©WebNovelPub
MTL - A Necromancer Who Just Wants to Plant Trees-Chapter 57 Soul Cage (please subscribe!)
Chapter 57 Soul Cage (please subscribe!)
…
「Dear teacher (strike out the word teacher) Matthew:
Stay safe.
I am writing a letter to you (strike out your word) right now sitting on the bench outside the Prancing Horse Hotel in the Upper East District of Jade Cangting.
It has been less than half a month since I came to Jade Cangting. Before I set off, I had all kinds of unrealistic fantasies about the journey, but after leaving Rolling Stone Town, I found that it was quite different from what I imagined. I guess it is because my knowledge is too poor for the sake.
Many things happened unexpectedly on the road, and people had nowhere to talk.
Since the first day I came here, I have often missed the people of Rolling Stone, my father, my mother, Sif, and you—
Please forgive my recklessness that day, as you said, I don’t actually understand necromancers, and I don’t know why I felt fear subconsciously, maybe I was caught up in the fear of the worldly impression. Looking back now, at that time I am more at a loss.
But I guess you will forgive me, right?
Because you are always so considerate.
So I wrote you a letter with the cheek, I hope you really don't mind.
…
Our journey was not peaceful. On the second day after leaving Strom, the convoy encountered a group of road thugs. At that time, their people blocked the convoy from front to back. I almost vomited nervously in the carriage. The chief guard comforted me and said: They'll fix it.
He said that his judgment on bandits is very accurate, and the roadhogs don't look like people who will fight to the end, and our team is strong enough.
Facts were as he expected, the team boss discussed with the Road Hogs for a while, and after collecting a little money from each, they dispersed.
The head of the guard told me that the team leader is most likely to be with Roadhog, and the two sides should work together to cheat the tolls of the guests—people who are away from home rarely mind spending money to eliminate disasters, so it is safe to do so, and it will give you more money. income.
I didn't quite believe it after listening to it. I think this is a story made up by the head of the guard to show his knowledge.
The afternoon before arriving at the elf territory, I accidentally ran into the team leader negotiating with a man who did not belong to our team in the woods next to the camp. He took a heavy money bag from the man.
I know the man, he's one of the Roadhogs.
They spotted me, but the team boss just shooed me away and warned me not to say anything.
After returning to the carriage, I told the captain of the guard about it, but he didn't allow me to leave the carriage for the next three days.
I was very scared at the time, and of course I would not go anywhere.
When I was sitting in the car, I kept thinking wildly, and I always felt that the next moment the team boss was going to silence me.
I was so scared that I didn't sleep well for days.
But all the way to the territory of the elves, we changed the team leader, and nothing terrible happened.
When handing over the guide, I secretly lifted the curtain to look at the team leader in Strom City.
He was very calm throughout and even smiled at me when he saw me.
At that time, I suddenly remembered that when I saw him for the first time in Strom City, his wife came to see him off. He sat on the side of the carriage with his three or four-year-old daughter in his arms, and talked to his wife with a warm smile, telling her not to worry.
that moment.
I finally realized a little bit of the nature of this world.
Before at Sif’s house, she used to tell me old-fashionedly: “Child, the world of adults is very complicated, and a lamb like you is easy to be eaten alive.”
I'm always amused by the way she imitates grown-ups.
Thinking about it now, Sif has always been smarter and more mature than me, and realized the complexity of the world earlier than me.
The lord's daughter is indeed better.
What do you think?
…
I thought it would be a smooth journey when the convoy entered the elf territory.
But who knew that the next day, we encountered a giant dragon!
The incident happened suddenly. When the dragon flew over our heads, I sat in the carriage and felt my heart stopped for several seconds. All the horses were extremely disturbed and screamed.
I saw a large shadow passing by on the ground through the car window.
There is a faint touch of green above the sky.
Later I heard from the half-elf guide that it was an adult green dragon that nested in the "Garden of Fallen Leaves". Na is cunning and persistent, always wandering around the northern part of the forest, sometimes attacking lonely pedestrians or convoys.
We were lucky to not be targeted by Fatina, but the fact that she appeared in the south of the forest itself is very strange.
I noticed a trace of worry in the attitude of the half-elf guide.
Jade Cangting seems not as powerful, sacred, and inviolable as I imagined, and the elves also have troubles that cannot be solved.
