Chapter 180: The Druid’s Plea for Help
“Did I… come at a bad time?”
The elf girl, initially amused, quickly realized the awkwardness of the situation. The three girls stared at her, and the young man, surrounded by them, looked at her with a puzzled expression. No one spoke, their gazes making her uncomfortable.
“Who are you?” Leona asked hesitantly, her body tensing slightly. This elf girl, perched on the windowsill, wouldn’t escape her now. Leona couldn’t risk her current state of undress being revealed.
“Me? I’m Maggie Sesilian. I’m thirty years old, and a Druid,” the elf girl said, introducing herself, seemingly oblivious to the tension. “I’m here to ask for your help. My master sent me. He used his magic to get me into the palace. No one noticed. This mead smells delicious, but my master forbids us from drinking alcohol. He says it corrupts the soul or something…”
“Ask for our help? Why would a Druid seek our assistance?” Flora asked, puzzled. Although they weren’t exactly inconspicuous, their reputation hadn’t reached the Druids, who were known for their reclusive nature, preferring the wilderness to civilization.
“Well…” Maggie said, feigning shyness. “We need your help. I traveled here with my master from the Elven Kingdoms. He’s an old man. He said I would be more… approachable, so he sent me.”
“Help with what?” Rebecca asked, shaking her head. “We have pressing matters to attend to. We might be able to help you later, but not now.”
Abyss sat there, silently observing the Druid girl. He had knowledge of Druids, but no personal memories. This girl, dressed in simple clothes made of animal hides and woven plant fibers, was a novelty to him.
She was quite cute, with the large eyes and pointed ears characteristic of elves, her oak-brown hair adorned with small braids. She was slender and not very tall, her size typical for a Wood Elf. And her scent, a natural fragrance of various herbs and flowers, filled the air, carried by the gentle breeze through the open window.
“Eh? You’re busy?” Maggie asked, swinging her legs, now sitting on the windowsill. “That’s alright, that’s alright.”
“Alright?” Rebecca tilted her head, puzzled.
“Yes, my master told me not to be a nuisance,” Maggie said, smiling, revealing small, white teeth. “If you’re busy, I can help. I can handle some of your tasks while you attend to more important matters. I might not be an adult yet, but my magic is quite good. I won’t be a burden. Speaking of burdens, that wild boar leg I ate yesterday was a burden. My master is a terrible cook. It was burnt on the outside, raw on the inside…”
The three girls exchanged amused glances. This Druid was quite talkative.
“I apologize, Miss Sesilian, but the problem we’re facing is urgent and dangerous. It’s beyond your abilities. We can’t risk involving a stranger,” Flora said gently.
Their current task, collecting the Lord of Nightmares’ remaining power, was indeed beyond the capabilities of ordinary mortals.
They couldn’t just leave this power to dissipate on its own. It could have unpredictable consequences. They had two priorities: to collect this power and to find a way to utilize it.
“Beyond my abilities? What kind of problem?” Maggie asked, seemingly unfamiliar with social cues. “What if I can handle it? I’m quite powerful. And even if I can’t, my master can!”
“Could you please excuse us for a moment? We’d like to get dressed before continuing this conversation,” Leona said timidly. As a princess, she should have been more assertive, but her current state of undress made her feel vulnerable.
“Oh, it’s alright. We Druids don’t wear clothes among our own kind,” Maggie said proudly. “Nakedness allows us to better commune with nature, and it’s more convenient for shapeshifting. Speaking of shapeshifting, I can transform into a lion, a panther, a rabbit…”
“I’m a man,” Abyss said, smiling, raising his hand.
“…My apologies,” Maggie said, interrupting herself, turning around. “You can change your clothes. I won’t peek. Although I’ve never seen a man’s private parts, I’m not curious. Really. I wouldn’t lie to you. I’d never lie.”
“Leona, keep her occupied,” Rebecca said, rubbing her temples, a headache coming on.
…
Despite the unexpected arrival of the Druid girl, their plans proceeded. Rebecca, volunteering to entertain their talkative guest, took her on a tour of her alchemy laboratory, the endless chatter finally ceasing.
“Why would a Druid seek our help? What have we done to attract their attention?” Leona asked, scratching her head.
“Perhaps they noticed Abyss’s display of power during the broadcast? They might have a serious problem that requires his assistance,” Flora said, but her focus was on their own mission. “Abyss, how do you plan to collect the Lord of Nightmares’ power?”
“I have an idea. We can try it now…” Abyss said, smiling, now dressed in fresh clothes.
…
Inside the laboratory, Rebecca was discussing the Druid’s request with Maggie.
“So, that’s the situation. Our sacred tree has been withering, and the animals nearby are acting strangely. We suspect something is wrong, but we don’t know what. My master noticed your use of aphids to disperse that potion. You must have a powerful Druid among you, right?” Maggie asked, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Rebecca. “So, beautiful, amazing sister, could your Druid help us? Just identify the problem with our sacred tree… Oh, right, speaking of the sacred tree, it was planted by our great sage, Miss Agnes…”
Rebecca’s eyebrows rose at the mention of that name. Agnes. She was familiar with that name. This legendary sage was next on Abyss’s list of potential recruits.
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