Now that I had acquired my first subordinate, I wanted more. First choice... Aldi!
He had brought the elves here and was currently staying in one of the peripheral inns. Calling him over was just as easy as with Sven and I asked him the same question to start.
"Funny you would ask... I was once part of a major power in the east but not anymore."
'Then how about serving me? You could obtain great power and even make a fortune!'
"I am grateful for your offer lord Eldar but I cannot accept it. I have seen what humans have done to you and how it changed you. I would have to give you some kind of insurance that could ruin my life. Back when I left the kong clan I promised myself to never serve below someone again. I don't ever wish to fulfill an order that goes against my better judgment!"
'Looks like you went through something quite terrible in the past.'
"Let's not talk about things of the past, shall we. I'm sure there is stuff you want to purchase from me."
'In fact, I do have some things I need. Namely any fruit you can find, one or two of each kind are fine. Additionally, I'd like you to find me some rare ores and crystals, the same amount as last time.'
"Sure thing, I'll see what I can do."
With that Aldi went back to the inn he was staying, leaving me a little bit disappointed.
I had believed anyone who hadn't yet joined a force would instantly join me if I asked. Sven might have been a special case or maybe my offer was only attractive to people below a certain level of power.
I had little leverage when it came to convincing someone to join my ranks. Maybe I should try converting the elves?
No, that wouldn't work. To the elves, their queen was akin to a goddess, reigning supreme above all. The humans seemed easier to convince. This was both good and bad for me as I could enlist them more easily but they would also betray me more easily.
Alas, there was no perfect solution to this problem. For now, I should concentrate on what I could do. Since I had evolved I could control 10 savage beasts now but so far, I only had an infant to command.
Keeping in mind to leave space for other species I began to grow another two verdant serpents. This time I would grow adult ones.
Additionally, I also grew a dozen of all beast I had newly acquired.
The time for their growth had been largely cut down. The beasts would be done in only one day and the savage beasts would need only two weeks.
If only I could quickly find a guardian beast and evolve once again. Then, my revenge wouldn't be too far off. Based on my compliant behavior in aiding the royals the humans seemed to think I was no longer a threat now.
Oh, how wrong they thought! Through a passing conversation with Aldi, I had learned early on that the strongest human was in the grand duke magus realm. My current strength should be close to that of a peak duke magus.
Currently, annihilating the muspel clan would only spell my own end but after going through another evolution things would be different. Not even mentioning the guardian beast I would have after my evolution.
I only needed to find a mythical beast and get it to like me. Just that I couldn't go searching for one because I was a tree and trees didn't walk... yet! I mean maybe a mythical beast was in fact around and I just hadn't noticed. I could ask the system, after all, asking had never killed anyone.
'System, is there a mythical beast around?'
<...>
As I thought, there was no way I would have some novel protagonist's luck.
There was no way!