When Eila walked forward, the rest of the people followed, and soon, they were in front of the town's walls. In front of the wall, Flor, the three Sylvans, and Wert were waiting together with the helpers they chose to carry with them, like Eric.

Flor's eyebrow twitched when she saw Eila's expression. 'Why does she look so angry? Is that her usual expression, or did something happen?'

Verdantia and the others, who had seen Eila before, were even more surprised. Verdantia got thoughtful. 'She seems to have known about us for a long time. However, she didn't act until today because she didn't see us as a threat. Did her predictions not fulfilling wound her pride, making her angry?'

Flor hovered forward and spoke aloud. "Welcome to the Golden Sap Town. I am the Rose Fairy Queen, Flor. I will be your host during your stay. If you need anything or have any questions, ask away."

Eila looked at Flor and spoke aloud. "You should reign in your World tree from analyzing people without permission, Rose Fairy Queen. That's disrespectful toward your guests."

Flor finally understood why Eila carried her current expression. 'So it was Liu Shu's fault… Well, it is indeed not respectful. However, just because you are strong doesn't mean I will allow you to walk all over me.'

Flor answered with a faint smile. "Eila Neoflora, right? It is not my place to tell the World Tree what she can or can't do. We are all living in HER domain. If anything, she has the final say in everything. Above me, there is She. Above the law, there is She. As a World Tree, a creature blessed by the world, she is in her complete right to do as she pleases in her own domain, and if that offends you, that's your problem."

Everyone became silent, looking at the Rose Fairy with widened eyes. Wert's eyes flashed with praise as his lips arched. 'Good. Don't be intimidated. This Rose Fairy… she really has the bearing of a ruler.'

Meanwhile, Verdantia and the other two were stuck on how to react, not knowing if to be impressed or scared about Flor's boldness.

Eila paused and looked at Flor with a chilling gaze. "So, if the World Tree's domain stretched into my city, will I also need to bow down to her wishes?"

Flor answered, her gaze unwavering. "I recently read that it is the right of all living beings to fight for what they think is right. If Liu Shu wants to expand, that's her right. If you want to resist her expansion, that's your right."

"Heh." Eila snorted. "Flowery language without meaning."

Flor smiled. "Perhaps. Now, please come inside and, well, leave your armies outside. The last thing I want is to wake up to a burning town."

One person in the delegation shouted. "That's impossible. Are you telling us to go inside this monster nest without protection!?"

While it wasn't as badmouthed in the town, the fact that monsters rule them and that they have been punishing intelligent races with death penalties was well-known outside. Those ignorant who were fed by propaganda of all kinds thought that the people in the Golden Sap Town metaphorically lived with a hand squeezing around their necks at all times.

Moreover, taking into account the relatively recent killing that occurred due to the assault on the , those people trying to defame the Golden Sap Town were able to further spread the sense of apprehension that others had of the town.

In short, for people outside, the Golden Sap Town was turning out to be a monster dictatorship.

Naturally, once they visited the place, most changed their minds, while others still fully believed the exaggerated facts they were told and chose to close their brains to any kind of opposite view towards what they considered the "truth."

Thankfully, those were just a minority, so the town never really had a lack of population problem. On the contrary, there was an ongoing housing problem that Liu Shu was trying to fix by building a completely new district. The town was circular, and most of the buildings were crammed in one part of the building, the south part. So, while that place continued to develop, Liu Shu was growing an entirely new district up north, with a new Town Hall, Inn, Houses, and the same infrastructure that the southern part of the town had.

I digress. When that person came out of the crowd to condemn Flor's sentence about leaving their protection outside, Flor was not affected. Instead, she asked back. "If I wanted to enter your town with 100 Fire Ants, 100 Rose Fairies, and 100 Myconids, what would you say?"

The man answered, his tone ridiculing. "Are you comparing these two situations as being identical!? Are you out of your mind!? Those that you said are wild monsters!"

Flor snorted. "Which are, strangely, easier to control than your armies. Can you swear that none of your guards will overreact when the monsters you disdain so much approach you? If I let your armies inside, the second a Rose Fairy approached you lot out of curiosity, her head would fly! What will you say then? 'Oh, I was scared for my safety. I am sorry about it, but you should understand.'"

The man's face gained a reddish color, and shouted. "Slander!"

Flor's aura surged as her voice boomed outward with a wind gale. "SLANDER!? DO YOU THINK THAT MY CURRENT EXAMPLE IS MADE UP?! IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, HUMAN!"

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The man's face paled at the rage of the Rose Fairy Queen, but he tried to answer. "That doesn't mean anything! You can't group an entire species because of a single individual!"

The Rose Fairy Queen's temperament was like a raging hurricane, sweeping everyone in it. "OH! And you don't see the ridiculous hypocrisy of your words also applying to you!? I am tired of giving you intelligent races chances to PROVE your intelligence! Each time I do so, I become increasingly disappointed at the so-called intelligence that you so proudly brag about!"

Then, Flor pointed at Eila and said. "MOREOVER! You have that monster with you that can instantly slaughter me entering my city because of your human, Sylvan, and beastkin politics that I need to play with so that I am not treated as a dangerous being and slaughtered without any reason at all! So YES! I want you to leave your troops behind! YES! I want you to be respectful of my authority and laws in OUR city! And YES! I want you, for once in your entire lives, to look beyond what you see and try to analyze things with your so-called INTELLIGENT minds!"

