Chapter 431: Act 183 – The Druid’s Choice (Part 1)
After Turiman walked in, everyone fell silent.
“Are you the wizard from Bud?”
“No, this time I am here on behalf of Erluin,” Turiman replied.
“What do you mean?” the Elder asked, frowning.
“As long as the Council of Decayed Wood remains, rebuilding the Green Tower is only a matter of time. The magic tide is temporary; a stable order should be established through long-term struggle and repeated failures.”
“Are you going to help us?” someone asked.
Turiman shook his head and spoke frankly: “Rather, Erluin to the south needs a solid defense line. If the Druids of the Loop of Trade Winds suffer casualties, the Black Forest will inevitably spread to my homeland. Erluin can no longer afford to lose the area south of Ampere Seale.”
“So you’re saying you want to stay and help us defend against the wolf disaster?”
“No, my abilities are limited; I can only take you away,” Turiman smiled: “I have already drawn the magic array, right in the inn where I am staying—of course, setting up a magic array in a room without the owner’s permission is somewhat impolite, and I will apologize for that later. But now, what do you all think of my proposal?”
Leave? Everyone fell silent, which immediately meant giving up the Green Tower. Although reconstruction was merely a matter of time, it was hard to discard the efforts of hundreds of years. If they did this, how could they, as great Druids, face the spirits of their ancestors? Compared to that, they might as well die in this battle.
However, the wizard from the Silver Alliance was right; a temporary abandonment and a permanent abandonment are not the same. Therefore, some people were moved.
“How many people can you take?” the Elder asked calmly.
“One hundred, no more,” Turiman replied.
Everyone gasped. This was both an admiration of the wizard’s terrifying power and a realization that it meant death for everyone else who could not leave. If everyone could generously sacrifice themselves, then there would be nothing to say. However, it was cruel to let some survive while others faced inevitable doom.
Everyone had their reasons for survival; what right did the remaining people have to choose who would enjoy that opportunity?
The hall became so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
Finally, someone declared decisively: “Let the young ones leave; they are the future’s hope.”
Although the Druids had initially sent away many elders and children, they still retained many outstanding young people, ensuring the remaining combat strength for the Green Tower. Everyone knew that if the core elites were moved, the defense line outside the town hall would be as full of holes as a leaky wall.
Even so, Turiman still said:
“Only sending the young ones is not enough; they need experienced people to guide them. You wouldn’t want them to repeat your past mistakes, would you? This team should ideally include a couple of elders; only then can the Green Tower be rebuilt as quickly as possible.”
Once again, silence filled the hall, and everyone turned their gaze to the Elder. But the Elder said: “I remind you not to forget the agreement we made with that young lord from the human world.”
Everyone was taken aback, not expecting the Elder to say such a thing suddenly. Only Andrew looked at the hunchbacked elder, who was shorter than most present, with a bit of admiration. He puffed out his chest slightly, feeling a little proud of this statement. It was a kind of noble pride, because the Elder’s words represented the Druid belief, which, although lonely in guarding the Black Forest and unknown to outsiders, was merely to uphold a vow from a thousand years ago.
A true Druid would never forget their oath.
When everyone, when the golden bloodline was lost to the earth, when the silver citizens were lost and wandering, when the descendants of the Four Sages were increasingly degenerate and corrupted, leading the land into war and suffering today. Only the Druids would forever stand on the front lines to defend order, because they adhered unwaveringly to the sacred pact with Martha, which they would never lose.
“I also oppose it,” a crisp voice said. Everyone turned to see a little girl with a tense face standing among them, looking furious—Funiya: “We made a promise with Brother Brendel, and we must uphold it. If we abandon this promise today, then one day we can likewise abandon everything we hold dear.”
The hall fell silent.
Turiman gently clapped his hands: “Well said.”
“Mr. Wizard, that seems inconsistent with your position, doesn’t it?” Andrew questioned.
“I stand in what I believe to be the correct position,” Turiman smiled slightly: “But that does not preclude me from appreciating the correct stances of others. After all, wrong is inherently relative, but those who insist on their beliefs deserve respect in my view.”
“However, now that’s been said, how will you choose?” he continued to ask.
“I will stay here,” Funiya said first, her expression firm enough to not resemble that of a little girl.
