Chapter 14: What Are You Shouting About?

Seeing that Lance had finally found her, a ripple of joy surfaced in the Elf’s emerald eyes, though she quickly suppressed it.

Astrid’s eyes shifted as she gave Lance a subtle look, but she wasn’t sure if Lance could see or understand her meaning through his helmet.

Lance saw the look but couldn’t quite grasp what the Elven lady meant.

He simply switched the application mode of his [Omnipotent Persuader] and asked directly in the Elf’s mind, ‘Elven lady, what is going on? How did you become the Holy Messenger of the God of Nature?’

The sudden voice echoing in her mind made the Elf’s delicate body tremble in surprise.

Realizing it was Lance, she settled down, though a look of confusion appeared on her face. She asked back in her mind, ‘What Holy Messenger?’

‘Huh? But the Takins said you were the Messenger of the Holy Lord…’

The Elf was shocked. When did this happen? How did she not know about it?

At that moment, she finally understood why the Takins had been so friendly to her, giving her both food and drink.

The Elf hurriedly stood up and explained to the Takin Grand Elder beside her, “Did you all misunderstand something?”

Hearing the Holy Messenger speaking in the beautiful Elven Language, the Grand Elder didn’t understand a single word.

However, that didn’t stop him from expressing his reverence for the Holy Lord.

The Takin Elder immediately stood up, dropped to one knee, and shouted, “Glory to the Holy Lord!”

Seeing this, the Takins in the house followed suit, all dropping to one knee and shouting in unison, “Glory to the Holy Lord!”

In the Elf’s ears, the entire room echoed with the sound of moos.

Seeing their pious and fanatical appearance, the Elf instantly panicked.

She hurriedly waved her hands to avoid the Grand Elder’s bow.

Seeing this scene, Lance felt his scalp go numb.

He tentatively asked the knowledgeable Witch, ‘Master Falia, what is the situation?’

‘Hmm? You don’t know? This should be considered theological common sense, right?’

‘Theological common sense? How would a young man raised under the red flag like me know anything about theological common sense? I don’t even understand the God of Radiance I supposedly “believe” in, let alone the God of Nature!’

Seeing Lance’s confusion, Falia explained, ‘Belief in the God of Nature is very widespread among Beastmen. The doctrines of the Nature Church proclaim that the avatars of Panice are Elves.’

‘This is also the reason why the Elven race is favored by Panice…’

‘That little Elven girl isn’t ordinary. She has a special Divine Protection in her body. It’s normal for her to be mistaken for the Messenger of the Holy Lord.’

Astrid was completely dazed by the constant stream of moos.

In her desperation, she could only turn her pleading gaze toward Lance.

Lance also took the opportunity to ask, ‘Lady Astrid, are you really not the Messenger of the Holy Lord?’

The Elf immediately replied, ‘Of course not! I don’t even have a Holy Office. How could I be the messenger of the Mother Goddess?’

‘Then did you tell them?’

The Elf’s face fell, as if she were undergoing some difficult psychological struggle. Finally, she said in a small voice, ‘I can’t understand what they are saying…’

‘Huh? Aren’t Elves supposed to be spirits of nature?’

‘Then use the Language of Nature…’

‘I don’t know that skill…’

‘There are Elves who don’t know the Language of Nature? Isn’t that something innate?’ Lance was stunned by her answer.

However, seeing that the Elf’s expression wasn’t very good, Lance immediately dropped the subject and didn’t ask further.

Just as Lance was about to relay the Elf’s words to the Takins, the Witch in his mind spoke again.

‘It’s better if you don’t do that~’

‘Hmm? Why?’

‘Look at their expressions… don’t they look like drowning people clutching at the last straw?’

Prompted by Falia, Lance carefully studied the expressions of the group of Takins.

The Takins all had eyes filled with hope and fanaticism…

Lance’s Soulfire flickered. Vaguely, he seemed to realize something.

