Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Righteous Druid (2)
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It's been two months since I stayed in Ravata.
Let me summarize what happened during that time.
First, I met with Ravata's administrator and received a modest reward for "saving the city." Ten gold is pretty decent. Thanks to me, the abandoned mine that was about to become useless could be redeveloped, so this reward is only natural.
From the Mercenary Guild, I received a total of five gold in compensation. The original contract was three gold and fifty silver, but they added a bonus. They even offered me employment. Of course, I turned it down. Staying tied to Ravata would prevent me from progressing the main quest.
The Merchant Guild wanted to hire me, just as I expected. They seemed interested not only in my combat skills but also in my ability to handle plants. To be precise, the Merchant Guild was interested in selling the "Purification Tree" I grew. Sure, it would make money, but I declined. The Purification Tree isn't a card to play yet.
The Miners' Guild gave me white steel as a token of gratitude for purifying the mine, allowing them to work again. It's not a metal suited to a druid like me, but white steel is excellent quality. I sent the white steel I received as payment to the blacksmith and commissioned a shield for El.
Finally, the temple.
In the port city of Ravata, the dominant force was the temple of Donar, the god of rivers and seas. They came first, wanting to discuss the "Purification Tree" I created, but I already had a plan in mind.
"It's been a long time since we've seen a druid."
The first priest I met wasn't from Donar's temple but from the temple of Linsaka, the goddess of forests and earth. The old man in green priestly robes symbolizing Linsaka looked at me with a faint smile.
"Well, most druids don't like cities, after all."
I tossed in a light joke and handed the priest a cup containing herbs.
"Let's get to the point."
The priest took a sip of the herbal tea and nodded.
"I want to entrust the management of the 'Purification Tree' to Linsaka's temple."
It's no exaggeration to say that all eyes in Ravata are now on the "Purification Tree."
Rumors that the Purification Tree, created by the [Saint of Purification] and [Foe of Evil], would protect Ravata from evil had spread through the city as if they were fact, not mere gossip.
Naturally, debates arose over who would manage the Purification Tree.
Donar's temple dominated Ravata, so they naturally assumed it would be theirs.
But I thought differently.
'I need to expand Linsaka's influence.'
Gods can only wield power through their "believers."
That was true in Eohen's system as well. Players each chose a "patron god," and the gods' superiority was determined by the number of choices.
Players who chose the god with the most selections as their patron received blessings—in other words, "buffs."
'The players who chose Eohen's star god, Arjan, were buffed around the clock. It wasn't something to ignore.'
As a druid, the god most closely related to me was naturally Linsaka, the goddess of forests and earth.
The more followers Linsaka had, the more buffs I could receive.
The problem was Linsaka's current standing.
'A god worshipped only by hunters, with little popularity...'
First, I needed to raise Linsaka's recognition.
The titles [Saint of Purification] and [Foe of Evil], the Purification Tree that grew through the mine, and countless rumors.
This was the perfect opportunity to spread Linsaka's name far and wide.
By entrusting the Purification Tree's management to Linsaka's temple, I planned to naturally boost her recognition.
Donar's temple would naturally be displeased.
But I had a plausible excuse.
What was purifying the mine now wasn't the sacred light of the sun god or the sacred waves of the sea god.
It was the Purification "Tree" I grew—a tree, after all.
Trees were naturally under Linsaka's domain.
"Only Linsaka's temple can properly manage the Purification Tree."
At my words, the priest fell silent, lost in thought for a moment.
I leisurely sipped my herbal tea while waiting for his response. It was surprisingly sweet, as if honey had been added.
"...We think so too."
A satisfactory answer.
"But we can't ignore the backlash from Donar's temple."
"Don't worry about that. I have a plan."
"A plan?"
I smiled faintly as I looked at the priest.
"There will be a test to select the temple that manages the Purification Tree."
"A test?"
"I'm leaving this city soon, so it's only natural. But we can't just pick anyone, right?"
"Indeed."
"So, I'm thinking of a test where they care for purification plants for a week."
"Ah...."
"To maintain the Purification Tree's purifying power, what's needed is 'holy water'...."
At those words, the priest's eyes widened as if he had realized something.
"Yes. That's exactly what you're thinking."
I emptied my teacup completely and slowly raised my head.
"Donar's temple holy water is seawater. In other words, saltwater."
"Oh...."
"You can't grow plants with saltwater. Even if it's holy water."
"I didn't expect you to think that far ahead."
Instead of replying, I smiled faintly.
"Then, I leave it to you."
* * *
A few days later.