Later, I met many elves who looked like walking corpses outside the city of Jade Cangting.
The guide warned us not to approach them, otherwise our lives would be in danger.
The locals call them "heartbreakers".
This is a group of madmen abandoned and cursed by the forest.
I asked the guide, since they are so scary, why doesn't Jade Cangting expel them?
The guide only said that the elves could not bear to abandon their compatriots, but did not explain more.
I am even more confused.
After entering the city, I felt like I had stepped into a dream.
Jade Cangting is really beautiful.
There are countless trees here, they are tall, reliable, warm, and their omnipresent branches and leaves shade every corner of the city.
The ancient trees here are mostly over a thousand years old.
If you want to enjoy the sun, as long as you can speak a few words of elf, the ancient trees will spread out their branches and leaves thoughtfully, and let the sun shine on your face.
I know you love growing trees, Matthew, you're going to love it here.
When I first entered the city, my mood was so joyful.
But reality soon poured cold water on my face.
Before leaving, my father only said that he would send me to learn the singing and dancing of elves, but he didn’t tell me that I should also learn swordsmanship and spells at the same time!
I was sent to a group of half-elves and elves.
I am the only human in the whole group.
Although everyone there greeted me with a smile, I could feel the deep separation and indifference beneath the smile.
They don't welcome me.
Even a bit discriminatory against humans.
I overheard a half-elf saying to her companion while changing clothes after a dance class:
"That human girl with big breasts, she really knows how to show off her figure, but what's the use of it? She dances well, and her sword skills and magic skills are zero! I don't think she can become a "Sword Wing" at all. . "
Her companion replied with a smile:
"Why pay attention to her? Forty years later, her plump figure will quickly dry up like a punctured balloon. Isn't this the sad thing about human girls? I think that with her effort, There is still a chance to become the lowest level of Jian Yong, but at that time, she is already an old woman who can't dance."
I was really sad after listening to it.
Not because of their meanness, but lamenting the short life of human beings.
Half-elves have a lifespan of at least 300 years, and wood elves are twice as long. It is said that the night elves in the Evernight Forest live longer.
What about us?
I will inevitably grow old when I think about decades at most.
I feel really uncomfortable.
In those days, I didn’t even dance very actively.
After that day, other people's attitude towards me became more obvious. They always bullied me intentionally or unintentionally—either the wooden training sword was hung on the musk ox's butt, or the dancing clothes were splashed on me. Embarrassing milk stains.
I cried for days before telling myself to be strong.
My father spent a lot of money to send me to study, I can't give up easily.
I think of Sif many times when I feel bad.
I can't help but think, if she were here, she would be able to deal with these problems with ease.
Unlike me, I only know that a person hides and cries.
When it comes to crying, I don’t actually hate crying. It doesn’t help, but at least it makes me less broken.
A few more days passed.
Things took a turn for the better. Their bullying of me was caught by a general of the Windchaser.
He scolded the others severely on the spot, scaring everyone.
The general's name is Telani, a very handsome elf swordsong.
He is very young, and it is said that he is the existence with the best chance of being promoted to the Elven Sword Master in the entire Jade Cang Court.
Terani was very nice to me, and would come to see me every now and then when I was out of class.
At first I was a little uncomfortable with his enthusiasm.
But soon, I discovered a secret of Telani.
He is actually a girl, but he likes to dress up as a man.
Gosh, I'm really embarrassed when I write this, I always feel like I'm writing a third-rate bard novel, but it's true.
Soon Terrani made his pursuit of me public.
This incident bothered me more than the elves' bullying.
I don't know how to reject a powerful and powerful general of the Windchaser, and the other party is a girl.
I can only decline Telani's hot pursuit on the grounds that I am still young.
Terani didn't force it. She said very gentlemanly that she would wait until I became an adult, but it was less than six months before I became an adult.
It bothered me because I had no one to talk to, so I thought of you.
Matthew.
If you have any great suggestions, please be sure to write back and let me know!
It was already dark when I wrote this.
The fragrance of barbecue wafts from the hotel, and not all elves are vegetarians. Their barbecue is light and not greasy, and has a special flavor.
But I still miss the rolled leaf barbecue in Rolling Stone Town more.
Tomorrow is Spring Festival, there will be fireworks in the town, the old York family will push the last batch of pigs and wine to sell everywhere, everyone will get together to eat marshmallows and honey strawberries, my favorite arm wrestling contest and Martin Who will win the crown this time?
