Chapter 112 Spirits of nature often possess wisdom
This Minotaur Tribe, as he had thought, was under the leadership of a Minotaur Shaman with animistic beliefs.
Shamans are sometimes called natural priests.
They don't believe in a specific deity but rather in certain natural phenomena or entities.
Earth, mountains, rivers, blizzards, flames... they believe in these natural things themselves.
In the eyes of natural priests, everything has a spirit. Everything in the world has a soul—a tree, a stone, a flower—all have the same status and value as intelligent life.
And a fervent belief in nature can elicit a response from the spirits of nature, granting them some strange abilities.
Spirits of nature often possess wisdom, but their strength varies.
A weak spirit of nature can be dispersed by a low-level spellcaster, but a powerful spirit of nature... can have strength comparable to a deity. Moreover, due to their close connection with nature, they can influence the material world more easily than deities.
"The Earth spirit that the minotaurs believe in, to bear the name 'Earth,' wouldn't be a weak spirit of nature."
"But it doesn't necessarily have to be a deity-level spirit of nature. Such high-level spirits of nature are far rarer than deities."
Brian thought to himself.
Spirits of nature are valuable. If one can obtain and subdue them, their deep connection with nature can provide a subordinate with an all-seeing, all-hearing capability.
If they can't be subdued, erasing their intelligence can create extremely powerful artifacts, though Brian didn't have knowledge in that area.
He only knew such records existed.
However, spirits of nature are absolutely neutral in character.
Natural priests fervently believe in them and gain abilities from this belief, but in reality, spirits of nature are embodiments of nature's consciousness, with little emotional fluctuation and no need for belief.
Unless forced by very special means, they rarely manifest physically.
While Brian was pondering, Stewart reported the battle results to him and finally hesitated a bit, saying, "However, a few minotaur priests escaped. They swore to retaliate when they fled."
"They might aim to attack you directly."
Brian: ...
He leaned forward, closer to the winter wolf, and said in a calm tone, "This is just a simple test."
"I transformed your dragon veins to ensure you can complete the task."
"Stewart, the results you've provided are unsatisfactory. Perhaps the Wolf Heart Clan needs a new leader."
The dragon vein transformation significantly boosted the winter wolves' strength. The minotaurs, who were once their equals, should now be no match for them.
Under Brian's calm gaze, Stewart's body trembled slightly. He lowered his head deeply, almost touching the ground, and said, "Due to the significant increase in strength, some clan members became arrogant and let their guard down, underestimating the enemy."
"It was my oversight, and I made a mistake."
"But please give me another chance."
"The sons of the Wolf Heart Clan are skilled trackers. They are already hunting them down and will not let those crude minotaurs disturb you."
Brian scrutinized Stewart and finally nodded slowly. "Capture all those minotaur shamans alive."
"Then, bring them to Ice Cliff Territory."
He raised the difficulty of the task.
Capturing alive is always much harder than killing.
Once he dealt with the Frost Giants and obtained the gem mine vein, he would need manpower to help with the excavation.
Neither ogres nor Arctic Ice Spirits are suitable for mining. Arctic Ice Spirits lack the strength, and their spell-like abilities could easily damage the gem mine vein. Ogres, being brutish, are more likely to ruin Brian's gems.
Minotaur shamans, who believe in the spirit of the Earth, would be perfect for the job.
Since they refuse to submit, they will be enslaved.
Brian didn't have pure slaves under his command.
As for their stubbornness in resisting to the death... Brian didn't think it was a difficult problem to solve.
As long as it's not eternal oppression and they are given some hope... no creature would choose death if there's a way out.
Moreover, for such a tribe, the acceptance of being enslaved might be higher than becoming a familiar.
This wouldn't shake their faith; it might even deepen it.
