The party slowly approached the green-robed mages. The latter were standing around the Deer of Life with sparkling eyes, some even directly kneeling down in worship. Meanwhile the snow-white dear sat on the ground, still recovering from the void corruption.
Suddenly the elven mage the party had already talked to before stepped forward and blocked the players:
"Adventurers! Our alliance is deeply grateful for your help. But please, don't approach the Deer of Life for now. She needs to rest."
"But why are you allowed to approach?", asked Cyclone, somewhat annoyed at being blocked.
"We are the faithful followers of all Deer of Life!"
The green-robed mage spoke righteously but her explanation didn't really justify anything. Cyclone scrunched her nose, just about to continue arguing when Silver Blade spoke first:
"Of course we will not disturb the celestial beast's rest. We just came to say our goodbyes."
"Thank you for your understanding, adventurer. It is our luck to have met you. Here, take these as reward for your hard work."
"Waa!"
Just as the elven mage was about to hand over a pouch filled with coins, the Deer of Life suddenly let out a low cry. Her fur shone in a gorgeous white sheen. An invisible magic wave spread from it, falling on the players, filling them with vital strength.
Immediately all the mages threw their bodies to the ground, praying towards the Deer of Life, looking as if they had witnessed a miracle.
The players were standing there puzzledly for a few seconds before the elven mage stood up again.
"Adventurers! You have been blessed by the Deer of Life! What an uncredible honour!"
"Yeah… we still need our reward though…"
"Of course, of course. From now on you will be the most prestigious guest of our alliance! We would never withhold what should be rightfully yours!"
Saying so the green-robed mage finally handed over the pouch. Cyclone could have sworn that it had become even thicker than before, scoffing inwardly.
Silver Blade grabbed the coins and with that the quest was finally completed.
[Quest: Save the deer of life from void corruption; Completed!]
[Receive 12.300EXP]
[Receive 7 Gold]
[Receive 1500 relationship with Alliance of the Deer of Life]
[Receive blessing of the Deer of Life (maximum HP + 750)]
[The juvenile celestial beast has been saved, and the Alliance of the Deer of Life regards you in high honour, ready to fulfil any request. Now you only need to be able to find them…]
[Congratulations! Your relationship with the Alliance of the Deer of Life has passed 1000 points. Their view of you has changed to 'friendly'!]
The notification dazzled the players for a moment, but it didn't stop there. With the single fight two other quests also updated. On top of that, Liam, Fortune, and Quickstep reached level 49, having even more notifications to deal with. The others were somewhat envious as the quest was only enough to push them towards the top of level 48.
Cyclone was annoyed that the party didn't advance simultaneously, clamouring that they had to go levelling without Bleary Mirage, Fortune, and Quickstep, in order to quickly catch up.
Her words sparked an amusing discussion among the friends as they finally left the crater. The mages had already retracted the barrier, opening a way out. Thus, the players returned to the path. Cyclone wore a joyous grin as she hurried her friends. Soon, they stood on top of a protruding rock facing Meyhran.
"Old man! We are back!"
"Ahh, adventurers. I haven't heard any tremors in a while. You are really my saviours. Thank you very much."
"No need, no need. If you have something to do for us, you can always say so! We will drop everything and come to your aid!"
"Haha, this is nice to hear. But what could an old man like me need? I just want a quiet sleep and I am already happy."
"Alright…"
Cyclone shrugged her shoulders. She never expected her attempt at getting another quest to work but it was worth a try. Now she was almost unable to sit still form the anticipation, her eyes constantly wandering to Meyhran's bag.
"Adventurers, thank you for your aid. Here, take this as your reward. It is a treasure map I have made myself after coming across a treasure of such value that even I have rarely seen something comparable."
Meyhran showed a kind smile as he held out a piece of parchment. But Cyclone didn't grab it. Her body was frozen as she considered whether her ears had played a trick on her.
Surely, Meyhran wouldn't only give them a treasure map as a reward, right? After all, which treasure could compare with the opportunity of pulling items from the old man's bag?
Seeing that Cyclone didn't move, Liam rolled his eyes. He stepped forward and quickly took the treasure map. Cyclone snapped out of her daze, trying to block Liam's hand but it was already too late.
"No… Mirage, we could have negotiated."
Liam rolled his eyes using the treasure map to hit Cyclone's head.
"Hey!"
"Cy, what's there to negotiate? Didn't you listen to what Meyhran said just now?"
"You mean… about the value of the treasure?"
"Exactly. A treasure which can be praised by the old man who has seen the whole world. You can imagine its preciousness, right?"
"Ouh… well, maybe you're right."
Cyclone let out a sigh as she took a step back. Her eyes still found the worn-out, old bag. Although a treasure hunt was fun as well, it couldn't compare to drawing from the bag.
However, Cyclone was the only one who thought so. The others were mostly looking forward to the treasure hunt. Especially Balm was rearing to go immediately.
Unfortunately, the party didn't have much time left. Thus, they quickly bad farewell to Meyhran.
"Bye old man! I hope to see you again soon!"
"Adventurer, we will meet again if fate wills it. But now it is time for me to get a good sleep."
The friends waved at the old man before going back down towards the path. They hadn't taken many steps when the ground beneath their feet suddenly trembled.
"Again?!"
Liam and his friends exchanged incredulous looks. But Cyclone immediately jumped in joy. Wasn't this an opportunity to get another reward from Meyhran?
Just as the young woman wanted to drag her friends back to meet the old man, Watchful Eye suddenly pointed towards the top of the surrounding mountains, alerting the others solemnly:
"Look over there! Another beast!"
Everyone followed his finger and suddenly froze in place. Not far away on the slope of the mountain stood a truly celestial beast. A Deer of Life with pristinely white fur shimmering slightly with green streaks. It was taller than the surrounding trees, exuding a majestic and mythical presence. Its vast antlers looked translucent, sparkling in the sun.
The deer's hazel eyes carried a profound might which easily drew everyone staring at them in. Luckily the deer didn't care about the players, instead looking in the direction of the crater. It tapped lightly on the ground, its movements extremely elegant. But as the deer left the ground and floated through the air, the mountain trembled as if it could barely hold on.
The scene was naturally also observed by the alliance's mages. They rose to the air, carefully carrying the juvenile deer on a bed of roots. After a second, they stopped and prostrated themselves in the air, not daring to get closer to the mature beast.
The latter held his head high, overlooking the mages with barely any concern. However, his eyes softened somewhat when they fell on the juvenile deer. The parent let out a low cry which reverberated through the mountains. The child answered and they began to communicate in their own way.
But just then an annoyed shout sounded out:
"Can't an old man catch some sleep?!"
Immediately the scene fell silent, and all eyes fell on Meyhran. Cyclone felt her heart skip a beat.
[Cyclone: Is that old man crazy?? If he dies here, where will we get such great quests from in the future?!]
[Bleary Mirage: Don't worry. Mehyran knows what he is doing.]
[Watchful Eye: Is he really so powerful…?]
As the players discussed secretly the mature deer slowly turned his head, his eyes brimming with anger. Whoever dared to disturb his reunion with his daughter had to be suicidal. He let out a low roar and focused his eyes on Meyhran.
But suddenly the mature deer froze in place. The players felt as if its fur paled, if this was somehow possible. The deer opened his mouth in what looked like an ugly smile and bowed its head a few times. Next a bunch of roots appeared in front of it, forming a portal to an unknown location.
The parent deer grabbed his daughter by the neck and jumped through the portal as if escaping, leaving behind the incredulous alliance mages. They had hoped for some form of recognition but their object of worship… suddenly fled.