Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos

Chapter 92. Danger and Reward Are Good Friends.

Cinderielle saw Verdantia and Liu Shu laughing and speaking fluently, and her heart felt uncomfortable. While she didn't want to impose herself on Liu Shu, that didn't mean she would let others do it instead. Interrupting the conversation between Verdantia and Liu Shu, she asked. "By the way, Liu Shu. What are your plans for the near future?"

Liu Shu pondered. "Well, I need to know my surroundings a bit better before I decide. Are there any other World Trees nearby that I need to know about?"

Flor looked at them curiously as well. She had heard about the cities and such around, but she realized that she had forgotten to ask for information related to World Trees.

Verdantia and Cinderielle sat by the side of Liu Shu's trunk, and they spoke while leaning on her. This position was delightful for the Sylvans because they could feel Liu Shu's powerful vitality flowing inside of her body.

Remember that, unlike normal trees, a World Tree's insides were much more complex. They had organ-like structures that helped them become as strong as they were and also increased their overall intelligence. That was why, when you created deep wounds on a World Tree, they would not just release a bit of sap, but often, the wounds could create similar images to a flesh creature being sliced deeply.

There were pros and cons to this kind of constitution. The main concern was that dying of "blood loss" was possible, although very rare. Since, for a World Tree to die of "blood loss," the wound would need to be exceptionally harsh.

Verdantia spoke about her surroundings since Cinderielle knew less about them. "Well, listen well, Liu Shu. Let's start from the West."

Verdanita looked in Fortuna City's direction and spoke. "West from here, as you know, is Fortuna City. Fortuna City is a commercial hub mainly devoted to trade and culture. It has a few centuries worth of history. One day, around forty or so years ago, Fortuna City revealed its World Tree. Naturally, other powers were not happy. Powers know that World Trees don't like each other, so every time a new World Tree appears in the public eye, there will be someone that will try to destroy them for sure."

Flor asked. "Are there no groups that defend World Trees?"

Cinderielle and Verdantia jumped, startled, and looked upward. They saw Flor leaning on a branch and looking down at them, her red hair loose and falling down like a wavy curtain because of gravity.

Verdantia coughed and asked. "Since when have you been there?"

The corner of Flor's lips arched, but she didn't answer. Instead, she refocused on her question. "So? Are there, or are there not, protection groups?"

Verdantia coughed and recomposed herself. Seeing how Flor didn't say anything about her leaning on Liu Shu, she realized that she didn't mind, so she didn't bother moving. "Well, it's not like there aren't selfless groups that protect World Trees..."

Flor blinked and asked, knowing something was off because of her dragged-out tone. "But...?"

Verdantia scratched her cheek. "Hm... How to say it... They are too zealous and dedicated." Verdantia spoke carefully. "Also, while they are selfless and protect without asking for compensation or rewards. Not all of them are like that. Some World Trees they saved in the past were stamped with the "Evil World Tree" label for unknown reasons and were uprooted shortly after..."

Verdantia shook her head. "The feeling around them is uncanny... So, I don't really trust them. Mother also told me to be careful with those people. Even if it was just a passing comment, I feel like she knows something deeper."

Flor hummed and asked. "Well, so, how did Fortuna's World Tree survive? We can learn from that, right?"

Cinderielle had learned about this at the academy in-depth. So she could answer as well. "Fortuna World Tree can be considered a relatively new one."