Nobunaga brushed off the statements by the new arrival. She had little interest in openly discussing her own otherworldly nature(nor any reason to reveal that she was the same as him).

No, she had a far more important purpose.

A smile crossed the small girl's lips.

"In that case, my proposal is a simple one," she began, "It is plain to me that the value of access to the forest was not enough to override the desire for knowledge, even if they lack any idea of how this pursuit could effect them."

She spread her arms.

"Of course, you could merely insist this pursuit was punished in forming a new deal, but even the threat of punishment cannot stay the desire for knowledge," Nobunaga continued, "As such, that desire must be met with something else. Not only must this adherence to this reckless and careless God of Knowledge be punished, but an outlet for the desire for knowledge must be provided."

Nobunaga's smile grew. She had considered this the moment that the Kyrinth spoke of the root of the trouble between itself and the villagers.

"The villagers are to protect the forest, to ensure that it will flourish, to treat it as valuable not only for the sake of the resources they require but also for its own sake," the warlord continued with a flourish of one hand, "Because the guardian of the forest is also their beloved teacher."

The value placed on a teacher, someone who gave their knowledge to others, was high. And in a world like this... there was so much that the elder beast could share, wasn't there?

"You cannot move against this god directly, but you can supplant its purpose," the very thought of punishing the reckless god of knowledge in such a way, even if he had long sense moved on from this experiment, was pleasing to the practical-minded girl, "Those who seek knowledge will merely need to consult with the teacher they knew from childhood. The one whose very existence is tied to the natural world, whose knowledge of this world improves their lives."

She had no way of knowing just what the Kyrinth knew, but its very nature as a beast of the natural world and the title of 'Elder' implied wisdom if nothing else.

"Replace this god of knowledge. The value of not only access to the forest, but of a teacher who is far less reckless and far more wise, who will become beloved for the knowledge they pass on, will seal a renewed pact with the villagers. After all, knowledge is a valuable thing, and thus those who can provide that knowledge are beyond value."

It was something of a gambit... but surely, the capacity to guarantee care for the forest improve giving knowledge, and also begin wearing down the reckless deity's influence... it had to count for something, didn't it?

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