Another new word. Were those soldiers and Red that uneducated? What is a ‘Woodwalker’? Maybe Leafy can talk about it, when we are back.

Dewy Leaf seems to want to protest, but holds it in. The chiding of her Queen has worked. Whatever happens now, I have no cards to play. Right now I try to analyze everything to create a new Hand to play. If Red dies, I have still two Guards, albeit mixed gender to create a new Body for retaliation, the only loss is if Leafy does not come back, so…

“As We can see, Our guest is even in higher standing as the Root first thought. This shows even more Our displeasure of how the Root act against outsiders.”

So, maybe I do not need some cards right now? Sounds more like it has an unexpected positive effect. Lets just wait for what will happen for now.

“Our kind has become complacent and distrustful of outsiders over the recent centuries. Instead of leafs We grow thorns and Our saplings get more and more assured about Our superiority against anything outside the Forest. Sir Null gave without prompt and what did Our children do? They attack, conspire and sabotage. We are saddened by the whole affair, and need to speak with each Eldest Mother about changing this outlook.”

Huh? What is she talking about? Sounds rather nation changing, how it is phrased.

“Sir Null, if nothing more is needed with Our attention, We would ask you and your entourage to look around our humble City. Although, if you wish to go back to your own Domain, We would wish you well on your travel. What do you think?”

Huh, I really have nothing more to say, so the slight of asking me if I want something else while directly throwing us out is not hurtful. Rather she seems to want to set some heads straight before more mud is thrown in each others faces.

“I would love to see more of your great City before leaving, but sadly it can only be briefly, as we need to be also back to ponder the new events we witnessed. To see the machinations behind the scenes opened my eyes to the true disposition of the Root and need to sorted in this new, more positive light. I thank you for handling the affairs in the way you have, dear Queen.”

I am really thankful, as it shows not only the dirt, but also the truths behind the whole dirt. It can be said she has a rather thick skin to show all those things, without even flinching. I would have thought such display to be an embarrassment for most rulers, but she just opened up the whole bag of worms and threw it upside down to see what is in it.

Putting on my Gauntlet I ready my helmet, and align the straps.

“We do not mind your face be a temporary one. If you want, you can leave the covering. No one will harm you in our Forest in any way.”

Looking in the direction of Dewy Leaf, she continues.

“As this is a Royal Order for everyone to obey.”

Dewy Leaf seems to understand and bows as deep as she could. Well I do not know about leaving my helmet off, but the Queen seems to want something with this. What it is, I can not fathom, as I am no ruler… wait, I am, but not a competent one. Did I just demean myself?

“Your word is guaranty enough, dear Queen.”

With a bow I put away the helmet into the spacial pouch. As it is rather full I put it over the Bomb I had put in front for easy grabbing. I just need to remember the Bomb is inside the helmet to not accidentally activate it or something.

Leafy is still a bit perturbed, but breaks out of her stupor when we start to leave.

“Lord Null, how…”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Later Leafy, I need to talk to you about different things anyway.”

“I… I understand, and hope I can give an appropriate apology for any slight I might have done.”

“What? Nothing of that kind. There is just some things I need to ask, do not worry.”

Stepping in front of the Guard with my sword, he gives it with a deep bow back.

“My apologies, again.”

“Those were orders, nothing to apologize for.”

Taking my sword I feel rather good for having Alpha back. Sadly I do not know how Alpha would feel about my feelings. He was rather wild and antisocial, but whatever.

…

The city is incredible to watch. All those different ways they created a huge multilevel City without anything other than living plants. It is not only the ingenious way to knit together the plants, but even the way to lead the rain to every single plant for nourishment and way for having enough sun at the same time is incredible.

Through Reds Memories I thought it just a fantastic view, but the construction is even more intricate than first thought. Maybe the Body has something to do about how I feel about the City itself. After I disassemble Red again I will review my thoughts again.

While walking around, we are followed by guards. No normal guards, but this time honor guards. No weapon or armor, rather elegant leaf coverings of the finest making. The statement is seen in how the citizens are behaving. Some had strange looks in their eyes, but after seeing the whole company, they either bow and leave or continue their work. I feel like a VIP, and Leafy feels a bit uncomfortable.

Samples of berries or herbs are given without asking and I am treated like one of the Root, albeit a bit strained or with overzealous respect. Not that I want to complain but… well a small complaint, as I feel like some kind of attraction in a zoo or something.

Seeing the Roots kind of Music shows the differences in what is thought of ‘art’ Their music imitates sounds of wind, birds, animals and other noises inside the Forest in a kind of melodic combination. It is kind of harmonic, but just imitating the noises and not using self made sounds of string instruments or whatever is rather alien. If I would not know, it is a play, I would ask myself, why the Monsters around have a slight rhythm with the lead of the rustling leafs.

Tasting dew and sap for the first time I have to say, it is somehow refreshing. The dew has an interesting taste like ice water, without being cold, and the sap has an intense taste of thick herbal tea. I would have thought it sweet, but it has a strong spicy taste. There seems to be more different saps, and I can believe it, as not every tree has the same sap.

For now we need to go back. Whatever the Queen is discussing I felt the pressure a few times even at distance, so some heads got cut to size. Whatever she wanted to accomplish by me showing my face, I hope it is positive for my future travels, as otherwise I will have to come again, with a more horrifying body, if I can create some.

…

The travel back was uneventful, as the bridges are quite easy to navigate. The only difference was by the messages sent through the trees. ‘Lord Null’ was changed to ‘our Guests’ and some directly named Root were ordered to immediately travel back and wait for further sanctions. That sounded like the groups of the disgruntled Elders got put right into some kind of community service. Not that I care though.

Finally being back I only wish to get out of this Body. The voices of the Forest drone right into my head and sometimes I do not even know anymore which thought is mine and which is some daisy on the ground.

It was luckily already dark and even plants get more silent in the night. Do those Woodwalker or whatever I am even think their own thoughts, or do they let think by Nature itself? I myself feel rather foreign in such a hivemind scenario.

“Lord Null, I have some questions I hope to get answered.”

...There goes leaving the body for the meantime.

“What do you need to know?”

“Your body, it is like our Root but different… powerful and majestic. What are you?”

“An invader from another World.”

That was not what she wanted to hear and looks a bit angry.

“Lord, you know what I mean. This look is imposing and has some kind of familiarity, I can not fight. What is with that?”

sigh “Let us go into the gazebo. The answer will be a bit longer and should even frighten you to maybe even unable to stand.”

She did not quite believe me about it, but whatever. Going into the gazebo we sit down. Snow woke up right away and found us, cuddling with me as if I was gone for years.

“You already have an inkling, of me being from another World.”

She nods, it might be time to come a little bit clean. Only a little bit though…

“I was a Hero in another World…”