This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 141

Chapter 141: No One Understands Bluffing Like Me

The West Valley Farm lay within the Golden Plains, less than ten kilometers from the South Trading Post in Rolling Stone Town.

In this stretch where the vast plains of gold met the borders of Rolling Stone Town, wrinkles formed, christened by the locals as the "West Valley Mountains."

Undulating hills stood here, occasionally frequented by kobolds or other humanoid races. In the heart of these mountains lay the West Valley, a serene stream flowing through it.

Rumor had it that every summer, celestial deer from the heavens descended to drink from these waters. Nearby residents unanimously dismissed this legend as nonsense, yet it did contribute to West Valley's fame.

The farm, nestled against this valley, took its name from this folklore. The farm's owner had familial ties to the ruling family of Red Soil Mountain. Even before the outbreak of war, the current lord of Red Soil Mountain had enjoyed vacationing at the West Valley Farm, thanks to this relationship.

It was precisely due to this association that the farm had escaped the ravages of war, becoming the only sanctuary in the Golden Plains.

When Matthew found the farm's owner, he merely mentioned a vague date and secured a large plot within the farm's territory, along with a substantial reservation of the farm's own "Autumn Wheat Ale."

Initially inclined to refuse, the farm owner found it hard to decline Matthew's offer, especially given his status as a mage. However, the current situation was beyond his expectations.

During the negotiations between Rolling Stone Town and Red Soil Mountain, as the host, he hadn't anticipated the grandeur of a magical carpet landing.

At that moment, he stood bewildered, clueless about how to proceed. Soon, a voice of anger erupted from inside the house:

"Why are there others?"

The farm owner shivered and hurriedly entered, trying to defuse the situation. "Master, it seems to be a group of mages from some alliance."

The representative from Red Soil Mountain abruptly rose from his chair and strode to the window, peering at the distant carpet and figures. "So many mages? Could it be the Seven Sanctums Alliance?"

He turned back, casting a doubtful gaze toward the trio from Rolling Stone Town, yet no one answered him.

Tension thickened inside the room.

Out in the clearing, mages began disembarking from the magical carpet onto the endless plains. About fifty meters ahead lay neatly arranged wheat fields, their green stalks swaying gently in the sunlight.

Further beyond the fields, a glistening river meandered through the landscape like a slender silver ribbon. A gentle breeze swept across the land, bestowing a soothing tranquility upon everyone.

At Matthew's signal, several farmhands approached with two wooden carts laden with the West Valley Farm's specialty: Autumn Wheat Ale. Additionally, Matthew had arranged an array of food, stationed like a buffet around the farm, guarded by members of the patrol accompanying the trio from Rolling Stone Town.

With the arrival of the carts and ale, the desolate land gradually became lively. Some mages hastened to claim a space, using house-related spells to construct temporary abodes.

However, as their actions progressed halfway, Eckmonde, who had been observing the surroundings, suddenly spread his arms. "In this scorching summer, shall we lack a shelter?"

On the barren land, colossal treehouses sprouted, supported by intricately entwined trees. Some were built atop trees, while others dangled in mid-air. The tallest among them was perched upon several trees, forming a canopy!

The dense foliage shielded them from the overhead sun, offering an unobstructed view between the desolate land and the wheat fields, revealing the West Valley and the winding river.

"With empty stomachs, shall we lack delicious delicacies?" Eckmonde's voice, tinged with amusement, resonated once more.

A seemingly endless magical table manifested amidst the mages, adorned with a dazzling array of food: roasted goose, duck, chicken, suckling pig, chunks of potatoes, red bean pies, doughnuts, strawberries, watermelons, berries, chocolates, milk, beer, red wine...

"After surveying the projects for a while, everyone has worked hard. Please, indulge!" Amidst the eager gazes of everyone present, Eckmonde announced the start of the feast with a smile.

What astonished Matthew was that these distinguished intermediate mages immediately, like starving wolves, pounced upon the magical table, devouring its contents without any restraint.

As for Matthew's food cart, it was completely ignored.

"Is it really that delicious?" Curious, Matthew picked a strawberry and tasted it, only to furrow his brows soon after. The taste… was rather ordinary!

"Hint: Eckmonde used the 'Legendary Feast Spell'! You've consumed 'Eckmonde's Loving Strawberry,' and your mental power has experienced a slight boost!"

"!!!"

"These magical foods add attributes?" Matthew's eyes gleamed with excitement. Disregarding the dignity of a mage, he immediately joined the ravenous horde!

In no time, all the mages were feasting heartily, sprawled over the table.

Meanwhile, Eckmonde, with a faint smile, leisurely ascended to the topmost treehouse, gazing towards the south. Gradually, his expression turned grave.

"Seems like they just passed by and have nothing to do with us."

Beside the window, a few representatives from Red Soil Mountain observed for a while and reached this conclusion.

The delegation from Red Soil Mountain comprised over a dozen people, led by a warrior named Jeffrey.

Of course, both parties were aware that within the mountains of West Valley lurked a troop from Red Soil Mountain, numbering over two hundred, the same group that had threatened the South Trading Post earlier.

Growing impatient, Jeffrey returned to the negotiation table with the trio from Rolling Stone Town. After a brief stare-down, he furrowed his brow and asked his companion, "Where did I leave off?"

His attendant promptly chimed in, "Old man, sissies and chest hair!"

Following the cue, Jeffrey continued, "Rolling Stone Town is going too far! They only sent the three of you for negotiations? No sincerity at all!"

