Chapter 1388 The Woman in the Drawing <TOC> Chapter 1390 Whereabouts
Translator: SumTLMan
After hearing Angel’s narrative, Sanders was reminded of Sparrow Blossom’s diary.
Upon closer inspection, the silhouette of Natasha bore a striking resemblance to the woman depicted in the diary. Both donned long gowns and shared a lean and statuesque build, crowned with identical golden cascading curls.
Had Natasha been accompanied by a little girl in a primrose dress, the likeness would’ve been uncannily identical.
“There’s indeed a semblance,” Sanders communicated through their mental link, “Determining if she’s the one who took Sparrow Blossom away is rather straightforward.”
Sanders remained motionless, but with every step he took, an inscrutable energy surged from his feet, seeping directly into the ground——
As Natasha continued her path, she suddenly felt the ground beneath her feet grow soft and yielding. Peering down, she noticed the dampness of the cavern soil; with every step, her feet slightly sank in.
“Has someone spilled water here? I must summon the servants for cleanup,” she muttered to herself nonchalantly and continued her path.
However, both Angel and Sanders watched intently at the moistened soil, or more precisely, the footprints imprinted upon it.
“Just a simple water manipulation trick, and the answer reveals itself,” Sanders commented nonchalantly.
In the cryptic depths of the cemetery’s well, a distinct line of feminine footprints was evident. Those prints extended all the way to the periphery of Sparrow Blossom’s illusionary realm.
According to Sparrow Blossom’s records, only three individuals could have been present there: Gloria, a faceless shadow, and the woman who took Sparrow Blossom away.
Gloria was immediately ruled out. Given Gloria’s power, she would never inadvertently leak information concerning herself. Even if the original owner of her body were in control, they would not have left such conspicuous footprints in the well.
Thus, it narrows down to the faceless shadow and the woman who took Sparrow Blossom.
While it’s hard to determine which of the two left the footprints, Angel leans towards the woman who took Sparrow Blossom. It’s certain that she was the last person to appear by the well.
If Natasha truly was the one who took Sparrow Blossom, then perhaps her Footprints Match those at the bottom of the well.
On that damp soil, the imprinted footprints unveiled their doubts.
They were identical!
These footprints were faint and slender. Although the patterns on the sole differed slightly from the ones in the well, the size and length were nearly indistinguishable.
Though this footprint couldn’t be deemed conclusive evidence, coincidences don’t just keep piling up. The force, size, and length of the footprint were similar, and Natasha’s silhouette also became a testament. These two clues made Angel fairly certain that Natasha was indeed the woman who took Sparrow Blossom!
“It seems we’re in luck,” Angel murmured. What seemed like an unsolvable puzzle moments before suddenly revealed a crucial clue.
He spoke audibly, not through the mental connection, so Natasha, walking ahead, heard him. She paused momentarily, adjusting her stance which had shifted under Angel’s gaze, “Sir, what do you mean by ‘we’re in luck’?”
Angel smiled slightly, “Exactly as it sounds.”
Natasha seemed somewhat bewildered when Angel suddenly said, “Regarding the materials used to repair your mechanical half earlier, it cost about ten magic crystals…”
A pause ensued as Natasha, caught off guard, tried to process why Angel would bring this up at this moment. Was he observing her intently earlier because of an outstanding debt for these ten magic crystals?
“I’ve stored the magic crystals in my room,” Natasha began, “I’ll fetch them shortly, I don’t intend to owe…”
Before she could finish, Angel interjected, “You might have misunderstood. What I meant was, you don’t need to repay the magic crystals. However, in return, I’d like to consult with you on a matter later. Is that agreeable?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Natasha replied, “As long as it doesn’t touch on confidential matters, it’s fine.”
Angel responded with a mild chuckle, “I believe it won’t delve into anything too confidential.”
As their conversation continued, the tunnel they were in reached its end. Ahead stood a door. Upon opening it, a spiraling staircase stretched upwards and downwards.
Once inside, Natasha opted to ascend.
“Is this route leading to the Soul Domain or Corpse Forest?” Angel murmured to himself, slightly furrowing his brow.
Natasha, taken aback, turned to face Angel, “How do you know we’re headed to the Soul Domain?”
“The Soul Domain, you say?” Angel pondered, “If I recall, wasn’t the Soul Domain the territory of the Twilight Queen? Has it been fully opened to the public now?”
Suspicion deepened in Natasha’s eyes. The Soul Domain on the second underground floor was indeed once the domain of Lady Isabelle. Only those from Black Castle knew this. How was he privy to such information?
Could it be that he possesses the gift of prophecy?
“I’ve walked these halls before, so I’m familiar with the layout. The passage we traversed earlier was precisely the transitional passage between the third underground floor, the Land of Soul Hunting, and the second underground floor, the Soul Domain. Advancing further upward will lead us to the first underground floor, the Corpse Forest,” Angel elucidated.
