This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 124

In the Moonlit Forest...

A beam of moonlight cascaded down, focusing on Lysanna. In an instant, wisps of ethereal mist began to emerge from her skin.

Lysanna's body stiffened, her eyes clouded over. Matthew swiftly noticed that the moonlight he had summoned was not transforming Lysanna into a "Servant of the Moon" as he had hoped but was causing a burning effect on her body. He acted swiftly, canceling the beam of moonlight.

"Notification: Moon Goddess Aesia has declined your request to transform Lysanna into a 'Servant of the Moon.'"

Matthew felt a tinge of regret. It seemed his recent requests to the goddess had been too frequent, and Aesia was now withholding her help.

Transforming Lysanna into a member of the Moonlight faction would have been the best choice due to Aesia's natural enmity with the Midnight God. Ordinarily, Aesia should have accepted Lysanna to mock the Midnight God. The Moonlit Forest was the goddess's domain, beyond the reach of the Midnight God's influence. It didn't even know what had happened to Lysanna inside.

This was one of the reasons Matthew had taken this daring approach. Unfortunately, the outcome was not as expected. However, he was not discouraged, for the goddess might have given them something else. Matthew noticed that after the moonlight disappeared, a half-obscured crescent moon symbol appeared on Lysanna's forehead.

It was another mark of the Moon Goddess.

"Notification: Your companion Lysanna has received the Moon Goddess Aesia's blessing, 'Traveler's Mark.'

Traveler's Mark: Possessing this mark allows the holder to receive the moon's protection. Chant any of the 333 'Praises to the Moon' under the moonlight for 5 minutes to apply for entry to the Moonlit Forest, once the goddess grants permission, the holder may enter the forest and rest for a while."

A Traveler's Mark was one of Aesia's blessings. It not only declined Matthew's offer but also gave them a small token. With this mark, Lysanna would have the opportunity to enter the forest herself, provided Matthew performed some acts to please the goddess.

The Traveler's Mark would not affect Lysanna's relationship with Galan. It was a common and low-level blessing and only indicated a friendly attitude towards Aesia. This approach also preserved the possibility of turning Lysanna into Matthew's dedicated servant in the future.

"Indeed, a crafty move from the ancient fairy who has lived for countless years. They know how to play hard to get," Matthew mused.

At this point, Lysanna had regained her composure. She touched the mark on her forehead and inquired, "Can we start the North-South Trade Route for the Oak Tree Consortium?"

Matthew led her towards the altar, and as they walked, he asked, "How's your knowledge of human culture coming along?"

Lysanna replied honestly, "Those teachings are challenging for me. I often feel like I'm even dumber than a deep mole. I can only do my best, but Ms. Kira said I'm doing fine. I'm not sure if she genuinely praised me or was just trying to comfort me."

Matthew responded, "Ms. Kira has always been objective. She wouldn't easily praise a student. If she said you're doing well, then you really are."

Lysanna fell silent for a while, but her steps seemed lighter.

The two of them arrived at the altar. Aela soon joined them.

"Matthew, I didn't expect you to come this early. Samantha and Kläeg are still on their way. You might have to wait a little while," she cheerfully greeted him, hopping onto his shoulder.

However, she quickly jumped to his other shoulder. With a quick glance at the Zol warrior, she whispered in Matthew's ear, "I don't like her!"

Her voice was low, but Lysanna clearly heard her. Matthew turned his head and reminded her, "You didn't like me the first time you met me."

Aela instinctively defended herself, "You're different. You're a very special existence. But the Zol, they're born with original sin."

Matthew intended to give the stubborn Nature Spirit a lecture on philosophy, but just then, Lysanna voluntarily spoke up.

"What she said is not wrong. Zol are inherently evil. This nature spirit apologizes for being born as a Zol. I've always wanted to shed this identity, but I've never been able to," she confessed with a rare emotional tone.

"If the fires of divine retribution could cleanse the original sin in my blood, I should have been burned alive. However, I couldn't bring myself to let go of the attachment to life. At the critical moment, I was weak, and I sold my soul once again in exchange for a night's rest. I'm still alive, and I'm doing well. So, the nature spirit is right; I carry the burden of sin in this world."

Matthew knew that Lysanna's inner torment was profound, but he didn't expect it to be this severe. He gently patted Aela and consoled her, "You've been reborn after that divine punishment, Lysanna. You are no longer the same as before. You shouldn't dwell on your past memories. You should embrace your new life and the new world."

