Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
The forest echoed with the miserable cries of an Elf Girl, a Sword Dance Master. The veteran soldiers in the camp looked at each other and smiled. They knew that the newcomer named Reno had finally been accepted.
The next day.
The seedbed had completely grown into a tree-like form. They were like the soil for the Parasitic Tree. They were also like the trunk of the Parasitic Tree, becoming a part of it, with the Parasitic Tree’s root system permeating their bodies. Even their minds and eyes were completely invaded by the Parasitic Tree’s roots.
Normally, no lifeform could survive under such conditions. However, they were still alive and would remain conscious until the Parasitic Tree blossomed and bore fruit. As for whether they felt pain, who knew? In any case, all they could emit were faint cries, like frozen sculptures.
Today, Reno also witnessed a scene of “managing the goods.” A strong soldier was grabbing a Demi-human girl by the neck, beating and kicking her. No matter how much the girl struggled, cried, or begged, she could not stop the ongoing brutality.
“What is that?” Reno asked, not understanding.
“Just a simple discipline,” the soldier beside him explained casually. “These Demi-human nutrients need to be disciplined like this from the beginning, so they understand who the true Master is. You must beat them until they smile and wag their tails when they see you, but this kind of thing should not be entrusted to inexperienced newcomers. It’s no fun if they’re beaten to death, so it’s usually seasoned veterans who handle the ‘education.'”
“I see. Your Slave Catcher Team really has its own set of methods… very professional!” Reno exclaimed, giving the veteran a thumbs-up.
“Of course,” the soldier replied. “Don’t worry, young man, you’ll be just as professional as us in the future.”
…
Three Days later.
“I heard some nutrients tried to escape?” Reno said as soon as he returned to the camp.
Escape was a normal occurrence. Although the team-building was “fun,” if Reno were to switch identities with these “goods,” he felt he would rather die. But surely, escapees would be punished, right? Reno was suddenly curious. How would Narid punish those who escaped?
With such questions, he casually asked a soldier.
“Ah~ You want to see how the Boss deals with those goods?” the soldier replied. “Go east, there’s a small lake over there… Me? I won’t go. I saw it this morning, and at first, I thought it was quite stimulating, but later it became boring.”
The soldier refused Reno’s invitation. He casually picked up a dying “good” from the ground and happily walked into a tent. Reno followed the soldier’s directions to the lake.
“Goods, open your eyes wide and see clearly. This is the fate that awaits those who try to escape from us,” Narid said, clapping his hands. Instantly, a series of bubbles emerged from the lake’s surface behind him. The calm water began to boil, splashing water. A massive Dragon Beast climbed out of the lake, making guttural noises.
“This is my pet, Kasmo. It seems very happy to see you,” Narid said, grinning kindly. However, there was no trace of benevolence in his eyes, only coldness and cruelty.
“Bring the escaped goods here,” Narid commanded. Following his order, a Treant was dragged forward by two soldiers. Its expression was relatively calm, its eyes filled with unresolvable hatred and indifference. It was clear that she had not yet realized the seriousness of the situation. She had escaped at noon that day. She had pretended to please the soldier who chose her, making him let his guard down. She had initially intended to kill the soldier, but due to the effects of drugs, she found it difficult to even lift a heavy sword. She could only sneak away while the soldier was asleep. However, she was recaptured by the tightly guarded Slave Catcher Team.
“Your expression is excellent. I like you unruly Elves, but I hope you can maintain this expression going forward,” Narid said, smiling gently at the silent Elf. Then, he beckoned to the Dragon Beast behind him. “Dislocate her limbs and throw her on the ground.”
Narid didn’t need to do these things himself. The soldiers immediately dislocated the Elf Girl’s joints; they were very familiar with such actions. The Elf Girl was tormented by intense pain, her pretty face turning pale, but she stoically remained silent until she was dragged before the Dragon Beast. She thought her fate was to be devoured by the Dragon Beast. It wasn’t until Narid leered at the Dragon Beast and issued a command that struck fear into the hearts of all the “goods” present that the Elf Girl finally panicked. She understood the common language of the continent. As her gaze fell upon the massive Dragon Beast before her, its terrifying barbs made her tremble to her very soul.
“Mother Goddess…” she cried out weakly. “If you can hear me, please… save me… save my sisters who have been captured by humans…”
…
A week later.
The Parasitic Tree Fruit arrived at the King’s Palace precisely on time. This time, there were a total of six Parasitic Trees, each yielding 3-4 fruits, for a grand total of 20 fruits. Two of these fruits were for the King himself. Three were given as gifts to the kings of other countries. The remaining fifteen were sold as commodities to various parts of the world, especially to the Mages of the South Continent. They were very interested in these magical fruits and purchased about ten from Karari each year, having already placed an order for this year’s batch of Parasitic Tree fruits.
These fifteen Parasitic Tree fruits alone were equivalent to half a year’s tax revenue for the entire Karari. Therefore, the Karari King, even if it meant reducing soldiers at the front lines, would assemble these Slave Catcher Teams to cultivate the Parasitic Tree fruits. If their finances were tight in any given year, they would even cultivate them twice. After all, they were just female slaves. As long as one was willing to spend time, they could always find them.
“This feeling is truly wonderful,” the Karari King said, taking a bite of the crystal-clear Parasitic Tree fruit, his face full of lingering delight. The Parasitic Tree fruit was as beautiful as pink crystal, looking like an exquisite work of art. It was hard to imagine that such a beautiful fruit could be cultivated through demonic methods.
“I’ve returned to my childhood. Back then, I wasn’t even as tall as the wheat in the fields. I used to cuddle in my mother’s arms, watching the farmers working in the fields, their smiles so content and warm. I asked then, ‘Mom, why are these farmers so happy when they work?’ My mother said it was because my father was a wise king. Everyone lived and worked in peace under his rule and naturally possessed their own happiness.” The middle-aged King’s eyes grew distant, tears welling up. No one doubted that he was truly enveloped in happiness at this moment.
“After my mother and father passed away, I often asked myself if I was doing as well as my father, and if my citizens were living in peace and happiness under my rule.”
“Your Majesty, we are grateful for your reign,” the King’s personal guards said, half-kneeling before him with expressions of respect and flattery. “Your gaze is our aspiration!”
“Mmm,” the Karari King responded dismissively with a slight hum, clearly not taking the flattery seriously. He lowered his gaze, and the cloudiness in his eyes gradually brightened. “Leave one of these fruits for the King of Winter as well.”
The two personal guards exchanged glances, appearing somewhat awkward. “Your Majesty, would that not be inappropriate? The King of Winter is fond of Demi-humans; he might not accept your kindness.”
The Karari King waved his hand, smiling indifferently. “Firstly, he doesn’t know the origin of this fruit. Secondly, once he tastes it, I believe he won’t refuse a second helping, because that feeling of ultimate happiness is something only those who have tasted it can understand…”
PS: The hatred between Elves and Humans is far from simple. Although I’ve drawn inspiration from a certain BZ, in many real-world situations, it is far more brutal than what I’ve written. Seventy to eighty years ago, something similar happened to us, and even today, we still remember it. Many readers find this part difficult to read, and I’m actually quite pleased, as it shows you still have compassion. I won’t include images for these two chapters; I’ll add them tomorrow.
