52 The Tarsiers Join The Sovereign Nation (1/2)
”Recruit us?” Jax was quite taken aback. It wasn't the statement, but the confidence behind the words spoken from this man in front of him. It felt more of a command than a question.
”You've heard correctly.”
”Forgive me for my confusion, but why would we join you? What's in it for us? More importantly, what's in it for you?” Jax held his staff tighter. Not because he was getting ready for a fight, but because he felt nervous. Even Astrid and the rest felt nervous, they were surprised with how domineering the aura Luna was currently emitting.
Noticing this, Luna decided to comfort him before they assume anything bad. ”Because you're either about to be swarmed by rats, or you're about to be invaded by Ferdinand's nation and then swarmed by rats.”
”Rats? We've received some aggression from the surrounding mutant beasts and small groups of rats, but nothing we can't handle. Are you trying to scare us? That man Ferdinand, even with his army, we'll slaughter him when he comes to our domain.” As soon as Jax said that, the trees around them grew branches that twirled around and hovered on top of them, as if they were tentacles. This was obviously a show of power, to show that as long as they were surrounded by trees, they can fend off any army.
”That's a pretty neat trick!” Maxene walked forward all of a sudden. When she did, the branches twirled towards her as she caressed them with her hands. ”But your command over them, is far too weak.”
”This...” The Tarsiers had a look of disbelief on their faces. Maxene already had an advantage when it came to the elements, when she was trained personally by Alea, they found out that she was even more beloved by the elements than a High Elf. Her control over earth, flora, and her command over fauna through her taming, meant that she was in a league of her own.
”I see now.” Luna patted Max on her head, to which she gave a pleased expression. ”The reason why your evolution wasn't because it was sped up directly by the item in your possession. It was because that item gave you insight on wood element, which influenced every facet of your evolution. Hence why you've become intelligent enough to communicate.”
Seeing as they've been found out and their trump card rendered useless, the Tarsiers became even more anxious.
”Lord Luna, what is it that you really want from us?” Even Elder Jax had finally used the title of 'Lord.'
”Like I said, I want to recruit you. That and I also want the treasure you possess.”
”We can't do that! This treasure is the only reason why we've been able to defend ourselves. Please, Lord Luna, anything but that!” Jax walked forward and went down on both knees.
”Elder Jax, please don't! We'll fight him to the death!” The younger Tarsiers couldn't bear seeing their leader almost prostrate himself before a human.
”Silence!” He screamed at them. He was more aware than anyone, that if this human in front of him was as cruel as Ferdinand, they'd all be done for. Fight? He felt that they might put up a struggle for a little bit, but they'd eventually get annihilated. More importantly, the treasure was inside one of the caves they built. If they went in to retrieve it, they'd have lead themselves into a dead end anyway.
”Elder Jax, do not misunderstand. Based on the fact that the treasure you possess has attracted mutant beasts, proves that it works in a certain area, and that it's definitely not a one-time use, correct?”
”That is correct indeed. It's most effective in a 30-meter radius, and it's effect weakens beyond that, and it further weakens when it meets obstacles. It's quite surprising how the rats could detect it from such a distance. Their senses must be quite excellent.” Jax replied.
”The only reason why they haven't prioritized charging over here is probably because it was already quite weak at that distance. But how come I can't sense it?” Luna looked behind him and saw that Angry Bakunawa didn't seem to be influenced either, but when he looked towards Emergency Food, he was surprised to see that the wind was ever so silently revolving around him. ”I see. It seems it only works with regular mutant beasts. That's why a legendary beast like the Bakunawa, or the True Dragon within me doesn't seem particularly in tune with it.”