This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 129

"Hello, Birdy.

I am Lumière.

I'm very sorry that you can't help me continue the Oak Tree Guild's prosperity..."

...

After reading just three lines, Matthew's scalp began to tingle. Lumière's handwriting wasn't the best, but it was clear that he was writing with great seriousness. Every word was meticulously penned.

However, the numerous misspellings and grammar mistakes left Matthew, an expert at sifting through garbage information, feeling a bit puzzled.

After careful examination, aided by his "Language Proficiency" and "Text Sequence Recognition" magic, Matthew gradually translated this encrypted letter into a coherent and readable message.

...

"Hello, Matthew.

I am Lumière.

I'm very sorry that I can no longer assist in the management of the Oak Tree Guild.

After you left, I attempted to lead more of our people to the city of Koldo, but we were strongly rejected by the city's inhabitants.

We were driven out.

Due to the past radical actions of the Hunter Tribe, the natives of the Golden Coast aren't very friendly towards us.

Mr. Yu Lian did his best to mediate, but it seems to have had little effect.

In the end, we had to retreat back to the rainforest.

Fortunately, the Oak Tree Guild was not affected, and that's the only thing that brings me comfort.

Koldo City couldn't accommodate us, so we had to seek another way.

This made me realize that it's not feasible to take all our people out of the rainforest at once. I must personally find a replicable path for them.

The south is not an option, the west is a barren desert and high mountains, and the east is the sea.

I can only go north alone.

After leaving the rainforest, I visited several cities.

But most of these cities are somewhat hostile to the Jango people, such as Water's Edge City.

I even caught a disease while passing through Water's Edge City, and my stomach was upset for two days, I devoured all the leaves by the roadside.

Luckily, I have a good constitution and pulled through.

Since then, I've been planning to go further.

I want to go to a place where people don't know the Jango people, slowly integrate into their society, and learn their knowledge and way of life.

At the same time,

I must work hard to earn money.

When I left the rainforest, about six or seven girls told me they were pregnant.

Of course, this is excellent news.

How could the future Rainforest King not have a bunch of heirs?

They will inherit my throne!

Though I don't have a throne yet, I'm working hard to create one for them!

The cost of raising children is not an insurmountable problem; it doesn't cost much to raise a child in the tribe.

Moreover, in the Black Banyan Tribe's tradition, children born to women are collectively raised by their uncles.

But I don't like this tradition.

I prefer, like you northerners, for the child's father to bear the cost and responsibility of raising the child.

I've spent a good amount of money on the tribe's elders.

I've also given the remaining money to my women.

You've spent the money you gave me.

So, I'm walking north along the coastline while looking for suitable work.

This is not an easy task.

I haven't mastered the skills for making a living in society, so I can only do manual labor.

Many places I worked at saw me as an outsider and deliberately paid me less.

I worked at the port of Deep Blue Harbor for three days.

But when it came time to settle the bill, they only paid me half of my wages.

I was furious at the time, and I really wanted to throw that fat guy into the sea to feed the fish.

But when I thought about my people, my women, and my unborn children.

I chose to swallow my anger.

I remembered that guy's face.

The future Rainforest King won't be easy to bully!

I swear I'll throw him into the water prison for three days and nights!

That day will come.

...

After leaving Deep Blue Harbor, I walked along an inland path for a while and happened to hear news in a tavern about recruiting workers with high pay. I tried it out and found it to be really good!

I'm now writing to you from the work zone called 'Black Stone Mine.'

The work here is tough, but the pay is really good.

I work 15 hours a day, sometimes up to 19 hours.

On average, I can earn 4 gold, and at the most, I can earn 6 gold.

The mine offers excellent benefits and even provides meals and accommodation.

I calculated that if I work here for a year, I can save nearly 2,000 gold!

In five years, that's 10,000 gold!

Oh my!

This is really a great place to make money.

I can't wait to share this news with my people.

Unfortunately, their living area doesn't receive correspondence, and I have nowhere to share my joy. That's when I thought of you, my friend, Matthew!

I feel it's time to write you a letter.

To apologize and to share my joy.

Unfortunately, I'm not very proficient in the common language, and the first half of this letter was written under the guidance of Mrs. Overseer.

Oh, I forgot to tell you.

The overseer here is very good to me; she never whips me, but I often see her whipping others.

I guess it's because the others are always lazy at work.

The overseer is good to me, not only teaching me to read and write the common language but also inviting me to her house on my days off from the mine.

I dare not go.

At the moment, the cost of raising those six or seven children is starting to strain me a bit.

I must exercise restraint.

Compared to that, my relationship with my colleagues is not very harmonious.

They say I'm breaking the rules.

Heh, it's really funny, they're the ones who are lazy and unwilling to work.

What the overseer said is crystal clear—

The more work you do, the more you get paid. How can't they understand that?

Enough about that.

I need to sleep.

I'll try to get up early tomorrow and work a few more hours, infuriate those lazy guys!

(Lastly, I apologize for not being able to help the Oak Tree Guild as promised.)

