This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 57

"Dear Teacher (the word 'teacher' is crossed out), Matthew:

I hope this letter finds you well.

I am currently sitting on a bench outside the Leap Horse Inn in the eastern district of the Jade Azure Courtyard, writing this letter to you.

It has been nearly half a month since I arrived at the Jade Azure Courtyard. Before I set out on this journey, I had all sorts of unrealistic fantasies, but leaving Rolling Stone Town, I realized that reality was quite different from what I had imagined. I suppose my lack of experience played a part in that.

So many unexpected things happened on the road, leaving me with no one to confide in.

From the moment I arrived here, I often found myself missing the people of Rolling Stone Town, my father, mother, Sophia, and you—

Please forgive my impulsive actions that day. As you said, I truly don't understand necromancers, and I don't know why I felt fear instinctively. Perhaps I was hindered by the common perceptions of fear. Looking back now, I think I was just overwhelmed and didn't know what to do.

But I believe you'll forgive me, won't you? Because you always understand people so well.

So, I'm shamelessly writing this letter to you, hoping you don't really mind.

...

Our journey has not been peaceful. On the second day after leaving Rapids City, our caravan was ambushed by a gang of bandits. They had us trapped from the front and the rear, and I was so nervous inside the carriage that I thought I was going to be sick. The head of the guards assured me that they would handle it.

He claimed to have a keen sense for judging criminals, and the bandits didn't seem like the type who would fight to the death. Our caravan was also powerful enough.

As it turned out, the caravan's leader and the bandits negotiated for a while, and they ended up extorting some money from everyone before leaving.

The head of the guards told me that it's highly likely the caravan leader and the bandits were working together to scam travelers for their tolls. People away from home rarely mind spending some money to avoid trouble, so it's a safe way to make extra income.

I didn't believe it at the time; I thought the head of the guards had fabricated the story to show off his knowledge.

But on the day before we entered the elven territory, I accidentally saw the caravan leader negotiating with a man who wasn't part of our caravan in a nearby forest. He received a heavy bag of coins from the man.

I recognized that man; he was one of the bandits.

They noticed me, but the caravan leader just chased me away and warned me not to say anything.

When I got back to the carriage, I told the head of the guards about it, and for the next three days, he didn't allow me to leave the carriage.

I was terrified, of course, and I didn't go anywhere.

During that time, I kept thinking, fearing that the caravan leader might silence me at any moment.

I was so scared that I couldn't sleep for several days.

But even after we entered the elven territory, we changed caravan leaders, and nothing terrible happened.

When we were changing guides, I lifted the curtain and took a look at the caravan leader from Rapids City.

He remained calm throughout, and when he saw me, he even smiled.

At that moment, I suddenly remembered the first time I saw him in Rapids City. His wife had come to see him off, and he was holding his three or four-year-old daughter by the side of the carriage, smiling warmly as he talked to his wife, assuring her not to worry.

That moment.

I finally started to understand a bit about the nature of this world.

Back in Sophia's house, she often scolded me in an adult-like manner: "Child, the world of adults is very complicated, and young lambs like you can easily be devoured."

I would always burst into giggles at her imitation of an adult's tone.

Now, I realize that Sophia was always smarter than me, more mature than me, and she understood the complexity of the world much earlier than I did.

It seems that being a lord's daughter truly requires you to be a bit more exceptional, don't you think?

What do you think?

...

I thought that once the caravan entered the elven territory, it would be smooth sailing all the way.

But who would have thought that on the second day, we would encounter a dragon!

It happened suddenly. When the dragon flew over our heads, I was sitting inside the carriage, and my heart seemed to stop for several seconds. All the horses were extremely agitated, whinnying in distress.

Through the carriage window, I saw a massive shadow pass over the ground.

There was a hint of green in the sky.

Later, I heard the elven guide mention that it was an adult green dragon nesting in the "Grove of Fallen Leaves," named Fadina. The Jade Azure Courtyard had clashed with her on multiple occasions, trying to drive her away, but Fadina was cunning and persistent, always lurking near the northern part of the forest, occasionally attacking lone travelers or caravans.

We were fortunate not to have caught her attention, but the fact that she appeared in the southern part of the forest was suspicious in itself.

I sensed a hint of concern in the elven guide's demeanor.

It seemed that the Jade Azure Courtyard wasn't as powerful, sacred, and invulnerable as I had imagined. Even the elves had troubles they couldn't resolve.

Later, outside the city, I encountered many elves who moved like walking corpses.

The guide warned us not to approach them, as it could be a matter of life and death.

The locals called them "the Lost Ones."

They were a group abandoned by the forest, cursed and driven mad.

I asked the guide why the Jade Azure Courtyard didn't exile them if they were so dangerous. The guide only said that the elves couldn't bear to abandon their own kind and offered no further explanation.

I became even more puzzled.

It wasn't until we entered the city that I felt like I had stepped into a dream.

The Jade Azure Courtyard is truly beautiful.

Countless trees, tall, sturdy, and welcoming, stretch their branches and leaves to shade every corner of the city.

Most of these ancient trees are over a thousand years old.

