n

n

nEveryone naturally understood that Eldrian asking this meant that there was something special about them. Racking their brains, they tried to think what might be. As normal, the old king did not weigh in even though he knew all the things that could be considered special about them.

n

"Why don't you just tell us?

" The commander asked, his name was Sodren and Eldrian was really starting to dislike the guy.

n

"I literally have no idea what the tree even is,

" Eldrian replied, he had never heard of it and even if he had he would have likely forgotten about it. The only plants he had taken to heart were the Fruit of Life Erik had told him about and the Ice Lilies. Eldrian had even forgotten about the nulling moss.

n

"Then why ask?

" Kydone asked, her speaking up shocking everyone.

n

"Because it seems that they mutated in the forest. Surely you guys didn't miss that as well.

" As the words left Eldrian's mouth he realized it was a bit too much. However, he had wanted to get a reaction from Sodren and he succeeded. The man nearly lost control of his form, showing Eldrian that he was some type of lizard demi-human.

n'Why didn't mana sense tell me though?' Eldrian questioned, having only known the man was a demi-human thanks to it.

n

"Sodren relax, and Haru we did not miss it. All the plants mutated. Some wilted, others survived the process and turned into new forms. However, we failed to find anything special thus far from any of those we had brought back.

" The king replied, wondering why the elf was being such a prick.

n'Of course, you would fail when bringing them back.' Eldrian immediately thought but managed to keep to himself. He focused on that there were more mutated plants and wondered if they were also part of the network.

n

"To answer your question,

" A woman with amber hair and fur said, speaking up for the first time. Her name was Kohaku and she was a Kitsune, Eldrian had no idea what that meant but she looked pretty.

nShe was wearing a loose robe, a kimono of a light red color. It matched well with her fur which extended from her hair and ears to her neck. Framing her face in a surprisingly cute manner. No tails were visible.

n

"The Ackley trees are a type of oak. Similar to all oaks the wood is very strong and heavy. Naturally, as it is a magical tree it is far stronger than normal oak while not being much heavier. It is often used by the local hunters for their bows.

"

n

"The Ackley trees are only Rank 2 trees-

"

n

"What do you mean rank?

" Eldrian interrupted before she could continue. Hearing the question everyone realized that Eldrian truly had no concept of magical plants as it was one of the most basic things one would learn.

n

"Ranks are simply a way we have classified plants to classify them. It means little, but allows us to know in general how strong or helpful they are. Rank 0 is non-magical plants, Rank 1 is where it is only slightly magical. Similar to celestial ores, such as Black Steel.

"

nIt took a second, but Eldrian managed to recall faintly that he had learned of celestial ores before. Though he couldn't recall much from back then.

n

"Rank 2 is instead equal to Mithril and the like. Meaning that the plant is not just magical intuned, but also has a special affinity. Ackley wood is often used for its unique sturdiness, bows made from it and fueled with mana can shoot arrows nearly twice as fast.

"

n'Oh, I should grab a few for Zyviss... Or I can just tell them about this.' Eldrian thought, certain that it would not be hard to make a magical bow from the trees if it was truly this amazing. 'Actually, before I forget.'

nSeeing Eldrian space out, Kohaku stopped her explanation and gave him some time to sort out his thoughts. Eldrian was actually sending Elizabeth a message, but he still appreciated that she waited for him.

n

"Is there anything else?

" Eldrian asked,

"Besides that it is really sturdy?

"

nRealizing that Eldrian did not care for the other ranks, Kohaku dropped it and answered his question.

n

"Yes, the wood does not work well with being altered. Trying to inscribe it or add runes on it would ruin the flow of magic, while trying to enhance it would normally destroy its properties.

"

n'Which means it should be really easy to make a good bow.' Eldrian thought but did not linger on this.

n

"Nothing more?

"

n

"No, not that I know of...

" Kohaku paused as she recalled something else, though it was not relevant to the wood, it was to the tree.

"Right, there is one more thing. An Ackley's roots grow really deep and also spread far. The trees are very competitive with each other, you will not find two within 10 meters of each other. In adulthood this might even extend to 20 or 30 meters.

"

n

"That might be it!

" Eldrian said, though he had no idea why this might be special. He just felt deep roots would work well for a network.

n

"Alright then, can you tell us why you wanted to know about the tree before explaining things to us?

" The king asked, becoming more and more frustrated by this seemingly eccentric elf.

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"Oh, I wanted to see if I can come to any other conclusions. This helped, a bit... Actually, I have no idea if it helped. Actually...

" The second actually irritated everyone and even Farest started feeling like just forcing Eldrian to tell them what he had found.

nLuckily, the king had had plenty of experience working with unruly and strange people.

n

"Can any of you use divine magic? Also, do any of you have any divine spell modules?

"

n

"What? Why?

" Was the general question asked by everyone, and Eldrian's answer was so unique that they nearly puked blood.

n

"I'm curious.

"

n

"Enough! Just tell us what is special about the Ackley's. What do they have to do with the corruption?

" Sodren roared, he couldn't handle it anymore. His eyes turned into slits and his arms became covered in blood-red scales. This time Farest did not indicate for him to stop.

n

"Sure, but I would like for you to organize a spell module of a Tier 1 or Tier 0 divine spell and possibly also someone who can teach me.

" Eldrian replied with a wide smile. A twitch appearing on Sodren as his scales formed back and forth around his eyes.

n

"Of course, that would not be hard. However, everyone in the camp is too busy. You will have to go to Pyknos fort.

"

n

"Can't you order them to come here? I need to follow you guys as you clear the corruption.

"

nThe confidence in Eldrian's words caused a few of the people inside to nearly faint. They had simply been hoping he could give them a lead they might be able to use to slow the corruption. Yet...

n

"What did you just say?

" Kohaku asked in utter disbelief. She hated what was happening to the forest and Eldrian's words gave her hope for saving what was left of the once prosperous forest.

n

"Um, that you need to order them to come here?

" Eldrian's response caused more than one to feel like facepalming,

"I'm joking, don't be so serious. The Ackley trees seem to evolve in the corruption. First, they wilt, which I assume happens to all plants.

"

nEldrian got a round of nods as he continued.

"However, some of the trees also become a new type. Spirited Ackley.

"

n