Chapter 1723 Gloria's Speculation <TOC> Chapter 1725 Shirley's Iron Box
Next page password is bold portion: prot7@drAspu
Translator: SumTLMan
After Gloria received Angel’s response, she nodded and didn’t ask further, and the atmosphere grew still.
On the other side, within the Passionate Song of Fate, Shirley crushed a new Demon Flower Fairy Magical Bloodstone, signifying that Toby’s confrontation with the Tribulation of Resentment had reached a fever pitch.
Witnessing this, Gloria was the first to break the silence, inquiring, “Do you think Toby can defeat the Tribulation of Resentment this time?”
Angel shook his head, “I’m uncertain. This is Toby’s battle alone.”
They had done all they could. Whether or not Toby could triumph over the Tribulation of Resentment was now up to his own efforts.
“I hope he can,” a hint of concern flashed in Gloria’s eyes, “After all, the sooner the Tribulation of Resentment is defeated, the better.”
As Toby’s power gradually increased, the Tribulation of Resentment would also continuously strengthen. Until one day, even Frost’s seal might be unable to contain it. By that time, the gap between Toby and the Tribulation of Resentment would be as vast as the sky from the earth, making victory nearly unattainable.
Frost had also mentioned that challenging the Tribulation of Resentment earlier increases the odds of success. Though initiating the challenge early might carry a higher risk of failure, it’s not devoid of the chance of success. But the more one delays, even if it might mean surviving a little longer, it’s merely a temporary reprieve. Because the Tribulation of Resentment is like a malignant tumor, spreading slowly over time, eventually obliterating all hope for life.
“That is my hope as well,” Angel whispered.
As the typical time for Toby’s awakening drew closer, both Angel and Gloria refrained from speaking. Their gazes fixed intently on the Passionate Song of Fate, awaiting the ultimate outcome.
Twenty minutes, twenty-five minutes, thirty minutes… This was the usual time Toby would awaken.
However, this time, Toby still didn’t wake up, and even Shirley’s side maintained a high-intensity talent output. One could clearly see sweat beads covering Shirley’s forehead, indicating that Toby was undoubtedly still entangled with the Tribulation of Resentment.
Five minutes passed, then ten. Just when Gloria’s heart was in her throat, Shirley, who was inside the magic energy formation, finally took a long, deep breath.
Shirley removed her magician’s hat, shook her almost soaked hair, and didn’t even muster the strength to use a cleaning spell, just slumping there for a whole minute.
Only then did she use a gentle wind to dry her hair strands, looking somewhat tired as she stepped out of the magic energy formation.
When she exited the formation, she looked in the direction of Gloria and Angel, giving a slight smile, “Toby’s emotions have stabilized. It seems his battle must have come to an end.”
After a brief pause, Shirley added, “Toby’s emotional surge this time was quite intense. Thankfully, I had taken a hot spring bath to relax beforehand, or I felt like I couldn’t hold on. But luckily, in the end, I won.”
Gloria stepped forward, patting Shirley on the shoulder, “Well done.”
As her words fell, Gloria snapped her fingers, and a pink mist carrying the aroma of food drifted towards Shirley. Before Shirley could react, the mist rushed into her nostrils.
Shirley felt as if all her energy had been refreshed, and with an indescribable feeling of comfort, she exhaled deeply, saying, “Thank you, my lady.”
“You did well,” Angel nodded towards Shirley, signaling her to rest a bit on the side.
Just as Shirley sat down, Toby opened his eyes on the other side. This time, Toby seemed to have returned to the phase where he was affected by the Kames’ Dream Discrepancy from the lucid dream, remaining stunned and motionless after opening his eyes.
Looking at him, Gloria whispered, “Judging by his appearance, could it be that it wasn’t successful?”
Angel wasn’t entirely sure, after all, the House of Hearts was a trial set by Toby, and outsiders had no way of knowing the inside story.
While Gloria carried a worried demeanor, she approached Toby. It seemed Toby was aware of someone drawing near as his deep crimson eyes shifted slightly.
