What's wrong with me, a mage, loving to farm?

Chapter 278. May you walk through the shadow of death.

The elven orchestra led the way, harmonizing the rhythm of the earth, followed by the oak trees and apprentices sent by Kroa.

The special magical landscape naturally needed to be monitored and protected, and then developed into various kinds of experimental facilities.

Take, for example, this magical landscape in front of the oak tree.

It was rising white mist, wisps of which formed a gushing spring on the ground, with a semi-transparent light curtain faintly visible inside protecting the white crystal at its core.

"There can't be any mistake."

"This is atmospheric geyser."

The oak tree gently touched the white mist with its branches, and the tender green branches were immediately covered with a layer of frost.

It casually cut off the branch without a second thought, and then another one grew.

The most impressive thing about Orpheus oak is its flexibility.

It can grow freely in any part of its body. As long as it has magic, it can basically live, unless all its branches and roots are burned away in an instant.

After confirming that this was the Atmospheric Fountain, it instructed the apprentices following behind: "The Atmospheric Fountain can produce an atmospheric crystal, which is the main material of the flight scroll."

If you collect enough, you can also ask Kroya's relic crafting team to make you Wings of Light.

Now, let's begin collecting.

The apprentices immediately separated a few people and carefully began to set up an automatic mining machine around the atmospheric spring—it was made from a type of legume.

Its roots are extremely fine and long, and look quite similar to human fingers. After falling to the ground, they begin to penetrate the soil and grow towards the atmospheric spring.

If you could look through the soil, it would look like you were holding the entire spring in your palm.

"What an amazing creation." The oak tree, of course, could see the changes beneath the soil. It exclaimed, "It uses its flexible roots to peel away the elements of magic, and then materializes these elements through its fruit."

Even now, it cannot imagine how Kroya cultivated these magical plants to create such a miracle.

It touched its chest.

There lies the golden light that Kroa once left for it, which still warms its soul like the sun, allowing it to enjoy the sun's light at all times.

After a moment of reflection, it continued forward:

Let's keep going.

For the next part of the journey, it led its apprentices to monitor and mine magical landforms such as sinkholes, miniature volcanoes, and quicksand mines.

Just as it was about to press on and catch up with the elves, news suddenly came from ahead—

"Teacher Oak! The fields of Poseidon's barley... they've all withered!"

Upon hearing this, the oak tree's expression changed drastically—its trunk indeed turned completely white.

Poseidon barley is now the most basic staple food, with several tons consumed every day. If there are problems with the fields of Poseidon barley, it will definitely be the most troublesome thing.

It could no longer concern itself with these magical landscapes and quickly rushed to the wheat field of the Sea God's Barley.

When it arrived, the Elf Orchestra had already stopped there, and all the elves had scattered to examine the withered barley.

The lead Gopher Wood Elf had a serious expression on his face and looked exactly like a miniature version of Kroya.

The oak tree and the gopher wood elf exchanged a glance, nodded silently, and looked around.

The once thriving barley, which resembled a forest, had all withered, its azure leaves turning yellowish-brown and drooping limply.

Deathly silence... absolute silence filled this vast ten-hectare area planted with Poseidon barley.

Not a single one is still alive; they're all dead!

How many people can a ten-hectare planting area feed?

The oak tree was no longer just pale-faced; it had turned almost entirely white. It had transformed from a vibrant green oak into a deathly white one.

It immediately sensed the barley naturally.

But it didn't get any accurate answers; it only knew that the barley seemed to have withered because it couldn't adapt to the pulse of the earth.

But why did they all suddenly wither? The disharmony of the earth has been going on for some time. Could it be that this was just the prelude, and the real disaster is about to break out?

A gopher wood elf approached and whispered, "I didn't hear their dying cries; it seemed death happened in an instant."

The oak tree asked, "How are the fields elsewhere? Are they alright?"

"fine."

"But take a look at this first." The Gopher Wood Elf casually drew a screen of light, which showed another field of sea god barley.

To be precise, it was the field of sea god barley that Kroa had transformed. The barley still grew lush and green, and each stalk of barley was like a tall tree with heavy ears of grain.

The oak tree's eyes widened instantly.

In other words, all the barley that was not modified died, but the modified barley survived.

If that's really the case...

It immediately sent someone to summon Miffy, who was conducting data measurements in various places, and then showed him two completely different fields without saying a word.

Milfian was certainly not stupid. In his shock, he said, "Sea God Barley is an essential commodity for the Harvest Fathers as they spread their faith to various places."

Today, it is considered a staple food crop in most coastal countries across the continent.

Things would be even worse if they all withered away.

The Gopherwood Elf stared directly at the former bishop of the Earth Church and asked bluntly, "Why did you spread this crop?"

"Don't tell me you're just doing this so people can have more to eat."

Mr. Miffy…listen to the lament of the earth!

