Chapter 2441 Sudden Decision <TOC> Chapter 2443 Captive
Translator: SumTLMan
For several kilometers, Angel flew silently alongside Sanders without uttering a word.
As the distance from Ghost Shipyard Island grew significantly, Angel took the initiative to speak up, “Mentor, is there something you wish to ask me?”
Sanders glanced at Angel calmly and asked, “Your return wasn’t specifically to witness the emergence of disorder, was it?”
“Indeed, only Mentor would truly understand me,” Angel’s response affirmed Sanders’ speculation.
Sanders stopped mid-air, prompting Angel to halt as well and look back. “I believe you had compelling reasons to go back, but there’s something I want you to understand,” Sanders said.
“What is it?” Angel turned to face him with curiosity.
“All things in this world, including what you consider important, are not as precious as life itself,” Sanders paused for emphasis. “You must be alive to have everything. If you’re dead, everything else becomes irrelevant.”
Angel grasped the meaning behind Sanders’ words.
From the beginning, Sanders had not obstructed him, perhaps reflecting a value orientation in handling interpersonal relationships, but it did not mean Sanders supported all of Angel’s choices unconditionally.
He simply respected Angel’s decisions, preferring not to interfere with others’ choices.
However, Sanders’ true feelings might align more with individuals like Nisi; he wasn’t keen on Angel getting involved with matters at the heart of the Mist Belt.
The issues there not only exceeded the limitations of the Southern Region’s homeland but also surpassed power level limitations.
Even someone of Rhine’s realm risked falling if not careful, let alone Angel.
Thus, even though Sanders had supported Angel’s decision earlier, he didn’t want to watch him venture into danger without objection. Hence, he chose to accompany Angel and used words of caution as a form of deterrence.
“Do you wish to see your elder brother mourning for you beyond the stars? Your mentor, lying alone in an icy tomb, reduced to bones? And those you care about, as well as those who care about you, grieving?”
After a moment of contemplation, Angel quietly said, “I do not wish for that.”
“Is that truly what you feel inside?”
“Yes.”
Sanders observed Angel, still stationary, and softly asked, “Yet, you still plan to return to the center of the Mist Belt, even if it means causing sorrow to those you cherish?”
Hesitating for a moment, Angel nodded.
Sanders remained silent for a long time, nearly half a minute, before he finally spoke again, “Do you… do you believe you can survive?”
Sanders continued to inquire about Angel’s purpose, but rather sought a response more aligned with an idealistic outcome.
“Yes,” Angel responded with certainty.
Sanders narrowed his eyes: “You really believe someone will save you?”
Angel remained silent.
“You want to ask me why I’m so sure someone will save me?”
With a sly smile, Angel implied both yes and no.
“Your confident answer of ‘yes’ surely indicates you have some strong backing. I don’t know where your confidence comes from, but it’s likely one of a few possibilities.”
“The Enforcer, creatures of the Nightmare Plane, and those from the void,” Sanders stated with near certainty.
This speculation was fairly straightforward for Sanders. In his view, to seek fortune in the heart of the Mist Belt, one must possess special abilities or legendary strength at the very least.
And in such cases, the first entity Sanders would associate with Angel was the Enforcer.
The Enforcer’s previous demeanor towards Angel was notably different from that towards others. Thus, the Enforcer was a possibility. However, considering the possibility that the Enforcer had allowed Angel to leave before and was now calling him back, it seemed somewhat inconsistent, making Sanders think the Enforcer was less likely.
Beyond the Enforcer, another source of help for Angel could be the creatures of the Nightmare Plane.
The creatures of the Nightmare Plane are more mysterious and powerful. Angel’s status in the Nightmare Plane might allow some creatures there to assist him, giving him the confidence to head to the center of the Mist Belt. However, Sanders felt the likelihood of this was low because, from start to finish, there had been no involvement of any Nightmare Plane creatures, and as the pioneer of Nightmare Illusions, he had not sensed any presence from the Nightmare Plane in the center of the Mist Belt.
