Kor. Divided into two monarchies. The only similarity between two countries is that they're mostly inhabited by humans and some minorities of Grugach, and the Grugach are mostly descended from the neighboring countries Vijaya and Butan. Mostly Vijaya, because Butan, while it still has elves, it's mostly snow elves.
Grugach, a degretory term if I have to say it, is another race of elves who have been separated from the elves in their own kingdom and have lost their way and do not worship the World Tree at all. In fact, they're even less proficient in flora and fauna than most elves, with some speculating that they have the same proficiency as humans.
However, they're even more diverse. While it's true that they are reclusive, their interaction with the outside world compared to those of the elven lands has resulted in them having offspring of various races, be it dwarves, beastmen, angels, demons, and humans. As a result, their flora and fauna magic is "tainted," creating a unique type of their own magic.
They still can't control trees or communicate with bees as well as other elves, but Grugach who marry humans, for example, tend to give stronger neutral mana to any plant they control. Those who have dwarf ancestry can better use plants associated with caves and rocky places, even causing said plant to be imbued with an earthly attribute. It's almost unique to each individual.
The only other person I can think of who does something similar to all of them is Grandmother Farhah. In fact, I don't think it's even difficult for her to do what each individual Grugach can do. She's the elven priestess, the equivalent of Saintess Rumia. The second is undoubtedly the Flora and Fauna Fairy Borneo. Other than that, not even Sister Farhana or Elegast can replicate her.
"Good luck to all of you. May the journey ahead be a smooth one" [Soerjadi].
"As the representative, please allow me to thank you, Sir Soerjadi, as well as everyone who's helped us. We couldn't done it without any of your help" [Kara].
Now one of the most problematic countries of all. In fact, most of us are getting tense as we have speculated that this country will be where we get the most trouble, with Vijaya next and then Butan with their Yuki-Ona problem.
The pass to enter the country is taking longer as each side of their monarchy has to give their permission for us to enter the country. The main road that connects several countries is literally the border between the two ever-arguing monarchies of them, with each side claiming that they're the ones who have the right to the whole land.
There's not a smile on their guards. None at all. Grim faces. Boastful attitudes. The only reason the Empire hasn't invaded them yet is because they're too problematic, according to Master Merlin. They, along with many others, speculate that once the two monarchs reach their tipping point, or after a very devastating civil war between the two, the time will come when either the Empire or Xianxia will begin their invasion and take the country in one fell swoop.
We wait and wait and wait, with Neloufa and I practicing our singing and dancing to pass the time, only to be scolded by the guard to keep our voices down. My answer: I continue to sing while Neloufa is afraid of being scolded. I'm sure we're not bothering the other visitors or their own citizens, because some of them even clap along to our practice. The guards are just a nuisance.
"Why are you..."
"Stop, that's Diana Vars. If we..."
"Tchh..."
There's more to it than that. It's not out of annoyance that I come from a Vars. There's something more. That's what all of us can instinctively say. Of course, none of us have said it. From Kara to Neloufa, we can tell there's something behind the scenes that involves them likely wanting to harm me. But I am prepared for it. In fact, this is one of the things we discussed before, so we all knew what to do.
(Do it cautiously) [Marianne]
(I will. I'll start preparing the barrier, and once we enter the land, I'll cast it.) [Diana]
(Good) [Mara]
(I'll cover you up. Auger!) [Adnan]
(On it) [Auger]
We pretend to take our lunch out and start gathering just to eat, when in fact we are preparing our spell to make a complicated barrier. Basically, a barrier with me at the center that will always be active, even in the case that my mana is completely dried up, and once we enter the country, as expected, they gave excuses not to send anyone to help us, contrary to the agreement made before. Something we all expected, and as we discussed, we "argue" with them only to give up later on purpose.
"The barrier is set" [Diana].
"Good. Today it will be my turn and Jean's to stand guard beside you" [Nar].
"Others, please proceed as planned" [Jean].
