Chapter 80: The Giant Tree

Chapter 80: The Giant Tree

During his later journey, Bran kept encountering Fairy gardens, differing only in size. Some young, curious Fairies would even walk with Bran for a while, chatting.

This was good. As the local hosts, the Fairies would point out the exact locations of tasty food and good drink, saving Bran time searching. He also helped clear away beasts that posed a clear threat to the gardens. With a mix of meat and plants, eating and drinking well, Bran traveled quickly.

“You never seem to ask how we guard our homes,” said an adult Fairy walking beside Bran.

“Insects. The insects in the gardens are quite distinctive. I saw huge Beehives in some gardens. Also, recently I noticed there were no mosquitoes or bugs flying around my head, so you probably have the ability to command insects.”

“Not command. Through Mana Fluctuation, we attract helpful ones and drive away useless ones. That’s also our method to protect gardens from pests.”

“Are birds your natural enemies?” Bran asked. “I noticed very few birds nest in the gardens.”

“No,” the Fairy laughed. “We exist between spirit and matter. Birds simply cannot catch us.”

Bran found this strange. “I’ve caught you.”

Then Bran gestured. At that moment, Black Cat Huahua was holding a Little Fairy in its mouth.

“You could say caught, but there’s a difference,” the Fairy explained. “The symbiotic relationship of our ancestors allowed our Mana to intertwine. With your actions, your Mana bound us.”

“So you mean, some physical damage in reality doesn’t directly affect you? Like if my knife slashed through your body.”

“Correct. The greatest threat to us is changes in our living environment. If this forest disappears, we will gradually fade away too.” The Fairy paused, then looked Bran up and down, sounding somewhat displeased. “Why do I get the feeling you’re always thinking about how to deal with us?”

“No, you’re overthinking it. Just curious.” Bran shrugged.

“Alright, I sense you’re not lying.”

“No need to lie. You are naturally attuned to the spiritual level and would sense malice.” Bran offered an explanation, then asked, “If a Covenant truly existed, why do you hide from us?”

“Not exactly hiding. First, we are accustomed to acting in this state. Second, we are sensitive to negative emotions. When we sense them, we habitually enter this state. It’s an instinct for self-preservation.”

Bran felt something was off and asked uncertainly, “Wait, are you in an invisible state right now? But I can see you clearly.”

“I told you before, our two peoples once lived together. It’s just been too long. Some of your abilities have degenerated, and you’ve started to overlook us. But perhaps it’s for the best. You Northlanders don’t have much goodwill toward us.”

“Hey! Not ‘you,’ it’s ‘them.’ Now we’re on the same side.” Bran grinned playfully, building rapport. At the same time, he understood. After being trained by those Old Fairies, he had experienced an atavism. Bran felt he had degenerated into a primitive man. He began carefully checking his own body to see if he had grown long hair, grown a tail…

…

Two days later, a huge tree appeared before Bran’s eyes. A true giant tree, impossibly tall, a tree as large as a hill, a truly enormous Garden.

Here, Bran saw Whisper and several other Old Fairies again. Seeing Bran somewhat stunned by the giant tree, Fairy Whisper flew in front of him and said, “Take a good look. In a few years, you won’t be able to see it.”

“Hmm.” Bran nodded in response. He understood the meaning. He could feel this Ancient Tree had begun to die, but it was too massive, its vitality too strong, so Death would still take several years.

“Are there many trees like this left?”

“Including this one, three remain,” Whisper said with a sigh.

“What exactly happened in the Wasteland back then?” Bran couldn’t help but ask.

Whisper thought for a moment and said, “Our two races naturally have a keen intuition for danger. That year, everyone felt anxious in their hearts but couldn’t find a reason.

Some suggested leaving the Wasteland, but most were unwilling. Although everyone sensed danger, they wanted to wait a little longer. At that time we were powerful and united, and there were no nearby threats to us.

In the end, some young Northlanders and Fairies decided to leave the Wasteland. No one stopped them; instead, they offered much help. Everyone thought separation was good back then. If problems arose on either side, there would still be room for mutual remedy. But that’s not how it turned out. A giant meteor fell from the sky, and the Wasteland side was completely finished. This side, protected by mountains, suffered little loss.

This tree was also planted back then. As these trees slowly grew, our two peoples began to have disagreements. By then, the environment here had been transformed to suit us Fairies. We Fairies grew accustomed to the comfort before us, while you prepared to venture out of the mountains. Although the Covenant remained, we gave up on each other.

Losing the help of the Northlanders had no impact at first. The mountains and forests here had just been transformed and were in a period of vigorous growth. We Fairies were quite smug for a long time. But as time passed, it became like what you see now.

Years later, the children of the Northlanders who left heard the call of the Wasteland. They began passing through here one after another, returning to the Wasteland to complete the so-called Trial. Some habits formed then. You would help us clear away potential threats along the way.

Later, it gradually became the way it is now. You only follow tradition, habitually clearing beasts on the road.”

Bran then asked another question he was interested in: “The other day, you mentioned the last trustworthy Northlander. I haven’t heard any legends about him.”

“He went in. Didn’t come out.” Whisper pointed toward the Wasteland with a touch of annoyance.

…

This was rather awkward. Bran quickly changed the subject: “Do Fairies really feed on Mana?”

“Not entirely. It’s more about establishing and maintaining a comfortable living environment, one where we can more easily gather Mana to replenish ourselves.”

Bran added, “So it makes the Mana in the environment become active.”

“Mana inherently possesses activity. We merely enhance and strengthen some of its properties,” Whisper explained.

“Thank you. Activating my Mana must have taken a lot of effort.”

“We just didn’t expect your Mana to be so abundant. It really gave us old folks a fright. How did you Evolution to this point?”

“Luck. I didn’t expect many things either. I just tried. Probably as you said, Mana itself has activity. So as long as the direction is right, the Mana adjusts accordingly. Even now I haven’t fully figured it out. It seems Mana truly has life and will, but it expresses itself too chaotically, so it needs a guiding direction.”

“Yes, direction. Not just Mana; development needs a direction.” Whisper sighed with emotion.

“Help us with one thing.”

Bran patted his chest and said, “As long as I can do it.”