“I hope you can forgive and understand what has happened, and please take this token as a sign of our apology,” Elaine said softly, bowing slightly.
Her straight, shining blonde hair cascaded down her back, and a delicate tiara adorned her head. Despite being treated like royalty by her people, her humility was striking.
Broken accepted the cape, his fingers gliding over its smooth, delicate surface. The fabric felt incredibly soft, and a subtle shimmer of light passed through it.
“I hope you like our gift,” Elaine said.
As Broken examined the cape, he focused on the skills information tied to the item and gasped in surprise. It was Unique-grade.
[Moonlight Barrier Cape]
[Grade: Unique]
[Movement Speed +10%
Intelligence +50
Stamina +50]
[Durability: 83/100]
[Weight: 190]
[A shimmering cape woven from the magic of the Moonlight Fae. It glows with a faint green hue under the moonlight, offering both protection and grace to its wearer. The cape’s ethereal fabric enhances movement and intelligence, while its mystical powers create barriers and provide healing in times of need.]
Broken quickly skimmed over the cape’s skill details, deciding to study them more thoroughly later. But even with just a glance, he could already tell it would be incredibly useful, especially in emergencies. The set of skills focused heavily on protection, making the cape an invaluable item for his journey ahead.
“I’m so happy to receive this gift,” he said with a smile. “I truly appreciate it.”
Elaine returned his smile warmly and nodded. “Mr. Broken, Ms. Ivana, please accept our invitation to enjoy the banquet we’ve prepared for you,” she said.
They followed Elaine to the other side of the room, where a long dining table awaited them, lined with wooden chairs. The table was beautifully arranged with a variety of fruits, each one more exotic than the last.
Broken and Ivana took their seats, while Elaine sat across from them, with Morel standing watchfully nearby.
“Please,” Elaine said, gesturing to the table. “We have gathered the finest fruits from our land, and I’m certain you will enjoy them. Most of these can only be found in Moonlight Land.”
Broken reached for a vibrant purple grape, much larger than any he had ever seen. As he bit into it, a burst of sweetness overwhelmed his senses-unlike anything he had tasted before. “The fruit here is truly extraordinary,” Broken said.
“I’m glad you like it,” Elaine said softly.
She went on. “I heard you both have a special request you want to convey to me?”
“Special request?” Broken muttered softly. freewebnoveℓ.com
“Cedric mentioned it to me,” she added.
Broken recalled his conversation with Cedric the day before.
“Ah, is this about my request to hunt monsters in the forest?”
Broken asked, feeling a little uneasy, especially knowing that Pawpaw had already been hunting them. He wasn’t sure how many the little kitten had taken down.
“If that’s the case, I’d like to formally ask for permission, if it’s something you would allow, Lady Elaine.”
Elaine smiled softly and shook her head kindly. “Please, just call me Elaine. Formalities aren’t necessary,” she replied, pausing briefly. “The monsters in this forest have coexisted with us for centuries. Though they lack intelligence, they have never been a threat to the residents of Moonlight Land. They live here peacefully alongside us,” she explained.
She added. “May I ask your reason for wanting to hunt these monsters, Mr. Broken?” “I’m looking for monster cores and soul stones from creatures with elemental affinities like those in this forest. But I understand if you’d prefer that I don’t hunt them.”
Elaine pondered for a moment before continuing. “Monsters… They emerge naturally according to the environment, and even after being killed, they will reappear over time. If you truly need these resources, I don’t see a reason to deny your request,” she said, offering a kind smile.
Broken felt relieved, knowing that she wasn’t against the idea. “Thank you, Elaine. I truly appreciate your understanding.”
“Lady Elaine?” Morel spoke up, drawing her attention. “Not all areas of the forest are safe, especially for outsiders.”
Elaine nodded. “Yes, that’s true. Some parts of the forest are dangerous. I’ll have Cedric and Cecilia accompany you to ensure you don’t stray into the wrong areas of the forest,” she said.
“Wrong areas of the forest?” Broken muttered softly.
Elaine nodded once more, “Are you interested in learning more about us, Mr. Broken?”
“Yes,” he replied slowly. “I came here today to learn many things from you.”
Elaine smiled warmly. “Is there anything specific you’d like to know?”
“Does your tribe’s name have anything to do with the Moon Goddess?”
“I believe I can answer that,” she replied.
Elaine began her story. “Faeries are a race that lives in groups. We are destined to live that way, which is why we are divided into various tribes spread across Yunatea. As the Tribe Leader, I inherited this position as a legacy from my predecessor.”
She paused briefly. “At the start, our tribe had no name, nothing that made us stand out among the other faery tribes. Then, one day, misfortune struck-more accurately, it struck me as the leader. A terrible curse was cast upon me.”
Elaine’s voice trembled slightly as she continued. “The Moon Goddess gathered us, saved us, and brought us to this forest to contain the damage that the curse could have caused. She shielded us by creating this space, allowing us to survive without the curse spreading further.”
It became clear to Broken that the curse the Moonlight Fae referred to was actually the curse placed upon their leader, Elaine. As a result, the entire tribe had shared in her burden, forced to live under the shadow of her curse.
Broken nodded slowly, understanding how deeply this curse affected not just Elaine, but her
entire people.
The Moon Goddess had intervened, offering them sanctuary in this secluded space, preventing the curse from causing even more devastation. The tribe’s name, Moonlight Fae, now seemed like a tribute to the goddess who had saved them.
“Have you ever met the Moon Goddess in person? Do you know her?”
Elaine fell silent for a moment. After a brief pause, she answered, “Yes, we know the Moon Goddess, and I have met her in person.”
Broken, eager to ask more about the Moon Goddess, held himself back, waiting patiently for Elaine to continue when she was ready.
“Have you met the Moon Goddess too, Mr. Broken?”
Broken paused, his thoughts drifting back to the time he performed the Rain-Summoning Ritual. He remembered the girl, Selene, who had danced during the ritual, but he wasn’t sure
if she was truly the Moon Goddess.
“No, I haven’t,” he finally replied. “But I’ve heard many stories about her. I know she is considered the savior of Yunatea, and that she bestowed a sword upon the late King of
Dissidia, Elandorr.”
Elaine smiled softly upon hearing his explanation. “Mr. Broken, there is something important
I’d like to discuss with you.
Broken nodded, preparing himself for what she was about to reveal.
“It’s related to the curse that has befallen this tribe,” Elaine continued. “But if you don’t
mind, I’d like to discuss it with you in private.”
Broken glanced at Ivana, who smiled and nodded reassuringly. “I’ll wait outside with Cedric
and Cecilia.”
Once they were alone, Elaine resumed the conversation, her composure faltering as emotion
crept into her voice.
“I know this is an incredibly selfish request of mine,” she began. “But I am begging you, offering everything I have as collateral. Please, I need your help.”