Chapter 140: Silver Moon Tree Bow

After encountering the stone slab, Wade ventured deeper into the ruins, but soon found the path ahead blocked by sand and debris. To proceed further, excavation was necessary.

Thus, he could only wait. Forty skeletons were left at the excavation site to continue the work of uncovering the ruins. Over the past ten days, walls had been built outside using sand and soil, sufficient to block wind-blown sand and wandering skeletons.

Wade returned to the fortress with the remaining skeletons. Every ten days, he would make a trip back to the port. Today was the day he could traverse again. Lying in the living quarters, he entered that space.

The faith crystals obtained from the stone slab were placed on the scale. The scale tilted, weighing the crystals, and then a green card appeared on the scale’s pan. The card depicted a tree bow—a slender wooden bow made from intertwined branches brimming with vitality, with emerald leaves at its edges.

Wade immediately used the tree bow card. A longbow that could be slung across his back appeared in his hands. Though made of branches, the bow felt heavy, its string taut. Suddenly, he understood how to use this bow. Before his eyes appeared images of elves shooting arrows. In the archery range, an elf clad in hunting attire picked up the tree bow and plucked a leaf from it.

Those sharp eyes could see far into the distance. Magic gathered on the leaf, forming a magical arrow on the bowstring. The elven archer released the emerald-hued magic arrow, which struck the bullseye, causing entwined tree roots to sprout instantly.

The leaves were the arrows that came with this tree bow. It could function as an ordinary hunting bow or be used to shoot those magical arrows. “Guardian of the Sacred Tree”—when Wade grasped the bow, this term surfaced in his mind. Only the most exceptional Silver Moon Elves could become Guardians of the Sacred Tree. Each Guardian was both an excellent mage and a top-tier archer.

The tree bows used by the Guardians were crafted from the branches of that colossal tree. In battle, Guardians never carried quivers; their tree bows served as both their bows and their staves. In that distant era, bowstrings whispered in the wind. Yet those proud Guardians had turned to dust along with the sacred trees they protected, forgotten by the world.

Only this tree bow seemed to remind Wade that those elves had truly existed. Wade plucked a leaf from the bow’s edge and shot at an empty space. The green magic arrow flew forth, causing roots to sprout wildly in the corner, scattering leaves. But they were mere illusions—after brief growth, the roots and leaves withered rapidly, turning to dust and vanishing.

Unlike another miracle card, this tree bow card had no time limit for use. Wade could summon it at will or return it to the card anytime. Simply put, Wade had essentially exchanged this tree bow from the scale, with the card merely serving as its container.

Though the bow could be used indefinitely, its leaves were limited—around a hundred in total on both arms of the bow. Magic was required to replenish them; after absorbing magic, consumed leaves would regrow. This was a magical bow, like Radiance, a top-tier radiant-class weapon. It was also an excellent staff, enhancing and stabilizing a mage’s magic output, with additional bonuses when casting certain nature-based spells.

Typically, someone unable to wield magic couldn’t use this bow. In ordinary hands, it would merely be a high-quality longbow—even plucking its leaves wouldn’t produce magic arrows. But Wade was the bow’s master, having exchanged it from the scale, so he could bypass those limitations and unleash its full potential.

Unfortunately, Wade didn’t know how to cast spells, somewhat wasting the bow’s staff attributes. However, he glanced at Mia, who floated over curiously. The little ghost drifted onto the bow’s arm, captivated by its unusual design. Wade beckoned her to his hand, pointed at the bow, then gently patted her small head. The little ghost confidently patted her chest and stepped onto the bow.

She channeled magic along the bow, and Wade grasped that sensation. Raising the bow again, he drew the string. A ghostly blue magic arrow formed on the string, which Wade released, unleashing a burst of intense cold. In his vision, he could see the frost magic erupt. Though there was no water in this mental space, if shot at a lake or a bleeding creature, dazzling ice flowers would surely bloom.

As Wade expected, this bow could synergize with Mia’s magic to unleash greater power. In critical moments, it could also serve as a melee weapon—its weighty feel suggested it might even surpass iron swords in quality. Very satisfied with his newly acquired Silver Moon Tree Bow card, Wade stored the bow away and stepped through the door to the port.

Donning a long robe to conceal his skeletal appearance, Wade followed the dragonkin, quietly observing the port’s construction. Ten days had passed, and the fishermen had integrated well into life here.

The women among the fishermen were quite skilled with their hands. At home, they were responsible for weaving and mending fishing nets. When the men returned with their catch, they would immediately scale the fish, gut them, and either salt or air-dry the seafood. They also produced fish oil, using sturgeon liver oil to treat leather.

As for the men, their years at sea had made them experienced sailors. Sometimes, a single voyage could last half a month, during which they drifted on their small boats. They knew what conditions a proper port should meet and offered suggestions for improvements.

Among them was a boy with the talent to become a professional warrior. From the dragonkin’s report, Wade learned this was the very boy who, in his anger, had beheaded a noble. The port’s construction progressed steadily as April approached. Out at sea, some ice had begun to crack—the icy sea was melting.

Wade traveled across the snow plains, once again driving his oak sleigh into the distance. He patrolled the lands beyond the mountains. Though he couldn’t save everyone, he would do what he could. Like the Wild Hunt itself, he hunted abusive soldiers and nobles in those border regions.

Tales of him spread far and wide. Among the Icelander forces, many sought the brave escaped knight’s advice on dealing with the Wild Hunt. The knight boasted freely—until someone asked whether his bravery might draw the Wild Hunt’s personal attention. At that, the knight suddenly fell silent. Thereafter, he refused to speak of the Wild Hunt to anyone.