Logan raced toward the Verdant Lands, accompanied by Silvia and Emary, his newly appointed apprentice. Each rode a different flying mount: Logan astride Wyver, Emary on the mightiest of Thunderbirds, and Silvia guiding Zephyr.
They flew at top speed, pausing only for brief rests to eat and sleep. The group avoided using teleportation and instead sent the remainder of the beast back ahead of them. Fortunately, the Duke had provided an ample supply of food for the journey, which proved invaluable as they neared the southern border of the Verdant Lands. Beyond that point, they would need to seek out a small town or city to replenish their provisions—Logan hoped this task would be simple and without peril.
Crossing the border, the first sight that greeted them was a colossal tree, towering like a mountain but unmistakably verdant and alive. Its sheer size and lush foliage commanded their attention, leaving no doubt that it was indeed a tree.
[That must be the first landmark we're meant to follow, right?] Logan asked Silvia through their mind link. The boy, weary from a day of near-constant flight in the rising heat, grew eager for a place where they could finally rest.
The greenery around the tree began to fade, giving way to vast, open plains that, in some areas, resembled deserts.
[Yes, that must be a World Tree, from what I've read. The reason there isn't another tree nearby is that it drains most of the mana and nutrients in this region,] Silvia explained, her fascination with the massive organism evident.
Her interest deepened after her studies on how crystals could recharge when struck by lightning. While the process wasn't as straightforward as charging a phone—lacking a proper absorption method—Silvia harbored hope. With time and resources, she dreamed of providing Logan's kingdom with free energy.
After two hours of flying, they finally reached the canopy of the gigantic tree. There was still some distance to cover before they arrived at its center, where they could see that people had crafted homes and a fully functional vertical city from the tree's bark.
The sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring, it was a reminder for Logan—this was a world entirely unlike his own.
"That must be Gresha, a town within the tree. My father spoke of it once—he visited there long ago," Emary said, her excitement rivaling, if not exceeding, Logan's.
"Then we'll rest there for today. It's the first of the large trees on our path," Logan decided, guiding them toward a particularly massive branch where tribespeople were waving to them. Their clothing immediately caught Logan's attention—vibrant, silk-like robes resembling kimonos, far from the primitive attire he had imagined the tribal communities would wear.
As they approached to dismount their mounts, they were greeted with cheers and an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. Logan leapt gracefully off Wyver, his holy wings unfurling in a radiant display. Their soothing aura helped ensure a positive reception, a method he always employed when meeting new people.
He turned to assist Silvia, gently helping her down from Zephyr and placing her on the large four-meter-thick branch. Meanwhile, Emary dismounted Stormwing on his own, with wonder as he eagerly took in the surroundings.
With a practiced motion, Logan retrieved mana stones of various elements and used them to replenish each creatures' energy and strength. Then, he turned his attention to the first person who approached—a woman who appeared to be in her late fifties or early sixties. She was accompanied by two others: one who looked to be in her thirties and another, a girl of about fifteen.
Logan couldn't help but marvel at the trio—it felt as if he were witnessing the same person at three distinct stages of life. It seemed likely they were grandmother, mother, and daughter, an image that brought a small smile to his face.
"Thank you for the warm welcome," Logan began, stepping closer and extending his hand toward the elder. "We need a place to stay the night before heading south. While we have enough provisions for my tamed beasts, we'll need food for ourselves."
The elder grasped his hand with both of hers and gently pressed her forehead to it. Logan froze in surprise, momentarily caught off guard by the unfamiliar gesture, before reminding himself that not everyone shared the same customs of greeting.
"We welcome you, heroes," the elder said with a heartfelt smile. "We were informed of your arrival and are honored to host you in our little village. Please, take what you need for your journey. Though we may not have much, tonight we will hold a feast in your honor." The elder said pulling Logan by the hand into their village.
Her features bore a resemblance to those of Asian descent, yet, like her daughter and granddaughter, her body glowed with an amber hue—a clear sign of their affinity with the earth spirit.
As they approached the largest branch, where preparations for the feast were underway, Logan dismissed his wings, sensing there was no longer the need to keep them active.
"It is a rare honor to have a hero visit us," the elder said, her hands maintaining their firm hold on Logan's. "We seldom leave our trees. As for the men, they are occupied hunting within the canopy. They should return in a few hours to join us for the grand meal."
Around them, the village bustled with activity, populated mostly by women engaged in various tasks. Many of them radiated a distinct aura, either tied to wind or earth blessings, further emphasizing their connection to the elements.
They were guided to sit near a carefully constructed fire, thoughtfully placed atop a mound of dirt to ensure it caused no harm to the colossal tree. It was a remarkable display of ingenuity, showcasing how the villagers seamlessly coexisted with the living giant while maintaining a semblance of normalcy in their daily lives.
Logan struggled to suppress his growing hunger as the sweet aroma of the cooking food wafted through the air. His stomach betrayed him with an audible grumble, and he couldn't help but gulp at the scent, which strongly reminded him of sweet and sour chicken.
His moment of distraction was interrupted when Silvia moved closer, gently taking his hand. Logan turned to her, blinking in surprise, only to notice her expression—she seemed a little angry. Following her gaze, he realized the reason: a few of the village girls were openly casting him flirtatious glances, their intentions clear.
Logan chuckled softly, pulling the girl closer as he retrieved his device—a sleek gadget that displayed a screen much like a laptop. He couldn't resist the urge to show it off, curious to see how the tribespeople would react. While he doubted gold would hold much value here, he was confident though, that they could offer other valuable resources in exchange.
A group of curious children from the village darted closer, their eyes wide with fascination as they peered at the glowing screen. The map displayed wasn't the most precise, but it was digitally rendered and would serve to help them plot their next destination.
The elder woman observed the scene with a gentle smile before calling the children back, her voice warm yet firm as she ushered them to conduct themselves correctly.