The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

Chapter 528: Holy Crap, Indeed

It was a warm and sunny clearing in the forest.

The trees here weren’t as ancient and gigantic as the old trees in the Tegor Forest, nor as dreamlike as the glowing trees in the Elven Homeland, but ordinary trees, exuding a peaceful tranquility.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, creating beams of light that danced in the clearing.

Fairies still flitted about, but not as excitedly as before, seemingly enjoying the tranquility of the forest.

In the center of this scene stood a temple.

“Is that the Temple of the Goddess of Nature?”

Shien looked at the temple.

At first, Shien thought it wasn’t a temple, but a ruin.

Because it didn’t have a magnificent exterior or excessive decorations, but looked like a ruin, with ancient stone walls and a massive stone gate.

Tree roots and vines entwined around the walls and the gate.

Besides the roots and vines, the only decorations on the temple’s stone walls and gate were some mysterious patterns.

Shien glanced at them and realized they seemed to depict the history of the Elven Race.

For example, there was an elf resembling a queen, sitting on a throne, with many elves bowing before her.

For example, there was a goddess-like figure descending from the sky, with elves worshipping below.

And there were also fairies, growing slowly as they danced, a depiction of their evolution into elves.

This temple truly looked like a ruin.

There was even a plaza around the ruin.

Shien and his group arrived at the plaza, facing the temple gate.

“…”

Sophie, Leia, Nia, and Melika remained silent.

They were praying, their faces pious, bowing towards the temple.

Shien, the only human present, touched his nose as he watched this scene.

He didn’t bow towards the temple like Sophie and the others.

He wasn’t as awed by or faithful to gods as the people of this world.

Moreover, he had never met the Goddess of Nature, only heard rumors and received two revelations from her. It was natural for him not to bow.

Sophie and the others didn’t ask Shien to do so either. After their prayers, they stood up.

“The temples of the Elven Race are different from those of other humans.”

Sophie suddenly said.

“We prefer natural simplicity over luxurious exteriors and decorations.”

Therefore, elven temples weren’t as focused on appearances as the temples outside, but more on natural changes.

That’s why the Temple of the Goddess of Nature looked like an ancient ruin.

“This temple has a history of at least tens of thousands of years, built by the first elves and used until now.”

Sophie’s tone was filled with pride as she spoke of this history.

“Because it has never been rebuilt and has retained its original appearance, this temple is known as the oldest and most historic temple in the human world.”

What Shien was seeing now was the oldest temple in the world, the most historic building.

“This temple is also rarely used. Only when a new elf is born are they brought here to be blessed by a goddess of the Divine Race.”

And the birth of an elf took a long time, so this temple was usually closed, sometimes used once every few decades, sometimes once every few centuries, and sometimes even once every thousand years.

This showed how rarely this temple was used.

“No wonder this place feels so deserted.” Shien said, then asked curiously, “But aren’t there any priests here for maintenance?”

“No.” Sophie said naturally, “We elves don’t have dedicated priests working in temples like humans, nor do we have saintesses and priests acting on behalf of the gods like beastmen. Because we’re secluded and rarely use temples.”

Therefore, there was no need to have people stationed here.

“Usually, when this temple is needed, the members of the Elven Corps will come and handle it. They are also responsible for maintaining and repairing it, coming here once every ten years or so.”

Sophie’s words made Shien fully understand the difference in the elves’ and humans’ perception of time.

For elves, maintenance and repairs once every ten years was probably equivalent to humans doing it every few months.

Considering how rarely it was used, maintenance every few months wasn’t too infrequent.

“Of course, those elves who have fallen in love also choose to come here, spending the rest of their lives with the Goddess of Nature.” Sophie said meaningfully, “They usually live in the temple, similar to human monks and nuns.”

Shien was a little surprised.

So, every elf who fell in love would choose to become a monk or nun after returning to the Elven Homeland?

Holy crap.

Just what kind of amazing race were the elves? So devoted?

Thinking of this, Shien recalled Melika’s previous words.

This little girl seemed to have also said that she wanted to silently stay by his side and then return to the Elven Homeland, living out the rest of her life peacefully like those elves who had fallen in love.

So, this girl also wanted to become a nun?

Shien couldn’t help but turn his head and stare at Melika.

Melika noticed and looked away, embarrassed and a little guilty.

Seriously…

“I say, Melika,” Shien said with a smile, “don’t do that, okay?”

It wasn’t a suggestion, but a warning.

Shien’s smile told Melika that if she dared to do that, he would dare to tear down this temple.

“I-I won’t…”

Melika replied in a low voice, flustered and nervous.

Before this, Melika did have such thoughts.

But now, she no longer dared to think that way.

Her love, with Shien’s actions, could no longer be as simple and melancholic as that of her predecessors.

Although Melika didn’t know if this was a good thing.

After all, Shien was human, and she was an elf. The difference in their lifespans was still there.

In the end, Melika might have to watch Shien grow old and die.

If that happened, it might be even more tragic than the stories of her predecessors.

But since Shien had said he would find a way to resolve this, Melika could only trust him.

After all, Shien was the Hero, an unprecedented Hero who was on good terms with the Dragon Demon, protected by the Divine Race, and had connections no one else could match.

Such a Shien might truly have a way to solve the problem of his lifespan.

Melika could only hope for this.

“That’s good.”

Shien nodded with satisfaction.

Sophie saw all of this.

(There’s definitely something going on between these two.)

The Elven Queen made her judgment and felt a little worried.

It was a natural worry.

Elven love stories rarely had happy endings, and Melika seemed to be heading down a dangerous path. Sophie couldn’t help but be concerned.

Especially now that something seemed to have changed in Melika, causing her magic power to surge, reaching a level comparable to her own. This made Sophie pay even more attention to Melika, naturally worrying about her.

(I’ll have a good talk with Melika later.)

Sophie made this decision, then composed herself and continued speaking to Shien.

“The Goddess of Nature has decreed to see Viscount Buztout and Melika in the temple.” Sophie looked at the two of them. “How about it? Do you want to go in now?”

Shien and Melika looked at each other.

Melika’s face was filled with nervousness, her hand trembling as she gripped her staff.

Even now, Melika was still doubtful.

“S-someone like me… can really be summoned by the Goddess of Nature?”

Melika’s anxiety had reached its peak.

“You…” Shien chuckled. “It’s just a meeting, not a fight. Relax.”

“Don’t… don’t say it like that!” Melika was startled by Shien’s words.

Shien, unfazed, took Melika’s hand and looked at Sophie.

“Can we go in now?”

Shien asked Sophie.

“Yes.” Sophie nodded. “The people in the temple have already left. You can go in anytime.”

“Good.” Shien said without hesitation, “Then let’s go in now.”

Sophie smiled and immediately stepped aside with Leia and Nia.

“Let’s go, Melika.”

Shien tightened his grip on Melika’s hand.

“…Yes!”

Melika took a few deep breaths and nodded firmly.

Shien and Melika, hand in hand, walked towards the temple.

“Rumble…”

The temple gate opened automatically with a heavy sound.

Shien and Melika slowly walked in.

Sophie and the others watched them, not leaving for a long time.