Chapter 10: A Rare Human Druid
“About ten kilometers ahead is the village where my master is staying. I told him I would return, so he’ll be waiting. He’s very attached to me. He won’t leave without me,” Maggie said, sitting sideways on Leona’s familiar, the East Wind, addressing Abyss. “I haven’t been to that village before, but it seems quite small. Speaking of small, I once visited a Dark Elf village. Their customs are very… liberal. Any female visitor can…”
“Please refrain from elaborating. Except for me, they’re all underage,” Leona said quickly, cutting her off.
“Oh, right,” Maggie said, clamping her hand over her mouth.
She had transformed back into her elven form shortly after leaving the capital. Druidic shapeshifting differed from the Transformation magic used by mages, but both consumed mana. She now sat comfortably on East Wind’s back—the large, powerful steed could easily carry her weight.
Abyss was familiar with the Ossi Kingdom’s terrain, thanks to his network of undead spies. Although his memories were gone, they continued to provide him with a detailed map. He saw a small village about ten kilometers ahead and guided their horses towards it.
“Most Druids are elves. Why are you human?” Maggie asked Abyss, unable to stay silent for long. “And most elven Druids are Wood Elves, like me. We’re more attuned to nature.”
She was right. Wood Elves comprised over seventy percent of the Druid population.
The elves of this continent had once possessed a glorious civilization, ruling over the land in ancient times. But years of internal conflict and a declining birth rate had diminished their numbers, allowing humans to seize control, driving most pure-blooded elves into the relatively small territory of the Elven Kingdoms. Their lives weren’t difficult, but they were no longer the dominant force.
Elves were divided into several subraces: the nature-loving Wood Elves, the noble and proud Gray Elves, the hedonistic Dark Elves, and the half-elven Light Elves, often ostracized by the others.
Maggie’s people, the Wood Elves, were the most traditional, the largest elven population. They lived in the forests, hunting and gathering, their homes built in the trees, using magic to shape and harden vines, creating living structures, without harming the trees themselves. They were the continent’s most skilled hunters and the source of most Druidic talent.
Humans, however, were more pragmatic, believing in conquering nature, not living in harmony with it. Human Druids were rare, as uncommon as non-gluttonous two-headed ogres or hygienic ghouls.
“Well, I’m fond of the earth, and the things beneath it,” Abyss said after a moment of thought.
Maggie looked at him, his clear, sincere eyes telling her he wasn’t lying.
“I see. Are you an Earth Druid?” she asked, nodding. “There are four Druidic paths: Sky, Earth, Animal, and Plant. Earth Druids are the rarest. Their magic is difficult to master. A human who loves nature so much is quite unusual.”
Abyss nodded silently. This Maggie was quite perceptive.
“Why are you three following him? You’re not his relatives, are you?” Maggie asked, turning to the girls. “I had the wrong idea when I first saw you. I thought you were engaged in some… group activities. But then I realized I was mistaken. There wasn’t the usual… aroma… Oh, I apologize. I forgot there are underage girls among you. You all seem close. You must have some interesting stories to share.”
Although she had chatted with Rebecca, Rebecca hadn’t revealed much. It had mostly been Maggie talking, so she still didn’t know how they had met. Druids weren’t particularly popular, their strict rules and their tendency to preach their values often alienating others. The only reason the Church hadn’t intervened was that they worshipped the God of Nature, one of the Nine Gods.
“We have many stories,” Flora said, smiling. As the one who had known Abyss the longest, she was qualified to speak. “We’ve faced life and death together. But it’s not the right time to share them.”
“We might not be related by blood, but we’re closer than family,” Leona said, glancing at Maggie proudly. “Family members can betray each other. But we would never betray ABC, and he would never betray us.”
“Oh, I understand!” Maggie exclaimed, clapping her hands. “You’re married! Don’t worry, I don’t judge polygamous relationships! Different cultures, different customs! You might be young, but your love is strong!”
“You understand nothing!” Leona shouted, exasperated.
A small village appeared in the distance.
“Sniff, sniff…” Maggie said, her nose twitching, then her eyes lit up. “I’ve found my master! Follow me!”
They dismounted and followed her into the village.
As they entered, a beautiful young woman, sitting on a tree stump, holding a cat, looked up at them curiously.
“There he is! That’s my master!” Maggie said, pointing at the woman.
“Your master is a woman? But you keep referring to him as ‘he’,” Leona said, confused.
“Who said I’m a woman? I’m a man, through and through!” the cat in the woman’s arms suddenly said, its voice a deep, masculine growl.
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