Mage Legend

"Alright..." The trees' response was slow but powerful, as they swayed their bodies, creating a rustling sound. It was the language of the forests communicating amongst themselves, a language only trees could understand. With the help of wind and water flow, the plea for assistance quickly spread through the forests in the western part of Salantir, resulting in a chorus of rustling sounds.

Caidi gently caressed the rough bark with his hand, expressing his gratitude through this gesture. Besides the elves, only trees on this continent possess eternal life. They record the passage of time with their roots, stems, and leaves and bear eternal friendships. Even giant dragons do not have this privilege.

"What should we do..." the trees asked the elf standing in front of them. Although they spoke at an exceptionally slow pace, they could quickly understand Caidi's words. While some places required repetition, the whole forest became active, and the terrain was undergoing a change.

The rustling sound of tree communication was like a forest swaying in a fierce wind. The Fishmen couldn't hear each other speak, as they were terrified by the loud noise around them. Only a hurricane capable of uprooting an entire island could have such a loud voice. The Fishmen feared that this time might be a catastrophic disaster.

The massive trees raised their intricately complex roots, firmly uprooting themselves from the muddy soil in the depths of the river. Supporting each other, they intertwined their branches and advanced toward the predetermined target. Some gaps opened on the riverbank, and the mud turned the river water murky. Small fish fled in fear, and only the toads on the riverbank gazed in amazement at the changes in their habitat.

A new forest was formed, becoming a strong dike within the river, completely altering the original river path. The new streams moved along the pathways left by the trees, while some old river paths only allowed a trickle of water to pass. The Fishmen's bodies could not swim in those nearly dry waterways.

Even the beavers, known for building dams, would take thousands of years to achieve such a transformation. The relocated trees firmly lodged their roots into the soil of their new homes, absorbing nutrients to restore their strength.

Yet, they happily shook their crowns, feeling proud to help their friends.

"Thank you." Caidi's gratitude spread through the conversation among the trees. Now, aside from the forests and the Moonhand guards aware of the entire plan, no one else knew the state of these waterways.

The Fishmen covered their heads, fearing they might be blown into the sky by the hurricane. It was only the promise from their "boss" before the attack that kept them from dispersing. However, once the rustling ceased, they finally heard their boss's shout.

"Move forward, you bunch of rotten eggs!" yelled the Fishman captain, holding a trident and mercilessly prodding those too afraid to advance: "If you don't use your legs and fins to move, I'll personally twist them off!"

The Fishmen army advanced slowly, fully believing that their squad captains were capable of doing what they said. However, after a while, the Fishmen completely forgot the fear of the "hurricane" and only thought of countless treasures and abundant rewards. They surged madly into the depths of Salantir, like flies attracted by a foul smell.

"Strange, there should only be two forks here; why are there three now?" A Fishman wearing a Golden Pearl Crown looked at the road ahead, somewhat puzzled, holding a tablet studded with gemstones. Only when the gemstones were plentiful enough would the Fishmen consider the map "invaluable" and "meaningful."

"Never mind, it must be because those stupid No-webbed People can't count." The Fishman felt proud of the nickname he invented: "Anyway, we are destined to become the rulers of this land, so we should forgive others' ignorance. It proves that only we, the noble ones, will be victorious!"

'This statement should be spread among other Fishmen forever,' thought the one holding the map, 'I am truly great.'

He waved his arm, not caring at all about the mud splattering on his companions' faces. At this moment, the great Fishman leader decided to act entirely based on his own wise intuition, letting that "faceless" elf's lousy map step aside — after prying off those shiny stones.

"Comrades, deal with those dressed lavishly first." Using tree branches to hide his form, Caidi endured the stench from the Fishmen below and aimed his arrow at a Fishman wearing an Iron Crown, unnoticed by the elf guards: "Take down their leaders, and the Fishmen will become even more chaotic."

Members of the Moonhand guard released their bowstrings simultaneously, arrows flying silently like lightning. As the panicked Fishmen searched for the "cowardly, despicable, uncultured, backstabbing" attackers, Caidi and his companions aimed their weapons at another enemy area.

These Fishmen could not hide their tracks at all; their scent spread far and wide. Caidi and his companions split up, each handling an area, trapping the Fishmen in an endlessly looping path.