Chapter 1516 Leaderboard <TOC> Chapter 1518 Accumulate Points
Translator: SumTLMan
The sound of a “snap” echoed.
Inside the central hall of the 50th floor of the Research Institute, a glass door swung open, and Angel emerged from a device resembling an “elevator.”
The last time he visited this place, he had seen Midora here. But at this very moment, it was utterly deserted.
Walking down a tranquil, narrow corridor, Angel quickly arrived at a mechanical hall.
In this mechanical hall, there was a single display case — the only one on the entire 50th floor.
Angel had originally planned to go directly to Enchanted Mechanical City, but upon seeing that solitary display case perched on a raised platform, a peculiar sense of intuition welled up within him, compelling him to unconsciously approach it.
Just like the last time he had seen it, the exterior of the display case was unprecedentedly opulent and extravagant, yet its interior was empty.
Although it was called a display case, whatever was supposed to be displayed within it had never actually been placed there.
Angel extended his fingertip, gingerly touching the wall of the display case.
The moment his fingertip made contact with the cold glass, a subtle energy emanated from the exterior of the display case. Following that, a screen appeared as if surfacing from underwater, unveiling itself before Angel’s eyes, and in mid-air, it stirred concentric ripples similar to those of water.
This screen served as the introduction to the display case.
The screen displayed just a single line of text: “Name: Unknown (Box of Reincarnation), Effect: Unknown, Creator: Ivo Shpratt.”
As Angel stared at this line of text, his eyes seemed to flicker with a mysterious, elusive light.
Originally, Angel had once asked Midora about the contents of this display case. Midora’s response was vague, as if he was unwilling to elaborate. Angel chose not to probe further at the time.
The main reason Angel was revisiting these words now was because of the name… Box of Reincarnation.
As Angel stood quietly, gazing at the string of characters on the screen, a sequence of crisp footsteps suddenly resounded behind him.
In no time, a witch wearing glass slippers stood beside Angel.
“Antonio told me you’ve arrived, but I didn’t see you enter Enchanted Mechanical City for quite some time. I thought you might be lost,” a gentle voice reached Angel’s ears.
Angel turned his head and looked at Water Ripple Witch standing beside him. Even through a thin veil covering her face, he could still perceive her captivating beauty.
Angel lowered his eyebrows and said softly, “I was just looking at this display case. I don’t think that qualifies as being lost, does it?”
Farina: “You seem particularly interested in this display case?”
“I am somewhat intrigued, yes.”
“Well… it makes sense. You’ve had experiences with the realm of the mysterious; it’s only natural for you to be curious about Mysterious Objects.”
“Would Miss Farina be able to tell me the story behind this Box of Reincarnation?” Angel inquired.
Farina paused briefly: “I don’t know much, actually. But if you want to know the story of the Box of Reincarnation, why not ask the person directly involved?”
“The person directly involved? Are you referring to Ivo Shpratt?” Angel pointed at the name displayed on the screen.
Farina shook her head, “Certainly not. Lord Ivo has been missing for a long time. The person I’m referring to is someone else you’re actually quite familiar with. We even had afternoon tea at her place not too long ago.”
“Fingernail Granny?”
“Indeed, Fingernail Granny was also once involved in the crafting plan for the Box of Reincarnation,” Farina revealed. Winking at Angel, she added, “The Director mentioned this in passing once, so it’s likely true.”
“As for me, I’ve never been too curious about these mysterious matters because they feel so remote. So I never questioned Fingernail Granny. But if you were to ask her, she might tell you,” Angel remarked, feeling somewhat surprised by Farina’s statement. He had never considered that Fingernail Granny could have been involved in the project for the Box of Reincarnation.
Farina continued: “From what I’ve heard from other members, Fingernail Granny became quite reclusive after participating in that crafting plan. She rarely engaged in alchemy herself afterward. Before that, she was one of the most powerful alchemists in the Research Institute. I wonder what happened during that crafting process that caused her to withdraw.”
Farina’s words seemed to align with what Portia had previously told Angel. Portia had shared during the witness ceremony event that Fingernail Granny had created many glorious works a thousand years ago, but later became withdrawn because of a certain incident. That incident was likely related to the so-called Box of Reincarnation project.
“Do you plan on staying here a bit longer?” Farina inquired.
Angel shook his head: “No, let’s go.”
Farina then opened the gateway to Enchanted Mechanical City. When Angel arrived once again and saw the steel city filled with steam, gears, and machinery, he was still in awe, his sense of wonder echoing in his heart.
Of all the cities Angel had visited, aside from the fallen Emberstone Titan, the style of Sky Mechanical City was the one he admired and enjoyed the most. Looking at the architecture, he was reminded of what Sanders had mentioned: the possibility of establishing a new city in the Wilderness of Dreams.
Angel had been pondering recently about how to construct a new city and what style it should adopt. Now he thought that the style of Enchanted Mechanical City could serve as a reference.
While Angel was lost in thought, Farina had already ascended the metallic staircase.
Angel followed suit.
