The Great Ghost World was a wondrous Great World. The ghostly rules within it made the entire world utterly absurd.
In this world, everything seemed capable of being given tangible form and exaggerated.
For instance, Richard's question at this moment—his attitude had materialized into a shadow almost like a demon.
From that shadow, the aura of a dominator pressed down upon every living creature present like a mountain. Even the bats and crows flying around the castle vanished at that moment.
"The fact that you can ask that question means you already know the answer," Elder Ape replied with some difficulty.
"That black mud monster has been free of its seal for so long. It should be stirring up trouble by now."
Richard smiled faintly at those words.
"So you truly are hiding from the Civilization Devourer."
Behind him, the demonic shadow withdrew, and the oppressive air dispersed with it.
"You said earlier that you also provide historical inquiries?"
"Yes."
"I want to learn about the Civilization Devourer's past. Do you have anything here?"
"We do, though not much."
"What price?"
Elder Ape shook his head. "This is free. All information concerning that black mud monster is free."
A trace of surprise appeared on Richard's face.
"Do you have a grudge against it?"
Anger surfaced on Elder Ape's face, and his body reddened along with it.
"More than three hundred epochs ago, that bastard wanted to swallow us. If we hadn't run fast enough, you'd probably be seeing us among those remnants of the past now."
As he spoke, Elder Ape pulled a flying carpet from his beard.
"Come, Wizard. You are a guest. Keeping you out here is no way to treat one."
Richard glanced at the oddly shaped Ghost Artisans behind him, then tossed the puppet over.
"This