46: The Goddess's Invitation (4,000 words, thanks to the writer for the reward)

The temple dedicated to the Forest Mother was nestled within a natural cave.

Ancient, majestic stone statues were integrated seamlessly with the cave.

Clear spring water trickled down the statue's left shoulder, collecting into a small pool at the bottom of the cave.

Arthur was deeply captivated by this miraculously crafted temple.

For some unknown reason, as soon as he entered, he felt an indescribable sense of peace.

Even more surprising to him was that despite the absence of any visible light source, the temple was as bright as day.

Arthur quickly realized that this was a sacred dwelling.

Presumably, the Mountain People's accumulated devout prayers had attracted the attention of Mother Earth.

This had imbued the blessed land with divine power.

Madam Kadan respectfully walked to the statue and knelt in worship.

She then gestured for Son of the Wolf to do the same.

Arthur had just knelt before the statue.

The scene before his eyes began to spin rapidly.

The next second, he found himself in a vast wheat field.

A warm breeze brushed against his face, playfully tousling his black hair.

He stood up, bewildered, and everywhere his gaze fell, there was ripe wheat.

Golden wheat ears swayed in the wind, waves of wheat rolling one after another, like a golden ocean.

In that golden ocean, he saw the white-haired, dark-skinned, robust woman.

She gently waved her hand.

The scene before Arthur's eyes switched again.

When he came to his senses, he was already sitting at a wooden table.

On the table were freshly baked bread, honey, cheese, and various fruits.

Directly in front of the table was a colorful field cottage.

He was sitting in the yard of this house, and outside, there was still an endless wheat field.

"Tea?" the white-haired woman asked.

Arthur nodded, filled with trepidation.

The kettle and teacups on the table moved on their own.

A steaming cup of barley tea quickly appeared before him.

"Don't be so stiff, little Arthur, Son of the Wolf."

The woman gestured for him to enjoy the food.

Arthur asked curiously, "Are you...?"

"Whatever you think I am, that's what I am.

"I made the bread; it would be rude if you didn't try some."

Arthur smiled, picked up a small round bread, and began to eat.

This was the best bread he had ever eaten, both in his previous life and his current one.

"It's been a long time since a mortal visited this place," the woman said with a sigh.

She lightly extended her hand, and Arthur's wooden staff floated into her grasp.

"John chose you as his successor; that is good.

"He was an interesting child, and I can see you are the same."

An interesting child? Arthur couldn't help but think, Saint John was over fifty when he became a divine messenger.

The term 'child' for him was truly... But then he reconsidered, in the eyes of an eternal and immortal deity, humans were indeed like children.

"So why did you take my staff again?"

The goddess's question almost made Arthur choke.

He thumped his chest while explaining, "Cough, cough, I just... just..."

"Don't be nervous, child, I was just joking."

The woman laughed heartily and even winked at Arthur.

After speaking, she returned the staff to Arthur.

"That's not a funny joke, especially coming from a being like you."

Arthur picked up his teacup and took a large gulp, finally feeling relieved.

"A being like me? What kind of beings do you think we are? Majestic, heartless, capricious?

"Haha, then you must not have met Myriel; he can tell jokes all day without repeating a single one."

Arthur picked up another piece of cheese and asked, "Why did you say no mortal has visited here for a long time?"

"Many believers." A hint of sadness appeared on the woman's face. "No, it should be said that it is difficult for mortals to uphold their vows from beginning to end.

"Initially, they were all incredibly devout.

"But slowly, they become enticed by power, status, and money, gradually straying from the path of faith.

"Just like Gutierrez, he was once a very talented gardener.

"He should have achieved great things, just like you, but in the end, he lost himself."

At this point, the woman suddenly beckoned.

The holy emblem in Arthur's arms slowly flew into her hand.

"A small gift for you, Son of the Wolf..."

She placed a seed into the red gem of the holy emblem.

In the blink of an eye, the seed took root, sprouted, and bloomed into two delicate small flowers.

The woman moved her fingers again, and the holy emblem gently landed before Arthur.

After finishing the cheese, Arthur couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, why me?"

"Hehe, child, destiny connects you and me..."

