Chapter 380 - Luna’s Background

Valon still wore a playful smile, "Neither of these individuals is a stranger, this gentleman here is Mr. Gaven Nort whom you have previously admired so much. His experiences are even more legendary than what your Uncle Darnell and Grandfather August have written about in their letters. Didn’t you say before that you wanted to be the mount for such a hero? Well, now I’ve brought him to you.""Grand Inquisitor, please mind your words. When did I say I wanted to be his mount?" Luna’s tone clearly rose several decibels, and the annoyance that seeped through her voice was impossible to hide.

"Didn’t you say that? Maybe I’m getting old, confused, and remembering wrong? I recall when reading the letter last time, you said it would be great to accompany Mr. Gaven on his adventures, even willing to be his mount..." Valon had a puzzled expression, his last few words obviously imitating, making the underlying meaning all too clear.

Luna, flustered, retorted, "It was a metaphor, just a metaphor. If I wanted adventure, it would be on my own, not as someone’s mount. And please, stop imitating me when I speak, it’s disgusting, you know."

"Disgusting?" Valon, looking utterly oblivious, turned his head to ask Darnell.

Darnell, with an expression like he couldn’t bear to look, nodded repeatedly.

Valon then turned his gaze to Gaven, saying, "Mr. Gaven, you are our guest. Would you care to give a fair statement?"

Gaven replied with a smile, "Your relationship is truly wonderful. To the uninformed, they might think you are grandparents and grandchildren joking with each other."

Valon burst into hearty laughter, "Mr. Gaven really has a way with words."

Confronted with Gaven’s refreshing remarks, an irritated Luna couldn’t unleash her anger, and simply nodded at Gaven, saying, "I apologize for causing you amusement, sir. Grandfather Valon is all right in most aspects, but he’s really not good at joking. Yet, regrettably, he enjoys doing it so much. I think a more serious demeanor would suit him better."

"That’s okay, it makes him more approachable. People who are always stern, live too tensely," Gaven laughed, "Grand Inquisitor, didn’t you say you were inviting Miss Luna to dine with us? Shall we get going?"

Although he was aware of Valon’s intention, after learning that the other party was a sage horse species, Gaven made no mention of the mount matter.

These creatures are quite sensitive about this topic in this area.

They aren’t as prideful as the Giant Dragon, who couldn’t accept it at all.

But to bring it up upon first meeting was considered quite rude.

To achieve his goal, he would need to take things slowly, starting with friendship. Once the bond deepened, everything else would fall into place naturally.

Wasn’t the Young Red Copper Dragon Aivensa in the same situation? Did you really think she was so easily bamboozled? She was simply playing the fool to capitulate gracefully.

Valon was clearly aware of this as well, aside from a joking mention at the start, he completely avoided talking about Luna becoming Gaven’s mount, instead prattling endlessly about Gaven’s tales and his unique Special Ability to Destroy Evil.

The Half-Moon Colt Luna’s eyes sparkled, longing to experience it herself.

From her speech and mannerisms, it wasn’t hard to see that she had spent a considerable duration at the Monastery of the Hammer of Justice, possibly even since birth, deeply influenced by the Paladin culture.

If not for her physical form, she would certainly be a Holy Warrior Apprentice by now.

If not for her sage lineage, she might have already become a powerful Holy Warrior’s partner mount.

Like a Druid’s animal companion, Holy Warriors’ partner mounts can grow with the Holy Warrior’s Professional Level and possess various Special Abilities.

Most are ordinary beasts, some are unique magic beasts, but sage creatures cannot become mounts—their intelligence prevents them from being subordinate to anyone, even Holy Warriors.

Just as they entered the dining hall, and before Valon could call for the meal to be served, Gaven took out a Fey Picnic Cloth and with a flick on the table, started spreading it out while smiling, "Although we’re in your home, please allow me to contribute some fruit specialties from the Fairy Wilderness."

Immediately, a large assortment of fruits appeared on the picnic cloth.

Roaring red apples the size of two adult fists.

Crystal clear, plump grapes.

Golden, thick bananas.

Gleaming, vibrant honey.

The sight of these fruits whetted the appetite.

Witnessing such a unique scene for the first time, the Half-Moon Colt obviously couldn’t hide her surprise, "This can’t just be fruit from the Fairy Wilderness, can it? This seems more like magic."

"Indeed, it is magic, but these fruits also come from the Fairy Wilderness," Gaven explained with a smile. "This picnic cloth is a magical Fey Picnic Cloth, a gift from the Thorn Spirits of Rose Tower. It’s called the Fey Picnic Cloth, which can be used three times a day, materializing a lavish meal sufficient for six people each time.

Compared to those grand meals, I thought Miss Luna would prefer this style of natural dining from the fairies."

It was evident that these fruit feasts were prepared for Luna.

Indeed, inviting Luna to dinner was an impromptu decision, and Gaven, fearing Valon might not have made preparations, took the initiative himself.

Luna’s expression couldn’t hide her delight; no one dislikes being treated specially, especially not in Gaven’s subtle manner.

Stepping gracefully forward to the dining table, she said to Gaven, "Thank you, sir, I really do like it. Sir, you are indeed as thoughtful as they have said."

"They?" A look of surprise crossed Gaven’s face. There were indeed those who knew him at the Monastery of the Hammer of Justice.

