Light's Dawn of Azeroth

Chapter 244, Section 1. Nietzsche was also a great Druid.
The forest elves don't really like Stormwind.

It's not just because the city has just experienced a war, leaving behind the lingering smell of barbecue that the forest spirits hate; they also dislike the city because it lacks a natural atmosphere.

As forest spirits who can tell what happened here just by touching the soil, they can even sense the scene when the city was built. Humans cut down innocent trees just to create their city and drove away ignorant wild beasts just to protect the town's safety.

They neither understood nor tried to understand the rules of nature.

Such behavior would be severely condemned in Draenor, but the Forest Spirit Sages still forgave it.

They noticed that two of the four provinces of Stormwind Kingdom were covered in forests, and the crops in the western fertile plains were well cared for by humans. The prosperity of agriculture indicated that the relationship between the locals and nature was relatively harmonious. The insufficient forest area in that godforsaken place, Redridge Mountains, was due to geological reasons, which could not be blamed on humans.

Overall, the forest spirit sages who came to Stormwind Kingdom gave these humans a "neither good nor bad, but rather favorable" assessment, so they moved around the city with a hint of joy.

The forest spirits are simple-minded and enjoy being with the "children of nature".

Just like the Father of Everbloom's assessment of the Draenei, they obtain necessary resources from nature for survival, but do not harm innocent plants and nature excessively, which shows that these humans can still be saved.

The plant life catalyzed the growth of noisy demon pod people from the shrubs throughout the city ruins, ordering them to find local herbs. Then they set up pots and began to boil strange-tasting soups. The guards, who had received orders from the marshal, were responsible for organizing the people in various places, making them line up in long queues to receive the hot soup from the "plant people" and drink it. Some children hid in their mothers' arms, curiously looking at the plant bodies of the forest spirits and their expressionless faces.

The forest spirits don't have any special feelings towards children, but they will fairly give these noisy human cubs the same amount of medicinal soup as adults.

"These medicinal soups can replenish the recent weakness of the plague patients. The treatment methods of the forest spirits are rather 'wild,' and people with weak constitutions cannot withstand the symbiosis of the Seed of Nature in their bodies."

In the garden high above Stormwind Keep, Dick explained to Lothar, who was standing beside him coughing incessantly:

"You need to swallow the seeds that the Forest Spirit catalyzes from nature. That stuff is the crystallization of wild natural power. After entering the stomach, it will temporarily coexist with the human body. It will extract and enrich the individual's degenerate spores."

At the same time, you must follow the priests' instructions and drink diluted holy water regularly to purify the evil energy contamination in the plague spores.

Finally, the disease seeds are expelled from the body through excretion, thus removing the plague from the patient's body.

However, because Cenarius modified the Plague so that it could not produce antibodies, repeated infections are a major problem.

Based on Lord Nalegar's suggestion, I believe the inhabitants of Stormwind Kingdom should adopt a new lifestyle: ingesting Seeds of Nature once a month to ensure that the plague does not break out on a large scale again.

Also, don't just throw away the seeds that have been discharged!

The vigilant waved his hand in a subtle, suppressed laugh and said:

"You need to assign someone to collect the seeds of the Demon Plague, clean them, and then hand them over to the Forest Spirit Sages. They are the materials for them to cast the 'Flesh Regeneration Technique'."

"It doesn't sound complicated."

Lothar didn't care about the part of the forest elves "producing and selling their own products" in this process. The marshal's consideration was very realistic. The forest elves are plants. Farmers know that they need to fertilize when growing vegetables, so seed recycling is normal and there is no need to make a fuss about it.

His real concern was another issue.

"how long it takes?"

The marshal, leaning on his cane and coughing, said:
"Although we tried our best to cover it up, the Greenskins have already discovered our predicament. They have been moving around very frequently these past few days. Xiquan Fortress has been attacked three times in two days. The soldiers there are really fighting desperately to resist."

The plague is a terrible weakening tactic; our warriors must recover their health as quickly as possible.

"A standard course of treatment takes seven days. If you include the process of drinking the herbal decoction to stimulate vitality and prepare for treatment, it will take about ten days. During this process, because the plague spores are enriched, the patient will become healthier every day."

