The solemn and serious demeanor of the two children terrified Carpenter Hoenburg out of his wits; he stared wide-eyed at the Forest Witch, unable to collect himself.

The old witch met his gaze, her eyes filled with helplessness. "After these children were healed," she began, "they became very interested in our way of life, so I casually explained a few things.

"Unexpectedly, they had some unique insights into ecological protection—ideas that were, one might say, truly enlightening.

"So, I rather vaguely agreed to their request to join the Children of the Forest...

"However, I must clarify that I have never used supernatural powers or any other means to maliciously brainwash them. I can guarantee that."

"What's all this talk about brainwashing?"

The little boy Hans, or rather, the Forest Fairy, waved his hand dismissively and said with an air of someone much older, "I joined the Children of the Forest because I truly embrace this environmentalist ideology. Humanity's plunder of nature has never ceased, not since the day we were born.

"We should use more radical means to stop this violation."

"Exactly."

Hans's sister, Gretel, or rather the Forest Elf, nodded in agreement. "We can no longer afford to be gentle."

Gentle?

Carpenter Hoenburg struggled to comprehend this. It was the first time he'd heard anyone use that word to describe the Children of the Forest.

"What do you plan to do?"

A voice broke the silence. Li Ang, leaning on his scythe, asked with an intrigued tone, "By more radical means, you mean...?"

"To declare war on humanity on behalf of the ecological environment."

The Forest Fairy spoke loftily, "We will roam everywhere, awakening the resistance of plants.

"Or, as you might put it, use witchcraft to randomly poison the crops in certain fields, forcing humans to reduce their farmland and return it to the forest.

"We'll breach dams, destroy towns, and obliterate all water management facilities, forcing humans to gather in a few major cities and no longer infringe on the pristine ecology.

"We'll destroy mines, farms, windmills, and roads that keep pressing into the forest.

"We'll continually assassinate meat-eaters to force all of humanity into vegetarianism. We wouldn't eat cultivated plants, but rather fruits that, after digestion and excretion, would reseed themselves.

"I love humans, but I hope that as the most intelligent beings, we can take up more responsibility, returning to the tranquil and natural lifestyle of ancient times..."

All those in exotic attire subconsciously looked towards the old witch. The Children of the Forest had never considered driving humanity back to the Stone Age. They themselves needed modern tools and forms of entertainment; living in the forest and entertaining themselves was merely a matter of necessity.

No one wanted to live a lifetime on raw meat and blood, without storybooks, operas, flush toilets, or coffee and bacon!

Moreover, the activities of the Children of the Forest had always remained within the tolerance levels of the major kingdoms, partly due to the endorsement from Her Majesty the Snow Queen's slogans encouraging ecological conservation.

If they really did as Hans suggested, they'd soon find themselves on the guillotine in the Rune Kingdom, likely within a month.

The witch gently pulled Hans's hand. "Dear Forest Fairy," she said, "I think we need to discuss this issue further..."

BOOM!

With a loud crash, the towering tree behind the old witch suddenly transformed into a Tree Man. It shakily stood up from the ground and silently half-knelt.

This Tree Man, at least thirty meters tall, was not summoned by the witch.

It was Hans, the little boy with a cold smirk playing on his lips, who had granted it life!

A Natural Spellcaster...

The witch's words caught in her throat. In her Spiritual Sense, she perceived that both Hans and Gretel radiated powerful Spiritual Energy. Their combined power could even slightly surpass her own.

They had awakened only a day ago, yet they possessed such immense energy! Such talent could rank them among the top twenty most powerful Natural Spellcasters in the annals of witchcraft!

"That's right," Hans declared. "We have awakened the ability to communicate with the forest. Our will is the will of the forest."

Hans and Gretel reached out, stroking the moss-covered, colossal wrist of the tall, kneeling Tree Man. They turned their heads and smiled. "We are members of the Children of the Forest," Hans continued, "but I know that among our members, some do not agree with our philosophy and even think of opposing or deserting us.

"Anyone is free to leave. The Children of the Forest only need members with profound enlightenment, a spirit of sacrifice, and a strong sense of mission.

"For instance, our Tree Man brother Groot."

Li Ang, standing not far away, asked with a smile, "You refer to the Tree Man as a brother? Even gave him a name? I thought these Tree Men were under your control and lacked self-awareness."

"Of course they have it! It's just... it's just that they aren't good at expressing themselves," Hans's face turned red. "I Believe, given enough time, they will develop their own consciousness and join the big family of the Children of the Forest."

"Alright then."

Li Ang nodded. "You plan to complete the mission with these 'Tree Man Groot' brothers?"

"Yes," Hans said. "The harm humans inflict on animals and plants will never stop. Only this way can we achieve our goal. I don't expect you to understand me..."

"No, I do understand."

"I know you have misunderstandings about me..." Hans continued, then paused, realizing what Li Ang had said. "Wait, what?"

"I can understand your determination to represent animals and plants in their rebellion against human oppression," Li Ang said. "Heaven holds the virtue of compassion and cherishing life. As an Eastern Monk, I support your actions very much."

Hans was clearly shaken, somewhat at a loss. "Uh, thank you very much..."

Li Ang maintained a stern face, speaking earnestly, "However, I also think that what you are doing is not enough."

"Ah? Not enough?"

"Yes. You only see animals and plants being harmed by humans. But you fail to see the countless microorganisms in the air, dust, and water sources, also suffering at the hands of humans. On average, every square centimeter of human skin is home to 100,000 bacteria. There are over 500 types of bacteria in the mouth, and the total number of microorganisms in the gut reaches 100 trillion. Each time you eat or drink, you consume hundreds of millions of microorganisms. Every time you wash your hair, hands, or bathe, you kill countless adorable little bacteria.

"Don't the trillions of microorganisms also have the right to live? Don't they deserve to be considered on par with the tens of millions of humans, animals, and plants? Should the right to life be determined by size?"

"Uh, I, I," Hans stammered.

He was at a loss for words. The world had already seen the dawn of modern science. Indeed, over a decade ago, scholars using microscopes had discovered the existence of microorganisms.

"I believe," Li Ang stated seriously, "that the Children of the Forest should not only protect animals and plants oppressed by humans but should also consider the ubiquitous microorganisms.

"I suggest that starting from today, as a great protector of animals and plants, you should stop washing your hair, hands, and feet. Stop eating and drinking. Find a warm, moist place to lie down without moving, to prevent your actions from causing the deaths of the trillions of microorganisms on your body.

"Only in this way can you protect the rights of all living beings—including the vast numbers of microorganisms."

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