Chapter 1296 Stark Contrast <TOC> Chapter 1298 Search
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel paused in his actions.
Gold chuckled, “It seems my guess was right on the mark. The person you’re looking for is indeed him.”
How could Gold possibly know his purpose? A suspicion suddenly sprouted in Angel’s mind as he looked at Gold: Could it be that this Gold has ties to the master of the Scarlet Sovereignty? Or could the incident at Pat Mansion have been orchestrated by two individuals?
If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be wise to apprehend Gold now and hand him over to Suis for interrogation?
“The look in your eyes seems quite threatening,” Gold murmured, “I can probably deduce what you’re pondering. However, I have no connection to the person you seek. I merely stumbled upon some information about him.”
Angel remained unconvinced, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Gold.
Raising both hands in a gesture of innocence, Gold said, “Fine, it seems an explanation is in order. It’s simple really. Have you ever wondered why I directed Feilin and Henry to Grud Town?”
“Because I sensed that Redhead Suis was there,” Gold continued, “Redhead Suis arrived on the Old Land Continent with us. I was curious about his reasons for being here, so after months of investigation, I roughly pinpointed his location.”
“I then sent Feilin and Henry to scout the area.”
Angel questioned, “Just based on this, you were able to deduce who I was looking for?”
A mysterious glint flashed in Gold’s eyes, “By chance, I came across some information that on the White Headed Gull ship, there was someone closely linked to the Guman Royal Family. The background of Redhead is no secret in the Southern Region; he’s actually working for King Guman.”
“I’ve even tested Redhead Suis, and he wasn’t aware of the other individual on the White Headed Gull ship. That’s when my curiosity was piqued — what’s the story between these two?”
“Although I’m in the dark as to why your esteemed self and Lord Redhead share a connection, now that you’ve come seeking me regarding the transcendent individual aboard the ‘White Headed Gull’, my mind immediately flits to him.”
Upon hearing Gold’s words, Angel was persuaded. Not simply because there was no flicker of deceit in his gaze and the causes and effects were lucidly laid out. Rather, within the art of truth discerning, every physiological cue from him — from the dilation of his pupils, the rush of his blood, to the beat of his heart — all resonated with sincerity.
At the very least, Angel didn’t detect a whisper of falsehood.
“Who exactly is this ‘him’ you speak of?” Angel inquired.
Seeing Angel’s gaze transition from intimidation to tranquility, Gold realized he had likely passed this test. Regarding Angel, Gold initially had no intention of showing any sign of weakness. Even when tasked with seeking out Angel, he hadn’t entertained the idea of approaching the mission with a placid demeanor.
However, not long before, even as Gold was engrossed in experiments within the underground cavern, he hadn’t overlooked Silver Star in the surface warehouse.
He had witnessed the standoff between Angel and Silver Star and simultaneously perceived the formidable aura emanating from Angel. The oppressive weight of such a presence was palpable, even through thick earthen walls. It invoked a primal fear within Gold, a dread he had never felt, even when confronted by his mentor. This insinuated that Angel’s power might have already breached unfathomable thresholds!
This also underscored a fact: in a direct confrontation with Angel, Gold would undoubtedly be outmatched.
Confronted with this scenario, Gold adeptly recalibrated his rhetoric and demeanor, doing his utmost to avert any clash with Angel.
Gold: “I’m willing to share with your esteemed self, but under the principle of equivalent exchange, I hope to trade this information for something in return.”
“What sort of trade?”
“Though you might already be acquainted with my origins, I deem it essential to offer a brief introduction before discussing the essence of our potential transaction,” said Gold, rising to his feet and offering Angel a courteous nod. “You may address me as Gold, an apprentice of Song of the Deep Sea, and I serve the one known as the Son of the Ocean, Jiebo.”
Jiebo? Angel’s brow raised slightly upon hearing the familiar name.
Initially, Angel held Jiebo in neutral regard, a mere distant respect without particular affection or disdain. Yet, following a near-fatal encounter with Sirius in Saint Seim City, his disposition shifted. While not adversaries, they certainly didn’t tread the same path.
By the time Gold revealed his association with Jiebo, Angel had already surmised the nature of their impending transaction.
“If you’re seeking to trade for the Rhythm of the Ocean, I fear your cards might be insufficient,” Angel mused, pausing briefly. “Moreover, you ought to realize this matter pertains to Suis and is none of my concern. I merely act as a messenger on Suis’s behalf.”
Gold replied, “Of course, I understand that merely with my information, it’s not enough to obtain such a prized treasure. Yet, I’d like to exchange this intel for a singular experience with the Rhythm of the Ocean. Would that be possible? I can provide the energy required to activate the Rhythm of the Ocean.”
Angel didn’t respond immediately.
Although he appeared contemplative, he’d essentially made up his mind. The proposition wasn’t disadvantageous to him, yet granting it too readily might devalue the significance of accessing the Rhythm of the Ocean.
As for the concern of unintentionally nurturing a potential foe… Having already made deals with demons, why would he be wary of a mere mortal?
Besides, while caution is commendable, excessive hesitation is a mark of self-doubt.
After what seemed like a long two minutes, Angel, giving the impression he’d weighed the proposal meticulously, finally nodded, “It’s acceptable. As for the energy, spare the offer. You couldn’t possibly afford it.”
A glint of anticipation flashed in Gold’s eyes, “Besides this, I have another request.”
