Chapter 2489 New Combinations <TOC> Chapter 2491 Canter Enters the Dream
Translator: SumTLMan
“You should go now,” Angel said gently after a nearly complete conversation with Da Vichyssoise, patting the spotted puppy’s head.
Although the spotted puppy seemed reluctant, it eventually jumped out of Angel’s arms and slowly moved to Da Vichyssoise’s side.
They said goodbye to each other.
Then, Da Vichyssoise and the spotted puppy slowly walked back to the passageway, a meatball and a puppy, slowly sinking into the pool and finally disappearing completely.
Angel quietly watched where they had vanished until the ripples in the star pool had completely settled, then he sighed softly to himself and turned to walk towards Rhine.
“They won’t leave the Land of Heart Sigh for other matters anytime soon,” Angel remarked.
Rhine nodded. He had overheard Angel’s probing conversation with Da Vichyssoise. Da Vichyssoise clearly revered someone called “Highness Shava,” and had not concealed anything in response to Angel’s questions. When the topic of leaving the Land of Heart Sigh came up, Da Vichyssoise clearly showed resistance, indicating that the creatures there were also reluctant to venture into the external world tainted with the aura of the Nightmare Plane.
“However, this barrier still needs repair, after all, who knows what might happen,” Angel spoke to himself before realizing that saying this had no real significance. He and the creatures of the Nightmare Plane still shared a certain unspoken agreement, and Rhine, being more concerned, would naturally consider deeper issues than him, like repairing the barriers, which didn’t really require his involvement.
The two then returned to the Observation Pavilion.
Iron Armor Granny and Tree Spirit glanced at them but didn’t ask what Angel and Da Vichyssoise had discussed; they merely asked, “Is it over?”
Angel nodded: “After the spotted puppy left, things here should be temporarily settled.”
“That’s good,” Tree Spirit stretched lazily: “I’m no longer needed here, so I’ll head back first.”
Before leaving, Tree Spirit turned to Angel: “By the way, when you’re ready to treat those mad patients inside my main body, just come straight over.”
After speaking, Tree Spirit whispered into Angel’s ear: “Don’t worry, you won’t be working for free. I’ll immediately post a rescue mission in the Mission Hall, and the rewards will be drawn from the patients’ pockets.”
Angel was silent; in his view, those mad patients had also contributed and were just unlucky. It seemed a bit too much for Tree Spirit to plan on taking another cut from them.
But Tree Spirit was determined to not change his mind: “Different matters are to be handled differently; you’re saving their lives after all. Besides, it’s their fault for being so careless and unsuspecting; they deserve it.”
With that, Tree Spirit didn’t waste further words with Angel and simply vanished.
“Don’t mind the harsh words of Tree Spirit; he actually cares a lot about those wizards afflicted with the syndrome of madness. After all, most of them grew up under his watch. Look, he’s now hurriedly going back to take care of them,” Rhine said with a chuckle.
Angel remained silent for a moment, then hesitantly spoke: “Hmm… I just sensed that Tree Spirit has gone to the Wilderness of Dreams.”
Rhine’s smile froze instantly.
“Hehe, what I actually meant was that his avatar is taking care of the patients,” Rhine explained awkwardly, forcing the words out.
This time, Angel didn’t shoot back because he wasn’t sure what Tree Spirit’s avatar was actually doing.
Iron Armor Granny, however, spoke softly from the side, “Isn’t Tree Spirit’s avatar at the ruins where Angel is staying, guarding ‘Mushroom Witch’ Regina?”
Rhine looked at Iron Armor Granny silently, squeezing out a response through gritted teeth, “I was referring to another avatar.”
Iron Armor Granny gave Rhine a knowing smile but didn’t expose him. Turning to Angel, she said, “That guy, Tree Spirit, was just in the Observation Pavilion with me, mumbling about the new features of the Tree Group. He seems quite fixated on it. I bet he’s soaking in the Tree Group right now.”
“New features of the Tree Group?” Angel was puzzled; he hadn’t been following the recent updates to the Tree Group.
“It’s not really a new feature, just a beta version… I guess that’s the right way to put it. I remember Jon mentioning that it’s only being tested in a limited scope,” Iron Armor Granny clarified. “Tree Spirit has testing privileges, so he’s always in there discussing with them.”
“I remember him mentioning something about a graphic-text system and profile editing,” Angel recalled.
