Just think of it this way. What is better, the nymphs fighting honorably, causing one or more of them to die, or the nymphs using an underhanded tactic, which would result in zero casualties?
The answer is very obvious, and Rezar cannot understand why his own tribe would think otherwise.
It might not be the kind thing to do, but it was the decision with the best outcome.
Sometimes, the end does justify the means.
"They are just too kind. Fortunately, our Guardian Totem is different. They are smarter and more decisive. If not, would the Guardian teach me to fight in this way?"
It was Nexus who taught Rezar to create the sharp sticks and find plants or herbs with negative effects when used.
Overall, Rezar used three substances to deal negative effects on the lizardmen. The first one was the sleep pollen of Butterfly Nymphs.
The pollen's effects when inhaled or touched were not potent, and the effects can be easily shaken off one's system. However, through Rezar's experiments, he found out that if the pollen were to enter a wound, its effects grew stronger.
As for the dark paste and the purple powder, they are from plants that the nymphs avoided.
As nymphs, while they are omnivores, they actually prefer to eat fruits, nuts, and other plants from nature rather than meat.
As such, they learned which plants they can and cannot eat if they don't want to be poisoned.
With the Guardian's wisdom, Rezar found a path more suitable for him. With his innate magic [Accelerate] that doubles his speed, throwing the sharp wood and ensuring they land on the enemy was easy.
Fortunately, everyone is a family. While the other nymphs are uncomfortable with Rezar's actions, they didn't act negatively in front of him, and they still did their best to shake their discomfort and treat him as usual.
The nymphs sprinkled the powder that prevents the odor of blood from leaking before taking the dead bodies to be sacrificed to their Guardian Totem.
Using poison and not even letting off the dead's body… this kind of action brought another sense of discomfort to the nymphs, but they didn't dare to displease their Guardian Totem.
They saw how powerful the energy beams that the mushrooms released were. If they do not want to suffer the same fate as the lizardmen, they are to serve Nexus properly.
"The Guardian Spirit is still better! I sensed how satisfied it is after seeing my courage. It might even bestow more guidance to me in the future. I must make sure not to disappoint the Guardian!"
Rezar vowed that since his family was soft-hearted, he would harden his heart to ensure their safety.
After some time, the nymphs finally returned to their homes, and the nymphs that were left behind were relieved to see all of their family returning unharmed.
As usual, they sacrificed the corpses to Nexus and offered their prayers.
With more corpses, Nexus could once again exponentially grow his mycelium and mushrooms.
Such a hearty harvest will not come every day, and Nexus welcomed such a good thing.
—-
Time does not stop for anyone. After the nymphs settled in their new homes and even annihilated their enemies, they had a period of peace and development.
Even though there are fewer of them now, their strength in reality actually grew stronger with the Morningstar Mushroom's help.
They gained more power to defend themselves against threats, and the growing number of mushrooms in Nexus's territory also brought them a sense of security.
As of the moment, Nexus's mushroom territory has now expanded to more than fifty meters in diameter. His mycelium is now touching a part of the area where the nymphs are staying.
Perhaps since Nexus is still a bit suspicious, his mycelium does not only grow underground now. He had some mycelium grow above ground, specifically on the tents of the nymphs.
His mycelium strengthened the foundation of the tents, and at the same time, it ensures that no secret will be kept from him.
If he wants to, he can see and listen to the nymphs anytime. There is almost no chance now of these nymphs betraying him without his knowledge.
Today seems to be a rather special day as the nymphs once again gathered around Nexus. Praying for his blessings.
"Your Highness, we brought good news to you" Iruline spoke while guiding a pair of nymphs closer to Nexus' main body.
"Good news? What is it?" Nexus inquired while looking at the two nervous nymphs.
These two seem to be older than most of the nymphs, and all the nymphs are smiling at them.
"Your Highness, these two are Poline and Erna. They are now ready to produce an offspring" Iruline said with a joyful expression on her face.
All the other nymphs have the same expression, staring at the two nymphs with expectations, while Nexus cursed them in his mind.
"What the hell?! Are these nymphs so depraved that the act of making babies is done publicly? No, I don't want to watch!"
If Nexus was really forced to watch two nymphs fornicating in public while their own family cheered at them, he swore he would use his Morningstar Mushrooms to blast these perverted nymphs!
He doesn't want to dirty his vision like that!
"Your Highness, in our tribe, since we are always low in number, reproduction has always been significant. It was always done in front of the couple's most special and important person."
"In the current Morningstar Tribe, aside from Your Highness, our Guardian Spirit, there is definitely no one more important and special than you. As such, we would like you to witness the first in our tribe to reproduce, and we kindly ask for your blessings."
Wyden also spoke. Just like the rest of the nymphs, he was happy for this occasion. After all, they are in dire need of more nymphs, and it's not like nymphs can reproduce any time they want to.
The fact that there is finally a couple that could reproduce is worthy of celebration.
"Crazy! These nypmhs are crazy! Or could it be that I am the weird one? Is the culture of this world different than the culture I grew up with?"
"But even if this is this world's culture, my earthling side still doesn't want to witness such a thing!"
Nexus felt like either these nymphs are crazy or he was the one that is being driven to craziness.
He had already been turned into a mushroom. Must he also need to watch a live po*n as if they were saying that he can't do this kind of thing anymore?
Nexus was unwilling, but after seeing the expectant look the nymphs are giving him, he can only concede.
At worst, he would just cut off his senses in the area where these nymphs would do it. He at least has that ability.
"Very well. Do what you must do." Nexus gave up, and the nymphs cheered, unaware of the internal turmoil he had.
However, it seems like Nexus was still ignorant of this world. The way earthlings reproduce might be different than the way nymphs do it.
With his blessings, the couple raised their palms in the air. At the center of their palms, the image of a butterfly can be seen.
With Nexus's growing power from absorbing various forms of energy, including faith, his vision was already getting better.
While he cannot see the exact appearance of those tattoos, he can recognize the outline. They seem to be butterfly tattoos.
Nexus even wondered how the nymphs do tattoos.
The two nymphs smiled at each other before they placed their palms together. Their fingers moved, and they clasped their hands together while their forehead rested against each other.
Soon, a bright green glow appeared on their hands that were locked together while the couple closed their eyes.
"Was I… mistaken…?" Nexus gulped an imaginary mouthful of saliva.
It seems like the nymphs are actually not perverted. It was Nexus's mind that was dirty!
They have a completely different way of reproduction compared to Earthlings. Nexus wondered if this was the way all creatures in this world reproduce, or just these Butterfly Nymphs.
After a few minutes, the light finally subsided, and the couple broke away from each other. The butterfly tattoo on their palms vanished, and at the back of the female nymph's palm, a new tattoo emerged.
"It's a success and we will have three babies!" The female nymph said happily while looking at the leaf mark that contained three eggs on the back of her palm.
"Three nymphs!"
"Wow! We would finally have newborns again!"
"With the Guardian Spirit's blessing, the first couple to reproduce even conceived three nymphs at once!"
"This is indeed a cause for celebration!"
The simple minded nymphs cheered at the prospect of having three more family members while Nexus can only smile wryly.
That was it? That's how nymphs reproduce? If that is the case then why is their number still so little?
If they just need to hold hands to make babies, why not do it everyday?