Chapter 31: Not Suitable for a Picnic
Ron stood before the bandit camp, silently observing the flames emerging from the pit. However, the system didn’t inform Ron that the roots of the Mother Holy Tree in the pit had been burned, maintaining silence and causing Ron to feel uneasy.
The flames surging from the pit resembled the claws of a wild beast attempting to drag people around into it. The firelight illuminated everyone’s faces, emitting a burnt smell.
Ron expected a fierce battle at the bandit camp, not this unexpected outcome. He wasn’t inclined to violence and had no interest in brawling. However, he felt his luck couldn’t remain this good forever.
No, this ending wasn’t considered good luck. Ultimately, it was a plague, and Ron didn’t know when he would fall victim to this withering root disease. As long as the tree roots were there, the vitality of the people around would be drained, including his own. When he contracted the withering root disease, he would probably regret staying in this place.
Loloan tossed firewood into the hole, saying, “Wow, a little fire, and it’s all burned up.”
He believed everyone in the pit must have been burned to death. Yet, he didn’t hear any screams, making him uneasy.
Were those people covered in tree roots still alive? Loloan felt they had lost half their lives.
Loloan, despite experiencing many battles, felt emotional seeing this scene.
“Yeah, all burned,” Ron confirmed.
“Ron, do you think it’s cruel?” Mr. Susua asked calmly, leaning on a cane.
Most people would find it cruel, but Susua had seen it before and was somewhat numb.
“No, why do you ask like that?” Ron looked confused.
“Why don’t you answer according to the routine?” Mr. Susua said, displeased, “You make our questions seem unnecessary.”
Ron blinked, calm, “I’m just worried if this fire will spread outside.”
Starting a forest fire would be bad. “We live in a place with trees, and it wouldn’t be funny if the fire spread.”
“That won’t happen. We’ve taken precautions,” Mr Susua reassured.
Their Phylin tribe had dug channels around Wind Bird Town to prevent the fire from spreading.
“Ron, you really are a disaster for the Wind Veil Basin,” Mr. Susua sighed, “So many things have happened since you arrived.”
“Mr. Susua, you shouldn’t insult people,” Ron felt Mr. Susua was impolite.
“What disaster? He’s clearly the lucky star of the Wind Veil Basin.”
Since he arrived, hasn’t the Wind Veil Basin been thriving?
There were so many bandits here before, and now half are dead. It’s not excessive to open champagne.
“By the way, let’s roast some potatoes. It feels very fitting!” Suddenly, Loloan raised his hand and made a suggestion.
Other Phylin tribe members also raised their hands, echoing, “Good! Roast some potatoes! We also think it’s very fitting!”
Are you surprised? There are potatoes in the Dual-Color Realm, too. Although fundamentally different, they look like beans buried in the ground and taste similarly.
Ron has often begged the Phylin tribe for potatoes. It’s one of the few things he finds delicious these days.
“Are you really going to roast here?” Ron gave Mr Susua a subtle look, thinking he should stop this behaviour.
This isn’t the right occasion, right? They aren’t here for a picnic, and using wildfire to roast potatoes is inappropriate.
Didn’t they find these fires strange? If they end up with “withered root syndrome” because of these fires, wouldn’t it harm more than good?
“Let’s roast right here! We haven’t had lunch since we were brought here!” But Mr. Susua didn’t stop it, he even agreed, “Ron, why are you so cautious!”
Also, even Moluna has joined the Phylin tribe to roast potatoes. After all, she has always found the Phylin tribe’s potatoes delicious.
Only Ron stands alone in the corner, unable to overcome the barrier in his heart.
Helpless, he called out to the system, asking, “System, how is the situation inside?”
[Answer: The high-energy reaction inside has not disappeared.]. [The roots of the Mother Holy Tree cannot be damaged by regular flames. The system suggests using Ashes of the Foundry.]. [But even if Ashes of the Foundry is used, the damage to the roots is minimal.]. [The root system spreads throughout the Wind Veil Basin; this is just the tip of the iceberg.].Upon hearing the system’s response, Ron instinctively asked, “What’s the purpose of that fire?”
[Answer: It can clear away the bodies, preventing the further expansion of the Mother Holy Tree’s root system.]. [People who contract Withered Root Syndrome after death have their bodies connected to the nearest Mother Holy Tree’s roots, becoming a part of the root system.].“The bodies can become a part of the root system?” Ron’s face was filled with astonishment.
[Correct, this is one of the ways the Mother Holy Tree ensures its robust growth.].Looking at the Mother Holy Tree in the distance, he couldn’t help but find the whole thing eerie. Even though the Mother Holy Tree resembled jade and exuded a sacred aura, Ron found it hard to feel any reverence for it now.
“Why couldn’t we see this thing before…?” Ron asked curiously.
Before coming to the bandit camp, he had wondered about this question, but no one could answer him.
[When the root system in an area is developed enough, people can see the projection of the Mother Holy Tree.]. [Previously, someone in the Wind Veil Basin artificially restrained the growth of the Mother Holy Tree’s root system, but that restraint has now ended.].Has someone hindered the growth of the Mother Holy Tree? Who?
Ron had to admit that there were experts in the Wind Veil Basin.
[Apologies, time traveller, the system lacks an answer to this question.].Although the system has a powerful ability to answer questions, it is not omniscient.
