Chapter 1460 Self-Retained Land <TOC> Chapter 1462 Two Options
Translator: SumTLMan
In other words, no matter how protracted the tug-of-war, Toby’s Self-Retained Land would ultimately still be invaded. As it stands, the Tribulation of Resentment holds the upper hand; it’s a one-sided battle, and Toby is now bereft of any ability to fight back.
When Isabelle reaches this point, she suddenly pivots: “However, the core issue, I believe, isn’t really about the soul.”
Angel looks quizzically at Isabelle.
Isabelle doesn’t immediately clarify but lifts Toby and closes her eyes, deeply tuning into Toby’s condition. Her expression transitions from calm to puzzled, finally settling on a moment of epiphany.
“As I suspected, its soul is too pure. Even if it’s being corroded, it remains largely untainted. The issue with its soul is just one facet. Simply clearing the murkiness in its soul won’t be a complete solution.”
This implies that even if Isabelle purges the dark elements from Toby’s soul, as long as time permits, that darkness will eventually creep back in.
And this form of darkness, referred to as “Poison of Resentment” by Baya, doesn’t originate from the soul. To genuinely help Toby, its root cause must be addressed.
Upon hearing this, Angel’s face shows a glint of disappointment. “So, you’re saying even you can’t save Toby, Lady Isabelle?”
For the first time, Isabelle notices a flicker of fear in Angel’s eyes. She pauses before responding: “I could attempt to dispel the murkiness in Toby’s soul, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why?”
“Adaptability. Right now, Toby’s core soul and the darkness are in a relative state of equilibrium. Although the core soul is at a disadvantage, there’s at least balance.” Isabelle gently strokes Toby’s slightly ruffled feathers as she continues: “Breaking that balance could backfire. Though it would give the core soul temporary respite, remember that unless the source of the darkness is dealt with, it will inevitably return. When it does, the core soul, unable to adapt, will be completely overwhelmed.”
“So, I believe that by at least maintaining the status quo, its true self may persist for a bit longer.”
Angel’s understanding of souls is far less than Isabelle’s, and he doesn’t think Isabelle would deceive him on this matter. Therefore, he trusts Isabelle’s explanation.
But Isabelle has not provided a solution, leaving Angel once again at a loss.
Gloria can’t help Toby, and Isabelle has no answers either. Angel suddenly doesn’t know what his next move should be.
Could it be as Gloria originally said——
The Tribulation of the Five Flavors is a test from the World Will to Toby, an omen, to see if he can continue to exist in this world. Outside interference could actually add complications to Toby’s trials.
But Toby is now facing the Tribulation of Resentment and has completely failed. Without external intervention, all that remains is to watch as Toby’s last line of defense is breached, turning his Self-Retained Land into fertile ground for evil to flourish.
Angel looks disheartened, his eyes somewhat vacant, and he mutters to himself, “Is there really no way out?”
Seeing Angel’s distraught expression, Isabelle remains silent, unable to offer an answer.
Just then, a somewhat grating voice suddenly reaches Angel’s ears.
“I can offer you a suggestion.” What surprises Angel is that the speaker turns out to be Isabella, who has been silent all along.
Her background noise isn’t a cackle but rather a gust of wind that scatters her words.
Isabelle looks at Isabella, saying nothing, but her eyes are complex.
Moriah, however, scoffs and mocks, “Is your suggestion to stab someone in the back with a cold knife, then push the unsuspecting victim into an abyss?”
Isabella paid no attention to Moriah, her gaze steadily fixed on Angel.
Angel paused for a moment before saying, “Go ahead.”
Angel had thought that Isabella would deliberately bring up Toby as leverage, but she did nothing of the sort. Instead, she candidly voiced her suggestion: “Do you remember what Frost once said?”
“Frost has stated that he is a wizard who values Equivalent Exchange. During his stay in Black Castle, if we can meet his price, he is open to any deal with us.”
“During the days you were stabilizing the Magic Source Vortex, I know Kimberly sought out Frost. I’m not sure what she wanted from him, but she likely got what she was after. So, my suggestion is for you to consult Frost.”
Angel had not expected this recommendation from Isabella, having assumed she would offer an impractical suggestion.
However, given her proposal, it actually sounded quite reasonable.
Come to think of it, Angel had never considered seeking Frost’s help. Perhaps he was ‘overlooking the forest for the trees,’ or maybe his admiration for Frost’s capabilities had made him subconsciously neglect this valuable resource at hand.
