I reached the entrance of Moonshire in record time after avoiding all pests and Travellers who were fighting everywhere. The sounds of steel clashing and beasts howling are still ringing in my ears after leaving the chaotic path.
The full moon along with the twinkling stars gave the night a serene view in this plain field deserted of Travellers. It made me think how barbaric those people act, giving me a worse evaluation on them.
Demons and beasts may not bring any good to humanity, but compared to the ruckus a while ago, I prefer these creatures just roaming around while minding their own lives quietly.
Satisfied with the peacefulness of being alone for a minute, I went inside the cave after dropping my hood.
No signs of any battle so far. Only a few traces of people walking in and out could be seen in this dark pathway. These tracks may come from Williams, who is assigned to harvest Morning Glory every year.
It was only when I stepped out of the darkness did I find any pieces of evidence of a battle.
Used arrows and red stains littered all over the soil. From the looks of it, it was only one person who uses a bow as his or her weapon. There was one spot where almost all arrows were used.
He or she is good based on the number of arrows who have hit the target since almost all have bloodstains on the arrow tip, but still weak enough to not penetrate the target.
I was about to have my alertness at the highest level when I found all of these fresh battle traces. This mysterious person who did all of these did not maintain her mystery for long because I heard a murmur nearby.
"I could all these flowers for a good price."
Looking over, it was a girl saying weird stuff while picking up flowers. She has a bow on her back, so I assume she was the one who killed all the monsters here.
"There's one more?!"
She retreated when I was about to talk to her. Having a better view with the light on her, she was quite appealing for someone who was wearing something worn out although I was not able to observe any further because an arrow was coming at my way.
"It's not normal to shoot people when you meet them."
Her reflexes were noteworthy but still took long enough especially when I was practically giving my presence away.
Grabbing and examining the arrow that she just shot, it was identical to the previous one I found a while ago. So this girl is the one who did all of that. Quite anticlimactic I may say.
"Nothing? I'll get going then."
It seems seeing my face made her freeze from shock. She was a long-haired blonde archer whose appearance does not look like a native of Astrea. I can only remember a number of fellow Children who can rival her beauty. With proper attire, maybe she would have a lot of fans back in the Capital.
But that is not the problem now. Even though I'm the least popular among the Imperial Lords, my image was still all over the cities. Dropping my hood might have been a bad idea especially when I wear my best armour today.
"Wait! Who might this person be?"
I guess not-- Her ignorance seems to be genuine. She does not know about me, an Imperial Lord. Besides Children, I do not know anyone who has not heard or seen the faces of every single one in the King's palace.
Actually, there should be one more group.
"You don't know? You're a Traveller I suppose. How fortunate."
My mission of interviewing a Traveller may not have failed yet. However, I cannot waste my time any further. I stretched my journey here to the limit, any more delays and my strange actions might reach the ears of Isaac.
"Meet me in Opidelhm. I have a lot of questions to ask."
"A quest!?"
"Quest?"
"No, nothing. I'll meet you in Opehelm? Opidhelm?"
"What a strange girl."
Her strange remark threw me off, but having my purpose of coming here done, I was pleased for today. I left her making sure that I would meet her later with a confirmation. Now I got it done, time to settle everything here.
There was a lot of pest along the way, but nothing to be any concerned about. Although, I did remember William told me that there should be nothing in this cave. All of these pests should have found their way somehow.
Not like I care anyway, but I found this a little peculiar especially considering how many strange things happening to me this day.
After a little jog, a ghastly figure appeared in front of me. This strange thing is supposed to be the protector of this flower, but I have no problem with this at all.
Killing this thing is not a good idea because the Morning Glory would be easily snatched if it were not here. It'll take a long time before it produces one again, so I brought a Calming Incense as William told me to do and everything was piece of cake.
Passing through that guardian, I finally found the flower I have been looking for. Its beauty will be difficult not to see because its glasslike petals reflect all the light within this room.
"As expected, this place is freezing cold."
It is difficult to see because of the darkness, but I was walking on frozen soil. My breath produced a small fog every time I walk nearer and nearer the flower. If it were not for my equipment, stepping into this world would be impossible and would only result in death if I did.
Carefully, after wearing the proper gloves, I removed the Morning Glory from the soil making sure that the roots are all intact. A single cut or scratch will immediately wilt the flower, so making a mistake is out of the question.
...
After a slow process, I was able to finally put it in the special case I have bought. Cold sweat ran at my back when I finished the task. This nerve-wracking experience told me that I will never be going to volunteer once again for this thing.
My business in Twilight City is done, so time to head back and report this Morning Glory. This case will only last a day before the flower inside it will start to wilt.
When I was back to where I met that strange Traveller, she was already nowhere to be seen. Traces of her battle have also vanished. She must have cleaned up before she left, what a thoughtful girl.
Since nothing in here interest me anymore, I left and went to the forest where I stationed the Royal Gryphon and leaving then afterwards.