Under the auspices of Rausian's temple, goddess of restraint and order, the Purification Tree management test was held. Temples from Donar, Arjan, Kerayon, Daewar, and Linsaka participated.
"Master! The results are out!"
"Tell me."
"It's Linsaka's temple!"
As expected, Linsaka's temple passed the test.
'One worry down.'
In Ravata, where Donar's temple had been rampant, Linsaka's foothold had grown, if only a little.
As the Purification Tree's fame spread, Linsaka's influence would grow too.
And naturally, the buffs I received would increase.
'The road ahead is still long, though.'
At the Ravata administrator's request to confirm the Purification Tree had taken stable root, I had to stay another two months. All expenses during my stay in Ravata would be covered, so it was all good for me. I could save money, train, train El and Ayla, and reorganize.
Upon hearing I'd stay in Ravata two more months, Linsaka's temple was overjoyed. Probably because it reduced the chance of sabotage from Donar's temple.
I prayed to Linsaka daily while tending the Purification Tree. Its presence had become quite famous, drawing crowds every day. The massive Purification Tree emanating divine power and my presence as a druid seemed deeply impressive to them. I just did what needed doing, but after prayers, offerings would gather around. They were pocket change to me, so I donated them all to Linsaka's temple to boost my temple contribution.
"Master, the Ekaitz Alliance merchant ship's arrived!"
One of Ravata's perks as a port city was easy access to goods. Now with time and money to spare, I planned to craft totems for El and Ayla. Perfect timing—the Ekaitz Alliance ship had arrived, making materials easy to obtain. I headed to the bustling market with El.
"I need a pair of Frostpeak Eagle eyeballs and a bundle of Abyss Shark teeth. All top quality."
The material merchant recognized me, eyes widening, then nodded.
"Please wait a moment."
Soon, the merchant presented a pair of crystal-clear Frostpeak Eagle eyeballs and a bundle of razor-sharp Abyss Shark teeth.
'Good quality.'
Rare items, yet top-notch. Goods from across the sea are different.
"Do you have golden silkworm cocoons?"
"I can only sell three."
"How about five?"
"Hmm...."
He seemed bothered that I was the famous [Saint of Purification] and [Foe of Evil].
Fame has its perks.
"You've done so much for Ravata. I'll make a special exception this time."
The merchant unlocked a box and carefully wrapped five finger-sized, golden-glowing silkworm cocoons in clean cloth.
"Thank you. May Linsaka's blessings be upon you."
With a light greeting, El and I returned to the inn.
Now came the tedious manual labor.
-Tuk!
I pulled out the Obsidian Alligator leather necklace stored in my subspace ring.
A bonus item from Solen's material shop before.
Made from top-grade Obsidian Alligator leather, the necklace emitted a subtle, gem-like sheen.
"Alright. Let's get started."
I carefully engraved tiny druid runes onto each sharp Abyss Shark tooth. Then I embedded them one by one into the leather necklace and finished with glue made from Dawnwood Deer antlers.
Finally, chanting the incantation and infusing mana completed the totem.
[Totem: Steadfast Vigil has been completed.]
[Steadfast Vigil] was a totem that increased attack power the lower health dropped. Perfect for Ayla, who always fought at the front lines.
The totem for El took even more effort.
Extracting thread from the golden silkworm cocoons was incredibly difficult in itself. Boiling them alone took two days. If the temperature was even slightly too high or low, the cocoons would melt or harden, so El and I took shifts standing watch by the pot nonstop.
Of course, the thread painstakingly extracted from the golden silkworm cocoons was stunningly beautiful and incredibly tough. So tough that an ordinary knife couldn't cut it.
Stringing Frostpeak Eagle eyeballs engraved with druid runes onto thin braided golden thread and drying them under moonlight for a week produced an excellent totem.
[Totem: Predator's Pupil has been completed.]
[Predator's Pupil] wasn't just any totem. More important than attack or defense, it boosted "comprehension." Wearing [Predator's Pupil] allowed one to grasp an opponent's essence for more effective attacks. Essential for the still inexperienced El.
"Here, put it on."
El cautiously hung [Predator's Pupil] on his ear.
"You won't feel it right away, but it'll show in real combat."
"Thank you, Master!"
...No need to thank me. Once El reached the level of [Silver Lion Reinhardt] even a day sooner, I'd be the one benefiting. This was an investment for the future.
"Ayla, come here."
-Sniff sniff.
After fitting [Steadfast Vigil] around Ayla's neck, I felt relieved. This laid the foundation for them to grow stronger.
In a stern voice, I declared to El and Ayla.
"Now that the totems are ready, tomorrow starts hell training."
