Siegel secretly arrives at Leah's camp.

It is a transplanted forest nestled on an otherwise vast plain. The golden glow of the rising sun was absorbed by the tall trees, casting a thick black shadow that obscured the fields beneath the canopy. At the foot of the Ancient War Tree, a crooked and tattered scarecrow still maintained a happy smiling expression, which attracted the attention of the ancient tree. It bent down and poked lightly with its bare twig fingers, and its straw body fell off the shelf, shattering to pieces.

It's winter, and only elven spells can transplant trees in this environment. The Ancient War Trees use their massive bodies to carry their own kind, digging holes, planting, mulching, and watering them all. Siegel discovers that ancient trees also get tired and need to crouch aside to catch their breath - very different from elementals, undead or golems.

He rode to a gentle knoll, the bare brown ground, where several collapsed tombstones were covered in dirt and hidden in the scattered weeds. Siegel came alone, but there were quite a few people on Leah's side. In addition to the three Ancient War Trees, there are two elves in druid costumes, a priest of the Moon Temple, and an elven mage.

A long table and two chairs were placed under the tree, one on Siegel's side, and Leah sitting on the other side. With a fruit basket and red wine on one side of the table, Siegel saw grapes, pears, strawberries and other foods that were not in season.

There are also six elven warriors hidden in the Ancient Tree of War, who hold their longbows in their hands and have the ability to attack at any time. Siegel jumped off the horse and said to the elf with a smile on his face: "It seems that I am very valued, this scene is very grand, I really did not expect it." ”

Leah said, "The city of Mir has been around two wars in just two years. One of them was against a coalition of southern human lords. The dwarven rune walls are impregnable, and your magical powers are amazing, so we take them very seriously. ”

Elf Leah's words are strange, and she seems to be advocating for Siegel to increase the difficulty of the siege of Myr. It's no wonder that the Ancient Tree of War has not tested the strength of the city walls, it turns out that the elves Leah have already instilled the wrong impression in them.

"That's great. In this way, what I say will be listened to more people, and more people will read the materials that are taken out. Siegel said to Leah, "Won't you introduce these guys?"

"The Priest of the Temple of the Moon, Siragau Ipgil, the two druids, Alamir Nero and Quillion Nerro, are brothers, and our mage, Rocien Amagir. They are not members of the War Grove Clan, but they are overseers of the battle line, and have the right to know and advise on what is happening on the front line. ”

"Lord Siegel, when are you going to surrender?" Druid Alamir suddenly asked, "You can't fight against the armies of the Ancient Trees and Elves. In order to avoid the destruction of your family, you should consider surrendering your territory and surrendering. ”

"As you say, I am a lord. This is my territory. Siegel put away his smile and replied solemnly, "If the Ancient Tree of War wants to step into my walls, it will be an invasion. You will have no excuse to cover up, no more fig leaf. The name of the Elven invaders will spread throughout the Old and New Worlds, and will be worn on your heads until the end of the world. ”

"If an ancient tree appears in your walls......"

Siegel interrupted the Lunar Temple Priest and shook his head, "You want to teleport the Ancient Tree in? The transfer process is recorded. This method of yours will deceive the ignorant lords of the south, don't want to use it in the Heim Territory. Once the elves start the war. Is it such unscrupulous? Maybe you think that the title of the aggressor is not loud enough, and that the name of the shameless villain and the liar should be added?"

"How dare you!" the priestess Sila Rose drew her sword and pointed it at Siegel. Her sword is carved in the shape of many crescents, which fly out when she uses secret words, killing and injuring nearby enemies. Besides. Her armor increases the wearer's strength, and her bracelet allows for more accurate attacks. At her waist was a prayer book fastened to a long chain, and it was also emitting a bright magical aura—what kind of power this magic book had, Siegel couldn't guess.

However, in the face of such a sharp weapon, he did not see the slightest nervousness on his face. Only Stardust dances in the scabbard. Make a clanging sound.

"Siragui Ypgir, what you said is not beneficial to today's negotiations. Elf Lea said, "Lord Siegel is one of the few sensible lords in the south of the New World, and he is very influential. If he can take the lead, a lot of things can be solved. ”

"Yes, Ms. Leah. The Priest of the Moon Temple retreated calmly.

It turned out that this was just a temptation of the elves, but this was too contrived, and the expression was fake. However, considering that the elves had never had such habits and experiences in the past, it was indeed difficult for them to make their usual arrogant faces make impulsive and cunning expressions.

Stardust quieted down again, and Siegel said to the elves, "I definitely can't surrender and quit now, but I don't want to go to war with the elves either." As for me, I have the ability to fly away with my family, and your ancient tree of war can't catch me. With strong walls and advanced magical barriers, your attacks will take a heavy toll on you. But I also know very well that my territory is hard to hold on to forever. ”

Leah said, "If you know very well, why are you still here? As far as the situation in the whole south is concerned, as long as you are pulled out, the other lords will have to surrender obediently." Perhaps attacking the Heim Territory, an extra piece of territory the size of Myr, and sacrificing the lives of many of our countrymen would not be worth the loss for us, but what if it was compared to conquering one-fifth of the New World?"

