Yearning for the Moon

Chapter Seven

The intention as soon as I had found out that I had won a city in the tainted lands was to eventually rebuild it, to me there was no other choice, if the Queen didn't want to grant me a fully functioning city then I would just have to make one. But after coming to the tainted lands new problems had presented themselves, the monsters and the way they were dealt with here, while mostly effective seemed much too annoying and arduous.

The fact that such big Lodestone's were required for even small areas, that the barrier drained even strong crystals within weeks or days, was extremely draining, how one could sustain that easily was impossible. Which is why I'm sure stone betting was so crucial here, to involve the people in the process, to have them maybe winning a fortune if they got a rare crystal and then sell it to the City Lord for a cheaper price rather than make the arduous journey elsewhere to get a better price.

The journey here had been spent with me mostly healing Maeve, I had to focus all my effort on her and making sure she was as comfortable as she could be, it had left little time for anything else. Meaning I had yet to cultivate anymore, which was certainly a priority, if I wanted to open up a Pill Store, then I wanted to be strong enough that people at least second guessed if they were able to take me on.

Once news broke out that I was a Pill Refiner, people would come from all manner of places, some friendly, many likely seeking to pay me into their services, and some desiring my skills without wanting to pay me, some that would try to use force and I had to be ready to defend myself. Not only that but if I wanted to build a city then I certainly needed to be strong enough to defend it, and that wasn't even solving the problems that were stopping me from journeying to my city in the first place.

I certainly needed to improve the Lodestone barrier design, it was much too cumbersome, I'm sure Fluorite's superior crystals will help a great deal, but treating the Lodestones with Potions and Pills may help as well. While I had read most of the herbalism books that Nero and Marcellus had left me, I knew that Bodhi had placed some books in the upper floor of the house in the spatial world, it was strange, because while many of the twelve had given me their own gift, they had also put something extra in Amadeus' Spatial Bracelet that is now my Spatial Tattoo.

I had so much on my mind but first I would have to explore the outpost in order to fully understand what resources were available to me. I finish up my bath and get changed for dinner, where I would be meeting Andreas' Uncle, and or his family, of which I wasn't even sure he had. I was half tempted to just fake exhaustion and skip the meal all together, but I knew I owed them the respect of attending the dinner they were hosting because they were kind enough to offer me a place in their home while they were having my residence repaired.

"Miss Elianna, dinner will be ready to be served soon, shall I escort you to the dining hall?" I take a deep breath and walk over to the doors that the maid had spoken through, opening them I give the maid a tight smile and gesture for her to lead the way, Maeve following dutifully behind me, and Orpheus slinks behind us more sedately but much curiouser.

Andreas is thankfully standing outside the dining hall waiting for me, so I don't have to walk in awkwardly all alone. "Don't look so nervous, I assure you they are very honored by your presence in their home, there is nothing to be worried about." I frown at him, not the slightest bit assured by his words, even now after the competition while I knew I was quite skilled in herbalism, I still didn't view myself as some sort of extraordinary person or anything, I was just myself, nothing special.

Upon our entrance to the dining room, a man I believe is Andreas' uncle and his family stand up and bow deeply towards me in respect, making me feel very uncomfortable, unused to this sort of act of respect. "It is our honor to host you, Miss Elianna." I smile stiffly, trying to be polite, but feeling utterly uncomfortable under their adoring and respectful stares.