These six hours were destined to be pure torture for Kael.
To avoid getting screwed by cliché plot mechanics, Kael offered a suggestion. "Arch Elder Caelthas, for your own safety, I urge you to stay in this room for the next six hours."
Caelthas's response left him speechless. "Thank you for your concern, Sir Dawnbreaker. But I am still the administrator of the Aelindale World Tree. I cannot hide from my people. Even if I am to die, I must do so before them."
What a stubborn fool, Kael cursed inwardly.
In truth, Kael couldn't care less if Caelthas lived or died—as long as the elf waited until the quest was complete. Since Myran was taking over the Aelindale World Tree anyway, this place held no value for him. Elven political drama was the least of his concerns.
Securing the [Eye of Elunara] and protecting the Starlight World Tree was the priority. With the [Eye of Elunara], the other elves couldn't manufacture an excuse to destroy Starlight Town's World Tree without committing heresy against the Elven God.
But no matter how logical Kael's plan was, he couldn't force compliance. He sighed, dropping the issue. He knew dialogue alone rarely altered scripted events. He needed a key quest item.
Kael racked his brain for any items in his inventory tied to the village of Aelinbough.
[Sap of Nature's Blessing]!
He pulled out the vial, now short a dozen drops, and waved it in front of Caelthas. "Arch Elder Caelthas, does this [Sap of Nature's Blessing] bring anything to mind?"
Caelthas nodded. "Indeed. Seeing this [Sap of Nature's Blessing] reminds me of the flourishing World Tree near Starlight Town. I look forward to seeing it mature." Then, he shut his mouth.
Seeing the sap fail to trigger anything, Kael retrieved a wooden dagger. It was the [Broken Dagger of Elunara], its three durability charges completely depleted. "Arch Elder Caelthas, my [Dagger of Elunara] is broken. Can you repair it?"
Caelthas's eyes lit up. He took the [Broken Dagger of Elunara] and examined it. Kael's pulse quickened. Did I actually guess right?
A second later, Caelthas handed it back. "This dagger was crafted from the branches of the World Tree. Unless you possess the [Sap of Nature's Blessing], its usefulness has reached its end."
A system notification popped up.
[System: You have learned that the Sap of Nature's Blessing can repair the Broken Dagger of Elunara. Go find the Sap of Nature's Blessing!]
Kael didn't know whether to laugh or curse. He inspected the [Broken Dagger of Elunara] again and noticed a line of fine print at the bottom: Can be repaired with Sap of Nature's Blessing.
Having nothing better to do, Kael selected the [Repair] option on the dagger. A prompt asked to confirm the use of the [Sap of Nature's Blessing] from his inventory. Kael clicked [Yes].
[System: You have repaired the Dagger of Elunara.]
The volume of sap in the vial noticeably decreased. Kael checked the [Dagger of Elunara]. Its stats and durability had changed.
[Dagger of Elunara]
[Description: A sharp blade that ignores all defenses.]
[Physical Attack: 15,000,000]
[Charges: 2/2]
The attack power had jumped from ten million to fifteen million, but the maximum charges dropped from three to two. The next repair would likely drop the cap again. It wasn't an infinite loop.
Tucking the dagger away, Kael couldn't think of anything else to trigger a reaction from Caelthas. He had no choice but to shadow the elf. Fortunately, Caelthas didn't kick him out, simply going about his business. Isilwen stuck close to Kael; functionally, she was already a priestess of the StarlightTree.
For the next few hours, Caelthas bustled in and out, working, while Kael followed him around like a paranoid bodyguard.
As the full moon aligned with the [Eye of Elunara] above, Kael realized with pleasant surprise that absolutely nothing had gone wrong. Maybe I was overthinking it.
Just as he relaxed, three figures materialized on the observatory's teleport nexus. Leading the trio was none other than Arch Elder Myran.
Kael nearly choked. Of course he shows up now. Cue the dramatic scripted interference. I should've known!
But since the system had set the stage, he had to play along.
Seeing Myran approach, Caelthas stood and offered a polite bow. "Greetings, Arch Elder Myran. To what do I owe the pleasure this evening?"
Myran barely nodded. The two elves flanking him offered a verbal greeting. "Greetings, Elder Caelthas." They didn't bother to bow.
Arch Elder Myran pointed at the [Eye of Elunara]. "Caelthas, I require the Eye of Elunara tonight to commune with the divine. Leave."
Kael jumped in before the echo faded. "We're using the Eye of Elunara tonight!"
Myran shot Kael a dismissive glance and ignored him, keeping his eyes locked on Caelthas.
Caelthas smiled faintly. "As Sir Dawnbreaker said, we are using the Eye of Elunara tonight."
"You?" Myran scoffed. "What could you possibly do with the Eye of Elunara? Peep on bathing elves from afar?"
His two subordinates erupted into mocking laughter.
Caelthas's face darkened at the blatant insult. "You jest, Arch Elder Myran," he said, his voice dropping. "I intend to petition the divine tonight."
"Petition the divine? Do you even speak the divine tongue? As far as I know, you were denied permission to study it in Silverglade!"
Myran didn't bother hiding his contempt. In two days, he would be the master here. A weak, washed-up elf like Caelthas wasn't worth his respect.
Instead of cowering, Caelthas burst into laughter. "That is none of your concern, Arch Elder Myran."
"Insolence!" Myran snapped. "Have you forgotten your place? In two days, you step down! I am the Arch Elder of the village of Aelinbough!"
Caelthas dropped all pretense of respect. "As you said, that is in two days. Right now, I am still the administrator of the Aelindale World Tree!"
Myran's two subordinates stepped forward, glaring at Caelthas. "You dare disrespect Lord Myran? Do you have a death wish?"
Kael finally checked the two lackeys' stats.
Maeve (Level 60 Elite)
Brienne (Level 60 Elite)
Meanwhile, Caelthas was only a Level 50 Boss. Either one of them could wipe the floor with him.
Yet Caelthas didn't flinch. He glared right back. "What? Are you going to strike me down beneath the Eye of Elunara?"
Myran held his subordinates back. His expression shifted rapidly before settling into a smooth smile. "Elder Caelthas, forgive my lack of discipline. I will punish these foolish juniors when we return. How about this: we share the Eye of Elunara tonight. I'm sure the divine won't mind."
Caelthas turned his back on them. "Go use the Eye of Elunara in Frostfall."
With a flick of his sleeve, he activated the nexus and teleported all three of them out of the room. For now, Caelthas was still the master of this domain!