Chapter 255: Where It Comes From, Teaching

"How could this be fake?"

Sif stared at the thick, gnarled roots writhing and struggling before her after Moira had injected them with the potion. It was difficult to fathom how such a thing could exist beneath the Origin Forest, a woodland far more ancient than the elven capital of Liahim.

"I owe you my thanks, Moira. Without you, I might have remained in the dark for much longer. These roots react to the Natural Secret Language no differently than the root systems of ordinary plants. I have dispatched elves to survey the network beneath the Origin Forest before, but found nothing; I suspect this is why."

Gawain walked with a grave expression into the pit Wang Yu had excavated, pressing his hand against the roots, whose struggles were fading as their life force ebbed away.

Sensing their essence, even now, after being exposed by Moira's concoction, the aura they projected to Gawain remained perfectly natural.

"This is my first time seeing such a peculiar thing. I can only tell you of its existence; as for what it has done to this forest or how it has affected the Tree of Life, you must handle that yourselves. I cannot be of much help."

Moira watched with a solemn gaze as the "roots" ceased their struggle, shriveling and oozing a foul-smelling green liquid. Though her words were blunt and casual, her expression betrayed a flicker of genuine concern for such an existence.

"The reason you couldn't detect its anomaly is likely because it grows upon existing matter. Much like that mass of flesh in Sif's throat, the roots invade, continue to grow, and over time, gradually envelop and cloak the original structure, inheriting its characteristics."

Moira drew a small knife, sliced a fragment from the biological roots, placed it into a vial in her satchel, and beckoned to Wang Yu.

"Help me separate this."

Wang Yu was truly deserving of the word "useful." Complex dissociation processes that required delicate operation became remarkably simple in his hands.

"Creak, creak."

With the faint sound of flesh being compressed and torn, Wang Yu used the power of his Chariot to manipulate the severed fragment, isolating its disparate components.

Finally, a mass identical to the roots found in Sif’s throat was separated from the other tissues and presented to the group.

"Do you see? This is it. These roots are truly no different from the original, save for the addition of something else. As for what that something is, I do not know."

Moira explained the reason why the root problem in the Origin Forest had been impossible to detect while displaying the small cluster.

"Does this mean that the rampaging plant life and the Tree of Life itself have all been influenced by these roots?"

Gawain asked the question with a grim countenance.

"I told you, I don't know. Tell me about the state of the Tree of Life, and perhaps I can offer you a simple hypothesis."

Moira stared into Gawain's eyes and shrugged, signaling that without knowing what was wrong with the Tree, she could provide no answers.

"…The life force of the Tree of Life is severely depleted. Even though it has increased the rate at which it draws vitality from the surrounding space, it cannot compensate for the deficit. It seems to have begun acting irrationally, and I am deeply worried for it."

Gawain fell silent for a moment. He did not intentionally mention the "Life Shunting" he knew of, but instead told Moira the truth about the Tree's recent condition.

"Life force depletion, huh? Well, that’s to be expected. You should already be aware of the mental influence these root clusters exert. Their influence essentially consists of screaming 'So hungry, so hungry' at the beings they invade, driving them into a frantic craving for vitality."

"So, think about it: this forest is connected to the roots of the Tree of Life. The plants are frantically draining vitality, and the Tree’s roots are continuously pumping life force into them. It would be stranger if the vitality weren't depleted."

Moira nodded with a hint of satisfaction after receiving Gawain's answer, sharing her analysis.

"If that is the case, then it is not entirely bad news for me. I had been worried that something was wrong with the Tree of Life itself. If it is merely the Origin Forest affecting the Tree, then, at least, it is not as dire as I feared."

The gravity in Gawain's eyes faded slightly. Regardless, it was a relief to know the Tree itself wasn't failing; the memory of that twisted wood spirit had kept him in constant fear for the state of their elven "mother."

"Are you worried the Tree of Life will suffer the same fate as those rampaging plants in the Origin Forest? Impossible. These roots can, at most, affect the minor natural life forms in the Origin Forest. An existence on the level of the Tree of Life cannot be influenced by such things."

"Besides, even if it were influenced, the Tree of Life, as the common 'mother' of the elves, would never attack you, her children. Truly, your 'mother' is far too doting."

"So much time has passed, and she still provides vitality to the plants of the Origin Forest. They should have learned to grow on their own long ago. If the Tree had let them fend for themselves, none of this would have happened."

Moira spoke with a touch of mockery, having sensed something in Gawain's response. Gawain did not take offense, partly due to his own refinement, and partly because the truth seemed to be exactly as she said.

"That twisted wood spirit did not attack any of the elves, but instead chose the rare outsiders in Liahim. You really are too doting on your children…"

Gawain shook his head slightly, pondering the Tree of Life. A mixture of helplessness and relief surfaced in his heart. Killing outsiders to drain their life force was indeed wrong, but to the Tree of Life, it was no different from a mother hunting to bring prey back to her young…

"This behavior must be corrected. Therefore, we must eliminate the culprit behind these problems. These hidden roots beneath the Origin Forest must be purged."

Clenching his fist, Gawain resolved his next course of action.

"I believe you are desperate to find out where these things come from. I happen to have a clue—I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or what—but I’ll tell you. After this, don't come bothering me again. Handle it yourselves, you elves, understand?"

Moira clapped her hands to ensure Gawain was listening, then used a pair of small tweezers to pluck an object from the tissue Wang Yu had dissociated. It was a tiny, irregular crystal emitting a faint, almost imperceptible light.

"Is this… a Mana ore crystal?"

Gawain’s brow, which had just begun to smooth, furrowed instantly upon seeing the crystal.

