"Mr. Alders, His Majesty has important matters to discuss with you. Please proceed to Dewdrop Street as soon as possible."
When Alders, who was still reading books in the Public Library, heard the message delivered by the messenger slime, he thought his stubborn persistence had finally paid off, making that Slime Majesty change his mind.
Those brown eyes, like the growth rings of an ancient oak tree, instantly lit up with joyful light.
But when he happily straightened his sage robe and arrived at the small square at the end of Dewdrop Street, surrounded by several giant fluorescent mushrooms, a young dragon was lying on the square.
And that familiar Slime King was quietly squatting on the dragon's back, seemingly waiting for something.
Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Alders quickly stepped forward and bowed slightly in greeting. "Greetings to you, esteemed Majesty."
Chen Yu simply said, "Sage Alders, it is time for you to come into contact with the greatest secret of our Slime Kingdom."
Alders' heart shook inwardly, silently marveling that his efforts had been rewarded, finally dissolving this monarch's wariness.
The smile on his face grew even brighter. Chuckling, he followed Chen Yu and, with Little Ka slightly lowering his body in cooperation, smoothly climbed onto the dragon's back.
Only when Little Ka spread his massive wings, soaring into the sky amidst a powerful gust of air, with Slime City rapidly shrinking behind them until it completely disappeared into the vast snowy forest below, did Alders hear Chen Yu speak again.
"Mr. Alders, you were right. The Slime Kingdom and the Council have always stood on the same line. We face a common enemy."
Hearing this, Alders' furrowed brow smoothed out. "Hahaha, exactly, Your Majesty. It seems you've come around. We are Companions. Faith is above all else. When you open your heart to the Council, the Council will also not hesitate to embrace you."
Seeing the timing was ripe, Chen Yu now revealed his true purpose.
"In fact, the Slime Kingdom has always controlled a great secret. It is a kind of natural power sufficient to change the form of the battlefield."
"Natural power?" Alders carefully considered the words.
Chen Yu swayed his gel contentedly. "Correct. It is the Wrath of Nature, the sage's weapon, capable of using Nature's Punishment to destroy those who break the ancient way of balance."
"This secret was originally known only to a few slimes. But Mr. Alders, you are different. The Council and I are Companions, so naturally I should share this power with you. It might be able to change the Council's current difficult situation."
Alders' curiosity was completely piqued. "Could it be some kind of ancient natural magic formation, or perhaps a lord of the natural faction?"
Chen Yu shook his gel. "Neither. Those can hardly be called great secrets..."
He deliberately paused, then suddenly looked into the distance. "We're here."
Alder instinctively looked down.
Amidst the vast snowy forest below, a broad plaza abruptly appeared. The plaza was paved with smooth stone slabs, with several magic formation stone towers standing at its edges.
And at the center of the plaza, a planar rift resembling a spatial scar hung quietly suspended. Caravans were queuing up, orderly passing through the checkpoint established beside the rift, then disappearing into the halo of light.
Little Ka let out a low dragon's roar, adjusted his direction, skimmed low over the plaza, and, under the watchful gazes of the surrounding crowd filled with awe or curiosity, plunged headfirst into the planar rift.
Alders only felt the scene before his eyes instantly distort, the image stretching and shattering, then reassembling amidst a brief sensation of weightlessness and ringing in his ears.
When he could see clearly again, the sky had become a dark white, but it wasn't the darkness of night; it was more like the white of void.
A biting cold wind, like icy blades, scraped across his cheeks. The temperature plummeted, far colder than Slime City.
This was the rift snowplain.
Yet miraculously, on this seemingly lifeless snowplain, a brightly lit city was situated.
The city's outline was clearly visible in the darkness, with countless magic lights dotting it like stars, tracing the shadows of streets, buildings, and tall bell towers.
He could see lines of caravans, like black threads, constantly entering and exiting the city gates, then extending along snow roads illuminated by Magic Crystal Lamps towards several other planar rifts in the distance before disappearing.
But very quickly, Alders discovered something was wrong.
His attention was soon captured by a castle concealed by a magic formation.
This castle was so majestic and spectacular, enveloped by a massive "crystal ball" magical barrier. Inside, one could clearly see meandering streams, meticulously maintained gardens, forests and grasslands, and the castle itself... It was like a crystal ball landscape magnified countless times, except the landscape inside was a real, existing castle.
