Chapter 1186 Echoes of Bygone Days <TOC> Chapter 1188 Avatar of the Demon God
Translator: SumTLMan
After recounting the story of Sparrow Blossom, Popoca turns his gaze toward Angel.
“Is she doing well now?”
This was the second time Popoca asked the same question. The first time, the essence of his question was, “How is she living now,” while the core of his current question was, “Is her soul alright?”
“When I left, she was doing well,” Angel cautiously replied. Whether Sparrow Blossom was well or not, as an outsider, he was in no place to judge. He had only seen Sparrow Blossom once, and when he first met her, he was drawn in by her mournful cry. This alone was enough to suggest that Sparrow Blossom was certainly not doing well under that graveyard.
However, before Angel left, he created an illusory world for her, leaving behind a few magic crystals. Compared to before she met him, Sparrow Blossom had indeed improved somewhat. But to say she was doing great would be an overstatement. Perhaps the books and trinkets in that illusionary world could alleviate her boredom, but they couldn’t alleviate her loneliness.
All this, Angel couldn’t tell Popoca now, at least, he didn’t want to upset him.
Still, Popoca wasn’t foolish. He had an inkling, “This room, it’s the illusory world you created, isn’t it?”
Angel nodded in acknowledgment.
“Thank you,” For the first time, Popoca’s gaze at Angel lost some of its hostility.
“No need for thanks, if you want to know how Sparrow Blossom is really doing, you can go see her yourself. After all, she would be very lonely by herself.” Angel subtly hinted at Sparrow Blossom’s current Situation.
Popoca, however, remained silent.
He indeed longed to see his sister, but… he didn’t have much time left. The after-effects of his forced power enhancement were beginning to show.
Moreover, Popoca looked at his own body, a flash of discomfort in his eyes. He was so unsightly now, how could he face his sister?
“Where did you meet her?” Suddenly, Popoca realized something. His sister was already dead, who was the one who killed her?
Seeing the hatred flickering in Popoca’s eyes, Angel understood what he was implying. All of Angel’s previous words were intended to avoid stirring Popoca’s emotions, but now it seemed he had to answer…
Angel’s silence made Popoca’s expression grow even darker. To prevent Popoca from falling into madness again, Angel said, “I can take you to see her, she’s in——”
“Black Castle.”
Black Castle? Upon hearing this answer, Popoca abruptly raised his head!
As an individual who has navigated the convoluted terrains of the Wizarding World for countless years, Popoca was far from ignorant about Black Castle. This fortress belonged to the Fairytale Town Wizard Alliance, currently under the rule of the ‘Dusk Queen’ Isabella.
In fact, Popoca had heard about two recent significant events concerning the castle. One was the return of Isabella’s mentor, the ‘Twilight Queen’ Isabelle, to the Wizarding World. The other concerned Angel, who was rumored to have nearly touched the realm of the mysterious while in Black Castle.
Looking back on the timeline, it was indeed plausible that Angel had met his sister in Black Castle.
Furthermore, Popoca had been nursing a similar speculation. Born in Kashmar Plateau in the Fairytale World, he and his sister later moved near the Whiskas Royal Court. Consequently, Popoca had always suspected that a wizard organization from the Fairytale World might have taken his sister. After all, the Fairytale World was the main base of Fairytale Town, home to several wizard organizations like Silent Hill, Paradise Tree, Rainbow Forest…
And, of course, Black Castle.
Though he had his suspicions, Popoca lacked the strength to delve into these wizard organizations, so he had let the matter be.
“So, the ones who took Sparrow Blossom… were they from Black Castle?” Popoca questioned, his voice seething with bitter hatred.
“I am not sure, I just saw Sparrow Blossom there,” Angel responded.
As Angel spoke these words, he deliberately turned his head, avoiding eye contact with Popoca. Truthfully, he didn’t know if the witches of Black Castle had taken Sparrow Blossom, but he did have his guesses, especially after seeing the 13th Princess of Guman, drained of blood, in Black Castle. Before her death, she had revealed some secrets to Angel.
The women captured for the blood baths of Black Castle’s witches were often brought by slavers.
Hence, it was highly likely that Sparrow Blossom had been kidnapped by slavers too.
Of course, this was just a guess from Angel. The truth remained elusive, and hence his words were far from false.
“Furthermore, when I encountered Sparrow Blossom, she had already lost much of her memory. Her life’s memories had almost been erased, except she remembered having a loving older brother and a beloved companion, a sparrow.”
“Indeed, my sister loved her sparrow. From the moment we were in Kashmar Plateau, it was always by her side, just like your seagull perched on your shoulder. But… after my sister disappeared, the sparrow became melancholic and didn’t last much longer,” Popoca admitted desolately. “Is my sister still in Black Castle?”
