Chapter 134. Runecrafter Mariane.

Words : 1303 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 134. Runecrafter Mariane. After Mariane appeared, she approached and gave Tempestria a big hug. "Why did you take so long to visit!?" The gentle and not annoying buzzing sound of her wings filled the room as she turned to look at Verdantia and Cinderielle. She talked to them with enthusiasm no smaller than with Tempestria. "Hello! Are you here to buy? Donate? Or to give your bodies in the name of research!? I am fine with any of those options!" Verdantia lifted an eyebrow at their interaction and asked. "What's your relationship with Tempestria?" Mariane tilted her head, her antennae and wings flopping with the head movement in a cute manner. "Why'd you ask?" Tempestria looked at Verdantia and rolled her eyes. "It's not what you think. She was captured, and I saved her in a mission, a story about a rescuer and the rescuee becoming friends." Mariane nodded a few times, creating puffs of scales. "That's right!" Then, Mariane's eyes fell on Cinderielle, and before they knew it, the moth was in front of the fire sylvan, her black, pearly eyes glittering with excitement. "Such pretty red hair! Such pretty orange eyes! Such a tempting aura! Are you a Fire Sylvan?" Cinderielle blinked a few times, not used to being surrounded by the moth's scales. "I am, why?" Mariane asked with excitement. "Create fire!" "What?" Ignoring the flabbergasted expression of the three, Mariane asked again. "Create fire!" Cinderielle wasn't sure of what was happening, but she extended her hand and created fire. Mariane looked at it, and then... she looked at it some more, and then...! She continued looking at it. "Hey, Tempestria..." stunned by the current development, she asked. "What's happening?" Verdantia commented. "Does she have an instinct like a common moth to go close to fire?" Tempestria laughed awkwardly. "At least she isn't approaching it to burn herself down." Cinderielle stopped the fire, and Mariane snapped out of her daze. "That was so pretty! I think it is the best fire I've seen in my life! So pure and nice!" Cinderielle thought of something and asked with trepidation. "By the way, how did you get captured in the first place? I can feel that you are relatively strong, right?" Mariane smiled widely. "Well! They had a pretty light, so I went to see and got captured!" The three Sylvan deadpanned. 'I see, her survival instincts are in the negative.' Tempestria coughed. "So, Mariane, are you up to listening to our offer?" Mariana walked and sat on a chair, looking at them with a straight back and attentive eyes. "Fire!" Verdantia frowned. "What?" Mariane repeated. "Fire your offer!" "Oh! Okay, listen then. We want you to work with a creature that's very delicate and unique. While we can't really say what kind of creature she is, I can guarantee that as long as you want to work with something exotic, you will be delighted to work for her." Mariane tilted her head cutely, her antennae flopping to the side. "Why can't you speak about it?" Verdantia said. "Well... We are in Fortuna City, so there are quite a lot of unwanted ears." Tempestria's energy flowed and a gale pushed all the powder to the corner of the room. "Mariane, please hear her this time. What she said is the truth." Mariane turned her head. "Most likely, but I like to be sure. I was captured because I was careless once. I don't want a second time to occur. It's quite a shame that a Level 28 like me was captured by a mere group of Level 10 bandits." Tempestria sighed. "Didn't you exterminate all of them when I liberated you?" Mariane snorted and turned around, walking to her seat. "And I am grateful about that. However, little Tempestria, what you are asking me is to become the enemy of a Level 26 World Tree and everyone behind them. Fortuna has grown to dominate this area. She has almost no competition. But, now, a new, wild World Tree appeared. If she becomes strong enough to become a public figure, it will be a direct declaration of war with Fortuna City." Tempestria promised. "You also have our support, and we've thought of several ways to avoid confrontation, at least until we are strong enough. That World Tree is different, Mariane. She is incredibly strong and is growing at a terrifying rate. She has reached Level 10 in less than two years. How many wild World Trees can do that?" Mariane rubbed her chin with one hand while her other three arms crossed in front of her body. "Hm. I'll give it a chance, little Tempestria. However, if I am not satisfied, I will leave. I can promise that I will not reveal anything. However, becoming a prisoner is not my style. Speaking of which, where is this new World Tree?" Cinderielle answered. "<Golden Sap Forest>." Mariane's antennae twitched. "Oh? No wonder the <Explorer Association> changed the Level limit of that area. They must've noticed that little World Tree's presence. Well, similar to the <Information Flower Garden>, the <Explorer Association> is completely neutral, so unless that World Tree provokes them, they won't reveal her existence to the world." Cinderielle couldn't help but have a completely new perception of the mothkin. At first, she looked like a distracted and naive woman, but it seemed that when she became serious, her thoughts were deep and complex. 'Really, as Verena said, you can't underestimate anybody.' Mariane used her four hands and clapped twice. "Okay. However, if you want to protect the World Tree, you must have gathered some people, right?" Verdantia nodded. "We've created a new group in the Explorer association. We've been gathering a few people." Mariane hummed. "How many?" Verdantia shook her head. "There are very few still, around twelve other people: five beastkin, three Sylvans, and four humans. All of them are people that will follow me without a doubt. Levels are all between Level 11 and 15." Mariane was impressed. "Such a group gathered by a little Level 11 Sylvan? How?" Verdantia shrugged. "Benefits. I am confident in keeping them around with the benefits I can provide. Other than that, character. I, or well, we've tested their character a few times, and while we can't be sure, their first impressions are good." Mariane nodded. "Well, it's not bad. Okay, tell me the benefits." Verdantia smiled. "I'll tell you one, and not the best benefit. I can help you open your Mental Palace stat." Mariane's relaxed face was visibly tensed, and even with her inhuman countenance, the change in facial expression was apparent. "That claim is quite bold, little Sylvan." Cinderielle was stunned. 'To think that such a cute woman can create such an impactful expression.' Verdantia shrugged. "I gain nothing from deceiving a Level 28 senior." Mariane looked at Tempestria, and Tempestria smiled. "As I said, that darling is incredible." Mariane sighed with a smile. "No wonder someone like you got hooked. I was stunned when you told me since you are quite a free person. You hate to be attached to places, right? After all, you-." Tempestria coughed. "Enough. Will you come or not, Mariane?" Mariane stood up and snorted. "After being told that, do you think I am stupid enough to miss the opportunity? Now, you'll bring me there even if you don't want to!" Then, her expression returned to the previous one, and she smiled prettily. "Let's go!" The three Sylvans didn't know if Mariane was acting or if she was really like this.

Chapter 134. Runecrafter Mariane.

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