Chương 316: Convincing Lakeborn Forest.

Four years had passed since the peace started. By this time, the Golden Sap City had grown to the level of any capital city of the other provinces. The number of people living there was over 400, 000, and the economy was flourishing. Liu Shu's auras made working in Golden Sap City inherently more profitable, so businesses renting rooms to outsiders became popular as well.

With Liu Shu's increase in Aether and Anima reserves, she was growing a lot of fruits as well, boosting the experience earning, strength, and overall potential of those in her armies. As if that was not enough, her auras made sure that the forest around her would also grow rare plants and trees, fostering a rich and valuable ecosystem. By now, Liu Shu's roots expanded all the way to the borders of the province, leaving only one spot untouched.

"Lakeboooooooooooorn!"

"... Noisy." Liu Shu pouted.

"Why don't you want to become my subordinate? Your hesitation has made it impossible for you to continue advancing! Six years have passed since we got to know each other, and you are still at Level 39!" Lakeborn Forest answered, her tone half-annoyed, half-helpless.

"... We are thinking about it. Don't rush us." Liu Shu asked, confused.

"Are you thinking about it in Tree Language!?" The green vines that were near Liu Shu's roots lashed out, slapping our World Tree.

"Ouch! Ouch! Okay, okay! I won't tease you!"

"Hmph." A giggle escaped Liu Shu.

"You attack me like that with so much confidence~. Haven't you completely accepted me in your subconsciousness already?" Lakeborn Forest was speechless. She wanted to refute it, but if she thought about it, her reaction clearly showed closeness and trust.

"Liu Shu will not attack them even when they attacked it." Such conviction seemed already profoundly etched in her. Liu Shu changed her teasing tone and spoke softly.

"Lakeborn, you've seen the changes in Fortuna. There are only benefits to falling under my influence. I know that it is a scary and unknown path that not many would take. Still, do you honestly feel that it is a bad path?" Liu Shu didn't let Lakeborn answer.

"You clearly do not. We are close, and you have even started some conversations with me in the past. It is clear that you are not averse to me." Lakeborn Forest answered, her tone quite neutral.

"We do not know if you will remain as you are after you grow. What will happen to us when you need much more energy to sustain yourself? What will happen to us if you ever grow and become the one and only World Tree? Once you reach a certain strength, we might be unconsciously assimilated by you and have our consciousness erased." Liu Shu paused, and Lakeborn Forest sighed.

"By now, your strength is certainly impossible to face for us. Hence, while this looks like an option, the other fate we have is being killed by you. You won't allow a non-subordinated potential World Tree to remain unchecked in your domain." Liu Shu was silent. That was the truth. If Lakeborn Forest didn't accept her subordination, she didn't really intend to leave her alive. Lakeborn was a very old World Tree with plenty of experience and tricks. Not killing her could endanger her in the future.

Both sides didn't speak for a few moments until eventually Liu Shu spoke.

"You are right. There is only an illusion of choice. In truth, it is either you obey, or you die." Lakeborn Forest felt a strange bitterness in herself. It was the truth that she had become somewhat fond of the World Tree talking to her. She was so different from others she had met in the past that even calling her a World Tree didn't feel right. Still, their situation was not one where there would be a happy ending for Lakeborn Forest. As a former World Tree, Lakeborn Forest desired freedom.

They desired to be under no one's control and dictate their own future. And yet, a few years away from managing to resurface the world as a World Tree, Tianlian Liu Shu arrived—an insurmountable obstacle. Lakeborn understood that Liu Shu didn't have bad intentions. After assimilating her, she would probably not care regardless of what Lakeborn did. Hence, she would be the same as when she was free. The only problem was that a massive canopy shadowed the sun above her while she was free. Liu Shu spoke again.

"Still, Fortuna has gotten a skill that's quite interesting. You will probably get it as well."

"A skill?" Lakeborn Forest was confused.

"Are you trying to convince us with a meager skill?" Her tone had a hint of anger and disappointment. After all, the things at play here were much deeper than a skill. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Noticing her shifting mood, Liu Shu quickly denied it.

"No. That's not what I am trying to do. Still, listen to the skill's effects. <Recolocation> is it. This talent allows Fortuna to move to another place within my domain as long as the conditions for her growth are met. It can be used once a decade. But it is powerful enough, in my opinion. With it, if you get it, you won't be tied to this place. I can move you and your lake forest around my expanding domain!" Lakeborn Forest was stunned.

"Such a skill… What's the rank of that skill? How can something so powerful exist?" Liu Shu hummed and looked at Fortuna. Fortuna felt a gaze analyzing her, but she knew who it was from. Instead of freaking out, she asked curiously.

"What do you want to know, Liu Shu?"

"Hm? The rank of <Recolocation>. I got it already~, thanks!" Fortuna pondered and understood.