“She is.” Angel, noticing the worry in Popoca’s eyes, added, “There are numerous souls in Black Castle. Many have lingered for centuries. Sparrow Blossom is safe, waiting for you to find her.”
“I have failed her,” Popoca murmured, turning to walk slowly towards the makeshift altar. “If you manage to get back alive, please visit her for me. Tell her… I am doing well.”
“Are you comfortable lying to her? You could go see her yourself.”
“That’s not possible,” Popoca shook his head.
“As long as you’re willing, nothing is impossible.” Angel stated with dispassion, “Just like now, you’ve even managed to topple a city where a Demon God stands tall, causing ‘Endless Frost’ Mengke to fall flat on his face in front of you. Such feats, for anyone else, would be impossible.”
Popoca turned, giving Angel a deep look. “These are merely parts of my sister’s prophecy. I am but a planner.”
The one who orchestrated everything, leveraging the power of the Profound Lord to reach this point.
“I too have a question. In my sister’s prophecy, I saw many things. Like where Olucia will appear, the demise of La Sutherland, and the Source Fire appearing as one purple and one white flame, but…” Popoca’s gaze was sharp as lightning, piercing towards Angel.
“But you weren’t there.”
In the prophecy of my sister, there was no pale yellow Source Fire, and no trace of Angel. Popoca was curious, why was that?
Angel sighed, “I don’t know what Sparrow Blossom prophesied, but from the beginning to the end, I never participated in the struggle for La Sutherland. I was always an observer until the appearance of that Source Fire pulled me into this whirlpool. So isn’t it quite normal that I wasn’t in Sparrow Blossom’s prophecy?”
Angel’s words seemed reasonable. Sparrow Blossom could only see some scenes, and it couldn’t cover everything.
However, Popoca knew one thing very clearly. From beginning to end, Angel seemed to be at the center of La Sutherland’s vortex, and even if he wasn’t participating, with such a focal point, how could he not appear in the prophecy?
Popoca furrowed his brow, it seemed as if there were two scripts to this play. The one Popoca planned was performing as expected. But Angel wasn’t a character in his script; he was part of another, influencing the progress of the prophecy.
Popoca pondered a moment before setting the thought aside. There was no need for deep contemplation. After all, the final objective had been achieved. What use was there in dwelling on these things?
Rather, it was Angel who was quietly contemplating.
With the prophecy of Sparrow Blossom, even with the wisdom left by Laudsourcian ancestors for assistance, wasn’t there too much that could be seen? It felt like another setup.
Like Angel felt now, as if he was caught in someone’s trap. And Sparrow Blossom might be part of another trap.
But it was just a speculation, Angel couldn’t know the truth. What was most important now was to focus on the immediate problem.
From the hints Popoca had dropped earlier, it seemed he might let Angel go. After all, he had already suggested that Angel take a look at Sparrow Blossom if he had the chance. His intentions were quite clear.
This gave Angel a bit of relief. If his safety was no longer a concern, he could start thinking about other matters, like how to leave.
However, as Angel was pondering his departure, Greaves, who was lying on the ground behind him, was frantic. Because once again, Popoca had approached the altar.
If he truly offered Olucia as a sacrifice to the Profound Lord, everything would be over!
Greaves found himself immobilized, his only recourse a soft call to Angel.
As Angel turned his head, he was met with the distressed, pleading countenance of Greaves.
Truth be told, Greaves had rendered Angel a significant favour in the past, for without his assistance, Toby would have likely vanished into the void. Hence, confronted with Greaves’ plea for help, Angel found himself in deep consideration.
But could Angel persuade Popoca in this instance?
The answer was ostensibly negative.
Moreover, Angel, deep within his psyche, had also weighed his options. The current absence of Olucia might, perhaps, be a boon to their predicament.
Despite this inner hope for Olucia’s disappearance, reminded of the help Greaves had once given, Angel decided to voice his thoughts, regardless of his personal wishes.
As for the effectiveness of his intervention, that was beyond his control.
However, to Angel’s surprise, an unforeseen change of events occurred just as he spoke up.
…
Popoca initially intended to indulge in casual chatter about Sparrow Blossom with Angel, but… for some reason, a palpable unease clung to him. Why was he still gripped by this anxiety despite having escaped from La Sutherland?
For this reason, Popoca decided to temporarily halt the conversation, offer Olucia as a sacrifice to the Profound Lord to receive information about that world, and then… request to extend the duration of his physical breakdown.
But, as Popoca prepared to initiate the sacrificial ceremony,
Suddenly, a beacon of light erupted in the dark sky.
Chapter 1186 Echoes of Bygone Days <TOC> Chapter 1188 Avatar of the Demon God