Chapter Sixty-Four: Patient and Present Circumstances

“Mr. Simon, it seems everything is unfolding just as we anticipated. The symptoms in these patients have already begun to subside.”

“That’s true, but the recovery appears rather subtle, Professor Fanny. Do you think those politicians will give us trouble over this?”

Simon gazed at the rows of special patients lying quietly in their beds within the tent, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Heh, Mr. Simon, it appears you still haven’t grasped the current situation,” Fanny Campbell replied with a smile. “Regardless of whether these patients improve rapidly, do you know how many people from different countries are secretly supporting us right now?”

“Over the years, the benefits our League of Keepers has provided have touched far more than a handful. Besides, although the situation here is progressing slowly, it’s perfectly in line with expectations.”

“As long as these people’s conditions improve, even if only gradually, the pace hardly matters.”

“After all, there’s nowhere else in the world capable of treating them.”

At this, the smile on Fanny Campbell’s face grew even broader.

“Moreover, the identities of the first group of patients sent here are hardly ordinary. Once they regain consciousness, we’ll have even more loyal allies in the future.”

“Surely, Mr. Simon, this should dispel many of your concerns?”

Simon said nothing. While Fanny Campbell’s reasoning sounded convincing, the appearance and condition of this first group of patients left Simon uneasy.

Two hundred meters west of the Sacred Tree stood a newly constructed camp, covering nearly two thousand square meters. As far as the eye could see, rows of tall, green-canvased tents stretched beneath a canopy of towering trees. Each tent was built tightly against the trunks, using them as support, forming a unique, continuous cluster of dwellings.

Within these quarters resided two hundred extraordinary tenants.

These were not ordinary people. Every one of them had either gone mad or mutated as a result of the Purple Moon’s contamination.

Among them, over a hundred displayed mild symptoms. Most arrived in a state of unconscious roaring and constant struggle.

The more severe cases fell into two categories.

The first group showed no obvious physical changes but possessed alarming strength, their pupils stained with a deep violet hue. When they were brought in, their entire bodies were bound with intricate steel wires, even their heads fixed to steel-framed beds. Just witnessing them was enough to unsettle anyone.

The other group was even more extreme.

Their bodies were covered in abscesses and rot, and they towered over normal humans. Unlike the previous two categories, these patients required injections of multiple drugs every two hours to keep them in a constant state of unconsciousness.

For these eighteen most severe cases, their wards were under constant armed guard, and nurses and doctors rotated constantly to oversee them.

This was the ward where Fanny Campbell and Simon currently stood.

In truth, the prognosis for these severe cases was far from optimistic. After being brought within range of the oak tree’s fragrant blossoms, all that had changed was that their forced slumber stretched from two hours to five. The abscesses and sores on their bodies showed little improvement.

The floral scent could only calm the mind; true healing from contamination required the energy scattered by the Oak as it resisted the Purple Moon.

Both Fanny Campbell and Simon were well aware of this.

Bringing the patients here was intended to stabilize them with the scent, and when the next Purple Moon descended, they might absorb some of the healing energy.

As for drinking the nectar from the Jewel Flowers atop the Oak? Some had thought of trying it.

But under the current circumstances, it was impossible.

A massive flock of mutated birds guarded the upper branches, deterring everyone. Forcing one’s way up was possible—if you didn’t mind slaughtering the larger birds.

But what then? Would that not offend the spirits of the Sacred Tree? This was, after all, hallowed ground.

Even if the spirits were indifferent, would Simon’s kin not object? Imagine launching a massacre in someone else’s sanctuary, killing the very birds that roosted in the canopy and protected the forest.

At best, it would strain relations; more likely, it would cause an irreparable rift.

Moreover, Fanny Campbell, the leader of this mission, was a devout member of the Druidic Order. She would never permit such an act.

All of nature’s gifts were blessings from the gods. To kill animals wantonly before the Druids, and not for survival, was hardly wise.

Thus, though many in the diplomatic team noticed the mutated birds in the treetops, they limited themselves to tentative inquiries, careful not to say anything overtly offensive.

After all, thanks to the videos Fanny Campbell had brought back, most now understood the profound mystery and power of the Sacred Tree’s domain.

For those with faith, this was undoubtedly a true sacred land.

If it could truly cure those afflicted by the Purple Moon, its value would only continue to soar.

Naturally, those involved, especially the guardians of the Sacred Tree, were looked upon with growing favor.

Currently, the nations of Western Accord had yet to reach a consensus on how to handle the Sacred Tree. Most were content to let events play out, allowing the Druids to take the lead.

This informal arrangement was the outcome of the last media battle, a preliminary agreement between the governments and the Druidic Order.

The terms were simple: if matters with the Sacred Tree deteriorated or if it ever threatened humanity, the Druidic Order and its leaders would be held directly accountable.

Conversely, should the Sacred Tree bring benefits to all, its existence would be recognized as necessary, and the Druids would be granted greater autonomy.

The Druidic Order here referred not only to its membership of several tens of thousands, but also to a newly formed and highly influential coalition: the Mysterious Forest.

The Mysterious Forest was established by medical professors from twelve countries and led by Fanny Campbell.

Its ranks were filled with wealthy patrons, and their involvement had, in turn, curbed any inclination the Western Accord governments might have had towards forceful measures.

The reason was simple: in the Western Accord, elections required money, and politicians relied on donations from these very magnates.

Indeed, many politicians were themselves drawn from the ranks of the wealthy, which explained why there was no unified government stance, and why they dared not confront the Druids head-on.

The recent media war had also shown them just how potent the sway of faith could be. If not for the threat of mass protests, the highest echelons would never have compromised.

But now that they had, Fanny Campbell and her Druidic Order had every reason to seize the moment.

After all, who could guarantee they themselves would not fall ill, develop cancer, or become contaminated by the Purple Moon? So long as there was need, the Oak’s standing would be unassailable.

Thus, Oak Adam’s place in the official landscape of the Western Accord was now firmly established. No one would dare covet it.

And the challenges Adam now faced were no longer about safety or status among humans.

At this moment, his true difficulty lay in answering the endless stream of questions from the little deer chatting with him…