Sealed in Steel [ Tank Litrpg ]

A couple of hours before the sun would go to rest, Elian, Gideon, and the Grovenians reached the base of Sabyn Mountain. There was still plenty of light, but the mountain's shadow made it appear closer to night. The humongous trees, majestic and lush, turned the place even dimmer. The air, cool and refreshing, somehow seeped inside the carriage. Each breath made Elian feel healthier.

"We're not scaling the mountain this close to nighttime, are we?" Gideon asked, peering out the windows. "I'll have to respectfully decline if the Grovenians insist upon that. I'd rather see the tree that squishes me."

"No worries," Elian said. "We'll wait until morning, according to Maveron. If we went up at night, the Sabyn Herbalists would really think we're up to no good. Make ourselves look like thieves."

"If so, why go near here at all? We should've rested and set up camp far from here. It is unwise to sleep next to a mountain full of dangerous flora and fauna."

"Maveron told me there's a spot around here for people waiting to meet the Sabyn Twins. Look, posts with lantern orbs," Elian pointed at the window as they passed a glowing ball of light. The dark, rough road was illuminated from that point onward; the forest was no longer uninviting. Even the road became even and smooth, as someone flattened and covered it with gravel to prevent the path from muddying during rains.

Their pace slowed as they passed by people and wagons. Eventually, there were also tents and stalls. Surprising that there was this gathering in the middle of the forest.

"A trading post?" Elian wondered. "I didn't know about this."

"Neither did I," said Gideon. "I am aware it is possible to trade with the Sabyn Herbalists, particularly if one offers rare seeds from afar—my registered brethren of the floramage union do it at times. However, I didn't know that the Sabyn Herbalists had established such a proper marketplace here. Are they selling their products for coin? They have no use for coin in the Herbalist Lodges."

Elian and Gideon alighted from the carriage upon a signal from Maveron, and they beheld the thriving trading posts filled with at least a hundred people. The Sabyn Herbalists, covered with robes of wreathed leaves that hid their arms partly covered in bark, and shrouded their hair of vines. They used to be humans, there was no doubt about that—several of them were still more on the human side, with flesh and skin.

However, most of them were… Elian wasn't sure what the Sabyn Herbalists were. Becoming more plant than human, he supposed.

"What a convenient way to sidestep the Sabyn Twin's hatred of humans," Elian said as he looked around. "Though 'convenient' might not be the right word."

The Sabyn Herbalists stood inside small shops made from hardened vines that came out of the ground. Barkskin structures, complete with a counter and shelves holding various products. On the counters, coins were being counted. The Sabyn Herbalists were really accepting money.

There was another area where the Sabyn Herbalists appeared to be buying things instead of selling. There was a basket containing six large eggs of a creature Elian didn't recognize. Another merchant brought seedlings of magical plants that puffed sparkling powders of blue and pink. A stocky Sabyn Herbalist wrapped in reddish leaves was inspecting earthen jars on a wagon, dipping his hand into their contents before noting his observations on a parchment.

"Liquid fertilizer, I presume," Gideon said, following Elian's gaze. "That Herbalist is checking its efficacy. One can look at this as acquiring supplies of food from abroad. Though color me surprised that the Sabyn Herbalists would buy fertilizers made by outsiders."

"I bet it's composed of stuff they don't have on their mountain," Elian said. "They're surely making good use of the coin. They might not use coins themselves, but it makes trading with outsiders a whole lot easier. It's not like they can settle everything here through pure barter."

"An unexpected development," said Gideon. "Though a welcome one. The Sabyn Twins might be mellowing in their anger toward humans. If the Storm God grants us good fortune, I might find the ingredients we seek in this marketplace. Then, there'd be no need to ask for permission to search the mountain."

Maveron approached them. "We'll find a nearby area to set up camp. Do move your undrawn carriage once we have chosen our spot. We will cook dinner, one befitting our esteemed guests."

"I'll be perusing the shops over there," Gideon said. "I spy the spectral glow of a Goab Goab flower. And is that a Rainbow Sky Dahlia in a pot? I simply must have it."

