Chapter 1287 Sensational Piece <TOC> Chapter 1289 The True Cage
Translator: SumTLMan
The happenings in Genoa were unbeknownst to Angel, far away on the Old Land Continent.
Suis, accompanied by White Bear, entered the Exile Space, hoping to rouse Eureka through this action. Meanwhile, Angel, along with Sanders, made their way towards the underground Ice Chamber.
Throughout their journey, a frown remained etched on Angel’s face, a testament to the disappointing news he received from Suis. The servants affected by the Scarlet Sovereignty found it challenging to eradicate the mysterious power lingering in their minds. Even if they managed to do so, given their current physical state, survival was nearly impossible.
Though Angel had somewhat anticipated this outcome, its absolute confirmation was still a hard pill to swallow.
Memories of familiar faces haunted him — Head Maid Mana, maid Ollie, shepherd Franz, Dr. Dink. All of them were living ordinary lives until they were ensnared by unwarranted calamities. Such thoughts stirred an unsettling whirlwind in Angel’s heart for a prolonged time.
“If escape is unattainable, death becomes an inevitabile destination,” Sanders remarked solemnly. “Once you set foot on the path of a wizard, you must also learn to reconcile with death. In due course, the winds of time will brush against decades, even centuries, and you’ll still have to confront this reality.”
Angel comprehended this wisdom. He might live long enough to outlast generations of servants in Pat Mansion.
Time would usher him into adulthood, maturity, and eventually, indifference towards death.
Yet, in the present moment, Angel still grappled with reconciling with the concept of death. It had been less than five years since he embarked on the path of a wizard, but many of those familiar faces had accompanied him through his childhood, making it hard to let go now.
Sanders placed a comforting hand on Angel’s shoulder, “You’ve seen their current state. In many ways, death might be a mercy for them.”
Angel paused, his voice barely audible, “Death might indeed be a relief for them. But regardless, if there’s a way to save them, I will pursue it.”
The entrance to the underground Ice Chamber was now before them. Without another word, Angel turned and took the lead into the darkness.
Sanders refrained from passing judgment on Angel’s words. As an observer, he could describe events with a detached lightness, but he was acutely aware that words of empathy often mask insincerity. To truly walk a mile in someone’s shoes, especially for those deeply entrenched in their experiences, is an endeavor far beyond a bystander’s grasp.
For Angel, emerging from this pervasive gloom was a battle only he could undertake.
Time, while often described as a corroded knife leaving its rust-streaked marks, might also possess the salve to soothe the deepest of wounds.
…
Deep within the underground Ice Chamber, Sanders’ gaze sharpened the moment he beheld Jon encased in ice.
A radiant gleam flickered in Sanders’ eyes. To him, Jon’s body radiated a myriad of data points that took him aback.
As Angel had suggested, the figure before him was undeniably human.
Yet, what astonished Sanders wasn’t Jon’s humanity. It was the depth of Jon’s essence that had eluded him.
Whenever Angel spoke of Jon, Sanders harbored doubts, even pondering if Jon might be a descendant of humans who departed the Wizarding World ages ago. Over successive generations in other worlds, their inherent essence might have shifted with the sands of time, causing a discord with the Will of the Wizarding World.
But upon closer inspection, Sanders realized Jon’s roots weren’t entrenched in the Wizarding World at all. He was, undeniably, an outsider — a genuine human from another world.
The theories of human origins might indeed be on the cusp of revision. Sanders mused internally. While this revelation might be inconsequential to him, if unearthed by wizards keen on tracing back to origins, it could send shockwaves throughout their world.
As Sanders observed Jon, Angel stood to the side, nodding in gratitude to Subi, who had been Jon’s guardian during this time.
Subi, the ethereal companion of Suis, bore the semblance of a two-headed hound. Cloaked in a fur as flamboyantly crimson as Suis, one of its heads was blindfolded with obsidian silk, presenting an image of tranquil slumber, while the other fixed its eyes, reminiscent of emerald gems, intently upon Angel.
“Your guardianship during these times has been invaluable. Now, entrust this place to my mentor and me,” voiced Angel. Subi’s profound gaze seemed to reflect deeper contemplation upon hearing these words.
It took a fleeting glance at Angel, then shifted its attention to Sanders.
“The vitality within you has grown remarkably,” the beast thought, its sentiments echoing in Angel’s mind. “I cannot discern the depths of your mentor’s power. I believe you are well equipped to handle matters here.”
With a subtle nod of acknowledgment, Subi gracefully rose from its resting position. It then transformed into a whirlwind of rich scarlet and departed the underground Ice Chamber.
It was only after Subi’s departure that Angel approached the Ice Coffin.
Jon’s physical condition appeared unchanged from when he last departed. This was because, once Jon managed to stabilize the Three-State Balance within him, his physical body would undergo a period of rejuvenation. During this phase, no deterioration would occur. However, once this period ended, the decline would inevitably resume. Presently, the situation seemed to balance precariously between the ascending phase and the waning phase, hence the minimal alterations in Jon’s state.
