Chapter 57 - Moonlight Tribe

Moments later, Ellena finally stopped her run. We saw ourselves in front of an enormous colorful fence made of logs. 

How colorful? Different dyes of different pigments are used to make this style. They also seem to be a primitive art style, I don't know how to describe it but it's pleasing to the eyes.

"This is a village? I thought it was a temple." Ellena mumbled which I automatically questioned.

Temple? What's she talking about. It's not even near to what she described.

"Have you seen a temple?" I asked to halt her mesmerizing.

She shook her head, "Not ever since."

At her answer, I just naturally burst out into laughter. How could she describe it as a temple if she hasn't gone there?

Well, too much of it, it's not funny anymore as I realized I haven't gone there myself too. 

I don't want to humiliate myself so I shifted her attention and recommended cautiously approach the gate.

"I hope they are not xenophobic." I unconsciously mumbled.

Ellena heard it, she didn't know what it was since she asked, "What's xenophobic?"

"It's a word to describe the fear of foreigners. It's from xenophobia."

I can't help but snicker. She just shrugged as if she understood it. But I know that she didn't since there are no words present here like that in the current era.

She started to step forward. As we approached the tall gate, from the watchtower, a guard halted us.

"State your business."

Wow... this isn't a normal village from what I presume. It appears to be more of an organized sector of people. More like a tribe than a village.

Well, I thought of it as a tribe too, but not into the tribe 'tribe' that everyone thinks of immediately.

"Hm? We--- I am just a traveller. I stumbled upon your settlement. And I hope that I could at least know why a settlement is located in a middle of a dangerous place."

The guard inspected Ellena from head to toe. As he slowly went down before opening the gate.

"Come inside. I will get the leader for you to talk to. You appeared to be a noble from the outside."

They seems to be more amazing that what I anticipated.

***

As they went inside, Aaron was mesmerized by what he saw. A village behind those walls is an understatement for a mere village. This place is more like a haven since houses look beautifully the same as the roads are made of rock, combined to form a solid foothold.

Houses are made of wood. Not just a normal house, but a house built with a brilliant application of techniques in tying for the absence of nails.

The whole village appears to be wider than what the fence is. It is more like 2 hectares at most. Enough for this large group of people to live.

The guard assisted Ellena. People around were watching her as she appears to be different from them.

Their appearance is more like of lighter than hers. Ellena's fair skin became nothing to these white people. Their clothes are also made of weaved fibers. 

Seconds later, they stopped at a house different from others. It has more design than the rest of the houses.

"This is the leader's house?"

"Yes." The guard just steps forward before knocking on the door.

"Leader, a noble lady visited." The guard knocked that made Ellena and Aaron wonder.

'Noble, huh? So what are they? They can see status through appearance?'

They just didn't pay much of it then continue their attention to the opening door.

As the door completely opened, a fair-looking elder with white-greyish hair appeared.

"Hm? Noble lady?" He inspected Ellena's demeanor. "You look more of an adventurer than a noble. Please come inside."

Ellena just nod before intruding into the house.

As what the outside tells, the inside is more surprising. It has a bright interior, coming from a luminant stone. Furniture is just made of wood, but they are smoothened perfectly.

"What's the business of your visit?" The leader asked.

"I was in an adventure before seeing your village. I was curious of it so I decided to visit."  Ellena answered calmly.

"Hmmm...?" The leader raised his eyebrow. "You visited a place just because of curiosity? What a blunt decision. You're going to die earlier than your lifespan." The leader continued.

It appears to be a rude remark but for Aaron, it wasn't. Since he also realized that it was stupid to be unprepared to visit a place.

"Well, I am at least confident that I can manage to escape danger. You haven't asked how I got here the rainforest." Ellena answered confidently.

The leader just laughed softly as he found the conversation funny. It was his first time to see a lady this confident, unbothered by his aura.

"You're blunt. I like how you directly contradict my words. Obviously, you have the capabilities of protecting yourself since you survived the rainforest."

"Then... it seems that this place is secluded. Can I know the reason?" Pure curiosity, Ellena asked as she doesn't want to waste her time for chitchat. Instead, she wants to satisfy her curiosity.

"You don't know us? Perhaps the outer surface is different from what I expected. Visitors are the ones who come here, not us."

'Of course, they are the visitor dumbass.' Aaron cursed inwardly.

"We are Moonlight tribe. We just like to live in the forest so we are away from your civilization." 

Surprisingly, this kind of person manages to talk to a stranger with ease. Aaron was thinking that he seems to be used to visitors since he talks well.

"I guess, that answers my curiosity. Right now, I don't know what I should do. Perhaps I'll continue my venture."

"Please wait. The reason why the guard assisted you here because we are searching for help."

"Hm? Then why did you live in this dangerous place? You can just find a safer forest." Ellena said.

"It's easy for you to say since your people don't stick with tradition. We, moonlight tribe, protect our legacy." The leader uttered confidently.

"I see... But though, I admit that I'm getting bored. So I'll continue my venture."

It appears that the village was not that interesting as what she saw from outside. Since cultures are not her taste, she forgot why in the first place she came here. Perhaps just to know the reason why they live here.

Thus, Ellena lost her interest, deciding to continue her journey.

"Please wait. I have a request." 

It was connecting from what the leader said earlier. As for why the guard assisted her here, it piqued Ellena's curiosity.

"What is it?" She asked.

"You said that you are confident right? With saving yourself, perhaps, can you help us to eradicate the threat in this forest?"

Ellena saw it as a joke, since they chose to sacrifice their safety over culture. However, since she felt pity, as she wants to save people, she lends her ears.

"What is it?"

"The reason why there are more monsters appearing is that it's mating season for other species. Can you help us eradicate them before you continue your journey?"

As for how blunt it appears to be, Aaron just can't help but exclaim inwardly. 'Stupid!' As for the reason, there's nothing in it.. He was just ignorant that there are people who chose their culture over safety.