From Hogwarts to Strixhaven.

Chapter 427 New Chief Druid

Threatening and cursing loudly does not enhance a shadow druid's combat effectiveness.

What's more, the enemies they faced were a group of ferocious adventurers.

The battle did not last long. Apart from the floor of the druid's inner room being stained red by the shadow druid's blood, not even a few pieces of furniture were damaged.

"I made a very serious mistake, Master Harsin." When the Shadow Druid's body was dragged away by Lass wearing a deer horn hat, Kaha immediately knelt in front of Harsin, "Please have mercy..."

"Mercy is a gift from nature! Not from me." Although Kaha suddenly realized his mistake at the last moment, Harsin's expression remained serious. "You can stay and start over as a druid apprentice. You have forgotten the druid's way of survival and the natural order of things. You have to prove that you have learned your lesson."

"I will do as you say, Master Harsin, completely and without any leeway..." Kaha bowed finally and began to look for tools to clean the blood on the ground.

"Ambition burns in her veins - cruelty and ruthlessness are the norm in her life. I can bet you that the next time she is faced with a situation where she is powerless, she will remember the call of the Shadow again." The drow paladin was originally admiring the paintings on the walls around him, but when he heard Harsin's final punishment on Kahar, he couldn't help but make a sharp comment.

Minsara always maintains amazing insight into things that have nothing to do with her, but once she is trapped in a complex environment, she will not be able to maintain that accurate judgment.

This can be seen from the fact that she accepted the Hongmen Banquet of Kathrick Thorm. Her pride and ambition to establish a glorious rule are her weaknesses. Minsara is very clear about this, but she is completely unable to restrain herself. Perhaps she will be more vigilant about the banquet in the future, but Ivy believes that other conspiracies targeting her weakness will still work again.

"There is nothing that a clear Zen mind cannot overcome. After going astray, we will find our way back and grow as a result. Kaha is indispensable to the woods. Nature and I are looking forward to her growth." Halsin did not intend to focus the conversation on Kaha. He extended his hand and beckoned the adventurers to continue walking inside. "The last threat in the woods has also disappeared. From now until tomorrow morning, it is time to rest and cheer. You can move freely in the woods, or help set up the venue for the banquet. Although the druids' ale is not as exquisite and delicious as that in Baldur's Gate, it is not so crude that it is undrinkable."

"I remember you brought us here to get our reward?" Xie Nian couldn't help but ask.

"Yes." Harsin nodded. "A magic long-handled knife and some coins. Druids rarely use metal products. I hope you don't think it's too shabby."

"I never think that a friend's hospitality is shabby!" Kalak said with a smile, "Where are those barrels? I'll move them all to the place where the banquet is held!"

Preparations for the adventure soon began.

The druids contributed wine, vegetables and fruits to the banquet, the tieflings offered various easy-to-preserve dried foods and set up large pots to cook, the Iron Hand dwarves went to the Chongsa River and used smoke powder bombs to get a lot of fresh fish, and the adventurers decided to take a good rest.

Ivy is planning the route for tomorrow morning. Beside him stand Bedron, the temporary leader of the Ironhand dwarves, Sevro, the leader of the tiefling refugees, the Hell Knight, Minsara, the exile of Menzoberranzan, Halsin, the archdruid of the Emerald Wood, and Laetzel, who controls the route to the Githyanki breeding room.

"We'll be on the road early tomorrow morning," Ivy said, pointing to the simple map. "We'll take the Road of Ascension from the infected village, bypass the mountain pass and enter the Shadow Land, and finally go to the Endlight Inn to meet up with the Harpers there."

"I thought our destination was Baldur's Gate..." Sevlo scratched his head and asked in confusion.

"All of us are aiming for Baldur's Gate." Ivy nodded, "But the Shadow Land of Resven in front of us is an obstacle that must be overcome. It is controlled by the cultists of the Supreme God. If we don't remove the Moonrise Tower where they are entrenched, these people will never be able to reach Baldur's Gate safely."

