Chapter 98: Temple of the Moon Part 3

-Clank!!!

The lock was released, and the door opened. What the hell, what is this! I pushed the Phews inside and ran to the door. The sun had already set, and darkness had come; if it got into the temple, who knows what would happen…!

"Huh …!"

But the scene I could see through the wide-open door was astonishing.

-Whoosh…!

The morning stars filling the garden started to glow silver, reflecting the moonlight piercing through the darkness. That wasn't all. The round full lake also reflected the moonlight and it was shining brilliantly. It was as if a moon had risen on the ground.

I stood mesmerized by the sight. Each time the morning stars swayed in the gentle breeze and their silver glow shimmered like waves. It was a beautiful scene.

"…Wow."

The darkness that had encroached like a beast was nowhere to be found. Only pure moonlight filled the garden, and the sound of the wind flowed like a melody. The Phews I had driven into the temple ran out to the garden and started rolling on the ground, full of excitement. They were just like children.

"What is this…"

I looked up at the sky in a daze. A full moon, so large it felt unreal, was illuminating the garden. It was as if it had been eagerly waiting to reclaim this garden.

[The Temple of the Moon has been reclaimed.]

[Goddess Nemeya is pleased.]

[Goddess Lynshaka is pleased.]

[The two goddesses bestow their blessings upon you.]

[As a result of the blessings of the two goddesses, the skill 'Moonlight' has become more powerful.]

[As a result of the blessings of the two goddesses, you can now cultivate special 'Morning stars'.]

[You have obtained the key to the Temple of the Moon.]

[You have acquired a new title.]

[Moon Gardener]

[You can visit the Temple of the Moon at any time.]

[You can summon special gardeners.]

[The darkness recedes…]

Numerous words appeared and disappeared. "Moonlight" upgrade, the ability to cultivate special morning stars, Moon Gardener, the ability to summon special gardeners… the rewards were significant. I marveled as I slowly walked out into the garden. With each step I took, the morning stars swayed as if dancing. Looking closely, I saw small fairies giggling inside the morning stars.

Amazing…

I looked around the temple. The once shabby temple was shining silver in the moonlight as if showing off its beautiful appearance. The moon above, and the morning stars and lake below, made the temple even more radiant.

"Now I understand why it's called the 'Temple of the Moon'."

After murmuring this, I looked up at the sky with a small smile.

The next day, with my magical power fully restored, I densely planted purifying trees around the garden's perimeter and scattered giant Venus flytraps and pitfall plants to prevent monster invasions. This should provide some level of defense, right?

Anyway, since I could visit the Temple of the Moon anytime, I could come back and maintain it whenever I had the time.

Or perhaps teach the Phews to fight… hmm, that might be too much for these marshmallow-like creatures.

"Anyway, I'm counting on you, little ones."

I patted the heads of the clustered Phews and shook the "Key to the Temple of the Moon" hanging around my neck. Just like when I first arrived, a bright portal opened in front of me.

"Stay out of trouble until big brother returns."

I waved to the Phews and stepped through the portal.

"If you're going to be gone for a week…"

"I left a note, didn't I?"

"..."

Lloyd had been worried about my absence. This normally quiet man grumbled two or three times. Only after I promised Lloyd and El that I wouldn't do it again was I able to escape their nagging.

It seems my business in Lysette is now finished.

I had successfully completed the oracle quest at just the right time, and it was about time to prepare to leave.

It was at that time that Darion came to see me. I thought we would exchange a simple farewell, but Darion exceeded my expectations. The praise he gave me, or rather, his adulation was so over-the-top that it was almost embarrassing.

"Sir Theodore's achievements will be talked about for a long time!"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, now lower your voice."

I managed, barely managed, to calm him down and then quenched my thirst with the now-cold tea. Darion who had been chattering non-stop also seemed thirsty as he drank the tea in front of him. Finally, it was the right time to have a proper conversation.

"By the way, Darion…."

"Yes?"

"I've been curious since earlier; why are you dressed like that?"

"Oh, this?"

Darion smiled brightly as if he had been waiting for this question and pointed to his clothes.

"Yes, those clothes…."

The clothes he wore looked too similar to mine. I swallowed the words I was about to say and silently waited for him to speak. There was no way that druid-like attire was in fashion among the elf nobles of Lysette. Why did this guy who always dressed in a flashy way suddenly change?

"Partly because I want to emulate Sir Theodore, and partly because…"

"…Eh?"

"Because I'm about to go on an adventure, I thought this kind of attire would be helpful."

