The Groves. Hidden covens of witches spread all across Eldoria. They were the actual power players hiding behind the curtains of the kingdom.

Bailiff, Baron, Count. They were the lords of a domain with the task of managing the slaves, commoners, and citizens. Nobles and High Nobles weren't under their rule but were under the Royal Court directly.

The Groves took orders directly from the Royal Court and answered only to them. As for the Royal Court, they answered only to the Monarchs.

The Royal Court kept all the records of every Noble and High Noble in the kingdom. The Groves had the task to register these Nobles and High Nobles.

All the locations of the Groves were hidden and only certain people may know their locations. Most of the nobles did not know where they were, only high nobility had this information.

There was only one Grove in this area of Eldoria and it is located between Scalize and Trespo, another barony domain.

The Grove was located deep in the Rottin Woods.

The caravan stopped in front of a huge boulder with vines running all over it.

"This is the Grove?" Siderius said.

Joul stepped down from his carriage and approached the boulder. "Not here. Underneath."

Joul took out a medallion from his chest and lifted it up. It was a bronze medallion with dark magic running inside it. The medallion glowed up in a green light as the vines retreated from the boulder and revealed a perfectly spherical stone.

The stone split open in the middle, revealing a staircase leading underground.

"After you, high lord." Joul said.

"Much obliged."

Siderius walked in front with Joul followed right after. The knights stayed on top to guard the carriage.

The staircase led deep underground and the light slowly diminished. Siderius' pupils expanded, activating his night vision. Everything showed up brightly in his eyes.

Green flame appeared on either side of his corridor, illuminating the stone hallway. Siderius constricted his eyes once more and returned his pupils to the slits.

"Have you ever visited a Grove before, Lord Satterblade?" Joul said.

"Unfortunately, no. I was a commoner for most of my life. I haven't had the chance to visit the Grove."

"I see. Well. You are in for a treat. This place is filled with magic."

Siderius smiled. "I know, Collector."

He didn't say the remaining of his thoughts. "I know. I can see the dense Mana in the air. It stinks."

The stone hallway reached out to an open space beneath the ground. In the middle was a lush tree with dense green foliage. Its thick body slightly lean to the side. From its branches, clear shiny droplets leaked to the ground and went into the crevices of the stone platform.

The platform had a unique pattern, creating a some type of ancient symbol. These patterns led the droplets away, presumably to infuse new tears.

This wasn't the first time Siderius saw how witches collected Tears of the Mother Tree. He saw it once in Caterina's memory.

Two female witches approached Siderius and Joul. They wore clothes made from dry brown leaves.

"Hmmm." Siderius squinted his eyes gently, scanning the witches. These witches didn't have that type of overflowing desire like the usual witches.

They're purer in a way.

He blinked his eyes, switching between True Vision and Mana Detection. The Mana Cores of these witches were bizarrely stable but they had a connection to this place.

Siderius glanced around. He could see some type of Construct hidden behind the rocks.

Witches of the Groves were free of corruption but in turn, their magic was being greatly suppressed.

"They are weaker but in exchange, they are much more stable. That would ensure no issues to the Grove... and to the Mother Tree here. Whoever designed this system, they aren't a fool."

Siderius had an innate contempt for witches because they were easily driven by their unreasonable emotions. But the witch that made the Grove and the system of the Royal Court was different. They were very intelligent.

"Collector. Greetings." The two witches gently said. Their voices were soft and warm.

"Who is this friend you brought with you?"

Joul bowed slightly. "Mother Tree above. Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Tenders,

This is Siderius Snow Satterblade. He recently awakened into a witch and hasn't registered his title with the Royal Court yet. I led him here to do just that."

"A new born?"

The witches stared at Siderius.

"He doesn't seem too strong."

"Appearance can easily fool the eyes, Tenders." Joul smiled then turned to Siderius. "Show them."

Siderius bowed respectfully and sneakily activated the Fake Mana Core inside his chest. Magic flooded out like dense mud and filled the air.

"Ummmm... Oh god..."

"So pure..."

The witches moaned seductively when they felt his Mana.

"A Lesser Witch... We can't apologize enough for our rudeness, High Lord!"

The witches recomposed themselves and bowed back.

Behind them, a third witch appeared. She had long dark hair with a gown made from leaves on her head.

"How unexpected! Not only you were able to become a Lesser Witch on your own. You even have a pair of Mystics Eyes. I assume you have Mana Detection ability?"

This witch had much stronger Mana Core than the other two witches. She was a Lesser Witch.

"That is correct, High Lady. How did you know?"

The witch chuckled seductively. "I saw the way you scanned the Grove. Your eyes stopped right where our Guardians are. It can't be a coincidence, can it?"

"You are correct, High Lady."

The witch turned to the two witches. "Well? Why are you even here? Go and prepare the waiting room for our guests."

"Yes, Carer!"

"Please follow me, Lord Satterblade and Collector. Let me show you my hospitality."

"Of course, Carer!"

Carers, Tenders were the main officials of the Groves. They had the mission to take care of the Mother Tree inside the Grove and to deal with official business of the Royal Court.

A Grove usually had a lot of Tenders while there was usually only one Carer in a Grove. Bigger Grove might have more Carer depending on its size.

The three entered a stone room in the Grove. They sat down on stone chairs as the witches brought tea to the table.

"So... Tell me. How are you able to reach the Lesser Rank on your own?"

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