Wildness and Masks

In the center of the Demon Beast Forest.

Muer wiped the blue blood from the corner of his mouth. The recent battle had taken quite a toll on him. "Damn it... How could those two priests be so strong, wasting all my plans."

He just wanted to refine a few low-quality philosopher's stones to repair his body. What was wrong with that?

"But, the people have been lured away... The next step of the plan can now unfold."

It would just be a bit more troublesome...

He still needed to find those foolish ogres and greedy centaurs to help divert attention.

"They're used to the usual beast tides, aren't they... Let's see if humans can handle it when I add a little extra."

Muer waved his two hands, dry and withered like twigs, as a ghostly blue mana flowed and spread between them.

Under the influence of his mana, the surrounding trees began to twist and mutate.

"After observing for over a decade, I've finally figured out these ancient trees left by the ancient elves... Now, rise! Will of the ancients!"

As Muer's words fell, those twisted and mutated trees actually pulled their roots from the earth, transforming into one treant after another.

This was a common magic of the elves—animating treants.