Chapter 306 - 120: Mom, It’s Time to Drop Gold Coins

The legacy of a Moon Priestess was one of the highest Caster inheritances of the Ancient Elf civilization. It encompassed numerous mystical domains, including moonlight, nature, and the soul, making its value incalculable.

If Sea Song could receive its true teachings, her future potential would be boundless. For Lakefront Town, it would mean gaining another firm pillar of support.

This "apology" certainly seemed sincere enough.

He also remembered that Sea Song hailed from the Tide Chanting Clan. Since the tides themselves fell under the Moon Goddess's domain, there wasn't even a conflict of faith.

Lynch hurriedly bowed deeply again, his voice overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you, Mother. It is Sea Song's good fortune to have earned your favor, and an honor for our Lakefront Town. I will be sure to press her to study diligently."

He called her "Mother" so naturally and smoothly, you would never guess he was the same person who had just been pointing a finger in her face, calling her an "old hag" and an "old creep."

At these words, "Sea Song's" delicate body trembled violently, and the silver light in her eyes wavered erratically.

After a pause of several seconds, she finally spoke with some awkwardness. "Uh, you... can you please not bring that up again?"

She really wasn't used to this feeling of suddenly becoming a mother.

"I'm serious, Mother," Lynch said with a solemn expression, his eyes full of sincerity. His voice took on an ethereal tone. "Perhaps... this is the Moon Goddess guiding us from the shadows?"

"Otherwise, why would you lie dormant in these ruins for millennia, only for me to happen upon the core component of a Teleportation Gate at this exact moment?"

"Why is Sea Song, a descendant with the blood of High Elves, right here by my side? All of these coincidences... aren't they the arrangement of fate? A destiny woven from moonlight?"

He had managed to spin a whole narrative of "fate" and "the Goddess's guidance."

Hearing this, the Moon Priestess's eyes grew distant.

'It's true, there are too many coincidences.'

'The core of the Teleportation Gate used for the escape from the Moon Shadow Sanctuary was lost to the outside world, yet this human boy just happened to find it. And he even managed to successfully construct the gate.'

'The girl I attached a sliver of my consciousness to, Sea Song, happens to be a descendant of the Elf Race's royal family. Her disposition is good, too—good enough to inherit my legacy as a Moon Priestess.'

'And this boy... though he's slick and cunning, his principles and character are surprisingly in line with my own values. He's even fighting against the forces of Yenogu, one of the Abyssal Fangs...'

'Could it be...'

'Could all of this truly be the guidance of Her Majesty Elune, who has been missing for so long? Did she send him to redeem me, a lonely soul lost in the river of time?'

Once this thought took root, it sent unstoppable ripples across the ancient lake of her heart.

Without realizing it, the resistance in her heart had already begun to fade.

When she looked at Lynch again, although she still found him thick-skinned and full of schemes, he also seemed...

...rather handsome!?

After a moment of silence, she surprisingly didn't object to his form of address and instead turned to business. "Lynch, there are indeed some things I need your help with."

"Please, speak, Mother." Lynch immediately took half a step forward, his back ramrod straight, striking the pose of a filial son ready to go through hell and high water. "Whatever you command, even if I must climb a mountain of daggers or plunge into a sea of fire, this child will not hesitate!"

His declaration was sonorous and deeply moving.

The Moon Priestess glanced at him, not indicating whether she believed him, and stated directly, "I need you to help me find several items. They are crucial for restoring my power and stabilizing my soul. Additionally, my people have some secrets and regrets that must be dealt with to prevent the Abyss or other evil forces from taking advantage of them."

She paused, her tone growing more serious. "However, your current strength is far too weak. The dangers in those places are well beyond your imagination."

Hearing the three words "far too weak," an expression of deep shame instantly appeared on Lynch's face. "Mother's lesson is correct! This child knows he is poor and weak. Every time I think about my inability to quickly relieve your burdens, Mother, I lose all appetite and sleep. My heart aches with grief!"

He put extra emphasis on the words "poor" and "weak," and combined with his grief-stricken expression, his meaning couldn't have been more obvious.

