“It’s nothing. I just tested something out and got slightly distracted for a moment.”
Explaining casually, Lance mimicked Falia’s indifferent tone. “It’s fixed.”
After saying that, Lance casually handed the Holy Lantern back to the Takin Fourth Elder.
The Takin Fourth Elder froze, subconsciously taking the lantern.
He stared down at it for two seconds before he finally processed what Lance had said.
“Huh?”
The Fourth Elder’s small eyes widened, and his face was filled with disbelief.
It had only been a few seconds. What exactly did he fix?
“This lantern has been repaired, and its functions should be fully restored. Give it a try.”
Still skeptical, the Takin Fourth Elder carried the Holy Lantern and trotted into the back hall, leaving Lance and Astrid in the front room.
After restraining herself for a long time, Astrid turned her head and asked, “How on earth are you communicating with them?”
Astrid had wanted to ask this for a while.
As an Elf, even she couldn’t understand the language of these Takins who had been isolated for one hundred years.
Yet Lance, who was supposed to be a human noble, had already surprised her by being able to communicate in the Elven Language.
Now, he was actually conversing fluently with the Takins.
Why was that?
“This? I’ve mastered a special skill. Its effect is somewhat similar to your [Language of Nature].”
“So, I can talk to others quite easily.”
“What skill? Can I learn it?”
Astrid’s eyes shone with anticipation. In truth, she felt utterly helpless.
In this Demi-human village, she felt like an illiterate person who had to rely on Lance to translate everything. It made her feel useless.
Lance paused, unsure of how to respond.
‘Learning it is probably impossible, right? After all, it’s a special skill given by the God of Another World…’
After thinking for a moment, Lance turned to consult the Witch in his mind.
Hearing the question, the Witch hummed twice.
Since she was in a good mood, she didn’t mind answering some of his minor questions.
‘That skill of yours naturally cannot be taught to others. It is a gift from the gods.’
Lance thought to himself that it was just as he expected.
He prepared to deliver the bad news to the Elf.
Sensing Lance’s intention, the Witch chuckled. ‘You’re so stupid. You’re a Skeleton now. You’re at a stage where you can control souls as you wish.’
‘Why not just establish a mental link with that girl that only opens the language system?’
Soulfire flickered in Lance’s eyes.
‘Right! I could think of using a Soul Link to talk to the lady Elf, why didn’t I think of this?’
Lance no longer hesitated and explained the plan to the Elf.
Hearing that there was indeed a way to solve her language problem, the Elf was naturally overjoyed.
She actively lowered her mental defenses, allowing Lance to build and modify the [Soul Link] between the two of them.
Just as the link was about to be completed, a sound suddenly came from the doorway.
Thud, thud, thud
The sound of footsteps on the wooden stairs came from the front door. Astrid and Lance looked over simultaneously.
It was the Grand Elder, who had previously escorted the ghost out of the village.
Seeing that Lance and the Saint Envoy were both present, the Grand Elder chuckled. “I ended up disturbing you, Saint Envoy. I am truly sorry!”
Upon discovering that she could understand the bellowing language, Astrid’s emerald eyes lit up. She winked at Lance, signaling that she understood.
Lance nodded slightly and turned his gaze toward the approaching Takin Grand Elder.
“What exactly is going on with the Dream Eater? The one just now shouldn’t have been its main body, right?”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been unable to deal with it…”
The Takin Grand Elder smiled and confirmed, “Indeed. That was merely one of his Soul Fragments.”
“I won’t hide it from you two… You likely won’t be able to leave our village for the time being.”
Lance’s heart sank, and a hostile glint appeared in his eyes. Was this a threat? He hated being threatened more than anything!
Being stared at like that made the Takin Grand Elder feel uneasy, and he hurried to explain.
“It’s not that I want to restrict you. It’s that I’ve discovered the Dream Eater has begun gathering his Soul Fragments in the surrounding area!”
“If you go out now, you will certainly be caught by the Dream Eater!”
The Elf’s brow furrowed slightly as she asked directly, “So… you want us to help you get rid of that Specter?”
The Takin Grand Elder was clearly stunned to hear the Elf suddenly speak his language.
Then, his eyes brightened, and he immediately explained. “No, no, no! You aren’t actually a real Saint Envoy! How could I let you take such a risk?”
“I mainly want you to help us boost morale. There is no need for you to take action personally!”
Now it was Lance’s turn to be confused. What did he mean by “not a real Saint Envoy”?
So, this Takin Grand Elder knew all along that the Elf wasn’t an envoy of the natural gods?
Then what was with all that acting earlier?
Now that the Elf could communicate directly with the Takin, Lance had clearly become an outsider.
As he listened from the side, he finally understood the Takins’ intentions.
It turned out the Takin Elders had already prepared an action plan to eliminate the Dream Eater to clear the way for their migration.
However, the village had suffered too many blows in recent months, and the entire village had fallen into a strange state of depression.
Most of the villagers had very little will to fight.
The arrival of the Elf gave the Elders a perfect opportunity!
“So, you just need me to pretend to be a Saint Envoy and say ‘The Great God is protecting you! Go and expel the evil!’ and that’s it?”
The Takin Grand Elder nodded repeatedly and added, “When it’s done, you and your friend can pick any two items from our village’s storehouse.”
“I believe there are quite a few things in there that would be valuable in the outside world.”
The Elf thought for a moment. Seeing the Takin’s earnest gaze and lack of deceit, she replied immediately, “I refuse!”
Lance: “?”
Takin Grand Elder: “!”
“Ah? Why?” The Takin Grand Elder was shocked. He clearly hadn’t expected the Elf to refuse so decisively.
“I do not hold a Holy Office. How can I falsely convey the divine will?”
Astrid crossed her arms, her expression extremely firm.
The Takin Grand Elder was visibly dejected, unsure of how to persuade her.
Lance, a man with no faith at all, found it even harder to understand her reasoning.
But before Lance could speak up to persuade her, Astrid continued. “However… I can’t control what you say in the village.”
“If someone comes to ask me, I certainly won’t admit it… do you understand what I mean?”
The Takin Grand Elder’s spirit jolted. If someone asked, she wouldn’t admit it, but in other words… if no one asked, she wouldn’t deny it either!
“Of course, of course! Thank you! The bloodline of Elga is still admirable after one hundred years!”
Hearing the praise, the Elf’s face darkened for an imperceptible moment before returning to normal.
She said slowly, “I will participate directly in the operation to eliminate the Dream Eater in exchange for the reward you proposed. How about it?”
Participate in the operation personally? A Saintly Practitioner charging into battle?
This was an action that could massively boost morale!
The Takin Grand Elder had no reason to refuse and immediately agreed.
Right then, a brilliant light suddenly erupted from the back hall of the Clan House.
The light spilled out, landing on Lance, and a sudden sensation of searing heat washed over him.
Startled, Lance leaped up from his chair!
‘Ahhhh—I’m being purified!’
Noticing Lance’s sudden movement, the Elf was also startled. She quickly turned and blocked Lance, shielding him from most of the holy light.
She hurriedly asked, “Lance! Are you okay?”