Lysanna nodded, saying, "I understand what you mean, Matthew. I'm doing my best to do just that. It's just that I can't accept the life you've given me with a clear conscience. Even though those days are what I longed for the most when I was in the depths, my inner self is always tormented when the night is quiet. You can't imagine what lies behind the growth of every Zol warrior."

"In the Deep City, to please Queen Babasha, the Zol went to great lengths, involving madness, murder, conspiracies, incest, and cruelty... too many sins are engraved on my soul. I emerged from there, and those sins will accompany me for the rest of my life. Do you know what it takes to become a high-ranking Zol warrior?"

Lysanna paused briefly, her eyes showing glimpses of pain and despair. "Endless training, enduring constant beatings and whippings day and night, and always being on guard against the ambushes of your peers... those were not even the most challenging parts."

"For me, the most difficult part was the final step of the promotion ritual."

"After passing the initial stages of the ritual, every high-ranking Zol warrior is required by Queen Babasha to go to the surface. She asks us to find a human village, choose a family with children, and, in front of their parents, kill their child."

Lysanna's memories were interrupted by a harsh voice. "If I were you, I'd go back to that city and kill everyone who forced you into those wicked acts!"

Samantha and the Orc female swordmaster, Kläeg, had arrived at the altar. Kläeg was the one who spoke up.

Klaeg looked visibly angry, and the unique, broad orc nostrils were puffing with frustration.

"Instead of dwelling in guilt all the time, why don't you do something practical?" Peggy commented.

Lysanna hesitated for a moment and then replied with a bitter smile, "How can my power challenge the rulers of the Abyssal City? They are incredibly powerful, both the Matron and the Spiderkin forces raised by the wicked Queen Babaesha. I'm no match for them alone."

The female orc Sword Saint replied calmly, "Then make the goal to fight your way back like I'm doing right now. My hometown, 'Stuluk,' was invaded by the evil empire many years ago and now lies in ruins. I'm the last surviving orc from Stuluk, and I came to the land of Aindor alone to find a way back for revenge. Whenever I think of my companions who fled with me but perished on the way, I feel both anger and guilt. I often question the heavens, why did they let me be the only one to survive? But these extra emotions will only hinder my progress. I've learned to coexist with them, even transform them into my fuel. I firmly believe that one day, I can fight my way back to Stuluk and avenge my homeland and loved ones."

Lysanna stared at her in awe. Klaeg met her gaze without reservation and Lysanna sincerely praised her, "You're amazing."

Encouraged by Klaeg's words, Lysanna's mood seemed to improve.

Matthew and Samantha greeted each other, and then turned to reply, "The Empire? Which empire are you talking about? Is Stuluk one of the planets in the Star Realm?" Matthew's tone was notably cooler towards Klaeg, merely nodding to her.

Seeing this, Samantha explained, "Stuluk is a location within the Star Realm, and Klaeg bravely broke through the siege of the Empire's vanguard forces to arrive here in Aindor after a long and arduous journey. She's truly remarkable."

Upon hearing Samantha's explanation, Klaeg corrected them with seriousness, "It's not just me who is remarkable, but my fellow tribesmen. You can't imagine how many sacrifices they made to protect me, or rather, everyone made. In the face of that terrifying and evil fleet, our tribe was like paper, utterly defenseless. My chieftain, the leader of Stuluk, the great legendary Sword Saint Prokot, once went alone to stop a massive starship from landing on the surface to protect the tribe. Yes, it was a whole fleet, with countless soldiers. And he was just one man, all alone. It's not that nobody else could have fought in the tribe, but he was the only one who could battle in the sky. He was an extraordinary being, and if he wanted to leave, no one could have stopped him, but he chose to go to his death. I saw it with my own eyes, Lord Prokot unleashed his life's most profound skills, and a single strike cut the starship in half! At that moment, everyone in the tribe was cheering, praising the Lord Prokot for his divine power. But he was still full of solemnity. Soon, we found out why. After the starship was split, countless shadows flew out immediately. They swarmed around him like locusts, ultimately devouring him. To my knowledge, Lord Prokot had become completely immune to magic, and even physical damage could only cause minimal harm. But those monsters, like flying undead, were unlike anything we'd ever seen before. They were like undead creatures with bodies covered in steel and constructs. They were filled with the unique negative energy of the undead, but they weren't as fragile as typical undead. Purification and dispelling had no effect on them. It was much later that I learned this was the technology the Empire prided itself on and used for conquest - the 'Necromechanics.' After Lord Prokot's defeat, my hometown became a raging inferno, with vast farmlands turned into ruins, and all the orcs were mercilessly slaughtered, their bones turned into those terrible undead creatures, and adorned with various strange constructs. When I left Stuluk, the planet had become yet another forward base for the Empire. Tall buildings had sprung up all over, they erected countless large chimneys on the plains, and numerous steel behemoths billowed black smoke and steam. Groups of spaceborne undead roamed the high mountains and above the clouds like nightmares. I saw the colorful lights shining in the steel forest when the sun set. It was a scene that I will never forget in my life and a constant reminder of my duty to avenge my people. I say all of this not for any other reason but to remind you that you are not the only one in this world who has suffered from an unfair fate. Don't give up."

