He walked next to a seemingly never-ending wall of blue webs, as far as he could see the sight was filled with the vines of TomGrape. Spider farmers zoomed from one web to the other harvesting the fruits in expert motions. An occasional White Sprigan would come and shower the plant with [Grow]. The TomGrape webs stretched out for miles, the area was so large that it would rival a small forest. And it wasn't just the TomGrape he was growing here. There were increasingly large patches of BanditAgave and its evolved form FireAgave, their growth was further enchanted by the Alraune, a troublesome plant-animal. But if anything they seemed to mellow over time, the peacekeeping stick saw less and less use nowadays.

Once he had surrounded the farm with the fields of DustyBlue, but due to expansion, it was now just a ring within the larger fields of blue webs; a special niche for a special plant. The sovereign of the blue bell-like flower fields was no one else but Johny, a magnificent slug. He (actually a She) was so large that his size would rival the Great Worm of Oberon itself. Scary but not quite, because Johny was nothing but lovable. Loved by all of the spiders since it produced that delicious and precious Slug Jelly; a dessert everyone just couldn’t have enough.

There were other plants with smaller fields, namely the ThornVine. Its Thorns were meant for arrows, but the industry yet had to grow. PurpleM fields were much larger now since it made more sense because of the presence of spider mages and the future potion trade with the Human Kingdom.

If anything there was so much farmland now that calling this farm just large was incorrect, and there were no less than 20 000 spiders, 1 500 lamia and 1 000 sprigans. It needed a proper name and he decided to settle with something simple.

“MegaFarm.” He never was the most creative but the name seemed to be just right.

And there was a new inhabitant in his MegaFarm, someone he didn’t quite invite. Thousands and thousands of white squirrels were frolicking under the vines and on top of IronOaks. The Oaks grew no acorns so the little critters resorted to eating the TomGrape. At first, he mistook them for his spiders' pets, but now witnessing the squirrel-explosion it was clear they were nothing more than pests. Well maybe, first he needed to teach the spiders to be responsible pet owners and take better care of squirrels so they don’t overbreed in the future. However, the little critters were greedily feasting on his fruit reducing the overall supply. And that couldn’t continue!

The Lamia, of course, already had a solution. A bunch of skinned squirrels were roasting over the fire. The smell was inviting and it even made his stomach rumble. But slaughtering the squirrels en masse didn’t quite seem appropriate, since they belonged to the Great Ancestral Tree. The Wisp had a way of controlling the forest animals so maybe it could just call all of the squirrels back into its forest.

“I’ll go and ask.” He decided before the critters could double their numbers again. “Shadow Walk.” He took a step but made a hundred, so in no time he’ll reach the forest.

[You have entered The Great Ancestral Tree.], the message greeted him sooner than expected.

“So the Tree expanded its domain again.” He wondered if it had anything to do with the souls he was trading in for Amber. Or if it was because the Wisp grew stronger.

He broke the spell emerging into what once was an elf city. He couldn’t help but notice that some of the spiders had made homes here. It was good that the Wisp was so welcoming.

The wisp found him just as soon as he appeared. “King of Spiders, have you brought us more centipede souls?” It pulsed expectantly.

“While I need the Amber as much as ever, I didn’t come here for that. I’m here for advice.” He explained.

“Go on.” The Wisp urged emitting an aura befitting an ancient being it was; allegedly full of wisdom.

“The squirrels, they took over my farm and are defiantly devouring my fruits. I’m wondering if you could call them back.”

“Hmm.” The wisp buzzed thoughtfully. “I am aware of the numbers. And I cannot, they would starve here, or wreak havoc of similar proportion.”

Eh?! Was this Wisp trying to sabotage his farm?

However, it continued. “The solution is simple. Just cull them to an acceptable number.”

“You’re alright with me killing them?” He was genuinely surprised.

“Why wouldn’t I be? What do you think we are?” The Wisp buzzed needlessly offended. “Overpopulation can upset the balance of nature. We know the importance of the ‘wolf’. And we don’t mind you eating squirrels for your sustenance.” It made a circle around the King’s head. “It’s a part of nature.”

“You do understand that… I don’t even know. I’ll have to cull most of them.” Indeed, unlike the spiders, he didn’t like the squirrels much.

“And so be it.” The Wisp enlarged its body. “Grow them, farm them, eat them. Just don’t kill them needlessly, don’t make them suffer. Let them roam and don’t put them in cages like the Humans do with their stock. Some will die, but others will reproduce and take joy in being able to survive.”

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The wisp had an interesting take on life; not that he minded that.

“I guess that works for me. But just to be clear, you didn’t send them to me?” He asked just to be sure.

“I understand your confusion.” The wisp shrunk. “While I can direct the squirrels I do not possess them. Some do as they please and simply roamed into your jungle since it can support life and in abundance at that. And on that I congratulate you. You worked hard to transform The Dreaded Place.”

“I see, and thanks.” He took the given compliment to heart.

The wisp wasn’t done. “I, and we as a forest, have to deal with invasive pests quite often, so I understand your concern. Actually, I’m currently culling a particularly troublesome population of pests. They brought much trouble to us.”

“I see.” He repeated. “You need any help?”

“It wouldn’t be fitting to ask you for help since I left you to deal with your own infestation. We’ll be alright, I petitioned the Drow to help.” The wisp pulsed. “And if push comes to shove, the spiders will help, that is with your permission.”

