Reincarnated As A Plant Life
chapter-123

~Hmm, so that means I may need to make contact with the furry folk. But right now they don't see me as more than a mere bug. What if they don't believe in the prophecies of the Fae? Besides, if they really did live alongside them, why aren't they trying to look for this savior?~ Lucius thought to himself, just now reaching the camp.

~Curious. I'll ask the other creatures of the forest about this during trades. If Pagan was alive when the Fae were around, then there must be other creatures too. Someone should know something. Though that will mean I need the encyclopedia, and that thing's expensive,~ he thought, placing the arachnid baby on the floor.

After waiting for several minutes, Pagan came with the fur and bones that Lucius had requested.

"The chieftains are waiting at Aclepius's cabin, Lighted One," Pagan said, as he placed the materials in front of Lucius.

"Good," he replied, picking up the fur to inspect its condition.

"This was cut quite well, who did this?" he asked, surprised by how well the meat had been separated from the fur.

"I ordered the shrooms to be careful with how they took the meat off the creature. I expected that the lighted One would want his materials in order. Though I apologize about the bones, I hadn't expected that you would want those as well," Pagan explained, looking towards the dirt-covered bones.

"That'll be okay, I can clean them myself. Though tell the shrooms that cut this I want to talk to them. They're quite skilled," Lucius replied, before doing a more thorough inspection of the fur.

"Pagan, have you tested out the new spells?" he asked as he tried running solar energy through the fur to see if it would trigger its camouflage mechanism.

"Indeed, Lighted One. I tried them as soon as they were added. Though it seems I can't quite get either to work," Pagan replied in a defeated tone, as if he were a disappointment.

"I expected as much," Lucius commented, finding that the fur's function would not activate with solar energy. "There are a few steps I have to show you first," he added, removing his crux as he dropped the fur to the ground.

"The first step is to reduce your hold on the crux to a minimum and relax your mind. Do this until you feel like your crux is about to dissipate into the air."

Pagan attempted this, and after a few tries, he was able to make an eased version of the crux.

"Now, the working of solar pit requires you to fi-" however before Lucius could even finish explaining this, Pagan had already figured it out, and cast solar pit.

"I-I've done it Lighted One," Pagan said with a proud smile on his face.

"Perfect. Now, increase your hold on the crux, push the intensity to your limits, but this time, only do this in smaller regions of the crux. You're trying to push out some of the energy into the pit," Lucius explained, before casting solar pit, and then causing streaks to come out of his crux.

After a few minutes, Pagan managed to produce results.

"Now you should be able to cast solar beam. Though I recommend you don't do that right now. It expands a lot of solar energy at once, and you haven't slept in a while," Lucius warned. Pagan understood this and decided to try it all out after he had gotten some sleep.

"Also, there's a mission I have for you. It's a special operations mission," Lucius explained, before picking up one of the bones.

"Yes, Lighted One, I live to serve" Pagan replied.

"I need you to gather all the children from the pillar camps. Anyone born within the last few days, and bring them into the main camp. When they're here, you will indoctrinate them into our ways," Lucius explained, snapping the bone he was holding in half.

"I want them to be a trustworthy force. Explain to their parents that I am taking them in to teach them our ways. Though if you have to be a little violent, then it can't be helped," Lucius added. However, he doubted he needed to tell Pagan that.

Though Lucius felt a little morally conflicted about separating these kids from their parents and essentially brainwashing them, he knew it had to be done. He was trained to be practical, and for the commune to grow, he would require as many trustworthy creatures as fast as possible.

"The creatures will be grateful that you have taken an interest in their children," Pagan said with a smile.

"By the way, Lighted One. What is that creature?" Pagan asked, just now noticing the baby arachnid trying to eat scraps off the bone pieces that lay on the floor.

"Oh, this is one of my personal beasts. I am going to try and see if non-sentient creatures can evolve," Lucius explained.

"So this creature is marked with your blessing?" Pagan asked, picking up the creature to inspect it.

The baby shrieked at this, biting Pagan's hand. It seemed to know that Pagan was a lunatic. Though its poison was basically nothing at this point.

"The Lighted One's first beast. The First Beast... yes that is a name worthy of the Lighted One's possession," Pagan announced.

"Sigh, it's nothing that grand," Lucius replied, before crushing the bones in his hand into very thin pieces.

"Lighted One, am I allowed to have a beast as well? A beast that can be marked with your blessing?"

"Hmm, that's actually a good idea Pagan. The more creatures we have the better. Well, if you manage to tame a creature then I suppose it won't be a problem. Though I will only permit babies, anything older will be harder to dominate," Lucius explained.

"I thank you, Lighted One. I shall bring a beast to your liking," Pagan announced.

"Anyway, go get some rest. I want to have a session in a few hours before going out to hunt," Lucius ordered, and after saying goodbye to both Lucius and the arachnid, Pagan went to take rest.