No matter how powerful or how much they could be Angel’s backing, the creatures of the Nightmare Plane wouldn’t inexplicably send Angel back to the center of the Mist Belt. Moreover, did the creatures of the Nightmare Plane really know what was in the center of the Mist Belt?
As for the last possibility: the Void.
It was something Sanders had not considered before, but he noticed a detail about Angel.
Upon leaving the Mist Belt, Angel was clean, accompanied only by Dangros and no other creatures.
Yet now, as he departed from Ghost Shipyard Island, an additional entity was present with Angel.
It was a creature invisible to the naked eye, existing only in the energy realm, with an exceedingly subtle presence——A Void Traveler.
The sudden appearance of this void creature beside Angel naturally sparked Sanders’ thoughts.
Especially since, after mentioning these three possibilities, Angel subconsciously glanced at the Void Traveler, further convincing Sanders that Angel’s confidence in returning to the center of the Mist Belt this time might stem from the void.
However, does Angel recognize any creatures from the void? Sanders has never heard of it, after all, everyone has their own opportunities, and he cannot be fully aware of all matters related to Angel.
“It seems my guess is correct,” Sanders said. “Even if you think there will be powerful beings to help you, do you really feel completely at ease?”
“Relying on others for the strength to survive is not the first choice a solitary wizard would consider.”
“Moreover, are you really sure that the beings helping you are doing so wholeheartedly? No matter who they are, they inevitably have their own selfish desires. When these desires swell to an uncontrollable extent, so-called promises are merely empty words.”
“Even I may not help you with all my heart.”
“I understand,” Angel responded.
You understand, but you still won’t listen. Sanders silently supplemented Angel’s inner thoughts, as his mentor, Sanders knew him well. Angel understands the principle, but the decision he has already made is difficult to change.
“I’ve come back this time not to meddle in central affairs but just to do a positioning task.”
“Positioning? To let a certain being know the coordinates and then descend?” Sanders pointed to the Void Traveler beside him: “Then let it go over, wouldn’t that be enough?”
Angel shook his head: “Haralenne won’t work, only I can do the positioning.”
After a pause, Angel continued: “Moreover, what I said before, about observing the process of the ascension of the disorderly object, although it was just a makeshift excuse, the moment I said it, I had a premonition that returning was the right choice.”
“It was even a strong premonition… as if making a choice that could turn the path of life.”
“Perhaps it was just my illusion, but at that moment, I truly felt that way. So, I was even more determined to come.”
When Angel spoke these words, Sanders suddenly fell silent.
What Angel said was vague, even somewhat obscure and confusing. However, Sanders was very clear about what Angel was trying to express.
Because he had faced similar choices. When he was in front of a significant decision that could affect his life, he had the same feeling.
This is not false rhetoric or delusional thoughts but a real existence… Destiny is elusive, but there are always some beings chasing miracles that can sway destiny.
For instance, the Time Thief.
Sanders was marked by the Time Thief, so when he was making a significant choice, he would have a similar feeling.
Even the Time Thief would personally visit to steal the choices Sanders gave up.
This feeling is indeed real, thus Angel’s strong premonition might also be real. This is a unique hint from those marked by the Time Thief.
However, this time the Time Thief seems to have not arrived, nor has he stolen Angel’s choice. Perhaps he feels that stealing this time is meaningless?
With things having reached this point, Sanders naturally couldn’t stop anymore.
As someone marked by the Time Thief, after experiencing various difficult decisions, he has developed a character that dislikes interfering with others’ choices. If not for Angel being indeed very important to him, Sanders would not want to intervene.
But now, Angel has told him that his choice might concern the future’s flow of destiny.
Sanders dares not stop him then.
To stay or to go, previously was a choice of no significant consequence. But now, it has turned into a significant choice that even the Time Thief might pay attention to.
Interfering with Angel’s choice at this moment might very well change his own destiny as well.
Sanders was silent for a moment, then slowly said, “Since you feel this choice is important, then eliminate all possible interference and follow what your heart desires.”
Angel nodded solemnly in agreement.