Dick replied:
"If you prioritize combat, you can actually return to combat status on the second day after the seed enters your body by using the life-activating techniques of the forest spirits. The price is that you will be more tired after the battle."

Speaking of which, there's something you need to think about carefully, Lothar,"

"Ok?"

The marshal looked at the sentry, who glanced back at the rustling bushes in the garden and waved his hand, saying:
"Let Yongmao's father explain the 'trial of life' concerning the degenerated spores to you."

Under the marshal's astonished gaze, the precious bouquets carefully cultivated by Ryan and his wife, Queen Talia, blossomed rapidly amidst the enchanting entanglement, shaping a robust forest spirit leader draped in a forest robe.

The latter has a crown woven from exotic flowers and plants on his head and holds a black thorn cane in his hand.

It strode forward, its emerald eyes fixed on Lothar, and with a slightly impolite gesture, reached out and touched Lothar's wrist, seeing the patches of gray stains beneath his clothes.

Yongmao's father shook his head regretfully, and at the same time, a seed sprouted from his palm.

The marshal reached out and took it, glanced at the vigilant, and then swallowed it. Once the seed had completed its symbiosis in his stomach, he could understand the language of the Forest Spirit's father.

“I have toured your country. The natural environment here is well maintained, but this land has even greater potential. I have also found the perfect location to plant the World Tree, the Seed of Tayara.”

It said to Losa:
"That seed will be planted in your Northshire Abbey and, through some special methods, will form a symbiotic relationship with the main body of the Dark Portal. In this way, the gate to our world will be personally guarded by the children of our World Tree."

However, my friend Diakum told me that this requires your permission.

"So, leader of mankind, may we plant the seeds of the sacred tree in your land?"

That tree

Losa hesitated for a moment.

Remembering Dick's words that the forest spirits liked to be straightforward because they were "brainless," he didn't mince words and asked directly:

"I must know what changes that tree will bring to the Storm Kingdom! I must know everything, leader of the forest elves, for better or for worse. If humans are to share this land with the forest elves in the future, then your honesty will make it easier to persuade us."

“Share? No, you have misunderstood our request.”

Nalegar waved his hand and said very directly:

"This is your land! This will not change just because the Seed of the Sacred Tree has taken root. Our home is Draenor, and the Everblooming Forest Spirits will not establish a new home. You need not worry about us taking over your territory."

As for the changes that the sacred tree will bring...

There are two aspects.

Firstly, this land will become more resilient due to the spread of the sacred tree's life force, making Elwynn Forest, Sunrise Forest, and even the jungles of Stranglethorn Vale more prosperous, and the grain production of the Western Wilderness will also increase exponentially.

Of course, nature doesn't discriminate between food and weeds, so your farmers need to work even harder to remove those rampant bad roots.

If you need to open up new territory in the forest, you will also need to put in more effort.

The convergence of nature's life force will also affect the local people. Your newborn children will be stronger, and may even inherit the physique and strength of their ancestors through the blessing of the sacred tree, resulting in the birth of more bloodlines that are close to nature.

Perhaps in one or two generations, the Druidic faith will emerge in this region.

But local wild animals will also be blessed!
The wolves and grizzly bears in the forest will be more ferocious, the fishmen by the lake will be more robust, and even the jackals will enjoy the full bloom of life.

As I said, nature doesn't make distinctions; it is fair and treats all life equally.

"That sounds like a good thing."

Lothar nodded and said:
"So what are the downsides?"

"The downside is that your forest will 'come alive'."

Dick said quietly from the side:
"Those branches whisper in the shadows, exchanging their views on humans. When you enter the dense forest, you need to be careful that the mischievous vines don't trip you up. There are naturally born ancient tree people and forest spirits wandering in the forest."

Most of the time they are friendly, but if someone damages nature in front of them, it will provoke a fierce and deadly counterattack.

When humans cut down forests on a large scale without their consent, everything that the Greenskinned Orcs suffered will be repeated on you.

