Chương 311: Beginning Of Peaceful But Busy Times. [End Of Volume Four]

[End Of Volume Four] A time of peace descended in the Golden Sap Province. With Liu Shu becoming the central World Tree of the place, no other group decided to attack them. Baron Lorbase became an example of what happened when someone tried to mess with her. Of course, that didn't mean that some smaller powers thought too much of themselves and tried some tricks on surrounding cities. However, Liu Shu's domain now completely engulfed the province.

So, anyone who was trying to make a mess in her domain would be instantly spotted.

Then, her armies, now commanded by Eila Neoflora, would set out and slaughter everyone. Naturally, things couldn't be that easily summarized. While there was relative peace in Liu Shu's domain for several years, that didn't mean that there were no important events happening. On the contrary, the Golden Sap Province transformed and evolved at a terrifying pace. First, several branches were created army-wise. As previously mentioned, Eila led the main branch of the army.

Ten years of progress allowed the armies to overcome the Baron standard and be considered relatively strong even by Viscount standards. That was the visible armies, at least. Underground, the ants became a force that no one could've anticipated. Their tunnels extended far and wide, and their numbers would scare anyone if they knew about it. There were seven more branches besides Eila's and Ignatia's armies. The first was a <City Army>.

They managed local conflicts and guarded the city walls of the province's four main cities. Their numbers were not the highest, but their influence was high. Taro controlled how this army moved and where it went. The second branch was the <Exploring Army>. This army was at the forefront of scouting and dealing with hidden threats like bandits and beast waves. It was an army made out of relatively individual and elite groups.

Wert took care of dealing with this army and used his Explorer Association Manager position to make his voice and orders be heard by this mercenary-like group. The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth branches of the army were each controlled by one of the Sylvans. During those peace years, Harmonixia easily integrated into the Golden Sap City system, reaching a level equal to Cinderielle, Verdantia, and Tempestria. These armies were called <Elemental Army>, <Combat Army>, <Restorative Army>, and <Support Army>.

They were controlled, respectively, by Cinderielle, Tempestria, Verdantia, and Harmonixia. When they worked together, they were terrifying. Moreover, the number of Sylvans in these four armies was staggering compared to the rest. Even the main army led by Eila couldn't match the number of Sylvans in one of these four armies. Finally, Amapola led the last army called <Monster Army>.

This army was formed by the combination of all monster creatures like Fairies, Myconids, and one more race that joined recently called <Batreerians>. These creatures were dryad-like beings of both male and female sexes. Their looks were humanoid with bark-like skin and flowery hair. They were a race of few beings Liu Shu encountered in the White Flower Forest. After realizing their intelligence was not that bad, she communicated and helped them acclimate to her auras.

Surprisingly, they developed a decent level of intelligence in less than four years. The level was enough to form part of an intelligent society, like the Rose Fairies during the first year. After being introduced, although some people were skeptical, their calm and soothing personalities, when not bothered, proved to be very welcoming. They were excellent in any kind of work related to nature and learned quickly. Of course, their warrior population was incredibly useful as well.

Their main focus was on enhancing their bodies with natural arts, making them extremely good front-liners. With Fairies at the back dealing tons of different elemental damage, the Myconid's support with their both beneficial and harmful pollen variations, and finally, the Batreerians holding the frontline with healing and enhancing natural arts, this army didn't lose to the rest. Their primary operating zones were the <Wall Forest> and the edges of the <Dark Aether Swamp>.

They were the ones searching for a Life Tree for the most part. To summarize, with the <Main Army>, <Ant Army>, <City Army>, <Elemental Army>, <Combat Army>, <Restorative Army>, <Support Army>, and <Monster Army>, attacking the Golden Sap Forest was a pipe dream for most nearby powers. And unless you had a chance of defeating the World Tree controlling a province, attacking those places usually proved nothing but a waste of armed forces.

Other than the armies, the management was taken over by Delia, Flor, and Ignatia. In the end, regardless of how much Flor wanted to laze around, she was forced to act as the main mayor and deal with many complicated matters. Thankfully, there were many capable subordinates, alleviating her workload enough that Flor could get away without working for a few days at a time. Three years into the peaceful season they were having, Liu Shu communicated with Flor.

"Flor, I think I am ready to open the mines again. Tell Ignatia to prepare herself. The first surge of ternary essences will be impossible to block, and the <Terragore> will for sure notice something and come investigate." Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Flor opened her eyes, Liu Shu's gorgeous canopy and the size of her face entering her view. She was resting on Liu Shu's "shoulder."

When she looked to the side, she saw the World Tree looking at her with a faint smile. Flor couldn't help but sigh.

'Such a beautiful face. It feels as if her facial features were carved by nature itself.' Seeing Liu Shu blink and tilt her head, Flor sat up and chuckled.

"You've become much more proficient with your head's expressions! What was the trigger?" Liu Shu paused and pouted.

"Those four… Always teasing… My face would involuntarily change without me knowing! It's their fault that I learned, or else I would always be showing my raw expressions, unable to control myself!" Flor heard a melodic voice coming from Liu Shu's other "shoulder."

