"Do you mean the Dream Creatures are deliberately showing weakness to lure us deeper?"
Duke Sterling shook his head. "I don't know either. All I can do is be more cautious and slow our advance. That way, even if it really is a trap, we can deal with it."
Sidney shook his head with a wry smile. "Your Grace, I truly never expected the Dream Creatures to undergo such a change. Honestly, even talking about Dream Creatures laying traps feels absurd. To think these mindless monsters might actually have developed intelligence."
"It's only a guess, but the fighting on the front lines really has been somewhat strange. I came specifically to warn Your Highness."
"I see." Sidney looked Duke Sterling up and down. "Is that also why you put on this armor?"
"This is more than just armor." Duke Sterling smiled faintly. "I brought it to see Elliot."
Sidney's heart lurched. He had a feeling things were about to go wrong.
Could the Old Duke already be suspicious? Had he put on this armor specifically to check whether Elliot was real?
Sidney had heard that almost all the Sterling Family's detection abilities had to be deployed through mechanical equipment.
The Sterling Family was indeed poor at detection, but the current Elliot couldn't stand up to scrutiny either!
Sidney's thoughts raced as he tried to find an excuse to put him off. His gaze unconsciously swept past the doorway, then suddenly brightened.
A servant was peering in at him.
"What is it?"
"There's news from His Highness Michel..."
"What?!" Delight surged through Sidney, and he immediately turned to Duke Sterling.
"We encountered a group of Dream Creatures ascending earlier. Michel thought it was strange and took some men to investigate. It seems he needs support now. Would Your Grace accompany me?"