(If there are any parts where the sequence is reversed, please point them out and send the letter back to me, thank you.)"

...

After reading it, Matthew fell silent for a minute.

This letter had too many issues, but when he looked deeper, it all made sense.

This left him with mixed feelings.

The fact that the Jango people were rejected by the people of Koldo City was not surprising. Not everyone could accept the wild habits of the Rainforest inhabitants.

If this had happened while Matthew was there, there might have been a chance to find a solution. But now, it was a done deal.

Matthew felt a tinge of regret.

As for Lumière mentioning that "Mr. Yu Lian had done his best to mediate," Matthew didn't believe it for a second. This whole situation might have been the work of that cunning Su tribesman! But Matthew couldn't afford to have a falling out with Yu Lian over such matters.

In the end, he was just a friend of Lumière's.

Lumière was the future Rainforest King, and the fate of the Jango people was in their hands.

The most Matthew could offer was advice and any help he could provide.

What really got to him in this letter was Lumière's journey north, working in the mines and marveling at the high wages and excellent benefits.

"Deep Blue Harbor's port is a hidden treasure trove. Even casual dockworkers might be Fourth or Fifth Order experts."

Matthew shook his head in disbelief.

The Eastern Coast was indeed a place of opulence and extravagance, with the Orc Sword Saint working as a bricklayer at the port and the future Rainforest King toiling in the mines.

Matthew's initial reaction was to write a letter inviting Lumière to come to Stonefall Town and arrange a job for him within the Alliance. But soon, he quelled this idea.

Matthew remembered that he had clearly given Lumière the address of Stonefall Town. Lumière had come so far north; if he really wanted help, he could have come to Stonefall Town. It shouldn't have been difficult for him.

He wasn't someone who cared about appearances. The only reason he hadn't come to Matthew must be that he wanted to continue his friendship on equal terms.

Matthew recalled that when he was assigning Lumière positions within the Oak Tree Guild, Lumière had resisted, not asking for a salary but only offering to help. It wasn't a matter of vanity. Lumière had his own determination.

Because of this determination, he had chosen to work alone in the mines or do labor for others, rather than seek Matthew's help.

Matthew finally understood the underlying motive. The future Rainforest King wanted to maintain his pride, even if it meant doing hard labor and working for others. When he met his friend, he wouldn't feel inferior.

This was the indomitable spirit of the future Rainforest King.

Having sorted out the situation, Matthew picked up his quill and began writing a reply.

In a few brief strokes, he shared a bit about his life in Stonefall Town and gently cautioned Lumière about the safety hazards of working in the mines. He also offered some advice on the Jango tribe's future development.

In the letter, he avoided using advanced vocabulary, opting for a very colloquial style to communicate with Lumière. Only at the very end did he subtly hint at his connections and resources within the Alliance, should Lumière need assistance.

This was to prevent any misunderstandings. What if Lumière had never considered seeking refuge with Matthew?

With the letter written, Matthew took a short break, then opened the second letter. To his surprise, this time, Lorand's message was very brief.

...

"Whisper told me that there might be a major event in or around Stonefall Town lately!

I'm not sure about the specifics, so please pay attention to any unusual news in the area!

I'll rush over as soon as possible. If you need help, light this feather, and Sweetie will help you escape!"

...

Matthew was immediately intrigued by the mention of a major event in Stonefall Town, and his heart skipped a beat. After all, he had witnessed Lorand's extraordinary abilities, and if the message was accurate, things were about to get complicated.

Gripping the letter in his hand, Matthew contemplated for a moment. He decided that when he went to work that day, he would share the news with Reiga and Zeller. He made sure to keep Sweetie's feather hidden, then adjusted his mood and took a sip of water. Slowly, he began to open the elegantly decorated green-bordered envelope.

What he saw were rows of graceful and everlasting handwriting, a stark contrast to Lumière's hastily written letter. Matthew couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, as if the sight of those characters brought a breath of fresh air.

...

"Dearest Matthew,

Warmest greetings to you!

In the month of May, the view from the emerald and jade court is akin to a flaming sea of colors. The ancient city walls are adorned with resplendent 'Phoenix Blooms,' which stretch from one end of the wall to the other, enveloping the dormant ancient war trees like a bird about to take flight.

It's an exquisite sight.

Unfortunately, my skills in drawing and describing are limited, and I can't do justice to this breathtaking scenery in words. I wish I could share this beautiful view with you in person.

The 'Phoenix Blooms' are radiant flowers, drenched in hues of bright yellow and fiery orange. In early summer, they cover every corner of the emerald and jade court. The wood elves use their roots for medicinal purposes, and it's believed to cure all sorts of ailments. I tried it myself, and remarkably, it eased the pain I felt upon arrival.

I've grown quite fond of these flowers and developed a curiosity about the term 'Phoenix' in their name.

Teralni told me that humans have a great misunderstanding about phoenixes, often confusing them with 'immortal birds,' though they are fundamentally distinct beings.

Thousands of years ago, the wood elves summoned a divine phoenix from the east. The phoenix possessed incredible power and the compassion to save all beings.

