Chapter 208: Chapter 196: The Moon Goddess Suren
Since they met, Roland hadn’t detected anything suspicious about Mason, nor could he find any motive for him to lie.
’So if what Mason said is true...’
"Is the only way to leave this Land of Mist by land?"
Roland sank into thought.
’Escaping by sea would inevitably draw a tide of attacks from the Fishmen.’
The thought of the Shahua Fishmen’s endless numbers gave him a headache.
He’d had a hard enough time breaking through their swarm tactics on land, let alone on the open sea.
Although he possessed the [Wave Treading] Trait, allowing him to move and fight freely on the water’s surface, maintaining that state during combat would rapidly drain his Spiritual Power.
’And trying to escape just by relying on this Trait...’
’[Wave Treading] is powerful, to be sure, but only relative to ordinary land creatures.’
’When it came to speed on the water, he would likely fall short against these Demons born and raised in the Deep Sea.’
But if he chose the land route, the Fishmen wouldn’t be the only threat.
The Ghosts lurking in the dense fog, nearly impossible to perceive or see, were an even more lethal, hidden danger...
At this thought, Roland took a deep breath and asked,
"Mason, are there any conditions to receive the Witch’s Blessing?"
Though Roland hadn’t stated his intentions explicitly, Mason clearly understood the subtext. He shook his head gently.
"That lady... she doesn’t see anyone but me. Some of the people I’ve rescued wanted to receive the same Blessing, but she turned them all away. As for those... who tried to force their way in..."
A flicker of terror crossed Mason’s face. The answer was self-evident.
Despite this, the idea of trying didn’t die in Roland’s mind.
’If I could get this Blessing, it would mean I could be like Mason, untroubled by Ghosts in the dense fog. I could even use the Ghosts’ presence at night to avoid other Demons.’
’This is crucial, whether for exploring the Land of Mist or for eventually finding a safe path out.’
’If the Witch ultimately refuses to grant the Blessing...’
’I’ll just have to find another way.’
For now, staying in this house under the Witch’s protection at least guaranteed his safety from the threat of Demons and Ghosts. It gave him a place to rest his feet, so there was no need to be overly hasty.
As for daily supplies...
Roland’s gaze swept over the ample food and fresh water piled in a corner of the room, and he nodded slightly.
Having made up his mind, he told the young nobleman his plan.
Mason didn’t try to stop him when he heard the plan.
After they agreed to set out the following night, he simply gave Roland another solemn warning.
"Remember, Roland, no matter what happens, absolutely do not try to provoke the lady."
Perhaps because they had reached a preliminary understanding and confirmed that neither held any ill will, the atmosphere in the room was noticeably more relaxed than when Roland had first arrived.
With a considerable amount of time still to go before nightfall the next day, the two men and the Pikachu each found something to do, occasionally making small talk.
Pikachu Tress, like a curious speck of light, floated and weaved weightlessly through the air, exploring every corner of the room as if on a little adventure all her own.
After getting Mason’s permission, Roland walked straight to the pile of food and fresh water in the corner.
After drifting at sea for over ten days, eating nothing but fish for every meal, he was thoroughly sick of it.
The sight of this normal food instantly awakened a ravenous appetite.
As for Mason...
The young nobleman sat quietly by the fireplace, engrossed in the book he was holding.
The firelight from the hearth flickered. Mason’s fingertip rested on an illustration of a crescent moon symbol. His eyes downcast, he murmured almost inaudibly,
"Though the night is long, my heart is the lighthouse that will guide your return voyage..."
His voice was as soft as a sigh, tinged with a barely perceptible longing.
A moment later, he turned a page. His gaze swept over a line of ancient text, and his lips moved slightly.
"...not the eternal silence of Annihilation, but a slumber as peaceful as returning home."
This second whisper seemed to touch upon some deeper trouble in his heart, making his fingers tighten slightly on the page.
"The moonlight soothes all wounds, and tranquil slumber shall come at last..."
This final whisper held a peculiar, tranquil power.
Tress, who had been hovering and swinging from the chandelier, tilted her head curiously and looked toward the source of the sound.
Nearby, Roland, who was enjoying a piece of bread, paused mid-chew, his gaze involuntarily shifting to the book in Mason’s hands.
"The *Moon Gauze Secret Scroll*?"
Roland had seen this book before in Bronson’s collection. It was a tome that briefly chronicled the history of the Moon Goddess, Suren.
But after the Era of the End, as Magic Elements vanished, people’s faith in the Deities gradually waned. That particular copy had been tattered and worn, so Roland had only ever skimmed through it.
"Mason..."
Roland swallowed the food in his mouth and asked with a hint of curiosity.
"You’re a follower of... the Goddess Suren?"
"I am!"
Hearing the question, Mason looked up abruptly, his eyes shining with delight.
"Roland, you know of the Goddess Suren, too?"
"A little... I know a little about her..."
Seeing Mason’s eager admission, an odd expression came over Roland’s face.
He knew of Suren not because he also worshiped the goddess who symbolized Hope, but because...
After obtaining the mysterious Trait [Shire’s Favor], Roland had delved deep into the ancient records concerning the Night Goddess.
Aside from the horrifying disasters wrought by the hand of this goddess of Darkness, the records concerning her sister, Suren, were also exceptionally detailed.
This wasn’t out of sisterly affection, however. Quite the opposite...
Shire’s hatred for Suren was bone-deep.
It was a practically eternal, deep-seated enmity, a hatred that wished to completely erase her very existence.
’And here was Mason, a follower of Suren...’
’While it’s still unclear where the dense Negative Energy in his body comes from, if Shire truly exists, then this power must be inextricably linked to the goddess who rules over death.’
’Someone carrying such dense Negative Energy is a devout follower of Suren?’
Roland was certain that if Shire ever found out about this...
...the goddess would be thrown into a furious rage.
Pushing the nearly blasphemous thought from his mind, Roland focused his attention back on the food before him.
For a time, the only sounds in the room were the soft crunch of Roland chewing his food and the gentle cadence of Mason reciting ancient maxims.
After eating his fill, Roland walked around the house, carefully examining the outside through every window.
He finally let out a long sigh of relief after confirming there were no suspicious signs of Demons or Ghosts.
Still, just to be safe, he suggested that he and Mason rest together in the main hall.
Mason had no objection.
He tasked the sleepless Pikachu Tress with keeping watch. With the Witch-blessed man by his side and the sound of firewood crackling in the hearth, Roland, who had been adrift at sea for so long, soon felt drowsiness wash over him.
But just as his eyes were about to close, he thought he glimpsed a strange sight.
The bright moon, which had been completely obscured by the dense fog, seemed to shine a little brighter. It struggled to reveal its hazy silhouette through the churning mist, casting down a few faint, silvery rays...
Then, a deep drowsiness completely overwhelmed him.