It was good to hear that the old allies, the Great Ancestral Tree and the Drow, had finally made amends. And also, “The spiders don’t need my permission, if they want to help they can.” He smiled waving it off as a small matter.

“Thank you King of Spiders. You’re good Ally and a friend, the best I had in years.”

The wizened tree was flattering him. “I could say the same. After all, you did save my life.”

The two talked some more about more pleasant subjects.

…

Sometime later, to the great joy of Lamia, the Hunt of the squirrels began. The critters were plump and fattened on TomGrape, actually they were quite obese. The squirrels were in so bad of a shape some struggled to even climb a tree. In other words, most didn’t even have a chance leaving only the fittest and smartest to escape the grasp of Lamia.

Why did he call Lamia and not the spiders? Because spiders didn’t eat meat, and a few of them did keep the squirrels as pets, so he wouldn’t ask them to do something that could be unpleasant. However, neither he nor Lamia had such reservations – squirrels were food!

And he was smart about it. To maintain the future supply he selectively allowed some of the obese squirrels to escape, and hopefully reproduce. The idea was that the obese squirrels would teach the ways of fatness to their children and so he would always have easy bundles of juicy meat ready to just be plucked from under the vines; no need to use arrows or climb a tree.

Henceforth, the loss of the IceShard Bird Meat was replaced with the equally succulent Rodent Meat of a squirrel. And as a bonus he now had a huge stack of White Pelts, these were surprisingly soft and would make a superb coat. Something the humans might be interested perhaps, but considering the surrounding areas it was quite warm (with the exception of the Mountaintop). So maybe he would find a market somewhere colder.

Regardless, the meat was stewed and spiced with Lamia spices.

“It does taste like chicken.” He remarked.

“A chicken what? Sounds-sss like a formidable monster.” Friendly Lamia shuddered at the name.

“Never mind.” It was interesting how this world had similar creatures but not all of them. Maybe the chicken and the cow were just not found yet.

An unfamiliar drow approached the gathering of Lamia. No, the man was looking for him.

“King!” The drow bowed. “I have a message.”

He looked at him while thinking about what might be so urgent. “What is it?”

“The scorpion merchant has returned, the High Chief thought you want to see it.”

Yeah, he did, but considering the distance wouldn’t it take the messenger days just to deliver the message?

“Will it still be there?”

“Of course!” The messenger assured.

“Then come sit and take a bite with Lamia. An I’ll be off. [Shadow Walk]” He disappeared.

…

Indeed the scorpion merchant and its companions were there.

“Greetings King.” It chittered. “We’ve waited long. But were made welcome.”

By the looks of it, the Drow had set them up with improvised tents. And even fed and watered the merchants. Yes, the scorpions received VIP treatment because they brought him precious Glass Bottles.

“It's good to hear that. May I see the wares?”

“Come. Here by the side.”

The bottles were bound in bundles of ten by some sort of rope net, and stacked neatly on top of each other. Best of all there were a lot of them.

“The trip long and Dangerous. The payment is as Agreed, yes?” The merchant interlocked its scorpion fingers.

“I wouldn’t dare to swindle you. You know I need those bottles.” He took out the blocks of Living Wood.

“I’m now an Amazingly rich Scorpion.” It clapped its pincers.

“And I need more bottles.”

“More bottles more riches!” It chittered. “The bottles will come. But you might not see me again.”

Ah, too rich to keep making the dangerous trips. The scorpion will probably hire someone to do it in its place.

“It’s fine.” It was, even if the scorpion was probably getting extremely wealthy from all the exotic wood, that wood had cost him nothing. “But even when I would like you to visit now and then. To build the business relations and trust.” Or just to start diplomatic relations.

“Then. For future business, I will.” It chittered.

“One more thing. Is this made of Glem?” He showed an undead sword.

“Ka!!!” It chittered unpleasantly. “Get this Nasty out of my sight. I won’t buy.”

“No. I don’t want you to. I just want to know if this was made out of that metal you trade.”

“Yes, it is made out of Glem. Ka!” It chittered. “Been fouled with Nasty.”

“Yeah, I took it from the undead. I just want to melt this for metal, but our forges can’t do it. Any idea why?”

“Not a forge master. A merchant.” It glared at the offensive weapon. “Won’t know.”

“Would you be able to find out? At a price of course.”

“The secrets are Expensive. And can’t promise.”

“Of course, I’ll pay.” He took more wood blocks out.

“Then I’ll take the Nasty. Will ask the forge master in the Klan.” The scorpion agreed.

“Good, take your time.”

“But the King can. Buy the Glem for us. No need to melt Nasties.” The scorpion pointed out.

Indeed he could, and he will, but for the sake of forging the weapons he wanted, he was still interested in the smithing process.

He purchased a few other things from the scorpion merchants and bid them goodbye. In a show of bettering relations he even gave them an escort of spider warriors. That, and to find out exactly where they lived. The scorpions took the escort gladly, without even suspecting any ulterior motives.

Yes, he wanted to infiltrate the scorpion desert. And what was it? – the Twelve Klans and their cities; He was interested in them. They brewed some interesting drinks and had some interesting fruits. So there were goods to be traded and obtained aside from the mundane bottles and wood.

And as fellow insect people, they shouldn’t have a prejudice against his spiders. Hopefully, a new trade relationship will come to be.