Let's go back a few days.
A lake not far from an unnamed valley.
"You all stay on the ship and don't move for now," Andrew instructed the new members of the escort team.
Andrew and his crew brought all the ships they could to transport the ore and some of their people back home.
"Fir Tree, come up with us."
Andrew still planned to observe the situation in the valley first before deciding how to proceed.
Before taking action, have Sugi contact his former companions to avoid causing chaos.
A cool breeze blew through the valley at night, making it a bit chilly. Elm lay on the grass mat on the ground, his companion pressed tightly against him, making him feel uncomfortable.
But there's no other way; there's nothing we can do to keep warm, so we can only huddle together for warmth.
Elmwood was wide awake today, and for some reason he had a strong feeling that Cedarwood would come today.
His companion's words from earlier that day still echoed in his ears, "Elmwood, how about we run away while he's gone?"
Elm didn't answer him. He saw the disappointment on his companion's face. It wasn't that Elm didn't want to run, but that he couldn't. He had to wait for Fir Tree; he knew Fir Tree would definitely come back.
In fact, it wasn't just his companion who had this thought; many others shared it. Everyone knew that even if they escaped, it would be certain death; survival in this area was impossible. Yet, even knowing it was a dead end, they still harbored this idea. This speaks volumes about the darkness of this place.
"Coo coo coo"
The strange bird calls echoed again from the distant mountains and forests, and Elm felt a surge of excitement; it was Cedar. He moved his body gently, trying not to disturb the person beside him.
But no matter how careful he was, a sudden chill ran down his spine, causing his companion to groggily ask a question.
"Elm, where are you going? It's so cold behind you!"
The situation with the elm tree is still unknown. We can only be sure after we see the cedar tree, so he decided to make up an excuse.
"My stomach is a little upset, I'm going to take care of it."
"What? Elm, what did you say? I didn't hear you." Only his companion's muttering voice came from behind.
A moment later
"Shushu, why are you only coming now? It's almost winter." Yumu hugged Shushu, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, with trembling arms. Actually, it hadn't been long, but it felt like a long time to him.
"Cough cough cough"
The cedar tree was struggling to breathe from his embrace, so it said urgently, "Elm... let me go first."
Elm was startled and realized he had made a mistake, so he quickly let go of the cedar.
"Shushu, I'm a little too excited."
"Elm, listen carefully to me. This is very important. We will be attacking this place later. When we launch the attack, don't panic. Just do what you're supposed to do. Don't tell the miners this. Just calm them down during the attack. Afterwards, if you want to come with us, then come with us. If you don't want to, then stay. We won't care."
Elm was trembling with excitement upon hearing Fir's words. He could finally see his family.
"Fir… tree, but… that bastard Ares isn't here anymore."
After these two years, Shan Shu is much better off than before. Although the hatred is still there, it no longer easily affects his emotions.
"Hmm, Elm, where did he go?" Fir Tree felt a little regretful. If he were still here, they could have taken care of him together.
Looking at the unmoving cedar tree, Yu Mu felt that the cedar tree had changed somewhat this time.
"He went back to consult the lord to see whether to continue mining here or to transport the ore back and come back next year."