“Very well. Just notify me when the time comes,” Glenn agreed without hesitation.

  The two then made their way back to the farm.

  To Gortaya's astonishment and joy, her mother had awakened and was now speaking with the elven priest. She rushed forward and wrapped her in a fierce embrace.

  The High Priestess clung to her daughter with unabashed greed for the feeling of a child regained after loss.

  The Will of the Forest informed Gortaya that her mother would need a long period of convalescence here and could not return soon.

  Gortaya agreed without question. With someone as terrifyingly powerful as Glenn guarding this place, nowhere would be safer.

  Yet she did not forget her promise to help Glenn with farm work, so she gathered her kin to labor on the fields.

  Elves tended toward pride, but those who had come were mature and sensible; none objected. Only one—Gubo—voiced strong resistance to the idea of working for a human.

  But when Gortaya revealed Glenn’s legendary Seventh-Tier combat prowess, he instantly quieted down—and even scolded Gortaya in secret for not telling him sooner, for making him speak so loudly last time and surely offending such a being.

  Soon enough, this information spread among the other elves as well, and they all began asking after Glenn.

  After hearing the full account of how Gortaya had been rescued, they unanimously agreed that Glenn was a human of impeccable character—fully worthy of their respect.

  They were also deeply curious about the martial art Gortaya had learned, something called kung fu.

  Glenn, however, knew none of this.

  While Gortaya embraced her mother at the farm, he had already returned to the town, intending to return the ragdoll to its owner.

  Since it belonged to an Old Resident, he naturally headed deeper into town.

  The doll on his back served as a guide, drawing him closer to its master.

  “Little one, what is your master like? Am I going to get attacked the moment we meet?” he asked as he walked.

  The ragdoll immediately transmitted a firm no.

  “And what kind of person is your master? Do I need to be careful about anything?”

  This time, the ragdoll gave no response—perhaps its emotional impressions could not convey anything so complex.

  Glenn didn’t mind; he was only chatting to pass the time.

  Thinking back over these past few days, he realized he hadn’t had a single moment of rest—not even time to study purification magic.

  Lost in thought and idly conversing with the doll, he suddenly found himself beside Black Raven's house.

  Do not tell me your master is… Glenn frowned. Black Raven didn’t seem like an Old Resident.

  But the emotion from the ragdoll dispelled his doubt at once.

  So it is not here—but farther that way?

  Glenn glanced around and indeed spotted a house belonging to the Old Residents—the same one where a girl had poked her head out to greet him on his first visit.

  Just as he was about to head that way, Black Raven's front door creaked open, revealing that ever-motionless, mask-like face.

  “You intend to meet her, do you not?” Black Raven asked.

  Glenn nodded. “I seem to have found something of hers. I want to return it.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Black Raven hesitated, then said, “Be careful. The Old Residents are strange—and powerful.”

  With that, he closed the door.

  Glenn still carried a sliver of curiosity. Returning the doll himself was partly an excuse; he wanted to see an Old Resident up close.

  When he arrived at the ancient building, he raised his hand to knock on the intricately carved wooden door—

  But a window above burst open with a sharp bang, and an exuberant voice called out:

  “It is you!! You finally came! New friend! I have been waiting for you for days! My friends all want to meet you! Hurry up! Come upstairs! I will introduce them to you!”

  Glenn took the ragdoll from his back, held it up, and asked, “Hey, Miss Sissili, is this yours? I found it in a very hidden place.”

  The girl blinked, narrowed her eyes, stared for several seconds in deep thought—

  And then, after half a minute, cried out in overwhelming delight, “Boochie! Oh! My darling! I cannot believe I get to see you again! I missed you so much!”

  “If it is yours, then please open the door. How else am I supposed to come in?” Glenn gestured for her to unlock it.

  But the girl replied, “I cannot open it.”

  Glenn’s eyes widened. “You cannot open it but you want me to come in? Am I supposed to open it?”

  He pushed the door on instinct—and it swung open effortlessly.

  He froze. It wasn't even locked?

  He looked up at her speechlessly.

  “I really cannot open it. That door was never meant to keep people out,” she said, spreading her hands.

  It was surprisingly reasonable. Glenn paused, then stepped inside.

  The moment he entered, the girl appeared right in front of him and wrapped him in a huge hug.

  “No one has visited me in so long! You have to stay and play with me for a long time today! I will treat you very well!”

  She snatched Boochie from his hand and kissed the doll fiercely.

  “Miss Sissili, is not your room a bit… cramped?” Glenn asked, eyeing the stacks of crates filling the space.

  Sissili waved dismissively. “Do not mind those. They are things other townsfolk stored here. Let us go upstairs—I will introduce my friends to you. Oh, right, what was your name again?”

  “Glenn. Just call me Glenn.”

  “Alright, Glenn—come on upstairs!”

  With a whoosh, she shot up to the second floor.

  Glenn noticed how she slipped straight through obstacles as if she were passing through mist. He couldn’t help analyzing what that implied.

  Without hesitation, he followed her up. Today, he hoped to coax some useful information about the town from her.

  The second floor was nothing like the cluttered first. It had clearly been tidied with care; old-fashioned furniture was arranged neatly—though many pieces had aged enough to sprout worms.

  Sissili told Glenn to take any seat he liked, then slipped into what seemed to be a bedroom to rummage for something.

  Soon after, she set down a small square table before him, surrounded by four bizarre dolls:

  A little dog pieced together from scraps of old furniture, a cloth-stitched kitten, a worn-out toy clown, and Boochie, the ragdoll.

  Glenn sat down beside the kitten.

  On the table were a teapot, ceramic cups, and some snacks that looked barely edible.