Chapter 1375 Convenience and Duty <TOC> Chapter 1377 Partings
Previous page password is bold portion: *oDrog4gaX&Z
Translator: SumTLMan
Having obtained the access card, Angel’s mission was fulfilled. After bidding Midora farewell, he prepared to depart.
Yet, before his leave, Angel took a revisited journey through Enchanted Mechanical City with Antonio. The primary goal? To settle upon a residence for Angel within this mesmerizing urban expanse.
“All members of the Research Institute have their own dwelling in Enchanted Mechanical City,” Antonio shared, guiding Angel through this metropolis alive with cogs and steams, introducing the residences of various members along the way.
“If you’re on good terms with a fellow member, you might consider building close to them to ease communication. But if building from scratch isn’t your thing, there are plenty of ready-made homes available. If those don’t suit your fancy, simply hand me the blueprint and I’ll have the mechanical puppets construct it,” Antonio explained.
Angel ruminated for a moment. In the Institute, the person he knew best was Midora, whose own Magic Potion Hut was already situated in Sky Mechanical City, negating any need for him to reside in Enchanted Mechanical City. Beyond Midora, Angel wasn’t particularly familiar with others. As for Muse and Fingernail Granny, who had shown him some warmth, Muse resided in the Creation Hall while Fingernail Granny didn’t live in Enchanted Mechanical City at all. Hence, there was no pressing need for Angel to be near them within the city.
After weighing his options, Angel settled on a somewhat secluded ready-made residence — not too close to anyone, yet not exceedingly distant from the city’s heart.
For Angel, he presumed he wouldn’t be staying in Enchanted Mechanical City for a significant duration. Even if he did, it would merely serve as a place to rest his weary feet. Thus, the need for a custom-built house seemed redundant, making his choice all the more fitting.
Having settled the matter of residence, Angel bid Antonio adieu and exited Enchanted Mechanical City.
No sooner had he left Enchanted Mechanical City and arrived at the main base of the Research Institute than he noticed that Midora was close on his heels, having followed just after him.
“Master Midora, did you summon me for something?” Angel queried with a puzzled glance.
Midora responded with a dismissive shake of his head, “It doesn’t concern you. Adelia sent me an unfinished potion recipe through Tujo. I’m off to take a look.”
Though Midora had no pressing matters with him, they opted to depart together since they’d crossed paths.
“You know,” Midora began, a tinge of exasperation coloring his voice, “ever since Tujo read the last edition of —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—, he’s been all riled up, wanting to adventure into the Abyss. He’s really getting on Adelia’s nerves… sigh.” While Midora’s words seemed vexed, his eyes sparkled with fondness.
“You should change your appearance promptly. If that rambunctious kid spots you, he’ll likely kick up an even bigger fuss.”
Without any noticeable motion, Angel transformed, shedding the youthful sharpness and now resembling a slightly aged middle-aged man, radiating a blend of elegance and stern dignity.
“Your illusion transformation spell is seamless and nearly imperceptible. It rivals even that of your mentors,” Midora praised, impressed by the display.
“Still, it’s merely an illusion. I wish I could master the shape-shifting spell,” Angel mused.
Speaking of shape-shifting, Midora noted, “Two centuries ago, the Research Institute had a stockpile of Softworm skins known for their morphing properties. But now, well, it’s all gone. I’ll keep an eye out for you. Should I come across any, I’ll make sure you’re informed.”
“Much appreciated,” Angel replied gratefully. Even though he possessed a Worm Mother, there was no guarantee it could birth a Morphing Softworm. Having an alternative source would be beneficial.
Soon, they found themselves descending rapidly in what seemed like an “elevator,” ultimately reaching the ground floor.
As they stepped out of the Research Institute’s main entrance, a whooshing sound echoed from above. Angel looked up to witness a breathtaking sight: a majestic orange leopard, its forehead adorned with a spiral horn, plummeting from the skies like an arrow unleashed from its bow.
Its descent was astoundingly swift, reminiscent of a cannonball hurtling from the heavens, demonstrating a force to be reckoned with.
However, when its tender paws touched the ground, there was no sound of impact, as gentle as if it had merely leaped from the first-floor balcony.
Such a seamless transition from rapidity to stillness speaks volumes about its grip and the balance between its energy and physical body — truly exceptional.
Upon landing, a mischievous child suddenly stood on the broad back of the unicorn leopard, waving vigorously at Midora.
It was Tujo.
Dressed in a primitive attire, feathers adorned his head and painted patterns graced his face. His skin, mostly exposed, exhibited a faintly glowing honey hue.
He looked almost identical to the Tujo in Angel’s memory, except he’d grown slightly taller.
Yet, he still had a childlike appearance, not even reaching Angel’s waist.
“Grandpa Midora!” Tujo brandished a notebook, “Grandma Adelia sent this for you!”
Tujo hopped down from the leopard, and as he did, the massive creature began to shrink, eventually becoming as petite as a kitten, gently squatting by Tujo’s side.
Angel recognized the unicorn leopard as Tujo’s “Divinely Bestowed Familiar,” Doduo.
