Chapter 1781 The Sacrifice <TOC> Chapter 1783 The Grand Attire
Translator: SumTLMan
“Can you guess from where the arrow will come?”
“What does this mean?”
When Angel left Infinite Battle Tower, he was still pondering this question. Without a doubt, this statement was a threat towards Rosen. So, was the statement meant to be taken literally, or was it some form of metaphor?
Angel personally believed it might not be a literal statement. The so-called “shooting an arrow” likely referred to some retaliatory action against Rosen.
Whether it was meant literally or metaphorically, one thing was clear: if that person wasn’t lying, the likelihood of them taking retaliatory action was very high.
As for Rosen’s safety, Angel wasn’t too concerned. After all, Sky Mechanical City was an impregnable fortress of steel, and Rosen rarely ventured out, so his safety should be ensured.
However, what needed attention was the fact that if they were planning retaliation, they would undoubtedly descend upon the Southern Region. And the arrival of these followers of the Bud could likely be a disaster for faith and belief.
Upon reflection, Antonio’s concerns were valid.
After all, retaliation didn’t necessarily mean attacking Rosen directly. For instance, spreading the faith of the Bud in Sky Mechanical City and the honored nation could also be a form of vengeance, and an even more terrifying one at that.
Angel shook his head, temporarily setting aside these intricate thoughts.
Whatever he could think of, Rosen and Antonio would surely have considered as well. As the lord of a city, Angel believed that Rosen would have preventive measures in place. Therefore, after some thought, Angel decided there wasn’t much need for undue concern.
Setting aside the matter of the Bud followers for the moment, Angel flew towards the Magic Materials Street in the city. If everything went as planned, he would leave Sky Mechanical City in a couple of days. Before his departure, he planned to purchase some materials for storage.
After buying some basic alchemy materials from Fingernail Alchemy House, Angel prepared to fly back to the manor.
On this journey, Angel happened to fly over the bustling area known as Benz’s Modified Weir. Even from the sky, he noticed that the area remained vibrant and lively, even during the day.
As Angel flew past the square he had skimmed over the previous day, he paused for a moment. The reason for his pause was the clown from yesterday, who was still distributing flyers for a magic show.
What was unexpected was the stark difference in the reception of these flyers today. Yesterday, many had received the flyers with disdain, some even discarding them immediately. However, today, a significant number of people were engrossed in reading the details on the flyers, discussing them with others from time to time. Some even headed straight to the grand theater, apparently intending to purchase tickets.
While this shift in attitude wasn’t a complete change of heart, it was still surprising to Angel. Considering that less than half a day had passed since Shirley’s inaugural show, and with such a significant change observed ahead of her second show, Angel remembered that Shirley was scheduled to perform continuously for a fortnight. What would be the scenario after those two weeks?
While Angel was assessing the changing moods in the square, he suddenly felt a gaze directed at him from below. Now, Angel was flying concealed, so for someone to lock onto him, their strength must be on par with his or even superior.
The person did not hide their presence, and Angel quickly identified the source of the gaze. To his surprise, it was Apulia. He was standing at the entrance of the grand theater, holding a ticket, seemingly ready to enter.
Even from a considerable distance, with Angel’s acute vision, he could clearly see that the ticket in Apulia’s hand was for Shirley’s Second Magic Show.
“Remember yesterday when you seemed to have just attended a magic show?” Angel did not descend but directly bound his voice, transmitting it directly into Apulia’s ears.
Apulia paused for a moment and then said, “That show is worth me watching a second time.”
“You mean to say the magic show was spectacular?”
Apulia responded, “From a magician’s perspective, although Shirley did incorporate some artistic effects, the overall level was limited. What caught my attention, to be precise, was the card tricks.”
“Oh? How so?” Angel inquired, brimming with curiosity.
Rather than answering directly, Apulia said, “If I recall correctly, Super Dimensional Wizard specialize in illusions, don’t they? Why not see for yourself? Shirley’s card tricks delve into the realm of illusions. It might inspire you.”
Angel was taken aback, “…” That deck of cards was crafted by me. It’s odd if it doesn’t involve illusions!
Holding back from singing his own praises, Angel shifted the topic: “If it’s just magic released through an illusionary realm, why would you be captivated by it, Apulia?”
To this query, Apulia’s response was rather unusual.
“Each card corresponds to an illusion; each illusion carries its unique significance. Together, a deck of cards forms a show stage. Different card combinations result in distinct illusions; and various suits and values follow a subtle internal logic,” Apulia paused, then added, “Don’t you think it resembles individual tales of destiny unfolding on a stage, showcasing different life stories?”
After a brief silence, Angel remarked, “I believe Onassis might share quite a bit in common with your train of thought.”
Apulia wagged his finger repeatedly, “No, no, no. I’m not referring to philosophy, but destiny.”
“Destiny?” Angel was baffled, trying to connect the dots. “How can a mere deck of cards relate to destiny?”
“Yes, 54 cards, much like 54 threads of uncertain destinies. Some intertwine, some diverge, and some oppose, ultimately paving an infinite trajectory. When the deck is unveiled, the stage transforms into an illusionary spectacle. Every performance is one of its kind. This is the very essence of… the unpredictability of fate.”
Angel: “No, that’s not it.”
Apulia, lost deep in thought, remarked, “I believe the creator of these playing cards must share a kindred spirit with me.”
Angel: “That’s not the case. Don’t just make assumptions.”
“I’m not implying what you think I am. That’s not how comprehension works.”
“That’s why I came to witness the second show. Because fate is unpredictable, its outcome is bound to differ from the first.” Apulia continued, “Moreover, it has kindled in me the inspiration for divination.”
“A card-based divination method, using unique symbols to hint at future events? What do you think?”
Just as Angel was about to respond, Apulia went on, seemingly having forgotten he was conversing with Angel.
“If applied for divination, I feel 54 cards might be a bit too many. Perhaps we can simplify it to, say, 27 or maybe 22 cards?”
By now, Apulia was entirely engrossed in his contemplations, murmuring to himself. Angel, feeling somewhat disregarded, shook his head and quietly departed.
Apulia’s interpretation of the deck clearly surpassed Angel’s original intent. However, if he truly derives inspiration from the playing cards, it speaks to his unique talent and fortune.
Yet, witnessing Apulia’s and the other spectators’ reactions to the card magic in the square, Angel couldn’t help but sense that perhaps, this card format might indeed become a sensation in the future.
Chapter 1781 The Sacrifice <TOC> Chapter 1783 The Grand Attire