Now, upon hearing Isabella’s words, he genuinely began to consider this option. The situation with Toby was becoming increasingly urgent; even Gloria and Isabelle were at a loss. Perhaps only Frost, who possessed both superior perspective and capabilities, could provide a solution.
Having come to this decision, Angel quietly returned Toby to his pocket and nodded at Isabella, saying, “Thank you for your suggestion.”
Isabella did not reply, appearing lost in her own world.
Finally, Isabelle turned to Angel and asked, “So, have you decided to take Isabella’s advice and seek out Frost?”
“If there’s no alternative, this is also a viable option.”
A flicker of concern crossed Isabelle’s eyes. Angel had at least a rudimentary understanding of Frost, but Isabelle had never encountered him. In fact, she had spent these days sequestered in the Living Soul Garden, partly due to her reservations about Frost.
However, since Angel had made up his mind, she felt she had no grounds to object. “The intentions and allegiances of Frost are unknown; be cautious,” she warned.
“He appeared in Black Castle for reasons he shared with me, claiming it was coincidental,” Angel paused. “As for his allegiance, I have a vague understanding; it shouldn’t pose a problem.”
Isabelle wanted to probe further into Frost’s background, but given that Frost was currently in their secret world, a mere word of caution would suffice. She was concerned that prying too much might irritate him, so she refrained from asking.
Subsequently, Angel remained in the grand hall and transformed one of the two Infant Spirits into a Soul. Interestingly, the rate of this transformation was a third faster than a similar process involving another entity, Moriah.
During this time, everyone else remained silent, focusing intently on the transformation of the Infant Spirit. Despite the silence, Angel could sense the undercurrent of tension between Moriah and Isabella.
Two hours later, Angel exited the Wizard Tower. Whatever tension might erupt between Moriah and Isabella after his departure was no longer his concern.
Shortly afterward, Angel found himself standing outside Frost’s room. Instead of knocking immediately, he pondered how to approach and converse with Frost. Just as he was lost in thought, the door lock clicked open on its own. Accompanied by a creaking noise, the door swung wide open.
“Contemplating at the doorway will get you nowhere. Come in and share your thoughts with me,” Frost’s voice, tinged with an elegant tone, reached Angel’s ears. “Please, come in.”
Angel followed the voice inside.
The interior was dimly lit, leaving many corners veiled in shadow. Frost stood under the glow of an oil lamp, his back to Angel, as he tenderly caressed a pitch-black flute.
Upon catching sight of the flute, Angel’s pupils contracted slightly.
The flute, glistening with a bone-like sheen under the lamplight, was the Half-Uncontrollable Mysterious Object Frost had previously revealed to Angel known as the——Dark Sonata.
At this time, Frost was using a clean, unidentified magical beast leather to meticulously wipe the Dark Sonata.
Only after the Dark Sonata was polished did Frost turn around, locking eyes with Angel in silence.
“I thought you came to resume our unfinished conversation. However, from the urgency in your eyes, I sense something else,” Frost gestured for Angel to take a seat. “Speak, I’m curious to know why you’ve sought me out.”
Frost’s demeanor remained calm, which left Angel somewhat puzzled.
Before seeking out Frost, he had gone to consult with Lady Kimberly to verify what Isabella had told him.
Kimberly had admitted that she and Frost had made a deal, at a cost, and had received corresponding results.
Angel didn’t inquire about the specifics, but Kimberly did describe her meeting with Frost.
The first words Frost said when he met Kimberly were, “What are you willing to give?”
According to Kimberly, “Frost will only decide whether to engage in a trade with you if he knows what he can gain from you.”
However, looking at Frost now, he seems not to have mentioned any kind of price?
Angel pondered for a moment and took the initiative to ask, “Lord Frost, shouldn’t we discuss what I need to offer in return for your assistance?”
Frost remained silent for a while. Due to the mask obscuring his face, Angel couldn’t gauge his expression, but he could hear Frost chuckle softly. “The so-called ‘price’ varies from person to person. Why don’t you start by telling me what you wish to know?”
After hesitating briefly, Angel decided to bring out Toby.
Frost quietly observed the slumbering Toby on the table, showing no signs of surprise… Of course, Angel had always carried Toby with him and seldom stored him in his bracelet. Even during their initial conversation about “losing control,” Toby had been in Angel’s pocket. Given Frost’s capabilities, he undoubtedly had already sensed Toby’s presence.
Chapter 1460 Self-Retained Land <TOC> Chapter 1462 Two Options