Chapter 538: The Temple Beyond the Sands

Adam studied the elderly man’s expression for a moment before asking another question.

"What kind of strange stories?"

The old man hesitated, seemingly debating whether it was worth explaining. Eventually, he let out a weary sigh.

"Most of them are probably exaggerated. You know how adventurers are. They explore some old ruins, encounter a few monsters, and suddenly the place becomes haunted in their stories."

A few of the younger adventurers laughed.

The old man ignored them and continued.

"Still, there are things about that temple that don’t sit right with me. Several expeditions have gone missing over the years. Some people claimed they heard voices coming from inside the ruins, while others reported strange lights appearing in the desert at night."

"Strange lights?" Adam repeated.

"That’s what they said. I can’t tell you whether any of it is true. I’ve never been foolish enough to investigate the place myself."

Adam glanced at Azrynn. She was listening intently, her expression calm but her eyes betraying her interest.

"Do you know where the temple is located?" she asked.

The old man looked at her pointed ears and dark complexion, studying her features with unconcealed curiosity.

"You’re an elf, aren’t you? Though I’ve never seen one who looks quite like you."

Azrynn remained composed.

"Something like that."

The old man scratched his chin, apparently unsure what to make of her answer. He seemed curious, but there was no sign of recognition in his eyes. Whatever her origins, they meant little to him compared with the question he had been asked.

"Well, I don’t know whether the place has anything to do with your people, but I can tell you how to reach the general area."

He turned toward the notice board and pointed at the map.

"Leave through the northern gate and follow the main road until it splits near a dry riverbed. Take the western path from there. You’ll eventually reach a stretch of barren land surrounded by rocky hills. The temple is somewhere beyond those hills."

"Somewhere?" Adam repeated.

The old man gave him a helpless shrug.

"It’s been abandoned for generations. The paths have eroded, and the landmarks have changed. I can point you in the right direction, but don’t expect me to lead you straight to its entrance."

Adam nodded. It was still considerably better than wandering around the desert without a clue.

"Thank you. That’s more than enough to get us started."

"Don’t thank me yet," the old man warned. "If you’re planning to go there, make sure you’re prepared. The desert isn’t particularly dangerous near the kingdom, but things change once you venture beyond the main roads. There are monsters out there that even experienced adventurers would rather avoid."

"We’ll keep that in mind."

Adam stepped away from the notice board, and Azrynn followed him. Once they were far enough from the crowd, she finally spoke.

"Do you think the temple is the one Proserpine mentioned?"

"It’s the most promising lead we’ve found so far. The location matches, and the fact that it might be connected to dark elves makes it worth investigating."

Azrynn lowered her gaze briefly.

"If there’s even a small chance that we can find evidence of what happened to my people, I want to see it for myself."

Adam looked at her.

"Then we’ll find it."

His answer was simple, without hesitation or unnecessary promises.

Azrynn met his eyes for a moment before giving him a small nod.

"Thank you, Adam."

"Don’t mention it. Besides, I’m curious about those strange lights myself. If there’s something unusual hidden in those ruins, I’d rather find out what it is than leave it to our imagination."

From beside them, Sylphy tilted her head.

"Strange lights? Oh! Maybe it’s a ghost!"

Adam looked at her.

"Or maybe it’s a group of fireflies."

"But the old man said people disappeared!"

"People disappear for plenty of reasons. Some get lost, some encounter monsters, and some simply make bad decisions."

Sylphy folded her arms.

"You always have an answer for everything, don’t you?"

"No. I just don’t jump to conclusions because someone tells me a spooky story."

"Hmph! You’re no fun."

"Coming from someone who can’t remember where the temple is, I’ll take that as a compliment."

"Kuhhh! I hate you! I hate you!"

He ignored her outburst and looked toward the arena, where the noise of the gathering crowd continued to grow.

They had obtained the information they needed, but the northern gate was some distance away, and the streets were becoming increasingly congested as more visitors arrived for the tournament.

Adam considered their options.

They could leave immediately and attempt to reach the temple before nightfall, or they could spend a little more time gathering supplies and information before venturing into the desert.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the ruins, rushing ahead without preparation would be foolish.

"Let’s buy some supplies first," he decided. "Food, water, and anything else we might need for a trip through the desert. Then we’ll head north."

Azrynn agreed without objection.

Sylphy, meanwhile, suddenly brightened.

"Does that mean we’re going to buy food?"

Adam glanced at her.

"For us, yes."

"And for me?"

"No."

Her face fell.

"You heartless monster!"

Adam smiled faintly and continued walking.

Azrynn followed beside him, but after hearing Sylphy’s pitiful complaints, she glanced at the little spirit floating behind them.

"Don’t bully her so much, Adam. She might prove useful to us later."

"Hmm. Yeah, all right."

Adam agreed so readily that Azrynn couldn’t help giving him a curious look. She had expected him to make another sarcastic remark, but apparently, he was capable of behaving himself when he wanted to.

Sylphy, meanwhile, had heard every word.

Her eyes immediately glistened with tears as she flew toward Azrynn, clasping her tiny hands together.

"Azrynn! You’re so kind! You’re the first person who’s stood up for me! I knew you were a good person!"

She sniffled dramatically, looking as though she had just found the only source of kindness in an otherwise cruel world.

Azrynn regarded her with a perfectly composed expression.

"Of course. I wouldn’t want to be unnecessarily cruel to someone who’s accompanying us."

Sylphy nodded enthusiastically, wiping away her imaginary tears.

"Exactly! Unlike a certain heartless monster who keeps making fun of me!"

Adam raised an eyebrow but chose not to interrupt.

Azrynn continued in the same calm tone.

"However, if you turn out to be completely useless, we’ll leave you behind."

Sylphy tilted her head in surprise.

"...Huh?"

"If you can’t help us find the temple, can’t remember anything useful, and can’t contribute in any other way, then there’s no reason for us to keep bringing you along."

Azrynn delivered the words with such effortless composure that, for a moment, even Adam found himself wondering whether she was serious.

Sylphy’s lower lip trembled.

"B-But... you just said..."

"I said I wouldn’t bully you unnecessarily. That doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate someone who serves no purpose."

"THAT’S EVEN WORSE!"

Sylphy burst into fresh complaints, tears gathering in her eyes as she flew in frantic circles around Azrynn.

"You’re so mean! You looked so kind just now! How could you trick me like that?!"

Azrynn simply continued walking, seemingly unmoved by the tiny spirit’s dramatic meltdown.

Adam glanced at her, then let out a quiet chuckle.

He had to admit that he hadn’t expected Azrynn to deliver such a merciless response with a straight face.

Sylphy hurried after them, still sniffling.

"Adam is horrible, and Azrynn is a liar! I hate both of you!"

"That’s unfortunate," Adam replied. "We’ll have to find a new guide, then."

Sylphy’s eyes widened in horror.

"W-Wait! I didn’t mean it! I’ll help! I’ll definitely help you find the temple!"

"Really? Then I look forward to seeing what you can do."

Adam gave her an encouraging smile that somehow made her even more suspicious.

Sylphy glared at him before turning toward Azrynn, hoping for a little sympathy.

Azrynn merely smiled.

"Then do your best, Sylphy."

The little spirit puffed out her cheeks, clearly torn between indignation and the fear of being abandoned.

"Fine! Just you wait! I’ll prove that I’m an amazing spirit, and then you’ll both regret treating me this way!"

"Looking forward to it," Adam replied.