Chapter 1235 A Friendly Reunion <TOC> Chapter 1237 Madeline and Ethel
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Translator: SumTLMan
Sanders departed, carrying a visage of bewilderment.
His perplexity was not merely a result of Angel’s successful creation of the Firestone, a top-rank spellcasting medium for a wizard, but also due to another revelation.
According to Angel, he had managed to earn the friendship of Odeklaes, the ruler of Ice Valley!
What did that signify?
In essence, Odeklaes was now standing on the allied front of Phantom Island, equating to a powerful ally within the Abyss.
If this relationship was well-managed, the Phantom Island lineage might be able to carve out a unique stronghold within the domain influenced by Ice Valley’s ruler.
The construction of a stronghold wasn’t a necessity; even a temporary resting ground within the Abyss would be more than satisfactory.
Sanders understood the immense value hidden within this possibility, equating to a breakthrough of the Abyssal blockades imposed by several major wizard alliances! It was an opportunity that no wizard organization could afford to miss.
However, he was oblivious to the fact that Angel had already procured a permit to construct a genuine stronghold in the Abyss.
The Tan Continent!
…
Upon Sanders’ departure, Angel returned to Ice Valley. Sanders planned to return to the Sky Island to manage the aftermath and would visit Ice Valley again in a few days.
Upon his return to Ice Crystal Palace in Ice Valley, Angel didn’t find Odeklaes, who presumably had gone to the underground Fire Crystal mines to recover his damaged strength.
Angel then returned to the small classroom where he conducted his alchemy. As soon as he returned, he noticed Popoca gazing out of the window.
After contemplating for a moment, Angel headed towards Popoca’s room.
“Angel, I just saw something outside…” Popoca hesitated. He knew Angel was supposed to create the Firestone for Odeklaes, but the Omen Signs outside didn’t seem significant, hence he speculated whether Angel’s alchemy attempt had failed, hence his reluctance to articulate his thoughts. “I heard that the rate of failure in alchemy is far greater than success, so don’t be disheartened if it failed.”
“Indeed, your statement holds truth. However, I didn’t fail.”
“It’s fine to try again… huh? Did you just say you didn’t fail? Does this mean you successfully created the Firestone?” Popoca was stunned for a moment before he realized the meaning.
With a noncommittal nod, Angel conceded.
“However, the Omen Sign out there…” Why is it so miniscule? Despite Popoca’s ignorance about the effects of the Firestone, it was widely lauded among wizards, being a thing of legend. Surely, it couldn’t be so mundane, could it?
While Angel wasn’t certain about the cause of the Omen Sign either, he ventured a guess nonetheless.
“To be precise, it’s not about crafting but synthesizing. The fragments of countless Firestones are fused into a single, complete one. That’s likely why the Omen Sign appears so ordinary.”
Popoca, unfamiliar with Alchemy and ignorant of the true value of the Firestone, responded in a daze to Angel’s explanation, “I see.”
Setting the Firestone aside momentarily, the main reason Angel came to seek Popoca was to discuss another matter.
“I just went to the outskirts of Ice Valley and saw my mentor.”
“Your mentor… you’re referring to Lord Phantom Master?” Popoca’s expression instantly grew serious.
“Yes, my mentor brought some news from Sky Island,” Angel glanced at Popoca, “Your identity… is beginning to raise suspicions.”
Initially, when Popoca appeared atop the Void Obelisk, he had disclosed his identity as a Laudsourcian.
Prior to that, Angel had mentioned to Samantha and others about a human named Popoca who had once appeared in La Sutherland. Thus, now there are suspicions linking Popoca to the person who had taken the Source Fire and Olucia away from the tower.
However, there is a distinct difference between Popoca’s strength and the form that had appeared on top of the tower.
Moreover, Popoca has been accompanying Angel for some time, benefitting from the prophecy shielding, thus remaining unnoticed by Lucci.
However, given a wizard’s ability to uncover truths, Popoca’s exposure isn’t far off.
Popoca had also anticipated his eventual exposure. After his plan had failed, he was prepared for the worst-case scenario of being hunted down by Mengke. He just hoped to delay the inevitable for a bit longer, at least long enough to see his sister, Sparrow Blossom, one last time before his demise.
Watching Popoca’s dim eyes, Angel let out a sigh in his heart.
In regards to Popoca, Angel felt both anger and pity. He could neither empathize nor afford to let him die prematurely. After all, if Popoca were to die, his soul would directly enter the hands of the Profound Lord. If the Profound Lord then detected any anomalies, that would spell trouble.
“There’s no need for you to worry. Even if you’re exposed, they won’t be able to find you for the time being,” Angel quickly explained the effect of Blood Night Sanctuary. With the prophecy shielding, as long as Popoca didn’t stray too far from him, he wouldn’t be spotted by the prophecy wizards.
Popoca displayed gratitude towards Angel, then as if remembering something, he asked, “If I’m exposed, won’t that bring trouble to the Savage Grottoes?”
Having resided in the Savage Grottoes for so long, Popoca had a certain emotional attachment. Furthermore, he was also worried about Totoro.
After all, aside from himself, Totoro was the only remaining Laudsourcian.