Iron Armor Granny chuckled, “I haven’t seen the specifics yet, but from what Tree Spirit describes, it sounds intriguing. I must say, your mentor is quite the character.”
Iron Armor Granny genuinely believed that Jon was a unique individual with unique ideas, actions, and ways of thinking. Such a person, even if a mortal, was truly remarkable to her.
It was no wonder he could teach someone like Angel, a wizard with exceptional talent and innovative ideas.
Angel nodded in realization, “So that’s it.”
The graphic-text system alone probably wouldn’t catch Tree Spirit’s attention; there must be more to it. Angel planned to visit the Tree Group’s development team when he had time, to see what new things they had come up with.
Angel and Iron Armor Granny chatted idly for a while before stopping.
“Granny, I’ll leave this side to you for now. I’ve already notified the Aesop, and he’ll come by later to repair the barrier,” Rhine said, planning to head back and handle the follow-up.
Previously, to prevent other wizards from knowing about Angel’s connection with the creatures of Heart Sigh, Rhine had the other wizards temporarily leave. Additionally, at the beginning, Rhine had arranged for wizards to evacuate the populace of the Shadow Demon Kingdom, and now he needed to follow up on these matters.
Normally, these would be tasks for Tree Spirit, but since he had gone to the Wilderness of Dreams, Rhine had to take over.
With the Wilderness of Dreams, notifications and announcements weren’t too troublesome, just a mention in the Tree Group, and everyone would be aware. The tricky part was how to explain and soothe emotions.
The thought alone gave Rhine a headache, and he couldn’t help feeling a bit envious of Tree Spirit.
Rhine said, “As for you, Angel…”
Angel replied, “I’ll head back to the ruins where I’m staying first. I’m going to study the structure that the spotted puppy gave me. Once I figure it out, I’ll head over to Lord Tree Spirit.”
Rhine responded, “Then let’s head there together.”
Angel nodded, understanding that the supposed detour didn’t actually exist. If Rhine truly wanted to return, with his mastery over space, he could easily transfer out of the Mirror World. Thus, the detour must have held another meaning; Rhine likely had something specific he wanted to discuss privately with him.
Iron Armor Granny, seeing through the pretense but choosing not to expose it, smiled and nodded: “Alright, you two go ahead, I’ll stay here.”
After saying goodbye to Iron Armor Granny, it wasn’t long before Angel and Rhine left the vicinity of the Star Pool Ruins.
Angel thought Rhine would ask him about something vague that had been mentioned earlier, like the matter of the Mist Zone.
However, Rhine remained silent from beginning to end until they were almost at the dwelling within the ruins. It was then that Rhine finally spoke, and indeed he posed a question, but it was far from what Angel had anticipated.
“Not long ago, I encountered Sage Magu in the Fire Domain.” As Rhine spoke, he glanced towards the shoulder of Angel, where a section of a white jade-like severed hand was gripping a tear clasp containing the Blood Night Sanctuary.
This severed hand belonged to Dangros.
“Magu inquired about Dangros’ condition. I hadn’t seen you before, so I wasn’t sure how to respond. But now, it seems you two get along quite harmoniously?”
Angel nodded, “Dangros has been quite well-behaved lately.”
Aside from the major fire it caused in Saint Seim City, it had indeed been obedient, especially during its initial confrontation with Number 03, when Dangros had exerted significant effort.
Dangros, clearly hearing Angel’s praise, flickered its eyes located in the palm of its hand, its expression bashful.
Rhine glanced at Dangros: “It’s good that you’re getting along well… after all, if elemental partners are in intense opposition, it can easily lead to backlash.”
Elemental partner? Angel was momentarily taken aback; he hadn’t considered making Dangros an elemental partner.
He had already set his sights on Kolokcro as his preferred choice.
Just as Angel was about to object, he caught a glimpse of Dangros beside him… Dangros was as silent as before, probably still not having processed the situation.
Looking at Dangros, Angel pondered: If I outright refuse and reject this, could it hurt its fragile spirit? Could it make them feel looked down upon?
With these thoughts, Angel hesitated for a moment and swallowed the words he was about to say. Instead, he asked, “Does Lord Rhine mean that all wizards get along well with their elemental partners?”
“There are also oppositions, and they are not in the minority. After all, absolute power can suppress all dissent and make efficiency faster,” Rhine explained. “If you can’t harmonize with your elemental partner, you’ll have to take the authoritarian route. But if you can harmonize, why foster opposition?”
