Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest

—–

“This is amazing then!” I said. “I wonder if you could see if there was any other destruction anywhere. Perhaps through that, we can quickly pinpoint where those crystals might be hiding and also those in charge of protecting them!”

“Yes, I have seen them. The Atlas Garden Village, the Giant Forest, the Spirit Spring, and the Underground Spirit Crystal Mines were all going to be invaded by corrupted monsters, but you were able to stop that from happening,” Khione said. “I am really grateful for your help…”

“Oh, so we’ve already been doing it? That’s sweet!” Rita said, eating more donuts. “Just as sweet as these delicious donuts. Do you have more flavors?”

“Yes… Chloe, can you bring more? Also, bring the special ones,” Khione said.

“Immediately, young lady.” Chloe walked away.

“We’ve destroyed one camp then,” I said. “Can you tell us how many are there?”

“From what I’ve identified…” Khione said, drinking some hot chocolate. “There are… two more. One at the bottom of the mountain behind us. The other is deep inside. I believe the camp you destroyed and the one at the bottom of the mountain are just to lure you. They’ve learned from their past mistakes and have hidden the crystal even further away from our hands.” Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs noveⅼfire.net

“So you’re saying they used those two camps to lure us while they empower the Ice Trolls inside the mountain even more?” Mark asked.

“Yes, after all… the worst nightmarish future I saw had the Ice Trolls emerging from underground, breaking through the floors of our homes and destroying everything,” Khione said. “The camps outside are just to keep us busy. The real threat is inside the mountain…”

“Inside the mountain… but we cannot ignore the camp at the bottom either,” I said. “How many are there?”

“I cannot give you a perfect estimate, but close to a hundred,” Khione said. “It’s not looking good… the Ice Trolls coming from inside the mountain were… much more, hundreds…”

“Okay, that’s really bad, but aren’t you Oberon’s daughter? Can’t you ask for his help?” Rita asked, crossing her arms.

“I have tried to contact my father, but…” Khione remained silent. “I could only see darkness.”

“Darkness?” Mark asked. “W-What do you mean?”

“Whenever I try to speak with him through our bond, there’s only darkness. It tries to get inside my head… I don’t know what’s going on,” Khione said, worried. “I… I’m worried about father… but I shouldn’t. He’s the strongest… and yet, whatever happened to him… whenever I see further than the destruction of my city, there’s… darkness… the entire realm is encompassed by pure obscurity… and then, the only things that roam are the dead… as an endless skeletal maw devours billions of souls…”

“What?!” I gasped, realizing that the terrible future Khione had seen was most likely the Realm completely conquered by the Demon King of Death.

So these are his damned plans! He’s trying to conquer the entire Realm by filling it with Miasma and Nether. He’s trying to let the Domain of Death grow strong enough so he can manifest himself more here through a larger Gate.

And then, once he’s inside, he’s going to eat all the souls he wants and grow immensely powerful, freeing himself from the Underworld and turning Arcadia, Earth, and the other Realms into endless graveyards where the only things walking are undead.

A true apocalypse.

“Wow, well, I suppose you called us to tell us all that and not just to congratulate us or reward us…” Rita muttered.

“Haha, well, learning all of that is like a reward by itself,” Lily giggled.

“Yeah… I guess so…” Rita sighed.

“Um, excuse me,” Elena said. “Lady Khione, right?”

“Yes?” Khione looked at my daughter.

“I was wondering something regarding the futures you see,” Elena said. “Do you know when they exactly happen?”

“…I’m sorry, it’s vague,” Khione said. “It could be days… or hours.”

“Damn, maybe we should hurry with the Ice Troll hunting then…” Jenny said. “What if they attack in the night or tomorrow morning?”

“I agree. We should get this done as quickly as possible,” Mark said.

“It’s a pain in the ass, but who else is going to do it?” Rita shrugged.

“Please, don’t say such things…” Khione sighed. “I plan to help you… I can fight myself as well… And I will send my army with you. It should give you enough forces to face even hundreds of foes.”

“I would prefer if you stayed behind,” I said. “But we appreciate the soldiers! However… hmm, what if this is their plan? To lure us into attacking, and then they come for you once we’re gone? It would be troublesome.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?” Rita asked. “We’re running out of options here, Elayne…”

“I know, Rita, calm down,” I said. “I think we can try this. A small group goes down to the bottom of the mountain while the others remain here. Once the group is done, we return. Then we divide again, some stay here, and others go to the mountain. This way, the city will always be protected.”

“Good idea,” Mark nodded. “I suppose that’s what we should do anyway…”

“I-I feel really bad for asking you so much…” Khione sighed. “I will… reward you handsomely…! A-And you can also register in the Hunting Guild so you can receive the third Rune, the Rune of Hunting. That, together with the Mining and Fairy Guild Runes, would improve your power even more.”

“Thank you, we’ll do that!” I said, as Chloe finally returned with more donuts.

“I’m sorry, young lady. There weren’t any special donuts. I think you ate them before,” Chloe said.

“O-Oh…” Khione blushed a little. “Sorry, Rita, is this okay?”

“It’s fine, girl, don’t worry,” Rita giggled, eating along with us.

We stayed a bit longer to enjoy these delicious pastries Khione offered us while we continued discussing our plans and what to do. Khione informed us about her army, her soldiers, and how capable they were, which made us happy we wouldn’t have to go completely alone this time.

—–