Early morning.
The golden sun slowly rose from the east, illuminating the entire forest with its resplendent light.
Natural Saintess Alice finished her morning prayers, changed into the Holy Daughter's dress she wore for the ceremonial rituals, and came outside the temple.
Oak Guardian Berserker had been waiting here for quite some time, and he seemed to be in a particularly good mood today, his large eyes bright and lively, standing to the side humming a peculiar song... one that he had learned from the Chosen Ones.
Alice saw the Oak Guardian, her emerald eyes carried a hint of a smile:
"Good morning, Sir Berserker."
She pinched the corner of her priestly skirt, slightly bowed to Berserker, and then drew the symbol of Mother Nature on her chest:
"May nature be with you."
Berserker also bowed to the girl, his deep voice carrying a touch of gentleness:
"Good morning, Holy Daughter, may nature be with you too!"
After their mutual salutations, Alice looked puzzled at the players gathering more and more in the square, curiously asking:
"What's happening with them today?"
Usually, at this time, the Chosen Ones should be starting to request daily quests from her. But today, for some reason, few were seeking her out.
They gathered in the square, seemingly waiting for something, each with an excited expression.
Berserker glanced at the players on the square, a flicker of gratification in his eyes, and again drew a tree-shaped symbol on his chest, telling Alice:
"Holy Daughter, the Holy City of Feilengcui... has been overtaken, all the Goblins have been expelled."
"What? The Holy City... has been reclaimed?"
Upon hearing Berserker's words, the emerald eyes of Alice suddenly widened.
She was aware of the Chosen Ones' mission, but in her view, driving out the Goblins from the Holy City would be a long task, yet unexpectedly, the Chosen Ones had accomplished it in such a short period.
She faintly remembered, in her youth, following her mother to expel Goblins from the Elf Ruins, those Goblins were especially cunning, you drive them away one minute, and the next, they sneak back when you're off guard…
"Yes, not only that, the Chosen Ones will establish a new Teleportation Array in Feilengcui, and they have invited us to join them."
Berserker's expression was full of devotion.
Reclaiming the Holy City, for every Natural believer, is a great honor!
"They actually invited us..."
Hearing Berserker's words, Alice had a complicated expression.
Truth be told, her overall impression of the Chosen Ones wasn't good; in fact, she found some of them particularly distasteful.
Although lately, the Chosen Ones seemed to have gradually familiarized themselves with this world and become more polite.
Still, Alice disagreed with some of their bad habits.
For instance, treating the poor animals in the forest as food.
The Elf Forest was very rich in resources, gathering berries should have been enough to satisfy hunger, why harm living creatures?
Alice could never understand.
However, since the Mother Goddess didn't say much about it, Alice put aside her complaints.
Because of her dissatisfaction with the Chosen Ones, she never entertained the idea of forming close relationships with them. The Chosen Ones have been here so long, Alice didn't even know each of their names.
Yes, Alice cannot see the players' names.
Player names are only visible in the game system's view, hence only players see each other's green names above their heads, the natives of the Segis World cannot.
Because she didn't have close interactions, in Alice's view, her connection with the Chosen Ones was merely to fulfill the tasks of the Mother Goddess.
Thus, when Alice heard that the Chosen Ones had actually invited them to participate in establishing the Teleportation Array, she was doubly surprised.
The Elf Clan is proud and arrogant.
Inviting other elves to participate in a celebration, in Elf culture, signifies expressing goodwill and respect, and accepting the invitation signifies that one acknowledges the other.
Thinking of this, Alice had a complex expression.
She looked at the Chosen Ones gathering in the square once more, thought about their dedicated efforts these days, and felt indecisive.
Eventually, the Elf Girl sighed deeply, saying:
"I... accept the invitation."
Elf Forest, Feilengcui.
After a night of besieging, all the Goblins lurking here have been turned into experience points for the players.
When the last Goblin hidden in the abandoned sewer was eliminated, players received a system notification: [Main Quest Objective 3: Eradicate the Goblins in the Holy City of Feilengcui (Completed)].
Eve generously rewarded each participating player with 1,000 experience points, one perfect revival, and 500 contribution points.
Now, there is only one target left in the mission—establishing a stable Teleportation Array in Feilengcui!
At this moment, the Black Iron level players who stayed up all night have already assembled in front of the temple in Feilengcui.
Under Li Mu's command, they lined up on both sides, waiting for Alice and others, as well as other players who had taken the main quest, like two rows of troops ready for inspection.
When Alice and the Oak Guardian Berserker arrived in Feilengcui surrounded by other players, this was the scene they witnessed.
First, the Elf Girl looked at them in surprise, then reached out her hand, caressing the stele in the ruins whose inscriptions had already blurred, her expression both sorrowful and relieved:
"Feilengcui... we, we have returned."
Seeing Alice and Berserker, Li Mu, who had already greeted the other players, quickly signaled everyone with his eyes.
The players looked at each other and then shouted in unison:
"Welcome, Holy Daughter and Oak Guardian, to Feilengcui! We have met the expectations, successfully reclaimed the sacred land from the evil Goblins! We are here for the Goddess's inspection!"
Their voices were very neat and loud, obviously rehearsed in advance.
Startled, Alice couldn't help but reach out her hand, covering her slightly agape mouth, incredulously looking at these familiar yet unfamiliar Chosen Ones.
It must be said, in this moment, Alice felt somewhat moved.
They... they...
Did they also have moments of such sincerity?
Seeing the genuine smiles on the Chosen Ones' faces, Alice did not doubt that their spirits were equally elated.
At this moment, the girl's expression gradually softened.
"Thank you, brave Chosen Ones."
She pinched her skirt, deeply bowed to the players, her voice slightly choked.
Regardless, they are also warriors chosen by the Goddess...
Perhaps they have their flaws, perhaps they often take actions that are incomprehensible...
But equally, they can also become trustworthy partners!
At this moment, Alice's view of the Chosen Ones changed.
[ding——]
[Alice Wind's favorability towards you increased by 40 points...]
[Berserker's favorability towards you increased by 40 points...]
Instantly, all the saluting players received the system notification.
Seeing the system's prompt, all the players' eyes brightened, while their expressions gradually became contemplative.
However, suddenly, an excited and surprised voice emerged from the crowd, breaking the somewhat touching atmosphere:
"Holy shit! Brother Mu, you're amazing! You really increased the favorability of the Miss and the big guy!"
Li Mu: ...
All the players turned their heads back, glaring harshly at the source of the voice.
Alice and Berserker were also drawn by the voice and immediately spotted the face that didn't seem like a good person's, along with that sly smile.
It was Demacia.
The expressions of the two slowly cooled.
[ding——your favorability with Berserker decreased by 40 points, reaching "Dislike"]
[ding——your favorability with Alice Wind decreased by 40 points, reaching "Loathe"]
In an instant, new system notifications emerged in Demacia's view.
Watching the system bar, his smile gradually faded.