Chapter 1012 The Signs of Tribulation <TOC> Chapter 1014 Whispering Wind Valley
Translator: SumTLMan
The crab known for bearing sea anemones upon its back is more accurately called the Olaf Tentacle Crab.
Contrary to its name, it doesn’t carry sea anemones, but rather a special type of parasite. This particular parasite can only thrive on the back of the Olaf Tentacle Crab; devoid of its host, it perishes.
Sanders remarked, “The Olaf Tentacle Crab’s most valuable asset is actually this parasite. It’s a scarce delicacy, hence its name ‘Olaf’ — a nod to the gourmet wizard who discovered it.”
Hearing Sanders’ explanation, Toby eating an Olaf Tentacle Crab in his dream made sense — after all, it’s a transcendent culinary delight.
Moreover, when Angel was searching for Toby in the Shadowy Caverns, he had encountered the remains of an Olaf Tentacle Crab halfway there. Toby’s traces were found on the carcass, confirming he had indeed feasted on it.
If something delectable is consumed in reality, a dreamt reflection of the experience seems perfectly normal.
So, is there truly nothing unusual about Toby eating an Olaf Tentacle Crab in his dream?
As Angel was pondering this, a silent, pitch-black underground river continued to flow in the depths of the Shadowy Caverns near Watchtower Fortress.
In the water area where Angel had found a troll the previous day, a lengthy luminescent tentacle suddenly appeared.
Following this glowing appendage, it was clear that it was attached to a huge crab. Its entire body, resembling flowing lava, was even larger than the one slain by the Frost Moon Guard the day before.
This was an adult Olaf Tentacle Crab.
It was slowly swimming up from the depths of the river.
And it wasn’t alone — following it was an entire procession of Olaf Tentacle Crabs of varying sizes. Their luminescent tentacles, set against the dark, quiet waters, resembled a string of lanterns, providing a touch of surreal beauty.
Tracing these Olaf Tentacle Crabs back to their origins…
If one followed the underground river far into the dark earth’s expanse, they would eventually arrive at the river’s source through a narrow waterway.
It was a desolate sea of black.
Eternally silent, it emanated an eerie aura.
Looking up from the sea surface, a cliff edge could be seen, and atop it, a solitary stone tablet stood tall. Had Angel been present, the inscription would have been familiar to him——
“Immortal Brigade, Resting Ground.”
Here lies Silent Shore, beneath the precipice, the mysterious aura-filled sea is shunned by all in the Wizarding World — the Silent Dead Sea.
Rumor has it, within this seemingly endless inland sea, a Demon God met his quietus.
Rumor has it, he was a great entity that fell before the gods themselves,
Rumor has it, Balalaika, the famed trader of the Abyss, is forever awaiting the return of his soul.
Tales about the Silent Dead Sea are manifold, yet not a single soul, not even the most daring demons dare venture into the Silent Dead Sea.
The demons’ dread for the Silent Dead Sea is so great that they dare not establish a Demon Monastery near Silent Shore.
Such is the terror of the Silent Dead Sea.
And now, beneath the Silent Dead Sea.
At the inky depths, there knelt a figure as large as a troll. Bent and ragged, clothed in a tattered grey robe, it prostrated before an abyssal vortex.
Its reverence was so profound, akin to a devoted priest praying to his deity.
It was the very Harbinger of Doom who had traversed the layers.
This bringer of calamity, who never initiates slaughter, knelt on the seabed of the Silent Dead Sea, engaged in an unknown endeavor. Above its head, bubbles turned and, upon closer inspection, one would find several crabs adorned with anemones leisurely swimming by…
These crabs were the Olaf Tentacle Crabs.
…
The tumult on the Wings of Cold Frost did not continue. An apprentice of unknown whereabouts in the eyes of Frost Moon, likely met his end at the hands of a demon in the previous battle.
Even if he had survived, they would not expend their energy for an apprentice, much less wait in place.
So, the Wings of Cold Frost resumed its journey, flying deep into the Gloaming Mountains.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, on the Gondola, Sanders cast Canter overboard.
“Despite my past protection over this vessel, you have the audacity to dismiss me…” As Canter was about to explode in fury, a statement from Sanders intercepted his tirade.
“I am planning to escort Angel back to the Wizarding World and will return in a few days. Let’s rendezvous at Kodo Port then.”
Canter was taken aback, “You are planning on returning to the Wizarding World now? Would Frost Moon grant access to the passage?”
“There’s always a way,” Sanders gave nothing away.
Canter couldn’t really pry further and, with a touch of reluctance, took flight off the Gondola. His gaze, however, complicatedly lingered on Angel. He hadn’t expected that Sanders would choose this moment to defy the wishes of Lord Mengke and make an interim return to the Wizarding World!
Could this be because of Angel?
Canter’s expression was all too telling — even without uttering a word, his thoughts were as clear as day.