“Rest assured,” said Angel, “not to mention we have prophecy wizards who can unveil the truth, if Mengke couldn’t distinguish this much, he wouldn’t have become the paramount figure in the Southern Region.”
Upon hearing this, Popoca finally found tranquility.
Angel’s main intention in stating these matters was to caution Popoca against reckless solo ventures, a preventive measure against potential self-destruction.
Upon finishing, Angel intended to retreat to his room for meditation.
As he prepared to depart, from the corner of Angel’s eye, a sudden flash of crimson caught his attention.
It was the chain he had once forged for Popoca, slithering out from behind him, moving gently towards Angel, almost as though it was a sentient creature.
Angel recalled what Popoca had once shared, that the chain had developed a consciousness and seemed to subtly recognize him as its creator, and therefore felt a certain affinity towards him.
As an alchemist, Angel was quite intrigued to investigate objects that birthed a consciousness. However, the process by which this chain gained sentience was overly gruesome and bore the traces of the Profound Lord.
What a pity.
With a sigh echoing in his heart, Angel nodded at the chain, then finally pushed open the grand door and exited.
Upon returning to his room, Angel commenced his routine meditation. Simultaneously, he dedicated substantial time to continue constructing the “Gateway Model,” a spell learned from a bizarre dimension.
Having lacked the leisure to work on it before, and with his power having made significant strides recently, Angel was eager to firmly establish his first spell position.
In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.
Angel had been indoors for A Week, other than meditating and practicing, he was constructing the “Gateway Model” and occasionally studying the effects of his newly-acquired green runes.
Overall, there was no significant progress in meditation as his power had reached a plateau, and daily meditation was merely for replenishing magic. As for the study of green runes, complete analysis required a great deal of time, and nothing much had been deciphered within this brief week.
The most progress, paradoxically, had been made in the construction of the “Gateway Model.”
These days, the progress of the “Gateway Model” was growing at a pace visible to the naked eye.
According to Angel’s estimation, if he used all the magic obtained from daily meditation to construct the “Gateway Model,” in about twenty more days, the construction of the “Gateway Model” would be successful.
However, in case of unforeseen circumstances, Angel didn’t dare to exhaust all the magic in his source, although that would hasten the process.
One day, after Angel finished meditating, he did not immediately embark on the construction of the “Gateway Model,” instead, he opened his room door and ventured outside.
Having stayed here for almost half a month, he had not yet thoroughly observed the area where “Feng” resided.
In this series of events, the presence of “Feng” was overwhelmingly pronounced.
Having been told by Odeklaes that this area had been entirely sealed off since Feng’s departure, Angel couldn’t help but feel an urge to investigate whether any clues left by Feng were lurking around.
Angel began his search from the main hall, scrutinizing every single room in sequence.
He left no stone unturned, inspecting not only the art studio but also Popoca’s bedroom, even the partially eaten loaf of black bread on the dining plate in the main hall was subjected to examination through the Eye of Nalda.
Nevertheless, his search ended in disappointment, devoid of any leads.
It appeared that Feng had left no trace behind upon his departure.
With a sigh, Angel realized that to uncover more about Feng, he would have to wait for Odeklaes to finish his recovery.
Since the search had borne no fruits, Angel was preparing to navigate his way back through the wind-swept corridor to his room, planning to continue his construction of the Gateway Model.
However, mid-way through the corridor, Angel abruptly paused, ears perking up.
Had he detected a sound emanating amidst the gale?
Straining his ears, the roar of the relentless wind filled his senses. Filtering out these distractions, Angel could faintly perceive what seemed like a… summoning in the Demonic Language?
Taken aback, Angel swiftly ascended towards the exit of Ice Valley.
The closer he got to the exit of Ice Valley, the more distinct the summoning voice became.
“Shop owner, where are you?”
“Shop owner!”
As the familiar voice echoed in his ears, Angel immediately identified it as belonging to Greaves.
Without a hint of suspicion, Angel flew directly out of Ice Valley.
As soon as Angel emerged from Ice Valley, he saw a slender fireball hurtling towards him: “Shop owner, thank goodness! You’re finally out!”
Upon a quick glance over his shoulder, Angel confirmed that it was indeed Greaves.
Just as Angel was about to greet him, Greaves urgently exclaimed, “Shop owner, hurry up, take me into Ice Valley to hide!”
Looking at Greaves in confusion, Angel noticed the visibly dimmed flames and the panic in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
Greaves explained hurriedly, “When I was on my way to find you, a madwoman chased me halfway. She’s still on my tail! Quick, let’s hide in Ice Valley first!”
“Damn it, she’s here!” Greaves suddenly cried out, trying to pull Angel towards Ice Valley in sheer panic.
Immediately, Angel activated the Mark of Flame, ready to lead Greaves into Ice Valley.
However, at that moment, Angel caught a glimpse of a figure swooping down from the forest sky towards them outside Ice Valley.
Upon seeing the person’s face clearly, Angel froze in place.
“Wait, Lady Madeline?!”
Chapter 1235 A Friendly Reunion <TOC> Chapter 1237 Madeline and Ethel