Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 798 - 739: Elder of Dreams

An assassin emerged from the shadows, his Chaotic Dancing Blade slicing through viscera as screams of agony turned into cries of shock. The young were trembling under the cruelty of the Murderous Ghost. Tiffany’s guess was not wrong; the assassin squad had planned to revel tonight, each assassin targeting their prey. But tonight, a Nightmare disturbance occurred; united by their hatred for the Evil God, the Elven Faction’s intentions aligned, turning the assassination squad into Protectors of Novices.

"In the name of the Queen, I will escort you to the nearest town, using the portal there to transport you to a safe location," he said, removing his black, slime-coated hood and changing into a pristine coat, saint-like. His expression was somber as he wiped his dagger on the robes of a young person. The crowded monsters hardly gave him any time to rest; he charged alone into the horde, once again causing a bloodbath. "Follow me, I’ll carve a path of blood."

The young apprentice followed closely, his heart resonating with the monsters’ shrieks as corpses became grotesque breeding grounds. The increasingly distorted creatures roared in the chaos, and there was nothing in sight that could reassure anyone; even the flags, fluttering white, were gradually stained by the viscera. "Is there anywhere safe?" A question filled with despair squeezed from trembling lips, the anxious eyes fixated on the lights competing with the murky sky, as if uttering nonsense and not waiting for an answer, the apprentice continued to follow the figure of the assassin.

As if hearing nonsense, the white-clad traveler did not turn around, his chilling murderous intent locking onto each monster that blocked the way.

Outside the Dreamland.

The encroachment of the Nightmare was evident, the most dangerous alarm ringing throughout the Emerald Dream, with the Dreamland Druids sealing the boundaries of the former officials and the Lady of Nature’s dreams, their worried gazes directed toward the corrupted interior.

A pale green glow lingered on the elf’s palm, gently touching the deep purple gradient curtain. The barrier "came to life," extending tendrils to capture the dodging green lights. The Dream Elf saved his palm from the dangerous attempt, the probing force devoured by the corrupted barrier. His hair, sticky with sweat, clung to his forehead, the Druid showing an agonized expression like someone drowning. "This is pure Nightmare; I can’t break it, even approaching it doesn’t help, we can do nothing for them, that elder must... fend for themselves."

Although anticipated, the elf’s conclusion still disheartened everyone; some pounded their chests, others bowed their heads, some continued their attempts, while others gazed at the conspicuous Thorn Flower high-rise in the tainted world. The Dreamland Druids were watchers of the Nightmare, but merely watchers. They understood the Nightmare’s derivation from the deity, and they were acutely aware of their tribe’s impotence against this force. For the most part, the elves’ exploration of the Nightmare came only from the legacy of their forebears, and those truly capable of contending with the Nightmare... were all in cages.

"We surely can do something, even though the Dream Walkers are absent, we... we can’t just stand here idly."

"Much has been said, you’ve found the reason why Irason established the Dreamland Druids." The voice was deep, resounding like the thunder before a downpour. The elves turned, stepping aside to show deference to several approaching Elders. Without a leader, the Druids found their cornerstone, willing to heed the commands of these venerable Elders. The Pillars of the Emerald Dream, tutors of the Lady of Nature, founders of the Dream Elves, and the true core of the Elders’ Council.

The request from Dream of Reality that followed left the Druids wide-eyed.

"The reason Irason established the Dreamland Druids was for this very moment. I admire your eyes, innocent like my brothers’. But unfortunately, the most unwelcome truths are often the most real. The mission bestowed upon you by the queen is to make sacrifices. Now, sever the dreamland boundaries, and isolate the Dreamland, the Nightmare must not be allowed to further invade other still-pure dreams. You’ve seen Susanna’s choice, the Thorn Flower, a flower that blooms at the end of life. If they fail, the Dreamland must be submerged."

The elves understood the Elder’s intention; the Emerald Dream was an island of subconscious in the ocean of the mind. His message was to abandon; abandon the comrades fighting valiantly, abandon their most outstanding youngsters, abandon their queen and nobility, abandon everything to which they had sworn allegiance.

The hot-blooded Druid was almost pointing at the Elders’ noses as he scolded, his emotional outburst enlivening the air around him.

"Real Dreamer is disappointing, I finally understand the meaning of this phrase! You are a coward! A coward who bows and scrapes before the gods! Our queen is inside! Our pride! Our dignity! Our faith! All within this ugly sphere! And now you speak of abandonment! The unperceptive and disappearing Four Elders! You were the legends I once worshiped! And now! You actually want to sever our roots, to make us adrift weeds..."

The elder’s gaze was so placid that it chilled one’s heart. "Rulers can be chosen from among the people, and even if there are issues with lineage, we have already decided. Falanel will become the successor to the Lady of Nature, as long as our race persists. The queen, power, faith, dignity, and all those trivial matters, we can cultivate anew..."

"Ha, cultivate anew, but what’s the use? In face of divine might, cowards will only abandon again and again like a frightened worm!" The Druid was losing control, the flames of anger materializing gradually, the power of dreams filling his body. In this surge of impulse, he dearly wished to strike the Real Dreamer.

A gentle pat on the elf’s shoulder by a cool hand calmed his agitation. Dream of Prospects looked just like Dream of Reality, but his voice was much warmer. "Don’t let your emotions run wild, child. You’re very close to reaching that godlike status; every flaw could brew terrible consequences." The Dream Elf then broke into a cold sweat, realizing his anomaly; normal elves would not have the courage to contradict an Elder, especially one of such unique prestige. He turned around, only then noticing the three elders looking utterly calm, with the help of the three Sea-Calming Divine Needles, the frenzy among the Dream Druids slowly settled.

The third elder, Dream of Bliss, used dreams to reinforce interpersonal and social connections, building coherent group relations. Being a popular peacemaker, the elder soothed the Druid and spoke a few good words for the harsh elder brother.

"Irason is the one we watched grow, she is the most beautiful and beloved flower we nurtured. Naturally, we hope they can do well. However, we also have our duties, all dragon kin have their duties, to seal the Evil God at all costs. Behind us is a complete, beautiful world. You can resent us, children, but there are certain things we must do, even though we would rather it be us who are abandoned."

The atmosphere eased, the Dream Druids slowly accepted the arrangements of the Pillar of Dream. They used their powers to split the dream, placing another isolating boundary around the corrupted Dreamland.

"Don’t worry too much, the worst case scenario is what troubles us. Keep the hope, children, optimistic people always have good dreams," Dream of Bliss comforted. Dream of Prospects came over and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Now here’s some good news, children."

All eyes turned towards Dream of Bliss, like children on Moonlight Festival waiting for gifts and blessings from their parents.

Dream of Bliss smiled with eyes squinted.

"Our youngest, the Dreamer of Illusions, has also been trapped inside the Dreamland."

The news from Dream of Bliss sent a shudder through Druid, what did this undying old man just say? Good news? His own sibling also to be forsaken? Oh no, the fourth elder is one of the Pillars of Dream, this means if one pillar falls, the Emerald Dream will lose a quarter of its territories. They’re set to lose even more now.

Dream of Reality surveyed the dejected youths, heaving a sigh.

"Hotheads just don’t understand flexibility; the more people contained within, the stronger the force to defeat the Nightmare. Prepare for the best and plan for the worst, that’s common sense."

Irason... my daughter, you have never let me down.