Chapter 278: Flowering Month, Old Acquaintance

Kythorn, the sixth month of every year in the Arcane Calendar.

On the Aifala Dalu, it also had the alias of "Flowering Month."

Tracing its roots, on one hand, this time period in June just corresponds to the late spring and early summer of the continent, with warm climate, abundant rain, and sufficient sunlight. It is the season when many plants bloom and it is relatively lush and gorgeous throughout the year, as if the whole continent is covered with flowers.

On the other hand, it is also out of respect for the 【Goddess of Magic】, "Mystra."

Magic is described by spellcasters on the Aifala Dalu as a powerful, mysterious thing full of aesthetic feeling, and it has been linked to "flowers" since ancient times.

The release of a spell is like a flower completing its bloom, bringing its inner beauty and power to this world.

And the Magic Net controlled by Mystra, because of its characteristic of filtering magic energy for spellcasters and spreading across the entire universe, is poetically described as a magnificent structure condensed by countless glowing, flower-filament-like energy lines, similar to a huge, eternal blooming strange flower.

It is precisely because of this that Mystra became the guardian deity of June, symbolizing that the power of magic reaches a prominent and easily accessible state in this month.

Of course, for the vast majority of ordinary people on the Aifala Dalu, "Flowering Month" is just a name, and very few people will actively explore its origin.

Irrigation, weeding, pest control, hoping for a harvest in the autumn, is all they can do in this month.

For those adventurers in Hegu Town, it is the same.

As the most important economic production area nearby, the fog naturally formed in the air due to the highly concentrated magic particles in the Mist Forest, although it bred many dangerous and deadly monsters, it was also affected by magic, maintaining the overall environment in a relatively stable state.

Warm in winter and cool in summer, to a certain extent, it is like a natural greenhouse. Even if there are occasional meteorological fluctuations, it rarely reaches a bad degree.

Therefore, the so-called "month," for the adventurers in the town, except for special periods like "Hunting Day," is basically no different all year round.

"Creak."

Leather boots stained with mud stepped on branches, making a somewhat harsh sound.

A four-person adventurer squad was moving cautiously in the fog.

The equipment couldn't be called very fine, and there was no existence similar to a professional with condensed aura in the team.

A very common, ordinary bottom-level adventurer squad.

Leading them was a middle-aged man whose face looked somewhat weathered and whose temperament was capable.

Only seeing him walking at the very front of the team, looking far into the depths of the forest, his face showing contemplation, as if considering something, before raising his hand to signal the others behind to stop, and saying in a low voice:

"The target location is almost here; rest on the spot for twenty minutes."

"Everyone pull yourselves together and get ready for battle!"

"Otherwise, if you get your legs broken by those green-skinned goblins, don't blame me for not reminding you!"

Regarding the middle-aged man's serious warning, although the two teammates in the team didn't reach the point of being giggly, seeing his calm expression, it was clear that they didn't care much, and they should be old hands who had dealt with these monsters many times.

Only the young man at the end, with dark skin and an exceptionally green face, was startled by their captain's warning, his whole body taut, looking exceptionally nervous.

Subconsciously swallowing his saliva, he quietly pulled another man who looked equally young but slightly older beside him, and whispered:

"Brother Abi, we... should be fine, right?"

Organizing the iron-inlaid wooden shield and the brand-new single-handed sword on his body, Abi didn't look back, his face showing an indifferent expression:

"It's only about ten goblins; nothing to worry about."

"Even if your aunt came over, holding a pitchfork, she might be able to poke three or two to death, let alone the four of us."

"Think about it from another angle; the bounty for one goblin is 3 silver and 7 copper coins, enough for you to set up a big table at the White Tit. Save money for a few more years, go back and build a big house for your family, buy a few lambs, and marry a beautiful girl you like. Isn't that much more comfortable than the bitter days you lived before?"

Both were from poor rural backgrounds, so Abi naturally knew what to say to make these young people, who were as naive as he once was, walk at the very front when penetrating the goblin lair, full of enthusiasm to scout for them.

He didn't lie.

Making money was a fact (if they could return alive), and the rich income of adventurers was known throughout the continent, but he omitted the danger, and didn't mention that with the living environment of Hegu Town, and the consumption habits that adventurers were very likely to develop, "saving money for retirement" almost became an extravagance.

Oh, if it were himself who once stayed in the "Green Blood" squad, maybe there was really a possibility.

Relying solely on the income from hunting goblins might not be high, but it was very stable. Busy all year round, there was rarely even time to spend in the tavern, and there was the care of "Green Blood" Edwinna, a senior adventurer. After a few years, maybe he could really save some family property.

It was just that it was too late to think about this now; it had been a few months since he left the team, and that once responsible but paranoid captain had almost stepped onto the path of a professional.

And... it was no longer realistic to want him to return to the life of an "ascetic" that was almost like a "monk" for adventurers when he was in the Green Blood squad.

Unknowingly, he recalled a lot in his heart, and even Abi's originally relaxed face carried a hint of melancholy.

The dark-skinned young man in front didn't notice the emotion on his face, only immersed in the beautiful future outlined by Abi, unable to extricate himself for a long time.

In twenty minutes, he even thought about how many children he would have and what style of house he would build.

It wasn't until the squad captain commanded the team to continue moving forward that he finally woke up from his fantasy, a beautiful smile hanging on the corner of his mouth, following the team with light steps.

The middle-aged man who looked like a leader was experienced. The four of them only circled in the forest for another half an hour before arriving at their destination for this trip.

A small goblin lair.

"Did you remember everything I told you before?" The middle-aged man glanced at the pitch-black cave on the open space in front, which was significantly higher than the ground next to it, and asked the young man in front of him.

"I... I remembered everything, Captain!" The dark-skinned young man was nervous again, the handle of the wooden shield he was holding tightly making his palms turn pale. "Don't worry, I definitely won't hold the team back!"

As a newcomer recruited by the squad, his duty on this mission was to be at the very front when penetrating the cave, scouting the way, and if encountering danger, to buy as much time as possible for the elders behind him.

Whether it was retreating or attacking, he just needed to follow orders.

The young man naturally knew the danger, but as a newcomer who was significantly behind other teammates in both experience and combat power, this was what he had to do to officially join the squad.

From a rural background, working in the fields since childhood, the simple philosophy of "one point of cultivation, one point of harvest" had long been integrated into his words and deeds.

No complaints at all.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man nodded with satisfaction, reached out and patted his shoulder encouragingly, and at the same time turned to look at Abi and another team member.

"You guys don't lower your guard either, be careful, try to avoid unnecessary losses, and drink a few rounds properly after going back, my treat."

"Oh, Captain, you're too generous!"

"Don't worry, we understand."

Seeing that everyone was ready for battle, the middle-aged man didn't hesitate, made a gesture, let the young man hold the wooden shield at the very front, and the four of them approached the entrance of the cave.

But after only taking two or three steps, a burst of fragmented and panicked footsteps suddenly came from the cave, and at the same time, accompanied by the footsteps, there was a sharp screech unique to goblins. ===== CHAPTER 279 =====