After a few hours of walking, Taro reached his first destination: Silver Grove. The air was heavy with fog, the trees looked lifeless, and eerie echoes drifted through the grove.
This place feels gloomy compared to our basement, Taro thought, uncomfortable.
He began exploring the forest, cautious for each step. While walking, he saw a swampy lake full of colorful frogs hopping across scattered rocks and lily pads.
Suddenly, his leg stuck in a large tree root. After a few tries of pulling it out, he swung his sword and, with one clean strike, managed to cut it.
Even trees can interrupt me, he thought, continuing his way.
After searching for minutes, he finally found a bunch of plants together. After inspecting them, he found the suitable one, which was the Silver Orchid.
"I thought at first the color would be silver, but guess not..." Taro said.
However, he sensed nearby threats. From behind, large-sized lizards approached him.
"Umm... I don't think they are normal lizards," he whispered.
Suddenly, one of the lizards splatted a toxic liquid out of its mouth, yet he managed to dodge it, moving his head just in time. The tree log behind him began melting.
Aw... they sure aren't normal at all, he thought.
Then, more lizards began splatting toward him. Instantly, Taro unleashed his {Alternative Shield} and blocked them. However, the shield began melting over time.
I have to end this quickly... or I'll end up as rotten mud, he thought.
Without hesitation, he dashed toward them while evading the incoming toxic splats. One after one, he cut their heads off, using his {Azure Shield} to cover himself.
After a few minutes, he managed to defeat them all.
Better move before I face something more horrible in this grove, he thought.
Then, he continued his way toward the next area.
Meanwhile with Yukiko, she was sitting next to Mona on the bed. Suddenly, Mona began coughing.
"Douzo, oka-san," Yukiko said, helping her drink a cup of water.
"Y... Yukiko..." Mona called quietly. "Where is... Taro?"
"Don't worry, he'll be coming soon with the medicine," she comforted. "Don't stress yourself."
Mona continued coughing, then replied:
"Thanks... sweetie..."
After that, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Where are you now, Taro?Yukiko thought, worried.
Around one hour of walking later, Taro entered the second area: Moon Lakes.
"Now I completely understand why this place is called Moon Lakes," he whispered, amazed. "The glow of the lakes here looks exactly like the moonlight reflection at night. So beautiful... and better than the previous forest. Now I need to focus on getting that flower."
Then, he began wandering around the lakes, searching for the Sapphire Lotus. Suddenly, a massive amount of shimmering water serpents with sapphire scales appeared from the lakes, targeting him.
Here comes the ambush, he thought, unleashing his {Azure Shield} within his sleeve.
However, the serpents began hissing massively loud one after one. The echoes managed to destroy his shield.
"Gah... this is terribly painful!" He exclaimed, covering his ears.
After that, some of the serpents got closer, while the rest kept hissing.
There's a huge number of these snakes, he thought, stressed. I can't fight them in that situation... and better not waste the dates I have. The best option for now is to flee.
Instantly, he raised his hands toward the sky, creating a staircase of {Alternative Shields}. Without hesitation, he fled above them on the staircase.
"Sorry, but I don't have time for this," he said while sprinting.
After getting away, he started to search again in different areas, trying not to get closer to the lakes. Minutes later, he managed to find the Sapphire Lotus close to a vine.
I'll let Enzo deal with extracting the nectar when I return, he thought, obtaining it. Right now, better hurry up toward the last ingredient. Luckily it's not too far from here.
A couple of minutes later, he reached the last area: Mystic Caverns.
This place has a lot of mushrooms with various colors everywhere... but I need the purple one, he thought. For safety, I'll pick up at least three before my return.
Before he continued, he realized how these caverns were massive and connected.
I'll be lost without trials, he thought. Mushrooms won't be useful since they're everywhere. What can I do?
He thought for a few seconds, until he got an idea. He went to a nearby tree, grabbed a handful of leaves, and dropped them behind him as trail markers while he entered the cave.
After a few minutes, he found the first Violet Mushroom.
"Seems like those mushrooms are the rarest around," he muttered. "I hope I can find two more."
He continued searching for more, and he found the second after ten minutes.
"Just one more!" He exclaimed, smiling.
Finally, he found the last mushroom after fifteen minutes.
"This should be enough... time to return," he said.
Suddenly, he felt something holding his leg. He saw a tiny mushroom creature with little hands and legs. It was biting his leg.
"Uhm, it doesn't look friendly," he muttered, unimpressed.
Instantly, he kicked it away. However, there were more waiting behind with different sizes.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me," he whispered.
