Trade

"This is indeed a leaf from the World Tree." Celestia caressed the leaf gently and confirmed Elder Clearmoon's assumption.

"But how can we believe that a human was able to fetch it from Mother?" Celestia deliberately questioned. "Elder Snowfang, are you absolutely sure about this?"

Elder Snowfang nodded grimly. Only someone heavily favoured by the World Tree could pass through the blanket of clouds surrounding it and actually reach its crown.

A human was chosen by the World Tree over them, the proud elves. It was a hard pill to swallow, but one they needed to accept nonetheless if they wanted to have access to these mystical leaves.

"This changes things," Celestia rubbed her forehead thoughtfully while she was screaming happily in her mind.

Elder Snowfang was already won over by her lord. If he could convince Elder Ronan, then half of her work would be done without any effort on her part.

"Yes, My Lady. It changes a lot of things. He is either favoured by the World Tree or he is so powerful that even the World Tree is unable to stop him from taking its leaves.

"Either way, we cannot make an enemy out of him!"

Celestia passed the leaf to Elder Clearmoon, who was eagerly eyeing it from the side and settled her gaze on Elder Snowfang.

"We have already done enough to antagonise him. What do you suggest we do, Elder?" she asked.

"Indeed, My Lady, but the fact that he has not harmed anyone else other than his intended target speaks volumes about his character. He could've easily killed us if he wanted to, yet we are still alive except for a few bruises." Elder Snowfang supplied his own observation of Raymond.

"I think if we can appeal to his greed and make efforts to amend the strained encounter we have had with him, we can convince him to supply more of these leaves for our use."

"Sigh. I can't believe you are suggesting we submit to a human, that too against someone who killed Elder Barhawk." Elder Greenwood bemoaned.

"Oh, shut up, Elder Greenwood! You have no problem with Lord Protector, who will not hesitate to take over the territory for its resources, but you are against a human who could aid us in our cultivation!

"Do you know what it means to have access to these leaves? They can speed up your cultivation by tenfold!"

Elder Snowfang tried talking some sense to him. Honestly, he could understand Elder Greenwood being butthurt about the crushing defeat he suffered at the hands of Ray, but he was an Elder, someone who was in a position to alter the fates of those under him.

He should know when to bow his head and when to retaliate. Sometimes having too much pride can lead to unnecessary troubles and tribulations.

Heck, no one, including Elder Greenwood, really liked Elder Barhawk that much. He was arrogant and abused his authority as an Elder.

There wasn't any shortage of complaints against him and his slacker son. The only reason he was allowed to be an Elder was because of his strength and influence, otherwise, they would've long kicked him out of the Council.

Elder Greenwood scowled in response and was about to hurl insults at the human but quickly shut his mouth when he found the High Priestess glaring at him threateningly as if daring him to open his mouth.

'What the hell? Can she read my mind?'

Goosebumps covered his skin, causing him to sit quietly in his chair.

"Anyway, I was saying we should start by properly investigating the matter that led to the fight between Elder Barhawk and Ray." Elder Snowfang appeared deep in thinking as he continued. "Our people still think that he unjustly killed Elion and Elder Barhawk; we should clear that first and make sure that we have our facts right before approaching him again."

"Elder Snowfang, what you said seems agreeable, but what if he unjustly killed Elion?" Elder Silvershade asked. "If he is proven guilty, I will be against this regardless of his strength or the advantages this partnership brings us!

"I do not trade with cold-blooded murderers! That is my bottom line."

Elder Silvershade stood up from his chair and bowed deeply to Celestia.

"You worry too much, Elder Silvershade. We do not trade with murderers either." Celestia reassured him. She knew her lord better than anyone. He wouldn't just kill anyone on a whim. "If he is proven guilty, then we will have no choice but to call the Lord Protector."

Celestia hoped it wouldn't come to that. Even if it did, she could probably get rid of that Lord Protector by pitting him against her lord, but that would worsen the relationship between them further.

Celestia let out a mental groan. She could only hope that her lord was in the right and her people would avoid creating more problems in the future because of this mess.