I can't see it.
But I knew it must be a hilarious scene.
I really want to go home.
Be sure to write me back!
Please!
—Your, Beanna, 3.28, in Jade Cangting"
…
After reading it over and over again, Matthew was quite emotional.
He guessed that Beanna might write a letter to himself, but he didn't expect her journey and her study life in Jade Cangting to be so turbulent.
Beanna and Sif have always been the two most outstanding students taught by Matthew.
Their family backgrounds are very good.
Bianna's father is a great businessman with great vision and charm, and her mother is the only daughter of a noble in Rapid City.
Compared to Sif, Beanna's character is actually more quiet and introverted.
So her confession that day still surprised Matthew.
Read all the experiences mentioned in the letter.
Matthew went home and pondered for a while, then took a pen and wrote her a long reply letter.
Even though Beanna’s intention to cross out the word “teacher” on purpose is already clear.
But in Matthew's heart, she is always his student.
He tries to analyze from her position as much as possible—
"...Your approach is wise. On the premise that Telani will not harm you, having a general of the Windchaser escorting you will undoubtedly make your studies in Jade Cangting much smoother. I have a few suggestions for you. Might as well give it a try..."
After finishing writing the letter, he sealed it with a sealing seal, and sent it to the Prancing Horse Hotel in Jade Cangting tomorrow.
In this era, the efficiency of mail operations is also low. The instant messaging of senior mages is extremely expensive, and ordinary people still have to bear the long waiting time.
"If only there were an owl or an albatross as a messenger."
Put away the letter, Matthew couldn't help thinking.
It is impossible for a noble natural soul like Ella to do errand work, and there seems to be no existence suitable for sending letters among the undead—maybe this is because necromancers usually have no need to communicate with people?
In the afternoon.
Matthew went to the Lord's Mansion, and he signed a consultant contract with Zeller.
Since then, Matthew officially has a place in the Lord's Mansion. He will provide Rhaegar with magic knowledge consulting services, and Zeller can also devote more energy to intelligence work.
But Matthew, a consultant, came to ask for leave on his first day at work.
After he shared some information about the Scar of the Dead and the Moon Goddess with Zeller, he told the other party that he was about to advance and had to ask for leave for a while.
Zeller kindly approved Matthew's long paid vacation for Rhaegar.
He not only put forward some valuable suggestions for Matthew's advancement, but also enthusiastically asked Matthew if he needed a salary advance.
Matthew is very grateful for this.
Then unceremoniously made a small advance.
When leaving the lord's mansion, Matthew bumped into Sif, and the two had a chat.
Also inform the other party that he is about to leave for a while.
Sif looked very disappointed.
After a moment of comfort, Matthew suddenly asked:
"Did Anna write you a letter after going to Jade Cangting?"
Sif shook her head.
Matthew smiled inwardly, and left the Lord's Mansion.
Bianna mentioned Sif many times in her letters to Matthew, but did not write to her.
Girls' thoughts are really subtle.
…
Seven days later.
Matthew appeared outside Zeshui City, the southernmost city in "Hundred Cities of the Alliance".
His entourage is only A Bing and Ella.
In the past few days, they left Rolling Stone Town, and the journey was tiring.
Before heading to the east coast, Matthew made a special trip to White Rock City and bought a series of props from the transgender mage he knew well.
The most important of them are the props that may be used in "Night of the Dead":
Rabbit feet, monkey paws, bat teeth, boar umbilical cords...these are all small items that can please the undead.
Night of the Dead is an advanced alternative ceremony, so Matthew will naturally make extra preparations.
After leaving Baiyan City.
Matthew found a moonlit night and entered the Moon Obscure Forest.
During long-distance travel, the role of joining the Moonlight Association is reflected. As long as the local area has nodes that enter the Moon Obscure Forest—including the soul of nature, altars, and shrines that believe in Asia, Matthew, who is a moon walker, can Teleport in reverse.
It's a pity that Asia's influence in the south is obviously weak.
The southernmost node that Matthew found in the Misty Moon Forest is still hundreds of miles away from the first destination of this trip—Swamp Water City.
Ze Shui City is surrounded by foothills, and the road conditions are extremely bad. After sitting in a carriage for a few days, Matthew almost vomited.