"Correct. It is this ore that grants inanimate objects near-biological properties. For living things, prolonged exposure to its power can lead to uncontrollable mutations."

Moira confirmed Gawain’s suspicion. Mana ore, a crystal with special properties, constantly leaked energy, forming a "field" that affected everything within its radius.

"Radioactive material?"

Wang Yu felt a strange sense of déjà vu upon hearing Moira’s description. The nature of this thing was somewhat similar to radiation-emitting substances like uranium.

While radioactive material wouldn't make inanimate objects act like living things, it certainly caused mutations in biological organisms.

"This ore should only be produced in the major dwarven mines… If the dwarves are constantly mining this in areas where the Tree of Life’s roots spread, and the roots absorb it, it is indeed possible that it could affect this forest."

Gawain muttered to himself. This discovery corroborated his previous suspicions: the mutation of the Origin Forest was linked to the roots of the Tree of Life within the Dwarven Kingdom, and to the dwarves' "Deep Excavation Project."

"You’ve already figured most of it out, haven't you? This is all the help I can give. I don't ask for any reward; the best reward is for you not to bother me for a while. I have things I must finish in peace, and of course, I have these two very satisfactory students to teach."

Moira heard Gawain’s unsuppressed muttering and, having gathered enough information about the dwarves, turned naturally. She patted Avia and Wang Yu on the back, signaling her two disciples to follow.

Her tone was earnest. Her request for Gawain not to disturb her was not out of spite, but a genuine need to focus on processing the "Starry Dew" and teaching her students.

"Moira, thank you for your help. I will handle the dwarves properly. Regardless, there will be a reward!"

Gawain called out to Moira, who was already walking away.

"Suit yourself."

Moira waved a hand dismissively without looking back, indifferent to the reward Gawain emphasized.

Wang Yu and Avia followed Moira toward the other giant eagle, leaving the giant eagle Angora behind. The affairs of the elves would be left to the elves; they certainly couldn't be of much help.

Wang Yu looked back at the professor. Zig answered Wang Yu’s silent question with a lip-read: "I still need to assist Gawain. You stay in Liahim; the elves can resolve these problems."

Giving Zig an "OK" gesture, Wang Yu nodded and turned to follow Avia and Moira. Sif, confirming there was nothing left for her to do, followed them as well.

The giant eagle flapped its wings, carrying the four back to Liahim.

"Have the elven rangers and druids clear the forest first. Remove as many of these disguised roots as possible. This should effectively curb the Origin Forest’s insatiable demand for vitality for the time being."

Gawain issued orders to the other elves who had gathered while they were investigating the roots.

"Mr. Zig, I ask for your assistance. The other elven elders will guard Liahim, but I intend to travel to the Dwarven Kingdom myself. Regardless, I need them to give Liahim an explanation. I hope to have your support."

Gawain then turned to his old friend and extended the invitation.

"Naturally, no problem."

Zig nodded in agreement.

………

The giant eagle descended upon Liaheim, setting Wang Yu and his companions down upon the earth.

"Farewell, everyone. Mr. Wang Yu, Miss Avia, if you ever find yourselves in need of assistance, do not hesitate to seek me out."

Sif waved goodbye to them, her voice lingering with a final, earnest plea to remember her offer of aid.

"Understood."

Wang Yu and Avia replied with warm, affirming smiles.

"A fine child, is she not? Only a soul as kind as hers could keep me from feeling like a stranger in this land of elves. Though I have dwelt here for so long, the ache of being a foreigner in a distant land never truly fades."

Moira, walking toward her dwelling with her back turned to them, spoke with sudden, jarring candor, her tone heavy with melancholy and a faint, wistful longing.

"..."

Wang Yu and Avia remained silent; they knew nothing of Moira’s past, and any words might only prove clumsy or intrusive. Besides, Wang Yu’s own situation was unique.

If one were to be precise, Wang Yu was the true "stranger in a strange land," yet he felt quite at ease, even if he held fast to the singular purpose of finding his way back to Earth.

"Never mind, pay it no heed. Just the sentimental rambling of an old woman."

Moira did not wait for a reply, waving her hand dismissively to signal that her words should be forgotten.

"I had intended to teach you using the magical flora you gathered yourselves, but given the recent turn of events, we shall forgo that. We will proceed with prepared materials instead. Catch."

*Snap!*

Moira tossed a small vial toward Wang Yu, who caught it firmly in his hand.

"I intend to show you how an alchemist truly fights. Your perspective has been narrowed by your past combat experiences, leading you to use potions merely as a crude means to bolster your physical strength. You must consider what you might achieve by weaving your own power into the application of these concoctions."

Moira laid out the essence of the lesson she intended to impart.

Glancing at the vial, Wang Yu recognized its contents: a mild, powdered toxin, unremarkable and nearly indistinguishable from common dust.

"A narrow perspective... indeed. Of course, this is possible. In truth, even without the power of the Chariot, I could have achieved something similar; I was simply trapped by my own rigid thinking."

Though Wang Yu was no genius in other spheres, his tactical intuition was sharp, and Moira’s guidance sparked an immediate, crystalline realization.

He uncapped the vial and scattered the powder above his head, where it vanished into the air, lost to sight.

To an observer, it appeared a foolish gesture, yet in truth, the toxin was now tethered to the power of Wang Yu’s Chariot. It drifted within the space surrounding him, moving in perfect harmony with his steps, shrouding him in a field of lethal, silent contagion.

Under his command, these toxins would wither any foe that dared approach, while leaving his allies entirely untouched.

Alchemist: The Plague-Bearer’s Path.