Very well then.
Sean also wanted to find out the cause behind everyone in this town falling into dreams. On the surface, it seemed like magic, but after studying it last night, he found no traces of magical release in the rooms while everyone was resting.
What did catch his attention was that scent of tree sap, something that seemed to affect the brain's perception through smell. This was a kind of ability he had never encountered before—very unique.
After breakfast, Ross decided to head into town to investigate and conduct a survey.
He also informed Baron Mirend about this. Since everyone had been so open at the table, the baron didn't seem afraid of them looking into things. In Baron Mirend's mind, Shanggu Town was a truly cherished dreamland, where everyone lived happily. Though their real lives might be casual, they genuinely loved this place.
As for Sean, he first went to the inn where the soldiers were resting to tell them they'd be staying in town for two days, and also to inform them about the town's peculiarities.
Sure enough, just as he expected, some soldiers were still dazed after experiencing the strange dreams last night, and a few even looked unwell.
Hearing they'd be staying a few days, many got excited and kept singing his praises.
On the street, Sean walked with Asrant in an open area.
Though the town was large, there were very few people on the streets.
Yesterday, he found it strange, but after today's observations, it made sense. Many passersby walked briskly with smiles, but their expressions often showed anticipation, reminiscence, or blankness.
Sometimes a smile isn't always friendly—it can also represent unfamiliarity with the real world.
"Count, I think we should take the soldiers outside town to set up camp. I'm worried that staying here a few more days might make them 'addicted' to the dream world," Asrant suddenly said as they walked.
Sean hadn't expected him to say that and turned to look at him.
"What about you? Why haven't you become addicted?" He remembered that when they first woke up this morning, Asrant wasn't in much better shape than the others.
"Uh... because I think a dream is still a dream. We still have a lot to do, especially since you've just taken over the Oro region. There's plenty to keep us busy..."
Looking into his eyes, Sean saw a hint of fear.
He was their lord, after all—fear was expected.
Sean smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"You're right."
It was a bit of affirmation. From Asrant's demeanor, he seemed eager to prove himself, so Sean had to offer some encouragement. That was one of the essential lessons for a ruler.
Otherwise, it would be hard to manage so many subordinates later. The Oro region was much larger than his old town.
"Should I go arrange it now, my lord?"
"No need. It's just a day or two—it's fine," Sean said firmly.
"But—"
"Asrant, can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead, my lord." Asrant looked puzzled, wondering why Sean was asking now.
"Why did you join the Imperial Army in the first place?"
After a moment's thought, he replied, "To add strength to the Empire, of course."
"No, that's not it." Sean waved his hand.
"That's too broad. I mean the real reason—your personal circumstances."
Asrant paused, then slowly said, "When I joined the Imperial Army, my family had no money, but the Empire gave them a lot."
Sean could tell he was hiding something, but it didn't matter. As a lord, he didn't need to know everyone's story—just how to use them.
"The biggest anchor for people is emotion. As long as someone has ties, they won't easily fall into obsession. Why do you rarely see couples walking together in this town, or even children? I suspect it's because people in Shanggu Town rarely need to marry or have children." After a morning of thorough investigation, Sean had indeed noticed their unusual way of life.
"I see. You've thought it through thoroughly, Count," Asrant said, not forgetting to flatter.
Sean spent almost the entire day wandering the town. He asked many shopkeepers about the branches hanging at their doors, all woven into circles, and was told it was a local custom—a kind of blessing for festivals.
It seemed he had been wrong earlier. These had little to do with the dreams at night. But when he pressed for details—why they prayed, or to whom—many couldn't answer. The townspeople simply weren't interested.
Many decorations had been left from earlier years, likely from the previous generation, and were just kept because no one bothered to remove them.
The previous generation.
But these things were probably decades old, yet they still looked quite new.
Sean took one from a shopkeeper, intending to buy it, but the man didn't care at all.
Breaking it open, he found the wood inside was still fresh.
"My lord, is there something strange about this?"
Sean didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "Let's go find Lord Ross."
As a historian, Ross had spent the whole day interviewing townspeople, checking if things were as Baron Mirend described. If so, this peculiar town would deserve a place in the nation's collection of strange tales.
But as his investigation deepened, he found the townspeople were indeed as peaceful and serene as the baron had said, smiling at everyone.
Yet those smiles seemed lacking in emotion.
Ross was well-traveled and could tell if a smile was genuine after a few glances. The townspeople's smiles gave him a sense of detachment, as if the real world had nothing to do with them—they were lost in their dreams, yet carefully maintaining their daily routines.
Flipping through his notes, he recalled hearing from an old man about the source of the town's strange dreams.
Tree spirits.
Was that the name?
He opened a book he had secretly taken from someone's home—actually a diary.
It mentioned that name.
The tree spirits had granted the town new life.