Village Head's Debauchery

"That's what our ancestors wrote, and my father confirmed it after spending a few days here, listening to the whispers of life within the Village. Although I was sceptical at first, I no longer doubt it after experiencing it myself, so I can handle this feeling," Patriarch Rylan explained.

He sighed wearily. "Unfortunately, this aspect of our racial abilities has become dormant over the millenniums of living in this dead world, so it's perfectly normal for them to feel strange and struggle to handle this sensation."

Patriarch Rylan observed their ears, observing how all four twitched regularly.

It was obvious that his children and the gods' chosen ones were also experiencing the same sensation. However, they were strong-willed enough to suppress it and continue with their day.

This was one of the reasons why he had pleaded and negotiated with the Village Chief to allow him entry to the farm; it was instinctual. Nonetheless, he had only succeeded once and had stayed throughout his visit, almost missing the trade he had come for before returning to his Runaway City.

In fact, there were times when he had doubted that his father had found the Village by mere luck alone. He suspected it was because his father possessed much stronger ears than any of them.

"So, you're suggesting that we're all feeling this way because we're picking up on the whispers of the trees in the area, and we're instinctively drawn to them?" Isadora said, her eyes widened with curiosity as she gently rubbed the fur of the small snow-furred beast lying on her lap, which seemed to be listening to the conversation with a hint of intelligence in its eyes.

"Yes," Patriarch Rylan responded, nodding.

"Fortunately, though you might feel uncomfortable now, after a few days, it will become easier for you to handle and ignore without much problem," he added.

Isadora, Lyndon, and the gods' chosen nodded in understanding. Despite harbouring doubts, since they had never experienced this, they decided to believe his words.

"And what about Leif? How is he currently feeling?" Patriarch Rylan asked.

"He's still locked inside his room, refusing to come out. While he may not regret his attempt to kill Ronan, he's blaming himself for Lirien's and her unborn child's death. So, it seems unlikely he'll come out anytime soon," Leona explained, sighing as she shook her head tiredly.

Isadora and the others sighed in shared frustration.

They had all attempted to persuade Leif out of his room, but he refused to let them in or even acknowledge their presence. At this point, all they could do was wait for him to finish his grieving process and become ready to face them.

Patriarch Rylan nodded wearily. "It's understandable that he's feeling this way, especially given what had happened. All we can do is give him the time he needs to heal before attempting to reach out to him again," he replied.

"For now, I want all of you to keep an eye on our people and ensure they don't do anything reckless. Not everyone will have the resolve to control themselves. Meanwhile, I'll take the time to try and come up with any ideas on how to sustain ourselves before the month ends. That concludes the meeting. You're free to leave and return to whatever you were doing," he added.

However, contrary to his expectations, no one budged from their spot. They all seemed to have something on their minds but hesitated to voice it.

"What is it?" Patriarch Rylan asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Patriarch, we want to ask about Ronan and Leif's Devourer's bracelets. Are we simply going to hand them over like that?" Leona asked, voicing the question that was in everyone's thoughts.

With only six gods' chosen currently present and one incapacitated until recovery, their numbers had dwindled to five.

This reduction significantly weakened the overall strength of the Four-eared elves, prompting them to wonder if there was truly no way to retrieve the other two Devourer's bracelets, which were crucial for their race's recovery.

Patriarch Rylan sighed deeply, shaking his head with a sense of resignation.

"I'm sorry. Since they took an interest in the Devourer's bracelet, I can do nothing about it. At this point, it's safe to say we owe much to the Village Chief, as the fact that we haven't been thrown out of the City yet is largely due to our relationship with him."

"They've also protected us from our enemies and provided us shelter and sustenance like no other place we've been to. If all they desire are the Devourer's bracelets, so be it. It's a small price to pay for all they've given us," Patriarch responded, his smile tinged with a hint of emotion as he observed their dejected expressions.

He chose not to disclose that he had also handed over the Divine artefact, preferring to keep that information concealed for now. He wasn't sure of the consequences that might arise if it were revealed.

Fortunately, everyone who knew about the existence of the Divine artefact was already dead, so there was nothing for him to worry about.

"Of course, if there ever comes a point where we are oppressed in any way for no reason, I promise you that as your patriarch, I'll do my utmost to address it," Patriarch Rylan added.

Lyndon let out a defeated sigh. "You're right, Father. Exchanging the Devourer's bracelets for all this doesn't seem like a bad deal," he responded.

"Yes, though I still believe we could find other ways to repay them. However, if it's for all this, I suppose it's acceptable," Isadora added.

Leona and the other gods' chosen also agreed with Lyndon and Isadora.

"Alright, you all can return to settling in, and remember to keep an eye on the others to prevent any reckless behaviour. Also, if anybody claiming to be Thak, the Village Chief's messenger, arrives, inform me and let him in. This meeting is officially over," Patriarch Rylan said.

He rose from his seat and climbed back up the stairs, returning to his room.