Translator: SumTLMan
From a distance, Angel cast his eyes upon the grand theater whose popularity seemed to be on an upward trajectory, before turning and heading in the direction of the mansion.
He had no intention of watching Shirley’s magic show. After all, he was the alchemist who had crafted the playing cards she used. He already had a good idea of what her act might entail.
While Shirley might surprise everyone with some novel tricks, she had had such a short time since acquiring the whimsical playing cards that Angel doubted she would present anything groundbreaking. In half a year, or perhaps a full year, should he get the opportunity, he could then watch her magic show. By that time, he believed she might have come up with fresh and innovative performances.
Upon returning to the mansion, Angel planned to have a detailed discussion with Sanders about their departure.
However, as he entered the main hall, to his surprise, he saw an elegant woman sipping tea, seated opposite Gloria.
“Sanye Witch,” Angel whispered her name.
The individual was none other than “Golden Umbrella” Sanye, a disciple of the Sea God Florence from the Song of the Deep Sea.
“We meet again,” Sanye said with a smile, nodding to Angel.
Today, Sanye was dressed in a white gown adorned with golden patterns. It wasn’t as simple as the one she wore the last time they met.
She wore a highly ornate court dress with a hem ruffled in five thick layers. The lacework, coupled with delicate gold threads, accentuated the grandeur of the long gown.
In addition, Sanye was bedecked in an array of jewelry, even donning a feathered court hat and a face veil, leaving no accessory out.
Moreover, Angel detected a familiar resonance emanating from the sleeves of the Sanye Witch’s gown.
——It was the resonance of the Drama Shadow Box he had crafted.
Judging by its energy signature, it appeared to be one of the batch that was sold by the Breezy Magical Materials Shop.
Angel paid no mind to the fluctuations of the Drama Shadow Box, focusing solely on the Grand Attire of Sanye Witch. Her dress seemed oddly out of place to Angel, more suited for a grand evening party or a ball attended by noble ladies.
The hint of curiosity in Angel’s eyes did not escape Sanye Witch. She brushed her golden wavy hair that cascaded down to her immaculate collarbone and asked with an alluring tone, “Does the Super Dimensional Wizard care about my attire?”
Angel’s face remained expressionless, “No, I was just wondering if Gloria had asked the owner of the manor, my mentor, before deciding to host a banquet here.”
Gloria, who was sipping tea, looked up as Angel mentioned her name. She set her teacup on a porcelain saucer with a hint of annoyance, “I never said anything about hosting a banquet. Sanye Witch and I are just preparing to attend an event.”
“Event?” A glint of curiosity flashed in Angel’s eyes.
Gloria’s lips curled into a mischievous smile, “Would you like to come with us?”
Angel remained silent. Gloria, undeterred, dramatically shrugged her shoulders, “Such a shame, this event is for female guests only. However, if you transformed into a female, you could accompany us.”
“But remember, illusions won’t work. Morphing Softworm magic, on the other hand, will. Speaking of which, I believe you’ve mastered the art of transformation down to the tiniest detail.”
Without reacting to Gloria’s teasing, Angel briefly glanced at her, then back to Sanye Witch, and replied calmly, “I wish you both a delightful time.”
With that, Angel began to make his way past them, heading upstairs to find Sanders.
He wasn’t intrigued by the gathering of witches. And truthfully, he didn’t want to be in the same space as Sanye Witch. Whenever he looked at her, a twinge of guilt arose within him… After all, Sanye Witch had once displayed immense sincerity, attempting to trade the House of Hearts for the Rhythm of the Ocean with him. Yet not only had he declined her offer, but he also ensnared the House of Hearts into the Wilderness of Dreams using the “Dream Conch of the Moonlit Coast”.
This behavior, although it had not caused any loss to Sanye Witch, still left Angel with a tinge of remorse. Naturally, this sense of guilt was evident only when he faced Sanye Witch, manifesting as a bit of sheepishness. As for making amends through tangible benefits, it’s something Angel would absolutely not consider.
As Angel was about to leave, Sanye Witch suddenly halted him.
“If the Super Dimensional Wizard is willing to negotiate for the Rhythm of the Ocean, we can always sit down and discuss,” Sanye Witch said, gazing at Angel. Her primary reason for coming here, apart from seeing Gloria, was the hope of obtaining the Rhythm of the Ocean from Angel.
Having personally experienced the Rhythm of the Ocean, Sanye Witch knew its immense value to the entire ocean lineage.
Angel cast a fleeting glance at Sanye Witch and remarked, “The House of Hearts is indeed exceptional, but I have no need for it. I told you my reasons previously. And as for using the House of Hearts to further the school of heart illusions, I don’t have such grand ambitions.”
Angel’s immediate refusal didn’t discourage Sanye Witch; in fact, her eyes sparkled a bit more. Because Angel directly mentioned not needing the House of Hearts, it implied he hadn’t entirely closed off the possibility of trading the Rhythm of the Ocean.
As long as there’s a chance for a trade, Sanye Witch was confident that, with the depth of the Song of the Deep Sea, she could offer something to satisfy Angel.
Sanye Witch proposed, “If not trading with the House of Hearts, we can discuss other potential exchanges.”
Internally, Angel thought: there’s nothing to discuss.
However, his verbal response still left the door ajar, “I apologize, but currently, I don’t have anything I urgently need.”
After saying this, Angel assumed an expression that read, ‘I have other matters to attend to and won’t keep you any longer’.
Sanye Witch sensed Angel’s current disinclination to negotiate. She realized that pushing him might not yield positive results. Moreover, she genuinely wasn’t sure what she could offer Angel in exchange. She decided to discuss it with her mentor, Florence, once she returned.
Though they hadn’t discussed it earlier, she felt the need to make her stance clear, stating, “I will draft a list promptly, which I believe Super Dimensional Wizard would be intrigued by.”
“You can see the determination of Sanye Witch. It’s a pity that I might not get to see the list, as I’ll be leaving this place soon.”
“Are you planning to return to the Savage Grottoes, Super Dimensional Wizard?” inquired Sanye Witch.
Regarding his destination, Angel didn’t see the need to keep it a secret and nonchalantly nodded in agreement, “Yes.”
Sanye Witch showed a faint smile, suggesting, “I believe it won’t be long before we meet again.”
A puzzled look crossed Angel’s face as he looked at Sanye Witch. Did she intend to follow him to the Savage Grottoes?
Sanye Witch explained, “In fact, Gloria and I attended an event today to discuss matters related to our next visit to the Savage Grottoes.”
Angel: ? ? ?
“What event did you two attend today?” Initially, Angel had no intention to delve further, but if it involved the Savage Grottoes, he felt compelled to know more.
On the other hand, Gloria took a sip of the hot tea on the table. As she relished its lingering taste, she clarified the mystery for Angel.
“A tea party.”
Realization dawned in Angel’s eyes. If it was a tea party, that would certainly clear up some doubts. For instance, why only witches could enter, as mentioned by Gloria. And why Sanye Witch radiated the resonance of the Drama Shadow Box… Because, as per the information Angel had from Viking, the Drama Shadow Box was highly sought after at the tea parties organized by witches.
Still, Angel couldn’t comprehend why a witches’ tea party concerned the Savage Grottoes.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, Angel voiced his questions.
Sanye Witch responded, “The reason being, the main host for the upcoming grand tea party is Liana.”