Orion walked into the room and gently laid Queen Selene on the bed. He carefully removed the blanket from her body and adjusted the bedsheets to cover her properly.
Once he finished, Crystalia climbed onto the bed and settled in, pulling the bedsheet over herself as well.
Crystalia turned her attention to Orion. "You can go on and continue with your day. I'll stay here and take care of her until she awakens," she said.
Orion nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'll return in the evening to check up on the two of you," he responded.
Crystalia nodded back and watched as Orion left the room. She then settled comfortably on the bed, embracing Queen Selene, and drifted off to sleep.
…....…
The Village
Village Chief's compound
Orion landed before the Village Chief's compound and exchanged pleasantries with the two guards before proceeding inside. He swiftly approached the second hut, where the Village Chief's workplace was located and entered without hesitation.
He lightly tapped his knuckles against the door, awaiting the Village Chief's acknowledgement.
"Enter!" The Village Chief's voice echoed from within.
Pushing the door open, Orion stepped into the room. His gaze swept over Thak and the Village Chieftess Zara before settling on the Village Chief seated behind his desk.
Orion greeted the Village Chief before doing the same to Thak and the Village Chieftess Zara.
The Village Chief and the others reciprocated his gesture.
"Orion, what brings you here?" The Village Chief asked curiously.
He hadn't expected Orion's visit to the Village this morning and speculated that it must be related to the previous night's events.
"I've come to share an idea that I believe could aid in taking care of the potential four-star Vylkr vines," Orion responded.
Upon hearing Orion's words, the Village Chief and the others' expressions turned solemn.
"Please, have a seat and tell us what you know," the Village Chief said, gesturing to the empty spot beside the Village Chieftess and Thak.
Orion took a seat and began to explain his plan. He detailed his conversation with Aerialia from the previous day, discussing the option of burning the dead forest and the potential repercussions.
Also, he suggested organising multiple groups of warriors to search the areas where he had previously encountered strange occurrences.
After Orion finished explaining, they all wore contemplative expressions.
"I believe we should only resort to burning the dead forest as a last resort, given its consequences. However, organising multiple groups of warriors to search your identified areas is a viable approach. I'll notify Stronghold Leader Zogar and Seth to accompany you when you're ready, considering the gravity of the situation we're currently facing," the Village Chief said with seriousness.
"After I've delegated some of the Village affairs to Thak and the Village Chieftess, along with preparing for the upcoming festival, which will occur in a week, I'll turn my attention to the potential four-star Vylkr vines and address any reports related to them," he added.
Upon hearing the Village Chief's plans, Orion nodded in understanding.
"Are there any other matters you'd like to discuss?" the Village Chief asked.
Orion nodded, "I won't be available tomorrow as I'll be meeting with the Guardians of the Garden," he responded.
Upon hearing that Orion would meet with the Guardians of the Garden, the Village Chief and the others wore surprised expressions. While they had visited the Garden a few times due to its similarities to the farm and had met the Guardians of the Garden, they were only on friendly terms with them and didn't know them personally. They were genuinely curious about why Orion would be meeting with them.
However, they all understood Orion's connection to the Garden and assumed it was personal, so they kept their questions to themselves.
"Alright, we'll wait for you to join us when you're done. For now, I'd like to know what you did with the Devourer's bracelet and the divine artefact," the Village Chief said.
Orion nodded in response, then explained his decision to give Seraphina the Devourer's bracelet, hoping she could recreate it. He also mentioned that it might aid her in experimenting with the potential four-star Vylkr vine. Also, he mentioned his plan to take Solara's Divine Eye to Aegis of the Arctic Deity for examination since he was a god and would know more about a divine artefact.
Since only he could meet with Aegis of the Arctic Deity, Orion had to fabricate an excuse to conceal the divine artefact.
"I agree that giving Seraphina the Devourer's bracelet is the best action for now. Also, please inform me of any important information you receive from Aegis of the Arctic Deity," the Village Chief replied.
Orion nodded in understanding. "Okay, Chief," he responded.
"Is there anything else that you would like to inform me about," the Village Chief asked.
Orion shook his head in response, "No. I'll be taking my leave now, Chief," he replied.
"Alright, I'll see you later," the Village Chief responded.
Orion nodded in acknowledgement. He rose and bid farewell to the Village Chief and the others before exiting the room.
Stepping out of the hut, Orion strode through the Village Chief's compound and headed toward the farm to visit Grace, Anara, and his other tree nymph partners.
…....….
Patriarch Rylan's Residence
Patriarch Rylan sat opposite Isadora, Lyndon, Leona, and the other gods' chosen in the main room.
"Do they all sense the same thing?" Patriarch Rylan asked.
"Yes, they're all experiencing the same sensation of a whisper urging them in a particular direction. It intensified after they had consumed the fruits," Leona responded, her expression grave as she awaited Patriarch Rylan's reaction.
Patriarch Rylan let out a deep sigh. "I had a hunch this might occur, but I expected it would take days if not weeks," he responded.
"What do you mean, Father?" Isadora asked, her confusion evident as she awaited Patriarch Rylan's explanation.
"It's your ears; aside from their innate ability to interpret the language of magical beasts and spirits, which we use as glyphs, they're also tuned to the whispers of the trees and the natural world."