Elian went the other way. Perhaps he could do some investigating about the shadow beasts.

"Since this isn't in the books, this trading post must be recent," Elian muttered to himself as he navigated the shops. The Sabyn Herbalists interacting with outsiders with such openness should surely have been written down if this was going on long before.

What prompted the change? If the Herbalists had become this open, maybe the Sabyn Twins of Autumn were as well. Could be possible to get a Boon from them without turning himself into a plant. It was enough that he had a plant symbiote.

"Who can I talk to around here?" Elian headed to a small shop at the edge of the marketplace.

The shop, tended to by what appeared to be a female Sabyn Herbalist, with long hair spilling out of her shroud, was selling shiny stones of some kind. Cut gems? They were oblong and polished, not roughly hewn. Did she make these? Since hers was the only empty shop, she was the only choice for a conversation.

"Hello, there!" Elian said, giving the Sabyn Herbalist a friendly wave.

"Urgk!" She made a choking sound when he called her. Her glowing green eyes became slits in the shadow of her hair vines. She stepped away from the counter as Elian came closer. "Are… are you ta-talking to me?" she stammered in broken Angloise.

Elian had read that Sabyn Herbalist spoke the language of the trees when communicating with each other, a combination of connecting their roots and branches, and wafting signals through the air. Maybe pollens or some other stuff. However, since the Herbalists used to be humans, they could speak normally as before until their bodies were too far gone in their transformation. There were rumors that they'd turn into actual trees someday.

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The female Herbalist must've come from distant lands since her accent didn't sound used to speaking Angloise. Such a curiosity that she made her way here to become a follower of the Sabyn Twins. Turning into a plant and forsaking the outside world seemed too big a sacrifice for whatever her dream was. It made the Penitents of the Temples of Tribulation saner in comparison.

"I hope I'm not bothering you or anything," Elian said. "Your shop is open, right?"

"I'm not selling anything," she replied so quickly that her words almost merged into each other. She jolted and looked behind her at the shelves with the stones. "Erm, yes, it appears that I'm selling… my precious beetles."

"Beetles?" What Elian thought were polished stones were actually the beautiful carapace of beetles. Looking closer, he spotted one with a leg waving to the side. Another was bumping against the glass that was its cage. They were alive, not preserved ones like a collector would have.

"I've raised them myself," the Herbalist proudly said. "It took me numerous tries until I could control the patterns on their backs."

"They have truly beautiful patterns," Elian said, nodding. Many of them were asymmetrical. How did she manage that? There was even a blue beetle with a sparkling pink patch in the shape of a flower.

"They can be made into jewelry," said the Herbalist. Then she gasped. "Don't make them into jewelry! That means killing them."

"Oh… I wasn't thinking that."

"But they're not only for show. Their exoskeletons have magical properties for various potions. If you grind their shells, they'll be—no! Don't kill them. I mean, there's no use for them. Don't buy them."

"What?" Elian furrowed his brows. What was wrong with her? "Let me get this straight. You're not selling the beetles?"

"I'm supposed to, but I—"

"Lensa, you are not participating in the spirit of this activity," said a calm and earthy voice.

To Elian's right side, the ground pushed up into a mound. Out of this mound burst dozens of vines that molded themselves into the shape of a man. As they solidified, they took on colors and detailed features. An elderly Sabyn Herbalist stood on the mound receding into the ground. The leaves of his cloak were yellow in places, and his beard made of vines draped over his chest and stomach. His entire face had turned to bark, cracks and wrinkles marring the dark brown surface.

"Greetings, guest and prospective trade partner." The elderly Herbalist made a flourishing gesture with his branchy arms. "My name is Abbomyr Terrapine, an herbalist who follows the teachings of the Sabyn Twins of Autumn. And this indecisive one is Lensa Elmpyre."

"I apologize, oh, Ancient One," said Lensa, bowing to Abbomyr as she extended vines towards him.

Abbomyr swatted Lensa's vines away with his own. She flinched. He shook his head and said, "While in this area, we talk in the tongue of men. That is the rule."

