Chapter 1038 Three Peculiar Curios <TOC> Chapter 1040 The Successful Trade
Translator: SumTLMan
After setting down the Monument of the Strange Ring, Balalaika remained outwardly stoic, yet her internal state was anything but tranquil.
It must be said, this second Monument of the Strange Ring was quite extraordinary.
Due to certain regulations, Balalaika couldn’t depart from the Resting Ground. For hundreds of years, aside from slumber, much of her time was cloaked in monotony.
This Monument of the Strange Ring had perfectly struck a chord within her, providing a much-needed antidote to the dullness. A thoroughly engaging diversion, it was more than capable of alleviating the loneliness incurred by the endless nights she spent.
Casting a sidelong glance at Angel, an inkling of skepticism began to stir within Balalaika’s heart.
At first, she thought that by listening to the Illusion Music Box, she had gained something to remember, effectively coming out ahead. But on reflection, wasn’t this all a targeted strategy catering to her interests?
Her fondness for music was indulged with the music box, prominently presented. Once her spirits were sated, the Monument of the Strange Ring was introduced to enrich her existence.
What’s more, both the Illusion Music Box and Monument of the Strange Ring, though full of clever design, didn’t strike her as exceedingly precious possessions.
No matter how she looked at it, it all seemed meticulously planned. A ploy to broker a transaction through these intricate trinkets.
However, Balalaika refrained from voicing her suspicion. To be honest, she wasn’t averse to Angel’s personalized offerings. From her perspective, Angel’s thoughtfulness was endearing. Compared to the half-demon outside trying to swindle his way in with barefaced deceit, Angel’s approach of winning through thoughtfulness was something she found herself quite receptive to.
Her attention then shifted to the third item, a ring featuring a serpent devouring its own tail.
The first two items had already piqued her curiosity. Following Angel’s approach of making a splash with the little things, she figured this ring was unlikely to be a priceless artifact.
At first glance, these three pieces didn’t seem particularly valuable, but the evidence suggested that they had quite a potent impact. Therefore, Balalaika found herself harboring a hint of anticipation for this third ring.
She was eager to discover what surprise Angel had prepared this time.
“This ring is called Ouroboros. It symbolizes eternity and immortality, as demonstrated by the serpent biting its own tail,” Angel explained in a soft voice.
Speaking of which, the Ouroboros, a formation of a serpent consuming its own tail, is a symbol often featured in Earth’s cultures. However, it isn’t considered uncommon within the Wizarding World either. Indeed, its symbolism shares a profound link with the art of alchemy.
The serpent bites its own tail. In the minds of ancient alchemists, this signifies the concept of self-consumption, transforming oneself into a cyclic process. This feedback loop, thus, represents an emblem of immortality. Within alchemy, this formation symbolizes a cycle, the notion of eternity, and the doctrine of reincarnation.
The Ouroboros appears to be a meticulously crafted ring, yet in reality… Angel designed it as an Ouroboros purely to save the trouble of contemplating a form. If situated in the Wizarding World, it is plausible that some alchemist might criticize him for lacking a conceptual understanding of alchemical aesthetics.
“Ah.” Balalaika chuckled softly, choosing to remain noncommittal about Angel’s explanation and promptly activated the ring.
While Balalaika was testing the Ouroboros, Angel’s heart was filled with apprehension. The previous two items were indeed just intricate trinkets; even if their existence was exposed, it wouldn’t cause a significant stir.
However, this third item, the Ouroboros, was entirely different.
It was an alchemical illusion once strictly forbidden by Sanders for exposure due to the illusion’s containment of — a Mysterious Object!
Sanders worried that once this Mysterious Object was discovered by the individuals of the Wizarding World for its “enlightening” effect, Angel wouldn’t be able to lead a peaceful life anymore.
When Gloria initially created spells, the assistance of a Mysterious Object indeed played a role in catalyzing the process. However, the primary reason was that Gloria’s accumulated knowledge and experience were sufficiently substantial.
Sanders himself had also used a Mysterious Object, through which he had invented several intriguing spells.
This illustrates the potent “enlightening” effect of the Mysterious Object.
Especially for those wizards with an abundance of knowledge, broadened horizons, and profound experience, the effect of this Mysterious Object can be even more powerful.
Therefore, Sanders advised Angel to try as much as possible not to reveal this type of alchemical illusion until his capabilities reached a level where he held considerable influence within the Wizarding World.
Now, Angel’s reason for presenting these items to Balalaika was simply that he was at a loss for what else could possibly touch Balalaika’s heart.
In his mind, he figured, after all, Balalaika was not of the Wizarding World, thus trading with her using the Ouroboros was harmless. Besides, he never claimed that these three alchemy items were of his own creation; if Balalaika were to ask, he could simply suggest that they were the work of someone else, stumbled upon by chance.
Another point, Sanders had once mentioned that, before the entity slumbering deep within that vast sea awakens, Balalaika would not leave the Resting Ground.
As long as she stays within the Resting Ground, news about the Mysterious Object could take an incredibly long time to reach the Wizarding World; by then, Angel’s abilities may have reached the level of a formal wizard, thus equipped to handle the consequences of possessing such a Mysterious Object.
Thoughts continued to whirl within Angel’s mind until suddenly, he heard movement from Balalaika.
