The beastman leader looked away, his voice breaking. “We’re desperate. Without the tree, our strength is normal. We need its power to survive down here. The tree feeds on blood, but we can’t control its hunger anymore… We tried to stop, but it’s too late now.”
Kent let out a slow breath, his sharp gaze scanning the crimson-stained tree, the smell of blood lingering in the air. The situation was far more complex than he’d initially thought.
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“I’ll deal with the village head. But first, this ends. No more sacrifices. No more blood.” Kent said finally, his voice steady and filled with resolve.
The beastman leader’s eyes widened, his furred brow creased with confusion. “End it? How? We’ve tried… but nothing works. The tree is cursed with hunger. It’s beyond us.”
Kent cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing in the hollow chamber. A grim smile tugged at his lips. “Leave the tree to me.”
Just as he prepared to unleash his Divine Disc to cut the tree down into pieces, a soft yet commanding voice echoed from within his consciousness—the Lust Goddess spirit.
“Don’t destroy the tree,” she cautioned, her tone both instructive and mysterious. “It’s not a carnivorous tree by nature. This is a dwarf divine race tree. They produce fruits based on what they are fed. Because of the greed of these people, they’ve corrupted it, forcing it to feed on blood. But if properly cared for, this tree will bear spiritual fruits of immense value.”
Kent paused, considering her words.
“Pull the tree up from its roots and place it in your herb garden inside your spirit ring,” she instructed. “It will thrive with the right care, and no longer be a source of destruction.”
Without hesitation, Kent nodded and turned to the beastmen. “Dig around the roots. We’re taking this tree out—now.”
Frist, the beastmen stared at Kent like thief as they thought he will nurture the tree from now onwards.
“Stop staring. I’m not going to feed blood like you. Do what I say” Kent commanded.
The head of the beast rushed first and others followed him soon.
The beastmen, scrambled to work. Their clawed hands were like natural tools, digging rapidly and skillfully through the earth. Within minutes, they had uncovered the extensive roots that twisted deep into the ground.
Kent moved swiftly, puling the tree carefully and placed it in a corner. He arranged tantric threads to stop the tree from feeding on it’s own.
To ensure there were no remnants of its cursed roots left behind, he unleashed the Nirvanic flames, burning the ground and purging any lingering corruption.
When the task was complete, Kent turned to the beastmen. “From now on, you people are City Guards, responsible for protecting the people of this island. I’m giving you authority, resources, and weapons. But in return, you will swear loyalty to me—on the bones of your ancestors.”
The beast felt stuned as they never expected they would become part of city and even get authority.
The beastmen leader knelt before Kent, his voice trembling with emotion. “We swear, by our ancestors, to serve you, City Lord. From this day forth, we will protect this city with our lives.”
Kent gave them a nod of approval. “Good. Your first task is to rebuild this city and revive the dried-up river.”
As the beastmen left to prepare, Kent’s mind turned to the village head—the one who had deceived him.
—
The village head and the elders stood before King Ragnar and explaining their hardships to him, unaware of what was to come. They already started celebrating Kent’s supposed success in wiping out the beastmen, unaware that their scheme was already found out.
Kent arrived without warning, his serious gaze falling on the gathered villagers. The village head’s eyes lit up with false praise. “City Lord! You’ve returned victorious! The beastmen have been dealt with, yes?”
Kent’s eyes narrowed, his tone ice cold. “Victorious? Hmmhh… Do you know what irritates me most out of all things?” Kent asked while staring deeply into village head’s eyes.
The village head blinked, his smile faltering.
“Manipulation. All my life… I encountered manipulation. But you… you dared to manipulate me like a headless fool.” Kent uttered while taking a step forward.
“W-What do you mean? I only told you the truth—those beasts—” The village head’s voice began shaking as he saw anger on kent face.
“You lied to me,” Kent interrupted, stepping closer, his voice like thunder. “You used me to get rid of the beastmen so you could hoard the power of the blood tree for yourselves! You dried up the river to keep your secret, and when the beastmen fought back, you played the victim.”
The crowd murmured in shock and they immediately took a step back as they were all part of this sheme. The Village head’s face had gone pale, his lips trembling as he stumbled backward. “No… no, my lord, I swear—”
“Enough!” Kent’s voice boomed, silencing the crowd. His hand shot out, grabbing the village head by the throat, lifting into air and his legs dangled. “You fed children to that cursed tree! Tell me why should I spare your life.”
The village head crumbled, tears streaming down his face. “Please! Forgive me, my lord. I beg you. It was greed… we were desperate… That tree is the source of our strength”
One by one, the village elders followed, falling to their knees, pleading for mercy. Kent’s expression was stony, his eyes cold. “You’ll swear loyalty to me—just like the beastmen did. From now on, this city will change. No more lies, no more bloodshed.”
They all swore, their trembling voices echoing in the square. “Please forgive us, Lord. We will be your slaves. Please spare our lives.”
Kent released the village head, towering over him like a wrathful god. “I’m leaving all of you alive today. Just because I have little use with your dumb heads.
From now on, you will provide shelter to all guests and people who come to this place. The beastmen will revive the river, and you will take care of this city as it returns to its former glory. There will be a teleportation gate soon, and this city will grow beyond what it once was. You will all serve as city workers.”
The villagers nodded frantically, relief flooding their faces as they realized they were spared.
–
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