Chapter 1259 Gloria's Disappearance <TOC> Chapter 1261 Fading Away
Translator: SumTLMan
In anticipation of not staying in the Savage Grottoes for the upcoming duration, Sanders planned to first accompany Angel to inform the relevant parties of their ensuing plans.
Truth be told, there isn’t typically a strict need to announce one’s departure. Many wizards often make spontaneous decisions not to return for a while. For instance, Madeline initially left the Savage Grottoes for a short period, only to later decide on an extended stay in the Abyss to research the Blackthorns. Such impromptu decisions to linger are numerous, typically spanning over a decade, and short-term absences like these don’t necessitate any formal announcements.
Generally speaking, only apprentices and formal wizards who are certain they won’t be returning for an extended period need to report their itineraries. Take Sridhar, for example. When he departed the Savage Grottoes, he had no intention of returning soon; indeed, his absence lasted nearly two centuries.
However, their reason for reporting now was primarily to disseminate the news they garnered from the Abyss, including the secret tidings Angel had. They also wanted to convey, through their actions, to the Frost Moon Alliance that they were operating out in the open.
Thus, this reporting was indispensable, even if they planned to return shortly.
As for whom to report to, apprentices usually report at Mission Hall, while formal wizards can report directly to Rhine. But currently, in Rhine’s absence, the task falls to Tree Spirit and Wallace.
While Sanders could have simply sent a message to Tree Spirit, he decided it would be more appropriate to visit the Grand Tree Spirit Hall in person and then summon Wallace.
Upon their arrival at the Grand Hall, Tree Spirit greeted them with a languid wave. His gaze then shifted to Angel, teasingly remarking, “What’s this? Just left, and you’re already looking to jump back into the fray?”
Angel responded, “I’m here to formally announce my departure.”
Tree Spirit clicked his tongue and quipped, “Some might not see it that way.”
No sooner had Tree Spirit finished speaking than a figure emerged next to it — an elderly man dressed in white from head to toe, with a pale complexion, yet exuding a serene and gentle aura.
Upon the elderly man in white making an appearance, he paid no heed to Sanders. Instead, he walked straight to Angel, his eyes twinkling with amusement, and mused, “Ah, Angel! The recent display of the ‘Rhythm of the Ocean’ surely took us by surprise. However, merely benefitting Leaf Blossom seems a tad unfair. In my White Seagull Chronicle Academy, there’s a group of underachieving apprentices. Why not grace them with your presence and broaden their horizons? Then, just as Tree Spirit mentioned, we can assign them a mandatory mission. They’ve been too comfortable for too long. It’s high time they gained some perspective.”
The White Seagull Chronicle Academy was under the domain of Wallace. Among all the wizards in the Savage Grottoes, Wallace had the most students, all of whom were housed in this very academy.
And this elderly figure was none other than the principal of White Seagull Chronicle Academy, Wallace himself.
After listening to Wallace’s words, for some reason, Angel felt a peculiar eagerness in the tone and manner with which Wallace addressed him.
Weighing his words carefully, Angel responded, “If the opportunity arises, I will certainly pay a visit.”
“The opportunity is bound to come! Aren’t you here to report your itinerary? Once you’re done, I’ll personally take you there,” Wallace replied, his eyes still gleaming mirthfully.
Before Angel could respond, Sanders interjected, “Once we’re done here, I fear you might not be in the mood.”
Wallace shot Sanders a fleeting glance and remarked, “I am conversing with Angel. How does it concern you?” Shaking his head slightly, he turned back to Angel, “I truly empathize with you.”
Angel, a touch perplexed, thought: “? ? ?”
Being under the guidance of such a mentor can be rather constraining, right? Alas, the gates of White Seagull Chronicle Academy will always stand open for you.”
Under the guidance of what kind of mentor? Angel wasn’t sure what Wallace was insinuating. Or perhaps, was Wallace merely taking a jab at Sanders? After all, Angel was well-aware that Wallace and Sanders never saw eye to eye.
Choosing not to entangle himself in such personal disputes, Angel decided to remain silent.
Sanders, showing little interest in prolonging the conversation with Wallace, turned to Tree Spirit and stated, “Let’s get to the matter at hand. I’ve brought Angel here to notify you of our travel plans. We won’t be staying in the Savage Grottoes for some time.”
“Indeed,” the voice echoed, “this report, in its essence, is optional. But I gather most of you have surmised my true intent: to discuss matters of the Abyss.”
As Sanders journeyed back from the Savage Grottoes, the current state of the Abyss naturally garnered the undivided attention of every wizard. After all, the Abyss, for wizards and apprentices alike, was a treasure trove of opportunities. But, because of Lord Mengke’s plans, they had been too wary to venture into its depths for some time.
Now, with Sanders returning from the Abyss, their primary concern was, naturally, the status within those shadowy depths.
So, when Sanders broached the topic, not only did Tree Spirit and Wallace turn their gaze, but every wizard sensing the ambiance in the Savage Grottoes shifted their focus to the grand Tree Spirit Hall.
Without further ado, Sanders began narrating his experiences during that time.
The surrounding atmosphere was bathed in an eerie silence, broken only by Sanders’ voice, narrating tales of another plane with measured cadence.
Sanders was candid, but details involving Angel were touched upon only briefly. For instance, Angel’s sudden appearance in La Sutherland alongside the Abyssal Wind Dragon Fafnir was mentioned but only in passing.
Yet, these fleeting references only fueled everyone’s curiosity further. It felt as though ants were crawling under their skin, each detail itching them for more. Why would an apprentice like Angel be intertwined with Fafnir?
But that wasn’t the end of Angel’s saga. As the crowd listened intently, they realized much of the information came from Angel to Frost Moon, which set subsequent events into motion.