Wooden houses will come to life and crush the loggers inside; chairs will sprout new shoots and strangle every villain; even food will be highly poisonous. In extreme cases, you'll have to fight your bread every morning to decide who eats whom.

The forest will come back to life, Lothar, the earth will have its own will.

The Everbloom Forest Spirits will not live here forever; they do not lie. But this forest will give birth to its own 'Elven Forest Spirits,' the 'Tree Shepherds' created for themselves by the children of the World Tree, Tayara.

The forest spirits will not contend with you for this land, for they are the embodiment of the land's will.

The Watcher paused, giving Lothar a moment to process what was happening, before concluding:
"Once the sacred tree is planted, the social order and rules of the entire Stormwind Kingdom will undergo tremendous changes for a period of time. The people here will have to learn to respect nature and find their own way to live in harmony with it. You will receive the blessings of nature, but correspondingly, you will also be subject to its limitations."

The human marshal fell silent.

He was very conflicted, but it didn't last long. He said:

"The kingdom must survive before it can even think about the future. So, I have one last question, Father of Everbloom: if the Seed of the Sacred Tree falls, if its forest is invaded by outsiders, just like when Stormwind Kingdom was invaded by the Greenskins, will the power of this land fight alongside humanity to kill the enemy?"

Moreover, humans believe in holy light.
Will there be a conflict between these two?

"These are two problems! Human, it seems you're not very good at math."

That bastard Nalegar has quite a sense of humor; first, he pointed out that Lothar's words were imprecise, then he shook his head and said:
"Nature doesn't care what you believe in. It will be happy if you worship nature, but it will not hate you if you chase the light. As for the aid you want, the Elwynn Forest has already taken up its own weapons. It will no longer be submissive to those trampling feet!"

It has already begun, somewhat bewildered, to fight back against the invaders!

Yongmao's father reached out and waved his hand gently. Under Lothar's gaze, a black vine sprouted from the ground like a snake and placed something at the marshal's feet.

An orc's head!

It looked like it had just died, and had been corroded by some kind of corrosive liquid, leaving only bones and disgusting flesh and blood.

"The greenskins harmed Draenor, that world nearly died because of them. Do you think you can escape your guilt by fleeing to another world? Don't even think about it!"

Yongmao's father said in a chilling voice:

"Plants may be too lazy to think, but we will never forget hatred!"

"Alright! For the sake of this green-skinned head, let's plant it!"

In crucial moments, Losa is truly willing to go all out.

He waved his hand and said:
"Plant the sacred tree now, and use the fury of this land to fend off the Greenskins. Once we humans have cleansed ourselves of the plague, we will fight them again under the protection of the forest! And finally, we will reclaim our homeland!"
Cough cough cough.

The words were well said, but the constant coughing severely damaged the marshal's heroic demeanor.

Nalegar nodded in satisfaction.

The forest spirit's straightforward nature made it feel that the human marshal in front of it was reasonable, a fair and good person, and worth saving. Therefore, it condensed a green seed from its fingertip and handed it to Lothar, indicating that he should take it.

The life force of a legendary being is not so easily depleted by the plague, so Lothar can begin treatment immediately.

But before that, Dick reminded him:

“My friend, perhaps you should give Marshal Losa a choice, as we discussed on the way here.”

"Hmm, yes, yes, look at my brain, which is so dehydrated from the change in environment that it's hard to think. This land is a bit dry, and the vines don't have enough water content, which is affecting my thinking."

Yongmao's father expressed his apology, then said very seriously to Lothar, who was staring at it:
"The degenerate spores are the power passed down from the progenitor of life. They are essentially a test and assessment of individual life. Those brown-skinned orcs should have told you that if they can survive the infection of the 'Red Catastrophe' on their own, they will become stronger and braver."

This is the blessing that vitality bestows upon the individual.

Although the degenerated spores were transformed into the vicious plague by demons, the trial of this vitality still continues.

Therefore, Anduin Lothar, you and your people have two choices to rid yourselves of the plague!
Firstly, follow the most orthodox method and let the seeds of nature enrich spores to help you restore your health.

