Chapter 2438 Pawel Has Arrived <TOC> Chapter 2440 Island Return
Translator: SumTLMan
After Pawel departed, Canter quietly established a mental connection, pulling Sanders into the “group chat” as well.
As soon as the mental connection was connected, Sanders heard Nisi saying, “Shouldn’t we be leaving now?”
Everyone silently nodded in agreement.
The arrival of Pawel, although it startled them greatly, was not without its benefits.
The immense pressure it exerted paralyzed the sea creatures in the surrounding waters, and slowed the movement of Number 03. This effectively restrained Number 03’s movements and delayed the maturation of the Mysterious Fruit.
This allowed the group to avoid the immediate threat posed by the Mysterious Fruit.
However, the omnipresent pressure also prevented them from using planar passages to leave. Forcing their way through could potentially result in spatial collapse.
“Then let’s leave for the reef island,” Nisi paused, “I’ve also told Firo to wait for us there.”
Angel nodded in agreement: “Alright.”
Nausica was previously arranged by Nisi to wait on reef island. Additionally, Cindy and the others who had accompanied Firo on the mission to the Mist Zone were also there. Therefore, a visit to reef island was necessary.
Moreover, reef island was near the edge of the Mist Zone, presumably outside the area affected by the pressure. They could use planar passages there. Even if they didn’t use planar passages, encountering danger would still allow them to hide in the endless spatial rifts, ensuring their safety.
Everyone agreed to Nisi’s suggestion.
Before their departure, Angel bowed deeply to the Enforcer and sincerely expressed his gratitude.
It might seem as if the Enforcer hadn’t done much, but in reality, the “Law of Distortion” was constantly emanating from him. With the help of the Distortion Domain, their attraction to the fruit was significantly reduced later on. Furthermore, the pressure from Pawel was also weakened by the Distortion Domain.
Although the Distortion Domain was an unconscious release by the Enforcer, acting more as a passive effect and not as strong as if it were actively released, it still greatly assisted Angel and the others.
Besides, without the Enforcer, Pawel might not have so easily let them go.
Regardless, they were definitely grateful to the Enforcer.
The Enforcer was indifferent to their gratitude, simply stating, “I know who you are, Angel. We shall meet again.”
Angel was taken aback for a moment before regaining his composure and nodding solemnly, “I will await your arrival in the Wilderness of Dreams.”
The Enforcer’s gaze paused for a moment. His so-called “we will meet again” did not carry the meaning Angel understood, but instead, after experiencing the one-sided spectacles, he planned to meet with Angel based on the value received and make a compensatory exchange. Therefore, he was certain to meet Angel once more, no matter what.
However, it seemed Angel misunderstood, thinking they would meet in the Wilderness of Dreams.
The Wilderness of Dreams… Could it be a means to meet from a distance?
Was this a spatial type of tool that could link distant locations?
The Enforcer was still unclear on the principle, but he grew increasingly interested in the Wilderness of Dreams and the Mother Tree Network that Angel mentioned.
The Enforcer aimed to explain to Angel that he had misunderstood, simply nodding lightly: “Do whatever you must do, whether to go or stay is a choice.”
At this, everyone simultaneously bowed and slowly distanced themselves.
After leaving the Distortion Domain created by the Enforcer, the surrounding pressure immediately increased, and the attraction of the Mysterious Fruit in the distance also climbed. However, with Angel’s domain, everything remained under control.
Angel took out the Gondola, found the direction, and swiftly cut through the stagnant air, heading towards the distance.
Watching the departing Gondola, the Enforcer sighed softly.
Angel’s choice to leave was indeed correct in the current situation, as danger was certainly present.
But danger also meant opportunity. The greater the danger, the greater the opportunity.
The process of the Mysterious Fruit partially going out of control and then fully succumbing to disorder is extremely rare among the innumerable planes, and even if Angel only obtained the Mysterious Fruit or merely witnessed this event from afar, it would greatly benefit his journey on the mysterious path of alchemy.
Unfortunately, time was not on his side.
Had Angel been slightly stronger, faced with this situation again, he might not have fled but instead seized the opportunity.
However, reality often does not conform to one’s wishes.
Opportunities are fleeting and hard to come by again.
