Chapter 1312: 1310: The Herder's First Lesson

Chapter 1312: Chapter 1310: The Herder’s First Lesson

“Could we have taken the wrong path… It’s so hard to tell direction in here.”

You could tell Amila wanted to veil the reality of the scene before her, though confusion lingered in her heart.

“Makes sense.”

Unfortunately, Fu Qian was clearly unwilling to let her stay in her comfort zone. After listening intently to her explanation, he nodded.

“It does seem like we’ve taken a wrong turn, because it appears our path has vanished.”

…

As Fu Qian’s agreement reached them, both reflexively glanced down at the ground—then fell into an utterly speechless silence.

Beneath their feet lay something akin to fog, its haze as chaotic and indistinct as a dream. Gone was even the slightest trace of a road.

“Haha… That Lord Praut—is he truly someone who’s remained in this small town all along, like on the day the thick fog emerged about a month ago?”

With the tolerant smile of a Herder, Fu Qian refrained from pressing the two lambs too harshly and decided to pose a different question.

“No, not really.”

After a long silence, it was Amila who finally responded.

“From what I know, at that time Lord Praut happened to return to Leytin due to certain reasons.”

That explanation made much more sense.

Considering Amila’s character, there was little chance she’d lie about this, and Fu Qian nodded in satisfaction.

“But he later tried to return here?”

“Yes, Lord Praut was among the first to explore the fog.”

Amila seemed to hold considerable respect for the man.

“Don’t feel tense. And what was the result of his exploration? What is the town’s true form?”

Fu Qian waved his hand dismissively.

But his query left the two contenders exchanging uneasy glances.

“I told you, relax. Do you think the truth of the scenes we just witnessed is of major importance to me?”

It wasn’t, of course; after all, you were someone who walked the “Nightmare,” a Herder by nature.

Fu Qian’s reassurances were so expertly crafted that even Amila couldn’t help but inwardly grumble, yet they did ease her tension somewhat.

“The thick fog has shrouded everything, and just like the ruined houses we saw earlier, it seems to have been this way for many years.”

She sighed deeply in the next breath.

“As for The Sect’s perspective, it’s the same as what I deduced from the weapons I found.”

As promised, Fu Qian remained impressively composed.

“…Correct.”

“And the people inside?”

…

Amila didn’t reply—but her expression conveyed everything clearly.

“They’ve been discovered quite some time ago, haven’t they? Yet it seems The Sect is unwilling to publicize their findings.”

Though it had been a treacherous journey to this point, Fu Qian couldn’t believe that Coordinating Law Sanctuary, brimming with Saints, lacked the capability to make it through to here.

The fact that such a powerful team was assigned the mission even suggested significant preparedness for the dangers involved.

“The public might not be ready to accept it… In truth, even I haven’t known for long.”

Amila murmured softly, disregarding Reginald’s warning glance as she lowered her head.

You could tell her knowledge was indeed recent, considering she’d hardly had time to build up her psychological defenses.

“It doesn’t matter—being survivors will help them reconcile with it.”

Fu Qian gestured for her not to assume people were so fragile and, with a calm demeanor, refrained from dragging out such trivialities.

“So, shall we continue discussing matters within the church? Perhaps you might even try finding a way out of here.”

“Are you suggesting we move forward?”

Apparently worried Amila might have said too much, Reginald finally couldn’t hold back and chimed in.

“Provided you can identify which way ‘forward’ even is when the time comes.”

Fu Qian smiled faintly, gesturing toward their fog-enveloped surroundings with his gaze.

“…Otherwise?”

Reginald went silent for a moment, then drew a deep breath and stiffly countered.

The paths they’d passed before, barren though they were, had still served their purpose as guides.

Now, surrounded on all sides by dense fog, determining any direction away from the “small town” was nearly impossible.

“Otherwise? You could try seeking the Stars Association for assistance.”

Seeing even Amila respond with confusion, Fu Qian sighed deeply, offering the two lambs a thread of guidance.

Ah?

The suggestion clearly took them by surprise.

“What’s wrong? Considering your frequent night patrols over the last month, I doubt you’d be without precautions in this regard.”

Fu Qian gazed at them, his smile tinged with an enigmatic air.

“Or is it that you haven’t thought of trying this route just yet? Perhaps you’ve taken it for granted as an infallible contingency?”

“…Fine, I admit the scene we just witnessed probably wasn’t real. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what’s happening.”

Unable to hold Fu Qian’s gaze, Amila finally confronted their shared predicament.

“I had assumed the task was to escort you to the abandoned church, but now everything appears unsettlingly strange. We need to confirm what’s really happening.”

“Additionally, we do have a way to escape—once it’s certain we’re amidst a nightmare.”

“Theoretically speaking, your mission has already ended long ago. Though I’d like to know how you personally define a ‘nightmare.'”

Fu Qian seemed pleased by the increasingly candid exchange.

“Six minutes and fifty-four seconds—that was what I calculated based on my own heartbeat earlier. Or is it that your definition requires locating the source of contamination to count as complete?”

“Indeed… Any dream lasting more than a minute defies Star Law, whether in the dream world or real-time.”

Amila’s confusion over Fu Qian’s intentions was plain from her face.

“But we need further clarity… Why are you so insistent on us leaving? In this regard, I align with Sir Simon—starting now, I won’t interfere with your actions. You’re free to make any attempts to leave.”

“Why would I leave? This place is a flawless classroom for enlightenment. My advice to attempt departure? That’s your first lesson.”

Fu Qian regarded her oddly before contorting his expression into one of rapture.

“Moreover, while I understand your sense of duty, wouldn’t it make more sense to have someone split off and report back to The Sect? Surely you’d find that a more rational solution?”

Fu Qian’s final retort carried a powerful logic, instantly deflating the lambs’ rebellious confidence.

“Go find Simon?”

After exchanging glances with Amila, Reginald offered the idea.

“He may lack interest in hearing it—you’re better off going on your own.”

Dealing with a temperamental Hunter, Amila clearly appeared exasperated.

“You couldn’t handle him.”

Reginald didn’t outright decline but leveled his gaze at Fu Qian in warning.

“Nor could I handle what’s out there.”

Amila, however, was resolute.

“Be mindful of your limits. If the risk proves too overwhelming, retreat and attempt reentry.”

…

“Alright.”

Her suggestion was undeniably reasonable. After brief contemplation, Reginald ultimately consented.

“Make certain you understand your position.”

Before leaving, he didn’t forget to cast Fu Qian a chilling glare, his tone laced with warning.

“Thank you for your blessings.”

Yet, as fate would have it, the other party interpreted his gesture entirely in reverse, expressing sincere gratitude.

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