Secondly, I have reduced the binding force of the Seed of Nature, so that it will only temporarily limit the repeated infections of the Demonic Plague. You can try to rely on your willpower and physical strength to survive the degeneration trial of the spores, proving to life your resilience and strength, proving that you can survive the cruel survival of the fittest.

The leader of the forest spirits pointed to the guards and said:

"If you overcome the torment of the degenerate spores on your own, you will receive the blessing of vitality and become as tall and strong as Diakum! Becoming the 'trampling hoof' chosen by nature!"
Moreover, given the recurring nature of the plague, if you can defeat the degenerate spores multiple times, you might just become a mighty half-giant like him.

This is the profound meaning of the way of life.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

However, this comes at a price.

Nalegar emphasized in a deep voice:
"You have chosen to accept the help of the forest spirits to undergo the trials of life, which means that you will share the same oath of revenge as us. Your prince Varian Wrynn has already signed a pact of alliance with us."

When we embark on our expedition to Argus with the Draenei in the future, you will also be part of it.

"Once you survive this trial of life, your physical functions will be reborn."

Dick added in a low voice:
"I heard that hair will grow back. You should really need this. After all, you're so young and you already have signs of balding. It would be really embarrassing to say that the future human emperor is a bald old man."

Moreover, your outrageous fiancée, with the body of a half-elf, has awakened the barbarian lord power of Ignatius Trollbane. If this continues, your future position in the family is truly worrisome.

“You don’t have to be so pragmatic, Dick.”

Lothar waved his hand, adopting a dignified posture of "for the greater good," and straightened up, saying:

“Then let’s go, Father of Yongmao. For the future of the human race, I am willing to be the first trial participant.”

"Oh, you're not the first one."

Nalegar emphasized:
"Actually, you're not even in the top ten!"

The prince of Kul Tiras with his sister, the brave human lieutenant colonel Windsor and Marcus Jonathan, the kind priest Turalyon, the fierce dragon slayer Tirion Fordring, and his devout companion, Grand Duke Mograine.

Even your human archbishop Alonsus Faol, and your fiancée Colonel Daenerys.

They all accepted life's trials for the same reason: they believed they had an obligation to find a 'path of evolution' for the people.

It must be said, humans and elves are truly brave!
Although Lady Daenerys' question to me whether the trials of life could cure magical addiction left me speechless, I couldn't even understand what 'magical addiction' was.

Losa hesitated for a moment, swallowed the seed, and asked:
"So what do I need to pay attention to in order to pass this trial of life?"

"Exercise, go to bed early and get up early, don't stay up late, and don't be anxious."

Dick suggested from the side:

"Maintain a positive mindset. When you feel weak, do some push-ups or combat training to fight against your inner turmoil and temptations. Don't let your weakness defeat you."

Disease spores have their own limitations.

When it is forced to draw more of your life force in an attempt to defeat you but fails, it will gradually become a part of your body. When that life force is returned, you receive your blessing.

"Ah."

Lothar nodded.

Although Diakum downplayed it, the process was definitely not comfortable and not suitable for civilians and ordinary soldiers, but elite soldiers could indeed try to hone their strength from the torment of the plague.

Just like the old forest spirit said, what doesn't kill them will only make them stronger!

Just as Lothar watched Everbloom's father leave the Royal Gardens in a "withered" state, a Wildhammer clan gryphon rider swooped down. The burly dwarf, with lightning tattoos on his face and arms, coughed a few times and pointed outside the city, saying:
"The greens are attacking Goldshire again, Marshal. Your wife wants you to come and help. She says the people who came this time are a bit strange."

“Fiancée! She’s just my fiancée. Don’t go around telling everyone about my relationship with her, you damned gossipy dwarf Kurdran. Your mouth is as vicious as the Stormhammer you throw.”

Lothar and the dwarven gryphon rider who came to deliver the message were clearly old acquaintances. He scolded them a few times and then asked:

"So who's here this time? Is it that damned Hogg again?"

"Oh, not this time. This time it's the 'ancestor' of Stormwind, and he seems very angry. He specifically asked you, his 'unfilial son,' to come see him. I'm just waiting to see the show."

"Um???"

(End of this chapter)