No matter how gentle or "naive" the Moon Priestess's personality might be, she was still a Legend-rank Priest who had once presided over a Divine Hall. With her vast experience, how could she fail to understand his underlying meaning?

In an instant, the daze that the "Goddess's guidance" had induced in her heart largely dissipated.

'The slick, cunning boy I know is back!'

But she didn't get angry. Instead, she felt that in today's complex and treacherous world, a person like Lynch might be the only one who could truly help her.

Otherwise, possessing only a noble character and great power, without knowing how to be flexible or how to ask for what you need, would make it impossible to get anywhere. The Elf Race of old had, to some extent, suffered precisely because of this failing.

After a brief moment of thought, she said, "I can grant you limited access to a portion of the outer regions of the Moon Shadow Sanctuary. You may also collect any leftover materials there that you might find useful."

The meaning was clear: she was giving him a piece of territory to use as a safe zone and base, while also letting him pick through the "trash."

"Thank you for your grace, Mother!" Lynch bowed again, practically weeping with gratitude.

This was a tangible benefit.

The right to partially use an ancient Legend's sanctuary was of incalculable value if leveraged correctly.

'Never mind anything else, the "trash" alone is enough for me to make a fortune!'

But he, quite clearly, was not satisfied with just this.

Soon, he put on a troubled expression and sighed. "Alas, Mother, you are far too good to this child. It's just... there is another matter that weighs on this child's heart, a worry that haunts me day and night and denies me any peace."

"What is it?" The Moon Priestess's brow furrowed slightly.

"It's that damned Gnoll king, Yenogu." Lynch wore an expression of deep-seated hatred, gritting his teeth. "You saw it yourself. To kill me, he didn't hesitate to spawn an Abyssal Demon. His methods are despicable and shameless, utterly without honor."

"This child's strength is far too meager. Although I have some Undead under my command, I am simply no match for an existence on that level."

"I'm just afraid he'll shamelessly send an even stronger subordinate to assassinate me one day... If this child were to unfortunately perish, wouldn't I be unable to ease your burdens or serve by your side?"

He gazed at the Moon Priestess with pleading eyes, his tone pitiably sincere. "I wonder... might Mother have any powerful, life-saving trump cards? Or perhaps a treasure or some Magic that can counter Abyssal Demons, which you could temporarily bestow upon this child for self-defense? This child will forever remember your grace, Mother, and strive to grow stronger so that I may retrieve what you need as soon as possible!"

His true intentions were revealed.

This was one of Lynch's real goals after all that beating around the bush.

It was no joke. When facing an Abyss Demon Lord like Yenogu who fought dirty, one more trump card meant a greater chance of survival.

Ever since he had used up the Hellfire in that pendant, he had felt unsettled and was desperate to get another life-saving trump card.

This "Mother" before him was an ancient Legend. Even if only a remnant of her soul remained, she was sitting on top of an entire ruin. Anything that slipped through her fingers would be more than enough for him to benefit from for a lifetime.

Hearing this, the Moon Priestess was genuinely angered.

The boy was truly insatiable. Give him an inch, and he'd take a mile.

She had just granted him a safe zone and the right to scavenge, and he hadn't done a single thing for her yet. Now, he was already turning around to demand more benefits.

But before she could even open her mouth...

As if guessing her reaction, Lynch suddenly waved to the little Vampire, Esther. "Esther! What are you spacing out for? You've got no sense at all. Hurry up and come down here to greet your grandmother!"

Esther: "...Huh?"

The little Vampire tilted her head, a giant question mark seemingly hovering in her crimson eyes.

Grandmother!?

What's that? Can you eat it?

The Moon Priestess: "..."

She was utterly frozen.

For a moment, even the moonlight flowing in her eyes seemed to freeze. Her cool, noble face was filled with a dazed, blank expression.

She still hadn't fully adapted to having a son...

And now, in the blink of an eye... she had a granddaughter, too?

'Isn't this "family" expanding... a little too quickly?!'

...