Now it really needs an answer, and it feels these pains more deeply, so it doesn't mind being a little mean.

It gently stroked the strings, then pointed at Mifein, instantly transmitting the rhythm of the earth into Mifein's mind.

It was the earth being fought over by two forces in turn, as if it were being torn apart, emitting a mournful cry that was so heavy yet so powerless.

"..."

Of course, Mifein knew what this was; it was the reason for the chaos on Earth, the truth he had always dared not confront.

He sighed deeply, and at that moment his hair began to fade, as if it were about to lose its golden color that belonged to the harvest.

For believers, faith can be very strong, but it can also be very fragile, especially for some special believers, such as Miffy.

Is it the earth and harvest that we believe in, or the Mother Earth Goddess?

The answer is now available.

He slumped to the ground in despair, two lines of tears streaming from the corners of his eyes, falling straight down his cheeks to the ground, where they splashed up a cloud of dust on the dry, cracked earth before disappearing without a trace.

He smiled wryly and said, "This is a gift from the Mother Goddess."

"To regress the demonic plants into crops that can be sown by mortals."

"It started a long, long time ago, and now more than thirty kinds of crops have been spread, including sea god barley, golden rice, barren potatoes..."

"These crops can survive in environments where the same type of crop cannot grow."

As he recounted his story, the mark of the Earth Mother Goddess's bountiful spirit on him—his golden hair—grew increasingly dull.

It was as if it had lost all its color, turning grayish-white, like an old man on his deathbed.

"call……"

His breath seemed to weaken as the colors faded, and he eventually had to support himself with one hand on the ground to catch his breath, his breathing sounding like a leaky bellows.

This is the price of betraying one's faith.

The power of the gods will grant you great strength and energy that are difficult for ordinary people to obtain, but once you betray the gods, these will be taken back, and the backlash will follow.

If Milfein hadn't been quite young to begin with, but instead been one of those middle-aged or elderly bishops who survived only through divine power, his soul would be withering away by now.

The oak tree looked at the pity in its eyes, and also a little strange. Why hadn't the divine favor left it after it had heard all these things?

"Ugh."

Just as the Gopherwood Elf was about to pluck the strings of her harp, a figure suddenly appeared from the radiance beside her, and a hand covered in brilliant light placed on Mifein's shoulder.

The latter immediately felt a warm power flowing into his body, full of vitality, and even the speed at which the harvest spiritual energy disappeared was slowed down.

Miffy looked up and saw Kroya smiling.

The radiance and the sun were behind him, yet they seemed to emanate from him, warm and dazzling, yet radiant enough to be looked directly at.

"I knew all along you would be rejected by the power of the Earth Mother, so... perhaps you should consider changing your faith?"

"For example, what about the earth?"

Kroa's voice was tinged with laughter as she beckoned to the Gopherwood Elf, who obediently transformed into its harp form.

Then the elves and the mermaid prince who were scattered around him gathered around him, like stars surrounding the sun, and began to chant.

The most hardworking one is the Thick Soil Potato Elf.

The fairies sang and danced, gracefully moving under the guidance of the authentic "Poem of the Rainbow".

As a result, the earth beneath them is changing at a visible rate, and the dryness and cracks are being repaired.

The rhythm of the earth was instantly restored by their wishes and magic, and a yellowish-brown radiance spread out and covered Mifein.

"See?"

"In truth, it is only the Mother Goddess who hates you, not the Earth itself. It can feel your sorrow and guilt."

"It is still willing to return the power you have lost to you, even though it is now exhausted both physically and mentally from the struggle between the two gods."

A gentle, earthy yellow light enveloped Mifein, as if his mother were embracing him.

There were no obvious sound or light effects, not even comparable to the light emitted by a level two magic spell, but divine power was continuously poured into Mifein's body.

At that moment, the power he had lost surged back like a tide, turning his hair into a deeper gold.

His tears kept falling, his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak at all—only now did he truly feel the embrace of the earth.

This is the true power of the earth!

It embraces everything, nourishing all life on earth just like the sun in the sky.

Kroya watched from the sidelines, feeling quite gratified.

In fact, he had already made preparations. If the divine favor on Mi Feiyin disappeared, he would personally take action to resolve the matter.

With the help of the Gopher Wood Spirits and other spirits, it is absolutely possible to borrow the blessings of the earth, which is the real earth, not a god by virtue of its authority.

"Speaking of which, it was found on an Orpheus oak tree." He glanced at the oak tree next to him.

The Orpheus Oak's divine favor was actually quite special; it was received after it healed the earth, and the one who bestowed the blessing was the earth itself, not the Earth Mother Goddess.

He had a vague idea back then, but it wasn't until he talked to Miya that he finally confirmed the relationship between the Earth and the Earth Mother Goddess.

It's like the relationship between light and the sun.

The oak tree noticed Kroa's gaze and was about to ask him something when it suddenly sensed something.