Flor's words echoed around for a few seconds as only Flor's rapid breathing was heard in the utterly silent area. The people behind Flor had their mouths wide open, not having expected for a single second that she would snap in this way.

Wert stepped forward and spoke, trying to suppress his impulse to cheer on Flor. He just gave Flor a big thumbs up, not minding if others saw, and he cleared his throat. "Ahem! As Queen Flor said, the town is peaceful, and I, representing the local , can assure you of that. To make it even more clear, we have created patrols that consist of my people accompanied by the monsters. The experimental patrols have been a great success, as the bias to judge by species has reduced considerably. I ask humbly that you give us a chance to prove that we are trustworthy."

Wert smiled cunningly and added. "After all, the world is watching. The result of the discussions will reflect on the Golden Sap Town for years to come."

A strong-looking man stepped forward and hummed. "This trip has become much more interesting than I thought it would be. I will accept Queen Flor's request in the name of the . Also, I ask for forgiveness from my kind, Queen Flor."

Flor, having recovered from her burst of emotions, spoke back. "I accept your apology and also want to ask for one. It is the truth that I completely threw on all of you, who are innocent, my repressed feelings. It was uncalled for."

The man grinned. "Being able to apologize while no one asked is a sign of empathy and great character. My name is Kael Bloodthorn, one of the Twelve Wardens in charge of this area."

A woman stepped forward with a gentle smile. "That child, Isolde, spoke about this place in a great light. I am Thalia Emberheart, an elder of the . It is great to be here and witness the start of a race with great potential, like the Rose Fairies. Once we return, I'll try to free as many of them as possible in a sign of friendship."

Kael snorted. "Old witch, as cunning as always. Sure, we'll do the same! It's better to have allies than enemies, after all."

Others stepped forward and presented themselves, revealing the names of influential powers and families. Some didn't do so, but it was more than expected.

Flor heard everyone and coughed, feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different names and powers. "I am grateful about the presentations, but my intelligence has not developed enough to memorize all of this in one breath… I apologize."

The people in the group looked at Flor for a second and then laughed. Flor was baffled for a second, not knowing what she said to make almost everyone laugh.

Thalia smiled gently, her gaze filled with amusement. "Hm~. Better than expected."

Kael laughed aloud. "Great! That's definitely not just a you problem, Queen Flor! Hahahaha!"

Eila sighed. 'Everything is moving differently than expected because I failed to hold back my mood. This is not good; my words from now on will look opinionated because I was too confrontational.'

She knew she couldn't keep being upset about what happened after all this. If she did so, there was a very faint chance that she would come off as too overbearing. In the past, she wouldn't have minded, but now, Liu Shu's presence was too valuable until they discovered Fortuna was definitely the better option.

Flor smiled and said. "Since everyone has agreed to follow our rules, you will be treated as guests and receive all the benefits that our Liu Shu gives law-abiding residents."

Thalia thought that they would be small buffs, so she interjected, trying to save Flor some face. "There is no need, Queen Flor. We are here to speak about other matters, after all."

Flor tilted her head. "Oh, if you-" However, before she said the fourth word, a pulse of energy spread from Liu Shu, bathing everyone in her aura. "...insist." Flor coughed since she knew that Liu Shu had jumped the gun at her words.

"Sorry, I can tell Liu Shu to-." Still, she was interrupted one more time by Kael's rumbling exclamation. "What in the branches above is this!?"

Flor looked at their reactions and asked. "Um, Liu Shu, which buffs did you give them?"

Liu Shu answered, confused. "Huh? Didn't you ask me to give them all of them? I gave them all of them!"

Wert heard Liu Shu, and his eyebrows started twitching incessantly. 'Ah… Our adorable and sweet Liu Shu is going to give a few of them a heart attack.'

Meanwhile, a set of messages appeared in the visitors' eyes, forcing everyone's eyes to widen in shock.

[You have been affected by Tianlian Liu Shu's World Tree aura. You've gained several buffs that will last as long as you are not hostile to the World Tree.!]

[You are under the effects of !]

: All creatures considered allies will gain 10% stats when fighting a defensive battle.

[You are under the effects of !]

: All creatures entering the town will feel a faint, soothing, mind-cleansing aura. Crafters have an increased 5% chance of success in their projects.

[You are under the effects of !]

: Stimulates the rapid growth of nearby flora, creating vibrant and mesmerizing plant life.

[You are under the effects of !]

: A soothing aura surrounds you.

[You are under the effects of ! You've gained and !]

: While under the influence, you can have one summon out and avoid any Aether Mana or Anima Energy consumption.

All ally-summon stats are increased by 20%

Summon energy maintenance is 20% cheaper.

The barrier between dimensions is faintly weakened in this area, making it easier for summoners to connect with other-dimensional beings.

NOTE: This buff will only be applied while you are allied with Tianlian Liu Shu. If you use the buff and then betray Tianlian Liu Shu, you will receive a curse for a month, which will negatively apply the stats above.

: All summons under the effects of will have their potential increased over time. Limited by the innate wisdom of the summon and Tier of the Rune Field.