Chapter 555: Chapter 282: The Season of Blossoms, Old Acquaintances
Kythorn, the sixth month in the Arcane Calendar each year.
On the Aifala Continent, it is also known as the "Flower Month."
The root of this lies partly in the timing, as June corresponds to the late spring and early summer on the continent. The climate is warm, with abundant rain and sunshine, making it a season where many plants bloom in a vibrant and lush manner, as if the whole continent is covered with flowers.
On the other hand, it’s out of respect for the Magic Goddess "Mistra."
Magic, depicted by the spellcasters on the Aifala Continent, is a powerful and mysterious thing full of aesthetic beauty, and has been associated with "flowers" since ancient times.
The casting of a spell is like the bloom of a flower, bringing its inherent beauty and strength into the world.
The Magic Net controlled by Mistra is poetically described as a grand structure in the universe, composed of countless glowing, flower-filament-like energy lines. It filters the Magic Power for casters and facilitates spellcasting, resembling a gigantic, eternally blooming exotic flower.
Thus, Mistra has become the guardian deity of June, symbolizing that the power of magic reaches an eminent and accessible state during this month.
Of course, for the vast majority of ordinary people on the Aifala Continent, "Flower Month" is merely a name, and few would actively delve into its origins.
Irrigation, weeding, pest control, and hoping for a bountiful harvest in autumn are all they can do this month.
For the adventurers in River Valley Town, it’s the same.
In the Mist Forest, the most important economic production area nearby, the mist naturally formed by the highly concentrated magic particles in the air nurtures many dangerous and deadly demons. Yet, under the influence of Magic Power, it maintains a relatively stable environment overall.
Warm in winter and cool in summer, to some extent, it’s like a natural greenhouse. Even if there’s occasional weather fluctuation, it rarely reaches severe levels.
Thus, the so-called "months" hold little significance for the town’s adventurers, except for special times like "Hunting Day," with hardly any difference all year round.
"Creak."
Muddy boots stepped on a branch, making a somewhat piercing noise.
A four-member adventurer team was cautiously moving their steps through the mist.
Their equipment was not particularly good, and the team did not possess anyone with aura refined like professionals.
An all-too-common, ordinary low-level adventurer team.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a weathered face and a composed demeanor.
He walked at the front of the team, gazing far into the depths of the forest with a contemplative look, seemingly weighing something before signaling the others to halt with a raised hand. He then said in a low voice:
"The target location is almost there; rest here for twenty minutes."
"Everyone keep your spirits up and get ready for battle!"
"Otherwise, if the green-skinned goblins break your legs, don’t blame me for not warning you!"
To the middle-aged man’s stern warning, the two teammates in the squad didn’t seem overly concerned, judging by their calm expressions. It was evident they had experience dealing with these demons and were seasoned adventurers.
However, the last young man, who was dark-skinned and particularly inexperienced, was startled by their leader’s warning, tensed up completely, and appeared especially nervous.
He instinctively swallowed, quietly tugged at the slightly older but still young man beside him, and whispered:
"Brother Abi, we shouldn’t have any problems, right?"
Adjusting his ironwood shield and newly minted one-handed sword, Abi didn’t turn back and had an indifferent look on his face:
"It’s just about ten goblins, nothing to worry about."
"Even your aunt could probably kill one or two with a grass fork, let alone the four of us."
"Think about it this way: the bounty for a single goblin is 3 silver coins and 7 copper coins, enough to treat yourself to a big feast at the White Sparrow. Save up for a few years, build your family a big house, buy some lambs, and marry a pretty girl you like. Isn’t that much better than your previous miserable life?"
Abi, knowing well what to say to motivate young men like his former self, who were once just naive country boys, to lead the way enthusiastically while exploring goblin nests, spoke truthfully.
Making money is a fact (if they manage to return alive), known for the adventurers’ substantial earnings on the continent, but he omitted the dangers involved. He didn’t mention the lifestyle in River Valley Town and the likely extravagant spending habits that come with being an adventurer, rendering "saving for retirement" almost a luxury.
Oh, if it were his old self in the "Green Blood" team, perhaps it might have been possible.
Relying solely on goblin hunting might not bring high income, but it’s very stable, and with little time to spend leisurely in the tavern all year round, plus the care from Adeline of the senior adventurer "Green Blood," maybe they could have saved some assets over a few years.
But now it’s too late to think about it. It’s been months since he left the team, and the once responsible but obsessive leader has almost embarked on the professional’s path.