431 The Odd Meetup, The Strange Creatures Arriving at the Base (1/2)
Day 76 - 9:52 AM - Mount Malabito, General Nakar, Quezon
Mark, with Amihan hiding behind his shoulder, stood in front of the group of small folklore creatures. It was quite a strange meeting.
Furthermore, Mark could not understand. It would be natural if he felt that they were scared of a ”human” like him. However, instead of being scared, it was more accurate to say that they were intimidated.
Ignoring the emotions that he could detect from the group of small creatures, Mark turned to Amihan.
”I told you to stay put, didn't I?”
He said in a reprimanding tone.
What Amihan did was not planned at all. Although he intended to help, he wanted to observe them more without needing to show themselves. It was also the reason Mei, Alana, and Hallie that were with them were hiding quite a distance away.
After all, common sense would not apply to these creatures. They might have the ability to affect the minds of people or able to do other unusual things.
”Sorry, Master. My body just moved on its own.”
Amihan apologized sincerely.
It was true that she moved without thinking when she saw that Malaya was in great danger. If it was Teremillio, however, she might have just stayed put and watch.
While Mark and Amihan conversed with each other, the group in front of the two heard them clearly.
After hearing how Amihan addressed Mark, everyone in the group was surprised. Especially Teremillio. He had the shock of his life.
Unknown to Mark, having an individual of the Spirit Race pledge to serve under him had a far deeper significance than just simply being a servant. It basically meant that their lives were the property of their master.
Thus, if Teremillio wanted to continue to pursue Amihan, there were only three ways for that to happen. First was for her Master to give permission. Second, he could join Amihan and pledge allegiance to the same master. Lastly, if the Master died leaving Amihan behind.
And none of those were probable to happen.
In other words, he would need to give up. He felt rather frustrated, someone else won over Amihan's heart before he was able to.
”What happened there?” Mark suddenly asked while looking at Teremillio. ”That guy is extremely frustrated.”
Hearing that, Amihan was confused. She could see how frustrated the Duende was just by looking at his distorted expression.
On the other hand, the wives of Teremillio was relieved to some extent. While they were all having a good relationship with each other, there was still some competition over Teremillio. They would rather not have another one joining in. However, they could still not stomach seeing Teremillio, frustrated at that fact.
This guy was a known womanizer, after all. It was unfortunate that they fell in love with this guy. However, unlike others that had to mind their status and dignity, none of the girls here had to.
Because in the first place, all of them were outcasts of their race. Else, why would they live in a place away from their actual habitats?
It not for Teremillio, few of them might not even be here anymore.
Well, it was not the time to dwell on these things. As Teremillio was not in a good mood, the first wife, Felenia, had to step up.
”Please, Pardon our rudeness. Are you the master of the Spirit Tree in the human fortress to the northeast?”
Felenia asked Mark in a straightforward but respectful fashion.
That question, however, confirmed that they were here for Mark. It was just as he expected, after detecting strange presences all over the place scouting the base. Furthermore, he could recognize the presence of some of the Duendes that were armed with spears around the girls. Some of them scouted his base before.
Thus, Mark nodded.
”I am. Still, how did you deduce that it's really me?”
That question was bugging Mark. How did they know? After all, he looked human, for the most part. From Amihan, he knew that normal humans had no ability to plant and raise Spirit Trees.
To that question, the doll with golden hair replied in a small voice.
”You're emitting that aura, and yet, you ask us.”
”Daniya!”
As Daniya's reply was rather rude, even if said in a small voice, Felenia immediately called her to stop.
Knowing the severity of her actions, Daniya immediately covered her mouth and looked fearfully at Mark. Seeing that he did not seem angry, she felt relieved. The others were the same.
Mark did not mind that murmur of the adorable girl. Still, what did she mean by him emitting an aura? He was confused.
”Amihan, am I emitting some sort of strange aura?”
He could not help but ask Amihan in a whisper.
To that question...
”Yeah?” Amihan nodded. ”It's weak and not easily detected. They might be too cautious about Master that they managed to feel it? I don't know.”
That made Mark rather surprised. Since when? Furthermore, he did not even realize.
In the midst of thinking, a voice suddenly chimed in.
”If you are thinking about when it started, it happened when you planted that Spirit Tree. That aura is something that connected you to the Spirit Tree you planted. It will go away after the Spirit Tree gained its sentience.”
Everyone, except Mark, looked towards the person who spoke. There, they could see Pefile, leaning on a tree not far from them.
”Why did no one told me about this?”
Mark spoke, he could not feel anything about it at all.
”Because there is no one to bother with it? Besides, humans can't feel it. Only beings like us can and if we only focus enough.”
Pefile replied.
Hearing that, Mark understood.
”So, its like dust that no one can see unless they paid attention, isn't it?”
”That's quite an analogy, but that's pretty much it.”
Pefile said as he looked at the group in front of them. The group was the same.
And someone, recognized the handsome Tamawo in front of them.
”Pefile?”
It was Angis.
”Yeah, long time no see Angis. You look beat up.”
Pefile replied with a friendly smile. On the other hand, Angis was embarrassed. This was the first time she Pefile, after a long time, and here, she looked ragged, with wounds, and was carrying the unconcious pixie.
Both Pefile's and Angis' races were either forest or tree-dwellers. As both of them lived around this area for a long time, it was not hard to see how they knew each other.
”Angis, who is he?”
The other wives could not help but whisper. Teremillio was also interested in the answer. After all, he could not help but feel jealous by how handsome this white-haired guy was.
”Later, alright?”
Angis knew that it was not appropriate to speak about it right now.
Hearing that, the others were forced to focus on the issue. They finally met the Master of the Spirit Tree. Yet, they did not know what to do.
On the other hand, Pefile turned to Mark.
”Can I ask for a favor?”
”What is it?”
”Can you let them enter your base and continue the talk there? It's just too painful to look at their state right now.”