If you want to enjoy the sunlight, all you need to do is speak a few words in Elvish, and the ancient trees will lovingly part their leaves to let the sunlight touch your face.

I know how much you love planting trees, Matthew. You would surely fall in love with this place.

My emotions were so joyful when I first entered the city.

But reality quickly doused me with a bucket of cold water.

Before I left, my father only mentioned sending me to learn elven song and dance, but he didn't tell me I would also be learning swordsmanship and magic!

I was placed among a group composed of half-elves and elves.

I'm the only human in the entire group.

While everyone there welcomed me with smiles, I could sense a deep-seated alienation and indifference beneath those smiles.

They didn't welcome me.

In fact, there was a bit of discrimination against humans.

After a dance class one day, I overheard a half-elf say to her companion:

"That human girl with the big chest really knows how to flaunt her body, but what's the use of that? She's good at dancing, but she scores zero in swordsmanship and magic! I doubt she can ever become a 'Sword Chanter.'"

She answered her companion with a smile, "Why should we pay attention to her? In forty years, her full figure will deflate rapidly like a punctured balloon. The pitiful aspect of human girls lies here, right? I think, with her level of effort, she might have a chance to become the lowest-level Sword Chanter, but by then, she'll be an old granny who can't dance."

I felt genuinely saddened after hearing that. Not because of their cruelty, but out of pity for the short lives of humans.

Half-elves have at least a lifespan of 300 years, wood elves twice that, and the night elves of the Evernight Forest are said to be even longer-lived. But what about us? Just the thought of growing old in a few decades made me feel truly uncomfortable.

Those days, I wasn't even enthusiastic about dancing.

And, after that day, the others' attitude towards me became more apparent. They always found ways to bully me, either by hanging the training wooden swords on the muskox's rear or spilling some embarrassing milk stains on my dance clothes.

I cried for several days before convincing myself to be strong. My father spent a lot of money to send me here to learn. I couldn't give up easily. Many times when I felt distressed, I thought of Sophia. I couldn't help but think that if she were here, she could easily handle these issues. Unlike me, who just hid alone and cried.

Speaking of crying, I don't actually mind crying. It's futile, but it makes me less overwhelmed. After a few more days, a turning point came when their bullying was discovered by a Windward General.

He scolded the others harshly, terrifying everyone. The general's name is Teralani, a very handsome elf Sword Chanter. He's quite young, and they say he's the most likely candidate in the whole Jade Azure Courtyard to become an elf Sword Saint. Teralani treated me well and would come to see me from time to time after my classes. Initially, I was a bit uncomfortable with his warmth, but I soon discovered a secret about Teralani. He's actually a girl who likes to dress as a man. I can't believe I'm writing this; it feels like I'm composing a third-rate ballad, but these are all true. Soon, Teralani openly expressed her feelings for me, causing me even more trouble than the elves' bullying. I didn't know how to reject a powerful Windward General, especially since she's also a girl. I could only gently refuse Teralani's fervent advances on the grounds that I'm still young. However, I'll reach adulthood in less than six months. This situation troubles me, and because I can't share this with anyone, I thought of you, Matthew. Matthew, if you have any wonderful advice, please write back and let me know! By the time I'm writing this, it's already dark. The inn is filled with the aroma of barbecue, and not all elves are vegetarians. Their barbecue is light and not greasy, with a unique flavor. But I still miss the Rolled Leaf Barbecue in Rolling Stone Town. Tomorrow is the Spring Delay Festival, and there will be fireworks in town. The York family will push their last batch of pigs for a party, and everyone will gather to enjoy cotton candy and honeyed strawberries. Who will win the wrench wrestling and the Martin Fast Run this time? I can't see it, but I know it will be a lively scene. I really want to go back home. You must write back to me! Please! Yours, Beiyana, 3/28, in the Jade Azure Courtyard"

Reading the letter all the way through, Matthew felt quite nostalgic. He had guessed that Beiyana might write to him, but he hadn't anticipated the rollercoaster of experiences she encountered on her journey and during her studies in the Jade Azure Courtyard.

Beiyana and Sophia were always the two most outstanding students Matthew taught. Their family backgrounds were quite privileged. Beiyana's father was a savvy and charismatic merchant, and her mother was the only daughter of a prominent noble in Rapids City.

Compared to Sophia, Beiyana was actually more introverted. So when she confessed her feelings that day, it genuinely took Matthew by surprise.

After reading the various experiences mentioned in the letter, Matthew carefully contemplated everything. Matthew made the following suggestions for her: "... Your decision is wise. Given that you are certain Teralani won't harm you, having a Windward General escort you will undoubtedly make your studies at the Jade Azure Courtyard much smoother. I have several pieces of advice that you might consider..."

After finishing the letter, he sealed it with a wax stamp and had it delivered to the Leap Horse Inn in the Jade Azure Courtyard by a messenger.

In this era, mail delivery was still not particularly efficient. Instant communication through high-level mages was very expensive, and ordinary people still had to endure long wait times. "If only we had an owl or albatross messenger," Matthew mused.