"Incredible, truly incredible..." Alders murmured, his gaze sweeping over every magical rune and energy node on the crystal ball barrier. No matter how much he pondered, he couldn't figure out what kind of magic formation could create such a miraculous construct.
Chen Yu puffed out his round little belly, standing side by side with Alders as they gazed at the distant levitating castle, his tone filled with pride and temptation. "Amazing, isn't it, Mr. Alders? This is the greatest secret of our Slime Kingdom."
"A levitating castle... blessed by nature."
"Can you imagine how terrifying such a castle would be, hovering above a battlefield, deploying hundreds of Magic Crystal Cannons?"
Alders originally wanted to say that the castle didn't look particularly blessed by nature, but upon hearing words like "levitating" and "Magic Crystal Cannons," he immediately stated solemnly:
"Your Majesty is correct. Thank the blessings of nature."
He immediately clasped his staff with both hands, closed his eyes, and prayed in a devout tone. "Ah! Praise the great natural power bestowed by nature!"
A magical fortress capable of instantly deploying hundreds of Magic Crystal Cannons—even if it wasn't blessed by nature, he, as a Forest Sage, could bestow a blessing on the spot right then and there.
This was absolutely the power of nature, without a doubt.
It was nature's wrath for punishing those who do not follow the way of nature.
A long while later, he finally opened his eyes, his expression somewhat eager.
"Esteemed Majesty, then can we go eliminate those Nature's Foes now?"
Chen Yu swayed his gel regretfully and said seriously, "Mr. Alders, you know, I have always detested Nature's Foes, but..."
He deliberately paused. "The energy required to drive this levitating castle is extremely staggering. I'm afraid we cannot make it move."
Alders' mood swung dramatically, and he felt somewhat disappointed.
Chen Yu suddenly said, "But I have a better plan."
"You mean...?"
.......
South, in the forests of the Emerald Highlands.
Unlike the dry, piercing cold of the north, winter comes later in the south, and the climate is more humid. It's not as dry as the north, and a drizzling cold rain fell this morning.
But now, this forest that should have been tranquil was burning with a fire difficult to extinguish.
Flames intertwined in dark green and red, spreading through the trees and vines like living things, devouring all vitality of the forest wherever they passed.
Trees wailed in the flames, emitting popping, cracking sounds before collapsing. Birds took flight in alarm, small beasts fled in panic.
Nature's paradise was turning into a land of death.
No one knew how long it had been—maybe an instant, maybe a good while—but three cloaked figures appeared in this forest.
The leader was a female elf. She pushed back her hood, her silver-white hair flying amidst the flames. At this moment, her emerald green eyes burned with icy fury and sorrow.
If Alders were here, he would immediately recognize this elven lady's identity: the guardian of the "Silent Forest," one of the three Grand Sages of the Forest Sage Council—Selene Whisper.
She was also one of the few sages who publicly revealed her identity and location, serving as a forest warden in the southern human kingdom "Lothlorien," which was close to nature. Yet, almost no Nature's Foes dared to provoke her.
Facing the raging flames, Selene did not hesitate for a moment. Raising her staff high, she chanted an ancient and beautiful Elvish incantation. Her voice was clear and full of power, as if resonating with the forest itself.
The other two sages—a half-elf bard and a wood elf druid—followed suit in spellcasting.
The rain clouds in the sky, not yet fully dispersed, were gathered anew by an invisible force, transforming into a life-giving sweet rain that purified and doused the flames.
Soon, the fire that had spread throughout the entire forest was finally extinguished, leaving only a desolate expanse of scorched earth.
Simultaneously, on a clearing within the forest, a curled-up, charred corpse was revealed as the flames receded.
This corpse maintained its final posture from life, as if desperately trying to protect something, or attempting to flee.
The sage's robe she wore had turned to ashes. Only a metal holy emblem on her chest, its pattern still vaguely recognizable as an "acorn and crescent moon," proved her identity.
Selene slowly came to a stop, stepping over the still-warm scorched earth to stand before the charred corpse. She picked up the burnt book that had fallen beside the body. Her emerald gaze was filled with sorrow.
This was a botanical illustration notebook, and also the most cherished knowledge of her old friend, Freya.