"The goblins that blocked our way have disappeared, but a new Cult of the Supreme God has appeared..." Sevlo seemed a little worried. "There are only a few warriors in our team, and the rest are refugees. Can they really help in the battle against the Cult of the Supreme God?"

"The Supreme God is a great scourge to this world. You should already know the complex composition of the troops in the goblin camp. If they continue to develop, not only Baldur's Gate may fall, but also the entire Sword Coast and even the entire world will be in danger." Ivy explained, "But don't worry, the Iron Hand dwarves and the tiefling refugees are not the main force against the Supreme God. The Harpers temporarily stationed in the Last Light Inn are the main force in this battle. In our plan, the Iron Hand dwarves will provide logistical support for the Harpers as craftsmen, and the role of the tieflings will also be highlighted in the Last Light Inn, taking care of the wounded, ensuring food and providing vigilance, and reducing the combat pressure for the Harpers."

"The road ahead is long and I don't know how many difficulties and obstacles are waiting for us. If I only rely on a few warriors in the team, I really don't have the confidence to lead them all to Baldur's Gate..." Sevlo nodded, "Fortunately, adventurers like you are willing to lend a hand... No matter what, we must work together to move forward."

"I admire your strength and strategy, Ivy," Laizer said suddenly, "but I also feel sorry for your kindness. These refugees will undoubtedly slow down our progress. We are facing a war, and any delay may lead to a complete defeat."

"Don't worry about this, Laizer." Ivy said calmly, "The Mediocre Treasure Chest still has a lot of space, enough to put all the Tieflings' luggage in it. In this way, except for a few oxen originally used to carry goods, everyone can travel light. We can even put the Mediocre Treasure Chest on the ox cart and assign some people to guard it. Carrying or not carrying supplies will result in two different marching speeds. I think you are very clear about this, Laizer."

"I forgot about your powerful magical creation." There was no unhappiness on Laizer's face, and he easily admitted that he had made a mistake in judgment. "In this way, the Tiefling refugees can indeed come in handy, and we can even conduct some simple military training during the march. However, when do we go to the nursery?" "Before entering the Shadowland of Resven." Ivy pointed his finger on the map, where there was a bend representing the pass. The front was a dark color indicating the Shadow Curse, and the back was the light yellow of the parchment itself. "The team needs to make repairs here. The Archdruid can use natural spells to help hide and protect the team until we return from the nursery."

"Very good. When our brains are no longer affected by the Mind Flayer tadpoles, we can implement more flexible strategies! I can almost see how Catheric Thom and the Supreme God were defeated by our attack." Laizer finally showed a satisfied look, with a smile on his face. "This is the only good news I have heard in these days."

“I regret your optimism,” Minsara said, having said nothing until now. “The mind flayer tadpoles are not incurable, we all know that. But every cure we have found so far has failed. The visitors in our minds are not ordinary species, and they cannot be cured by ordinary means.”

"The sons of Gis have hunted down those Ghaiks (Githyanki: brain-eating bastards) for many centuries. No other race knows more about the mind flayer tadpoles except us!" Laetzel naturally defended his own race. "Each breeding room has a purification device called Zaith'isk (Githyanki: Zaith Purifier). When we arrive at the breeding room, the device will be attached to our foreheads and use magic to remove the mind flayer tadpoles in our brains. I don't know the specific principle, but I can guarantee that it is absolutely effective!"

“Githian magic?” Minsara shook her head slightly. “I hope it works.”

Minsala did not continue to dwell on the matter of the nursery, but raised a new question: "In addition to the cultists and various beasts that we may encounter on the road, we also need to face another problem, the Shadow Curse of Resven. Although my lyre can summon spider elves holding moon lanterns, a single lantern is obviously not enough to emit enough light to protect everyone in the team. How can we protect these unarmed guys from the Shadow Curse?"

