The withered body lay limp in the middle of the forest and from within a bunch of white creatures popped out.
They are insects, termites to be precise. These are some of the long lost friends that were kept within the divine dimension. They didn't have much to do for such a long time. One of the high-level creatures that Sam had with him for a long time. Zoi termites. Insects that feed on vitality.
He even gave a large portion of them away to the Dusk organization during his last visit. He was even planning to go and give away the rest during his next visit. But luckily, they are here with him and he found great use today.
Since the whole body is dependent on vitality, this is the best way to just deal with Artemis.
Now these Zoi termites even got a huge amount of pure vitality to aid their growth. He threw all the termites back into the Divine dimension and took off on harbinger. He went directly back to the city.
Everyone was glad that he is back. Sam didn't bother greeting anyone, he just went to the beasts and took his leave back to the temple.
Only after half an hour later did the rest of the people come here. By that time, Sam is already having a meal and this time alone as he got lost in some thoughts.
Sandhya arrived and went to meet Sam.
"Why didn't you wait for us? What happened to you all of a sudden? Are you okay?"
"I am thinking something. Anyway, my job there was done. Do you need anything?"
"The clan leader of the Forest City wanted to give you a present for your help. A plot of land directly under their territory. You can grow any of your herbs there. The clan members will handle the herbs properly and with utmost care.
It would be a constant source of some high-quality medicine to you."
"I don't need it. Just give it back."
"Why? It is indeed a very valuable thing. Even if you are rich enough to splurge these kinds of resources and formations, it is good to have something here on this planet."
Sam sighed and stayed silent for a moment before he spoke again.
"Is there an orphanage on this planet? A proper and big one?"
"Yes, there is an orphanage that is run by the Mountain temple. Why?"
"Transfer that plot of land to that orphanage and let them have all the profits. Not just this, anything that these clan leaders want to give me in exchange, you can directly give it to the orphanage. I have enough to sustain myself and I am not really into your planet and I have no plans of expanding my organization here.
Even if I want to, I am sure I can earn my own bread. Don't disturb me with these things anymore."
Sam is really disturbed with a lot of thoughts at this moment. He really doesn't want to deal with these nobles' petty rewards and plots.
Sandhya was confused. She left the room and decided to do as Sam told.
She then went to the Priestess.
That night Sam is a bit calm and disappointed.
Priestess called him for a meeting and asked.
"I heard the third one gave you some trouble."
"It did, the terrain is a bit tricky. The forest is a great place. I am surprised that other powers just left the area alone."
"Oh, they didn't. There are more invasions on the forest than any other area. It used to be double its current size. Due to a lot of battles, the area was destroyed."
"I thought so. It's a pity. That is indeed a great piece of land. I destroyed my fair share of forests, but even I have to hesitate such a lush region. Unless it is hiding and aiding my archenemy, I highly doubt I could convince myself to do it."
"Anyway, are you feeling alright? Sandhya said your mood is down. She feels like you might be feeling too pressured because the third one was much more difficult than the previous two."
"No, not really. I am not feeling down or anything. I was just thinking about something. I was actually working on a project and I thought I could get some inspiration after I witnessed the first disaster. Particularly when I saw the forest area.
But it is bit disappointing."
"Alright. If you are feeling pressured, please let me know."
Sam nodded and then asked.
"Why do you care so much?
This is almost making me feel suspicious."
Priestess just chuckled and left. Sam just shrugged it off and went to thinking again. He is indeed thinking about a project. There is a reason why he collected so many corpses in the previous mission.
The Giants, the Lycans and the Demons. Even though they are three completely different species, they have one common thing. They are all shape-shifters to an extent. All three of them can change their original bodies into something else.
The Lycans have their true form, the Giants have their gigantification and the demons can change and imitate their aura. That is the reason why he collected all of those corpses and then did a lot of studies while he was fighting in that planet.
During his fight with Artemis in the forest, he felt like he came across something that would help with his research somehow.
He noticed that when Artemis is interacting with the trees to grant them sentience, there are serious method involved. The whole process is surprisingly simple. The only change thing noticeable is the mist like energy that entered these trees.
After the fight is over, he started thinking about the mist like energy.
That is why he came back without bothering about the young masters so that he can have some time alone. In his mind, he is doing a lot of simulations and trying understand what could be the reason.
But there is no solution.
The main problem is that if he had understood the reason by the mist like state of the energy, he would have done some simulations in the divine dimension and then figured out something. But he couldn't find a starting point.
That is why everything is a bit disappointing.
He is lost in his own thoughts.
Meanwhile, someone else is also getting lost in their thoughts in a secret meeting far away from the Mountain City. A clan leader has arranged a meeting a few of the important members from his clan in a secret location.
"What is it clan leader? We need to prepare for the next meeting and possibly for the disaster. We might even be targeted next? Why did you call for a meeting now?"
The elder almost sounded annoyed. The disasters are indeed making everyone feel a bit troubled. It is not easy to swallow the fact that such massive destruction could take place within their home and they don't know when or how it would happen and only person who can do it seems to be pretty pissed by their younger generation.
"It is about the disasters only. I think we are getting lost in the preparations are missing a very important opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
"We have three active enemies that we are fight for territory with. And now these three enemies are going to face the same level of disasters. What if we manage to capitalize the situation? If we let the cities get effected by the disasters and propose to the one of our allies to swallow that territory, we would score a win big time.
This is our chance to get an upper hand in power and resources. We might have a shot at being the second biggest power besides the mountain temple and even possibly the biggest power in the near future."
"Do you really think it is a good idea to mess with them right now? Sam, the one in charge of saving our asses has repeatedly told us that he doesn't want any interruptions during these times.
What if that guy finds out? What if he just wants to take it out on us because of it? Do you think you can defend yourself against it?"
"Come on, Elder. Just because he has some formations and special weapons, doesn't mean he is invincible."
"It seems like being the youngest clan leader on the planet got into your head way too much. Its true, just because someone is good with defensive measures, doesn't mean they are good at killing others too.
But if someone is THAT good at defending, trust me even if he is half as good as that when trying to kill you, you will end up six feet under.
So, don't proceed with these stupid plans."
The elder didn't even bother to hold back.
The clan leader of course didn't like it.
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