Chapter 1803 Balance and Communication <TOC> Chapter 1805 The Circle Stone Ritual
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Translator: SumTLMan
When Sridhar first mentioned Ananda, Angel took note.
To Angel, it wasn’t surprising to find Ananda with Sridhar. During his previous visit, he had spotted Ananda, but didn’t recognize her at that time… After all, the Ananda he had previously seen at Shadow Demon Castle was a voluptuous woman of incredible strength. Now, she had suddenly transformed into an elderly lady who needed a cane to walk. It took Angel a while to connect the dots.
Later, upon returning to the Savage Grottoes, it was after hearing Wimbledon speak about Ananda’s disappearance that Angel vividly recalled the memory.
According to Angel’s speculation, Ananda might have struck some sort of deal with Sridhar, the “Kind Demon.” She likely obtained something from him in exchange for her youth.
Indeed, the reality aligned with this. Now, as Angel looked at Ananda, he could distinctly sense the difference from before.
Angel distinctly remembered that Ananda’s mental strength didn’t even reach 10 points, falling short of the threshold for the gifted. Yet now, she had become an apprentice witch. Even her previously frail appearance, resembling someone in their nineties, had transformed into that of a woman in her fifties or sixties.
It seemed that Angel’s previous speculation was accurate. Ananda must have obtained something similar to the “Cold Night Potion” from Sridhar, elevating her to a transcendent level.
As for why Ananda suddenly became Sridhar’s chef, Angel wasn’t surprised. Sanders had once said, “If Ananda truly becomes a transcendent after the trade, Sridhar will surely incorporate her into his management. Given his choice of the ‘Path of Absolute Balance,’ he will inevitably bear the subsequent responsibilities.”
Just as Sanders predicted, Sridhar remained true to his chosen path, bringing Ananda under his management wing.
Angel looked up to face the person across from him, Sridhar. Sridhar appeared calm, seemingly already aware of the connection between Ananda and Angel.
“Has Wimbledon not sought her out?” Angel inquired. He had previously informed Wimbledon about Ananda, and given Wimbledon’s obsession with her, it seemed strange for him to not react at all.
Stroking his thin mustache with a hint of disdain, Sridhar remarked, “Are you referring to that perpetually immature, constantly sniveling, shadow demon servant?”
Angel nodded in affirmation.
“Of course he’s been here, and quite frequently at that. The last time was just a week ago,” Sridhar explained with a shake of his head. “However, Ananda simply refuses to meet him.”
Pausing momentarily, Sridhar added with a hint of exasperation, “Every time he comes here, he’s ceaselessly noisy and tearful. It’s hard to believe Ananda is of the same age as him.”
To this, Angel wasn’t surprised. Although blessed with immense talent, Wimbledon had paid the price of maturity. He was forever trapped in his youth, resembling Peter Pan. While on Phantom Island, under the watchful eyes of Butler Goode, he was manageable. However, without supervision, he acted like a brat.
The matter of Ananda was deemed a trivial one, so after a brief discussion, the topic shifted.
Being a “merchant” of sorts, Sridhar often dealt in various pieces of information. Sharing a tidbit now and then maintained the atmosphere of the banquet, ensuring it remained lukewarm.
However, the intelligence Sridhar spoke of was often outdated. For the most recent information, as he put it, one would need to strike a deal.
After the banquet, Gloria promptly departed with Azaz, her destination unknown.
Sanders continued his discussions with Sridhar, delving into the balance issues related to energy properties.
As for Angel, he contemplated visiting the Wilderness of Dreams. He intended to check on the situation with Leon, especially after the significant commotion in Sky Mechanical City during the day.
Sridhar had arranged a mechanical puppet, guiding him to the room beyond.
The mechanical puppet respectfully escorted Angel through the corridor. Angel could identify that this puppet must be the younger of the twins, the one sold to Sridhar later on.
“Lord Wizard,” a timid voice reached Angel’s ears.
Angel looked at the mechanical puppet beside him.
“The conversation you had with the shop owner earlier, my brother and I both overheard it…” the puppet said, seemingly shyly, its voice hesitant. “To be honest, I’m really happy to be by my brother’s side. Our mother never cared for me in the past, but here I’m joyful every day.”
Angel neither responded nor stopped the mechanical puppet from speaking.
The puppet continued, “Even though I’ve become like this now, I don’t blame the shop owner.”
It seemed to be reminiscing. Although its mechanical face didn’t show emotions, its eyes occasionally dimmed or brightened, showing extraordinary vitality.
“At first, I was terrified and even despised the shop owner. But after spending time with him, I realized he’s not that bad.”
“I know many label the shop owner as a demon. But in truth, he’s simply pursuing his own path. He doesn’t harm people proactively. Even when he makes deals, he considers the situation from the passive party’s perspective and compensates those involved.”
“Just like with Sister Ananda.”
“While the shop owner took away her youth through a deal, he also provided her with what she sought.”
“The shop owner really dislikes children who cry, so whenever he sees Wimbledon, he avoids him. But he never drives Wimbledon away because Wimbledon represents the hope of Sister Ananda.”
Angel raised an eyebrow: “Hope?”
“Yes, precisely hope. Even though Sister Ananda has become transcendent, she no longer has the time to study and cultivate herself, and her future remains bleak. Since the shop owner took away Ananda’s youth, he obviously wouldn’t slap himself in the face by giving it back. However, to let Ananda still harbor hope, the shop owner subtly hinted at Wimbledon.”
Wimbledon, though often tearful, isn’t foolish. With just a hint, every time he visited, he would bring along life-related magical potions.
Even if Ananda didn’t meet him, he continued this habit.
With the support of these magical potions, Ananda gradually recovered and eventually became a first level apprentice, aging reversed slightly, making her appear younger.
It’s precisely because Wimbledon supported Ananda that, even if Sridhar wanted to punch Wimbledon every time he saw him, he still tacitly accepted his visits.
“The shop owner is actually quite kind.” At this point, the mechanical puppet paused: “Lord, we have arrived at your room.”
Angel nodded.
The mechanical puppet bowed deeply to him: “I’m very grateful for your patience in listening to my chatter. Actually, my elder brother wanted me to convey this to you. He is deeply thankful for the time you spoke on our behalf.”
After saying this, the mechanical puppet courteously gave another bow, retreated, and left.
Angel watched his figure disappear at the end of the corridor, chuckled softly to himself, and then turned to enter his room.
Chapter 1803 Balance and Communication <TOC> Chapter 1805 The Circle Stone Ritual