Sanders looked at the endless black sea in front of him: “My illusion avatar has reached its limit, let’s part ways here. Just like what was said on the island, I hope to see you return alive.”
After these words, Sanders gently patted Angel on the shoulder, then turned into foam and disappeared without a trace.
…
After Sanders left, Angel hovered in place, pondering for a moment.
“Eliminate all possible interference, follow what your heart desires.” These were the words Sanders had said earlier, and Angel was mulling over them now.
If this choice is really so important, then could he be interfered with by some external factors? Is his choice really the correct one?
Angel was also seeking to see clearly and rethinking whether his decision was hasty.
…
Meanwhile, in a dimension that cannot be peered into.
This place is densely filled with a large number of clocks, round, square, long, flat, and even some half-embedded into the void. At a glance, it’s impossible to see their number.
Among all the clocks, there is one in the very center that is the most gigantic and conspicuous.
Because, atop this clock, sits an upright shadow.
The shadow appeared comfortably idle, listening intently to the ticking sounds of the surrounding clocks while humming an unidentifiable tune through its nose.
Suddenly, among the multitude of clocks, the hands of a round clock began to jump.
As the minute and hour hands simultaneously pointed to the 12 o’clock position, a clear and loud chime echoed through this endless space, densely packed with numerous time gears.
Only then did the shadow lift its head, looking towards the chime that reverberated through time and space.
“A mark has triggered a selection,” the shadow murmured. “Let’s see.”
With a mere gesture, the shadow pulled the round clock in front of him.
At that moment, golden light flowed within the clock.
“Ah, the overflow of the nectar of time, truly the sweetest… It seems necessary to take a look.”
With a light leap, the shadow jumped down from the top of the clock.
Simultaneously, at the clock’s grand center, where the axle should be, a round metal door appeared. The shadow walked up to the metal door, ready to push it open and step into the territory of the marked.
However, the moment his hand touched the round metal door, a sharp pain pricked his fingertip.
He withdrew his hand.
A drop of pale golden blood slowly emerged from the tip, flowing momentarily before dropping into the void… disappearing without a trace.
The shadow lingered for a while, eventually deciding not to step through the metal door but to return to the top of the clock.
“Going there, I have a bad premonition.”
But from whom did this bad premonition stem?
The marked individual? It seemed not.
“Could it be that, by going, I might encounter an old acquaintance?” After pondering for a moment, the shadow did not find the answer within the time gears.
“Better not to go.”
He thought for a bit, his gaze returning to the round clock still radiating golden light.
“It seems to be a person of profound impact… Well, let’s add a note.”
As he spoke, the clock, which had a somewhat dusty exterior, began to glow with a moist luster.
At the same time, a faint silhouette appeared at the very center of the clock.
If Angel were here, he would recognize that this silhouette was exactly how he looked years ago when he was crafting the Blood Night Sanctuary.
Gazing quietly at Angel’s illusion, the shadow’s lips curved into a slight smile.
“Oh, it’s you, youngster.”
The voice of the shadow carried a hint of amusement, as if he had found an interesting toy. He did not immediately move towards the metal door to the chosen place, instead, he carefully observed Angel’s illusion.
It seemed as if he wanted to imprint the image of Angel deep within his eyes.
After a long while, the shadow chuckled softly, in a good mood, he erased the illusion and then pushed the round clock aside.
But this time, he did not push the round clock into the distant pile of clocks to return it to its place.
Instead, Drawn the Clock Closer as it hovered near the giant clock.
There were very few clocks here, only about a thousand or so. Each of these differently shaped clocks shone with an incredibly dazzling brilliance, and they were also quite large, some even approaching the size of the giant clockwheel near which the shadow stood.
The round clock representing Angel, within this forest of massive clocks, seemed very small and dim, even somewhat discordant and awkward to an extreme degree.
If someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder saw this scene, they would probably be so agitated that they could dig through the earth’s core with their toenails.
But the shadow clearly had no such compulsions, or rather, his compulsions did not lie in appearances. He not only showed no displeasure but even became happier, whistling cheerfully.