“You might want to listen to what others have to say first, young girl. It is wise for your status to show caution in serious matters,” Turiman replied.
“Do you know me?”
“I’ve heard some rumors,” the scholar said candidly.
“But I am just here for myself,” Funiya frowned.
“But young girl, because of your status, your words will determine many people’s fates. Do you understand?”
“That sounds very manipulative!”
Turiman smiled slightly, but the Elder had already halted his speech: “Mr. Wizard, back to the main point. Funiya is still young; maintaining her innocence and kindness is not a bad thing.”
Turiman nodded: “So, Elder, what’s your answer?”
The old man, hunched, appeared somewhat hesitant. Funiya stood beside him, tightly pursing her lips, glaring at Turiman as if he were an enemy. She instinctively felt that this mysterious elder’s intention was not good for her Brother Brendel. If the Druids gave up their efforts, what would happen to Brother Brendel in the Black Forest?
However, Turiman blocked her words, preventing her from speaking.
Others also cautiously fell silent, looking at the Elder and several great Druids beside him with questioning eyes. Everyone had different opinions, and even within their hearts, they were wavering. One side represented abandoning future possibilities, while the other side represented abandoning a pact with humans. Upholding a promise is certainly precious, but wouldn’t it be foolish to violate the true purpose of safeguarding order for the sake of a promise?
“Lady Martha, please guide us on what we should do at this moment—”
Many people couldn’t help but think this.
At that moment, a bright flash of lightning split the night sky, illuminating every face present in a stark white. And just then, a trembling voice suddenly shouted: “The core stone has moved!”
All eyes turned simultaneously to the center of the hall, where a massive magic array was set up. At that moment, the core stone at the hub of the array suddenly activated, azure light flowing over the rocks, drawing intricate, mysterious patterns. Then the entire array began to glow, and the great Druids and high-level Druids who had long prepared around the array immediately began to channel their magic:
“O storm of the skies, in the name of Darastel, heed our call!”
Turiman, witnessing this scene, was slightly taken aback: “What is this?”
The colossal magic array had come to life, with azure light piercing through the clouds and reflecting off the coordinates miles away. Then a blurry silhouette flashed above the array; it was clearly Brendel. The scholar from Silver Castle noticed the young man and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, only to see William beside Brendel and be even more surprised.
“Thank heavens, it seems Lady Martha hasn’t forgotten my humble existence, and this array can still be used—” Brendel stood on the other side of the light, his voice somewhat distorted. As soon as he spoke, people couldn’t help but frown—what did he mean by ‘it seems Lady Martha hasn’t forgotten my humble existence, and this array can still be used’? However, what he said next immediately made the Druids forget his earlier ungraciousness towards Lady Martha and their magic:
“Elders, I bring you good news. I have found the entrance to Valhalla. Next, please send Funiya over; we only need to take the last step, and victory is within reach.”
Immediately, a chorus of relieved breaths filled the hall.
Turiman only raised an eyebrow when he heard Valhalla. He originally wanted to speak, but William, standing behind Brendel, gave him a glance, and the scholar smiled slightly, immediately shutting his mouth. At this moment, the only one who could remain calm among them was the Elder. He took a breath and asked: “How much longer do you think it will take?”
“I’m not sure,” Brendel shook his head: “No one has ever tried this before. However, opening this door probably won’t be so simple.”
This was expected, yet the Druids still frowned.
“You have four hours, young man.” At this time, Turiman finally spoke, looking at the others and asking: “In such a short time, can you ensure you can overcome all difficulties and save this city from the wolf disaster?”
“Of course Brother Brendel can!”
Funiya stepped forward, saying that Turiman’s public doubt of Brendel made her unable to endure any longer.
But Turiman paid no mind to the little girl’s words; he only looked at Brendel. The latter was taken aback, finally noticing Turiman standing among the crowd. He was surprised and exclaimed, “Master Turiman, what are you doing here—?” Brendel suddenly realized something and abruptly stopped talking, but Turiman had already smiled slightly, showing a look of understanding, and said: “It seems you already know me. So let’s not argue about that little trick you played on me last time; now, how about you answer my question?”
Brendel raised an indifferent eyebrow; he knew that the other party couldn’t genuinely come to trouble him. (To be continued, to know what happens next, please log in, more chapters available, support the author, support legitimate reading!)
