Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The Amazon Area was lush and vibrant, teeming with life after its complete revitalization. Canna's sanctuary, initially grand in vision, had exceeded even his expectations. Not only had the Amazon Area been restored, but the Verdant Peaks had also grown in grandeur. The peaks, with their new flora and mineral-rich mountains, now stretched higher and broader than Canna had ever anticipated, a marvel to behold.

At this moment, Canna lay reclined on a massive branch of an ancient tree in the domain of the Sylphirs. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, accompanied by the peaceful chirps of birds, created a serene atmosphere. Below him, the Sylphirs went about their daily lives, weaving through the trees, their soft wings humming in the air. They paid no heed to Canna, accustomed to his habit of resting in random corners of the sanctuary. It wasn't unusual to see him draped across a branch or lounging by a riverbank, lost in thought.

Canna, however, was far from idle. His eyes closed, he listened intently to the voice of Noctis, whose latest report was delivered through the shadow connection they shared.

"Noctis," Canna mused, stretching his arms behind his head, "what's the situation in the Amazon Area and beyond?"

Noctis's voice came through clearly, his tone calm and precise. "The Amazon Area is thriving, master. Multiple farmlands have been established, and the farmers are hard at work. Crops are being planted, and the first harvest is expected in the next couple of months. Fruit-bearing trees are also taking root, and there's talk of expanding the agricultural effort to other parts of the sanctuary."

Canna nodded absently, his mind already wandering to the growing bounty that the sanctuary would soon yield. He remained silent, encouraging Noctis to continue.

"The dwarves," Noctis began, his voice tinged with amusement, "are still in the infirmary." Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

Canna's eyes flickered open, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "What now?"

"It seems they were overwhelmed—emotionally, that is. There's so much mineral wealth in the Verdant Peaks that they're in shock, unsure of where to start. They've never seen such an abundance of resources, all ripe for experimentation and crafting."

Canna chuckled softly. "Typical dwarves. I suppose they'll be fine once they recover from the 'shock' of it all. Anything else?"

"Yes," Noctis continued. "The researchers are still working on understanding the 'Forever Weed.' They've made some progress but are now focused on seeing if its unique properties can be applied to other plants. It's still a mystery, though. Some of them believe it could revolutionize how we cultivate crops and manage the sanctuary's ecosystem."

Canna hummed in acknowledgment. The Forever Weed had proven to be a tricky subject, constantly defying the researchers' attempts to fully understand it. But he knew they'd figure it out eventually—his sanctuary had no shortage of brilliance.

"The warriors are progressing well," Noctis reported next. "They're still undergoing rigorous training, and by the end of four months, we'll have an additional 100,000 trained warriors ready for deployment."

That got Canna's attention. He sat up slightly, his eyes sharpening. "100,000?"

"Yes," Noctis confirmed. "Vorgrim and Dravos have been pushing them hard. At this rate, they'll be more than ready by then."

Canna's gaze softened again, and he leaned back against the tree trunk, satisfied. His sanctuary's defenses would be formidable with so many warriors joining the ranks.

"But that's not all, master," Noctis added. "Some of the shock troops have completed their mission."

Canna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What have they brought back?"

"They have successfully recruited a few new races to the sanctuary. The fairies and pixies have already integrated into the Amazon Area, but there are two other races I think you'll find interesting."

Canna sat up fully now, intrigued by the notion of new additions to his sanctuary. "Go on."

Noctis cleared his throat before continuing. "The first group is the elemental spirits. Our people happened to meet them by accident, and it turned out to be a fortunate encounter. Elemental spirits are magical beings that can be contracted by individuals, enhancing their abilities based on the element they govern. For example, a fire mage who contracts with a fire elemental will find their spells boosted in both power and control. Warriors who contract with wind elementals may experience increased speed and agility."

Canna's interest piqued further. "I see… And where are they now?"

"They've taken residence around a large lake in the third mountain Verdant Peaks, near the Stormbringer's place. They said they could feel the spiritual presence in the area, which drew them to settle there."

"Elemental spirits, huh?" Canna mused, pleased. "That'll be quite the boon for our forces."

"There's one more race," Noctis said, a note of hesitation in his voice.

Canna turned his head, curious. "What's the hesitation, Noctis?"

"Well," Noctis continued, "the last race that joined us is the Lurins. They look like ordinary humans in most aspects, but there's more to them. They're a female-only species, demi-humans, who reproduce by absorbing the essence of males from any race they mate with."

Canna raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

"They're a rare race, often found in the black market, due to their ability to elicit sexual arousal in males through touch. It's an ability that makes them highly desired but also puts them in dangerous situations."

"And how many are there?" Canna asked, leaning forward.

"Around 700," Noctis replied. "Kael has already set up a building in the sanctuary for them. It's similar to what you'd call a red building, where those who want their essence drained can visit. They've established a sizable presence."

Canna considered this, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "A tricky addition. But as long as they remain within the sanctuary's rules, they'll be protected. The Lurins could be useful in their own way."

Noctis nodded. "Indeed. Despite their appearance and abilities, they're loyal to the sanctuary, especially since we've given them a safe place to live without exploitation."

Canna stood up, stretching his arms. "A female-only species, huh? Well, as long as they don't cause trouble, they're welcome here."

"They're not just beautiful, master," Noctis added with a smirk. "They're quite shrewd. Be careful not to underestimate them."

Canna chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

With that, Canna gazed out over the revitalized sanctuary, a deep sense of satisfaction welling up inside him. His domain was growing stronger by the day, and these new additions would only make it more formidable.

"Anything else to report?" Canna asked.

Noctis shook his head. "That's all for now, master."

"Good. Let's keep things moving forward." Canna turned, ready to continue his ever-expanding role as the leader of the sanctuary.