The druid was on his knees, bowing toward Howl again and again, his body trembling violently, as if he were worshipping a god.

"What the hell…?" Leo muttered under his breath.

Every other being in the vicinity turned to look at the kowtowing druid with varying degrees of confusion and curiosity. Even Howl's gigantic eyes slowly focused on him, the massive pupils reflecting the druid's frantic movements.

"HOOO! GU! GU! Gu!" the druid cried and bowed repeatedly like a mad fanatic.

"Howl…" Leo frowned. "What the hell is going on?"

Because his connection with Howl was only a Chain Bond at 99%, the thoughts transmitted back to him were fragmented and vague. Still, after piecing together what he could, Leo arrived at a single conclusion.

"So… a Cragveil Colossus is basically a Guardian Deity to beasts that use nature-related powers?" Leo muttered in realisation. Since Niri was asleep, he couldn't ask her.

He walked closer to the druid, which was so busy displaying its devotion that it ignored Leo.

Leo skimmed through Howl's trait descriptions once more, his eyes pausing when he found the relevant entry.

Natural Habitat Harmonisation:

Wherever it rests, flora thrives. Its body leaks life-rich minerals and gentle heat, forming micro-ecosystems of moss, vines, and small trees. Other creatures may take refuge atop its back in exchange for food.

"Hoh…" Leo murmured.

Suddenly, as if a light bulb flickered to life in his head, he turned toward Howl and began explaining.

"Howl," Leo said thoughtfully, "convince this druid to live on your back along with his treasure. Tell him his job stays the same—protect the treasure from any harm. He'll also get all the magic plants back so he can fill his stomach."

He paused briefly, then continued, refining the idea as he spoke.

"And since your back will be a much safer environment, the price will be simple. He won't harm any beings I tell him not to, and he'll pay taxes—I mean covering his living costs by giving magic fruits daily to whoever I designate."

Leo thought for a moment longer before adding, "Also, he'll follow orders given by other humans I approve of. Nothing that disrupts his daily life too much. At most… sparring sessions and some heavy lifting."

Howl slowly shook its massive head in understanding. The subtle movement alone caused loose debris and soil to tumble down its body.

The moment Howl conveyed its intent—

The druid went berserk.

"HOOOO! GU! GU! GU! Ho! HO! HO!" he cried joyously, bowing even harder and smashing his head on the ground, as if he had been waiting for this offer all along.

Leo immediately seized the opportunity and attempted to tame the druid once more.

Rejected.

It wasn't violent—just a calm denial, as if the druid simply wasn't ready yet.

The druid glanced at Leo briefly, then moved toward the Fluxsoil Heart, sitting beside it in a lotus position, eyes closed, as though patiently awaiting something.

Lily approached Leo, though her gaze remained fixed on the Colossus, awe filling her expression.

"Wow, Leo," she said softly. "Is this the moving fortress you always talked about? It's huge…"

Howl seemed to sense her genuine admiration. Leo felt a ripple of satisfaction through their bond as the Colossus subtly relaxed.

This was also Lily's first time seeing Nyxa.

Though Nyxa's Chain Bond was only 86%, she could clearly sense Lily's special connection with Leo. Her ears flattened slightly as her spotlight was stolen by Howl.

Lily noticed the reaction and walked over instead.

"You're special too," Lily said warmly, looking up.

"Nyxa, right? The mark of the eclipsed sun on your head—it looks amazing."

Nyxa froze for a moment, then wagged her tail happily.

Nyxa: Chain Bond – 86% → 99%

Leo blinked.

"What the hell… why do all my beasts like Lily so much?" he muttered, completely baffled.

Seeing the 99% mark on both Howl and Nyxa, he realized that forming a Blood Bond would require offering his blood—something he decided to postpone.

"How much blood would Howl even need…?" Leo thought grimly. "It could chew me whole and not even feel it…"

He quickly pushed the thought aside and checked something else.

"Lily," Leo said, frowning, "why do the Treant and Lunaria still look injured?"

Both spirits had web-like cracks spreading across their bodies. The Treant, in particular, looked like it might shatter at any moment.

Lily narrowed her eyes.

"It was that beast named Grivak," she replied. "Its stinger was way too effective on my spirits. The moment its pointed tip made contact, that part of Treant or Lunaria started breaking apart, like it was decaying."

She clenched her fists slightly.

"Even their regeneration and healing effects slowed down temporarily…"

Leo pondered this, then recalled the moment Leon had neutralized Miho's fireball earlier. One touch—and the magic vanished entirely.

"Maybe it's a skill that destroys magical entities," Leo muttered.

He turned to Miho, who was sitting on the ground, staring up at the Colossus in silent awe.

"Looks like you'll have trouble coming second in the student rankings," Leo said lightly. "That guy's your natural enemy."

Lily grit her teeth, frustrated—but she knew it was true.

"I'll try my best…" she muttered.

She unsummoned her spirits and climbed onto Nyxa along with Miho. Miho, by now, was growing increasingly comfortable around massive beasts.

Leo mounted Shyra and unsummoned Niri, letting her rest in his Spiritual Space.

Together, they climbed onto the Colossus's back, heading toward the Titanbreath Lotus, which sat at the highest point—terrain Howl had deliberately shaped.

A soft breeze swept past them, instantly clearing the tension from their minds.

Lily spotted the Heartstone buds growing on the Lotus and reached out excitedly.

"Ah—don't eat those!" Leo warned sharply.

"Why?" Lily asked.

"You need to process them through alchemy to digest them properly," Leo explained.

"Otherwise, the reaction could be violent. It might even explode."

He had the system to assist him and his beasts—but Lily didn't.

Lily frowned.

"But… I feel like I can just crush—crack!—and absorb it…"

Before Leo could stop her—

She did exactly what he had warned against.

---

A/N: Leon's character profile added.

Vote for your favourite character!

I dunno, but Leon ended up looking better than Leo. I will see what I can do...

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