In the afternoon, Matthew paid a visit to the Lord's Manor, where he signed a consulting contract with Zeller. From that point on, he officially had a place in Lord Rega's manor, where he would provide magical knowledge consultation, allowing Zeller to devote more time to intelligence work.

But on his first day at work, Matthew requested time off. He informed Zeller that he was about to advance and needed to leave for a while. Zeller, being considerate, approved Matthew's request for paid leave.

He not only provided valuable advice regarding Matthew's advancement, but also kindly asked if Matthew needed an advance on his salary. Matthew was very appreciative of this offer and accepted it without hesitation.

After leaving the Lord's Manor, he coincidentally ran into Sophia. They had a brief conversation. Sophia appeared quite downcast, and after comforting her for a moment, Matthew suddenly asked, "Has Beiyana written to you since she left for the Jade Azure Courtyard?"

Sophia shook her head. Matthew couldn't help but smile. Beiyana mentioned Sophia multiple times in her letter, yet she hadn't written to her. Women's thoughts were indeed mysterious...

....

A week later, the figure of Martin appeared outside the southernmost city of the "Alliance of a Hundred Cities," Zewater City.

His companions for this journey were only Abing and Ayra.

In the past few days, they had left Rolling Stone Town, traveling by various means.

Before heading to the east coast, Martin had made a special trip to White Rock City to purchase a series of supplies from the familiar transmutation mage.

The most important of these was the various items that might be used in the ritual of "Undeath's Night":

Rabbit's feet, monkey claws, bat fangs, boar umbilical cords... these were all small items that could please the undead.

As an alternative to the ritual of advancement, Martin was naturally prepared.

However, after leaving White Rock City, Martin had found a waypoint in the Moonlit Forest, utilizing his membership with the Moonlight Society. This allowed him to bypass the southern forest and jungle.

Unfortunately, the influence of Asiya in the south was noticeably weaker, and the southernmost waypoint he could find in the Moonlit Forest was still hundreds of miles away from their first destination – Zewater City.

The region near Zewater City was hilly, and the road conditions were extremely poor. Martin had spent several days in a carriage, nearly vomiting multiple times.

At this moment, the sun was setting.

The caravan of followers accompanying them was setting up camp to rest.

Martin stood on the mountainside, looking southeast. The coastline of the East Sea, which bordered the endless ocean, appeared rugged in the twilight. The sea was calm, and on land, a majestic city spiraled up the mountainside, eventually enveloping the entire mountain.

That was Zewater City.

Further south, the mountainous region would be replaced by an endless tropical rainforest.

Inhabiting this place were the "Zhengo people," a native tribe who called themselves the "Children of the Rainforest." The Seven Saints Alliance referred to them as the "Zhengo."

The Zhengo people were brave and warlike, conservative and xenophobic. They resisted outsiders entering the rainforest, and even the druids and rangers from the north were unable to integrate into this mysterious green land.

They had unique professions, with the most famous ones being "Blowdart Masters" and "Rainforest Shamans."

They possessed the powers of voodoo, witchcraft, beast-taming, cannibalism, and other primal and savage aspects of life.

The great sea around the rainforest – including the Endless Ocean to the east and the Arune Sea to the south – was inhabited by a small number of Su clansmen and a large number of Naga. The latter were the favored children of storms and the sea.

Rumors had it that the deep recesses of the rainforest were inhabited by followers of the Dragon, Warlock, and Hunter classes.

Mountains, jungles, oceans, storms.

This was the complex environment that Martin was about to face.

This journey was bound to be very dangerous, so he couldn't afford to be careless. That's why, after doing thorough research, he would verify the accuracy of the information on-site when they reached each place.

For instance, now he was observing Zewater City from a distance.

"Martin, Martin!" Ayra whispered in his ear.

"Safu, there's something very dangerous in the rainforest to the south. I sensed a very hostile natural spirit. It doesn't welcome me and it's threatening me."

She continued, "Also, the city you're looking at right now, I sense an outbreak of plague there. Many people are suffering from a fever and dying. I'm really scared, can't we avoid it?"

Plague and fever?

Martin furrowed his brows.

He didn't doubt the sensing ability of the nature spirit. That's why he had brought Ayra with him on this journey.

However, Zewater City was his first destination as he traveled south.

"We can go in and out quickly. I need to find a guide through the rainforest in there," Martin reassured her. "As long as we avoid crowded places and don't interact with too many people, our chances of catching the plague will be much lower. And even if we do get a fever, it doesn't necessarily mean death. Zewater City has several temples that specialize in selling holy water, as long as you have money, you won't die."

"Sometimes, rich people in the city even intentionally get sick and then drink holy water to purify their bodies, which is their way of seeking excitement."

Martin fell into silence.

He had heard rumors that some cities in the south were quite wild. Now, hearing this information, it seemed that those rumors were not without basis.

He chatted with Safu about the situation in Zewater City and only left when night fell.

At night, Martin sat in his open carriage, reviewing the information on the Su tribespeople that Samantha had given him.

And it was at this moment that he suddenly saw a vast oak forest in his mind!

A familiar sensation washed over him.

Martin knew that this was the taste of a gift!

Chapter 58 >>

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