Chapter 29: Bunch of Fanatics

Daren looked at him intently and asked, "Are you sure that drinking this spiritual water will heal all my wounds and not only that but also toughen my body and increase my strength?"

"Yes, Dad. I'm telling the truth. You only have to endure the pain once you drink the spiritual water. I don't know if your body can handle the pain since you haven't healed yet," Elan responded, concern evident in his voice.

Daren pondered his son's words. He had resigned himself to the idea that he would never fully heal, believing he would always be a burden and bring hardship to his family because of his injuries. Now, hearing Elan talk about a miraculous spiritual water that could heal all his wounds and toughen his body, Daren felt a surge of hope. He couldn't wait to be healed; he didn't want to wait for his wounds to heal before drinking the water. What was a bit of pain compared to the prospect of a full recovery and increased strength? The temporary agony would be worth the incredible outcome.

Daren had not become the leader of the hunters for nothing. Unlike his son, who strove for excellence to ensure no one could question his capabilities, Daren's motivation was different. His goal was not driven by the desire to be the best for the sake of recognition or pride. Instead, Daren wanted to be the best hunter for a simple yet profoundly honorable reason: to provide for his family and to come back alive to them.

Daren remembered vividly the day his father was killed while out hunting. The news shattered their small family. Daren and his mother were devastated, especially his mother, who fell into a deep state of grief and depression. This profound sorrow took a heavy toll on her health and well-being. While she did not die immediately from grief, her health deteriorated significantly over just a few months, leaving Daren alone in the world.

After his mother's death, Daren made a solemn vow to himself. He promised to become the best hunter, not for the sake of pride or recognition, but to ensure he could always return to his future wife and children. He was determined that his future children would never have to endure the pain and loss he had experienced. This vow became the driving force behind his relentless pursuit of excellence in hunting, pushing him to the limits of his abilities and beyond.

His dedication to hunting was born out of a deep-seated need to protect and nourish his loved ones. Every hunt, every dangerous encounter in the wild, was endured with the thought of returning to his family. It was this selfless drive, this humble yet powerful motivation, that made him the leader of the hunters.

Daren looked at Elan with a steely determination in his eyes. "I don't care that I haven't fully recovered yet. I want to heal quickly so I can help you and the villagers. What is temporary pain compared to such a great outcome?" he said firmly.

Elan felt his father's determination and the fire in his eyes. He could see how much his father truly wanted to heal and contribute to the well-being of their family and the village. Elan admired his father's unwavering resolve and sense of duty. This was the man who had always been his hero, and now, even in his weakened state, he was proving why.

"Elan, your father is truly admirable," Arion said, his voice filled with admiration.

"Okay, Dad, when we relocate to the place where I trained, I will immediately let you drink the spiritual water," Elan said, his voice filled with resolve.

"Relocate? What do you mean? Where?" his mother asked in confusion.

Elan looked at each member of his family, his gaze filled with warmth. He took a deep breath and smiled before starting to explain his ambitious plan. "It's the place where I trained," he began, his voice steady and confident. "The area where I met the old man is not just a safe haven; it's a land brimming with natural resources. The place is naturally fortified, surrounded by towering mountains like a fortress, providing both security and a sense of protection."

He continued, his excitement growing. "The environment there is perfect for cultivation. The spiritual energy is abundant, and it will help us all become stronger. We can train, grow, and thrive in ways we never thought possible here. We can construct stronger houses and better buildings, creating a village that can withstand the harshest conditions."

Elan's voice was filled with hope as he painted a picture of the future. "I want to relocate the entire village to this new place. It's a daunting task, but with everyone working together, we can make it happen. We can build a community where we all live safer, healthier, and more prosperous lives."

As he spoke, his family listened intently, their expressions shifting from confusion to wonder and hope. The idea of moving to a new, resource-rich area that was naturally fortified and where they could thrive was both exhilarating and overwhelming. They could hardly believe the magnitude of Elan's vision. Only his younger sister, still too young to grasp the full scope of his plan, simply looked up at him with innocent trust, confident that her big brother knew what he was doing.

Daren looked at Elan with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Son, are you sure it's okay with the old man to move the entire village to his place? What if he gets angry when we all show up?"

Elan, keeping his composure, lied smoothly, "Don't worry, Dad. It's perfectly fine with him. I already asked him before I left, and he even said, 'The more, the merrier.'"

"That's good to hear, then," Daren said with a nod. "So, when do you plan for us to move?"

"I'm not sure yet," Elan admitted. "First, I need to talk to the elders and all the villagers. Some might not want to relocate, so it's better to inform everyone and get their agreement first."

