CHAPTER 702: CHAPTER 697: THE THOUGHTS OF TREES

"..."

Ronald immediately turned his head and exchanged a glance with Costate upon hearing the noise.

The maid’s perception was equally strong, and she too sensed the sounds coming from ahead.

—There were "people" there.

—And they were conversing.

"You take care of Helle."

"If a battle occurs later, leave the main work to me."

Ronald lowered his voice to finalize the plan, and the three of them then controlled their voices, retracting various spells as they continued to approach.

After reaching a certain range,

the dark red roots surrounding the environment began to disappear.

A space open enough and simultaneously structured with plant constructions appeared.

Ronald could distinguish it.

The architecture here somewhat resembled those in Banica on the ground.

Similarly built on the principle of unified plant growth, but differing in function.

It seemed Orland had managed to successfully establish Banica in the Yizi Forest.

This underground support must have been deeply rooted for a long time.

As for the voices Ronald had just heard—they were coming from an open-air terrace in the center of this space.

At this moment,

there, five robe-wearing Casters surrounded a young girl-like figure in the center. But despite maintaining such a standoff, the atmosphere at the scene was dominated by the encircled girl, overwhelming the other five.

It was as if the numerical and tactical advantages were an illusion.

This surrounded girl was truly the most dangerous presence.

"..."

Ronald and Costate continued to approach.

The voice of the girl in the middle grew clearer:

"So, you dare not strike now?"

"Since you’ve accepted the modifications from my dear sister, there should be something implanted in your bodies that can harm me. Come on, try it out, see who’s evolved faster between my sister and me."

One of the five spoke.

But unlike the fearless girl, his voice was trembling and frantic:

"We are just following orders."

"If we can’t complete today’s task, our fate will certainly not be good!"

The girl’s response was swift:

"How about abandoning my sister and joining me, then?"

"You know as well as I do that I treat my own people according to your human preferences; even if my sister really made some dangerous modifications to you, I can resolve them with my presence."

"..."

There were clearly some among the five who were wavering.

But soon, someone with a firm stance spoke up:

"Don’t be fooled by her, you fools!"

"These beings are monsters transformed from plants, how can you negotiate with them using normal human thinking—and think about it, if we can save our own lives, what will happen to those who are imprisoned?"

"Do you only plan to selfishly survive?"

Another person chimed in:

"Ethan, think about the Banica we just blew up."

"This monster personally built that camp we destroyed, and now she can still smilingly recruit us, can you really trust such a creature?"

"..."

The surrounded girl, upon hearing this conversation, revealed a slightly interested smile:

"Too naive."

"To impose your human moral standards on me."

"When we were still plants, sunlight, air, water... everything we needed, as long as we could reach it, we would strive to take it, even if it brought us death."

"And having evolved to this extent, we still follow those old habits. Everything we need, we chase after with all our might..."

"Right!"

The girl’s expression suddenly became excited.

"You humans really like to reproduce, and that’s also our most important nature. According to your aesthetics, the current state of my body should be a very suitable mother, right?"

"Or perhaps you prefer males, I can change to be hermaphroditic too~~"

Such a temptation doesn’t need much explanation.

The "Organic Encyclopedia" recorded all the genetic data and under the interference of this original text, ’she’ who obtained a human body obviously possessed an idealized form.

It was at this moment that Costate, who was still groping around with Ronald, became spirited:

"Sir, do you also think this way?"

"..."

Ronald paused his movements.

He scrutinized the situation with meticulous eyes and hesitated for a few seconds before answering:

"For a creature like humans, it took tens of thousands of years to forge higher pursuits like the philosophy of life from the most basic physiological desires—I think my evolution should be rather complete."

"But I have seen your memories," Costate was somewhat puzzled, "You seem to really like Miss Helle..."

Ronald became anxious and immediately interrupted the maid’s curious inquiry:

"Costate, was it the same when you interacted with the people from the Adler family?"

Costate’s reply was unhesitating and serious:

"Sir, you are different."

"Coming from the creator of the original text and obviously a civilization that surpasses this world, I hope to learn from you in all aspects, as this might be my only chance in life."

"..."

"Learn the good stuff then..."

Ronald couldn’t help but turn back to look at Costate.

He could understand Costate’s pursuit, but compared to this guy’s attitude toward others and toward him, a strange sense of discomfort involuntarily surged in his mind.

Just like at this moment.

Miss Maid took care of Helle carefully, as she was acting on Ronald’s order—Costate was obviously executing the task perfectly. However, at the same time, her gaze towards Ronald was still so ’unique’.

The three of them continued to cautiously approach the center of the clearing.

And there, where the conversation originally took place, finally came to an end.

It was still the ’girl’ who was surrounded, making a declaration-like statement:

"According to what you humans say,"

"Our negotiation has broken down."

Boom ——

The moment the words fell.

The open platform where they stood began to distort with the sound of the girl’s voice. Huge cracks appeared on the originally flat ground, and thick, agile roots immediately coiled up from below.

Facing this kind of attitude where violence erupts at the slightest disagreement.

Among those surrounding the girl, some actually breathed a sigh of relief.

Facing the roots slapping toward his face, this guy charged forward fearlessly, confronting death.

Bang!

A muffled sound.

The man in the long robe died on the spot.

Almost at the same time, the girl, carried aloft by the plant roots, let out a cold sneer:

"Heh, so it’s like that."

"My extremely foolish sister, still using the same old methods."

—Framed by the girl’s mockery.

Below, the freshly deceased Caster, his body whipped apart by the tree roots, splattered blood.

And once the tree roots came into contact with this blood.

They immediately stopped their attacking motion and noticeable signs of withering appeared!