Throughout, Klaeg addressed her words to Lysanna, seemingly treating Matthew as if he were invisible. But Matthew didn't mind; from Klaeg's words, he had learned so much incredible information.

If Klaeg's hometown was indeed destroyed by the Empire's spaceborne undead forces, then it was understandable that she despised necromancers. Although his knowledge was limited to traditional necromancy, the daredevil Empire had evolved into a new level with their Necromechanics.

"I wonder if the Empire has already been completely destroyed in this time period. According to the game's timeline, the invasion of Klaeg's homeland should have been carried out by a stray spaceborne undead force. But if not, it could be troublesome. But well, Aindor is the primary material plane, and its dimensional barriers are extremely strong, unlike the secondary planes hanging in the Star Realm. It's not as easily invaded. Besides, even with my current strength, thinking too much is not going to help," Matthew thought.

Although he thought that way, Matthew was still genuinely interested in the Empire's Necromechanics. In his past life, when he played games, he encountered such units but, being a player who rarely bothered with background lore, he only remembered that these units were good for farming in-game currency.

"From what I know, this hive is also related to the Empire," Matthew said.

Klaeg, this time surprisingly engaging with him, replied, "Yes, that's why I agreed to come here to help Samantha exterminate the Hive."

"The Rampant Brood is not a formidable faction; my hometown had faced their invasions several times and successfully driven them out," Lysanna added.

"What I want to know more is what secrets the Empire base that was attacked by the Brood is hiding," Matthew stated.

Curious, Samantha looked at him, "You seem to be more knowledgeable than you let on."

Matthew chuckled and didn't say more.

"Let's go," Samantha smiled and shifted the conversation back to their mission for the night, "Over the past half month, we've cleared the outer perimeters of the Hive. Tonight, we're going straight into the inner sanctum, and according to Klaeg, if we kill the Queen who's hiding deep inside, controlling all the Brood, we can wipe out the entire Rampant Brood."

"Our goal is to find her and kill her," she concluded.

While speaking, Samantha activated the altar's power, and the soft moonlight enveloped everyone. In an instant, they found themselves on the 33rd floor of the Hive.

Under Samantha's guidance, they left the range of the Moon Goddess's shrine, and not long after, they arrived in front of a massive iron door. The door was seamlessly integrated into the underground space of the Hive, with the surrounding stone walls covered in thick luminescent moss. Matthew noticed a shiny device beside the iron door that looked like a card reader. He then reached into his bag, pulling out the access card he had found on the Empire researcher's body.

"Do we need to use this?" he asked.

Samantha had already reached the card reader, took out another identical card from her coat lining, and lightly inserted it. She smiled, "While clearing the outer perimeter of the Brood, we found over a dozen of these cards."

Matthew shrugged. However, after Samantha inserted the access card, the large door remained unmoved. Samantha's expression turned puzzled.

At this moment, Matthew stepped forward, took the card from her, flipped it in a certain direction, and then swiped it from top to bottom. "Beep, beep, beep!" The crisp electronic sound echoed, and the pale green light strips on both sides lit up. The door creaked open, and Samantha looked at Matthew in amazement. Klaeg also regarded him with suspicion.

"Why are you so proficient at this?" she inquired.

Matthew smiled and replied, "As a mage, 'Otherworldly Knowledge' is part of the curriculum."

As he finished speaking, the door slammed shut, leaving only a narrow gap for two people to enter and exit. A musty smell wafted from inside, causing everyone to cover their noses and mouths. Curiosity got the better of them, and they peered inside.

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