"An adventure?"

"Yes, an adventure."

Why on earth would a rich young master go on an adventure, not just a trip?

Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Darion scratched the back of his head and looked embarrassed.

"Thanks to you, Sir Theodore, I've gained many insights."

"What kind of insights… You didn't even spend that much time with me."

"Time doesn't matter. What I learned from you is what's important."

Oh, come on.

However, unlike my disbelief, Darion's demeanor was quite serious.

"I plan to go on a 'real' adventure, like you, Sir Theodore."

"A real adventure…?"

"Yes. A 'real' adventure without relying on my status, rank, or privileges."

Without those, you're nothing, Darion. I held back my blunt retort with superhuman effort and listened quietly.

"I'm going on a real adventure to see the wide world and gain many experiences. Just like you, Sir Theodore…"

No, no, no. I hadn't particularly traveled around this wide world, nor had I gained many experiences. I once again used superhuman effort to keep my mouth shut and continued listening to him.

"And after returning to Lysette, I plan to devote myself to working for its development."

"…I see."

"I also want to rescue the dark elves who are being enslaved everywhere."

Oh, this is quite impressive. The kid has grown up a lot, hasn't he? I looked at him with a rather impressed expression.

"…That's a great resolution, Darion."

"Hahaha! Is it really?"

"I'll support you too."

"I'll keep going, thinking that Sir Theodore is watching over me from anywhere and everywhere."

"Uh, well, don't think too much about it…."

I chatted with Darion and gave him some simple adventure tips.

Just when we were about to part ways, Darion handed something to me.

"…What's this?"

What he handed me was a small flute. I rolled it around in my hand before looking back at Darion.

"The Flute of the Silver Forest. It's an heirloom of our family."

"A-an heirloom? Why are you giving it to me…?"

I was flustered and handed the flute back to Darion. However, Darion did not take it.

"I am not worthy of holding the Flute of the Silver Forest."

"What do you mean? Isn't it the heirloom of the Sylvanus family?"

"…The Dark Forest was actually called once the 'Silver Forest'. They named it so because every night, under the moonlight, all the trees would shine silver."

Was there such a legend? I searched my memory. Ah, since I never chose the elf race, I couldn't recall well…

"The Sylvanus family was the guardian of the Silver Forest for generations. The Flute of the Silver Forest was a treasure bestowed upon our family by the first queen. But eventually, the Silver Forest turned into the Dark Forest… and our ancestors had no choice but to leave."

"...."

"After the Sylvanus family left the Silver Forest, the flute was sealed for centuries. No one touched it. We were ashamed."

"...."

"But now the time has come. The darkness of the Dark Forest has been driven out…"

"No, no, no, it's not all driven out yet."

"It's because you appeared Sir Theodore."

This guy, he's ignoring what I'm saying… isn't he?

"Sir Theodore, thanks to you, the Dark Forest is now ready to return to the Silver Forest. The elves and dark elves have joined forces to drive out the darkness. It's only a matter of time before the silver trees return."

Darion held my hand which was gripping the flute with a desperate look in his eyes.

"So please, accept the flute of the Silver Forest."

"...."

Is it really okay to accept something so precious? I avoided Darion's serious gaze and cleared my throat awkwardly.

"…. You won't ask for it back later, will you?"

"Of course not."

Darion smiled warmly and nodded. I tucked the "Flute of the Silver Forest" into my clothes. Not that I'm particularly eager to keep an "item bestowed by the first elf queen". But it wouldn't be polite to keep refusing a gift, right?

"But, um, what effect does the flute of the Silver Forest have?"

"...Effect?"

Ah, that was a mistake. To him, it's not just an "item".

"Uh, I mean, is there a legend associated with it?"

"Ah, a legend! Yes, of course!"

Darion nodded his head and eagerly began to explain.

"There is a legend that when you play the Flute of the Silver Forest, the plants sing along and bear beautiful fruit."

Ah, so it had an effect similar to playing classical music to cherry tomatoes.

I guess I'll have to try it myself to know the exact effect.

Still, if it only helped plants grow, it didn't seem very significant…

"And there's a legend that my ancestor played the Silver Flute to put dozens of shadow wolves to sleep."

"Oh…"

That sounded quite useful. So it had a "sleep" effect that was powerful enough to put an entire pack of shadow wolves to sleep! This could be very handy if used well.

"Thank you, Darion. I'll cherish it."

"I'm glad I could give it to you."

Darion who always seemed like a naive young man now spoke in a more mature voice.