"Lord Thornspike and Lord Five-Willow. We chatted outside for a long time, and they spoke of nothing but your affairs," Luna said, unable to hide a hint of smugness on her equine face as if she had gained the upper hand.

"So that’s it." Gaven realized, the other was a true child of nature, with a natural advantage when interacting with the Treants.

But just the image of a horse chatting away with a bunch of trees was, in itself, a fantastical scenario.

"Therefore, even if you hadn’t come to me, I would have sought you out. If possible, sir, I wish you could take me to see the Fairy Wilderness," Luna requested earnestly, with an undeniable sadness in her demeanor.

"That wouldn’t be difficult at all," Gaven felt a surge of joy. He had been worried about how to foster closer ties between them, but here she was, offering herself on a platter. Out of curiosity, he asked, "Why, may I ask?"

"I’ll explain this matter!" Darnell interjected from the side, "Luna actually originates from the Fairy Wilderness. Her parents came at the invitation to help protect the Comanso Forest from the corrupting encroachment of Moando, the God of Decay.

They admirably fulfilled their protective duty, but they too were eroded by the Power of Decay.

After they gave birth to Luna, they passed away one by one, and their souls returned to the Fairy Wilderness for rebirth.

As for Luna, she remained in Felen, brought back to the Monastery of the Hammer of Justice by my teacher Grandfather August to be cleansed of corruption, and that’s where she has lived ever since.

Going back to the Fairy Wilderness, her homeland, has always been Luna’s heartfelt wish from childhood to adulthood."

"I see," Gaven said, expressing his understanding. "If all goes well, Lord Virginia will be visiting the estate in the next day or two, and you can accompany her back to the Fairy Wilderness. Whether it’s just for a look or for permanent residence, I believe she would welcome it."

"That’s truly wonderful, when do we leave?" Luna said, joy shining through her sorrow, showing her impatience.

"You’re always mocking me for being hasty, but look at you. When it comes down to it, you’re even more eager than I am," Valon teased unreservedly. "Mr. Gaven has just arrived and has been busy with affairs of the monastery all day; he deserves at least a night’s rest here first."

Luna apologized to Gaven with a face full of contrition, "I’m sorry, sir, I was a bit too eager just now. I will leave the timing of our departure up to you."

"We shall return to the estate tomorrow morning," Gaven said, turning to Valon with a touch of apology, "Which means I must trouble the Grand Inquisitor to expedite the purification list tonight. There’s no need for completion, just enough for the next time I return to purify. The rest can be dealt with in due time."

"It’s no trouble at all; we’re doing this for our own estate," Valon laughed heartily. "Mr. Gaven, rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, not only will the list be ready, but the provisions you need will be prepared too."

From start to finish, Gaven and Valon never discussed trade, yet transactions were present everywhere.

Whether it was the initial God-Given Skill, the purification now, or even the provisions.

Now, Luna was part of that transaction as well. Valon wasn’t simply ensuring Gaven had a steed for the skies but was also inserting an informant at his side.

It wasn’t necessarily that he had ulterior motives against Gaven, but it was to ensure the presence of righteous people around him, preventing him from falling into darkness and ensuring his unique abilities were not used for Dark Power.

This was a common tactic among benevolent forces. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt

Compared to the value of the first two, the grain transaction was incidental – load the wagons that Gaven had brought first, and the rest could be negotiated slowly in future dealings.

This was the tacit understanding between the old and the young foxes.

"If possible, this kind of purification partnership need not be limited to the cursed gear currently at the Monastery of the Hammer of Justice. Your Excellency the Grand Inquisition could very well utilize your connections in this area to purchase from other monasteries and churches at a low cost and then hand them over to me for processing. We could split the proceeds afterward," Gaven broached his business proposal anew.

He could undertake this business independently of the Monastery of the Hammer of Justice.

But it would undoubtedly require much effort and yield results more slowly. Distinguishing cursed gear from nefarious artifacts can be challenging, and those benevolent forces might not be willing to sell to him. It was different when the Monastery was involved; they were already established in this field.

If they announced they had the ability to cleanse such cursed gear, no one would doubt it.

As long as the price was right, acquiring a large amount of cursed gear would be a simple task.

Upon hearing this, Valon sat up sharply, his eyes sparkling with the realization of the vast potential profits.

However, that glint of greed lasted only a few seconds before he subdued it, shaking his head and saying, "How unseemly of me, how unseemly. Brother Gaven, your proposal is even more powerful than the temptation of a Devil, but I cannot do as you suggest. We are a monastery, not businessmen; we cannot engage in such acts of wealth extraction from our fellows.

But I can put you in touch with those churches and monasteries in need. You can deal directly with them to help purify their cursed equipments and evil artifacts."

"Your Excellency’s noble sentiments are indeed a role model for our kind—a height I can only aspire to," Gaven said with heartfelt admiration.

Actually, Valon’s suggested method was the most beneficial for Gaven.

Not only would he not miss out on any advantages, but he could also earn the goodwill of those powers for free, acquiring what he needed from them.

Although it might seem self-serving coming from him, it was Valon’s state of mind that he could not match, willingly foregoing his rightful share of the benefits, truly the exemplar of a Paladin.

It was no coincidence that the Monastery of the Hammer of Justice had a renowned reputation in the Valley.