Dungeon Of Pride, Laplace

The Forest Spring Spirits wanted to express their gratitude some more as they surrounded Simon. At this time, grandpa Fennel stepped forward and said "Why are you all still not inviting the benefactor inside? Is this how our Forest Spring Spirit Clan shows their thanks?".

His voice woke up the crowding villagers as they hurriedly tried to invite him inside. Simon was helpless as he was pulled inside by these many people and had no choice but to tag along.

Forest Spring Spirits were a peaceful race by nature and were never hostile to any beings. They harvested the gifts of nature and lived a life of seclusion. Showing favour to this race in their time of need was akin to earning their eternal gratitude and friendship.

Cecilia smiled as she saw how friendly her clansmen were being to her big brother.

Grandpa Fennel who was beside her nodded his head and said "The heavens were watching you to have ordained your meeting with a person like him. You were truly lucky. Since he has taken you as his little sister, he must really care for you to protect you to this extent".

Looking at Cecilia who was intently listening, he lovingly patted her head and said "You have taken a wonderful person as your big brother. Make sure you take care of him".

"Grandpa doesn't have to worry I'll take good care of him. Besides big brother has a beautiful wife who worries about him so much hehe" Cecilia enthusiastically nodded.

Fennel agreed, it was natural for a man of that calibre to have a loving wife. He smiled and said "Let's go in, we have much more to catch up with".

Inside one of the bamboo house, Simon was crowded by the Forest Spring Spirit people as he was showered by their gratitude and appreciation for him. Since they wanted to hear it from his mouth, he recounted how he saved those children who were enslaved by those adventurers back in their village and sheltered them in his dungeon.

These children that he had saved were the last hope of the Forest Spring Spirits and some of them might even be their own child or relative.

Simon was finally accepted as someone who they can put their trust on. As he was chatting with them, he suddenly recalled the peculiar ring that he confiscated from Laris. The ring had a function similar to his inventory and was able to store things.

The ring that he was talking about was the exact ring that Laris had used to store the spirit orbs that he plundered from them. Though it was valuable for others, it held no meaning for Simon.

These spirit orbs rightfully belonged to the people from the Forest Spring Spirit clan. It was the last remains of their people for which their whole clan was hunted down.

Simon planned to give it back to them. He looked towards the elder named Fennel and passed the ring containing the spirit orbs to him.

"This is…?" Fennel was confused.

"This is the ring I confiscated from the man responsible for the crusade in your village. It stores the spirit orbs of your people that they plundered. Elder, I return it back to you" Simon said with sincerity.

All the Forest Spring Spirits that were inside the house were stunned. They were well aware of how much allure their spirit orbs was to the other races. It was because of the existence of this very orb that others considered as treasures, their village was mercilessly subjugated. As they recalled those scenes from back then, the mood in the house became sombre once again.

The spirit orb was the core of the Forest Spring Spirit race that contains the essence of the nature. To others whether man or beast, a spirit orb is a precious treasure that can improve their bloodline and allow them to reach a whole new level.

During the ancient times, their race was quite thriving and they didn't live a life of seclusion like today. However, all of that changed when the other races came to know about the existence of the spirit orbs within them.

They were cruelly killed and subdued for their spirit orbs. For the Forest Spring Spirit race, it was a dark history.

It was only after a long never-ending nightmare, that during the second Apex War, the Dragon Lords decided to bind the people of this world with a treaty that punished anyone who hunted races such as the Forest Spring Spirits.

These people had only seen others taking the spirit orbs away, not the other way round. So when Simon returned back the spirit orbs of their people that were plundered from them, how would they not be shocked?

For a while, they even believed that Simon didn't know about the ability that these spirit orbs had. However, they quickly discarded that thought. Even if someone did know what benefits the spirit orbs can provide, one look and anyone could easily guess that they were not some ordinary item.

So why was Simon returning it back to them? Did he not lust over these spirit orbs? Or was he just pretending to be someone noble? The Forest Spring Spirit didn't have an answer.

Fennel who was passed the ring containing the spirit orbs that the adventurers plundered from their people, stared directly at Simon's eyes. It was as if he wanted to see through Simon, his thought process and whether he had any ulterior motives behind it.

But no matter how he looked, Simon's eyes seemed to be sincere and without mirth or deceit.

Could it be that the spirit orbs was meaningless to him? Grandpa Fennel looked at Cecilia who was currently beaming from the righteous action of her big brother. He couldn't help but shake his head. 'It seems that after that tragedy, I have become quite paranoid. So there are still virtuous people like him out there' Fennel thought as he nodded his head in approval.

"Sir benefactor are you truly willing to give these spirit orbs back to us? Do know how much of value these orbs are… they can bestow you with power and allow you to reach heights that you wouldn't even think was previously possible. Even then are you willing to return it? You should think about it one more time, I believe you are aware of the abilities that these spirit orbs can bestow you" Fennel said with an ambiguous expression.

All the Forest Spring Spirits inside had a dark and gloomy face. They were all aware of how much allure their spirit orbs is to others. In a world where your future limits and ability is dictated by your bloodline, having a chance to improve one's bloodline had an endless appeal to everyone.

How could the demon not know this? They all believed that Simon would stay true to his race and keep the spirit orbs back.

Cecilia, on the other hand, looked at Simon with expectation, she knew and believed in her big brother who even while knowing how special her royal spirit orbs was, rejected the thought process of plundering it from her.

However, this and that was different. Simon was now given a choice by the elder of their clan to keep the spirit orbs with him or return it back as he initially wanted to.

"Big brother…" she wanted to say something but failed to come out of her.

Simon looked at Cecilia and smiled. The forest Spring Spirit race never would have guessed that although the spirit orbs had an endless allure to others, they were meaningless to Simon. He had his [Main Menu] with him which allowed him to surpass the limitation placed on him due to the impurity of his bloodline.

As long as he was not dead and had the will to get stronger, there was no wall that he couldn't surpass in the future.

Simon wasn't angry at the provocative tone of the elder's speech nor how he was questioning his character. He knew that Fennel was trying to test and see through his character. He had no regret giving up these spirit orbs back to them and that was the truth.

Simon replied, his face earnest "Elder must be joking. How can I go back on my words? These spirit orbs belong to the people of your clan, I dare not hoard it. The moment I got these from the leader of those adventurers, I was planning to return them."

"As for the ability and power contained within these spirit orbs, I am well aware. However, it is only one of the means to get stronger, there are several other ways. I, Simon have my own ways to get stronger other than by relying on these spirit orbs. Elder can rest assured, I have no desire towards them whatsoever".

All the people inside the bamboo house were stunned. They never thought that the demon who Cecilia had taken as her big brother, would be so sincere. He would rather have their friendship over the chance to get the spirit orbs.

Even if Simon had chosen to keep the spirit orbs with him, they would have no complaints since he was the one to retrieve them back in the first place. But his actions to return it back to them, have earned their full trust.

Aunt Daphne had tears glimmering in her eyes as she glanced at Cecilia who had a prideful expression on her face. It was only now that she understood why Cecilia was so attached to this demon.