The woman looked up at the sky, her expression gradually darkening.

Arthur also noticed the anomaly and turned to look.

He saw large swaths of shadow sweeping in from afar.

Wherever they passed, all things lost their color, and the world was left with only black and white.

The high-hanging sun was also being devoured bit by bit by the shadows.

Arthur felt as if something was staring at him.

An inexplicable fear rose from the depths of his heart, rushing straight to his brain.

He struggled to resist this fear.

But as the sun was gradually swallowed, the fear became even more intense.

Just as he was about to collapse, a gentle breeze swept through, and the fear immediately dissipated.

Recovered, Arthur gazed at the pitch-black sun and couldn't help but ask, "What... what was that?"

"That means you have to leave," the woman said.

Before she finished speaking, Arthur felt as if he was on a speeding train, and the surrounding scenery began to rapidly recede.

"Be careful, Son of the Wolf, it's not just me who is watching you."

Shanteya's warning echoed in his ears.

When he opened his eyes again, Arthur was back in the temple.

He took a deep breath; the recent experience felt like a dream.

But the feeling was so real.

Especially the oppressive sensation brought by the pitch-black sun, which almost made him too terrified to breathe.

"Are you alright?" Madam Kadan walked over with a bowl of water.

Arthur nodded, took the water, drank it all, and thanked her again.

Then he asked, "Have you been there, to that field?"

Madam Kadan shook her head, "You are very fortunate to have reached the divine realm.

"Most of us have only seen Her face in dreams."

Indeed, according to Arthur's understanding, Shanteya rarely manifested before mortals.

Because She was not like the Fire Haired Lady, a flamboyant, lavishly dressed goddess.

Instead of displaying miracles everywhere, She preferred to silently protect Her followers.

Therefore, the goddess's audience this time greatly surprised him.

He subconsciously looked at the staff in his hand and found that it had become thicker and its branches and leaves more luxuriant.

At the same time, his mind also gained a lot of divine magic knowledge.

So that's it, Arthur thought, the gift She bestowed had enhanced his abilities.

He now knew a first-level spell—Detect Evil and Good.

His magic power had also increased; he could now cast three spells a day.

Furthermore, he could also channel divine power through the holy emblem to cast "Sacred Spark" and "Turn Undead."

The former could focus divine power on a creature, restoring its life or causing necrotic or radiant damage.

The latter used divine power channeled by the holy emblem to repel undead creatures.

If successful, those undead creatures would fall into panic and incapacitation, and flee from him as much as possible.

Also, judging from the attunement feedback.

The staff had not only changed in appearance but also been strengthened internally.

It now had a spell that could be cast once daily—Purify Food and Drink.

His level increase was originally a good thing, but the goddess's phrase, "it's not just me who is watching you," felt like a thorn in his side.

This made Arthur ponder what that meant.

It's not just me who is watching you?

That is to say, other gods are also keeping an eye on him?

Thinking of this, Arthur couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart.

If he had received so much recognition in his previous life, his work would have been much smoother.

"Let's go, dinner should be ready," Madam Kadan's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"I've already eaten, and I'd like to stay here a little longer, if you don't mind."

The old woman showed an envious expression, "Of course, Chosen One, you can stay as long as you wish."

---

"Is he inside?" Airo, looking hurried, asked the orc guarding outside the temple.

Without waiting for an answer, she quickly walked towards the temple, but it was as if she hit an invisible barrier, unable to take another step.

"Yes, the master is inside," the orc replied.

Seeing that Airo couldn't enter, he curiously asked, "Is there a problem?"

After trying twice more, Airo said helplessly, "This is a sacred dwelling."

"So?" The orc looked puzzled.

"I can't get in, big guy, can you help...?"

Before the female rogue could finish speaking, the orc turned and walked inside, "Happy to help."

A moment later, Arthur emerged from the temple.

His expression was solemn, clearly uneasy about Airo's hasty return.

"Let me guess, those scouts are all dead," Arthur said.

Airo nodded, "It was a trap; someone was ambushed there.

"The rider died; I couldn't save him."

Though he had anticipated it, Arthur was still surprised by the outcome.

After a brief thought, he asked, "Did anyone see you return?"