"We need to prepare enough torches and lighting." Archdruid Harsin answered the question on behalf of Ivy. "I have been studying the Shadow Curse for a hundred years. In areas where the curse is not strong, the light from the torches is enough to dispel it. Therefore, we must try to avoid the areas with the most serious Shadow Curse and choose a relatively safe route to reach the End Light Inn."

"Even if we really have to risk passing through the area with the most concentrated Shadow Curse, I have already thought of a way to deal with it. You can put your heart at ease, Minsara." Ivy said wisely, "I have studied the moon lantern of Ninne. Its principle is not difficult to understand. It just uses magical flames to consume the life of a pixie to emit light. Since the vitality of that kind of small fey creature can resist the Shadow Curse, there must be more magic that can achieve the same effect. Although it has not been tested yet, I already have a few ideas."

The confidence that emanated from Ivy's words easily convinced the people present. They no longer thought that the Shadow Curse was some kind of insurmountable obstacle, and instead started a new round of small talk.

"Your erudition and confidence are reassuring, Ivy. Your few words have surpassed my research over the past hundred years." The Archdruid laughed, "Resigning from my position in the forest and embarking on the journey with you may be the wisest decision I have ever made in my life."

"You resigned as the chief druid of the Greenwood?" Minsara asked in surprise. "Not everyone would be willing to give up power, but when I think of you as a druid, I feel that I am making a fuss."

"May I have the honor of guessing who will be the next chief druid of the Greenwood?" Sevro was also very interested in this topic. Halsin spread his hands, indicating that Sevro could give it a try.

"Since you have stripped Kaha of all his duties, the most likely candidate is Lars." Sevro holds a high position in the Knights of Hell and can intervene in some personnel matters, so he has his own opinions on choosing a successor. "Even during the period when the conflict between us and the druids was the most serious, he was able to remain restrained and polite, and always opposed some of Kaha's practices. From an outsider's perspective, he has practiced the druid's path very well."

Harsin smiled and shook his head, as if playing a guessing game: "Russ is good, but not good enough."

"Hmm... then it's Neti? Her medical skills are very advanced and she is kind-hearted. Even though Kaha disagreed, she still provided us with a lot of food and medical supplies." Seflo continued to guess.

Ivy had heard about this Nettie from Xie Nian. It was said that when she first met Xie Nian, she wanted to kill Xie Nian, the Mind Flayer reserve, with a poisoned thorn. If the successor to the chief druid was not Ras with the antler hat, then Nettie would have a great chance. Although they were not as impressive as Harsin in terms of personal ability and character, they could at least pass the test. At this stage, we couldn't ask for too much.

But Harsin still shook his head.

This made everyone present very confused. Sevro asked doubtfully, "It can't be Kaha, right? That's too..."

"Francesca." This was a name no one had ever heard of.

"Who?" Sevlo asked, "I don't think I've ever seen this person in the woods."

"That's right! You don't know who she is, and neither do others!" Harsin had a fox-like cunning look on his face. "She comes from the High Forest. The Greenwood needs to get over its past mistakes. It needs an unknown variable, an outsider who can implement the teachings of the Oakfather without prejudice. That's why I chose a druid that no one knows. By the way, my messenger has already set off. It will fly over the woods and wilderness and reach the High Forest as quickly as possible. Soon, Francesca will become the chief druid of the woodland."

"I am impressed by your sophistication as a druid, Harsin." Minsara looked at her former enemy with a whole new perspective.

"Contrary to what some people think of us, druids can also play political games when necessary." Halsin turned his head to look outside the map room. That was the banquet venue, and at this time, the cheerful tunes of the lute were already ringing. "Ah! Friends! It seems that while we were discussing the route, the preparations for the banquet have been completed. I can hear the beautiful singing of the tiefling girl from here! Quick! Let's join them together!"

(End of this chapter)