Clearing his throat, Sanders used a mental spell to tell Canter, “You’re overthinking it. With the Paramjit Plateau currently in a state of fusing between two planes, I want to check it out and possibly reap some benefits.” The fusing of the two planes indeed promised gains. Furthermore, the —Frost Moon Confidential— magazine recorded that this dual-plane fusion would bring someone an incredible opportunity. Given this, Sanders’ reasoning seemed plausible to Canter.
However, according to the fusing speed, it might be a tad late to head there now.
Yet, it didn’t matter. If they could find the entrance to the other fused plane and preemptively gather resources, it would still be a good choice.
Yet, what Canter found most perplexing was, “The interlayer passage is in Frost Moon’s hands. They usually wouldn’t open it, so how do you plan on getting them to agree?”
To this, Sanders responded with an inscrutable smile.
Seeing that he couldn’t glean an answer, Canter stopped pressing and instead turned to Angel.
“Don’t forget our agreement. If your Softworm’s Worm Mother truly hatches a Morphing Softworm, you have to save one for our Cherie.”
“No problem,” Angel agreed without hesitation.
Only then did Canter depart reluctantly, and Sanders sent a mental message to Sineva, “I’ll be away for a few days.”
Sanders didn’t disclose the reason, and Sineva didn’t inquire, simply wishing him a prompt return.
Sanders then led Angel away from the crowd, heading solo toward the other side of the Gloaming Mountains.
At this moment, perched upon a drifting iceberg, Samantha watched Sanders depart, her eyes gloomily fell upon Sineva, “Did he send you a message just now?”
Sineva spared Samantha a glance and nodded, “He said he would be away for a few days.”
“Did he mention where to?” Samantha queried, her brow furrowed.
“I’m not sure, but seeing him leave with Angel, perhaps it has something to do with his apprentice?”
With a cold huff, Samantha said no more. Her discontent stemmed from the fact that while she and Sineva held equal positions, she had been the genuine supervisor of Watchtower Fortress in the past. Sanders chose to relay his message to the latecomer, Sineva, and not her. This filled her heart with resentment.
Bruen, a man of corpulent stature, also moved to Sineva’s side at this point.
“We’re in the middle of the Gloaming Mountains now, a place historically devoid of danger. I plan to return to my biological alchemy workshop to continue my previous experiment.”
Bruen’s eyes were ringed with dark circles, and his expression bore a hint of despair. The primary cause was the departure of Dongola.
His initial reason for coming to Watchtower Fortress was to learn from Dongola. Now that Dongola was gone, he had to carry on his experiment on his own. No wonder his mood had been quite vexed these past few days.
Sineva empathized with Bruen but the current situation seemed far from promising, “Though the Gloaming Mountains have historically been a safe route, you’ve seen it yourself, unpredictable variables are now emerging from the Abyss. Our previous experiences have become invalid, and the ironclad evidence is our constant run-ins with formidable enemies.”
“Furthermore, Sanders has temporarily left our ranks, significantly diminishing our collective strength. Facing a greater demon like the one we previously encountered would be extremely unfavorable. So, let’s not rush into your experiments for now.”
Upon hearing this, Bruen heaved a resigned sigh. Sineva had a point; it wouldn’t be right if he was idling away in his alchemy workshop while everyone else was locked in fierce battles.
“I understand.”
Bruen accepted Sineva’s advice, staying ever-ready for the “formidable enemies” they might encounter next. Strangely, however, they did not encounter any danger on their continued journey through the Gloaming Mountains.
Even the monsters they usually encountered on this route were absent.
They didn’t experience any significant turbulence until they reached Kodo Port.
Much like the departure of Sanders, it seemed to carry away all catastrophes with it…
…
In contrast to Sineva and her party who enjoyed smooth sailing, Sanders, on the other hand, found himself continually ambushed.
Fortunately, Sanders was formidable. Having dealt with a brutal demon whose power was on par with a second level wizard, they temporarily found respite within a safe cave.
After all, with the continuous battles, even Sanders needed to restore his magic power.
Angel reflected somewhat ruefully. They no longer soared conspicuously mid-air, instead they had chosen to tread the mountain path, yet they still encountered so many powerful adversaries.
Presumably, those currently perched upon the Wings of Cold Frost were engaging in even more relentless battles.
“I wonder what’s amiss with the Gloaming Mountains,” Angel murmured.
In Angel’s arms, Toby rolled over, revealing a soft belly of feathers. Angel sighed resignedly and dutifully began stroking Toby’s plumage.
When Angel tossed another log onto the fire, Sanders stirred from his meditation.
“Something’s not right.”
“What’s not right?”
Despite his meditation, Sanders had been contemplating the current circumstances. The Gloaming Mountains were not typically teeming with so many demons, and this anomalous state suggested something was amiss.
Perhaps, an extraordinary creature of darkness was in the process of awakening.
Much like how they were previously oblivious to the fact that beneath Downfallen Forest, there resided a slumbering Demon Lord who had fallen from his throne.
“We need to hasten our pace and leave as soon as possible.”
Angel agreed with Sanders, and couldn’t help but ask, “How far away are we from the place that leads to the next layer?”
Chapter 1012 The Signs of Tribulation <TOC> Chapter 1014 Whispering Wind Valley