Though Angel spoke nothing but the truth, Natasha couldn’t help but wonder, “How could he possibly have been here before?”
She hesitated to probe deeper, offering hurriedly, “Due to unique circumstances, Lady Isabelle is currently absent from the Soul Domain. With modifications to the domain, external ghosts can’t enter. Therefore, we’ve temporarily relocated here.”
“I see,” Angel speculated, connecting the ‘unique circumstances’ probably with some incident at Black Castle, thus refraining from further inquiry.
Upon stepping out of the Soul Domain, their surroundings dramatically transformed from desolation. Every inch was meticulously crafted, even the ordinary corridors emanated opulence.
During Angel’s prior visit to the Soul Domain, it wasn’t this resplendent. The renovation probably occurred after his departure.
Witches, with an extraordinary aura, hurriedly passed through the corridor. Their expressions showed surprise upon seeing Angel and Sanders. Black Castle seldom hosts men. Males here were either deceased or esteemed guests from other wizard organizations. Considering Natasha’s reverential demeanor, one might presume the latter.
Capturing the attention of such a bevy of beautiful witches might have flustered any other man.
However, Angel, when observed by this coven of witches, felt neither allure nor charm but rather an undercurrent of aversion.
His indifference towards Natasha stemmed from the fact that she was part-mechanical. But these witches, as captivating as they appeared, had a steep price for their beauty: the countless bodies piling up outside and the innocent women brought here against their will.
Harnessing sinister spells and rituals to murder innocent women, then bathing in their fresh blood — that’s their clandestine elixir for eternal youth.
Sparrow Blossom, tragically, met her demise for this very reason.
Such heinous acts deeply repulse Angel.
Thus, when Angel gazes upon these unabashedly flaunting witches, not only does he harbor no semblance of fondness, but his countenance also grows palpably colder.
Soon, they arrive at the grand hall mentioned by Natasha.
The opulence of the hall mirrors its exterior, boasting a semi-elliptical dome-like ceiling. Elegant patterns are meticulously etched upon its walls.
From these patterns, Angel discerns several mysterious runes, predominantly space and isolation runes. These intricate runes, now linked, form a powerful magic formation, indicating the inscriptionist to be a profoundly skilled rune wizard.
Near the hall’s walls stand towering cabinets, around ten meters high, brimming with scrolls. Some witches, pushing ladder carts, busily arrange these volumes.
A plush carpet occupies the center, upon which soft couches of unknown leather are neatly arranged.
Kimberly, conspicuous with her voluminous mane, presently occupies a seat on one of these couches.
“Please, have a seat.” With Natasha standing behind Kimberly, Kimberly gestures for them to sit.
“I’ve already stationed some guards outside the Ice Cavern. The moment Gloria and her team emerge, they’ll be immediately informed,” Kimberly remarks nonchalantly.
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” responds Sanders, his statement punctuating the conversation, casting an almost tangible chill over the atmosphere.
After a pause, Kimberly asks, “Aren’t you curious about what Gloria is up to?”
“It surely has something to do with the enigmatic Black Castle, a complicated issue,” said Sanders in his typical concise manner.
Angel discerned the undertone in Sanders’ words. The ‘trouble’ Sanders hinted at was likely that if Kimberly relayed the information to him, it would only unravel a slew of complications — perhaps it’s better left unsaid. However, if Gloria shares it with him once they meet, it might not result in as many complications.
Of course, if Gloria, after her seclusion, remains silent, indicating that the waters surrounding Black Castle run deep, then it’s best to steer clear of it altogether.
Kimberly, while not as acquainted with Sanders as Angel is, could still read between the lines and understand his intent to remain detached and not muddy the waters further.
Kimberly offered a smile, refraining from pressing Sanders further and shifted her gaze to Angel.
She hasn’t forgotten the words uttered by Natasha earlier.
During Natasha’s journey to the formation node, Angel eradicated nearly two thousand ghosts in a mere matter of minutes — an astoundingly swift pace.
If they could harness that alchemical weapon powerful against ghosts, perhaps they genuinely have a shot at resolving Black Castle’s predicament.
Moreover, Isabelle has long sought to transform Black Castle. This could be the perfect opportunity to purge the stronghold of its pervasive ghostly presence.
With this in mind, Kimberly said to Angel, “I’ve inspected Natasha’s mechanical half, and you’ve done an impeccable job with the repairs. Have you dabbled in mechanical alchemy?”
Angel gave a slight nod, “I have some knowledge.”
“I’ve also been studying mechanical alchemy over the years. However, I acquired my expertise in a remote world. I wonder if my knowledge deviates from the alchemical developments of the Southern Region,” Kimberly chuckled, “How about we take this opportunity to exchange insights?”
Chapter 1388 The Woman in the Drawing <TOC> Chapter 1390 Whereabouts