Chapter 208 - Jackalwere Monk

Reincarnated individuals retain their Professional Level and memories, even though their bodies are new.Gaven’s Professional Level clearly does not match the abilities he has displayed.

Unless through particular methods, even one’s own Professional Level is erased, ready for professional reshaping.

Ultimately, Virginia was confined by his own limitations, unable to break free from fixed thinking, only considering from the existing perspective of magic, failing to realize that Gaven faced a bigger dilemma.

This conjecture could match about sixty or seventy percent of Gaven’s condition, just missing the most core aspect.

Gaven choked, wisely not dwelling further on this matter.

If a man’s every thought were known to women, the resulting disaster would be more terrifying than the Arcane Catastrophe, causing the Multiverse to collapse and destruct.

With a look of heartfelt grievance, Gaven said, "I said from the start, mutual cooperation for mutual benefit. When it comes to digging and Stone Shaping, you have to look at my Gnolls, but in terms of strength, they’re a disadvantaged group. I see no one on your side skilled in that aspect. So how about this, I’ll give you one hundred Gnoll Stone Shaping experts in exchange for fifty Treants?"

At the Tear Lake Valley construction site, what Gaven coveted most were those massive Treants.

They might move slowly, but one can’t overlook their large size and great strength.

They’re practically divine artifacts for a construction site, capable of hauling and lifting heavy weights, and if need be, they can even serve as supports, just like living elevators.

A single Twilight Guardian significantly increased the work efficiency of the Dragon Oak Dragon Nest. If there were dozens more Treants...

The construction speed would multiply several times over.

These Treants were not only useful for their construction sites but also for their mining operations.

Currently, what limited the mining speed at Blackwell Iron Mine was not the internal excavation but the transportation issue.

Relying solely on the small carts of the Gnolls was time-consuming, laborious, and strenuous. Now, a large amount of iron ore was piling up in the mine, unable to be transported out.

Gaven was keen on establishing rail transport, yet the cost was too high.

Although they were mining iron, they lacked the knowledge of smelting; steel still had to be purchased from outside, and the cost was multiple times higher for importing than extracting.

If it were any other mineral, Gaven, with a pinched nose and clenched teeth, might endure it. However, since it was iron they were mining, it was particularly distressing to think about.

Add to that, there were many projects and they had surged in prominence within a short time; large-scale investments had not yet begun in this area.

Moreover, such a large project could not be completed overnight. Even with the help of magic, years of continuous investment and construction were inevitable.

If dozens of Treants could help, it would be a great relief from an urgent difficulty.

Even if rails were built, they would not become obsolete, as they still involved the issue of a power source.

The usually calm and tranquil Virginia could not help but let out a cold laugh, "You’re quite optimistic, thinking a hundred Gnoll Stone Shaping experts could get you fifty of my Treants?"

"My apologies for not being clear, not just any Gnolls, but Dragon Blood Kobolds with earth-based spell-like abilities. In our Dragon Oak, they are not common goods. Such experts, I hardly have over two hundred in my hands," Gaven added. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet

"Then it is I who misunderstood you," Virginia’s expression eased quite a bit, but he still shook his head, "It’s not that I’m unwilling, but the Fae Race is special. They work here entirely voluntarily, striving to protect their homeland.

If I were to assign them to your place, the nature of their service would completely change. Even if I am the Lord of the Spring Bud Forest, they might not obey my arrangement."

This bucket of cold water immediately cooled Gaven’s overheated brain, only then did he remember that the other party consisted of natural beings.

He had only considered their benefits before and not their critical weakness.

These natural beings all advocate for nature.

They are generally indifferent to various constructions, some extremists even prefer demolition to restore everything to its natural state rather than building.

Mining is abhorred even more, as it signifies selfish acts that damage nature.

To have Treants assist with his mining was far too presumptuous. It was already good if they did not sabotage his mine.

Gaven’s disheartened appearance made Virginia feel somewhat sympathetic, prompting him, "You already have the key to unlocking a gold mine in your possession. Why then, would you pan for gold here?"

"The key to unlocking the gold mine?" Gaven did not grasp what was being referred to at first.

"Enlightenment," Virginia stated candidly. "Don’t you have the Enlightenment spell? You can well enlighten trees yourself. Usually, those trees you enlighten will be influenced by your thoughts and tend to align with your disposition. As long as you treat them well, they generally will not go against your wishes."

"Right, how could I have forgotten that?" Gaven smacked his forehead hard. He was in possession of the ability to animate huge trees himself, so why lust after others’ Treants?

Rolling his eyes, Gaven shamelessly suggested, "If you’re reluctant to give Treants, surely you can spare those trees, right?"

Trees were not absent from the Rocklands, but mostly coniferous, high-altitude species like pine trees dominated; these trees usually weren’t very tall, making suitable enlightening subjects difficult to find.

Spring Bud Forest was different—there, towering trees thick enough for a man to wrap his arms around were everywhere. When the time came, it would not be about picking generals from among the dwarfs, but choosing the best among the excellent.

"You can search for suitable enlightening trees in Spring Bud Forest," Virginia started, taking a turn, "for each tree, one Gnoll Stone Shaping expert—a Dragon Blood one—committed to serving Spring Bud Fortress for ten years, non-negotiable."

"Why don’t you just rob me?" Gaven exclaimed with heartfelt grievance. "Lordship, I think you’ve lost your way. How can such matters be measured in money? Isn’t it good for you if I enlighten more trees? This is about strengthening the forces of nature; before enlightenment, they’re just trees without wisdom."

