Klein withdrew his gaze and looked behind him at the dense forest where almost no light could penetrate, roughly grasping where he was.
This was the "Decaying Forest" that Groselle had guarded during his time at the "Giant King's Court."
The trees in the forest were tens of meters tall, so thick that it took multiple giants to encircle them, but their bark was mottled and rotting in many places. The branches and leaves were completely withered, drooping down and intertwining with each other like dim clouds floating in midair.
Groselle and several other giants similar to him stood at the edge of the forest, some carrying axes, others greatswords, vigilantly guarding against different directions.
"According to Groselle, the 'Decaying Forest' buries the father and mother of the Giant King Ormier. No one but this Ancient God can set foot there, not even the guardians… Well, the Giant King Ormier's parents should be the so-called primeval giants, the most insane, ferocious, and cruel kind… Hmm, why is Groselle having such a dream?" Klein pondered, suddenly sensing something amiss.
Based on what he had gathered from casual conversations around Pesot City, the current Groselle was a giant born and raised locally, with no connection to the "Giant King's Court."
Therefore, this dream was quite abnormal!
"According to the theories of the Psychology Alchemy Society mentioned by Miss Daly and Miss Justice, perhaps when the book world creates characters, it uses or copies the subconscious and collective unconscious of the original figures, then makes slight modifications to let the conscious mind meet the current setting's needs. So, the current Groselle in the dream is influenced by his own subconscious, reliving his former life at the 'Giant King's Court'… If this is the case, it can only be said that this book is a cruel author…" Klein's heart stirred as he thought this, realizing it was an opportunity to gather information about the "Giant King's Court."
He had originally intended to ask Groselle directly about this, but who knew that this giant guardian, to fulfill his promise, died in battle with the "Northern King" Yurisian, and his spirit dissipated quickly after leaving the book world, leaving no chance for communication. Now he finally had another method: to explore Groselle's dream.
Some of it would certainly be absurd and exaggerated, but the rest would inevitably be a reflection of reality. As long as he studied it carefully, he could distinguish.
"Groselle has never entered the 'Decaying Forest.' Even if there are scenes within, they come from his imagination, so there's no need to explore…" Klein slowly shifted his gaze to the mountain where the court stood.
It was not high, meaning that the "Decaying Forest" was located on the mountain quite close to the court, and from here there should be a path leading directly to the ancient god's dwelling.
Klein didn't waste time searching; he walked straight to Groselle, acting as if they were very familiar, and asked unhurriedly:
"How do I get back to the court?"
He knew Groselle was an honest giant, and even more so in a dream.
Groselle raised his hand to scratch the back of his head, smiled in confusion, and said:
"Don't we go back through the 'Desolate Tunnel'?"
He pointed ahead and added:
"Go around that boulder, and you'll see it."
"Thank you," Klein said with a grateful bow.
Watching his retreating figure, Groselle scratched the back of his head again and muttered in bewilderment:
"Who is he? Why does he feel familiar…"
Going around a boulder protruding from the cliff, Klein's view suddenly opened up, revealing a massive cave at least thirty meters high.
Outside the cave stood a stone tablet with a carved vertical eye, a high nose, and thick lips, like a giant's head forcibly pressed in, only showing the front part.
As soon as Klein approached, the mouth on the tablet spoke:
"Why have you returned to the court early?"
"Summoned by the king," Klein lied without changing expression. After all, all creatures in this dream had roughly the same intelligence as the dream's owner, Groselle.
The lips on the tablet parted and closed, emitting a rumbling voice:
"Answer a question, or you shall not pass."
…At a time like this, if he had the "Magic Mirror" Arrodes, something fun might happen… Klein muttered inwardly, then nodded calmly.
"Alright."
The lips on the tablet closed for three seconds, then opened:
"If your wife, your daughter, and the woman you covet ask you to judge who is the most beautiful among them, what would you choose?"
This is completely different from the "Magic Mirror" style… Klein's lips moved, his thoughts raced, and after nearly ten seconds, he finally answered:
"My wisdom is insufficient to decide this matter. I will appoint a wiser person to give the answer."