Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 305 Opinions Of the Nobles

"...Didn't we just kill like a million of them already?"

"Just… how many fucking monsters are planning to come out?"

Even 10 miles away into the horizon, the colossal golden tree could still be seen standing from the distance, unwavering—no, unrelenting. Even from far away, one could see the monsters flying around it and seemingly trying to make it their nest.

The Nihon once again created a temporary base that was even closer to the Colossal Golden tree, courtesy of those who were able to manipulate rock and earth — they were high up from the ground so that they would be able to see and spot any changes.

If anything, it looked like a fortress since there were a lot of lookouts, where most of the Nobles were idling and standing by while talking to each other.

"Those are… Blood Wyverns?"

"Hundreds of them."

"A hundred flying threat level 6, just great. Are they sure they don't want to just bomb this place already?"

"That's true — we've already cleared the monsters outside, so… they're just free to bomb this space, no?"

"Ssh, don't let the Nihons hear you. And besides, if they bomb it — there's a risk that most of these monsters would feel it and just decide to flee everywhere."

"Why… are they not even fighting each other?"

There were all sorts of different monsters surrounding the tree, some even known to kill each other on sight. But right now, they were all living peacefully around the tree; not a single one of them wanting to leave or forcing anyone out.

"Maybe… we should just let this thing be? Just create a wall around it and consider it a Danger Zone?"

"Yes, because that is easier than just trying to eliminate them all."

"...Isn't it? At least then, the loss of life would be minimal."

"And what if these seemingly peaceful monsters decide to just suddenly start moving while the Nihons are building their wall? What do you think the loss of life would be then?"

"But I don't think trying to eliminate them is also the best option… because of that."

And perhaps even more so than the monsters surrounding it, or even the colossal golden tree itself — everyone's eyes were looking at the thing that was wrapped around the tree.

It was a snake. A colossal green snake.

"The Verdant Python. Just… what exactly is it suddenly doing here? Don't tell me there's more than 1 of them?"

"No, that's the very same snake that was spotted near the Underworld of Goryeo. Look at the large mark it has near its head."

"That's… a scar?"

"That was done by Sorokin himself."

"Sorokin!? And it's still alive!?"

"Apparently, that's just the surface of its scales — Sorokin was not even able to pierce its flesh before he was smashed by its tail and just flew across the Underworld… even almost hitting Helios."

'S… shit… no one's tried to kill it?"

"Because it's not dangerous. The Verdant Python doesn't really attack anything and just moves around and sleeps — and it's not even territorial at all."

"...So, why did Sorokin attack it?"

"That was when they thought it was still aggressive. But apparently, very much like the Wardens, it just moves around without a care about anything. Still, it destroys anything in its path since its like more than half a mile long."

"More than half a mile long!?"

"Isn't it obvious just by looking at it?"

"...Who even are you? Why do you know a lot of things?"

"Wait, you say it's not territorial. But… why is it coiling around the tree, then?"

"And that's why we're still not making a move. Sorokin and the others are afraid that the Verdant Python might have had a change of heart — if that thing goes on a rampage, well…

…Nihon is done for."

"F… fuck… Imagine that just moving around the country."

"Not only that — it can easily create Holes if it wants to."

"S… shit… no wonder we're just idling here. W—"

"Look, it's him!"

And all of a sudden, the endless conversation of all the Nobles halted as soon as a particular group showed itself in the lookout — Rhys's group.

"I… heard he soloed a Llambydis."

"What the fuck is that?"

"It's a Threat level 8, you moron."

"...Why are you all so surprised? He is part of the World Rankers for a reason — all of them are Threat Level 8 and above themselves if you turn them into monsters."

"Still — he's a Lowborn."

"Right, you're Amerkan — Lowborns are actual people in my country."

"Nah, he has a point. He is a Lowborn… so how exactly is he that strong? You think he's just dying his hair?"

"That's illegal."

"World Rankers are exempt from the law, you fool. And besides, all of you are focusing on the wrong thing…

…look at all those beautiful women around him."

"How does he even manage to surround himself with them!?"

"Are you seriously even asking that…? Look at him. 6'8", body of a god, and a face that fucking puts celebrities to shame."

"I wonder what his skincare routine is?"

"Right — how the fuck can a man look like that? He's so manly, and yet his face… what the fuck. Look at that jawline."

"Mog god."

"Man… everyone around him is so hot, even the monsters."

"Don't call them monsters, call them demi-humans. You fucking racist."

And all of a sudden, no one was talking about the Colossal tree anymore as everyone was just staring at Rhys; the whispers of his name almost as loud as the harsh wind hitting their fortress.

"Everyone's just grabbing your balls, Recruit." And the one who seemed most amused with that was Ayesha, who was looking at everyone who was looking at them, "The world's strongest Explorer is here, and yet everyone's talking about you."

"That's… already a given," Rhys could really only sigh as he scanned the Colossal Golden Tree, "It's been an entire day — there's still no changes?"

"No," Commander Olga was also with him instead of Sorokin; her hair, still completely neat even with the wind blowing across her face, "And that is what's worrying — just a day ago, the monsters were rampaging across the lands and now they're all just… there."

"So, I take it they are going with the second plan?" Ayesha scoffed.

"That is the most likely outcome," Olga nodded.

"It's a gamble," Rhys let out a small but very deep sigh while shaking his head, "If it goes wrong, then we will be put in a very dangerous spot — but if it works, well… we are still going to be put in a very dangerous spot."

"It's not a gamble, it's suicide," Ayesha smirked as she crossed her arms, "Just walk into their territory and hope that they don't attack us too — that's a fucking stupid plan. If it wasn't for the nymph, even I wouldn't have agreed with it."

"Hm…" Rhys turned to look at Aengela, who was hanging on his waist, dead asleep, "...I just hope she's right."

"A nymph that could control monsters," Olga squinted her eyes as she focused on the Colossal Golden Tree, "Besides hoping that Aengela is right, we should also hope that she could actually convince the nymph to control the monsters and return them all back to the ground."

"If she's wrong, well — I guess we'll just find ourselves surrounded by thousands of monsters all wanting to kill us," Rhys shrugged, "Suicide Squad's calling me back, it would seem."

"Psh, we're all insane," Ayeshas then turned around and started walking away, "Anyway, wake me up when there's action — I'm going to sleep."

"...I guess we should rest too," Rhys let out a small sigh as she looked at Edissa and Malenia, "Let's—"

"Can I speak with you for a moment, Commander?" Before Rhys could follow Ayesha back, Olga very subtly grabbed his arm.

"..." Rhys stared at Olga's face for a few seconds before once again looking at Edissa and Malenia, "The two of you return to the Doctor for now."

"Of course, Master Rhys," Edissa bowed her head, "I could smell the woman's scent — she is expecting you to mate with her."

"That's not—"

"It is true, Rhys," Malenia nodded, "I can feel a strong desire from her, she wants to taste your flesh and eat it — I would do the same, but my duty comes first."

"Right…" Rhys could really only squint his eyes as he watched his two demi-human walk and slither away,

"What… did you want to speak about, Commander?"

"That… It is not proper to talk about it here," Olga looked at all the prying eyes surrounding them, "We… should talk in my quarters about… well…

…about the kiss we shared."

"Oh…" Rhys blinked a couple of times.

"There… is a chance that we will die here, Commander," Olga breathed out, "So, I would truly hate it if I do not get to know you more."

"That…" Rhys turned to look at the Hearts floating above Olga's head,

"...I feel the same."