Upon hearing the Patriarch's question, the expressions of Isadora and the other four-eared elves immediately shifted to confusion.
"Patriarch, what are you talking about? Please, are you okay?" Leif asked with a hint of dread as he shook Patriarch Rylan again, attempting to draw his attention.
"Father, please look at us. Is there anything wrong with you?" Isadora and Lyndon also took turns calling out to him, but no matter how forcefully they tried, they couldn't capture his attention.
Patriarch Rylan's burning gaze remained fixed on Iris, awaiting her response.
Iris observed the scene, with her expression growing even more dignified. Nevertheless, sensing that the Patriarch awaited her response, she shook her head in reply. She replied, "I am sorry, Patriarch Rylan, but I cannot grant you an audience with Goddess Aeriallia."
"I understand... A price... A price must be paid for such a thing... Though I don't have much wealth to offer, as I couldn't salvage all of my possessions while escaping from our enemies, you can have all of them... If they are not enough, please tell me the kind of price that I must pay to see the goddess," Patriarch Rylan responded hurriedly.
At this point, seeing Patriarch Rylan behave in this manner, the others remained silent and waited on the side, watching with concern as the Patriarch paid no attention to them.
They hoped he would notice them once the conversation was over.
Iris shook her head once more. "Patriarch Rylan, I can't grant you an audience with the goddess because she is already dead," she responded, a weary sigh escaping her lips.
Patriarch Rylan's eyes widened, stretching to an unbelievable degree as he stared at Iris with an inconceivable expression.
Leif couldn't hold back any longer. "Patriarch… Patriarch Rylan, are you with us?" he asked, shaking the Patriarch even more to snap him out of his frozen state.
Fortunately, the Warrior Balt returned at this moment, landing beside them with a healer in his grasp. He quickly released him, allowing him to do his work, as he had already explained everything before arriving here.
At this point, Isadora had already begun to shed tears as she witnessed her father's sudden behaviour.
Meanwhile, Lyndon couldn't help but clench his fist tightly, feeling helpless about the situation unfolding before him.
However, their emotions visibly calmed as the healer arrived and checked the Patriarch's condition.
"Let's get him inside. He has only entered into a state of shock and needs proper rest and treatment before he can properly recover. Fortunately, it is nothing serious," the healer said wearily before standing up with the other four-eared elves carrying the Patriarch's body and following them inside the building.
"I am sorry about this unsightly display, Warrior Iris. I don't know what had gotten into my Patriarch today. I can assure you that he doesn't normally behave like this," Leif said, briefly bowing before Iris and then at Warrior Balt to thank him for his help before racing into the building, leaving the warriors outside.
"What a strange race," Iris muttered under her breath as she turned around and left the compound, with Warrior Balt bidding her farewell before he leapt into the sky, presumably returning to one of the strongholds.
Iris had to return to the Queen's estate immediately and inform her about all the information she had just received. Though she doubted that her Queen wasn't yet aware of the information, it was still her job to do so, and the reason she was chosen to escort Patriarch Rylan and the gods' chosen to their new homes.
….…..
Orion's manor
Orion reclined on the carpet while Reena, clad in a thigh-high strap dress, sat beside him, a sigh escaping her lips. "I think that should be enough family role-play for today," she said, smiling at Orion.
"Yes, I think so too," Orion responded tiredly, nodding at Reena before shifting his attention toward Fifi, who sat at his other side.
Fifi snorted in response to his gaze. "Next time, you'll understand that these muscles aren't just for show," she said, folding her muscular arms under her enormous, uncovered motherly breasts as she sat cross-legged on the ground.
She was dressed only in white lace panties, her whole body naked, with the only noticeable thing being the white drops of breast milk on her erect nipples.
Orion sighed deeply and nodded his head in response. He knew he could only tame Fifi by using his special bedroom skills; however, in terms of competing with her in physical prowess, he could easily be overwhelmed by her tight, muscular biceps.
"Okay, enough of that. Will you tell us what has been weighing you down now?" Reena asked, her eyes fixed on Orion with a solemn gaze.
After being briefed on the situation by Ingrid and her other sisters, Reena immediately sought Fifi's help to completely drain Orion of his energy. Of course, Fifi had done most of the work, as she was the only one capable of competing with Orion's strength, followed by Crystalia and then Ursa.
Now, witnessing Orion lay exhaustedly on the ground, she decided to see if their plan had worked and if Orion would finally open up to them.
Hearing Reena's words, Orion nodded his head in response. "I will," he responded.
Upon hearing Orion's response, a smile suddenly emerged on Reena's and Fifi's lips.
"Better because if you hadn't, I wouldn't have minded going for another round," Fifi said with a satisfied smile as she stood up from her seat and squatted before him.
Orion shook his head in response. "Don't worry, I'm going to tell you guys everything," he said, pushing himself to sit upright.
….….….
Three minutes later
Orion surveyed the women of Orion's manor, all seated before him, including Anara and Dariya, who appeared to have travelled quite a distance from the Village to be present.
Observing their serious expressions as they focused on him, Orion began to disclose the heavy burden on him.
As Orion explained, a sudden silence descended upon the main room. The women wore expressions of solemn contemplation as they processed everything they had just heard from Orion.
