Chapter 358 Infiltrating The Temple Of The Moon
"So, what should we do? We cannot stay here doing nothing!" Evan inquired, concerned about the malevolent magic on the brink of prevailing in the Temple of the Moon.
He did not know how Okegiga and the other Centaurs had defeated the evil god in the past to win this brutal war. He only knew that if he kept losing time and allowed the fallen Centaurs to successfully summon the evil god, the difficulty of the challenge would increase exponentially.
The destruction of the summoning magic and resealing the malevolent spirit were a much easier path.
Evan was contemplating the possibility of a bold attack. Though perilous, it was not entirely impossible.
At this moment, the most troublesome issue was the enraged dragon. Coincidentally, he was aware of a potent black magic that could have an effect beyond imagination in dealing with dragons.
"You are right, we must hasten. Night will soon fall. This is highly unfavorable for us. With the help of the Temple of the Moon, the fallen astrologers could harness the power of the stars for defense." Okegiga instructed the other Centaurs to apply some herbal medicine to the wound on his arm and simply wrap it.
"What should we do?" Evan touched Okegiga's arm with his wand. Though not skilled in healing magic, he would do his utmost to aid.
"Since we cannot fly, swimming is the swiftest way," Okegiga remarked, "I know of a secret passage to the Temple of the Moon, cutting through the depths of the lake."
Following the direction Okegiga pointed, Evan gazed at the cold, deep blue water of the lake outside the Temple of the Moon. It seemed to connect to the lakeshore outside the school castle.
He was unsure if there were Sirens there, but the notion of swimming from the dark lake was madness.
He turned to look at the proud Centaur and confirmed he had not misunderstood. Centaurs were not aquatic creatures. How would Okegiga carry this out?
"The elder had thought of this before and prepared some herbs to aid us in breathing underwater." Okegiga extracted something wrapped in a piece of light gray leather from inside his leather armor and unfolded it before Evan.
Within was a mass of green herb resembling algae, akin to a bundle of slimy gray-green rat tails.
"Gillyweed!" Evan recognized this herb, never imagining he would see it here.
He was unaware of where the Centaurs had acquired these precious herbs from the depths of the Mediterranean. It had taken centuries before the human mage Elladora Ketteridge discovered the effect of this magical herb for the first time in magical history. Hence, her portrait appeared in the famous Chocolate Frog Cards of wizards.
It was said she nearly drowned when she cooked too much Gillyweed as a side dish. She dunked her head in a barrel of water for a week before recovering.
From then on, the Magical World knew of the use of Gillyweed.
Subsequently, wizards and Potion Masters began to analyze its specific components and developed a magical spell and a plethora of precious magical potions to aid wizards in breathing underwater.
But by the late Dark Ages, the Centaurs, thought to be in a state of ignorance and primitiveness, had already discovered and utilized Gillyweed, which was astounding.
"I have tried it before. Ingest it before entering the water, it will work immediately." Okegiga handed Evan some Gillyweed. "Given the limited quantity, this infiltration can only be carried out by the two of us, without any assistance."
Evan nodded, eyeing the herbs still writhing in his palm.
"Listen, human," said Okegiga, leaning in and looking at Evan, his dark brown eyes shining. "What we are about to do is very dangerous, and it is likely that we may perish in the Temple of the Moon. I am not sure why you came here to aid us, but I am deeply grateful for it. You have earned the friendship of the Centaurs. However, I hope you will ponder this carefully. After all, this Civil War is a matter for the Centaurs themselves. I do not want..."
"I will not hear it, I will not back down!" Evan interrupted. "Facing that malevolent god is not solely a Centaur affair."
In addition to Evan's words, this was merely Gryffindor's illusion magic.
Evan's challenge was to assist the Centaurs in resealing the malevolent spirit known as the forest god. Regardless, he had no reason to retreat from it.
Even if he perished in the Temple of the Moon, it would only signify his failure in the challenge.
Okegiga remained silent. He firmly patted Evan's shoulder and then retrieved a new spear and bow from his clan, placing them on his back.
"In a while, my people will return to attack those in the colony to draw their attention." Okegiga shouted, "We will seize this opportunity to submerge underwater, and you shall follow me."
They reached the roaring river that stretched to the central lake of the colony.
"Very well, take the herbs, I will count to three, and we shall swallow them!" As the battle in the distant colony resumed, Okegiga gestured, "Three, two, one!"
Time seemed to stand still as Evan ingested the Mermaid Herb.
He quickly removed his shoes and socks, following Okegiga into the cold river.
As expected, the water was bitterly cold!
Evan felt his leg skin being nipped as the water flowed over them.
The further he ventured, the deeper the river became, his soaked robe hanging heavily.
Now the water reached his knees; his two loose and clumsy feet stepped on the sandy and smooth, slippery stones, causing him to slip.
With all his might, he chewed the Mermaid Herb quickly and energetically. It tasted unpleasant - tough and slippery, akin to an octopus tentacle.
Soon, his body began to change; his lower half, soaked in the cold and biting river water, started to swell outwards. Suddenly, Evan felt as if an invisible pillow were pressing against his mouth and nose.
When he inhaled, it felt like his mind was spinning.
His lungs were empty, and there was a sharp knife-cutting pain on both sides of his neck.
Evan quickly grasped his throat with both hands and felt two long, narrow slits beneath his ears that opened and closed in the cold air.
The Mermaid Herb was taking effect. He had gills. Dazed, he turned to look at the Centaur beside him. The sturdy Centaur had now transformed into a strange creature.
He too had gills on his face, thin membranes between his fingers, and even his four hooves began to deform. He gestured for Evan to follow.
Without hesitation, Evan followed Okegiga and submerged into the water.