‘Will they believe your words? After all, they don’t understand whatever the Elf says anyway…’

‘But if you do as I say…’

The Witch master clearly had something to say, and Lance immediately asked, ‘Please, give me your guidance!’

The Witch in his mind chuckled softly.

Her two small feet, hidden under the wide mage robes, swayed slightly as she spoke unhurriedly, ‘First… then use this point… and finally…’

Lance nodded repeatedly, feeling that the Witch’s suggestion was highly feasible. Hearing the rest, Lance’s expression changed, and the Soulfire in his eyes bobbed up and down along with it.

The room was still in chaos.

The Elf was at a loss, once again turning her pleading gaze toward Lance.

Lance nodded slightly, as if saying: ‘Don’t worry, just leave it to me.’

Seeing this, the Elf’s panicked expression eased slightly.

She looked at Lance with burning eyes, wondering what he would do next.

And so, under the Elf’s expectant gaze, Lance raised both arms high, dropped to one knee, and joined the crowd of Takins in shouting, “Glory to the Holy Lord!”

The Elf was speechless.

……

After an unknown amount of time, the room finally returned to silence.

Maji had also introduced Lance to the Elders.

While Lance talked with the Elders, he also explained “his” plan to the Elf.

The Elven lady frowned slightly, but she didn’t have any better solution.

Although impersonating a Holy Messenger was somewhat disrespectful, for the sake of their safety, the Elf still agreed to Lance’s plan.

Upon learning that Lance could speak the Elven Language, the Elders were overjoyed and immediately asked Lance to help them communicate with the Holy Messenger.

“Sir, what reward do you require? As long as it is within our tribe’s power, you may ask for anything!”

“Elder, please do not say such things. Maji and the others are my friends. Why would I need a reward for helping a friend?”

Hearing Lance say this, the members of the Takin squad were all exceptionally moved, feeling fortunate to have met a friend like Lance.

“No, no, no! We Takins never mistreat our friends!”

Hearing Lance’s words, the Grand Elder hurriedly waved his hand, insisting that Lance choose an item from their treasury as a reward.

Watching Lance pull and push with the Takin Elder, Falia hummed, ‘Wasn’t I right to tell you to listen to me?’

‘Takins are easy to get along with. As long as you show sincerity, they will interact with you with their whole hearts as well.’

Lance immediately praised her from the bottom of his heart, ‘Master Falia truly is widely experienced!’

But after hearing this sincere praise, the Witch was instead displeased.

Pouting, the Witch jumped off the bed in the room and walked to the desk.

She picked up the Master-Disciple Contract that Lance had signed, her amber eyes turning deep.

‘At first, you were afraid and intimidated by me, calling me Master Falia. I didn’t hold it against you.’

‘But by now, I should have shown enough goodwill, right?’

The Witch thought back to her actions: giving Lance a stool to sit on, giving him tea to drink, and even kindly asking about his sister’s recent situation.

Such treatment was something even the former Great Sage wasn’t qualified to enjoy!

“Little Lance… what did you call me?”

“Master… Falia?”

The Witch gave a cold snort.

With a flick of her delicate hand, she projected the contract Lance had signed into his field of vision and asked unpleasantly, “What should you call me?”

Seeing this contract, which was no different from a deed of sale, again, the Soulfire in Lance’s eyes flickered.

After hesitating for a while, he replied with difficulty, “Mi… Mistress?”

“Yes, what a good disciple… Wait, what?”

Falia’s eyes widened in total confusion, and then she shouted in a slight rage, “You, you, you! Isn’t it written in the heading? This is a Master-Disciple Contract!”

“What are you shouting?!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Witch painfully rubbed the bridge of her nose.

She hadn’t expected that Lance would be so resistant to calling her “Master” that he would actually call her “Mistress” instead!

Was he really that unwilling?

Feeling depressed, Falia directly cut the mental connection and dove headfirst into her bedding, ignoring Lance.