Setting aside the complexities of Jon’s otherworldly human body for the moment, Sanders meticulously assessed his physical condition. Yet, as the inspection of Jon’s mortal coil continued, a shade of graveness gradually clouded Sanders’ visage.
A lengthy silence held its grip over the underground Ice Chamber. After what felt like an eternity, Sanders heaved a weighty sigh, shattering the stagnation enveloping the room.
“While his physical state hasn’t yet reached the dire extremes seen in those afflicted by the Scarlet Sovereignty, the issues plaguing him are far more intricate,” Sanders remarked with a grim tone. “The Three-State Balance is indeed the linchpin sustaining Jon’s vitality. However, choosing this balance complicates matters. Instead of merely addressing his physical dilemmas, we now face the daunting task of providing flawless solutions for each aspect of this Three-State Balance simultaneously. Only then can we ensure Jon’s continued existence.”
Angel was acutely aware of this. However, by the time Angel returned to the Old Land Continent, Eureka had already implemented the Three-State Balance for Jon. Left with no other option, Angel could only further enhance Jon’s vitality based on that Three-State Balance.
To the ears of many, the Three-State Balance seemed like Eureka’s handiwork. Yet, Angel, in this respect, felt deeply grateful to her. Had Eureka not promptly chosen the Three-State Balance, Jon might have met his demise even before Angel’s return to the Old Land Continent. In reality, Eureka’s actions regarding Jon weren’t misguided but rather lent Angel a saving grace.
“Can Jon’s issue be resolved?” Angel tentatively broached the topic, his eyes brimming with hope.
Sanders pondered deeply, his silence heavy and protracted, causing Angel’s heart to plummet into a chasm of despair.
“Is it… beyond hope?”
Sanders neither nodded nor shook his head but remarked, “Currently, Jon’s Three-State Balance consists of a steep degree of erosion by the World Will, the physical decay rate, and the consumption rate from the Lifedrawn Water. Breaking this formidable triangle is a monumental challenge.”
“While it’s undoubtedly difficult, it’s not insurmountable. I cannot provide a specific solution at this moment; further research is imperative. However——”
Upon hearing Sanders hint at a potential solution, Angel momentarily breathed a sigh of relief. Yet, Sanders’ caveat once again left Angel’s already unsteady heart suspended in mid-air.
“However, while I still need time to consider the solution, two evident issues aren’t easily addressed.” Sanders pointed to a rune-like pattern on Jon’s body, “Firstly, this Abyssal Inscription.”
“The current Abyssal Inscription doesn’t suit Jon. To perfectly address this issue, a rune that aligns with Jon’s condition — neither aggressive nor overly gentle — is essential,” Sanders shrugged, adding, “Achieving this is not a stroll in the park. You’re well aware that in the Southern Region’s Wizarding World, due to the presence of the Extreme Sect, Rune Literature has been severely suppressed. Finding a fitting Abyssal Inscription here is a tall order.”
“If the Southern Region lacks the right Rune Literature, what about looking elsewhere? Using the Phase Gateway of Cold Ancient City, we could explore other Wizarding Worlds,” Angel quickly proposed.
“Certainly, finding a new Abyssal Inscription is a viable option. Yet, as the saying goes, ‘Don’t put all your eggs in one basket’, this choice should be made only when there are no other alternatives. Given the recent descent of the Demon God’s True Spirit, for a brief period, the Tan Continent might be under the scrutiny of powerful entities from the Abyss. Thus, caution is imperative when venturing forth.” Sanders paused, adding, “Another quandary also warrants our attention.”
“Even with a perfect solution to resolve the Three-State Balance, its implementation and resolution would require, at the very least, three wizards adept in computation, and who have embarked on the path of true knowledge, to collaborate,” Sanders looked intently at Angel. “I can certainly fulfill one of these roles, and Sumesh can provisionally fill another, but the third remains conspicuously vacant.”
In truth, with Sanders’s extensive connections, securing a wizard of true knowledge isn’t a Herculean task. Capable wizards reside even within the Savage Grottoes. Yet, Sanders spotlighting this concern hints at ulterior motives.
Setting Sanders aside for a moment, Sumesh, hailing from Phantom Island’s lineage, would presumably keep Jon’s affairs confidential.
This brings us to the predicament of the final position. Entrusting it to an outsider would inevitably expose the particulars about Jon. While Angel has braced himself for Jon’s eventual discovery, confiding in an outsider so casually still presents a mental hurdle for him.
“This issue isn’t pressing at the moment. Moreover, I can attempt to prolong Jon’s lifespan, granting you more time to reflect,” Sanders paused, his eyes flashing with inscrutability. “Of course, should this matter be resolved within the confines of Phantom Island, that would indeed be optimal.”
Angel grasped Sanders’s implications. Clearly, the intent wasn’t for Flora to advance to the rank of a true knowledge wizard in the near future but for Angel to bolster his power swiftly.
While Angel is willing, he is, unfortunately, limited in capability.
Nevertheless, Sanders’s words etched a mark deep within Angel’s soul. While he couldn’t guarantee fulfillment, this mark ignited an undying drive within him to persevere and strive for A Way Forward.
Chapter 1287 Sensational Piece <TOC> Chapter 1289 The True Cage