Kor. Divided into two monarchies. The only similarity between two countries is that they're mostly inhabited by humans and some minorities of Grugach, and the Grugach are mostly descended from the neighboring countries Vijaya and Butan. Mostly Vijaya, because Butan, while it still has elves, it's mostly snow elves.
Grugach, a degretory term if I have to say it, is another race of elves who have been separated from the elves in their own kingdom and have lost their way and do not worship the World Tree at all. In fact, they're even less proficient in flora and fauna than most elves, with some speculating that they have the same proficiency as humans.
However, they're even more diverse. While it's true that they are reclusive, their interaction with the outside world compared to those of the elven lands has resulted in them having offspring of various races, be it dwarves, beastmen, angels, demons, and humans. As a result, their flora and fauna magic is "tainted," creating a unique type of their own magic.
They still can't control trees or communicate with bees as well as other elves, but Grugach who marry humans, for example, tend to give stronger neutral mana to any plant they control. Those who have dwarf ancestry can better use plants associated with caves and rocky places, even causing said plant to be imbued with an earthly attribute. It's almost unique to each individual.
The only other person I can think of who does something similar to all of them is Grandmother Farhah. In fact, I don't think it's even difficult for her to do what each individual Grugach can do. She's the elven priestess, the equivalent of Saintess Rumia. The second is undoubtedly the Flora and Fauna Fairy Borneo. Other than that, not even Sister Farhana or Elegast can replicate her.
"Good luck to all of you. May the journey ahead be a smooth one" [Soerjadi].
"As the representative, please allow me to thank you, Sir Soerjadi, as well as everyone who's helped us. We couldn't done it without any of your help" [Kara].
Now one of the most problematic countries of all. In fact, most of us are getting tense as we have speculated that this country will be where we get the most trouble, with Vijaya next and then Butan with their Yuki-Ona problem.
The pass to enter the country is taking longer as each side of their monarchy has to give their permission for us to enter the country. The main road that connects several countries is literally the border between the two ever-arguing monarchies of them, with each side claiming that they're the ones who have the right to the whole land.
There's not a smile on their guards. None at all. Grim faces. Boastful attitudes. The only reason the Empire hasn't invaded them yet is because they're too problematic, according to Master Merlin. They, along with many others, speculate that once the two monarchs reach their tipping point, or after a very devastating civil war between the two, the time will come when either the Empire or Xianxia will begin their invasion and take the country in one fell swoop.
We wait and wait and wait, with Neloufa and I practicing our singing and dancing to pass the time, only to be scolded by the guard to keep our voices down. My answer: I continue to sing while Neloufa is afraid of being scolded. I'm sure we're not bothering the other visitors or their own citizens, because some of them even clap along to our practice. The guards are just a nuisance.
"Why are you..."
"Stop, that's Diana Vars. If we..."
"Tchh..."
There's more to it than that. It's not out of annoyance that I come from a Vars. There's something more. That's what all of us can instinctively say. Of course, none of us have said it. From Kara to Neloufa, we can tell there's something behind the scenes that involves them likely wanting to harm me. But I am prepared for it. In fact, this is one of the things we discussed before, so we all knew what to do.
(Do it cautiously) [Marianne]
(I will. I'll start preparing the barrier, and once we enter the land, I'll cast it.) [Diana]
(Good) [Mara]
(I'll cover you up. Auger!) [Adnan]
(On it) [Auger]
We pretend to take our lunch out and start gathering just to eat, when in fact we are preparing our spell to make a complicated barrier. Basically, a barrier with me at the center that will always be active, even in the case that my mana is completely dried up, and once we enter the country, as expected, they gave excuses not to send anyone to help us, contrary to the agreement made before. Something we all expected, and as we discussed, we "argue" with them only to give up later on purpose.
"The barrier is set" [Diana].
"Good. Today it will be my turn and Jean's to stand guard beside you" [Nar].
"Others, please proceed as planned" [Jean].
