CHAPTER 326: CHAPTER 326 - A COLLAR FALLS

Elyndra, the Fae girl, had technically been won by Luna, since she was the one who placed the final bid. Yet the funds used to make that possible were a collective effort. A collaboration between Luna, Atlas, and the other Lords of their alliance. Each Lord had contributed at least a thousand gold, or about one million UGD, to help secure the Fae’s freedom.

By all logic, Elyndra should have gone with Luna. Atlas himself had contributed without expecting anything in return. But now, as Luna gently guided their hands together, Atlas found himself standing face to face with the girl.

Holding her hand, he spoke calmly. "Elyndra, can you tell us where you come from?"

The Fae girl flinched slightly at the question before lowering her gaze. "My lord, I come from a world called Yunatea. It is... quite different from this one. I can see many humans here, which feels unusual to me. In my world, there are far more races. Elves, demons, giants, dwarves, and even celestials."

"We have elves here too, Elyndra," Luna said kindly. "Though not as many, perhaps. And you’re right, Fae are very rare in this world."

Elyndra turned her head slowly toward Luna but said nothing, her emerald eyes soft yet guarded.

"Were there Lords in your world as well?" Atlas asked next.

"No, my lord," she replied quickly.

"No?" Atlas echoed.

"I only learned about the Lords and their battles after someone saved me from Yunatea and brought me to this world."

There was clearly a deeper story behind her words. One that might explain how she ended up here, chained and sold. But Atlas decided to leave that conversation for another time.

Then Ember spoke up. "Elyndra, is it true that Fae can unlock their full potential only after forming a bond with a human?"

The question made Elyndra stiffen, surprise flickering across her face. After a brief pause, she nodded slowly. "Yes, Lady Ember. We Fae are destined to serve humans and form a bond with them."

"Have you ever... done something like that before?" Ember asked gently.

Elyndra shook her head. "No, Lady Ember, not yet. I have not yet found a human to entrust with my bond."

After a few moments of silence, Luna turned toward Atlas once more, her tone firm. "Atlas, now that everything’s settled, I’m entrusting Elyndra to you."

Atlas blinked. "I’ll make sure to repay what you and the others contributed for this deal," he said quietly.

Luna shook her head. "No," she said, her voice steady. "I told you from the start that I did this to help her. I’m not asking for anything in return. You can repay the others if you wish, but as for me. I’m fine with it."

Atlas paused, studying her expression before nodding slowly. He had already planned to give Luna something extra as a gesture of gratitude, but her selflessness still struck him deeply. What kind of person could act with such pure intentions in a world like this?

Perhaps he had just grown too used to living in a world where trust was a luxury. Where betrayal had nearly cost him his life.

Maybe Luna was simply built differently. She could give without expecting anything in return... and somehow, it always seemed to end well for her. But would that kindness last forever?

Atlas nodded again, silently. Luna stepped back, giving them space. Atlas turned to Elyndra, gently releasing her hand. Then, his eyes moved to the faint shimmer of the slave collar around her neck.

He reached out, placing a hand on the collar, and focused his mana into it. A sharp click echoed through the room as the tool activated. But instead of tightening its hold, Atlas released another pulse of energy, click, and the collar came loose, falling into his hand.

Elyndra gasped softly, her hands flying to her neck as if she couldn’t believe it was gone. Atlas tossed the slave collar to Edrik.

"My lord?" Elyndra said quietly, clearly surprised.

Atlas exhaled. "I don’t enslave anyone," he said firmly. "I’ll only accept you if you choose to stay with us by your own will."

Elyndra stood frozen, her body still trembling faintly as silence filled the room. Then Luna spoke softly. "Elyndra, we’re friends now, alright? You have your freedom back."

The Fae girl lowered her head, her long green hair falling over her shoulders. For a moment, she said nothing, only touching her face gently, as if to confirm that she was truly free. Then she lifted her gaze again, her bright eyes meeting Atlas’s.

"Lord Atlas," she said in a respectful tone, bowing slightly. "Thank you... for granting me this freedom, and for this opportunity. From this moment onward, I shall follow you and devote myself to your cause and your glory. Please allow me some time to adjust to this new life, and do not hesitate to correct me should I make mistakes. I will do my utmost to serve you with sincerity and honor."

Atlas nodded slowly, a faint smile touching his face. "That’s enough for now. Welcome to our side, Elyndra."

He guided her to join Luna and the others, who greeted her with quiet smiles. Ember then stepped forward, pulling out a black robe and handing it to Elyndra. "Here, wear this. It’ll help hide your identity until we’re out of here," she said kindly.

Elyndra accepted it with a grateful nod, draping the robe over her pristine white dress.

Well, everything had ended well. Atlas would be returning to Gacha Haven the next day, bringing back not only one mysterious item but also a valuable blueprint, and one new addition to his growing domain.

He still had one of the Soulbinding Armor with him, and he considered giving it to Elyndra. Knowing her level and potential, that armor set would surely hold immense value in her hands. After all, her power and rare element combination could bring out the armor’s full potential.

However, Atlas was aware of the limitation. During his next Lord Battle, Elyndra would face a penalty from the System since her level exceeded the Rank-2 cap of 150. Still, as long as she could use her buff and support skills, her contribution to the team would remain invaluable.

The night of the auction wasn’t over yet. They decided to stay a little longer, curious to see what other rare items might appear before the event ended. Most of the major pieces had already been revealed, but there were still a few yet to come.

Then, the host returned to the stage, his tone more intense and energetic than before. The atmosphere shifted again, the audience straightening in anticipation as he began to introduce the next item. Something that, from his tone alone, promised to be extraordinary.

The red cloth was pulled away, revealing what lay beneath. At first glance, it looked like a sphere. Its surface was dark with faint streaks of green swirling across it, glistening slightly as if it were damp.

The host stepped closer, his voice filled with restrained excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, what you see before you is something tied to one of the oldest and most powerful creatures ever known, the dragons. Beings of immense strength, unmatched magical affinity, and ancient wisdom that shaped the balance of the world itself."

"Dragon?" Atlas murmured. "Is that... a part of a dragon?"

Edrik nodded slowly. "I believe so, my lord."