After listening to the Elders’ explanation, Lance understood why the Takins were so hesitant to relocate their village.
It turned out that after being sealed for several hundred years, the Dream Eater specter’s strength had significantly declined.
Its only method of attack was Dream Entry, so it was not considered particularly powerful.
This was the practical reason why the Takins had lived as its neighbor for 100 years without moving—it simply wasn’t necessary!
The strength of the Dream Eater’s skill was limited by the number of people involved. If only two or three were pulled into a dream, the dreamscape he wove would be full of loopholes.
Those who entered the dream could easily realize its falsehood and break free.
But once the numbers increased, the dream would become increasingly real, eventually reaching a point where it could pass for reality, influence thoughts, and even modify common sense!
In the past, as long as the Takins stayed away from the mountains to the southwest of the village, they would not be attacked by the Dream Eater.
Even if a six-man team accidentally encountered it, the dream would not be real enough to be dangerous.
But now, things were entirely different.
Squeezed between two Element Lords, the Takin Village was on the verge of collapse and had to relocate.
The relocation party could not possibly be small, and at that point, the danger posed by that Undead would skyrocket!
“That’s the situation. We have told you everything we know…”
The Grand Elder hung his head with a lonely expression.
It truly seemed as though he had said everything he could.
Lance, however, shook his head and said, “You’re still hiding something!”
At those words, the other Elders looked confused, but the Grand Elder’s face stiffened.
“Since the Dream Eater’s ability scales with numbers, why hasn’t he attacked your village in 100 years?” Lance asked. “Is he really that obedient, wandering only near the southwest of the village?”
Seeing his deception exposed, the Grand Elder’s expression turned awkward.
Lance maintained a cold front, acting as if the Holy Messenger wouldn’t help if they didn’t provide the truth.
As he spoke, Lance felt a wave of annoyance. He finally understood why the Takin Elders treated the Elf as a Holy Messenger!
In Lance’s view, these Takins simply wanted to put the Elf on a pedestal!
They wanted to use her sense of responsibility toward the God of Nature to force her to help them eliminate the Dream Eater, Logalint!
By now, the Takin Elders had realized that the armored Knight and the Holy Messenger were already acquainted, because the Elf had not spoken a single word! From beginning to end, the one asking questions was this armored Knight!
‘Is he a Royal Oathbound Knight?’ the Grand Elder wondered.
The atmosphere grew cold for a moment.
The blunt Fourth Elder didn’t think much and explained directly, “Oh, that. Our village has a Holy Relic—oof!”
Before he could finish, the Grand Elder threw a punch, sending the enthusiastic Third Elder flying while muttering something about someone talking too much.
The Grand Elder straightened his clothes.
He did not cave under the pressure of Lance and Astrid’s gazes.
He simply coughed and said, “This matter is indeed of great importance. Please allow us to discuss it among ourselves.”
With that, the Takin Elder clapped his hands and summoned an attendant from outside.
“Take the Lady Holy Messenger and our honored guest to rest. Prepare a meal for them.”
The attendant obeyed and respectfully led the way for the Elf.
Astrid nodded slightly, gave Lance a look, and turned to leave the hall.
Lance glanced back at the Takin Elders before following behind her.
……
“So, they want us to eliminate the Undead?”
“That’s right. So, should we get involved?”
Astrid lowered her head and took a sip of the Takins’ unique thick flour soup.
The texture was very distinct, making her emerald eyes light up.
Seeing her like this, Lance looked down at the exquisite meal in front of him and felt a sudden craving.
But… how was a skeleton supposed to eat?
With no choice, Lance could only watch the Elf dine as he waited for her response.
Astrid lived up to her reputation as a veteran adventurer.
She ate quickly, though not in a gluttonous manner.
Her movements were still very dignified, but she moved as if she were on fast-forward.
Noticing Lance’s gaze, the tips of Astrid’s ears turned slightly red.
She put down her bowl and spoon, coughed, and asked, “What do you think?”
Lance weighed his words carefully before slowly saying, “The Takins are clearly holding back. I don’t think they’re being very sincere. Plus, there are two Element Lords and a Dream Eater nearby.It’s too dangerous. We should leave as soon as possible.”
The Elf furrowed her brows in thought, realizing that her oath and the responsibilities of her identity were in conflict.
Logically, as a devout believer in the God of Nature and a member of the royal family, she should help the Takins resolve their problem.
But she had recently sworn an oath to help Lance return to Sifral City. Logically, she shouldn’t drag him into trouble…
Suddenly, her brow smoothed, and she looked up at Lance. “Do we have to leave through either the west or south gate?”
Lance nodded. After all, there were two Element Lords to the north and east.
In comparison, the threat of a Dream Eater who only knew Dream Entry was smaller.
“Then let’s just leave tonight,” she said. “It’s best if we don’t encounter the Dream Eater, but if we do… we’ll just try to perform a Purification?”
As she reached the end of her sentence, her tone became uncertain and cautious, as if she still felt guilty for dragging Lance into a mess.
Her lively eyes darted around, and she turned her head slightly, clearly worried that Lance would see through her desire to help the Takins.
Fearing Lance wouldn’t agree, Astrid added in a small voice, “Well… I am a believer in the God of Nature, and an Elf. I have a mission to purify the Undead and protect friendly Beastmen…”
The Soulfire in Lance’s eyes flickered. He didn’t quite understand why the Elf was explaining so much.
Currently, he and Astrid were teammates.
Since she was stronger, she naturally had more authority. Why would he object to her suggestion?
However, seeing Astrid’s guilty look, Lance felt a bit of comfort.
Her attempt to convince him was a sign of respect—and proof she truly saw him as a friend.
Lance had already agreed with her decision, but he teased, “Lady Astrid, I am also an Undead… You aren’t going to purify me too, are you?”
The Elf panicked instantly. Realizing her slip of the tongue, she scrambled to explain herself.
However, she didn’t know what to say. After stammering for a moment, she said with absolute certainty, “You’re different!”
“Oh? How am I different?”
Lance was indeed different, and he knew it well.
He was intelligent and could use Holy Power. These were obvious facts that could be easily stated, but the Elf was stunned.
She seemed to think of something, and a blush crept from her ears to her cheeks before spreading to her face.
She lowered her head and failed to provide an answer for a long time.
Lance: ?
Finally, Astrid spoke, but she still didn’t say what made him different. She only repeated, “I won’t purify you…”