The scrutiny on Angel grew more intense.
Sanders was well aware of this scrutiny. After all, Rivetta was already en route to the Southern Region, and soon, the new edition of —City Firefly’s Night Whisper— would be published. By then, Angel’s tales would certainly be the highlight. Therefore, any attempts at secrecy would be in vain.
Yet, the reason he glossed over the matters concerning Angel during his narration wasn’t to keep everyone on tenterhooks, but primarily to let Angel weave the tale himself. For when Sanders speaks, others find it hard to discern truth from fiction using divining techniques, leaving them questioning its authenticity. But Angel is different; his power is evident. To judge the veracity of his words is as clear as day.
The twists and turns of La Sutherland’s fate had everyone’s hearts skipping beats now and then. Especially upon learning that a half-demon timely ascended to lord, introducing a major shift to the narrative.
Such tales of grandeur might seem too dramatic, too unlikely for even playwrights to conceive. Yet, the more bizarre the story, the more it cemented the audience’s belief. Besides, they hardly suspected Sanders would deceive them at this juncture.
Simultaneously, they pondered in hushed tones: Did Lord Mengke eventually obtain what he desired?
The answer was negative.
The revelation by Sanders of a sudden otherworldly entity controlling the scene with a chain and taking away both the Source Fire and Olucia’s body was met with collective astonishment.
Who could this person be? Could it be that the underlying currents they hadn’t comprehended all along were, in fact, orchestrated by this individual?
“The mark on Angel’s earlobe attracted the ensuing Source Fire. Consequently, he too was taken away by the entity,” stated Sanders, pausing momentarily.
However, this remark only deepened their intrigue.
There were too many oddities! And all these anomalies seemed to center around Angel alone!
Why was the Abyssal Wind Dragon with Angel? The newly crowned lord seemed to be associated with Angel too. Why would the mark on Angel’s earlobe lure the Source Fire? Angel being abducted by the entity and now safely appearing here, what’s the reason behind it?
Tree Spirit and Wallace exchanged glances, then set their eyes upon Angel, realizing that Sanders had halted his narrative, evidently allowing Angel to unravel these mysteries.
This seemed appropriate, as discerning the truth from Angel’s words was easier for them.
Angel felt the weight of countless gazes settling upon him, not just from Tree Spirit and Wallace before him, but also from distant corners of the Mirror World where eyes peered in his direction.
Amidst the focus of the multitude, Angel maintained his composure. He recalled Sanders’ words: “Regarding the events in La Sutherland, you are the epicenter. It’s an indisputable truth; every wizard who returned from the Abyss can testify. However, you can’t always be at the heart of it.”
“You must remember,” Sanders had continued, “when it’s your turn to explain, brush over the more sensitive details. Extract yourself from the heart of the matter, and avoid being the focal point.”
With Sanders’ advice echoing in his mind, Angel began to recount his tale.
Starting with his encounter in the Whispering Wind Valley with Fafnir, he skirted around the delicate matter of the green rune behind her, simply mentioning that Fafnir had just awakened from a slumber and hoped for Angel’s assistance.
Subsequently, he spoke of the events in Ice Valley, from the Mark of Flame to the mission entrusted to him by Odeklaes——detailing each segment.
Sensitive topics, like the matter concerning “Feng”, were glossed over. Angel merely shared that Odeklaes had informed him that Lord Night of La Sutherland knew the synthesis method of the Firestone, and he was tasked with seeking out this Lord Night.
With that, matters concerning Lord Night, Fafnir, and the mark were laid out. Though some details were obscured, the audience didn’t fret over these gaps. In the grand scheme of things, they felt Angel’s account was sincere.
By the end of it, many were left pondering whether Angel’s experiences were blessings or curses in disguise.
Accelerating his narration, Angel adhered to Sanders’ caution, diminishing his own presence in the events to a mere whisper.
He attributed much of what transpired in La Sutherland to Fafnir. As for what occurred after being taken away by Popoca, Angel remained vague, conveniently attributing his lack of memory to a blackout, suggesting he knew nothing. He then quickly transitioned to the events in Ice Valley, leading his listeners to believe that it was Odeklaes who rescued him, while simultaneously revealing to them the tale of the fall of the Flameless Lord’s True Spirit.
The descent of the Flameless Lord’s True Spirit ignited the tranquil ambiance in a flash.
Initially, many had discreetly cast their glances his way, but now they no longer hid their attention. Various murmurs and whispers erupted nearby. Some sought answers from Angel, while others anxiously discussed the aftermath of this event and the potential impact it might have on the Southern Region.
Although there were ambiguous aspects which made some skeptical, no one believed that Angel, a mere apprentice, could be linked to the fall of the Flameless Lord’s True Spirit. It must’ve been Odeklaes who informed Angel about the True Spirit’s descent. As for who was responsible for this, it remained a mystery.
Concerning matters related to Odeklaes, Angel responded vaguely, which was somewhat understandable. After all, this involved a creature with power comparable to, if not surpassing, Lord Mengke.
Of course, there were also those inquiring about Popoca’s whereabouts and Olucia’s fate, to which Angel conveniently claimed ignorance on all counts.
While others harbored doubts, they conceded that Angel’s power was too modest to be involved in affairs of such magnitude between the powerhouses.
However, Tree Spirit cast a fleeting glance at Angel. His physical strength had grown remarkably, hinting at a serendipitous encounter of sorts. Whether this fortuity had occurred during recent events, or perhaps was aided by Odeklaes, remained uncertain.
After all, according to Angel, he had forged a bond of friendship with Odeklaes.
Chapter 1259 Gloria's Disappearance <TOC> Chapter 1261 Fading Away