Richard lightly tapped his gentleman's cane, showing a nostalgic expression. "It's been many years since I've had punks displaying their prowess in front of me. It's quite nostalgic. When I go back, I must thank Reiga for giving me a blast from the past."

As he spoke, a piece of grass rope, initially scattered near Jeffrey's feet, suddenly wriggled. In an instant, it began spinning wildly around Jeffrey's ankle, lifting him off the ground.

Clatter!

The chair toppled over.

The folks from Hongtu Mountain were in panic as they witnessed their leader suspended upside down in mid-air!

The grass rope looped around his ankles shot upwards, securing itself to the beam with a tight knot!

"What have you done?! Get me down, now!" Jeffrey's face reddened.

His followers rushed to help, but Zeller raised a finger, and with a croak, they turned into frogs hopping on the ground.

Others began to act, but suddenly, a dozen more ropes emerged from the ground, mimicking what happened to Jeffrey, suspending everyone on the beam!

The farmer at the door witnessing this scene immediately turned away, closing his eyes in fear.

"You guys are way too rough! We came here to negotiate. Scaring people like this isn't cool!" Lolan complained to Zeller and Richard.

"Turning people into frogs at the slightest provocation! What if someone gets traumatized? You sorcerers have no etiquette!" Lolan's voice was filled with dissatisfaction.

"And you!" she pointed accusingly, "I just called you an old man, was that worth all of this?"

"Silver Serpent, impressive indeed. Your ability in the Silver Serpent domain is to control anything snake-like, right? Well, I wouldn't be caught by you. If I resist hard enough, I won't be under your control," Richard snorted.

"You'd better stay firm," he added smugly, eyeing Lolan defending them.

Jeffrey, glimpsing a glimmer of hope, exclaimed, "Yes, yes, we came to negotiate! Please, put me down. Let's talk."

But neither Richard nor Zeller budged.

Lolan sighed lightly, "We thought of letting you down first and then telling you about Mr. Jeffrey's glorious deeds. But it seems you don't deserve that privilege. So, let's hear it while you hang there."

With that, he cleared his throat and began, "Jeffrey, born in the northwest village of Hongtu Mountain..."

---

Jeffrey listened, his head spinning from Lolan's devilish narrative. His eyes bulged. "See, I'm not petty. Even though you mock me, I'm just giving you a valuable lesson: Remember, never mess with someone who proudly flaunts their chest hair. You'll die a horrible death."

Lolan chuckled like a cheerful boy. To the unaware, it might seem he'd narrated a touching story.

"They're too blood-pumped to listen to any stories. You're wasting your time," Richard coldly remarked, snapping his fingers. All the ropes released.

The folks of Hongtu Mountain fell with thuds, crying and howling in agony.

"Characters like you think you can negotiate with us?" Zeller, long silent, finally stood up, his gaze fixed on Jeffrey. "Bring forth the wizard behind you. I know they are the real negotiators. Using a few clowns as a front is pointless. If they don't appear within an hour, I'll dismantle the nearby surveillance magic."

"Rolling Stone Town will interpret this signal as deception from Hongtu Mountain. We'll reconsider our relationship, possibly resorting to all actions, including war!"

Jeffrey's eyes suddenly glowed red, and a faint hum emanated from within, "Understood, sorcerer."

---

Near the farm, in the western valley, a military force was on standby.

In the temporary camp, a mage in a gray robe paced anxiously, "I told you not to provoke Rolling Stone Town, yet here we are!"

"After the failed assassination, this alliance idea! Making me negotiate—what a joke!"

"Do you think I can perform better than Jeffrey?"

His complaints were directed at a man in red armor, stiff and almost like a red-painted barrel. His voice sounded unnatural.

"You must go," the barrel-man replied slowly.

"But what use am I? That's the Silver Serpent!" the mage protested.

The barrel-man stared blankly, "Silver Serpent? What's that?"

The mage sighed, "Honestly, I'm not sure, but it sounds powerful, probably a high-level wanderer, maybe even fifth tier!"

"That poet could reveal Jeffrey's life in a single verse. Looks like a formidable character. What if they're both fifth tier? What good am I? Just accompanying Jeffrey to his demise?"

"I have some skills, but I'm just a fourth-tier necromancer!"

The barrel-man seemed to ponder seriously. Yet, after a moment, he remained quiet.

"Go, investigate Rolling Stone Town," he eventually murmured. "No matter the method."

"Must go!"

It seemed like it took a lot of effort for him to say this. Afterward, he fell silent.

The mage, frustrated, kicked over a nearby teapot and hastened to the other side of the camp.

A young apprentice followed closely, "Lord Henry, do we really have to go?"

The apprentice's voice was soft, revealing his fear.

Henry, the mage, helplessly replied, "Everything we have is from the master of Hongtu Mountain. We do what he says."

"Can't we find other ways to learn about Rolling Stone Town? You mentioned knowing people from the Seven Saints Union before."

"Weren't a few mages from the Seven Saints Union just landing at the Western Valley Farm?" the apprentice asked.

Henry squinted. After some thought, he clapped excitedly, "You're right! We can bluff our way through!"

"It's just a negotiation between two small territories. Even if Ronan's reputation holds, the lord of Rolling Stone Town won't use that favor for such a trivial matter. So, we're sure—those mages are just passing by."

"I'll go, get close to them, pretend I know them, maybe even fake being from the Seven Saints Union, then contact those bumpkins from Rolling Stone Town!"

"That's a good plan, with some refining. But it shouldn't be a problem. I've done this sort of thing often. Nobody knows deceit better than me!"

With that, he hurriedly left the valley with the apprentice, heading towards the treehouse where the mages were lounging.

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