowl operated by the Elf Prince.
As usual, I was dragged along, and while the three Dryads and the Wildcat Sister were shouting with joy, I was enduring the acceleration with teary eyes, but thankfully he slowed down.
When I raised my face and looked outside, the Black Dragon Child was flying. Recently, he has become able to fly by extending wings from his back while in human form. He must be on his way back from going to the river to practice swimming.
When I called out "Come here, come here," he jumped into the bowl.
"A D-Dragon?"
The Dryad of the Royal Capital area is tilting her head after seeing the Black Dragon Child. Well, he's quite different from a normal dragon.
The Wildcat Sister is also saying "This small child?"
"He's a Wyvern child who became powerful by storing dense magic power in his body when it overflowed. Now he's in human form so he looks like this, but he's amazing if he shows his true nature."
"I am strong."
Yes, yes, you're the strongest dragon. I know well enough that you're strong, so say hello.
When I said that, he obediently said "Hello." It shows Renata's good discipline.
"Hello. You're cute. And you're strong. Since you're a Wyvern, can you use wind magic?"
The Wildcat Sister, who crouched down, said so while stroking his head.
At any rate, he's small when in human form. He's only as tall as my stomach. It's no wonder she's off guard.
He said "Shall I show you?" and took off.
"Recently, he's devised a new way to use magic."
Renata told me. I've heard he's learned all the beginner attribute magic. Next would be mid-level, but he's apparently being taught how to apply it before that. After all, an Elf and a Dwarf are his teachers.
"Heh. That's amazing."
"Well, just watch."
The Elf Prince is chuckling. He might release magic that'll make the beastmen's souls leave their bodies.
"Here I go!"
He was staring at a bird flying high above, but he raised his right hand high.
It was when the bird came right above him; he let out a single cry, "Gyaon," which was quite cute for a dragon.
At the same time, the bird that was supposed to be flying fell as if pulling a string.
I don't know what he did, but there's no mistake he hunted a bird.
"Eh? I failed a little bit."
When he flew forward while looking up, he caught the bird perfectly at a place slightly away from the hovering bowl.
"Chee, I was thinking of dropping it into the bowl."
The ones who gasped seeing him feeling regretful were the beastmen. I'm the same, but I don't know what he did.
"He instantly blew away the air around the bird's face to create a state where there's no air. Then, it can't breathe and dies."
I saw Paul-san suffocating a Troll with an application of Wind Barrier, but this is not even comparable. It's literally an instant kill.
"A-As expected of a dragon... H-Hey, boy, let's be friends, okay?"
The Wildcat Sister is sweating buckets.
The girls' sightseeing flight ended safely, and the boys flew off. I can hear them shouting at the top of their lungs from high above. It's not a very elegant thing.
Before departure, when the Horse Man said he could also use it, the Elf Prince laughed through his nose with a "Huh." This part hasn't changed. He's surely showing off the difference.
"Honestly, they're hopeless."
"Truly. Even though they're men, it's pathetic to scream and be so unsightly."
"Exactly."
"Now, now, don't say that. As expected of an Elf, they must have been surprised because it was way too fast."
I can't believe they're saying that when they were making a fuss themselves.
"He's attached to you, isn't he."
While I was giving milk mixed with crushed strawberries to the Black Dragon Child on my lap, the Dryad of the Royal Capital area spoke to me.
"Dragons like the glowing orbs made with Light magic. I just happened to be bestowed with it by the Goddess."
Honestly, I don't want to think that's all there is to it.
"Light orbs?"
"Yes. Do you know of them?"
If she knows, it'll be convenient. She might have had a connection with the Priestess who had a banquet with Renata.
"Are you a user of light magic?"
I'm not exactly a 'user', but it's true I can use it.
"The previous generation met a user of light magic. I believe she went to meet Gnome. The reason she consented to meet you is also because of that."
The Priestess from five thousand years ago visited the forest of the Dryad of the Royal Capital area and stopped by the beastmen's settlement. And then, she set out for Regnentes to meet Gnome.
"However, if that user of light magic had settled in our settlement, maybe it wouldn't have become like it is now."
It's the Rabbit Man. Did something happen?
"The Priestess came to convey agriculture. But she said our settlement was too steep. She gave up. After that, the Demon Race came."
The Priestess came to mediate between beastmen and humans. Or so it was supposed to be.
"The conflict with humans accelerated. After that, humans tried to burn down the forest."
The Dryad and the beastmen had no choice but to give up on peace with humans.
And the human reckless act that could be called a follow-up. This is serious.