My Girlfriends Are Hardcore Yanderes - Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Cursed Part 1
Asher opened his mouth to ask more about the Dryads and their connection to the roots, but the bearkin cut him off with a quick wave.

The opening they had just passed through sealed itself, the wood flowing like water until the doorway disappeared entirely.

Next, the walls shuddered gently, and he immediately noticed the subtle vibrations beneath his feet.

They were moving fast. He pressed a hand against the smooth, fibrous wall, marveling at the sensation. The surface of the wood was warm, like a living organism, pulsating in sync with the motion beneath.

“We’re moving through the roots, aren’t we?”

“Yeah. The Great Tree’s roots are like this huge network, stretching all over. The Dryads use them to get around and talk to each other. It’s way faster than anything else… well, except portals.”

He nodded lightly. “Portals are not exactly something you find on every corner.”

Lucia’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“True. The Dryads don’t even need portals. The roots are like their veins. They can get anywhere they control. Only thing holding them back is how far the Tree’s roots go—and that’s pretty far.”

“So, the royal family’s after teleportation for long-distance travel, huh?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “While the Dryads’ root network is remarkable, it’s limited to the regions where the Ancient Tree’s influence exists. Portals, on the other hand, can connect any two points, no matter how far, as long as it was properly set up.”

She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing.

“In terms of usage, though, this way of traveling is actually much better and cost effective,” she added, her tone showing her own personal opinion.

“Unlike portals, it doesn’t require external energy sources, which tend to be expensive. This thing uses nature itself. The energy flows through the roots, powered by the tree’s vitality. It’s efficient and sustainable.”

The more he heard about these so-called beings of nature, the more intrigued he became.

In his mind, he imagined what they might look like, inspired by movies and stories he’d seen in his previous world—ethereal, humanoid creatures with bark-like skin and flowing hair made of leaves.

But this was reality, and for all he knew, they could look completely alien to his expectations.

Still, judging from what he had heard, Asher could conclude that the Dryads were very powerful.

Despite the presence of dragons, sorcerers, and other formidable beings, they had managed to maintain peace in this place.

While lost in thought, he felt the vibrations beneath him suddenly slow down. The change was subtle, but noticeable.

And a few seconds later, the walls of the small chamber opened once again.

Bright sunlight spilled into the room, momentarily blinding him. He shielded his eyes for a moment before squinting against the brightness, feeling the cool, fresh air wash over him as he stepped out into the open. The sight before him stole his breath.

They stood on a vast platform made of wooden panels.

Below them, the canopy stretched endlessly, a sea of vibrant green leaves glowing because of the reflection of the sunlight.

From this height, it felt as though they were standing atop the world. The leaves stretched out like an ocean, their movement swaying gently in a breeze that never quite reached the platform.

And the smell of the air? It was heavenly. Just breathing it in, he felt as though his body were healing.

He wasn’t saying it metaphorically. For some reason, there was a phenomenon happening where the leaves released energy into the air—perhaps a byproduct of photosynthesis.

As he took in each breath, it felt as though his muscles loosened, his mind cleared, and his energy returned, all in sync with the rhythm of nature around him.

Compared to what he had experienced below, those things turned into garbage.

What grand structures could possibly top something like this? The vast expanse of nature before him felt like a masterpiece, far beyond anything constructed by mortal hands.

“This place is beautiful,” he trailed off, words failing to capture the sheer scale of what he was seeing.

Unfortunately, he did not come here to sightsee, so they didn’t waste much time and continued walking along the wide wooden bridges.

The structure was sturdy enough to fit four carts at once, but it wasn’t crowded, since it led directly to the castle.

On the sides, he could see many tree houses beneath him, all again made of wood, and the designs captured the essence of mixing structure with nature.

Along the way, they encountered several guards who quickly recognized them and bowed their heads.

As they got closer to the heart of the area, the more people they met—Noble Beastkins adorned in vibrant, intricate outfits. They wore jackets with detailed embroidery, reminiscent of delicate leaves or flowing patterns.

Others sported high-collared garments, their coats fastened with ornate buttons and sashes wrapped tightly around their waists, as seen in the blue and white designs.

Some smiled warmly, while others looked at Lucia with visible hostility. It seemed her reputation here wasn’t the best.

He couldn’t really blame them; she was too overbearing, even for someone like him who had dealt with his fair share of crazy women before. Her presence was like a magnet for both admiration and resentment.

While he was deep in thought, he noticed a girl in a white dress, leaning against the bridge railings.

The girl held a thin twig in her hand, twirling it absentmindedly between her fingers. She looked lost in thought, gently flicking it back and forth.

She didn’t have the usual animal ears common among her kind, but her neon green eyes, which perfectly matched her hair, made her stand out. Her appearance was youthful, like someone in middle school, with thin arms, thin legs, a cute nose, and a flat chest.

No matter how he looked at her, she looked like a kid around 13 years old. But there was something about her that caught his attention—he could feel a powerful aura emanating from her.

‘A magic body?’

He could sense it—but hers was a different variant. Her power, though… And from what he could sense, her power was far greater than Lucia. Her energy was like a silent storm, compact and brimming with potential.

Asher leaned in for a closer look, but Lucia raised her hand.

“Stop staring. She might look like a little girl, but she’s a powerful Dryad. They all look young, even though they’re thousands of years old.”

“Is it a taboo to look at them?” he was confused by her reaction. It was not like he was doing anything rude.

“No, but you don’t want to get entangled with them,” she warned. “Never show any hint of interest in them, especially because you’re very powerful.”

“Why?” he asked again, his confusion growing. Before she could respond, he felt a tug on his robe.

The girl was standing there, looking up at him with curiosity.

“Please play with me,” she uttered softly, her green eyes studying him.

“Thank you,” he responded, seeing no hint of hostility from her, he wondered why Lucia was so against talking to such an adorable being.

“Marry me,” the girl insisted.