"I'm sure everyone will agree," Elara interjected confidently. "Who would want to stay here, especially if they'd be left behind? Only a fool would choose to stay."

The idea of moving to a better, safer place was appealing, and Elara's words echoed the likely sentiment of the entire village.

"So when do you plan to talk to the Elders?" Daren asked.

"I was planning to go right now, but if you have more questions, Dad, I can wait until later," Elan replied.

"Go ahead, I don't have any more questions, and besides, the sooner we can move, the sooner I can drink that spiritual water," Daren said with a chuckle.

Elan nodded, realizing just how eager his father was to heal and regain his strength, which was very understandable given the circumstances.

"Okay, Dad, I'll let you know the elders' decision as soon as I get back," Elan said as he stood up.

"Good. We'll wait for the good news," Daren replied with a hopeful smile.

Elan nodded again, walked out of their cottage, and started to make his way towards the Clan Hall. As he walked through the village, he was greeted by his fellow clansmen, their faces lighting up as they saw him.

"Welcome back, Elan."

"It's good to see you, Elan!"

"We're so glad you're alive,"

Elan smiled and nodded at each greeting, his heart swelling with warmth at the support and relief of his people. He responded to each person, thanking them for their concern and assuring them that he was fine. 

"It felt good to be back," Elan said while smiling.

As Elan walked, he remembered something and asked Arion.

"Oh, by the way, Arion. Did you scan my parents and my two siblings?" Elan asked.

"Of course," Arion replied.

"What did you detect?" Elan inquired, a hint of hope in his voice.

"Unfortunately, I did not detect anything special. They don't have any unique constitution," Arion informed him.

Elan felt a pang of disappointment after hearing Arion's words. He had been hoping that at least one of his family members might possess a unique constitution like his own. The reality that none of them did was disheartening. However, he knew there was nothing he could do to change this fact. Accepting the truth was better than dwelling on it. Besides, with Arion's help, there was still hope. Perhaps Arion could develop a special cultivation technique tailored for his family, something that could help them grow stronger despite their lack of unique constitutions.

-----

Elan stood before the seven elders, each of their faces adorned with broad smiles. Gawin had already recounted the events, but even with the tale fresh in their minds, they struggled to comprehend what Gawin had said. The young boy standing before them now wielded the power to effortlessly slay three wild beasts, a feat that even their best hunter had been unable to accomplish. The sheer magnitude of Elan's newfound strength left them in a state of awe and wonder.

Elan looked at the seven elders, their faces beaming with a mix of pride and amazement. The longer he stared at their expressions, the more a chill crept down his spine. The elders' unwavering gazes seemed to bore into him, their friendly demeanor doing little to ease his growing unease. Despite the warmth in their smiles, the intensity of their scrutiny left Elan feeling slightly unsettled.

"These Elders are a bunch of fanatics, hahaha," Arion suddenly said, almost strartling Elan.

"Uhm, Elders," Elan began, his voice a bit shaky.

The sound of Elan's voice snapped the elders out of their reverie.

"Oh, where are our manners? Come, sit here first, Elan," Elder Aric said as he pulled one of the high-backed chairs reserved for the elders and gestured for Elan to sit.

Without a choice, Elan sat in the chair.

"So, what brings you here, Elan?" Elder Mira asked.

"Uhm, I wanted to talk to you all about something important," Elan said, scratching the back of his head.

"Oh, what's so important that you wanted to talk about that you needed all seven of us to be present?" Elder Aric asked curiously.

Elan didn't beat around the bush and told the elders what was on his mind regarding relocating the villagers. He explained that he had found a place where they could build a better future, a place rich in natural resources and safe, like a fortress. He told them about the area where he had met the old man and how it was ideal for building stronger houses and better buildings. The environment there would help them cultivate and become stronger, and he wanted to relocate the entire village there so they could all live a better life.

The elders mulled over Elan's words, their minds grappling with the enormity of his proposal. While they couldn't be entirely certain of the truth behind every detail, the sincerity in Elan's eyes and the earnestness in his voice left little room for doubt. The transformation in him was undeniable, and Gawin's earlier account of Elan's newfound strength only reinforced their belief in his story.

Even when Elan was just a boy, frail and inexperienced, the elders had placed their faith in him. Now that he had become so powerful, they had even more reason to trust his words. They knew that Elan was the future of their village and would bring about many changes. Yet the vision he painted was beyond their wildest dreams—a new, fortified home with better establishments and the promise that everyone could grow powerful. The sheer scope of his plan left them breathless, filled with a sense of awe and anticipation.