Modifications on Red are hard. The back shell is hard as diamond for the most part, so that is no problem. The face has some cosmetic changes to be unrecognizable and the bones got infused with more carbon to make them sturdy.

Right now he hangs on chains in the tunnel under the mill. The Mana infuses into his body slowly and I have a hard time to use it fast enough to not break him down. If Miasma can make Monster grow, Mana should have a similar effect hopefully. While at it I create new Armor. The grasswalker gave me the right Idea. Chitin armor should have the right durability as well as low weight.

A new chitin mask will be my new face protector, as the Iron is too heavy. I need something, what stays on while fighting. Hopefully it does not come to this, but be prepared for every occasion.

First I thought about the cape of stealth, but I made another with snake leather. Fusing the skins in a wide enough cover was easy, and the empowered skin is extremely acid resistant. This should help out with anything that tries to corrode and surprisingly burn me. Fire retardant leather is nice. Sadly it has no heat or cold resistance, it just does not want to singe or burn.

Hardened gauntlets with mouse leather inlaid and processed nerve endings should have the same power as my other gauntlet but this time both are modified with shock. Shoulderguards inlaid with leather and small openings get a kinetic acid thrower, and yes I tested it multiple times,it does not melt anyone under the armor.

While I want the breastplate something special, I do not have anything.

Alpha lives in my Sword. I had his core, but only as memento. Better would be boosts core, but the Roots have their core somewhere, or already destroyed it.

Using steel I finally made a nice sword, or better falchion. Swinging the falchion makes the infused mana inside activate with lengthening and sharpening the cutting place. For energy source I put some Mana dew in the hilt right next to the runic ring for infusion. His green core shines right in the middle of the guard. Please help me again by my side Alpha.

It looks more like I armor myself for war, but it is just needed for intimidation, so that should be okay for this occasion. Maybe I should make another one for Ava later. Now to the Amulet for Leafy, I create a similar with miasma repellent and…

…something happens to Red! I cannot control it, oh shit oh fu…

…

Well the time is here, morning has come and Leafy seems rather stressed out. Well we go back to her home, but not in full friendly intention. It should only be talk, but will be a bit strained.

“Lord, you look rather intimidating in your new garderobe. Is this necessary?”

“Albeit I am no warmonger, I should show strength if needed. My outfit is just for intimidation and security.”

She is not really sure about this, but it will help out. I just hope they are reasonable, as they did throw mud first.

“Do not worry. Nothing will happen unless they attack. I promised you not fight with your kind, and I am still keeping this promise. As long as you stay at my side and are not suddenly taken back by them, there will no real bad blood between us.”

“That again… I think I understand a bit, so I will always be on your side. If this is what Lord wants, I will stay for as long as you need my company.”

Huh, that was a weird phrasing, but seems she wants to stay for now. That is good… I guess? I not really want her to think she is a prisoner, but she is now part of my Domain.

While walking I scratch one last time Snows head and say good bye for now. She is a bit sad, but knows I am back in a bit. It should not be a long stay, it just needs an explanation. With this all puzzle pieces should click into place.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Out of the tunnel I hear whispers and stories, I never before understood. Seems like the whole Forest is a wealth of knowledge talking with each other on permanent base.

{Calamity is out of the tunnel. With him is the traitor.}

What the… How hateful are those Root to say such things with tree whisper?

{Lord Null came out, with him is Falling Leaf, she might come with him and hopefully stay with us again}

That was another voice. The first was some spy of the elder and the second the outpost? Then it seems there is a slight split in unity. This will get complicated.

“Lord?”

“Ah, sorry. I was in thought about something. Do you know someone who would hate to even deign to talk to someone outside under the Elders?”

“You mean the Eldest Mothers? … Not directly, but under the dead was a direct nephew of High Mother Silent Dew. She dotted on him, but he was eager to be with the Soldiers to rise in rank. He died by… whatever that thing was.”

I see. Loss in the Family, and when you think about it the high isolationism just needs to be stoked a bit to make others unhappy too. She might be the culprit. We will see.

…

“Lord, a way up is…”

“Right over there, I know. This will bring us faster to the City by using the Liana walkways.”

“Wha… ah, yes. This will make it easier for us. Please follow me Lord.”

She might think I know it because of Red. Well I do know their ways up and down from him, but the plants even tell me where to go for the easiest ways. It is rather nice, but noisy.

Taking the way up I get warned by the plants of bad eyes looking at me, but ignore it. If something happens, it will be rather painful for the Roots. Even if something happens, this might be the final test for Leafy. I am still paranoid of her, but without her, there would be less… fun. It is nice to have her with us, so hopefully she stays true to her promise.

The climb was rather easy. The grappling points were creatively hidden, but also sturdy and easy to use. Even rest places were made by fake branches to get the breath back.

I would say a bit more than half way the bridges can now finally be seen. Half tied branches half Liana those can not be noticed from below, as they just resemble everything else up here, but from this vantage point it is clearly engineered.

With the new way forward I can really say it is way easier through the Forest, I would love to use those ways while going back and forth, but this would be a rather affront to Root, as that are their streets and I would need permission to just walk them casually. The free passage through the Forest is already a great boon, so not pushing my Luck just to strain our already brittle Alliance.

…

I really wanted to see the City myself. It is a masterpiece in form of a living City. Close to nothing is made out of dead things, everything is alive and I can feel their vitality. This is the paradise for any plant loving person. It is magnificent.

Right now many whispers are heard from the hundreds of bridges, but I can not hear much of them, as they are coming from Root and not from plants. The Guards seem to have already expected us. Well they had our way completely surveilled and called every step back to their headquarters. I was gladly spared from any more slander, as the spy did not say anything anymore. Maybe he ran back or stayed to not blow his cover.

“We welcome you Lord Null. I hope your travel was a pleasant one.”

A nice welcome? Nice, it seems those are under the Queen or an amiable factions.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I heard from your great Forest City already, but it is such a Miracle I am in awe of your paradise you build for yourself. May you lead us to our resting place, until the time for the audience has come?”

My courteous reply seems to string a cord with the Soldiers, as they relax a bit from their hard stares. Leafy relaxes a bit too after seeing I really want to stay on the nice side. I already told you, I am only here to help you, jeez have some faith.

While walking through the City many eyes are on us. No wonder, as the last visitor might be multiple centuries back, and then it might be some kind of elf, well I am right now elf… Kinda… Actually I do not know really what I am right now, so whatever.

The destination can be seen as the canopy of that tree is not only giant, it is the biggest most prominent tree around. If some kind of Tree of Life exists here, this might be it? Maybe not, it is just a big tree with vitality and the oldest whispers of generations so long ago. It is a survivor of the Starfall by the whispers it tells. Impressive!

Our stay is on the tree right beside. Water was presented to us and some Fruits. Even some fresh dew and sap was there, what Leafy made her nostalgic right away. It was just a few Months since you are gone. What is this for the life of an elf… Half a day in human lifespan?

Well if she is happy, I am happy. Nothing to protest about the hospitality, so it seems hopeful for a nice negotiation between true allies and not a heated discussion.