Looking over, Balalaika had already left the alchemy illusion and placed the ring back onto the table.
Out of the three alchemy items, this was the one Balalaika spent the least amount of time on, likely not even five minutes.
Her expression remained placid, and Angel could not discern anything from her demeanor.
Could it be that she was not fond of Ouroboros? Or could it be that, as a transcendent lifeform outside the wizard system, she has no affinity for the Mysterious Object?
A frown creased Angel’s brow and in these fleeting seconds, Angel was already considering if Balalaika didn’t appreciate the Ouroboros, did he have anything else worth trading with her?
If all else fails, he still has the Rhythm of the Ocean. After all, he can’t cut off his right hand, nor is he willing to give up Toby.
While these thoughts raced in Angel’s mind, he was unaware that inside Balalaika’s heart, there was already a tsunami of emotion.
For Balalaika, the first two items were interesting gadgets capable of alleviating her boredom; she liked them and even thought that if the third item could also bring her joy, she wouldn’t mind giving Angel a chance for trade.
However, who would have thought? What she initially presumed to be a third piece of intricate mind game turned out to be a thunderous revelation.
The Ouroboros was entirely in a different league compared to the first two pieces! If the Crystal Harp and the Monument of the Strange Ring were mere impish entities, then the Ouroboros was of a demonic deity stature.
The overwhelming shock that the Ouroboros brought to Balalaika was beyond comparison. Having lived many years, teetering countless times on the brink of life and death, she had already developed a sense of “premonition.”
After unlocking the Ouroboros and sensing one of the strange concepts within, a thought surfaced in Balalaika’s mind: comprehending this bizarre concept entirely would provide immense assistance. Even more so, it could catalyze her progress!
Having stayed in the Resting Ground for such a long duration, her strength’s progression had been significantly sluggish. Yet, this peculiar concept could potentially elevate her to the next level, wouldn’t she be astounded?
In truth, she had already decided to make this trade with Angel deep down. The calm she maintained on the surface was a strategy to gain more advantages from this deal——
“These three trinkets are quite intriguing, loaded with intentions. It seems you specifically targeted me, didn’t you?” Balalaika began, a hint of playful chiding evident in her tone. Coupled with her enchantingly melodious voice, even Angel couldn’t help but be swayed.
Now, Angel began to understand why Sanders once stated that Balalaika was an entity more mesmerizing than the succubus. Her graceful demeanor, charming glances, and coquettishly enticing voice — all were exhibitions of her unique allure.
“Music soothes my defenses, games relieve my tedium, and this…” Balalaika picked up the serpent tail-biting ring and twirled it between her fingers, “This beckons me to explore. Each piece is remarkably targeted, which pleases me greatly.”
Regaining his senses from her melodious voice, Angel understood Balalaika’s claim about being targeted — it wasn’t entirely inaccurate. Before coming to the Resting Ground, he had thought about his course of action. However, the targeting was unintentional. After all, these three pieces were creations Angel had crafted in the past.
If it indeed is a targeted provocation, Angel would undoubtedly concoct anew, an alchemical illusion pertaining to the Resting Ground and Balalaika.
“Pleased to be favored by Miss Balalaika, I consider it a great honor,” Angel responded in a low voice, pausing briefly before adding, “I wonder, would Miss Balalaika be willing to engage in this transaction with me?”
“These three trinkets, indeed I am quite fond of them, but they’re merely trivial baubles…” Balalaika halted here, a captivating smile playing on her lips as she gently exhaled a puff of smoke.
Her theatrical display was solely to demote the Ouroboros to the same level as the prior two trinkets. Thereafter, she could propose her subsequent demand: she would agree to the trade, only if all three items were offered together.
Angel, however, had not anticipated such a tactic from Balalaika. Internally he speculated, could it be that physical representations of the Mysterious Object don’t particularly appeal to other transcendental systems?
A conflict ensued within him. Should he replace the item with the Rhythm of the Ocean?
The Rhythm of the Ocean, a high-rank piece that had received high praise from both the Sea God and esteemed Rhine, could even be ranked among the top in its category. As a trade, it should satisfy Balalaika.
With this in mind, Angel extended his hand to retrieve the three trinkets. The first one he reached for was the Ouroboros.
“If that’s the case, then I can only…”
Just as Angel intended to reclaim the Ouroboros, Balalaika swiftly retracted her hand, clutching the Ouroboros within her palm.
Balalaika’s brow furrowed in annoyance. Does this young man know how to negotiate? She had not even haggled yet, merely baited him, and he was ready to forgo the deal.
And, he had chosen the Ouroboros to reclaim first.
Balalaika had already considered the Ouroboros as her possession, so how could she allow Angel to take it back? Even if Angel were to back out of the deal at this moment, she would force the transaction to completion.
With this in mind, Balalaika decided to drop the pretense and declared directly, “Agreed. The transaction is complete!”
Balalaika, regardless of Angel’s reaction, donned the Ouroboros on her little finger with the flourish of a seasoned performer.
Witnessing Balalaika’s impatient expression at this point, how could Angel not comprehend Balalaika’s intentions.
Chapter 1038 Three Peculiar Curios <TOC> Chapter 1040 The Successful Trade