The Cruel Scholar began showing its guests the door.
If it had only been ordinary intelligence, it would not have minded letting others hear it. But Liriel had mentioned the "Deep Dream Civilization," and that was no ordinary piece of information.
Rumors of the Deep Dream Civilization had always been rife, but almost no one had ever truly reached Deep Dream.
All intelligence related to Deep Dream consisted of deductions, conjectures, and unreliable word of mouth.
Even at the Cruel Scholar's level, it had never heard any genuine information about Deep Dream.
The only thing known for certain was that the Deep Dream Civilization did indeed exist.
—That was definite information provided by the Star Lord who traversed the heavens.
And now, it had actually heard "Deep Dream Civilization" from Liriel's mouth?
If this was true, it might be the Abyss's only lead to Deep Dream that had both been reached and possessed solid intelligence!
Its value was beyond measure.
Given the Cruel Scholar's nature, it naturally could not let others listen in so easily.
At the Cruel Scholar's words, a trace of disappointment flashed through Balalaika's eyes. If the Strange Dream Liriel had visited truly was the Deep Dream Civilization, she was genuinely rather curious... After all, Deep Dream was the Dream Realm's sole civilization of legend.
But since the host had already issued an order to leave, she could hardly force herself to stay.
Curiosity was curiosity, but Deep Dream had nothing to do with her. Even if she learned the intelligence, it would only satisfy a passing curiosity and bring no tangible benefit.
On the other hand, she had thoroughly repaid the Cruel Scholar's favor this time. In the future, she would no longer need to worry about being constrained by it, nor live in constant unease.