BXBX NOVEL Chapter 251 - 251 Name a Price
The Holy Tree Matriarch Temple had seen its fair share of changes over the years. Gone were the days when it was a primitive, natural tree hole, untouched by artificial carvings and bright magic crystal lamps. Now, it was a solemn, symmetrical structure that had been artificially given a sense of grandeur.
But in the past, this temple was something quite different. The Forest Elf ancestors had lived in its winding darkness, where they would suck the sap of the tree, which had a strong hallucinatory effect. They would see an existence called Matriarch in illusions that could paralyze people to death and form a soul connection with Her.
This temple was a manifestation of the Forest Elves’ philosophy of being one with nature.
Whether it was the Matriarch or the Father of the Wilderness, as long as it was something that formed the cornerstone of the Forest Elf’s culture and faith, it more or less reflected the elements of the cycle of life. Reproduction, growth, death—the gone becoming a part of the reborn. Mortal races with limited lifespans reaching infinity through the cycle of life. Everything was an indispensable part of the great cycle.
It could be said that Ravenwood’s philosophy was the opposite of humans’ style of constantly expanding and plundering, constantly improving through consumerism—it could even be said that both sides were at the extremes of civilization.
William had no intention of commenting on the advantages and disadvantages of the two civilizations. But he knew that the Holy Emblem of the Seven Holy Spirits, which symbolized the cornerstone of the empire’s faith, had been moved into the temple as a victor. This meant that at least on the level of violence, the Forest Elves who emphasized integration with nature, couldn’t compare to humans who modified or even enslaved nature.
The Holy Emblem of the Seven Holy Spirits was displayed in the most sacred place in the Forest Elf faith. Even the Matriarch, who was the core of the faith, had to attach herself to the Holy Spirits Church’s Mother to be allowed for worship. According to William’s impression of the Forest Elves, this was a trauma that could shake the foundation of the entire race’s faith.
Therefore, the effect of William’s words was especially obvious.
The instant he finished speaking, His Majesty Ebony’s calm expression vanished, replaced by a puffing chest and heavy panting as he inhaled the humid air in the temple. His grayish-white fur undulated, making him look like an enraged werecreature.
Considering the reason for the other party’s anger—the Forest Elf’s spiritual temple consecrating a human faith totem—William couldn’t help but feel disappointed that the other party wore antlers instead of bull horns.
But, thankfully, the loss of control was only momentary. The other party didn’t do anything unwise, quickly regaining his calm expression.
“If it weren’t for the fact that the Matriarch’s revelation had never gone wrong, I wouldn’t have imagined that the person who would liberate us from the Empire’s tyranny in the prophecy was a human,”
Ebony said, taking a deep breath, evading William’s question.
The man’s voice was indignant, a stark contrast to the calmness he had previously maintained in an attempt to appear mysterious—it was nothing but a charade.
These words were an attempt to regain some semblance of control, but to William, they made no sense. It was clear the man was not asking for help.
William’s opinion of the man dropped even further as he said, “Hold on a minute. How can you be so certain that I’ll help you? Just because you saw the Matriarch’s illusion after drinking too much World Tree sap? And you don’t even know who I am. This is our first meeting and you have the audacity to pull me behind closed doors without even testing me? Are you not afraid that I am a spy sent by the empire?”
William’s mission to the Emerald Province was to aid the Forest Elves in their rebellion against the Empire’s rule and strengthen his own faction. But if the other party was of this caliber, he wasn’t willing to ally himself with someone of such low intelligence.
The pro-imperial establishment in the Emerald Province was a much more reliable option. At the very least, they were likely to collude with the Empire for their own gain, and William could use a carrot-and-stick approach to control them.
Greed could keep someone rational, and that rationality could be a foundation for cooperation. But a fanatic was unpredictable and unreliable.
What if the Matriarch convinced the Forest Elves that a foreigner was their savior today, but tomorrow she wanted them to betray William?
Without mincing words, William went straight to the point.
The other party didn’t take offense and instead nodded, “You’re joking. After all, you’re the one who promoted the independence of the Blackwater Province and resolved the internal turmoil in Ava State. With just these two accomplishments, no matter who you are, you can’t stand on the Empire’s side.”
Ebony revealed information only a select few were privy to,
and William could sense the other party’s arrogance. He had hoped to use this information as leverage, but now it seemed pointless.
William raised his tone and said, “Oh.”
He wasn’t surprised by the other party’s words but surprised that the other party had access to this level of information.
“Did the Matriarch come to you in a dream and tell you this?” William sneered and asked.
The other party shook his head.
“In order to escape the Empire’s control, we keep a close eye on the situation across the Vic Continent, including Ava State and the Damon Continent. I spent a lot of money to buy this information about you from the Broken Sword Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild before the Matriarch gave me her revelation.”
If this was true, the person in front of him was worth working with. At the very least, there was value in forming an alliance with him.
“Oh? Was my true identity specifically mentioned in the information you bought?” William asked calmly.
“It’s all fragmentary rumors and records. What can be deduced from that information is limited. But for us, just knowing that you’re very, very powerful and that you’re standing against the Empire is enough. I think that explains why we should believe you. The enemy of an enemy is a friend. At the very least, it’s possible for us to cooperate against the Riel Empire,” Ebony replied.
“Well, barely… After all, even if I’m willing to help the Blackwater Province and Ava State, that doesn’t mean I’m willing to help you, right?” William spread his hands and said.
Ebony waved his hand with a nonchalant air, as if he had expected William’s response.
“I understand that. So, name a price.”
“Name a price?”
William was taken aback. He had expected the conversation to take a more direct turn, but he didn’t expect Ebony to be so straightforward.
“Wealth? Status? Or the inheritance of strength? As long as we can take back everything that originally belonged to me, chase away the witch who kowtows to the Platinum Throne, and make Ravenwood the Forest Elves’ Ravenwood again, what price do we have to pay?”
“So blunt?”
“After interacting with humans for so many years, I can at least understand your negotiating style is based on the maximization of benefits. In that case, why don’t we cut out the unnecessary probing? Wouldn’t negotiating the essence of the matter save us more time?” Hobien added when he saw the confusion on William’s face.
Before William could speak, the other party continued as if he was answering his own question,
“Of course, for someone who can stop the Rotten Moon Tide of the Undead and defeat the Moon Realm Demon Army in the Moon Realm, he probably doesn’t lack wealth, strength, or status. Therefore, I’m willing to offer a higher price…”
“Don’t say things like offering your support after you become the king of Ravenwood or something that can only be cashed out after you succeed in your grand plan.”
William interrupted. He knew that such promises were as unreliable as “I’m George Washington, and I will give you money.” He didn’t want to be played for a fool.
Of course, William didn’t think that the other party could move him. At the very least, everything in this world that could move him a thousand years ago was in William’s Treasure Hall.
Seeing that William wasn’t interested, Ebony didn’t keep him in suspense and said, “Other than what you said previously, the things I’m willing to offer you now are: one piece of Judgment equipment, the condensation of life from the World Tree that has been accumulated over a hundred years, and a small wooden box.”
It was like an old joke that said, “I want to invade Afghanistan and paint all the road signs green. I know no one has any objections to the former.” Compared to the two things he could understand, William subconsciously asked, “A wooden box?”
Ebony nodded and said, “Yes, a wooden box made from the withering new buds of the World Tree. It contains extremely powerful magic power, but that’s not the main point. The main point is what’s inside—the ashes of Frost Lich Nehe, the third Judge of the Doomsday Watchers. That wooden box is his phylactery.”