The Enforcer felt no regret for others, but he sighed for Angel because Frost saw potential in Angel, believing he could become a mysterious alchemist. Hence, the Enforcer’s lament.
…
On the other hand, Angel, unaware of the Enforcer’s thoughts, was leaning against the ship’s rail, looking in the direction of the laboratory.
Without any surprises, after meeting up with Nausica and others, they would soon leave this place.
Before leaving, Angel was reminiscing about this laboratory adventure.
This laboratory venture was rushed and unplanned, but they gained quite a bit.
Among what excites Angel the most is not the organ attached with Soul Armor, but the vast collection of books replicated on the fifth level, especially the —Dance of the Metals— series of journals. All of these represent knowledge, which, while broadening one’s horizons, also opens up perspectives to understand the approach to alchemy in other worlds.
However, there is a bit of regret that several Hunt and Kill Numbers are left in the laboratory. It would have been better if they could have been taken along as well. Those contain the essence of logic from alchemists of different worlds.
Moreover, their timing to enter was actually quite opportune. Number 01 was about to undertake a significant action, the pursuit from the City of Phantasm had also arrived, and even the Enforcer had shown up. Compared to this, the entry of Angel and the others into the laboratory seemed insignificant. In the future, if the River Legacy Society were to send someone to investigate, it’s unlikely they would discover their presence.
Even if they were discovered, it’s doubtful there would be any significant consequences, given their strict adherence to the rules of the laboratory and the minimal amount of items they took. The various books and knowledge Angel acquired were replicated through illusion, not taken directly.
As for the organ of the Ziz cub, it was something privately stored by Number 01, unknown to the River Legacy Society.
Thus, even if members of the River Legacy Society were to descend into the Southern Region, it would be difficult for them to trouble them.
Moreover, their reason for coming was legitimate: to investigate live sacrifices.
If this were to be exposed, the River Legacy Society would also find it difficult to handle the situation. Members of the Extreme Sect would definitely cling to them persistently.
Angel considered all possible aspects that might have been overlooked, ensuring that their venture in the laboratory should not face any significant risks, before he felt relieved.
Snapping back to reality, Angel heard Firo’s voice through the mental connection.
Firo: “By the way, the one you were talking about earlier, that Pa… what was it?”
Canter: “Pawel. Try not to mention this name outright in the open; through the mental connection is fine.”
Firo: “I understand, Pawel. It went in the direction of the laboratory? Was it for Number 01? In that case, Number 01 has probably missed his chance, right?”
Firo’s voice was somewhat regretful. After hearing the story of Number 01, he had felt a slight sympathy for him. Although it was Number 01’s own doing that led to his current situation, Firo thought that if he were in Number 01’s place, he probably would have acted the same against that peculiar creature as well.
With empathy comes bias, which is why Firo felt a bit regretful.
“Pawel has gone there; how could Number 01 possibly have a chance.” Canter said.
Firo sighed: “This is the tragedy of the underdog, I guess.”
Angel listened to the conversation in the mental connection for a while but did not interject. Taking a stance on such matters, if truly considered, would be troublesome. However, regarding Firo’s final question, Angel was pondering: Does Number 01 really not have any chance at all?
Judging by the style of Number 01’s letters, there indeed were traces of madness, but resignation… Angel could not see it.
Angel just thought about it briefly before moving on.
Time gradually passed, and by now, they had left the center of the Mist Belt, drawing ever closer to the reef island.
Everyone began to relax more because here, the oppressive atmosphere had almost vanished.
Having left the storm’s epicenter, they all felt a sense of joy.
But wait, one person’s expression seemed peculiar.
Angel noticed Reynolds, who was sitting atop the stern deck, his gaze slightly vacant, staring blankly at the sky.
“Reynolds,” Angel called out softly.
Startled, Reynolds turned to look at Angel, his eyes filled with a hint of confusion. “My lord, did you call me?”
Angel nodded. “I wanted to ask about your plans moving forward. However, your demeanor seems a bit off. Is something the matter?”
Shaking his head, Reynolds replied, “Nothing. It’s just that I feel something odd, as if I can hear the sound of the tide.”
The sound of the tide? They were near the open sea, wasn’t hearing the sound of tides normal?
Everyone looked puzzled.
Reynolds clarified, “It’s not the actual sound of the sea, but more like… an illusion? Moreover, this sound doesn’t come from below but surrounds me from all sides. Do you, hear it too?”
