Chương 265: Songtree Family. Reaching Sirol City!

Reaching Sirol City!

A few months ago, in the home of a powerful family, the highest-ranking people were having a meeting. The top people of this family were Sylvan women, all having characteristic shifting hues for hair color that went between blues and purples. It was a particularity of their race, <Belladonna Harmonias Sylvan>. That wasn't their only unique characteristic. The reason for their high rank and practically known worldwide strength and influence was their unique affinity with sound.

They were a Sylvan race that had evolved to manipulate Aether Mana with sounds, and they could do it both by singing or playing an instrument.

"It seems that some people are quite surprised by what happened in the <Wild Flower Continent>." One of the elders of this family spoke up. She was a mature woman with captivating wide hips, graceful facial features, and a melodic voice that could put a child to sleep. Hearing her speak, a slender woman with slightly meaner facial features but with enough similarity to the first woman answered.

"Who cares about what happens over there? That continent's name should tell you all you need to know. Several thousands of years of attempting to dominate that place have created incalculable losses for all powers worldwide. We shouldn't get involved when the <Abyssal Void Nexus>'s branch, the <Umbral Desolation Keepers>, is already pressuring us from all fronts." The first woman who spoke glanced at the second woman with a calm expression and spoke.

"While I usually wouldn't mind, my little one has gone there to explore. Exactly in the place where the thing I have yet to mention has happened." The second woman frowned deeper, but an elderly Sylvan gently tapped a string of her instrument, creating a sound that made all those gathered look over.

"Let her speak about what happened first. While we are being pressured, we are not, in any way, being overrun." The second woman snorted.

"All of this happened because Melody is refusing to marry Harmonixia to their heir. We've lost people just to defend her child!" The old Sylvan glared with scorn at that second woman and spoke firmly.

"Who are they to dare force us to marry our daughters off? Not to mention one, even five branches of the Nexus are not enough to threaten us!" She sighed and said.

"Moreover, that was just an excuse to start this. Our race is too unique, and they have been coveting us for a long time. Plus, Little Harmonixia has her own will and will marry whoever she chooses. She is the most talented child we've had since I have memory. When she blooms, she will be able to bring our race to new heights!" The hostile woman bit her inner cheek hard enough to start tasting blood in her mouth. However, she didn't answer and stayed silent.

Meanwhile, Melody spoke, her gentle voice spreading softly like healing waves.

"A new World Tree has appeared where Harmonixia is. This World Tree is around five years old, and yet it has already dominated the local flora and fauna, including a neighboring World Tree." Everyone's eyes gained a touch of interest and looked over. Melody smiled.

"Little Harmonixia has sent me a letter that says she wants to investigate this World Tree since it has no affiliation to any power." Melody's smile became faintly amused.

"Moreover, it seems that she has other… interests." The elderly Sylvan chuckled.

"Oho? Is she aiming for a World Tree? I should have expected it. Continue, Melody." Melody acknowledged and continued, her hands resting on her lap.

"If this World Tree proves to be something worth investing in, I am planning on opening our first Songtree Family branch in the <Wild Flower Continent>. I have talked with a few contacts I have over there, and she is looking extremely promising."

"Ha!" Melody paused and looked sideways.

"What now, sister Octavia?" With her arms crossed, Octavia asked.

"A branch? Are you trying to make a century-long investment in a random World Tree? What if that World Tree fails to grow? There are so many things that can happen that I don't even know where to begin to explain how bad of an idea your suggestion is." The elderly Sylvan couldn't help but agree this time around.

"Melody, I understand your love for your daughter is strong. However, this is perhaps too much. The risks far outweigh the pros." Other people in the room spoke up as well, but instead of seeing frustration, they saw Melody calmly waiting for everyone to say their piece. The elderly Sylvan had many years on her back, so she naturally understood Melody knew something.

"You are calm… speak. What gives you so much confidence?" Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Melody asked everyone in the room.

"Five years of life for a World Tree. What Level do you think this World Tree has reached?" Someone in the room spoke, her tone thoughtful.

"A usually gifted World Tree should be around Level… 15 or 16 by five years of age." Others in the room agreed and also said similar numbers. Octavia spoke to Melody.

"What, are you going to tell us that this World Tree has reached Level 20? Level 21, perhaps? That's not enough to be impressive." Melody chuckled faintly once, her graceful gaze landing on Octavia's face.

"At Level 20, she had a fighting power of an average Level 30." Many gasped, and some guessed that she might be a high D-Rank world Tree, a rarity in the World. However, Melody was not done.