"Elder Snowfang, please carry out your investigation while we wait for Elder Ronan to return. He has been keeping a close eye on Raymond for the most part. He would know what to do if everything else fails."

Celestia ordered, subtly hinting at the fact that Elder Ronan and Raymond were already acquainted with each other.

"Meeting dismissed."

***

Raymond yawned for a long time as he woke up. It was a new day and Raymond was fully refreshed after a good night of sleep.

There was a sense of comfort in this place that couldn't be found anywhere else. Raymond could hardly recall the times when he had slept this peacefully.

He thanked Elion for provoking him and the High Priestess for suggesting him to stay here.

If not for them, he wouldn't be here now.

Zzz~

His musings stopped when Jasmine snored. Raymond was starting to worry. Was he perhaps too rough on her yesterday?

Why was she still sleeping, unaware of everything that happened so far?

He wanted to wake her up but didn't have the heart to do so. She appeared so content while sleeping. Raymond would beat the shit out of anyone if they woke him up mid-sleep for no reason.

'Meh, let her sleep.'

Raymond looked around their makeshift bed and found Lyla and Vivi sleeping to his left. He had used the supplies purchased back in the Capital City at last.

He gingerly pried himself off from their clutches and stood up from the bed. The chamber lit up in bright light before he could even voice out his wish to turn on the lights.

'Nice!'

Raymond smiled. This was like his dream home, where everything followed his will. The only thing that made it short of perfection was that it was immovable.

'Should I uproot the World Tree and take it with me?' Raymond thought amusedly but decided against it. He would be at a loss if the World Tree died while trying to uproot it.

What was the point of killing the goose that laid the golden eggs?

Raymond felt a bark nudging him in the flank; he looked to the side and found a branch poking him.

"Haha, did I offend you?" Raymond laughed. Was this the legendary woman's intuition? "I am sorry, I was just joking."

Only after Raymond apologised for thinking about uprooting the tree did the poking stop.

Raymond's thought went to yesterday's loo—haul as he stared at the leafless branch. He focused on his black pendant and dumped the small heap of leaves on the ground along with the sword, the battle discs, and the spatial ring.

"Time to count…"

***

"El-Elder Snowfang, how can I help you!?"

Arlo didn't expect to see Elder Snowfang at his doorstep when he woke up that morning. Did they come to punish him since they couldn't do anything to Lord Raymond?

Panic settled in his heart as he realised he was on his own— without his lord's protection.

"Hah, why are you sweating so much? I am not here to harm you." Elder Snowfang guffawed. "You're merchant Arlo, is that correct?"

"Yes, Elder."

"I see," Elder Snowfang scanned Arlo from head to toe and asked him to follow him outside the house.

Arlo followed suit. He had no choice but to listen to the powerful elder.

"How long have you known Ray?" Elder Snowfang questioned.

"Uhm, not for too long," Arlo replied.

"Did you witness Elion's death?"

"Yes, I was there when it happened." Arlo recounted the events of yesterday. "Me and my merchant friends were having a meeting when Lord Barhawk drove a village resident into the middle of our meeting hall."

"Oh, I was not aware of this part!" said Elder Snowfang. He had come straight here looking for the human that entered the Inner Sanctum with Vivian.

After asking around the village for a guy named Arlo, he learned that Arlo was a famous merchant and the guy who started a cult in Ray's name.

Funny guy.

"Elder, you can ask any merchant and villager regarding this matter. Lord Barhawk was not himself yesterday. He was clearly irrational and went on a killing spree here in the village!"

"What? How come no one reported this to us?" Elder Snowfang shouted. "Don't lie to me, Arlo! We are not going to pursue this case if it's proven that Ray was not the first party to attack! There is no need for you to besmirch the name of the deceased!"

"I would never lie about such things, Elder. What I said is the truth! Lord Barhawk seemed extremely disturbed and was not in the best state of his mind. He even kept referring to himself as the Celestial Lord."

"It almost appeared like he was delusional…"