"Shadow-fold Valley..." Castorice repeated the name, her gaze still lingering on the singular spectacle of the dual moons. "Why... are there two moons here?"
It was her first time seeing such a sight in reality... well, though she hadn't been in this world until now.
"This involves one of the core secrets of our Moon-marked Clan."
At this moment, Maria also tilted her head slightly, looking up at the two bright moons. The moonlight reflected off her exquisite profile, making her appear exceptionally holy. "Therefore, please forgive me for being unable to reveal more to you."
"No matter," Castorice nodded understandingly, finally withdrawing her gaze from the dual moons to look at Maria. "It is just... the sight was so peculiar that I could not help but be curious."
"Nimue."
Maria suddenly turned to the elven girl beside her.
"Elder? Is something the matter?" Hearing her voice, Nimue immediately took a step forward and asked with some confusion.
"Take Your Excellency Castorice around the valley to familiarize her with the environment. I will go arrange her accommodations," Maria instructed succinctly.
"Yes, Elder, leave it to me!" Seeing this, Nimue immediately agreed.
At this point, Shalin also leaned over and asked curiously, "Elder Maria, what about me? What should I do?"
"You..." Hearing Shalin's voice, Maria hesitated for a moment. "Go find Lunara. Tell her a guest has arrived and have her prepare some food."
"Understood! Mission guaranteed! I'm going to find Sister Lunara right now!" After receiving her instructions, Shalin beamed instantly. Her figure then leaped lightly toward the concentrated lights in the depths of the valley, vanishing into the distant elven architectural complex in the blink of an eye.
"There is nothing else for now. I need to consult with the other Elders." After Maria spoke, her body began to rise off the ground, floating soundlessly. She then transformed into a streak of silver light, flying toward the tall tree-shaped building at the center of the valley.
The two silent elven guards followed like her shadows; their figures flickered slightly before merging into the shadows beneath the moonlight, disappearing without a trace.
In an instant, only Nimue and Castorice remained near the cave entrance. The surroundings fell quiet, save for the faint sounds of the breeze brushing against the strange glowing plants in the valley.
Seeing this, Nimue turned to Castorice and asked with a smile, "Your Excellency Castorice, shall I take you for a tour of our valley now? To get you familiar with the surroundings?"
"Very well, much obliged." Castorice nodded slightly, accepting her kindness.
Nimue made a "please" gesture, then turned and stepped forward, leading Castorice along a path paved with glowing pebbles toward the interior of the valley.
The scenery in the valley was wondrous; many plants emitted a faint fluorescence, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers and the fresh aroma characteristic of vegetation. Under the moonlight, the elven houses built against the mountains and giant trees were exquisite and unique, appearing perfectly integrated with nature.
However, just as Castorice had followed Nimue for a few steps, a pleasant voice suddenly drifted from beneath the shadows of a tree ahead to their side.
"Nimue? Why are you back so soon? Weren't you patrolling the woods on the outskirts of the valley with Shalin?"
Nimue froze upon hearing the voice, then immediately turned her head toward its source. Castorice likewise looked in that direction.
She saw an elf standing before them holding a fruit basket. This elf was equally beautiful, though unlike Nimue and Shalin, this elf had pale purple hair.
"Lunara? Why are you here? Aren't you usually by the cafeteria in the center of the valley?" Nimue cried out in surprise upon seeing the elf.
"Lunara?" Hearing the name, Castorice instantly recalled the elf Maria had just told Shalin to find.
"I am indeed over there most of the time." Hearing Nimue's question, Lunara scratched her cheek sheepishly. "It's just that I had a sudden whim... if I mixed some Starfern from the Twilight Hills with the eggs of Aphasia Toads from the Putrid Root Swamp, could they neutralize each other's negative effects..."