Now, it had become a sacrificial offering to the flames along with her.
The other two sages also landed. Facing Selene, they bowed their heads slightly with respect, as one would before an elder and leader, their faces etched with deep pain and anger.
"Those damned demons again!"
Selene remained silent, like a cold statue. After a long while, she slowly spoke, her voice terrifyingly calm.
"Freya... has already returned to the embrace of the Nature Goddess."
She closed her eyes, gently inserting the oak staff in her hand into the scorched earth at her feet. Then, closing her eyes, she prayed softly, mourning and bidding her farewell.
'Freya Ashford, Guardian of the Emerald Highlands, Bearer of the Acorn and Crescent Moon. You were born in the Sprouting Moon of the Third Era, growing up under the dewdrops and starlight of the Emerald Highlands. You loved the veins of every leaf, were familiar with the scent of every moss, could whisper with ancient trees, and sing with the streams.'
'You spent three hundred years compiling the Forest Flora of the Emerald Highlands, recording the names and stories of seven thousand, eight hundred, and ninety-three plants. Your cottage was always open to lost travelers. Your herbal teas healed countless wounds and pains. You believed in balance, advocated silent observation over forceful interference, and were the gentlest, most patient sage in the Council.'
'Now, your journey has ended abruptly amidst flames and defilement. The forest you guarded weeps for you. The plants you recorded wither for you...'
As her low eulogy continued, with the staff she had inserted into the scorched earth as the center, a soft emerald green halo rippled out.
Wherever the halo passed, the blackened, lifeless earth seemed infused with life. Tender green new grass broke through the soil, spreading rapidly to cover the ugly scorch marks.
Wildflower buds emerged from among the grass blades, blooming into scattered dots of white, blue, and pale yellow flowers, releasing a fresh fragrance.
The charred corpse was also gently enveloped by this halo of life, transforming into fertile black soil, from which a young Silver-leaf Oak sapling grew.
In just a moment, the originally lifeless scorched earth had transformed into a small, vibrant garden within the forest.
And this Silver-leaf Oak sapling was the last trace Freya left in this world, and also nature's acceptance and continuation of her life.
Yet this beautiful and sacred natural miracle did nothing to dilute the heaviness and anger in the hearts of the three sages present.
A long time later, Selene slowly opened her eyes. The emerald green in her eyes had regained its icy calm, but the flames deep within burned even brighter.
She pulled out her staff, turned, and said succinctly to the other two sages, "Follow me."
The wood elf druid's voice was hoarse. "Those demons are becoming more and more unrestrained."
Selene gave an acknowledging hum.
"These Nature's Foes... dare not attack me directly. That would provoke a war with Lothlorien. So they can only use this despicable method, attacking and harming my colleagues and friends, to threaten me, warn me, and shake the beliefs of other sages."
The half-elf bard sage couldn't help but sigh. "Our enemies are too many. Those cults worshipping chaos and destruction, the insatiably greedy merchant guilds and nobles, the evil demons and certain mage organizations... Over the years, they have increasingly targeted the Council."
"We have retreated step by step, concealed our tracks, yet sacrifices continue unabated."
Selene was silent for a moment. She turned her face slightly, her gaze falling once more upon that Silver-leaf Oak sapling, then slowly lifting to look towards the distant forest border, polluted and destroyed.
Suddenly, she spoke.
"The power of the Council is still too scattered."
"Each of us guards our own patch of forest, our own valley, like scattered stars. Bright, yes, but difficult to gather into a light sufficient to illuminate the night and drive away the winter cold."
"It is time... to change the current situation."
She turned to look at her two companions, her voice clear and firm, like declaring an inevitable future:
"Establish a Forest Nation."
"We need to gather all the power of nature, all the wisdom of the sages, all the will of creatures close to nature, to jointly face our enemies."
"No more concealment, no more dispersion, no more passive defense. We will establish a nation belonging to nature."
As her words fell, the surrounding air seemed to freeze. The newly grown plants in the scorched earth garden swayed without wind, emitting a soft rustling sound, as if responding to her declaration.
Yet at that moment, a hoary, aged voice suddenly rang out.
"Selene, your resolve is moving, but your proposal... is too radical."