What differed from their last visit to Enchanted Mechanical City was the absence of chatty mechanical birds, brass-skinned mechanical lions, and sentimental spinning ballerinas reciting poetry. Because the sights they had seen last time were actually manifestations projected by Director Muse, who was now in a period of seclusion.
According to Farina, it was precisely because the Director was secluded that she had come to Enchanted Mechanical City; otherwise, she’d be driven mad by the incessant chatter.
Soon, Farina led Angel to her residence. From the outside, it looked unremarkable, marked only by a metallic gear-shaped door. However, as Angel walked down the corridor, he found himself transported to what appeared to be an underwater sanctuary.
Three walls were made of transparent glass, framed in metal. Behind the glass was a deep blue oceanic panorama, complete with coral, reefs, and a variety of exotic marine creatures, creating the illusion of being submerged in the sea itself.
At the center of this underwater sanctuary lay a plush carpet adorned with pearls along its edge. A low table sat atop the carpet, elegantly set with fine teaware. A teapot that once held otter’s chirps was also placed on the table.
After sitting down, Farina poured Angel a cup of tea.
Angel expressed his thanks, hesitated briefly while eyeing the teacup, and finally took a tentative sip.
The aromatic scent of floral herbs engulfed him. Just one sip, and Angel felt an invigorating sense of clarity wash over him.
“So, how is it? Doesn’t taste like bathwater, does it?” Farina suddenly interjected.
Angel responded with an awkward smile. Clearly, Farina had sensed Angel’s earlier internal conflict when they were at Fingernail Granny’s place.
Farina tapped the spout of the teapot, and a water otter gurgled out from the tiny spout. It held a bouquet of flowers in its hands, its small eyes darting around as it made gurgling sounds.
This scene inexplicably reminded Angel of a story Jon told him when he was a child, about a genie emerging from an ancient oil lamp.
“Gulu is a unique water otter with spatial attributes. It’s very fond of cleanliness and enjoys gardening. Although it appears to live inside the teapot, it actually has a small garden in a separate dimension within the pot, where it usually tends to its flower and tea fields.”
“So, you don’t have to worry that the tea is bathwater.”
Farina went on to share more details about Gulu. Eventually, she revealed, “Speaking of which, the person Gulu fears most happens to be Sumesh from your Phantom Island lineage.”
Although Farina didn’t elaborate on why Gulu was afraid of Sumesh, Angel could pretty much guess the reason.
Sumesh is a tea fanatic, and it’s very likely that he would covet Gulu’s floral tea. And it might not be just the tea he’s after; it could extend to Gulu, the gardener of the tea as well…
After briefly discussing Gulu and its floral tea, the atmosphere warmed slightly, and they finally got to the main point of their conversation.
Angel: “Has Velite really lowered his requirements?”
Angel vividly remembered how Velite had firmly stated that he would not lower his demands. He had even said that he would have to think twice about trading for a Fragment of Constant, underscoring how much he valued the Scroll of Luck.
“Yes,” Farina smiled. “Actually, when I reached out to him, I hadn’t even mentioned what it was about when he voluntarily started asking about you.”
Although Angel hasn’t formally made an appearance yet, his influence has already radiated to Western Demos, thanks to the article “Your Stone Grandpa” published in —Sky of Truth—.
Farina was somewhat surprised that Velite took such a keen interest in Angel.
When Velite received a definite answer from Farina that Angel had not only become a formal wizard but was also a member of the Research Institute, he fell silent.
Seizing the opportunity, Farina brought up Angel’s quest for the Scroll of Luck and inquired about Velite’s inclinations.
After a prolonged period of contemplation, Velite provided Farina with a response.
He was willing to forego the Fragment of Constant, but he had an important experiment on the horizon that required the use of the “White-Cheeked Domain Demon’s Forehead Eye.”
Angel: “So, you mean to exchange the ‘White-Cheeked Domain Demon’s Forehead Eye’ with him?”
Farina nodded, “I suspect he aims to gain answers to ultimate truths through some sort of bloodline magic. The White-Cheeked Domain Demon’s Forehead Eye aligns well with his abilities.”
“Although the ‘White-Cheeked Domain Demon’s Forehead Eye’ is still a valuable asset, its worth is nearly comparable to the Scroll of Luck. His willingness to lower his standards probably stems from learning of your advancement.”
In other words, Velite was relinquishing his earlier stubbornness in hopes of fostering a better relationship with Angel.
Angel understood Velite’s intentions, but even with lowered requirements, the “White-Cheeked Domain Demon’s Forehead Eye” was not something so easily obtained.
Domain Demons are creatures that prefer to dwell in interstitial spaces between dimensions.
Finding a Domain Demon within the vast expanses of these interstitial spaces is already a tall order, and the White-Cheeked Domain Demons are even rarer among their kind.
Angel had frequented many wizard markets and witnessed numerous auctions. He had even visited Sanders’ library to study collections of items presented at various large-scale auctions.
Items related to Domain Demons are already scarce.
In recent years, it seems that no one has acquired anything related to a White-Cheeked Domain Demon.
Chapter 1516 Leaderboard <TOC> Chapter 1518 Accumulate Points