Exchanging glances, Angel and Sanders both saw confusion in each other’s eyes. “We don’t hear any sound.”
“That’s strange. I can hear it very clearly,” Reynolds said, looking up at the sky. “Moreover, I feel like the sound of the tide is calling out to me. It seems to be pulling me, and my body feels so light, as though I could fly into… there.”
“Eh?” Reynolds’ logic seemed peculiar, and everyone was even more baffled.
Suddenly, Reynolds’ voice grew louder: “Do you hear it now? The sound is louder, as if thundering right next to my ear, and it feels like it’s pulling me…”
Seeing Reynolds’ neurotic behavior, everyone started to wonder if he had gone mad from being disembodied for too long.
At that moment, Nisi, leaning against the ship’s side, suddenly spoke: “If you wish to die, you could follow that calling voice.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Nisi.
Curiously, Sanders asked, “Can you hear the sound?”
Nisi shook his head. “I can’t hear it, but I know what Reynolds is hearing.”
Without beating around the bush or any pause, Nisi directly said, “That’s the Voice of Soul’s Homeland.”
The moment Nisi mentioned “the Voice of Soul’s Homeland,” Sanders and Canter both showed signs of realization, evidently having heard of the Soul’s Homeland before.
Only Angel, due to his limited experiences, looked bewilderedly at Sanders for an explanation.
Sanders spoke, “The Voice of Soul’s Homeland is a precursor to the Qwest World’s intervention in the material realm, a summoning voice reminding lost souls that they are about to return to their homeland.”
At this point, Nisi added, “Every independent soul can hear this sound. I remember you can perform soul projection; why not try detaching your soul to listen?”
Angel hesitated before using the Mysterious Soul Whisper.
At the moment his soul left his body, he indeed heard waves of ocean sounds by his ear, which also had a certain allure, tempting the soul to go towards a specific place. However, compared to the attraction of the previous Mysterious Fruit, it was significantly weaker.
After Angel’s soul returned, Sanders continued, “Its occurrence also signifies that not long from now, the Qwest World’s flowing light band will soon encircle our current world.”
Sanders’ statement made Angel suddenly recall a question he had once asked Freud: how do souls ultimately reach the Qwest World?
Since Freud was not a soul wizard, his answer was vague: the Qwest World is commonly perceived as a higher-dimensional existence, or rather, a flowing light band. When this light band connects with the Southern Region, souls in the Southern Region might just turn around a corner and find themselves in the Qwest World.
However, it’s hard to predict when this flowing light band will connect with the Southern Region. Sometimes it happens quickly, arriving every few days, and sometimes slowly, perhaps not appearing for hundreds of years.
Angel asked, “Wizard Nisi, do you mean that the Wizarding World of the Southern Region is about to connect with the Qwest World?”
Nisi nodded, “Yes, it’s been a very long time since the last connection. I didn’t expect that this connection would happen today.”
Seeing Angel’s serious expression, Nisi said nonchalantly, “Don’t worry, even if it really connects, the flowing light band that surrounds the entire Wizarding World of the Southern Region will only benefit the living, with no harm. Otherwise, the World Will wouldn’t allow its occurrence.”
“Even souls, as long as they have deep convictions, can choose to stay and won’t go to the Qwest World. So, your group of soul followers, including Freud, will definitely not leave.”
“When the Qwest World connects with the Southern Region, the most affected will be those confused ghosts. Their minds are chaotic, and their souls are full of negative energy; facing the attraction of the light band, they cannot resist. Once the light band disappears, a large number of ghosts will enter the Qwest World, which is also a great thing, equivalent to cleansing the filth of the world.”
Canter also said, “Actually, many people are looking forward to the day when the Qwest World connects with the Southern Region.”
“Looking forward?” Angel inquired.
Canter nodded, “Many ancient ruins actually contain a large number of ghosts. Facing such ruins, many formal wizards do not wish to explore. But once the Qwest World connects with the Southern Region, at least half of the ghosts inside will be attracted by the light band and head to the Qwest World. Exploring the ruins then will become much easier.”
“It’s estimated that it won’t take long before a wave of exploration of ruins begins.”
Chapter 2438 Pawel Has Arrived <TOC> Chapter 2440 Island Return