Chapter 350: Merlins Decision (1/2)
The roots, which gathered into an arm, reached Arthur in an instant. With a grin, Arthur met the punch with one of his own. The force of collision made the druids retreat.
”What's your name, druid?” Arthur asked with a smile.
”Merlin.” The druids frowned and answered. Arthur nodded as he deflected the attack away.
”Merlin, I'll give you an offer. I can save your tribe, but only if you defeat me.”
”What if I lose?” Merlin hesitated, his willpower wavering.
”You can all wither away as you cry about it.” Arthur grinned, and Merlin gnashed his teeth in hatred.
”Merlin, step down!” Vena shouted, but the druid didn't listen.
”You asked for it, human.” Merlin roared and clapped his hands, making roots explode from the ground and layer around his body.
”Fascinating,” Arthur muttered as the small druid turned into a giant in an instant. Merlin couldn't be seen anymore, and all that was left was a giant of green roots.
The giant clapped its hands at Arthur, who blocked the attack using his spiritual arm. Jumping on the arm of the giant, Arthur ran up until he was above its head.
Arthur flexed his arm and punched, striking the giant's faceless head. His fist sank as the roots broke apart. However, the giant kept moving and wrapped its roots around Arthur's arm.
”Oh!” Arthur was surprised as the giant pulled his arm before throwing him toward the sky.
Looking down, Arthur saw the giant bring its hands together and create a peg which it fired toward him. As he began descending rapidly, the roots stretched upward to strike him.
'Teleport-III,'
Arthur used his rune and appeared on the ground beside the giant. The giant seemed shocked by this development, and it detached the roots to block Arthur's strike.
”Too slow,” Arthur punched with a flaming hand that burned the roots to ashes. His hand pierced deep into the giant, and the druid screamed in pain.
The roots began to scatter and fall on the ground as Merlin appeared again, with Arthur's hand pierced through its body. Even though Arthur's hand was on flames, Merlin grabbed it.
”I refuse... to die...” Merlin spat with a pained expression as his fingers began turning to ashes. Arthur looked at him with a smile before nodding.
”I like this better than the earlier begging,” Arthur said with a grin. ”There's no use in saving you if your will to live is this pathetic.”
”Please, stop, Seika!” Vena said with a pleading expression.
”Man, do you have a kink to begging or something?” Arthur looked speechlessly at Vena. The flames on his hand disappeared as the mana of creation exploded from it instead.
Merlin's eyes snapped open as they were about to close and all of his wounds healed. Furthermore, the leaves on his head and body began proliferating. Arthur pulled his arm out, and the druid fell to the ground.
”Good job,” Arthur smiled.
”I... lost...”
”Oh, I was kidding earlier. I just hate her attitude.” Arthur pointed at Vena. ”Merlin is the only person I approve of, so everything will be done through him.”
”Does that mean...”
”I'll help you, but it won't be for free,” Arthur said as he opened his subspace. Then, taking out the seed that Rega gave him, he allowed the powerful life force to wash over the land.
”Is this... Mother Rega's seed?” Vena's arms shook as she reached out to grab the seed.
”I have no idea how you know of Mother Rega, but yeah. Hey! Hands off!” Arthur barked. ”I'll plant this seed in the heart of this tree and allow you guys to oversee its growth. It will suck the vitality out of you, and you will suffer at the beginning, but once it grows enough for Rega to transfer into it, you guys will be saved.”
”And in return?” Vena asked with hesitation.
”The druids will be a part of my citizens, responsible for cultivating herbs.” Arthur grinned. ”That is if you managed to stay alive.”
”That is...” Vena hesitated and shook her head. ”We will look for another method, a less risky one.”
”Merlin?” Arthur asked the druid, who was still looking at the changes in his body. ”What do you think?”