Chapter 1309: 1307: Difficult Concealment

Chapter 1309: Chapter 1307: Difficult Concealment

As mentioned earlier, being a skilled user of the Clear Dream Ring, Fu Qian’s sensitivity to transitions between dream and reality was high.

The changes that had gone unnoticed when entering the mist from the other side had now starkly emerged.

This journey was indeed laden with deeper meanings—tests of vindication along the way, and mysteries surrounding the destination.

The startling realization did nothing to hinder Fu Qian’s motions; the moment he sensed the anomaly, he seamlessly adjusted himself to cooperate.

Under the continuous prompting of The Sect’s peculiar reactions, there was no way he’d miss it.

As for the slightly peculiar reactions of Amila and Anke, their behavior was not difficult to comprehend—they, too, had realized that what lay before them wasn’t reality.

Their astonishment, most likely genuine, suggested they hadn’t previously known the journey’s end led to a dreamscape. Yet they quickly refrained from delving into this subject any deeper, their demeanor betraying faint signs of cautious intent.

Given the intensity of nightly patrols over the past month, they wouldn’t be unfamiliar with Nightmares.

Coupled with the connection issues Amila had mentioned earlier with the Stars Association, detecting anomalies would hardly be challenging.

Yet it was clear they wanted to conceal their discovery from Fu Qian.

Remarkably dutiful, just like Sir Simon.

Glancing to the side, Fu Qian noticed that the Hunter had finally sheathed his Broad Sword, though he remained within striking distance without offering any explanation for the scene before them.

There was no need to insist—someone was already approaching due to the earlier knocking sound.

“Where… have you come from?”

A young man dressed in classic police attire peered through the gap of the iron gate at the four of them, scrutinizing them cautiously.

“From the other side of the road.”

As the one who had knocked, Fu Qian did not shy away. While responding, he even cast a glance at the officer’s waist.

Indeed, it was the same model of firearm Fu Qian himself had just used.

“Leytin? You passed through the mist?”

Compared to the steadiness of Raphaide, this individual was clearly far less composed, instantly raising his voice in alarm.

“Yes, haven’t you passed through it?”

Fu Qian looked slightly puzzled.

“…No.”

The man shook his head slightly, studying Fu Qian carefully, as though trying to confirm whether he was lying.

“So Leytin still exists? It hasn’t turned into what’s inside the mist?”

“All good. I even had breakfast there not long ago.”

Fu Qian nodded, dutifully playing his role.

“So you’ve ventured into the mist, but you didn’t pass through it?”

“Correct. That mist… it’s simply like a nightmare. Some have entered it before but quickly fled back in fright—or didn’t return at all.”

The armed officer spoke with an air of unease, his face betraying lingering fear.

“It’s the same in every direction. We’re uncertain about what’s happening. We’ve been forced to shut the gates. Are you here specifically to investigate?”

“Good question. I’d like to know that myself.”

Fu Qian gave a cryptic smile, retreating gracefully and leaving Amila to respond.

“…We’re heading to the church to meet Lord Praut.”

A moment’s hesitation led Amila, now pushed into the spotlight, to finally reveal their purpose.

“I see.”

The man had evidently already taken note of their attire and didn’t seem surprised by this answer. He pondered briefly before signaling for the gate to be opened.

“Thank you for bringing good news. The church is over by the square—you won’t need me to show you the way, will you?”

No need.

Fu Qian looked ahead.

Although it couldn’t compare to the grandeur of Leytin’s buildings, given the small size of the town, the church’s distinctive spire could clearly be seen even from this spot.

“No, we’ll make our own way there.”

As expected, Amila responded similarly.

…

“Apologies, Mr. Anke. Due to the Sanctuary’s requirements, I need to maintain confidentiality until we reach the destination.”

After entering the town, the group quickly approached the church’s direction.

Observing Fu Qian, who had shed the Shepherd’s leisurely demeanor he exhibited earlier and was now casually surveying his surroundings, Amila finally gave in to the odd atmosphere and tried offering an explanation.

“No problem. So, is Lord Praut permanently stationed in this town?”

Fu Qian waved it off, indicating it wasn’t something worth dwelling on.

“Yes… As a member of the Sanctuary, he wouldn’t normally be required to oversee a town of this scale. However, Lord Praut has voluntarily stayed here for many years.”

As if seeking forgiveness, Amila offered a more detailed explanation.

“Sometimes, things are just peculiar. If not for His Lordship’s presence here, addressing such situations and maintaining contact with Leytin might have been far more challenging.”

Fu Qian listened attentively and then made a remark in contemplation.

What?

Faced with his comment, Amila appeared slightly stunned.

“Wasn’t it Lord Praut who managed to establish contact and inform Leytin that everything in the town was normal?”

Fu Qian seemed more puzzled than she was.

“Didn’t you already know the situation here? Earlier, I thought it strange that you saw the town was fine yet didn’t seem surprised at all.”

“…Yes.”

Grasping Fu Qian’s point, Amila’s gaze flickered slightly. She refrained from looking at the others and reluctantly nodded in acknowledgment.

The lack of surprise earlier, of course, was because she understood that the scene ahead wasn’t real—a detail she hadn’t expected Fu Qian to notice.

Given her current desire not to let him realize this truth, lying through gritted teeth seemed her only viable option.

“So, Mr. Anke, do you have any other impressions of this place?”

Amid the faintly awkward atmosphere, Simon, who had been silent all along, unexpectedly interjected.

At first, it seemed as though he was changing the subject to help Amila out, but considering his identity, it was hard to imagine him doing such a thing.

“Indeed, I do.”

Fu Qian, maintaining his serene demeanor, appeared oblivious to any strangeness.

“You might really struggle to find breakfast here.”

Huh?

Under their collective gaze, Fu Qian pointed to the surroundings and explained.

“The townsfolk clearly enjoy sleeping in. Aside from those two at the gate, we haven’t encountered even ten people on our way here.”

…

The peculiar angle of his observation left Simon, the one who’d asked the question, momentarily speechless.

Even Amila’s face stiffened, regretting her earlier attempt to provide an explanation.

What Fu Qian said wasn’t incorrect, but the underlying reason was evidently even harder to address than their lack of surprise.

Fortunately, it seemed they wouldn’t have to dwell on that question anymore. As the group rounded the final corner, a sprawling sight unfolded before them.

Paved with white stone, the slightly sloped square featured a small, unassuming church standing at the edge.

Even at this distance, it was as though one could faintly hear the hymns echoing from within.

However, upon closer listening, the chanting seemed to lack a proper reverent solemnity.

A peculiar, breathy undertone seeped into the melody, infusing it with a sinister, lascivious quality…

“Seems like even here, they haven’t woken up yet?”

After listening for a few seconds, Fu Qian was the first to break the silence.

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