bookbashuk Chapter 24 A Night of Drunkenness 1
Chapter 24 A Night of Drunkenness 1
On the way back to Silver Dew Village from the Sky Tree, the atmosphere was completely different from when we arrived.
General Soaring Sky was clearly in a great mood. It carried Lynn through the clouds, sometimes swooping down, sometimes circling, and even doing a somersault in the air.
"Brother! The ancient tree is a blessing!"
Do you know what this means?
The eagle's voice remained clear amidst the wind: "In the legends of the eagle race, the last being to receive the blessing of the Ancient Tree of Heaven later became the Elf King!"
Lynn managed to say with difficulty, "That's just a legend..."
"The legends are all true!" General Chongtian said excitedly.
"And you're a prophet! A dual identity!"
"Legend has it that a prophet either saves the world or guides it."
"From now on, I'll follow you, and I'll definitely live a life of luxury!"
Lynn was both amused and exasperated.
When we returned to Silver Dew Village, it was nearly dusk.
The entire settlement was in an uproar upon learning that Lynn had successfully received the blessing of the Ancient Tree of the Sky.
For the wood elves of the Silver Dew tribe, the Sky Tree is a symbol of faith and an embodiment of nature.
In their elven culture, beings capable of awakening ancient trees and receiving blessings are almost synonymous with children of nature.
That was an incomparably noble existence.
Elune personally greeted them at the settlement entrance.
When she saw the three Fruits of Life in Lynn's hand, radiating an emerald luster.
Even this usually composed King-level Druid showed a rare expression of surprise.
"Three?"
Elune's voice was filled with disbelief: "The Ancient Tree of the Sky has not bestowed such a generous gift for hundreds of years."
"Here's one for you, esteemed Elder Elune. Perhaps it will help you connect with nature."
Lynn respectfully offered a fruit of life.
This item is worth using to increase Elune's favorability.
Even if I can't become a disciple of Chong in the future, it would be great to be able to latch onto someone's coattails.
Elune did not refuse; it was indeed helpful to her.
Take the fruit.
The moment the fruit touched my hand, its energy slowly seeped into my body.
The natural aura emanating from Elune seemed to have become stronger.
"Tonight, the settlement will hold a celebratory feast for you, to celebrate the awakening of the Ancient Tree of the Sky and the arrival of new friends in nature," Elune whispered.
"After the celebration, come to my treehouse and I will personally perform the Druid initiation ceremony for you." Elune's tone was unusually cheerful, as if she was happy to have gained a highly promising channel for studying nature.
Ok.
Lynn was used to it.
Elune is like that.
I am only interested in the way of nature.
Upon entering the settlement, Lynn saw the busy figures of the Wood Elf community.
The glowing mushrooms were moved around the open space, emitting a soft glow.
A long table was moved out of the treehouse and covered with a tablecloth embroidered with vine patterns.
A variety of forest specialties are served on the table—glistening berries, golden-roasted mushrooms, honey-preserved nuts, steamed river fish…
Old Abel was also invited to attend.
The old hunter changed into a clean fur coat, though he remained simple in appearance.
"Father, you look to be in good spirits."
Leah took old Abel's arm and said softly.
"Of course," old Abel grinned.
The banquet officially began as the moon rose.
Without any elaborate rituals, the elves naturally sat around the long table, sharing food and talking softly.
Several young wood elves played xylophones and leaf flutes, and melodious music flowed through the forest.
Vera walked over carrying a crystal bottle.
The bottle contained a pale golden liquid.
"This is Moon Dew Brew." Vera poured a small cup for each person.
"It is made by fermenting the unique moonflower nectar of the Silver Dew Village with morning dew and thirty-three kinds of forest berries."
Lynn took the cup and sniffed it lightly—
The aroma is delicate and elegant, with a sweet fragrance of flowers and fruits and a hint of alcohol.
The banquet began.
"To the birth of the Child of Nature." Elune raised her glass first.
Everyone raised their glasses.
Lynn drank the wine in his glass.
It has a sweet taste upon entry, with the coolness of morning dew and the fragrance of flowers and fruits, and you can hardly taste the wine.
But a moment later, a gentle warmth spread from my stomach, making me feel relaxed all over.
It seems to have a certain degree of sensitivity.
The atmosphere at the banquet was relaxed and pleasant.
The elves conversed in hushed tones, occasionally punctuated by soft laughter.
Lynn noticed that although Elune maintained her dignified posture, a faint blush had appeared on her fair cheeks after drinking the third cup of Moon Dew.
Those usually clear, mirror-like emerald eyes were now veiled with a hazy, watery sheen.
At this moment, she...
It has lost some of its usual aloofness and distance, and gained a gentler warmth.
"Mr. Lynn, I raise a glass to you to welcome you to the Way of Nature," Elune said, her voice much softer than usual.
"I have been inspired by nature, and joining the way of nature is simply returning home for me." Lynn raised his glass and drank it all.
Elune also drank it all, but her movements were a little more casual than before.
A few drops of wine slid down her lips, down her fair neck, and into her collar.
Lynn looked away.
Just as Elune was about to speak further, Vera approached her with a smile: "Aunt Elune, everyone wants to take this opportunity to toast you and thank you for your continued contributions to the settlement."
Behind Vera, a group of elves looked on with anticipation in their eyes.
Elune doesn't seem to have much experience with this kind of occasion.
The elves didn't seem to have much sense of etiquette when it came to drinking, and Elune, unable to refuse their hospitality, agreed to their request.
And so, the toasting began.
The first elf stepped forward, offered some words of blessing, and Elune raised her cup and drank it all.
The second, the third...
When the eighth elf offered a toast, Elune's movements became noticeably slower.