However, it was gravely injured at the time. The wood elves took it into their city, cared for it with great dedication, and tended to its wounds.

Centuries passed before the phoenix regained its strength and became a guardian of the wood elves.

As recorded, the phoenix safeguarded the wood elven court until a thousand years ago. Then, it left, saying, 'My homeland is under the invasion of demons, and I must return to lend my aid.'

Before its departure, the phoenix scattered tens of thousands of flames over the emerald and jade court. Where these flames touched the ground, a new plant called the 'Phoenix Song Flower' emerged. The wood elves believe that the Phoenix Song Flowers carry the blessings of the phoenix, and so, even after the change of the court, they continue to adorn the city walls, inside and out.

It's a beautiful and romantic story. Every year during this season, elven couples make wishes upon the Phoenix Blooms from the city walls, which is truly a sight to behold, save for the blemish of the Undying Scar.

...

Using your advice, I approached Teralni with candor and sincerity. But she's a rather obstinate person. Although she promised not to pressure me, giving me freedom, she still sought me out from time to time. She can be quite domineering.

A few times, she tried to secretly kiss my face. I had to resist her advances, and it took all my strength to prevent her. But, for the most part, she respects my boundaries. With Teralni by my side, I have not been bothered by those advances during classes and breaks.

However, I have also realized that I've become a lonely figure, aside from Teralni. No other elves, or even the teachers, want to engage with me. They avoid me once classes are over, and it's a terrible feeling to be isolated.

Increasingly, I regret the decision to follow my father's advice and study here. After two months of diligent practice, my dance remains exceptional. Yet, my swordsmanship remains at the bottom. There's no difference between now and two months ago. Well, there is one small difference—I discovered that I've gained a pound in weight, probably from all the wood elf barbecues.

I'll have to stick to a vegetarian diet for six months to make up for the past two months of indulgence.

...

Matthew, I miss Stonefall Town.

When I wrote to my father, mother, and my younger siblings yesterday, I couldn't help but cry secretly. I wanted to tell my father, "Take me home. I don't want to learn elven sword dance anymore." I wanted to tell my mother, "Please persuade Dad. I'd rather return home to study Eastern embroidery with you than be bound by tight chest bindings and forced to dance."

However, the words that made it onto the paper were only the usual phrases: "Everything is fine here. My dancing is excellent, and I'm also making progress with swordsmanship."

I know my father has spent a lot of money. Part of it is meant for my future dowry. I can't waste too much of it. I can't give up midway. But it's really tough, Matthew. I can barely carry on.

Can someone please explain to me how having a sword stance deviation of more than 2 centimeters can have an adverse effect on swordsmanship?

Having written this, the green dragon outside the city begins to cry again.

I'm fed up with that individual called 'Fatina.' By now, she should be engaging in a standoff with the elves' Shadow Leopard Unit and Wind Chaser Unit. Teralni said she's quite cunning and unlikely to launch a direct assault on the city, but I'm still worried.

The Astronomical Society declared this year to be the Year of the Dragon's Activity. Yes, dragons. When I try to imagine the image of a dragon, I can't help but feel how small I am. I wonder, Stonefall Town would surely not have to deal with such terrifying creatures, right?

Certainly not.

My letter has to end here. Tomorrow, there will be a swordsmanship test. If I can pass it, I'll be able to start learning the magic of sword chants. I despise swordsmanship, but I'm eager to learn the 'Summon Familiar' spell. They say it allows you to summon a messenger for yourself, making it easy to communicate with Stonefall Town.

Lastly, I have a favor to ask you. It's a bit embarrassing, but since I haven't received any responses from my previous letters, I'm not sure if my father and mother received my plea. So, I can only put my hope in you.

My chest bindings have worn out quickly during practice and have been completely used up. They don't have suitable sizes for me here among the wood elves, and no one is willing to make adjustments for me. I would appreciate it if you could go to a clothing store in Stonefall Town called 'Ruth's Tailors' and buy me some replacements. Get a few, and please make sure they are silk, size S8.

I've tucked a golden note into the envelope's flap, and it should cover the expenses.

Thank you! Matthew.

Your Belanna, May 2nd, at the Emerald and Jade Court."

...

After reading the letter, Matthew remained silent for a good half-minute. Finally, he got up and called Peggy from the kitchen.

"Do you know anything about chest bindings?" he asked.

Peggy raised her eyebrows, looking somewhat smug, and puffed out her chest. "Of course! After all, I'm quite well-endowed!"

Matthew nodded and replied, "In that case, could you go buy a few for me? Remember to get silk ones, size S8."

Peggy stared at Matthew, her eyes wide, and hesitated for a moment. Then she asked, "How do you know my size?"

"Do you also need me to buy you chest bindings?" she continued with a puzzled expression.

...

Early in the morning, when Matthew entered the lord's hall, he was planning to share Lorand's message with Reiga and Zeller. However, before he could say anything, Reiga greeted him with a somber announcement.

"War has begun!"

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