Through the man's introduction, Lancer learned he was the village chief and the strongest person in the settlement. He seemed easy enough to talk to, but after a few pleasantries, he lowered his head with a grave expression.
"Heng, I want you to stay in the village."
Faced with the advice, Heng shook his head with a complicated look.
"I'm sorry, Uncle. I still have goals to complete, so..."
"There's no need anymore."
He was interrupted before he could finish. The chief's words left Heng at a loss, unable to grasp the meaning.
The middle-aged man sighed heavily.
"Heng, many in the village think you're just a dreamer with no ambition, but I know the effort you've put in. That's why, after the first time I asked, I never questioned you again. Do you know why?"
Looking at the chief's serious face, Heng shook his head. "I don't."
"It's simple. Your physical constitution is weaker than others of our race; that is a fact that cannot be changed. Rather than force you, I thought it better to let you walk the path you desired. You've done well, often finding useful things in the ruins. But this time is different. As I said————there is no need anymore."
The man looked toward the southeast with a weary expression. Based on Heng's previous explanations, Lancer knew that was the direction of the capital, Schrade Castle.
"Just three days ago, Schrade Castle fell. No one made it out."
The news made Heng's eyes bulge. He hadn't expected this. He had heard dragon activity was increasing before he left, and hearing about the siege from the hunters was shocking enough, but to hear the capital had actually fallen was unthinkable.
"No one escaped Schrade Castle. The only good news is that the 'Elder Dragons' have disappeared, and the overactive dragon packs are gradually returning to normal. The village hasn't been attacked in days. Expect things to return to how they were soon, but no one can guarantee the outside is safe. Staying in the village is at least more secure. I hope you can use your knowledge and skills to help everyone. This is the beginning of a dark era for all Wyverians and humans; we need to stand together!"
Seeing the complex expression on Heng's face, the chief said no more. He patted Heng on the shoulder and stood up.
"I apologize, human friends. With the destruction of Schrade Castle, there is too much to handle. I must leave."
After explaining to Lancer and the others, he departed, leaving only a dazed Heng and Lancer's group in the room.
Lancer signaled the others to leave and give Heng some private space to clear his head.
Heng was currently plunged into a massive state of confusion.
Schrade Castle had the strongest defenses and the largest population of any city, along with a vast array of "Ancient Equipment" scavenged from ruins. Yet, even this seemingly impregnable city had been destroyed.
For a moment, he felt as if a doomsday calamity was hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment.
But as he looked silently around the familiar little hut, his gaze gradually grew firm.
Even if Schrade Castle was destroyed, so what?
Were they supposed to just offer their necks to the slaughter?
The past had happened; the only thing they could do was move forward!
The village chief and the others likely felt the same way, didn't they?
Finally reaching a decision, he stood up and walked toward the door with determination. When he saw Lancer practicing with a spear, he bit his lip and quickened his pace toward him.
"Mr. Lancer..."
"I refuse."
The rejection reached Heng's ears before he could even finish his sentence. He looked at Lancer in confusion as Lancer exhaled sharply, broke his spear stance, and stood straight.
"Don't say it. I can guess what you want to say. If I'm wrong, I apologize. But if I'm right, you were going to ask to follow me for a while, weren't you?"
Heng nodded. Lancer shook his head.
"To be honest, I don't dislike you. If I had plenty of time, I wouldn't mind. But the problem is... 'time is running out.'"
Lancer's mention of "time running out" left Heng baffled, but Lancer continued.
"I plan to head to Schrade Castle tomorrow to take a look. I don't know if I'll be in time, but if I am, I'll bring things back. If I'm not, I'll make a mark and leave everything I find in a specific spot. If you ever have the chance, you can go look for it. For now————listen to that man's advice."
Heng didn't know why Lancer said this so suddenly, but he wasn't ready to give up.
"Mr. Lancer, I know you think my strength is low, but my physical stats have started growing again..."
"I know, but that's not it. In fact, it's not just you; we've all been strengthened. It's because your value isn't in following me. My time is short; you wouldn't learn anything by following me anyway. Everything that could be taught—by me, Olga, or Jack—has been taught. Trust me, if you can master those skills, they will be enough to help you fulfill your wish."
With that, Lancer said no more and resumed his spear stance.
Watching Heng return to his room in disappointment, Lancer didn't offer comfort. He knew the man was strong enough not to need it. And as he said, while he couldn't help the man fulfill his wish directly, he had given him the seeds to do it himself.
The man had learned to craft lances and explore armor-making in just a few days, and he'd even learned the "Beast Soul Possession" tattoos. He was an undeniable genius in these fields; focusing there would yield much greater results.
Lancer admired Heng's willingness to gamble his life for a sliver of hope, but he hoped more that Heng would achieve his goals through "effort" rather than "pleading."
"If there's one thing in this world that will never betray you, it's yourself."
Whether he was speaking to Heng or reminding himself, he gripped his spear tighter. He chose to continue his training.
For years, whenever time allowed, he did exactly this.
He was indeed a genius in the eyes of Scáthach and Li Shuwen, which was why he worked even harder. If effort yielded more rewards for him than for others, why wouldn't he work hard?