With this voice, a verdant phantom slowly stepped forward. It was the most senior of the three Grand Sages of the Forest Sage Council—Ferendil Root-speaker.
He resided in seclusion year-round deep within the ancient rainforest at the southernmost tip of the continent, known as the "World's Root," and rarely interfered in external affairs. But his opinion carried great weight within the Council.
After Ferendil's phantom appeared, the newborn flowers and grass bowed slightly, as if paying respects to an elder.
Immediately after, over a dozen more verdant phantoms slowly materialized from the surrounding trees, rocks, even the air itself.
Some took elven forms, some resembled stout Treant outlines, and others were completely flowing halos of light.
These phantoms represented Forest Sages scattered across the continent, remotely observing this place through natural magic.
Ferendil's phantom turned slightly towards Selene and spoke. "Our enemies are too many, Selene. Blindly exposing the identities and locations of all Council members and attempting to establish a centralized nation... is not a wise choice."
"That would only turn us from scattered targets into bright bullseyes. Our strength lies in dispersion and secrecy, in merging with nature itself. Abandoning these advantages to engage in political and military confrontations we are not adept at... this could lead to even greater disaster."
Selene looked calmly at Ferendil's phantom, her expression showing no change. "Teacher, are we to simply sit and wait for the enemies to eliminate the power of nature one by one, encroaching upon the homes we guard? Is Freya's sacrifice still not enough to make us see clearly?"
"Dispersion and secrecy may have been advantages in the past. But now, when the enemies' reach grows longer and their methods more despicable, when they begin targeting and eliminating us systematically, dispersion becomes a weakness. We cannot support each other in time, cannot form an effective deterrent. We can only watch helplessly as comrades fall, as forests weep amidst destruction."
"Is this truly what you wish to see?"
Ferendil's phantom wavered slightly, as if with a silent sigh.
"I understand your anger and grief, Selene. But impulse and rage do not bring victory. The way of nature emphasizes balance and patience. Our power originates from nature, and nature's power is enduring and resilient, not explosive and confrontational."
"A Forest Nation?" Ferendil slowly shook his head. "That might become a beautiful dream, but it could also be a massive trap. It would attract the gaze of all enemies, bear all the pressure."
"Do we have enough strength to guard it? Do we have enough wisdom to govern it? Are we prepared to sacrifice more good children like Freya for it?"
Selene remained silent, but her resolute gaze represented her will. She did not intend to retreat.
The other sages also listened in silence. Their very presence represented the internal divisions and concerns within the Council regarding this matter.
But both Grand Sages spoke with reason. Change itself is not easy, but without change, they could never solve the problem.
This dispute, like countless arguments before, seemed to reach a stalemate, appearing to yield no result once again.
But just then, a natural message from the north reached the mind of every sage.
A glimmer instantly flashed in Selene's eyes. She whispered softly, her voice audible only to herself. "The Slime Kingdom?"
Then she raised her head, her gaze sweeping over Ferendil's phantom and the other sages. Her voice regained its previous calm.
"Teacher, mere debate will never bear rich fruit. It cannot change the fact that Freya has already returned to the embrace of the Nature Goddess, nor can it prevent the appearance of the next sacrifice."
She paused slightly, her gaze seeming to pierce through spatial barriers, looking towards the distant north.
"I will personally go north, to that slime nation, to prove that the idea of a Forest Nation is not a fantasy."
"Only by uniting all the power that can be united does the ideal of a Forest Nation have the possibility of realization, and can it truly redeem everything we hold dear."
Having said that, she paid no further heed to the possible reactions or dissuasion from the other phantoms. She directly turned and gave a slight nod to the wood elf druid and half-elf bard beside her. "Leave this place to you."
Then, she departed.
Following Selene's departure, several phantoms also silently flickered before disappearing.
They were those sages whose hearts leaned more towards Selene's radical proposition, or at least were willing to verify this new path, and who were also interested in that mysterious Slime Kingdom, preparing to go there.
Ferendil's phantom did not immediately dissipate. He stood quietly in place for a long while before slowly speaking.
"Let her go."
"Having one more path is good."
"Just right... I also want to see if the concept of a Forest Nation she firmly believes in is truly correct."
His phantom took one last look at that Silver-leaf Oak sapling, then also slowly dissipated, merging into the surrounding forest.