Chapter 1642 Covert Operations <TOC> Chapter 1644 The Red-Clad Angel
Translator: SumTLMan
Sanye left, filled with regret.
Canter returned to the hall and looked at Angel, saying, “It seems Sanders was right; you indeed declined.”
Angel replied earnestly, “The House of Hearts holds no value for me at the moment; I’d rather not contemplate it now.”
Taking Angel’s serious response at face value, Canter was convinced. Yet he failed to notice a fleeting smile that flashed across Sanders’ eyes on the other side of the room.
“I had originally planned that if you had traded the House of Hearts, I would borrow it and let Cherie try it out. Seems like that’s off the table now,” Canter said, tinged with disappointment.
“I don’t need it,” Cherie quickly retorted. “It’s useless to me as well.”
Canter believed Angel when he said the House of Hearts held no use for him, but when Cherie said the same, Canter couldn’t help but challenge her: “You’re burdened by so many fixations. Stop bottling them up; you need to face them.”
“I am facing them right now.”
“So stirring up a hornet’s nest with Jiebo is your way of dealing with it?” Canter rebuked, only to find Cherie turning her head away in indifference. In that moment, Canter glimpsed shades of her mother Heidi in Cherie’s demeanor.
Any lingering irritation he had melted away at that instant.
“Having fixations isn’t inherently bad. However, they should serve as the fuel to propel you forward, not as inner demons hindering your progress. I just hope you realize this,” Canter spoke, his softened tone pacifying Cherie considerably.
She understood that what Canter was saying was right, yet she was at a loss for words.
Finally, she managed to utter, “In any case, the House of Hearts wasn’t traded, so there’s no point thinking about it anymore.”
“After all, just because you can’t experience it now doesn’t mean you won’t be able to in the future,” Angel suddenly interjected. “Who knows, you may be able to experience it before long.”
Angel’s statement made Canter question: “What do you mean? Are you still considering a trade? Were you merely stringing the Golden Umbrella Witch along today?”
Angel shook his head. “I never had any intention of trading.”
“Then what did you mean by your previous statement…” Canter paused, piecing it together. “Could it be that you’re planning to craft it yourself?”
Upon saying this, Canter felt he was onto something. Angel is an alchemist who has experienced the effects of the House of Hearts. He is perfectly capable of crafting it himself. However, whether the end product would be an advanced version or a lesser substitute of the House of Hearts is yet to be determined.
But if Angel really crafts it, regardless of whether it’s an advanced or lesser version, it should have some efficacy.
Angel didn’t elaborate further; after all, the Wilderness of Dreams hasn’t yet reached the phase of full disclosure. Even if it does, Angel has no plans to openly reveal the core function of the Dream Conch, as well as the secrets of Infinite Alchemy.
“Then I’m looking forward to it. If you really manage to create it, Cherie can serve as a free test subject,” Canter said.
Although a flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Cherie’s eyes, she didn’t argue this time.
Angel nodded with a smile: “Of course.”
The matter regarding Water Ripple Witch was temporarily shelved. After that, they returned to their prior topic. In addition to discussing the events Cherie had instigated, they also touched upon other news.
Perhaps it’s because Angel had officially advanced to become a wizard and formally entered Canter’s social circle, that he began to see a more genuine side of Canter.
On the surface, Canter appeared to be a reticent and peculiar old man, but in actuality, he was quite talkative.
Especially when compared to the reserved Sanders, Canter’s loquaciousness stood out even more.
However, Canter didn’t engage in idle gossip. Though he would occasionally bring up odd topics — like strategies for beating Monument of the Strange Ring Angel had crafted… Most of the time, he preferred to share his own experiences and insights on his wizarding journey.
This greatly benefited Angel.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually shifted from the earlier tension surrounding the matter of Cherie and Sanye, to one that was more lively.
However, the lively atmosphere came to an abrupt halt due to a particular topic.
While recounting his experiences in the Black Castle, Angel mentioned a person——Kimberly.
Upon hearing Kimberly’s name, Canter’s previously cheerful expression suddenly changed… Whatever Angel said afterward seemed to go in one ear and out the other; Canter stared vacantly into the distance.
“It seems that our conversation will have to conclude here,” Sanders remarked at that moment.
Angel nodded in understanding, realizing that a meaningful dialogue with Canter would now be difficult.
“You probably have matters to attend to; you should go ahead,” Sanders said to Angel, his words laden with implications.
Looking into Sanders’ eyes, which were full of significance, Angel immediately understood that Sanders was likely aware of his use of the Dream Conch. After all, it was Sanders who had originally brought the matter to his attention.
“Very well, about Cherie… I also need to get in touch with Antonio,” said Angel. “I’ll head back first.”
Saying this, Angel turned and left.
Having given his word to Canter, Angel chose not to contact Antonio via a communication device as a matter of formality; instead, he made it his priority to visit the Research Institute.
After meeting Antonio, Angel expressed the reason for his visit.
After a moment of silence, Antonio suggested, “Perhaps Lord Pat should first visit Achillea Comprehensive College.”
Unaware of Antonio’s intent, Angel nevertheless followed his advice and arrived at Achillea Comprehensive College.
Half an hour later, Angel returned to the Research Institute.
His observations at Achillea helped him grasp Antonio’s meaning. By now, the fragrance department at Achillea was abuzz due to the current matter.
Fragrance Plaza was not just a gathering place for fragrance alchemists; it also symbolized a kind of emotional sanctuary.
The turmoil caused by Cherie and Jiebo had turned Fragrance Plaza into a tempestuous sea, essentially slapping fragrance alchemists across the face.
Given the heightened emotions, the majority of fragrance alchemists were advocating for a blacklisting against Jiebo and Cherie, vowing that they should never be able to purchase any fragrance-related items in Sky Mechanical City ever again.
They didn’t particularly care whether it was Jiebo or Cherie who caused more destruction. In any case, they were certain that these two were the culprits.
Moreover, the biggest point of contention lay in whether to merely ostracize these two individuals, or to also blacklist the wizard organization supporting them from behind the scenes.
Evidently, the duel between Jiebo and Cherie today had incensed this group of fragrance alchemists to no end. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be contemplating the blacklisting of Song of the Deep Sea, a large wizard organization.
After witnessing this scene, Angel couldn’t help but ask Antonio, “Is there room for de-escalation?”
“Given the current emotional climate within Achillea Comprehensive College, de-escalation will be difficult. However, these sentiments are currently limited to the fragrance department and haven’t yet spread. That said, it’s hard to predict what will happen if no one intervenes.”
For now, the blacklisting is only occurring within the fragrance department. If it spreads, it could potentially affect the entire alchemical community.
“Is there a way to prevent the spread of these sentiments?” Angel inquired.
Antonio nodded, “If Lord Pat requires it, I can intervene.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Angel expressed his gratitude.
Antonio replied, “Serving the members of the Research Institute is my duty.”
With Antonio’s intervention, the emotional wave shouldn’t further escalate, but controlling the emotions of fragrance alchemists is indeed a tough nut to crack.
Nevertheless, it’s a necessary evil. At the very least, the first step is to contain the emotions within a certain boundary. As for the remaining sentiments, they can only be gradually dissipated.
Chapter 1642 Covert Operations <TOC> Chapter 1644 The Red-Clad Angel