Chapter 480: Transaction and Backstage

A black-haired human woman with a red patch covering her left eye socket wore dark hardened leather garments embroidered with magical runes, with bindings around her wrists and ankles.

She must be Gretta, Vivian's old friend.

The other was a snake-person, half-naked above the waist, wearing loose shorts also embroidered with magical runes.

This snake-person had two legs, with a neck flattened and broad like a cobra's.

He flicked out a long, forked tongue.

His gaze locked onto Luo De at once, his sinister, damp serpent eyes gleaming with interest.

Luo De strode forward—he had no patience for these tree-destroying bastards.

"Witherers, return whence you came."

"Don't rush, sir human. We've stirred up trouble to come here for a transaction."

The witherer snake-person grinned, his mouth stretching wide in the exaggerated, grotesque manner of a circus clown.

Beside him, Gretta stepped past Luo De and cried out excitedly:

"Vivian!"

Luo De's eyes turned cold.

He grabbed the woman's arm and forcibly halted her charge toward Vivian.

She glared at him angrily, trying to wrench free.

But she couldn't break loose—instead, she felt the grip tightening, a crushing force like steel squeezing.

Her lips twitched.

"Gretta."

Only then did the Tree Spirit, usually oblivious to her surroundings, look up slowly.

Still expressionless, still speaking in her usual flat tone.

But Luo De had known her long enough.

He could still hear the quiet joy in her voice at reuniting with an old friend.

Gretta glared at Luo De: "I know her! What are you doing?"

"Our sides are opposed. Better to keep some distance."

"But that's between me and Vivian. Besides, we're like sisters—we wouldn't care about this little thing. Right, Vivian?"

But Vivian had clearly sensed the difference in this former friend's natural force.

She tilted her head slightly in confusion and did not move closer.

Gretta didn't mind.

She continued speaking to Vivian, standing across from Luo De.

She spoke mostly of their past adventures and recounted what had happened to her since leaving the Windwall Forest.

She painted her life as miserable.

She expressed how much she missed Vivian.

Tree Spirits lacked emotion, but that made them simpler and more stubborn.

Slowly, she began to speak back to her.

Luo De didn't want to overly control the girls.

But Gretta's identity was a problem—he had to be cautious.

So he first nodded to the Snowstorm Mercenary Group's wolf riders watching nearby.

Signaling that he would handle this.

The Snowstorm mercenaries had been assertive before signing the contract, but after its formal establishment, they clearly became the client and the contractor—and naturally followed its terms.

The wolf riders bowed respectfully and led the others away to patrol elsewhere.

Only then did Luo De turn to the two witherers.

Ignoring their relatively polite demeanor, he spoke harshly and directly:

"You've surely noticed—I've shown you enough courtesy. Had it not been for Gretta's acquaintance with Vivian, I'd have already struck."

"Don't rush, sir. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Dane, Gretta's companion. As you see, we are both witherers."

"So cut to the point. My patience is poor—especially toward men."

"No need to be so wary, Mr. Luo De."

The witherer snake-person laughed loudly, but his tone carried an icy chill beneath.

"A transaction, friends. The crisis of the dragon in Shi Ying Town is well known, but perhaps you don't know that Shi Ying Town hides an even greater secret."

"."

"You've guessed it already, Mr. Luo De. Indeed—why would a remote frontier town have a Guardian Array?"

He spread his long, knee-length arms.

"Unlike those rigid Druids, we wretched ones, betrayed by nature, are more willing to share the buried histories."

Druids are an ancient profession.

Most dwell deep within forests, isolated and solitary.

Though solitude is their norm, they are not a group that neglects historical record.

Rumor says they encode information through natural force into the forest's breeze, waiting for new Druids to uncover it.

But Luo De didn't believe that rumor.

". If Aselong were still powerful, this secret would have drawn no attention. But now, the Heavenly Court's Flower Kingdom has successfully developed magical devices capable of intercepting legendary spells. Mu Se City has fallen again—this secret must now be excavated anew."

Mr. Luo De, it's not only the Igo Cult that sees Windwall Forest and Shi Ying Town as thorns in their eyes—Hell's dukes have grown active again, dragons have returned, the Gray Lord rat-men obsessed with building underground cities, countless arrogant yet mad mages with ill intent, blood-gods who died invisible but still seek resurrection.

Even the so-called Savior Prophecy… they may not covet it, but the half-deer people will use it to construct a cruel, chaotic stage, elevating various 【Hero Candidates】 to the spotlight to manufacture a so-called 【Hero Event】 to restore order."

Luo De waved his hand, cutting him off.

His expression barely changed.

"I'll say it again—be direct. What do you want?"

Dane began his exaggerated grin again, his eyes nearly slits:

"We only need one-quarter of Windwall Forest as material for my companion's advancement and for protective excavation research in Shi Ying Town. In exchange, we will grant this place the strongest garrison force to repel all external threats. And you, Forest Warden Luo De, you may build a new city here and become king with all your girls."

Luo De sneered.

Quite the sales pitch.

Of course they came for the forest.

But what secret does Shi Ying Town hide?

When the demon Atlu and the feathered human Karoline invaded Shi Ying Town, he had already suspected something.

But what could be so special in this remote frontier town that warranted such secrecy?

Luo De shook his head and set it aside for now.

"Witherers are scattered, greedy, and selfish. Who gives you the right to speak like this? Who's behind you? Say it plainly."

"As expected of you, Mr. Luo De. As you guessed, the Witherers have been gathered in large numbers—and we serve the Bahadur Magic Academy."

He burst out laughing.

That was unexpected.

Dane continued: "I know you've had several disputes with Bahadur, but it doesn't matter. If you accept this deal, Bahadur will erase all past grievances, and you, Mr. Luo De, will be granted the title of Honorary Professor at Bahadur Magic Academy, with free access to vast resources."

(End of Chapter)