"The World Tree is currently Level 25." Silence fell in the room, everyone looking at Melody with flabbergasted eyes. Melody's smile became confident as she explained another piece of data she had.

"Over five years old and about to be four years since she appeared in front of the public eye, and she is already Level 25. At this pace, she might reach the <Third Energy Cycle> in less than fifty years."

"That's a fallacy!" Octavia slapped her armrest, creating a loud sound that made everyone in the room frown.

"Unless that World Tree has the support of a superpower, such a rate of growth is impossible!" Melody spoke coldly.

"I don't mind you retorting everything I say. However, act with decorum in our main hall. Here, nothing but pleasant sounds should be heard, not animalistic beatings on the furniture out of unconquered emotions." Melody's cold eyes emitted tremendous pressure for a second, freezing Octavia, and she added.

"Your voice barely enters that qualification in my books, but don't go too far." The elderly Sylvan's lips faintly arched for a second before she returned to her usual cultivated facial expression. Before Octavia made any more noise, she interrupted.

"Enough. Both of you, don't cause a ruckus in this hall." She turned toward Melody and said.

"The three… perhaps even all global powers will send their people soon and try to make her fall into their sides if what you said is the truth. If the Little World Tree doesn't fight back and submits, then your efforts will be in vain."

"What if she does?" Melody asked, her gaze determined. The elderly Sylvan paused and spoke.

"You are allowed to use your own family's resources as you please if that's the case. Your friend and us can perhaps rely on the shadow of that young World Tree and create our own forest…" The elderly Sylvan laughed softly.

"More so if Little Harmonixia manages to create a meaningful relationship with the young World Tree." Meanwhile, back in Golden Sap City, Liu Shu finally grew the first batches of <Cerulean Bloodfruit>.

"Hehehe! Done! A Five-year fruit grown in a bit over half a month~! Am I awesome, or what? Hohoho~." The World Tree thought of giving the fruit to Flor right away. Still, she couldn't help but pause and think about it a bit more.

'Hm… Should I wait a little and give Ignatia and Flor the fruit at the same time? Then… I should give one to each Sylvan on the same day… If not, they will always be nagging me about who is my favorite!' Liu Shu felt slightly frustrated, her branches softly moving with her mood.

'Well, whatever! I will give to them whenever I please! And if they complain… I'll stop giving it to them! Hmph!' She then hummed happily.

'The best of them is Tree! She never complains and is always grateful and gentle!... Well, they are the best. But they never hear me say it. Wahahah!' Feeling another group of strong people entering her detection range, she looked over with curiosity.

'Hm? More teams? There are so many strong people roaming the place lately.' She could spot several dozen Level 25 and above, discovering some occasional Level 30s. It seemed that defeating Elowen's army so thoroughly placed her on the map for others.

'I've even seen some new maps being drawn that show the Golden Sap City and myself on there! This is great… Oh? Oh!!' Looking east, Liu Shu suddenly felt her roots reaching a void area, and a little bit further, she saw a tall wall.

"Wah! I've reached a city! I wonder if this is Sirol City?" Meanwhile, on the wall of Sirol City, some guards were looking down with weird eyes as roots with glowy blue energy veins suddenly pierced the side of their moat, touching here and there as they crossed the gap.

"Hey, man. Did they put something strange in today's rations?" Sitting on a chair and looking at the horizon, his coworker yawned and asked.

"Why do you ask? I feel perfectly fine, and we ate from the same pot. Today, Emily cooked as well, don't you fancy that woman?" The first guard, still looking down, talked back.

"Hey! Emily is married! I won't come into that, even if I like her. I have some self-respect… Also, move your lazy ass over here and look!" The seated guard slowly stood up and sighed.

"What, did some monster fall onto the moat again? We'll tell the recovery group… later… Huh?"

"Aha! So you see it as well. I am not going insane from boredom!" The second guard looked at his friend with a strange gaze.

"Are you stupid? How long have you been looking at these roots without reporting it?" The man blinked.

"Huh? Around half an hour? It was quite interesting seeing the roots wiggle around, trying to find the other side of the moat. Moreover, they look harmless." The second guard almost slapped his friend.

"Those glowing roots look harmless to you!? What if their blood is poisonous or something and contaminates the water reservoirs!"

"Hey, that's rude! Why does everyone think that my roots are dangerous!?" Both guards felt their hearts jump in fear when the echoing voices of several beings spoke at them.

"W-Who was that!?"

"You heard it as well!?"

"Forget about it and call Captain Fan! Lord Taro must know about this!"