Angel’s brow furrowed in concern, poised to caution against overreaching one’s grasp, but Gold preempted him, declaring, “My quest was to procure the Rhythm of the Ocean from your esteemed self. Clearly, I’ve failed in that endeavor. Our deal was of a private nature, and to avoid complications, I’d appreciate it if you refrained from sharing our transaction, especially the part where I experienced the Rhythm of the Ocean, with anyone else.”
Considering the request, Angel deemed it reasonable. He doubted anyone would come inquiring about it. Yet, Gold’s choice to verbalize this concern spotlighted his meticulous nature.
“Agreed.”
A visible sigh of relief washed over Gold. He had no apprehensions about Angel reneging on his word. With a slight curve of his lips, he volunteered information about a certain individual.
After digesting Gold’s account, Angel’s brow creased once again. He had no recollection of the individual Gold mentioned, but he trusted Gold’s confidence in his assertion.
Upon the conclusion of Gold’s exposition, right before his very eyes, Angel unveiled the Rhythm of the Ocean.
As Angel activated the Rhythm of the Ocean, an almost covetous glint flashed in Gold’s eyes. Interestingly, apart from Drew, Gold was the first apprentice of the Ocean lineage to voluntarily experience the Rhythm of the Ocean. Its subsequent impact remained shrouded in mystery…
By the time Gold regained consciousness, five minutes had elapsed.
His immediate instinct was to scan the vicinity. To his astonishment, Angel had vanished.
Silver Star whispered, “The moment you were enveloped by the azure glow, our esteemed guest had already taken his leave.”
A hint of regret flitted across Gold’s visage, but this fleeting sentiment was overwhelmingly eclipsed by a radiant excitement and an indescribable surge of emotion.
With a poised and contemplative manner, he turned towards Silver Star and calmly stated, “In the forthcoming period, I intend to immerse myself in deep meditation. I entrust you with overseeing my laboratory, ensuring no one steps within. Furthermore, when the time comes, seek the hidden veins beneath the pool and relay a message to White, informing her of my seclusion. Should she inquire about Angel’s affairs, simply respond with ignorance, and we can address the matter once I emerge.”
…
Amidst the gentle cascade of falling snow, Angel took his leave from the farmstead, making his way back to the Gondola.
White Bear, with an anxious glint in his eye, sought answers from him. Sanders, leaning casually against the ship’s rail, whispered to Angel, “Truth be told, there was no imperative for you to strike a deal with him. There are manifold avenues to coax answers from his lips.”
Angel was acutely aware that his actions below wouldn’t elude Sanders’ keen observation. As for Sanders’ counsel, Angel had considered it himself. Nonetheless, his final decision to negotiate was purely based on Gold’s uncanny knack for maintaining equilibrium. Every bit of their discourse remained within Angel’s boundaries.
Moreover, scrutinizing Gold’s demeanor and the nuances of his actions, it was evident that Gold was not only astute but also a master strategist. Such a cunning individual, if not subdued instantly, could potentially have tricks up his sleeve.
While Angel was not fearful of a countermove from Gold, one couldn’t overlook the mammoth organization behind Gold — the Song of the Deep Sea, an entity capable of clashing with the Savage Grottoes! Who’s to say if Gold possessed an artifact similar to the ‘Essence of Spirit Transfer’ that might connect him to his associates? Thus, why complicate matters when a straightforward approach suffices?
“Was his word genuine?” Angel inquired.
Sanders nodded affirmatively, “Indeed.”
“That’s reassuring. Otherwise, I’d have ended up on the losing side of this deal.”
Listening intently to the discourse between Sanders and his pupil, White Bear wore an expression of puzzlement, “You’ve found Gold? Did he reveal anything about the transcendent being aboard the White Headed Gull ship?”
“Not only did he spill the beans,” Angel began succinctly recounting the sequence of events and the deal struck, “he also was privy to our exact target.”
“The person he spoke of, is unfamiliar to me. He goes by the name Rolando.”
Angel cast a glance at Sanders, and Sanders responded with a rueful shake of his head, seemingly just as clueless about who Rolando might be.
White Bear, too, wore an expression of confusion, murmuring Rolando’s name under his breath, clearly at a loss.
“According to Gold, this Rolando has maintained a low profile aboard the White Headed Gull, always cloaked in a black cape. Gold has never seen his face. Furthermore, Rolando revealed his name only when he got closer, and it might well be a pseudonym,” shared Angel.
The reason Gold had knowledge of the link between Rolando and the Kingdom of Guman was due to a minor incident.
During his time aboard the White Headed Gull, Rolando had been provoked by a gifted individual. This person, mistaking Rolando as another chosen one like himself, started causing a ruckus over a trivial misunderstanding.
Such behavior wasn’t uncommon. When ordinary folks discover they possess a unique gift, their sense of superiority instantly inflates, leading them to believe they’re the center of the universe. During such phases, the rate of eccentric behavior spikes dramatically.
Rolando, being an exceptional individual, faced such provocation but initially chose not to retaliate. It was only when the provocateur made a move to attack that he finally responded.
It was this incident that caught Gold’s attention and made him realize there was another extraordinary person aboard. Before this, even Gold had assumed Rolando to be just another passenger.
Rolando’s extraordinary status didn’t cause much of a stir since he dealt with the instigator discreetly, going unnoticed by most.
But not by Gold. He not only took note but also caught a fleeting glimpse of half an emblem when Rolando made his move.
Though only half-visible, this emblem was distinctive. After some scrutiny, Gold was convinced it was the royal crest of the Guman Royal Family.