When Angel first saw Doduo, he sensed a vague threat, feeling that Doduo was certainly not as young and ordinary as he appeared.
Now, seeing him again, Angel realized Doduo’s vitality was nearly on par with his own!
No wonder Shadow always tried to secretly coax Doduo into signing a master-servant pact with him.
After handing his notebook to Midora, Tujo cast an inquisitive gaze towards Angel.
Though Tujo couldn’t access the Research Institute, he had lingered in Sky Mechanical City for a significant time. He had some familiarity with the individuals from the institute. However, this middle-aged man before him was a stranger. Who might he be?
What further piqued Tujo’s curiosity was the apparent interest that his companion, Doduo, showed towards this man.
Approaching with intrigue, Tujo attempted to strike up a conversation with Angel.
But before Tujo could voice his queries, Angel addressed Midora, “Master Midora, now that the matter here is settled, I’ll take my leave.”
Midora nodded at Angel, signaling his approval, “Go ahead.”
As Angel turned to leave, his Dark Night Flyover emitted a subtle glow beneath his feet. In a blink, he vanished from the spot.
“Doduo, do you know who he is?” Tujo gently scooped up Doduo, who was playfully nuzzling his feet, and whispered the question.
Doduo responded with a baby-like chirp.
Caught off guard, Tujo swiftly turned to Midora, his eyes wide with surprise, “Grandfather Midora, is he… Brother Angel?”
…
Of course, Angel remained oblivious to the conversation behind him. However, as he departed, he caught wind of Midora’s transmitted message.
In his message, Midora spoke of Tujo but not directly about him. Instead, he discussed Tujo’s mentor——’Puppet Master’ Bogula.
“Bogula ventured into the Myriad Demon Abyss and has yet to emerge. I initially feared something might have befallen him. However, recently, Muse informed me of ripples emanating from within the Abyss. The signals they carried were unmistakably Bogula’s. I surmise he might be on the cusp of navigating through the Abyss successfully.”
The Myriad Demon Abyss is a product of the mysterious transformation from Sky Mechanical City. Its effects are said to guide one towards enlightenment, offering a chance to see oneself clearly and step into the realm of true knowledge. However, venturing into this Abyss is like walking a razor’s edge, where surviving is nothing short of a miracle.
Midora relayed this, primarily to warn Angel that if Bogula truly emerges from the Abyss, there’s a high likelihood he’d ascend to true knowledge in a short span.
While Angel’s rapport with both of Bogula’s apprentices is commendable, his relationship with Bogula himself is rather tumultuous. Moreover, Bogula’s gamble to dive into the Abyss, leading to his loss against Sanders, wasn’t without reason.
Hence, if Bogula does attain true knowledge, there’s a possibility he might target those associated with Phantom Island.
Angel’s “golden hair and blue eyes” have always been Bogula’s obsession, a point Midora highlighted as a word of caution to Angel.
Taking this news to heart, Angel remains vigilant, even if he deems the likelihood to be slim. For while Bogula may have his peculiar fixations, he’s far from foolish.
Even if he does ascend, his strength still pales in comparison to Sanders. A vendetta would require him to lie low and bide his time. Moreover, the animosity between him and Sanders hasn’t reached a do-or-die situation.
Still, one can’t predict if Bogula might retaliate, so Angel takes note of the warning.
Departing from the underbelly of Sky Mechanical City, Angel finds himself on its gravity-normal side.
Honoring a prior commitment to Nausica, he doesn’t head back to his mansion but takes the path leading to Champagne Road.
Stepping back into the bustling streets teeming with people, Angel occasionally hears passersby discussing the events that transpired on Monsignor Magic Material Street. His name frequently rises above the cacophony.
Hearing the colorful accounts of prior events from others, Angel feels a peculiar mix of emotions.
Reflecting upon it, he still found it astonishingly surreal. Even as a fledgling in the Research Institute, he felt like he was in a haze.
It wasn’t until he heard others discuss it that reality seemed to snap back into place.
“I’ve heard whispers that magazines like —Sky of Truth—, —Golden Era—, and —Wizard Chronicles— are burning the midnight oil to pen articles about the incident at Monsignor Magic Material Street!”
“It’s astounding. To think an apprentice could stand toe-to-toe with a formal wizard is nothing short of miraculous. One wonders if there’s more to the story than meets the eye.”
“But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The real scoop is about the new member of the Research Institute! A friend of mine who was on the scene overheard Mad Bear Sabo mention that Angel is the new inductee! Now that’s a headline!”
“Just when the dust seems to settle, Angel stirs up another storm.”
“Stir up a storm? If it were you, I doubt you’d even have the right to throw a stone in a pond.”
News from Monsignor Magic Material Street hasn’t even been released yet, but the prevailing mood is spreading like wildfire. It’s hard to imagine the uproar when the magazines finally hit the stands.
What Angel found comforting, however, was the thought that he’d soon be leaving Sky Mechanical City…
Chapter 1375 Convenience and Duty <TOC> Chapter 1377 Partings