"You are very beautiful and cute, Dear~." Flor noticed how Liu Shu's face helplessly showed shyness and blame as she looked toward Harmonixia.

"Y-You! Can you not be so abrupt!? Also, why are you calling me Dear so naturally!?" Harmonixia smiled faintly.

"Cinderielle calls you Tiantian, Tempestria Shu'er, and Verdantia Liu'er. So, I thought of giving you a nickname of my own~." Harmonixia lowered her voice pleasantly, her melodic voice sending pleasant shivers even down Flor's spine.

"Why~? Don't you like it?" While Liu Shu was complaining, Flor could easily sense that her big daughter was actually quite happy with the attention these four gave her.

'These four have made great advancements with Liu Shu… I wonder if they will be able to be intimate soon." Amusement flashed on her face.

'Liu Shu's defenses are basically crumbling and about to collapse.' Liu Shu didn't even know how to fight such active Sylvans, so she turned toward the other creature present and changed the subject.

"Why are you laughing, Flor!? You need to defend me!" Flor blinked twice.

'Ah, I forgot that Liu Shu has a 360-degree view and can see me even if her head isn't looking.' She cleared her throat and said seriously.

"Me? Laughing? You are imagining it!"

"WAH! EVERYONE TEASES ME!" Liu Shu moved her head from side to side, spreading a lovely flowery scent around as her long green hair shook with those movements. Flor sniffed the air a bit, feeling a pleasant energy spreading in her body that relieved her fatigue. The tea they brewed for stress relief was made from the leaves and flowers that grew on Liu Shu's long hair, so the pollen and other scents would spread around gently when she shook in this manner.

As a World Tree, all parts of Liu Shu were considered a treasure. There were several shops around the place that actually sold fallen branches, leaves, and other types of materials that naturally fell from Liu Shu and were carried away by the wind. Some World Tree cities would prohibit selling these materials because some beings could use parts like this to create curses or other malicious spells. However, based on Verena's advice, Flor and the others decided against this measure.

Verena taught them how they could make it legal and regulate it. In that manner, when someone tried to get it illegally, those who were doing things legally would be the first ones to report and deal with the illegal vendors. Tracking those who sold such items was much easier if they were registered and regulated as well. It was a great success!

Not only were they able to keep track of people trying to contraband Liu Shu's materials, but the shops that sold them legally made incredible profits and attracted lots of commerce from neighboring provinces and cities. Flor looked at Harmonixia and spoke, interrupting Liu Shu's and Harmonixia's sweet moment.

"Girl, gather your army and come with me. We'll need your army and Verdantia's army to deal with the <Terragore Problem> underground." Harmonixia became serious and nodded seriously.

"I'll call Verdantia and go down the Ant Nest. Give me two hours." Flor smiled and nodded. She flew over and patted Harmonixia's head.

"Thank you for your hard work, child." Then, she flew off by herself. Harmonixia smiled faintly. Like most people, she liked Flor quite a lot. Flor was strict and intelligent but also very gentle. She was slightly childish when around Ignatia. However, when you needed to rely on her for something, she hardly would ever let you down. Harmonixia jumped from Liu Shu's shoulder, and as she fell, Liu Shu extended one of her long branches and created a slide under her feet.

At this time, Liu Shu's Level was 34, and her height had increased to over 600 meters. Even with her strong body, Harmonixia would hurt herself if she landed after free-falling from such heights. Harmonixia landed on the top of a Tree House in the inner circle of the Golden Sap City and then jumped down from it, landing on the ground gracefully.

"Thanks for the ride, Dear."

"Hmph. You are welcome." Harmonixia chuckled and went toward Verdantia's house.

"Verdy~, come out!"

"I told you not to call me like that, Harmonixia!" Verdantia's angry voice came from the inside, making the Melody Sylvan laugh. Verdantia appeared down below shortly after, scratching her messy head. She yawned and said.

"What do you want? I was taking a nap, and you interrupted me." Harmonixia hummed twice.

"Well, well. Were you up late at night after the news~?" Verdantia rolled her eyes.

"Says the person who has tried to hide her dark circles with makeup." Harmonixia's eye twitched.

"How? Not even Liu Shu noticed!" Verdantia smiled smugly, her gaze arrogant.

"As if I'd tell you." Then, she smiled faintly.

"Still, the fact that Liu Shu is going to develop that is quite… Hehehe." Her creepy laugh made even Harmonixia recoil.

"I understand your happiness since we'll be able to interact with a human-sized Liu Shu soon. However, control yourself!" Harmonixia added, her face serious.

"Also, relieve yourself the day before we go there, or else you might attack her!" Verdantia stopped smiling creepily and paused.

"Hm… I really should. Anyway, that aside, what's wrong?"

"The mines are opening." Harmonixia went straight to the point.

"Ignatia needs your and my army's help. The ants will soak in most of the losses. However, we need to be prepared." Verdantia's face turned serious, and she nodded.

"Understood. I'll be there in 3 hours. There are two squads that have gone out and will take a while to return."