"Not a fifth of a New World, but a fifth of a walled mountain cage. Siegel corrected. "Master Leah, I'll tell you the truth, I know I can't fight the elven army, but I also know you can't deal with the Knox Guild. If I go away now, and you lose to those bald heads, I won't have nothing?How can I surrender now that you have the advantage, but you haven't won yet?"

"Knox will be trapped in Waterdeep, and they won't be able to do anything. "Master Rosien's voice was low and rhythmic, like a rumbling drum. It's like always singing in a bass. "We can get the Mage Federation to keep their towers so that they can be excluded from the war. ”

"Whose strategic judgment is this?Want to kill you elves?" Siegel said mercilessly, "Do you have an agreement with the Mage Federation? On the premise of launching a surprise attack, expect the mages of the Federation to believe in your promise to go your own way? If the Mage Federation can't win the battle this time. After that, it would not be possible to gain a foothold in the New World. And there are only a few isolated mage towers left, surrounded by elves, where do they take their apprentices? By the way, your institute does not accept people of other races. ”

"Don't insult the basic intelligence of the two of us as mages, Mr. Elf!" Siegel then said.

Elf Leah picked up a fragrant pear and handed it to Siegel, then poured herself a glass of red wine. "Relax, Siegel, we haven't dealt with this situation for a long time, and everyone is a little uncomfortable. She pointed to the Ancient War Tree behind her. He said to the mage, "The last time these ancient trees walked and fought on the earth, according to the age of the elves, it was more than twenty generations ago, and many records are legends to us. There is no precedent for the current war situation, but you have to admit that we elves really don't want to kill. ”

The elves were still proud, and they were sure that the situation was under control, so they could calmly negotiate with the lords of various places. But to simply use the pride of the elves to control their minds is a foolish idea.

"I understand that. That's why I came to you. Siegel finished the pear in his hand in a few bites and placed the pits on the table. "I'm going to make a deal with you elves. ”

"We don't need to deal with you. Admitting defeat and then surrendering is your only option. Druid Querion exclaimed. He has porcupine backspur-like hair and hands like eagle talons. He spoke like a poisonous snake. "Don't be obsessed!"

Siegel stretched out his hand, and several elves except Leah touched the weapon, obviously very guarded. However, Siegel took out the space bag and pulled out a scroll from it. "This is part of the information about the Knox Society, their spells, and part of the background. Maybe you're starting to notice, maybe not. I don't like elves. But he also didn't like Knox Fellowship. If you and Knox are going to fight together, I can help you reduce your losses and even win. My request is to keep the entire Heim Territory and give me all the spoils of the Triplex Tower of Waterdeep. ”

"Siegel, are you really going to do this? In her heart. Siegel is a strong and courageous man who is never afraid of a challenge. I remember that in the Dragon and Lion Cliff, when he was injured, he risked his back and went deep into the cave alone. Ironically, part of the treasure she gained from that adventure became the Ancient Tree of War, and the other part made her a general of the Southwestern Army.

If the matter of cooperating with the elves is known to others, the Knox Guild, the Mage Federation, and the Mage Guild will not let him go. Since Siegel is still the Lord of Waterdeep, and more importantly he is a member of the human race, even if the elves win, he will face endless trouble.

"Master Leah, if I don't do this, either I surrender and have nothing, or I will fight with you and let this land bleed. Unless the War Ancient Tree never came to Heim Territory, and everything was just a dream, what better way could there be?" said Siegel, "Waterdeep is far away and can't save the fire, what else can I do if I don't negotiate with you?"

The Priest of the Moon Temple, Sira, who had been silent for a long time, stepped forward, the light of the emblem in his hand shining as bright as moonlight. This time when she spoke, everyone else was silent, even Leah lowered her eyes and listened quietly.

"Siegel Squid, under the gaze of the moon god, can you tell me why you chose to turn your back on your people and form an alliance with the elves?"

No god in the world will pay attention to you, let alone answer your prayers—Siegel thought of what the Shadow of the Dead had said to him. He smiled slightly, looking directly into the elven priest's eyes, his black pupils absorbing the moon's light like a void.

"Have you ever seen a fellow human with black hair and black eyes?" Siegel leaned forward, "My child's mother is a demon, but my child is still black-haired and black-eyed, and has no demon blood, have you ever heard that human blood can do this? You think I'm turning my back on my people, but whose people am I?"

The Elven Priest examined Siegel's eyes for a long time, waiting until the light of the emblem in her hand had faded before speaking again, "You may keep the Heim Territory for the time being until a new oracle descends." (To be continued......)