"Vera, I feel a little dizzy." Elune's fair face was now noticeably flushed, and her voice was unusually soft.
"Auntie is tired. I'll arrange for someone to take you back to rest." Vera could tell that Elune was really drunk, so she arranged for two elven girls to help Elune leave.
Lynn nodded, watching Vera help the unsteady Elune slowly leave.
The atmosphere at the banquet grew increasingly lively.
But Leah hesitated as she looked at the golden liquid in the glass.
"Little sister Leah, you can try it, it's very sweet," Vera encouraged.
Under Lynn's encouraging gaze, Leah carefully took a small sip.
The initial taste is rich in honey and fruit flavors, with almost no spiciness from the alcohol.
Only after swallowing did a warm sensation spread from the throat to the stomach.
"It tastes good."
Leah's eyes brightened slightly, and she took another sip.
"Lia, drink slowly. Even though it's fruit wine, it still has an aftereffect," Lynn reminded her.
Leah nodded obediently, but the cup in her hand had unknowingly been emptied again.
Vera smiled and refilled her glass: "It seems Sister Leah likes it. This wine is indeed very suitable for girls."
The elves began to dance—not with the complex steps of humans, but by swaying their bodies naturally to the music, like trees swaying in the wind, light and graceful.
Vera was pulled into dancing by several elven girls.
The silver-haired elf was a little embarrassed at first, but surrounded by her companions, she gradually relaxed.
Her dance moves were elegant and graceful; every turn and every gesture was full of natural rhythm.
Lynn was somewhat lost in thought.
In his previous life in the game, he had also seen Vera dance.
It was during an elven festival, and as Elune's disciple, he was also qualified to participate in the festival.
Vera danced in the moonlight like that, breathtakingly beautiful.
"elder brother."
Leah's voice pulled him back to reality.
The girl had already drunk three cups of Moon Dew Brew without anyone noticing. Her platinum-gray cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, and her eyes were misty with moisture.
She was already delicate, but she looked even more delicate than usual.
"Lia, you've had too much to drink." Lynn reached out to take her glass away.
Leah clutched the cup to her chest, saying, "No, it's not much... it's just a little hot..."
She was indeed a little hot.
It wasn't just because of the alcohol, but also because—she saw the way her brother looked at Vera earlier.
That focused, appreciative gaze, as if she were the only person in the world.
Leah felt down.
She took another sip of wine, this time too quickly, and choked, coughing.
"Slower."
Lynn patted her back gently, her tone both helpless and indulgent.
This action made Leah even more confused.
My brother's hands are so warm.
My brother's tone was so gentle.
But...
But he was looking at Vera with the same eyes just now...
"elder brother."
Leah suddenly looked up, her platinum-gray eyes staring straight at Lynn: "Sister Vera...isn't she beautiful?"
Lynn was taken aback: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
"I just want to know," Leah said stubbornly.
Her voice was slightly slurred from the alcohol: "Brother, do you think... Vera is prettier, or am I prettier?"
Lynn chuckled: "They all look good."
"Vera possesses the beauty of an elf, elegant and ethereal; Leah is..."
He paused, looking at the slightly tipsy and charming girl in front of him, and said softly, "Lia is a unique beauty."
These words made Leah blush even more.
But that little knot in my heart hasn't completely disappeared.
She saw Vera finish her dance and walk towards her.
Fine beads of sweat glistened on the elven girl's forehead, and her slightly disheveled silver hair only added to her vibrant beauty.
"Mr. Lynn, Sister Leah, why aren't you dancing?" Vera asked with a smile.
"I...I don't know how," Leah whispered.
"It's very simple, I'll teach you." Vera naturally extended her hand.
Leah hesitated for a moment, but still placed her hand on it.
Vera led Leah to the center of the open space and patiently taught her the most basic dance steps.
The elven girl's hands were warm and steady, and her voice was as gentle as the wind.
"Like this...yes, follow the rhythm of the music..."
Leah studied very hard, but the alcohol made her body somewhat unresponsive, and she stepped on her own foot several times.
"I'm sorry..." Leah said, sounding somewhat dejected.
"It's okay, it's always like this the first time," Vera comforted her.
Then she turned to Lynn and said, "Mr. Lynn, why don't you lead Leah in dancing? It'll be easier if she has a partner."
Lynn wanted to refuse, but seeing Leah's expectant eyes, he went over anyway.
He took Leah's hand and gently supported her waist with his other hand.
Leah's body stiffened for a moment.
Her brother's hand... was on her waist...
Even through the clothes, the sensation was still clear.
"relax."
Lynn whispered, "Just follow me."
The dance of the fairies.
Lynn had studied this in her previous life.
He led Leah, moving slowly to the rhythm of the music.
The dance steps are very simple, just the most basic left and right steps and rotations.
But Leah's heart was pounding.
Her brother's presence surrounded her.
My brother's hands were warm and strong.
Her brother's eyes... were looking at her.
Everything around me was blurry, only my brother's presence was clear.
At this moment, it seems that Leah's world only consists of her brother.
"Brother..." Lia called softly.
"Um?"
Will you always... stay by my side?
Lynn paused for a moment.
Looking into the cautious anticipation and the hint of unease in Leah's eyes, a soft spot in his heart was touched.
"Yes, I will," he said softly but firmly.
Leah smiled.
That smile was pure and radiant, breathtakingly beautiful under the moonlight.
She didn't see that Vera, not far away, was quietly watching this scene.
The elven girl's lips curved into a gentle smile.
Such feelings are truly beautiful.
The banquet ended.
Leah was already drunk, and Vera took the drunk Leah back to the treehouse.
Lynn was torn.
Should we still contact Elune to continue the inauguration ceremony?