Seeing this, Gloria realized that Toby was coming back to his senses and was about to offer some words of comfort, something along the lines of “It’s okay if you didn’t succeed, you can always try again.” However, before she could voice her words, Toby suddenly soared into the sky, shrinking into a mere speck as he ascended.
“What’s come over him?” Gloria wondered, thoroughly puzzled.
As Angel was equally baffled, a roaring sound echoed from the sky. They both looked up and were taken aback to see Toby transforming into a magnificent blazing griffin, its vast wings shadowing the sun as it circled in the heavens.
“His voice sounds… excited?” At this moment, Shirley also got up, her gaze fixed curiously upon the sky, “What is he saying?”
Gloria and Angel, having heard Toby’s cries, exchanged glances, both spotting elation in each other’s eyes.
“He’s saying,” Joy was unmistakable in Gloria’s eyes, and a smile tugged at her lips, “… he did it!”
…
After two weeks of repeatedly challenging the House of Hearts and enduring 81 heart-wrenching failures, or to put it bluntly, experiencing death 81 times, Toby finally triumphed over the Tribulation of Resentment on his 82nd attempt!
Toby’s momentary daze upon waking was not due to any Kames’ Dream Discrepancy. It was a pure and unadulterated joy.
When Toby finally came back to his senses, he unabashedly released his emotions, transforming into his griffin form. He circled the skies repeatedly, letting out triumphant roars, a cathartic release from the accumulated stress of his repetitive “deaths” over the weeks, and to express the elation of overcoming a formidable foe.
The exhilaration persisted for several minutes. Only when Toby’s griffin form could no longer hold its shape did he revert back to his small seabird form, plummeting from the sky to relay the good news to Gloria and Angel.
Toby chirped and twittered for quite a while, speaking in an excited manner until his emotions eventually settled down a bit.
“How was this experience?” Angel inquired with curiosity, “How did you overcome the Tribulation of Resentment?”
“Chirp chirp?” Toby blinked innocently at Angel. Even though Shirley and Azaz might not understand the meaning behind Toby’s chirrups, just by looking at his lively eyes, they could guess what Toby was implying.
——What are you talking about? I don’t understand human speech?
“Here we go again.” Gloria sighed with her hand on her forehead. Seeing the puzzled look on Angel’s face, she explained, “Every time we ask him about his battle with the Tribulation of Resentment, he acts as if he doesn’t understand human speech.”
Angel turned to look at Toby, who had an assertive look on his face: “Chirp chirp!”
Toby: I’m not pretending, I genuinely don’t understand!
Having a moment of realization, Angel commented, “It seems he truly doesn’t understand.”
“Then it’s strange. Who did I promise to buy dried fish for last time?”
Gloria chimed in, “I also forgot who came to me asking for a magical suit similar to Shirley’s.”
Toby cried out pitifully, “… Chirp.” It was me!
“You said you don’t understand human speech, didn’t you?” Angel turned to look at Toby, who seemed a little guilty and lowered his gaze to his tiny talons.
Angel and Gloria exchanged glances, shaking their heads in amusement.
They were simply teasing Toby and quickly moved past the playful exchange.
They could actually surmise that Toby might be reluctant to speak of his past, perhaps not wanting to revisit those memories, or perhaps… not wishing to cause them any worry.
“Toby has indeed grown much after this experience,” Gloria whispered to Angel through a mental link.
Angel nodded, “Yes.” Although he still exhibited some childish tendencies, his emotional maturity was gradually shining through.
He’s learned to take responsibility.
Gloria’s eyes reflected a mix of emotions, a touch of nostalgia coupled with a hint of sorrow. At times, she wished Toby would grow up faster, yet at other moments, she hoped he would remain just as he is, free from too many concerns.
But life, in its capricious nature, seldom grants us the luxury of having the best of both worlds.
With growth often comes a price to pay.
Chapter 1723 Gloria's Speculation <TOC> Chapter 1725 Shirley's Iron Box