Virginia, wearing a smile, said, "This is just like you, Lord Gaven, to have taught me the principle of equivalent exchange. You enlightened them, not to serve Spring Bud Fortress, but to serve yourself, and naturally they must pay a corresponding price."

"Don’t think that only Spring Bud Forest has suitable candidates. The Rocklands are vast, and there are certainly plenty of them there. I absolutely refuse to accept your extortion." Gaven decided to start with the Rocklands, spreading the Erde out to search for suitable Enlightened Trees.

"Then I’ll wait for your good news." Virginia was certain that Gaven would come back to her.

Because, according to his needs, he required a large number of Enlightened Trees, and the Dragon Oak Territory alone could not satisfy his demand.

As the two spoke, they had already arrived at the Yaling’s temporary camp in Tear Lake Valley. Before the Yaling could come up to greet them, Lord Virginia instantly retracted her smile, resuming her usual cool, noble air.

Virginia gave a nod to the handsome male Yaling leading the group and said, "General Colin, take me to see that special guest."

General Colin did not move but stared at Virginia as he demanded, "Before that, would Lord Virginia please explain your recent itineraries of the past twenty days? A lord being away from their domain and castle for a long time is a grave dereliction of duty."

Facing such questioning, Gaven was somewhat taken aback. A general speaking to his lord with such a tone, was he no longer interested in his position?

"Although I was not in the castle, I have always been within my territory. I believe that is something you should have sensed. As for my activities, I don’t need to report to you. All you need to know is that I have been fulfilling my responsibilities in my own way," replied Lord Virginia, as if it was business as usual.

General Colin stared at Virginia for several seconds before giving a nod and saying, "I trust you. I just wanted to remind Lord Virginia of your importance to us, to Spring Bud Forest. Please don’t let love delay pressing matters."

Hisss!

Gaven inhaled sharply. So the defiant and rebellious general was actually a man of iron-clad straightforwardness—could such direct words really be spoken?

The usually nonchalant Virginia blushed slightly, as if recalling something awkward, her expression faltering a bit.

General Colin had already turned, leading the two towards a temporary tent.

Inside the tent, a person sat cross-legged, dressed in the simple garb of a martial monk.

Upon seeing his face clearly, Gaven’s muscles involuntarily tensed.

Jackalweres.

A Jackalwere monk?

This combination was not just rare; it was unprecedented. At least, Gaven had never heard in his past or present life about Jackalweres becoming martial monks.

After all, martial monks were devoted to quiet contemplation and strict adherence to various precepts. Only those with an orderly mind chose this path, which usually requires a legacy to be passed down.

On the other hand, Jackalweres, with their demonic origins, were infused with chaotic powers by nature, devoid of kindness and mercy, being mad and bloodthirsty. Following their desires to hunt and act recklessly was in their nature.

The two were completely diametrically opposed.

Hmm.

No, this was not an ordinary Jackalwere.

An ordinary Jackalwere was tall and thin, with long and pointed ears and mouth, and their skin was usually greenish-gray or grayish-black, covered with fur that ranged from reddish-gray to dark yellow.

The Jackalwere in front of him was relatively stocky, with shorter and rounder ears and mouth, broader shoulders, thicker arms, and covered in short reddish-brown fur. He seemed less ferocious than a typical Jackalwere.

This was a Flind, a subspecies of the Jackalwere.

Compared to ordinary Jackalweres, this subspecies was relatively smarter and more orderly, often becoming leaders or elites within Jackalwere tribes.

But at their core, they were still Jackalweres. Even if they were more orderly, it was not enough to make them become martial monks.

When the Jackalwere monk finished meditating and opened his eyes, Gaven felt even more that he was extraordinary.

The eyes showed none of the cunning, brutality, evil, or madness typical of Jackalweres. What they held was serenity and calmness.

Had it not been for his appearance, Gaven might have thought he was in the presence of an enlightened high monk.

The stocky build of the Flind was relative to other Jackalweres. As the Flind monk stood up, his height was still quite imposing, nearly touching the top of the Yaling’s temporary tent, at least two meters tall.

The Flind monk bowed and said, "I assume the two of you are the lord and lady of this place. Flind offers his sincere greetings to you both."

The Jackalwere’s common tongue, aside from a slight canine accent, was quite standard. However, it was clear that there was a misunderstanding regarding the relationship.

In the Jackalwere society, with dominant males and subservient females, those in power could only be males; females held sway on rare occasions. Subconsciously, he presumed Gaven was the Yaling Lord he sought to meet.

Faced with this misunderstanding, Virginia didn’t seem to feel the need to clarify, addressing Flind directly, "Mr. Flind, why don’t you just tell us in detail the message you’ve brought us?"

"Alright." The Jackalwere monk seemed to accommodate the height of Gaven and his companion by sitting cross-legged again, speaking at their level, "I understand that Jackalweres have a very bad reputation among other races. I hope you won’t judge me by my appearance. I swear on the name of my foster father that what I’m about to tell you is the truth."

Virginia replied indifferently, "Mr. Flind, speak your mind. Whether we believe it or not, we’ll make our own judgment."

"Very well." Flind let out a sigh and said, "I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Black Reaper."

"The Black Reaper?" Gaven’s expression changed slightly as he inquired, "The Jackalwere war band known as the Black Reaper?"