A silver cup interrupts her thoughts. Dill sniffs out that it's plain lemonade and raises her eyes to find it's the wife of the young couple, who smiles softly at herself, seemingly treating Dill like a child.
Dill accepted her kindness in silence.
She subconsciously looked around; silver cups, silver plates, and even knives and forks were made of pure silver; the candle flame reflected on the smooth silverware; and the rough liquor flowed with a color like moonlight.
It is not surprising that the sanctuary of the Most High God is decorated with noble silverware; the mayor wants to use them to entertain guests of extraordinary status. Of course, it may also be because of the werewolves' fear of silverware. But as far as Dill could tell, no one here would turn down wine and food.
Dill stared at the distorted shadows on the glass, as if some sense of dissonance was vaguely drawing on her nerves, forcing her to think.
"Half a year ago, the Church sent a Bronze Knight to investigate the disappearance."
Mucha's voice drew Dill's attention; he didn't look particularly expressive, but Dill knew he had waited long enough
The mayor looked very sad, and he shook his head reproachfully. "Sir Russell was a dutiful and great warrior; he stayed here for five days and quickly stated that he had found the werewolf's trail, and before he left, he instructed all of us to lock our doors and windows and go into the forest alone. And after that, the werewolves never reappeared; we always thought that he succeeded in his heroic battle with them, so we erected a monument in his honor, right behind the sanctuary, including some of the things he left behind, and afterward, I can take you, my lord, to see it."
Mucha didn't respond immediately, and it was a long time before he was heard to enunciate in a nasal voice. Dill couldn't help but feel heavy for him.
That small nobleman who had befriended Elder said with some impatience, "It's going to be dark if we keep talking; demons are impervious to swords and spears. Since we can't guarantee the safety of all of us, let us leave earlier."
The mayor looked a little embarrassed. Sir Elder had already taken the lead and stood up, his gaze grimly scrutinizing the mayor: "I was invited to be a witness. Is it hard to believe that you are also going to interrogate me and my friends as criminals? Are you questioning the lineage of the Phililees of Senlun Castle?"
The mayor, of course, did not dare to do so and begged for forgiveness in fear. He called out to two black-robed ringleaders to send Ai Erde and the others away, but the other party simply pushed the people away and did not shy away from proclaiming in front of Mucha:
"Not only church knights can wield silver swords; Senlun Castle employs three silversmiths of Rheims and hundreds of knights at the disposal of the Earl Lord; if necessary, I will advise my father to burn down the entire forest and return the inhabitants of Jonestown to a land of joy."
The mayor was shocked at this: "My lord, that forest is the land that we all depend on for our livelihood!"
Sir Elder didn't even look at him as he gave Dill a meaningful glance. "Any guest who wishes to seek refuge is more than welcome."
After a few people left, the merchant and the couple got up to say goodbye as well. They didn't refuse the alarmist's send-off and even looked at the Silver Knight somewhat expectantly.
Mucha remained silent; perhaps he was still immersed in great sorrow. In the end, only Dill was left alone. She looked at the other party's back as they left and for a moment thought about whether to chase after them, but in the end, she made no move.
When Dill was left alone, the mayor stopped her at the door, acting quite enthusiastic.
"I remember you came with the knight; if you haven't found a place to stay, my niece runs an inn."
Dill immediately refused, "No, I'm currently at Mrs. Cole's."
The mayor stared at her with eyes so wide open as if he had swallowed a lemon so hard, and Dill wondered if she had inadvertently cast some kind of petrifying spell on him.
It seemed to take the mayor a long time to find his voice as he whispered, "Allow me to rearrange your accommodations again."
Dill thought of what happened to mother and daughter Cole, not quite convinced. "No, they treat me very well; Mrs. Cole will pray to the Most High God no matter before three meals or before going to bed. She is the most devout and hardworking religious person I've ever seen, and I've heard Mrs. Cole say that you, Mayor, are..."
"Child!"
The other interrupted her eagerly, with an agitated countenance devoid of malice but of endless grief and entreaty:
"Young child, if you are really for their good, please pretend they do not exist."