"Very well, simply notify me when the time arrives." Glen acquiesced forthwith.

Subsequently, the two of them made their way back to the farm together.

To Gotaya's profound delight, her mother had regained consciousness and was presently engaged in conversation with the elven priest.

She rushed forward and enveloped her mother in a warm embrace.

The High Priest relished, with a tinge of avidity, the joy of being reunited with her own flesh - and - blood.

The forest will informed Gotaya that her mother required an extended period of convalescence here and thus could not return in the near future.

Gotaya readily concurred. With Glen, a fearsomely powerful individual, offering his protection, this place was safer than anywhere else.

However, she did not forget her intention to work for Glen. Consequently, she rallied her fellow clansmen to labor on this farm.

Elves, by nature, tend to be haughty. Nevertheless, the majority of the elves who arrived were remarkably sensible and composed, and thus, there were no objections.

Nonetheless, a few individuals, such as Gubo, vehemently opposed working for a human.

Yet, when Gotaya disclosed that Glen possessed the fearsome combat prowess of the fabled Level - 7, he promptly fell silent. He even secretly reproached Gotaya for not revealing this earlier, fearing that his boisterous words on the previous occasion had surely offended Glen.

Subsequently, this information naturally reached the ears of the other elves, who then began to inquire assiduously about Glen.

After learning of the entire sequence of events commencing from the moment Gotaya was rescued, they unanimously concurred that Glen was a man of irreproachable character among humans, truly worthy of their genuine respect.

They were also deeply intrigued by the combat technique named Kung Fu that Gotaya had mastered.

Glen was initially oblivious to all of this.

While Gotaya was embracing her mother on the farm, he had already made his way back to the town. His intention was to return the rag doll to its rightful owner.

Since it belonged to an old townsman, he naturally had to proceed deeper into the town.

The rag doll on his back would guide him towards its owner.

"Little one, what sort of temperament does your owner possess? Will she engage me in a fight without so much as a word?" Glen inquired as he walked.

The rag doll promptly conveyed a negative response.

"So, what manner of person is your owner? Is there anything I ought to be mindful of?"

Glen posed another question, yet the rag doll chose not to respond. Perhaps it was incapable of conveying such intricate information through emotions.

Glen, however, was indifferent. He was merely speaking to pass the time on his journey.

Reflecting on the past few days since his return, scarcely a day had passed without some activity. He had not even had the opportunity to delve into the study of dispelling magic.

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With these random musings and casual conversations with the rag doll on his back, he unexpectedly found himself beside Black Crow's abode.

"Could your owner be..." Glen pondered. Black Crow did not seem to be an old resident.

However, the emotion conveyed by the rag doll shortly thereafter dispelled his doubts.

"Not here. Is it further over there?"

Glen cast a glance around. Indeed, there was a house belonging to an old townsman. It was the residence of the girl who had peeked out and greeted him upon his return from his initial visit to Black Crow's home.

Just as he was about to head in that direction, the main door of Black Crow's house creaked open. Black Crow's perpetually stern visage emerged from behind the door, and he addressed Glen, saying,

"Do you intend to make contact with her?"

Glen knew he was referring to the old townsman, so he nodded and replied, "I seem to have come across something of hers and wish to return it."

Black Crow was silent for a moment before stating, "Exercise caution. The old townsfolk are all rather peculiar and formidable."

Having said that, he closed the door.

In truth, Glen harbored a certain degree of curiosity and a desire to explore the old townsfolk, which was why he had chosen to deliver the item in person. Otherwise, he had alternative means of ensuring it reached its destination.

Upon reaching the ancient - looking edifice, Glen was on the verge of reaching out to rap on the wooden door, which was intricately carved with elaborate patterns.

At that moment, a window above burst open with a resounding bang, and the girl's exuberant voice rang out, filled with delight:

"It's you!! You've finally come! New friend! I've been awaiting your arrival these past days! Several of my friends are eager to make your acquaintance! Come up at once! I shall introduce them to you!"

Glen retrieved the rag doll from his back and waved it in the direction of the girl, saying, "Hey, Miss Sissily. Is this yours? I discovered it in a rather secluded location."

The girl above was taken aback. She squinted her eyes and examined it closely for a moment. It seemed familiar, and she was attempting to recall.

After approximately half a minute, she exclaimed in exuberant delight, "Budge! Oh! My dear! I never imagined I'd lay eyes on you again! I've missed you so!"

"Since it belongs to you, would you be so kind as to open the door? Otherwise, how am I to enter?" Glen gestured for her to open the door for him.

However, the girl responded, "I am unable to open the door."

Glen's eyes widened in surprise. "You can't open it, yet you invite me to enter? Do you think I can manage it?"

As he spoke, Glen instinctively pushed the door. To his astonishment, the door was not locked and swung open easily.

His voice faltered. "It's not locked, and yet you can't open it?"

Glen regarded the girl above with a look of bemusement.

"I truly can't. That door was never intended to keep outsiders at bay," the girl above said, spreading her hands.

There was a certain logic to her words... Glen was momentarily taken aback, then he stepped into the house.

Scarcely had he entered when the girl seemingly materialized before him and enfolded him in a warm embrace.

"It's been an age since we've had a guest here! You must stay and accompany me for an extended period today! I shall extend my warmest hospitality to you!"

The girl took the rag doll named Budge and planted a tender kiss on it.

"Miss Sissily, does your room not seem a trifle cramped?" Glen couldn't help but remark as he surveyed the room filled with crates.

Sissily waved her hand dismissively. "Pay no heed to that. These are all items that other townsfolk have entrusted to me for safekeeping. Let us repair to the upper floor. I shall introduce my friends to you. By the way, what was your name again?"

"Glen. You may address me as Glen."

"Very well, Glen. Come upstairs without delay."

With that, Sissily dashed up to the second floor.

Glen noticed that the girl passed directly through obstacles when her body made contact with them, which set him to analyzing and speculating.

Without much hesitation, he promptly ascended the stairs as well.

Today, he hoped to extract some useful information regarding the town from her.

Upon reaching the second floor, he found that it was not nearly as crowded as the first floor. Instead, it was evident that it had been meticulously arranged. The antique furniture was positioned with great precision.

However, it was rather aged, and in some places, there were signs of worm infestation.

Sissily bade Glen to find a place to seat himself, while she herself entered what appeared to be a bedchamber to rummage through something.

Moments later, she placed a diminutive square table before Glen. Seated on the chairs around the table were four oddly - shaped dolls.

There was a small dog fashioned from discarded furniture parts, a cat sewn from ragged cloth, a tattered toy clown, and the rag doll named Budge.

Glen took a seat beside the cat doll.

On the square table were a teapot, ceramic cups, and a few snacks that appeared barely palatable.