"Ah. She is trying to speak with Lakeborn again. Let's hope that this time around, she accepts." She made a clicking sound in her mind.

"Tsk, tsk. If she knew how comfortable it is to be part of Liu Shu's domain, she would probably agree without thinking about it. In comparison to before falling under Liu Shu's influence, the food I absorbed was dry and tasteless."

"I am back~." Lakeborn asked, curious.

"Tell us. What rank is that skill?" Liu Shu said proudly.

"S- Rank!"

"... Huh?" Lakeborn was confused more than surprised.

"What's S Rank? Don't ranks fall between F and A rank?"

"Huh?" It was Liu Shu was confused this time around.

"How can that be! Ranks go much further than that!" Lakeborn Forest became silent, worrying Liu Shu this time around.

"Um… Lakeborn? Are you there?"

"... We are." Liu Shu giggled happily.

"Great! So, what do you say? Do you want to get a S- Rank skill? I think that type of skill is worth it, right? With it, I will also be able to avoid the scenario that you've spoken about! I can move you from place to place and let you develop there! As long as my roots have reached it, you will be able to be transported to that place!" Lakeborn Forest weighed her options. Most of her arguments to not join were wholly invalidated by the existence of that skill.

Of course, she didn't know if she would get it as well; it was not a guarantee. Regardless, even the chance to get it was well worth it. For an innately immobile creature, that kind of skill was like giving functional wings to a non-flying creature or gills to one that couldn't breathe underwater. What creature would not want them?

"Give us two weeks to think about it." Liu Shu didn't rush her and happily agreed.

"Okay~! Take your time!" While Lakeborn had told her to wait, the answer was quite clear. These two weeks were more for mentalizing herself with what was about to happen.

'Sigh… Who knew that this would happen? It was already strange that we were able to survive after being killed back then, and now we are going to be assimilated by another World Tree.' Lakeborn's gaze spread around her clear-water lake, observing how the fish swam inside. Between the many underwater creatures, there were some with humanoid bodies and pouches living in the very center of her being. Their bodies were male-oriented, with curved tails like seahorses and human-like arms ending in webbed fingers.

These beings were <Hippomerians>, an underwater race with quite a high-level intelligence, similar to Rose Fairies. They reproduce by producing eggs inside their pouches and having another fertilize them. Their survivability was great since, in worst-case scenarios, a <Hippomerians> could reproduce asexually. These beings have been living here for a long time, and during those hundreds of years, their intelligence has actually made quite a big leap.

Lakeborn was sure that if she recovered her status as a World Tree, these beings might benefit from having been influenced by her for so long and evolve into an intelligent species. As she pondered and observed these creatures, she heard a plop on the surface of the lake. Such a sound would usually not catch her attention. Still, all her senses focused on it as if instinct was calling her being.

"Hm?... Huh?" Slowly descending was a cracked and dim orb. The size was slightly larger than a watermelon. Looking at it, one would instantly ignore it. While it was unremarkable, Lakeborn couldn't stop looking at it.

'This…' As she thought about it, a voice reached her from above the surface of the lake.

"Lady Lakeborn, this is an item that our Lady, Tianlian Liu Shu, has told us to carry here. I hope you find it an agreeable present." Looking at the person floating there, she noticed that it was one of the Rose Fairies. Still, the size was much larger than usual, and the heroic bearing could not be hidden.

'This is… Ah. Amapola was her name, right? The Queen of the Rose Fairies.'

"Thank you, Amapola. This is something essential to us." Amapola heard the myriad of voices and felt her mind buzzing. Still, she maintained her bearing and focused her ternary essence into her brain to avoid damage. The fact that she needed to do this left her somewhat speechless.

'Even in decline, World Trees are quite ridiculous. I can barely imagine what would happen if she used her voice as an attack.' She answered with a polite smile.

"Lady Lakeborn, Liu Shu is quite convinced about your decision. She said that this is to show you that she means no harm. Once we are allies, we will also send part of our fairies to take care of you, as we have with Lady Fortuna."

"... Take care of us?" Hearing the puzzled tone, Amapola laughed faintly.

"Indeed. We will come and take care of your branches and create some delicious food for you. We will also make sure that you have all the treasures you need as long as it doesn't bother our growth. If you need anything, you can ask us, and we will make sure to keep it in mind." Lakeborn Forest was surprised by that.

"That's… Interesting." Amapola bowed faintly and turned around, flying away from the lake. However, she was stopped before she left.

"Amapola." The Rose Fairy Queen paused and turned to look toward the lake.

"What might be wrong, Lady Lakeborn?"

"Um…" Lakeborn hesitated, but eventually, she sighed and spoke.

"Tell Liu Shu that we are ready." Amapola chuckled.

"I am sure that Liu Shu will be delighted to hear that."