Everyone was stunned when they saw that lonely tree. Brand had just mentioned the Golden Apple Tree, so naturally, they started to think in that direction? The mercenaries immediately linked it to what Brand had said, that the legendary Fairy Queen lives under the Golden Apple Tree, and any mortal who sees her would be destined never to leave this valley in their lifetime, causing them to shudder involuntarily.
These people couldn’t help but immediately start looking around instinctively, fearing that they might accidentally be trapped here forever. They had barely escaped from Madara’s Undead Army, and certainly didn’t want to end up spending their entire lives here.
However, what they didn’t expect was that Brand wasn’t worried about the Golden Apple Tree at all. In the previous life, players like him had already thoroughly explored this valley. In his eyes, this valley, which appeared mysterious and unfathomable to others, held no secrets at all. He knew that from here, straight north all the way to the other end of the valley, there was nothing but barren ground and mist.
No monsters, no treasure, no living creatures, and not a hint of vitality. As for the legendary Golden Apple Tree and the Fairy Queen, they were but ethereal concepts, existing only in the myths uttered by NPCs, and players never actually saw them.
What surprised him, however, was that lone tree branch. After repeatedly confirming, he should remember that there was no such tree in the game.
He had walked through this valley many times and should not be mistaken, because every scene and object in the valley was an idealized manifestation from the King. Even if they changed during the daylight, they would return to their original state at night—Brand remembered clearly, unless a quest or time flux altered within the valley, only then would the scenery change accordingly.
But there shouldn’t be any quest in this valley. Could it be that the Land of the Elves visible to them wasn’t the same one from the game? Brand immediately had a suspicion in his mind, either someone had hidden his experience or the Land of the Elves had already changed before the players entered.
Which one could it be?
The former seemed possible, but upon thinking carefully, one would realize the oddities within it. For players, it’s often difficult for a single person to uncover all the secrets of a place; thus, even if the first person hid something, the likelihood of everyone else thinking alike is slim. But Brand then thought that it’s not impossible that one person revisited the place multiple times, even though this scenario seemed idealized, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.
He recalled that the first person to discover this valley should have been the Divine Scholar Councilman from the Star Guild, a player named ’Cranwo.’ The second to enter was a knight, and the third was a female player from KOK. The difference in time between the three was just a few days, so the possibility of concealment was not likely.
Brand shook his head; it wasn’t the reason. Then it must be the second possibility, that this valley had changed before the players entered. This wasn’t possible in the game—however, there are two factors here.
One is plot change, and the other is NPC exploration. He couldn’t help but frown; without player participation, he wouldn’t know much about this quest. Unknowns—this was definitely a big hassle for him.
But Brand stared at that tree, and still couldn’t help but become interested, just like every player. The innate interest in pursuing secret quests, just like the unknown treasures, would subconsciously attract people to chase after them.
Involving quests related to ancient knowledge, it definitely wouldn’t be ordinary, right?
He immediately gestured to the others, signaling them to stop the refugees. Anyway, time in the valley at night relative to the outside world was halted; this one night would last three days and three nights. As long as they had enough food before it ran out, he had time to explore the valley.
In fact, the valley wasn’t that vast; riding back and forth would only take a few hours, not needing three days at all.
He saw Reto looking at him with confusion. He pointed at that tree and replied, "There seems to be an issue, I need to go check it out in front."
"Do you need manpower?" The tavern owner Reto, though an old soldier of the November War, was equally at a loss facing mysterious things. He could only rely on his experience to ask.
Brand indeed needed manpower.
But he looked at these mercenaries, not trusting them much. After all, this might involve some legendary treasures and equally dangerous situations. He didn’t want to share secrets with these people; he needed to find someone he trusted. He first looked at Char, originally this young Mage follower was his best choice—as a summoned creature, he could almost share secrets with this young man—but unfortunately, Char had exhausted his mana in the battle of this night, now he was merely a bit stronger than an ordinary person.