Mifein, who should have fully recovered, was seeing his hair fading again, turning grayish-white.

The color was exactly the same as that of a dead leaf.

At the same time, he also exuded a power that made it feel very wary.

Grayish-black, shrouded in gloom.

That is the power of death!

Milfield is embracing the power of death!

"..." Kroya narrowed his eyes and unhesitatingly cast a spell called Crystal Cage.

The shimmering crystals immediately formed a cage around Mifein, trapping him inside, and the magic of death naturally did not leak out.

This is a type of alchemical magic that requires high-purity magic crystals to cast. Once cast, it can create a crystal prison.

The prison has extremely strong magical barrier capabilities; it can be used for defense and to prevent mages from escaping.

After the crystal prison took shape, Kroa looked at the black magic flowing around Mifein and murmured to himself, "Why?"

"Shouldn't it be the power of the earth? How can there be the power of death? Has the earth really mutated?"

If the earth had truly undergone such a transformation, he should consider raising half of the North into the sky.

Just then, Kroya sensed a faint fluctuation of mental energy emanating from the ground beneath his feet—

"sun……"

"He will be my walker, passing through the valley of the shadow of death, and he will be harmed, for my staff will be with him."

"Oh, Earth..." Kroa felt relieved.

Suddenly, a thorn tree sprouted beside Mifein, eventually turning into a wooden staff about half a person's height, which Mifein held in his hand.

The crystal prison shattered silently.

"Pfft!"

Thorns pierced through his palm and emerged, blood flowing down the thorny branches and onto the ground, mingling with the black mist.

"This wooden staff is..." Chloe narrowed her eyes.

【Death Thornwood (Shadow Walker - Rotation)】

This demonic plant is a gift from the "Earth," and whoever wields it will gain the power of the "Shadow Walker," a chosen one of the gods.

If Milfein was once a saintly figure who exuded holiness and evoked goodwill... then at this moment he became a chilling figure of death.

His once brilliant golden hair had turned completely gray, draped casually over his shoulders. Although he was still handsome, he gave off a very unsettling feeling.

Even Chloe felt uneasy looking at him—it was life's instinctive reaction to death, and it had nothing to do with his "Poem of the Rainbow." Any living being would feel fear and unease when it sensed death.

He stood up, looked quietly at Chloe, and bowed slightly: "Thank you for your help, my friend."

"I will redeem the evil deeds of the despicable gods."

After he finished speaking, he tapped the thorny wooden staff in his hand.

A ripple spread outwards from his wooden staff.

When the ripples came into contact with the withered barley, the barley miraculously came back to life.

They regained their upright posture, the ears of wheat hanging heavily on the branches, looking even more vibrant than before they died.

"..."

Kroa was surprised.

Is this the Resurrection spell from the Miracles category?

No... miracles always come at a price!

He suddenly looked at Mifein and noticed that the latter's hair seemed to have become even whiter, almost transparent, and a jet-black ring had appeared on his head.

It looks like an angel's ring, but it's filled with the aura of death.

—The “death” of those barleys was absorbed by Mifein!

"Miracles always come at a price," he sighed. "You could have chosen a different path; a bountiful harvest might have been better than death."

He stretched out his hand, and a small sunflower phantom quietly appeared in his fair palm, surrounded by four-colored light.

"My friend, you still have a choice."

"You can change your faith again."

"Although it is still very weak, its future potential is enormous."

Kroya genuinely hoped that Milfein would accept her good intentions. The power of death was far too painful, far more painful than thorns piercing the body.

He would consider all aspects of his friends' lives.

But Mifein smiled and gently shook his head in refusal: "I am very grateful for your kindness."

"But I can no longer pretend to turn a blind eye and watch as a vile god pollutes the earth again. I will walk on the earth with His will."

My journey will only end when my blood awakens the earth's life.

He walked up to Chloe and said apologetically, "I can't even give you a farewell hug."

"Really?" Chloe blinked and reached out to hug Miffy. "My friend, I hope you can complete your journey of faith."

The light emanating from him and the aura of death emanating from Mifein were completely indistinguishable, without any conflict whatsoever, leaving the oak mermaid prince and the elves watching in stunned silence.

Kroya patted Milfein on the back and whispered in his ear:

"To make your journey smoother, I want to give you a gift."

"If you can't hold on any longer... if the pressure of the earth and endless death threaten to devour you, then come visit my paradise."

He slipped a small ticket, shaped like a leaf and made of seven-colored light, into Miffy's pocket.

"Please remember, this is valid indefinitely."

"Just like the promise I made to you."

After he finished speaking, he released Mifein, took a few steps back, and waved to him.

"..."

Mi Fei felt the warm scent emanating from the ticket in his pocket, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

He had no more tears left to shed, so he could only smile and wave at Chloe, then slowly turn around, taking his thorny staff and leaving the North step by step.

No need for thanks.

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(End of this chapter)