Typically, mature elemental creatures possess their own consciousness and opinions, and unless their ideologies truly align, it’s difficult for them to completely obey another person. However, once subdued, they can quickly become a powerful ally. Elemental sprites, raised from a young age, can have converging ideologies, making them more compatible as partners, though their strength must grow gradually.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and Rhine personally leans towards the latter. After all, Angel is not just an illusionist wizard; he is also an alchemist, and future alchemy will definitely require a more compatible fire elemental partner. If the relationship is antagonistic, then alchemy can easily go awry.
Angel nods, understanding what Rhine is saying, as his question was merely a diversion. However, Rhine is correct, and since he has set his sights on Kolokcro, he should consider how to cultivate a friendship with it.
Angel: “Since Lord Rhine has already met Sage Magu, the Tidal Realm conference should be starting soon, right?”
Rhine nods: “Many elemental monarchs from various domains have already arrived in the Fire Domain, and the conference will commence shortly. The specific details and procedures are still complex; I’ll discuss them with you when we return to the Tidal Realm after handling the aftermath of the ruins.”
As they speak, the ruins where Angel is temporarily staying come into view.
Rhine: “We’re here now, so you go ahead.”
Angel hesitates at the passage: “Any other questions for me?”
Rhine smiles: “Not for now; we’ll Table Discussion of other matters when we visit the Wilderness of Dreams with your mentor.”
Sanders is currently not returning to the Savage Grottoes but is temporarily stationed in the Tidal Realm. Thus, communication can only happen in the Wilderness of Dreams.
Angel nods, thinking Rhine might be interested in the issues concerning the Enforcer and the Mysterious Fruit, or perhaps the spotted puppy’s dilemma, but it seems he has simply glossed over them.
Since Rhine isn’t asking, Angel is relieved; many matters are tricky to articulate, yet he cannot tell falsehoods, so he must use rhetoric for concealment. Now, without needing to think about rhetoric, he saves himself the trouble.
Angel turns to open the grand doors of the ruins, just then, Rhine’s voice comes from behind.
“One more thing.”
Angel turns around.
“What do you think about the last question Da Vichyssoise asked you?”
Hearing this, Angel falls into deep thought. Not long ago, when he was nearly done conversing with Da Vichyssoise, he suddenly said——
“As the most Adorable Da Vichyssoise, may I pose a small question to Highness Shava?”
Angel did not refuse.
“On the next Feast Moon Day, can Adorable Da Vichyssoise again taste the sweets made by Highness Shava?”
This question, on the surface, seems to be about Da Vichyssoise wanting to eat the nightmare-infused magic nourish meats, but at its core, it’s about Da Vichyssoise hoping to meet with Angel on the Feast Moon Day.
And each month on the Feast Moon Day, the Land of Heart Sigh hosts a dinner, which Minister Nooka had previously invited Angel to attend.
Clearly, Da Vichyssoise hopes that Angel will join the dinner gathering next month.
The spotted puppy was a fallback, and Angel naturally did not want to go. However, he couldn’t outright refuse, so he could only give a vague reply: “If I’m around, I’ll prepare desserts for the lovely Da Vichyssoise.”
Da Vichyssoise didn’t press on, merely nodding happily.
But now that Rhine had brought it up, it was clear he wanted to know Angel’s real thoughts.
“I’ve said before that I actually want to go, as it is an opportunity to get a closer look at the conditions in the Land of Heart Sigh,” Angel paused, silently adding in his mind: Moreover, he had an arrangement with Boil Gentleman, who would go to the Minister of Arms to obtain a new light solvent for him. Although Angel had not yet used light solvents, from Boil Gentleman’s description, he could tell how powerful they are for alchemy.
Even just for the light solvents, Angel wanted to make a trip to the Land of Heart Sigh.
But…
“The premise of everything is that there is a way to deal with the inherent threat of the Nightmare Plane creatures,” Angel said helplessly.
Last time, with the protection of the spotted puppy, he could temporarily ignore those threats. But now, without the spotted puppy, just the threat of the Nightmare Plane creatures was enough to cause Angel’s “Shava persona” to crash.
Especially the threat from Minister Nooka, which was no less intimidating than Rhine’s.
Finding a solution to this problem, Angel, even if he wanted to go, could only look on helplessly.
After hearing Angel’s words, Rhine didn’t ask anything more, merely nodding thoughtfully: “I understand.”
Chapter 2489 New Combinations <TOC> Chapter 2491 Canter Enters the Dream