Feidric glanced at the wooden staff the other person was holding. It was enveloped in a faint yellow halo, visible to the naked eye. This was Oak Staff, one of the Druids' introductory spells, which could make an ordinary wooden staff as hard as steel.
This was a typical example of 'Natural Magic,' originating from the Father of Oaks. Although it was just a simple cantrip, Wizards had studied it for ages without ever successfully replicating it. It was one of the very few spells that even Wizards couldn't cast.
The Oak Staff spell confirmed the identities of the people before him: Druids. Feidric considered for a moment before speaking. "We are adventurers from the All Nations Alliance, commissioned to venture deep into this forest to find a rare medicinal herb."
Feidric didn't tell the whole truth. For the same reason as before, revealing their true purpose without knowing anything about the other party was not a wise decision. Even though they were here to do good, who could guarantee that the people they faced were also good?
Moreover, Cipher's cat ears twitched slightly. She clearly heard the little squirrel that had been following them immediately turn and flee the moment these people appeared. This gave Cipher a brief pause—it meant the squirrel and these Druids were definitely not allies.
Feidric was still conversing with the Druids. One of them asked, "What kind of herb?"
Feidric pondered for a moment, but just as he was about to speak, Cipher placed a hand on his shoulder and stepped forward, cutting in. "It's something called the 'Blue Spider Lily.' We mean no harm; we'll leave as soon as we find it."
However, the Druids exchanged puzzled glances. "I've never heard of such a plant."
After all, they had grown up in the forest and knew this area like the back of their hands. Their knowledge of flora was exceptionally vast; every Druid was an undisputed zoologist and botanist. So, upon hearing Cipher's claim, their first reaction was naturally disbelief.
Cipher continued her explanation. "It's understandable if you haven't heard of it. This flower is said to bloom only for a very short time during the day—just a few minutes, or perhaps ten to twenty—before it quickly withers. Moreover, it doesn't appear every day; it might only bloom once every few days, completely at random."
"I can't tell you the exact location of the Blue Spider Lily just yet, but we truly mean no harm." Cipher gestured toward Aria in their group. "We have a genuine Paladin in our party! If you don't believe us, just ask her if we're good people."
Aria blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. She quickly straightened up, puffed out her chest, and declared, "Of course! We're the best people! We're here to help you—"
Cipher discreetly flicked her tail against Aria's skin, cutting her off. She then continued, "Paladins don't lie. See? Now you can believe us, right?"
Aria hadn't actually lied. She hadn't understood most of what Cipher had just said, only catching the last part: "Are we good people?" Of course they were! Was there even a need to think about it?
Cipher's explanation was so compelling, and with Aria vouching for them, the druids were actually convinced. "The Blue Spider Lily?" one of them mused. "Blooming for just a few minutes every few days... It's plausible I wouldn't have heard of it, then."
"Come with us," another druid said. "Even if we know you're good people, outsiders suddenly appearing here must at least meet the Great Druid first."
Cipher smiled. "Of course, of course! We completely understand!"
The title of "Paladin" was truly a powerful tool. Aria alone guaranteed the entire party's good intentions. After all, a Paladin would never associate with evil—not even one bound by the ruthless Oath of Vengeance.
An Oath of Devotion Paladin like Aria might try to reason with a villain, hoping to persuade them to mend their ways. An Oath of Vengeance Paladin, on the other hand, would likely just cut them down with a Divine Smite.
The four druids slung their wooden staves over their backs, and the lone archer unstrung her bow. The five of them led the way, with Cipher's group following silently behind. After walking for about twenty minutes, a small basin appeared before them.
It was as if a piece of the forest had been scooped out, leaving a circular clearing about a kilometer in diameter. Inside, instead of towering trees, stood rows of ornate, beautifully crafted wooden houses that looked like works of art.
The five guides quickly dispersed, leaving only one to continue leading Cipher's group. The others went off to attend to their own business. The remaining druid couldn't help but glance at Aria and said, "Speaking of which, our tribe's Great Druid is also a Paladin, I believe. Something about an 'Oath of the Ancients'?"
"The Great Druid is a Paladin?" The statement sounded odd at first, but "Great Druid" wasn't a class name; it was a title. It was akin to being a village chief or tribal leader.
Since over eighty percent of the people in the Great Forest tribe were Druid Professionals, the most respected and virtuous individual chosen as their leader was naturally honored with the title "Great Druid."
Hearing this, Aria looked puzzled. "What's the Oath of the Ancients?"
Although she herself was a Paladin, she was only familiar with the Oath of Devotion (her own), the Oath of Vengeance (the Black Knight from Volume One), and the Oath of Overlord (Olivia's). This was the first time she had heard of the Oath of the Ancients.
The druid scratched her head. "I'm not too sure about that myself... but the Great Druid is a very kind person. We're here. This is the place."
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance of a wooden house. The druid said, "This is where the Great Druid usually works."
Aria nodded. "Okay, thank you for your trouble~!"
She then pushed open the door and was the first to step inside. The interior was simple, furnished only with a wooden desk and chairs, a bookshelf, and a remarkably robust-looking old man seated at the desk, frowning as he studied a scroll.
Hearing someone enter, the old man slowly lowered the scroll and glanced at the four newcomers. His gaze finally settled on Aria. "Adventurers?"
Cipher stepped forward, about to repeat the lie she had concocted earlier, but the old man spoke first.
"Are you here because of the Outer God?"