"So-sorry…"

"Now, are you going to sell your beetles or not?" Abbomyr asked. His tone told Elian that this wasn't the first time Lensa had done this. "We are establishing connections with the outside world, and you agreed to participate. You were free not to, but you did. Decide again and be firm with it."

Lensa nervously flicked her eyes between Abbomyr and Elian. "I… I'm going to—"

"It's fine," Elian said. "I came over because I was enthralled by the beetles, thinking they were gemstones. I'd rather not kill such magnificent creatures, whether for jewelry or as potion ingredients. What was that about establishing connections with the outside world?" He gestured at the shops. "Is this all a new thing? I haven't heard about this marketplace before."

"Two moons ago," Abbomyr said, "the Divine Twins heard the word of trees from afar, speaking of impending danger. They don't speak with words, of course. Plants have many ways to communicate with one another. This news came from such a distant place that the Divine Twins could not trace its origin, nor the exact contents of the message. Such a message must've been spread by witness trees many moons ago. And so, what we of Sabyn Mountain know is that there'll be danger… and nothing else.

"Our mountain has limited connection to the outside—this, you know. And so, concerned with this danger, I realized that we should cultivate a connection with the outside and gain knowledge of this danger. A marketplace is my idea. Traders come from near and far, bringing various news learnt during their travels. So far, we have yet to determine this impending danger, for many dangers abound in the lands of men. Wars, famine, political strife. Those are not our concern."

"I… might know of this danger you speak of," Elian said. "I'm not sure if what I know is what you're looking for. But I do know of dire news."

Abbomyr's green eyes glowed bright as he looked over Elian. "Is your heart of the truth? What danger do you bring news of?"

"It's probably better if I share it with the Sabyn Twins of Autumn," Elian said. "They can check if I'm speaking the truth or not."

Just blurting about a Giant invasion in the middle of a marketplace would make him look crazy. Actually, talking about it anywhere would have the same result. And so, Elian wanted the Twins to be there. They'd sense he wasn't normal, maybe the strings of the Timekeeper's magic time travel shenanigans as well.

As for believing his story, that was a different matter. He might've been affected by the Timekeeper's Gift, but there was no way to confirm his story about the Giants was the truth. The Hundred-Armed Magistrate believed him because the Magistrate knew the Giant invasion would happen someday. Still, Elian would rather tell his story directly to the Twins instead of just a Sabyn Herbalist, even though Abbomyr seemingly had a high rank.

"Why can you not speak of it here?" asked Abbomyr. His face may be made of bark, but it was expressive enough that it was obvious he was skeptical of Elian's words. There were probably others who brought news that turned out to be fake or nonsensical. The Herbalists, having shunned the outside world for a long time, would be wary of outsiders trying to trick them.

Elian replied, "It's a long and complicated story. Rest assured, it's a worthwhile story for the Divine Twins to hear." He raised his arm and showed his bracelet, turning it to display its seal. "Do you know of this?"

"A stone band of the Temples of Tribulation. I recognize its significance, but it isn't proof of truth."

"That's why I want to speak with the Divine Twins. It's allowed for anyone, right?"

"It is," Abbomyr said with a nod. "Is that why you are here, Penitent? To bring us dire news?"

"Not really, no. I'm here for a different matter." Erind began to unwind the bandages on his right arm that hid the sick Viney. He paused for a moment, thinking if it was right to show a plant symbiote to the Sabyn Herbalist now.

Probably better now than if he were in front of the Sabyn Twins with nowhere to escape if things turned sour. He'd rather know now if the Herbalists would get angry at him because of Viney or not.

"I sense another life in your arm," Abbomyr said. "A plant symbiote?"

"Yes," Elian said, presenting his arm as Viney weakly wiggled a tendril.

Lensa gasped. "So-something's not right with it."

"It's sick and—"

"No!" Lensa exclaimed, her face contorted in disgust. "Its life essence isn't singular. Many forced into one."

The glow of Abbomyr's eyes disappeared. "An unnatural plant symbiote… one made by those you call floramages…"

"That's right. I made it." Gideon strode up to them. "Do you have any problems with my creation?"