Before they could do anything, he unleashed several {Azure Slashes} toward them. Then, he dashed and began cutting them all. For the giant mushroom creatures, he stabbed them all.
"Now that everything is over, time to return to the Azure Kingdom," he declared.
Hours later, Taro knocked on Enzo's door in the tower. He opened it and welcomed him.
"Here's everything you asked for," he said.
"Well done, noble knight," Enzo replied, checking the ingredients. "You obtained the Silver Orchid, the Sapphire Lotus, some Violet Mushrooms, and... a bunch of flowers...?"
"S-Sorry! Must be a mistake... ahaha..." Taro gasped, blushing.
Then, Enzo responded with a small laugh, handing him the flowers:
"I see how pure you are. Well then, take care until you deliver them."
"T-Thanks," he whispered, blushing.
"Spare me for a few minutes to prepare the potion," Enzo said, taking the ingredients.
"Alright, sorry for taking up your time," Taro replied.
After a few minutes, Enzo returned with a green-colored potion.
"Make sure she does not eat anything for around six hours after taking the potion," he instructed.
"Understood... and thanks for everything, master," Taro said. "I owe you for this."
"You owe us nothing," Enzo replied. "Farewell, Seventh Legendary Knight."
Finally, Taro went outside the kingdom and opened a portal to the Overworld.
Later, someone knocked on the door. Yukiko opened it to find Taro standing.
"How's my mother, Yukiko?" He asked.
"Still the same," she replied with a sad tone.
Taro looked at her, then smiled.
"Everything will be alright," he comforted, then gave her the flowers. "Anyway... here... something small to thank you. And no worries, I have the remedy. You can go to sleep now."
Yukiko accepted the flowers with pleasure, hugging them. Then, she replied with a low voice:
"Arigato. I just fed her and she is asleep now. Take care of her... and yourself."
Instantly, Taro headed to his mother's room.
Taro... you don't know how much I love your mother, she thought, smiling. She is like my mother. Compassionate and calm.
Meanwhile, Taro fed his mother the potion carefully. He noticed how sleepy she was. Without waking her up, he kissed her forehead and sat on the ground beside the bed while watching her.
"Sleep well, mother," he whispered. "I'll be here for you."
Hours later, Mona restored her consciousness, looking around her.
"What time is it?" She asked, yawning.
She checked the clock, and it was 5:56 AM.
Beside her, she saw her son falling asleep.
"Oh Taro... you and Yukiko must've worried," she whispered, rubbing his hair gently.
Instantly, she covered him with a blanket and put a pillow behind his head.
I can't carry you now like I used to, Taro, she thought, smiling. You grew up and became a responsible man... even when I wasn't with you. I'm proud of you.
Then, she added, looking upward:
Haru, I wish you were alive... to see how your son became like you.
The next day...
In the morning the next day, Taro woke up, finding himself covered with a blanket and holding a pillow beneath. Along with that, his mother wasn't sleeping in the bed.
Huh? Where did mother go? He wondered.
He went downstairs, only to find his mother prepared breakfast and cleaning the kitchen... just like how he did the same the day before.
"Mother? What are you doing?" He asked, surprised.
"Ah... bonjour, Taro," she said with a smile, waving. "Nothing special, I just missed cleaning and cooking here."
He paused for a moment, then asked with a faint smile:
"Are you feeling well now?"
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine," she answered. "You and Yukiko had–"
Before she could finish her sentence, he instantly hugged her.
"I missed you, mother," he said.
She stared at him for a second, then joined him with a hug, smiling.
"I missed you too, honey," she repeated.
Four days later...
Taro and Yukiko stood outside to farewell Mona.
"Sorry for postponing your marriage," Mona said.
"It's alright, mother," Taro replied, smiling. "After all, we still need some time... maybe after finishing school."
"Hai, daijoubu, oka-san," Yukiko agreed.
Then, Mona hugged both of them.
"One day, I promise we will be together without any farewells," she whispered.
After that, she added, winking:
"And listen, Yukiko... when I return, make sure to teach me Japanese. I loved your adorable speaking."
"Hai~!" Yukiko exclaimed playfully.
Then, Mona rode the taxi.
"Alright, Yukiko, let's head inside and study for tomorrow's quiz," Taro suggested.
Suddenly, he sneezed.
"Oi, your body is warm," Yukiko replied, putting her hand on his forehead.
"No worries, it's just a–" He began.
However, he sneezed again and again.
"Mattaku... you must take care of yourself, Taro," she said.
"S-Sorry, Yukiko, guess I'll count on you," he replied.
"Fine, only because of the flowers you gave me earlier," she teased playfully, laughing.
Then, they entered inside!