It is now dusk.
The accompanying convoy is camping for a rest.
Matthew stood on the mountainside and looked to the southeast. The east coastline bordering the endless ocean is full of jaggedness in the setting sun. It rises from the mountainside, spirals upwards, and finally wraps the entire mountain.
That is Zeshui City.
Further south, the mountains will be replaced by endless tropical rainforests.
There lived an indigenous group who called themselves "sons of the rainforest", and the Seven Holy Alliance called them "jango people".
The Jango people are brave and good at fighting, conservative and xenophobic. They resist outsiders entering the rainforest. Even the druids and rangers in the north cannot integrate into this mysterious greenery.
They have their own unique professions, the most famous of which are "Blower" and "Rainforest Shaman".
They master the power of voodoo, voodoo, beast taming, cannibalism and other fields full of primitive wild colors.
The seas around the rainforest—including the Endless Ocean in the east and the Arune Sea in the south—are inhabited by a small number of Sioux and a large number of Naga, who are the darlings of storms and oceans.
Deep in the rainforest, it is said that there are still active traces of the Dragon Lich and headhunters.
Mountains, jungles, oceans, storms.
This is the complex environment that Matthew will face.
This trip is destined to be very dangerous, and he dare not slack off in the slightest, so after doing sufficient homework in advance, Matthew will verify the accuracy of the information on the spot wherever he goes.
For example, right now, he is observing Zeshui City in the distance.
"Matthew Matthew!"
Ayla whispered over his shoulder:
"The rainforest in the south is very scary. I sensed a very violent natural will. It doesn't welcome me, and even kills me!"
"Also, the city you are looking at now, I noticed that the plague is raging there—many people have fever and are dying!"
"Woooooh, I'm so scared, let's not go there, shall we?"
Plague, fever?
Matthew frowned.
He doesn't doubt the perception ability of the soul of nature, which is why Ira is specially brought on this journey.
It's just that Zeshui City is the first stop of his southbound journey.
"We can fast in and fast out, I need to find a guide through the rainforest there."
Matthew comforted and said:
"As long as we don't get in contact with too many people, we won't be so unlucky to catch the plague."
Ella sighed suddenly, her little head became limp.
Matthew thought for a while, walked quickly to the convoy guide, and asked:
"Ange, I heard that there is a plague in Zeshui City recently, is this true?"
The middle-aged man named Ang and wearing a white turban said disapprovingly:
"Of course it's true, because Zeshui City is plagued by plagues all the time. If you don't suffer from a few fevers, you'd be ashamed to say that you have been in Zeshui City!"
"Don't worry, don't go to crowded places, don't look for women and ducks, your chances of getting sick will be reduced by at least half, and getting a fever doesn't mean death. There are several temples in Zeshui City that specialize in holy water business. As long as you have money, you I can't die."
"Some wealthy people in the city even get sick on purpose, and then drink holy water to purify their body and mind. This is a way for them to find excitement."
Matthew was silent.
I have long heard that some cities in the south are very wild. I heard it today, and it really lives up to its reputation.
He chatted with Anger about the situation in Zeshui City.
Did not leave until nightfall.
Night.
Matthew sat in the hood and reviewed the Sioux information given by Samantha.
At this time.
A large oak forest suddenly appeared in front of his eyes!
A familiar feeling came to my heart.
Matthew knows, this is the taste of gifting!
…
「Your ability 'Gift of Nature (1/2)' is in effect.
You have gained new abilities 'Mace Mastery' and 'Soul Cage'.
Mace Specialization: You have obtained the skill of using the exotic weapon "Mace" and are quite proficient; when you use this weapon and cause a headshot effect on the enemy, you will have the opportunity to become more hyperactive (the power is short promote);
Soul Cage: You can seize the soul of a recently dead or very weakened humanoid and keep it in one of your cages.
The seized soul remains in the cage until the spell ends or you destroy the cage.
During this period, you can perform the following options on the soul—
steal life;
Soul torture;
Steal experience;
Will insult;
Eye of the Dead;
Consumption: Each cast needs to consume 1 Mind Stone (worth 100 gold coins)”
…
The second update will be at 14:00 tomorrow afternoon. If there is no special explanation in the future, the update time will not change, that is, there will be two updates every day at 0/14:00. Ask for a guaranteed monthly pass!
(end of this chapter)