Chapter Ten: Accord and Sudden Upheaval

When profit reaches ten percent, some begin to stir; at fifty percent, there are those bold enough to take risks; at a hundred percent, they dare trample the law; and when it swells to three hundred percent, they would face the gallows without a trace of fear.

This very sentiment perfectly captured the situation in the rainforest at this moment.

The value of mistletoe had long surpassed three hundred percent, yet fortunately both mistletoe and oak held profound cultural and spiritual significance across the Western Covenant nations.

It was for this reason that these people had not, in the name of their gods, exterminated a tribe deeply devoted to nature and the worship of oak.

To acquire a tribe’s labor to cultivate mistletoe at minimal cost was, of course, the best possible outcome.

And this was precisely why the Simon tribe had been able to reside here for generations.

Though Reed’s words bordered on blasphemy, the reality was undeniable.

The significance of the mistletoe under the Simon tribe’s control was self-evident, and the “Custodians’ League” formed by the medical departments of the Western Covenant countries could never allow the Simon tribe to sit idly atop such a treasure.

The reason these people had yet to make their intentions clear was, at its root, a matter of faith.

After all, anyone would be startled to learn that a critically endangered oak had not only revived but grown, in short order, into a towering giant of a hundred meters.

In the Western Covenant, where ninety-nine percent of the people clung to their own devout beliefs, the Druidic faith—though it was a minority and not mainstream—still possessed deep roots in the culture.

The leading nation of the Covenant, the United States of America, even honored the oak as its national tree.

One could easily imagine the symbolic status the oak held in the hearts of the Western peoples.

“Mr. Reed’s words may seem irreverent, but they do reflect reality,” someone remarked in a low voice, agreeing after a moment’s hesitation.

“Still, I believe it’s necessary to first check whether the mistletoe produced by this oak is truly without issue!”

“Until there’s a definitive conclusion, we can leave the matter of mistletoe’s yield for later discussion.”

A certain heaviness marked his expression, and others began to frown as well.

Mallory hesitated, but finally found his opening to join the conversation. “Claude, are you suggesting this oak might have been affected by the Purple Moon?”

“Precisely.” Claude nodded gravely.

“Though the Purple Moon hasn’t appeared in a month and a half, we can’t ignore the possibility.”

“What intelligence we have suggests its influence is steadily growing; as its contamination spreads, anything could happen. We must approach the unknown with the utmost caution.”

At this, the gathering fell silent.

Soon, however, voices began to rise in agreement.

“It’s true!”

“Yes, confirmation must come first.”

“…”

In that instant, a consensus was reached among all present.

At that moment, only Simon wore an expression of confusion and worry.

Purple Moon?

Wasn’t that the peculiar moonlit night that could induce hallucinations in people and animals alike?

“So the authorities have been withholding something important from the public,” Simon concluded inwardly, and a powerful unease began to take hold.

For during the period of the oak’s revival, his tribe had already held two rituals.

And during both, every member present had partaken of the sacred brew made from mistletoe.

He clenched his fist, feeling the subtle surge of strength within his body these past days.

In the end, Simon said nothing aloud.

But he immediately changed tack in his mind:

“Though I don’t know exactly what you all are concerned about, it must be something critical the authorities have hidden from outsiders and the public alike.”

“This concerns my tribe’s safety. So, would you prefer to join me in the sacred grove to see for yourselves, or shall I have some mistletoe prepared for your inspection?”

Simon’s tactful sense of the moment pleased everyone present.

“If possible, we’d much prefer to see the oak up close in the sacred grove, and of course, we’ll bring some equipment,” said Fanny Campbell, the American representative, with solemnity.

“Rest assured, Mr. Simon, we won’t put you in a difficult position. The devices we bring are only to detect Purple Moon contamination.”

“I know your grandfather was a respected priest of the Old Faith.”

Fanny Campbell was a fervent nature enthusiast and a founding elder of the American Druidic Order.

It was precisely for this reason that Simon had first chosen to win her over.

“Well, Professor Fanny, since you say so, I have no objections,” Simon replied with respect.

Seeing Simon’s courtesy, Fanny was satisfied, and turned to the other national representatives.

“Gentlemen, I trust you have no objections to this arrangement?”

“If it’s what you wish, Ms. Campbell, we certainly have none,” the others replied in turn.

In the end, in this world, might still made right.

As the representative of the Covenant’s most powerful nation, Fanny Campbell naturally commanded due respect.

Fanny smiled.

“Since we’re all agreed, let’s not delay—let’s each make our preparations.”

At that, the group began to disperse, heading back to gather their equipment and gifts for the elders of the grove.

During all this, Mallory’s student, Anderson, had not uttered a word from the beginning.

After all, he was only just now brushing against the world’s deepest secrets.

Silence and observation were his wisest course.

The mutated oak, mistletoe with anti-cancer properties, and the so-called Purple Moon that polluted the world—these reports left Anderson’s mind in turmoil, unable to settle.

So much so that, as the others turned back toward camp, he remained rooted in place, gazing in awe at the towering oak in the distance.

And it was then, as he stared, that the oak seemed to glow.

“Am I seeing things?”

Anderson blinked, uncertain, and looked again.

But this time, the tree shone even brighter.

“My God! What is happening?”

Anderson stood frozen, and Mallory, noticing his student had not followed, turned around.

It was in that moment that he, too, saw the distant oak radiating a milky, shimmering light.

“By the gods!” Mallory exclaimed in shock, unable to contain himself.

“Hm?”

Hearing this, the others paused in their retreat and turned to look at Mallory.

Seeing him standing transfixed, they followed his gaze.

In an instant, all were dumbfounded.

“Is this a joke?”

“Have we all gone mad? What has happened to our world?”

“This can’t be real!”

“…”