Airo shook her head, "I left my horse outside and came in from the other side. Only Godwin knows I'm back.

"You were suspicious of that child, so I thought it best not to let him see me."

"Well done," Arthur praised.

"What do we do now?" Airo asked.

Arthur pondered for a moment, then replied, "We'll give him an opening.

"Drax, go call Philip. You'll watch the child for him temporarily."

"Yes, Master," the orc responded and quickly left.

Arthur sighed, looked at Airo, and asked, "Are you injured?"

The female rogue waved her hand, then turned to look at the temple, asking in confusion, "Was that you?"

"You give me too much credit; it was those devout Mountain People. I forgot that undead cannot enter a sacred dwelling.

"Did you get a clear look at the attackers? Were they orcs, or...?"

"They weren't orcs, but they were definitely not ordinary. The three of them were quite skilled and worked together seamlessly.

"I suspect they are a group, or if not, they are certainly very familiar with each other."

Arthur nodded, "Go rest for a while. If nothing unexpected happens, we'll know the answer soon."

---

Jamie carefully got out of bed.

By the moonlight, he glanced at Philip, who was sleeping soundly.

If he had a weapon, he really would have liked to finish off this damned hanger-on with a single blow.

Ever since he was rescued, this guy had been following him everywhere.

What made him even more desperate was that the expedition team, originally headed for Red Maple Village, suddenly changed course and came to this hidden Mountain People settlement.

This had messed up all his plans.

After giving Philip the middle finger, little Jamie walked out of the house and hid in a shadow.

That kind noble young master had even arranged a separate room for him and the hanger-on.

This greatly increased the difficulty of him sneaking out.

After a low groan, he emerged from the shadows.

The original Jamie disappeared, replaced by a thin Mountain Person.

He stretched his new body, adapted as quickly as possible, and then walked towards the edge of the village.

But as soon as he stepped onto the main road, a cold glint struck him head-on.

He instinctively dodged backward, the cold glint grazing his cheek, leaving a bloody mark on his face.

Before he could understand what had happened, a familiar voice came from behind him.

"Jamie, Jamie, where are you going?"

As this voice sounded, soldiers and Mountain People holding torches surged from all directions.

The main road of the settlement was instantly brightly lit.

The crowd surrounding him began to part automatically, and Arthur walked over leisurely.

"You wouldn't be in a hurry to go warn those bandits, would you?"

"Jamie? Master, are you... are you mistaken? I... I'm not..."

"Oh, come on, how long are you going to keep up the act?"

Arthur said, then chanted a spell, and with a gesture, an invisible aura quickly spread out with him as its center.

"Manifest!"

As he commanded, the aura reached its maximum, enveloping Jamie.

Arthur saw a blurry figure.

Fey? A Doppelgangers!

He confirmed the identity of the other party. He had originally thought it was a doppelganger.

He hadn't expected the newly learned Detect Evil and Good to come in handy so quickly.

"Who sent you, Doppelgangers?"

When Arthur said this, the Mountain Person's face changed dramatically.

He recoiled in panic, but quickly, a short spear was pressed against his back.

"I know you gave me the middle finger, you bastard!"

Philip said, then slammed the butt of the spear hard into the Doppelgangers's lower back.

The Doppelgangers cried out and fell to his knees.

"Madam Kadan, is there a suitable place for interrogation in the village?" Arthur asked.

"Follow me."

---

The Doppelgangers was thrown into the room by Drax.

His head hit the tool rack, and he cursed repeatedly.

Madam Kadan said to Arthur, "Please clean up afterward.

"This is where we do our leatherwork in the village."

Arthur nodded, then entered the room with Dylan, Godwin, Airo, and two soldiers.

The Doppelgangers struggled to get up from the ground.

He raised his hands in surrender, pleading, "I'll talk, I'll tell you everything.

"Just ask whatever you want to know."

Arthur nodded to the two soldiers.

The two immediately stepped forward, seized the Doppelgangers, and began to beat him without a word.

"Wait... Ah... Wait... I confess! Stop hitting me, I'll tell you..."

Dylan sneered and said, "When it comes to interrogation, my two subordinates are experts.

"You'd best not try any tricks on me."