Chapter 30: The Young Druid and His “Wives”
“Oh, I’m so sorry! I suspected you,” the female dwarf Druid said sheepishly to Leona. “Are your other… sisters like this as well?”
“Yes, they’re even older than me,” Leona replied, nodding seriously. If they only counted their time as living beings, she was indeed the oldest. But if they considered their actual age, Rebecca was the oldest, despite having died at a younger age.
Since she wasn’t lying, Leona’s expression was calm and natural, further convincing the Druids of their miraculous age-defying techniques.
A female halfling Druid, her voice filled with envy, asked, “What’s your secret? How do you maintain your youthful appearance at fifty or sixty? I’m so jealous!”
“Our beauty regimen is quite simple,” Leona said, preening slightly. “The key is quality sleep. Peace, tranquility, and emotional detachment. It’s proven to be very effective. I’m happy to share our secret. You should try it sometime.”
The female Druids, and even a few males, began taking notes. Flora and Rebecca, standing nearby, exchanged awkward glances. Was Leona misleading them, or was she telling the truth? In a way, she was being honest…
“So, the Druid among you must be this young man,” the dwarf said, looking at Abyss, her admiration evident. “My, what a handsome lad. I’ve never seen such a fine figure of a young man… Wait, you’re not a sixty or seventy-year-old man in disguise, are you?”
“I’m not an old man. I’m quite young, actually,” Abyss said, his innocent smile unwavering. “I’m just… exceptionally gifted.”
The Druids looked at him with disdain. This shameless brat! He was clearly lying! Such arrogance!
But Abyss felt no shame. He hadn’t lied.
…
The Druids’ lifestyle was simple, but they weren’t poor. Living in harmony with nature, their resources were limitless. Abyss and his companions’ accommodations, a large treehouse woven from vines, had been prepared in advance.
Elven craftsmanship extended even to their Druidic structures. This treehouse, built with natural materials, was not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, its design intricate and elegant.
“We’re sharing a house?” Leona asked, blushing, her initial excitement replaced by a sudden shyness. “Do they think we’re a family?”
“What are you talking about, Leona?” Abyss asked, looking at her. “Even though I don’t remember, we’re practically family, aren’t we? There’s nothing wrong with sharing a house.”
“Exactly,” Rebecca said, taking Abyss’s hand. “From now on, I’ll be Rebecca Belator. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
Flora, standing beside them, blushed, silently considering the name “Flora Belator.”
Leona, realizing that Rebecca had taken advantage of her feigned reluctance, quickly clarified, “I didn’t mean we’re not a family! I just… I’m worried about ABC. He’s a pervert! What if he tries something…”
“Don’t worry, Leona. We’re best friends. We’ll protect you!” Rebecca said, giggling, tightening her grip on Abyss’s hand.
“I… I’ll protect you too, Leona,” Flora said softly, raising a fist in solidarity.
Leona wished she could summon Rebecca’s time machine and kick her past self.
They climbed the tree and discovered that the treehouse was larger than it appeared, divided into four separate but interconnected rooms, eliminating any potential awkwardness.
As they settled in, oblivious to the prying eyes of a few Druids watching them from nearby trees, their expressions a mix of disapproval and envy…
“The world is changing. We Druids should be pure and detached, focused on communing with nature. But this human Druid, brazenly flaunting his three wives, engaging in such indecent behavior in broad daylight… Is this right? I think not!” an elderly male elf, his hair white, said to his companion, shaking his head and sighing.
“Indeed. Such a hedonistic lifestyle leaves little time for spiritual practice, for communing with the God of Nature. It’s absurd!” another elf agreed.
“Hmph, the younger generation is becoming increasingly depraved. I shudder to think what will become of our order. The world has changed. Back in my day…” another Druid chimed in from a nearby tree.
A female Druid, disturbed by their chatter, poked her head out of her treehouse. “I can practically smell the jealousy from here. If you had found partners yourselves, you wouldn’t be so envious,” she said, her voice laced with disdain.
“Silence! We’re not like that!” the male Druids exclaimed in unison, their voices indignant. The female Druid rolled her eyes and retreated back into her treehouse.
“My friends, I propose we gather a few more of us and visit this gray-haired boy, engage him in a discussion about Druidic magic. Someone so preoccupied with worldly pleasures must be lacking in discipline. He’ll surely reveal his ignorance, and we can guide him back to the true path,” the first elf suggested.
The other two elderly elves nodded eagerly. They, high-ranking Druids over a hundred years old, still single, would teach this young man a lesson about the dangers of indulgence!
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