Protection

"We'd like to request your Guilds protection." Treena says before taking a sip of her water.

"Our protection?" I ask confused.

"Yes, as we told you last time. We're in a Pact with the government. We give them wood and plants rich in mana and they protect us. But the person who we've entered the Pact with is... Let's just say he's hard to deal with." Treena says, pausing to find the right words.

"He's a greedy scumbag more like." Layla says, interrupting Treena.

"Not how I'd put it, but not incorrect either. Anyway, he's about to get fired from the government. We hear it's because he's been doing some shady business recently. So he's started demanding more of our forests materials. He hopes to save his job by giving his boss some Epic or Legendary-grade materials. But we don't have any more to give him. He's already taken nearly three times what we're supposed to pay monthly. Honestly, we don't have any more to give. The only ones that remain are the wood we use for our housing. Or the plants we use to make medicines and the like. But he refuses to accept that. He's planning on coming down with another Sensor and some Lyna skilled in combat. He says it's for an inspection and the Lyna are here for protection, since we seemed hostile lately. We're worried he'll forcibly take the materials and then make up some excuse like we were hiding them or something, He might even discover the Forests Heart Core. We'd like for you to come and visit us while he's here. Thanks to how much your Guild has accomplished, your presence alone would limit his actions." Treena says.

"Why would my being there affect him?" I ask and Liz chuckles softly.

"Because you've slain a Dark God. Not to mention the help with the Litch King and Katorg Guild. The government is well aware of this too. If you show up, he won't be able to make an excuse later. He can't beat you in a fight, even with his Lyna guards. And, thanks to Asami's Stigma, she could verify you're telling the truth if he tries something. Or she could use her Neko ability to share your memories with the judge or whoever we'd report this to." Liz explains and I nod.

"So you just want me to visit the forest when he comes?" I ask, having expected them to ask me to enter a Pact.

"Yes, but we would like to enter a Pact with you and your Guild. It'll be similar to the one we have with the government. We'll offer your guild items from the forest. In return, you'll protect the forest from greedy government officials or other guilds. But with your status, and the government's protection, no Guild would attack us. So you'll mostly be here to stop the government from trying to use **** to extort us." Treena says before Layla leans forward.

"You'll mostly act as a shield. With your Guild involved, the government can't **** us to do anything. That would not only break a Pact with us Dryads, but they'd also lose a lot of trust with the Guilds. Most Guilds out there are like yours. They work with the government but not for. They're independent but do commission work for them often. Similar to freelancers, but only the government or other Guilds could hire you. So if they attacked us, with your Guild involved, then they could lose most if not all the Guilds in the country. Oh, and when we're done, you're involvement will help us counterattack." Layla explains and Treena sighs.

"It's not a counterattack. We'll go after the government for this. With your name in the mix, they can't wiggle out of this. So they'll have to compensate us for this. They'll probably give us four or five months of not having to pay them their materials." Treena says and I nod.

"Okay, that'll work." I say and Liz turns to me surprised.

"Wait, really!? You don't want to go over the Pact or think it over?" She asks and I shake my head no.

"No. Should I?" I ask and she sighs.

"Typically, yes." She replies and I chuckle. "You're just gonna agree to this as is?"

"Yeah, of course. I know how much the Dryads mean to you, so I can't just sit back and let them get robbed." I say and she blushes. She quickly turns away and takes a drink of water. I smile and I hear Layla take a picture. I turn and see her holding her phone and pointing the camera at Liz.

"Stupid sounds!" Layla says before Liz jumps out of her seat. She runs over to Layla who jumps up and opens her Spatial Pouch.

"Delete that picture!" Liz shouts and I sense the mana in the air change. Vines appear from the floor and wrap around Layla's ankles. I look closer and see the vines haven't destroyed or even dirtied the floor. Layla trips and drops her Pouch but keeps her hand on her phone. Liz jumps on her and starts trying to tear the phone from her grasp. I really shouldn't get involved. But I need to get a copy of that picture. It's not every day Liz blushes like that. It'll be a good weapon to tease her with too. I think before casting Dark Chains. I make the chains envelope me, but not touch me yet. I then cast Annihilating Weapon on the chains before using Swap on myself and Liz. The moment I do, I make the Dark Chains envelop her, holding her to the chair. Thanks to Annihilate Weapon, she won't be able to use magic. I appear on top of Layla and start to get up.

"Talk about deja vu, th..." Layla says before I cast Create Fire. I make two arms of flames appear from my shoulder. I have them push her back down and onto the floor.

"Let me out Eric!" I hear Liz shout and I smile.

"Layla, I'll let you go once you text me that picture." I say causing Liz to shout again. I tell Layla my number and she quickly texts me the image. I let her and Liz go, breaking the vines holding her before dispersing my flame hands. As soon as I do, I feel Liz tackle me from behind. I fall to the ground and rollover. Liz jumps on me and grabs my wrists.

"Give me your phone!" She demands and I smile. I cast Swap on us again and appear on top of her. I kiss her as she looks up at me shocked.

"No, I'm planning on framing it." I say teasingly while getting up. I hear Layla laugh before Treena places her hand on my and Liz's shoulders.