Translator: SumTLMan
The moment he retracted the Opulent Nightmare Domain, Angel’s face twisted again, his golden hair returning to red. Even his demeanor changed from graceful and composed to nonchalant.
Kudou watched this transformation, mouth agape, wanting to say something.
However, Angel gestured for silence with a finger to his lips, making a “shushing” motion.
Kudou, not a fool, understood Angel’s desire to keep his identity hidden. Recalling the recent rumors in the alleyways, there indeed was no word of Angel returning to the Savage Grottoes, likely a deliberate choice by Angel.
“Let’s go, you lead the way. I’m going to meet Babaya,” Angel said, pushing open the door and stepping out first.
Kudou, unsure of what Angel’s meeting with Babaya might entail, felt it would not be ill-intended and could even be an opportunity for her.
With this thought, Kudou hesitated no more and hurriedly followed.
Angel moved swiftly, striding out from the second floor to the bar’s front hall. Though Kudou was small, his racial talents granted him exceptional speed, easily keeping pace with Angel; otherwise, he wouldn’t have applied to become a scout for the Tiger Armored Adventuring Team.
The bartender, seeing Angel and Kudou leave, showed no surprise, merely murmuring to himself after they disappeared, “Why would a powerful, formal wizard associate with Kudou?”
By then, Angel had already exited the Night of Swan Lake, and the moment he stepped out, the door behind him slowly vanished, blending into the moss-covered, mottled walls. The clamor within the bar was completely sealed away.
“Where is she now, do you know?” Angel asked, looking down at Kudou at his feet.
Kudou looked up confidently and replied, “I know, Babaya is near Tree Spirit Court.”
Angel did not inquire about the specific location; since Kudou knew, he could lead the way.
As Kudou led the way, Angel followed while releasing mental tendrils that spread into the depths of the dark alley.
Angel’s intention was to take the rare opportunity to visit the underground market and use his mental power to check on Promi Alchemy Shop. However, there was nothing unusual about the shop as its doors were firmly closed. But as his mental power reached the path to the alchemy shop, he intercepted many intriguing pieces of information.
These snippets were exchanges between individuals in the dark alley, and Angel happened to capture them in the world of mental power.
The content of the information was varied: some gossip, some secrets, and Angel even heard news related to himself. However, what surprised him most was that he heard some prophecies related to the recently concluded Star Observing Day.
Considering that Star Observing Day had just ended and the exchange meeting hadn’t even concluded yet, it was astonishing that such information was already circulating in the alleys.
Moreover, almost all the disseminated content was accurate!
If it wasn’t leaked from the higher-ups, then the alleyways indeed had their own channels of information. At the moment, Angel wasn’t prepared to delve deeper into how the information was leaked; what concerned him was that almost all the information related to Star Observing Day was centered around Totoro.
Every piece of information related to Totoro involved calculations, collaborations, and conspiracies. Clearly, many were eyeing Totoro’s prophetic abilities.
“Indeed, as Tree Spirit predicted, the signs have already begun to manifest.” Although currently, it was mostly apprentices scheming against Totoro in the alleyways, there was no doubt that Totoro would soon attract the attention of formal wizards.
It seems it’s time for Totoro to return to the Savage Grottoes soon… In the Savage Grottoes, even if he might be schemed against by these apprentices, there are still solutions. But if he encounters the plots of a formal wizard outside, that would be troublesome.
…
After leaving the underground market, Kudou made his way through the Apprentice Town towards the center of the Mirror World.
“As I walk, it seems like there are fewer people in Apprentice Town,” Angel noted, observing the surroundings.
Kudou: “It’s not just Apprentice Town; the underground market has also seen fewer people recently. Lord, have you not noticed that many shops are temporarily closed?”
Angel hadn’t noticed that the underground market was less crowded, as it was still bustling. But Kudou’s comment about many shops being temporarily closed reminded Angel of the earlier reconnaissance at Promi Alchemy Shop.
Generally, Promi Alchemy Shop only close temporarily when restocking. Angel had thought the staff went to restock, but Kudou’s words suggested there was more to it.
Kudou: “Because the tea party is about to be held in the Savage Grottoes.”
“Lady Liana posted a lot of tasks related to the tea party in the Mission Hall, including venue arrangement, celebration-related tasks, training for elemental fireworks personnel, hunting for magical materials, procurement of refreshments… etc. These tasks require a lot of manpower, so many people from both Apprentice Town and the underground market are participating in the early preparations for this grand event.”
“Including Babaya, who is now tasked with arranging the venue near Tree Spirit Court.”
Angel nodded in understanding: “Even Babaya is involved? That means there must be many tasks and good rewards. Then why would you choose to venture into the wilderness instead of earning magic crystals by participating in the arrangements?”
Kudou showed a bitter smile and said, “I wish I could, but the missions assigned by Lady Liana have strength indicators, and my power is too insignificant to undertake them. As for the arrangement tasks, I too desire them, but can’t compete with others.”
“The reason Babaya can undertake arrangement tasks is that she’s involved in the interior decoration of certain building’s tea party halls. To avoid the residual pheromones of men in the tea halls, such tasks are exclusively handed to women.”
Women, whether apprentices or witches, are a rarity in the Savage Grottoes. Thus, Babaya can easily secure arrangement tasks, while Kudou cannot.
Angel understood then; no wonder there were so few people in Apprentice Town, they were all preparing for the tea party.
Indeed, the tea party is an event even Lord Rhine values immensely. Now that it’s Liana’s turn to lead and is being held in the Savage Grottoes, it naturally demands significant attention.
When Angel arrived at Tree Spirit Court with Kudou, he immediately felt the vigorous atmosphere preceding the grand event.
Even though they hadn’t reached the main venue of the tea party, Angel already saw the bustling crowd, not just transcendents but also far more ordinary people than usual.
Their goal was unified. The secondary area of Tree Spirit Court, the shady side of the Eternal Tree that receives less sunlight. Previously, it was undeveloped, like everyone’s backyard. Now, for the pomp of the tea party, the backyard has been cleared, and various buildings have risen from the ground.