Chapter 2555 The Noah’s Secret <TOC> Chapter 2557 Bylron Tree Court
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Translator: SumTLMan
“Is our expedition destination related to the Noah family? You mean, the Black Count knew about this, which is why he had Vai join us… No, I was the one who invited Vai. Could it be that the Black Count sensed something suddenly?”
Daus muttered to himself for a while, ending up confusing even himself.
“I won’t speculate whether the Black Count knows about the door’s connection to the Noah family, or if it was a spontaneous decision. I’m just reminding you, even though Vai is your friend, don’t trust him too much during this expedition.”
Daus nodded solemnly: “I understand.”
Vai is, after all, a member of the Noah family, and he carries the Black Count’s nose, meaning his actions are likely influenced by the Black Count. Hence, Angel’s reminder is quite necessary.
“Since you know it might be related to the Noah family, you still decided to let Vai come along?” Daus asked, a bit puzzled. If it were him, he would have canceled the expedition.
Angel replied: “Why not? After all, that place might be the territory of the Noah family, and there might be a need for Vai.”
Angel’s point made sense, but Daus still felt the risk was significant.
Daus’ worries are not unfounded, but he doesn’t know that Angel has his own trump card. Just having Eremy is enough to counter the Black Count’s nose. As long as the Black Count doesn’t show up personally, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Even if the Black Count does come personally, Angel also has the backup of the Wilderness of Dreams, so he isn’t concerned about this risk.
Besides, Angel is not particularly interested in the “treasure” or “benefits” behind that wall in reality. He is more interested in the wall inside the Nightmare Plane.
Angel believes that the truly most valuable treasures are definitely in the Nightmare Plane.
Because he is restrained in his desires, focusing only on research as the theme of this exploration, he won’t care about anything else.
“Then… then I’ll go back and tell Vai this information and bring him to meet you.” Daus thought for a moment, still choosing to trust Angel.
Angel noncommittally said: “We can meet when it’s time to depart, or are you saying that you are already prepared to leave now?”
Daus responded: “I have made the necessary preparations, and Kael is almost ready too.”
Angel glanced at the clock on the table and calculated the time he would spend in meditation: “Then let’s depart in three hours.”
Daus nodded and turned towards the door.
As he was about to leave, Daus whispered: “I’ll find a chance to test whether Vai really knows if our destination is related to the Noah family.”
Angel remarked: “Do as you please, but keep in mind that the Black Count’s nose is more sensitive than you think. He might sniff out your purpose.”
Daus whispered softly with a smile: “Don’t underestimate me. Although I might be a step behind you organization wizards in grand strategies, I believe I handle these small matters far more beautifully than you could, ensuring no trace is left behind.”
Angel smiled and remained silent, instead watching as Daus’ figure slowly disappeared into the distance.
After Daus had left, Kael hesitantly and slowly entered.
“We’re departing in three hours. If you’re still unprepared, you’d best get ready now,” Angel’s voice reached Kael’s ears.
Kael hurriedly replied: “Lord Daus has already informed me. I am ready.”
“Then you’ve come to see me about something?” Angel finally lifted his head to look at Kael.
After a moment’s hesitation, Kael said: “My lord, this sudden exploration of the ruins… may I seek some advice from you?”
Angel looked deeply at Kael. Kael’s experience in exploring ruins far exceeded his own, yet he was asking for advice, which clearly was not about the exploration itself but about how to conduct himself throughout the process.
After all, aside from Kael, the rest of the team were either formal wizards or apprentices with wizard-level abilities.
Seeing the hopeful look in Kael’s eyes, Angel paused for a moment before saying: “There’s only one thing you need to do: restrain.”
“Re…strain?” Kael pondered the word.
“Whether it’s in physical actions or emotional impulses, you must restrain yourself.”
“Also, if you want to gain benefits, it’s best not to disturb the interests of others, especially Vai. His background is extraordinary, and his motives might not be simple.”
After all, the blueprint and crafting materials were provided by Kael, and after some thought, Angel decided to share a bit of information with him.
Kael nodded thoughtfully: “I understand. My greatest interest in exploring the ruins is research. If I can gain something, that’s good; if not, I won’t force it.”
“That’s the best mindset to have,” Angel affirmed.
Kael seemed to understand what he needed to do now. He bowed to Angel and said: “Then I shall take my leave.”
Just then, Angel coughed, and Kael looked over in confusion.
He saw Angel pointing to a dagger on the table.
Kael realized: “It’s better if it stays in your hands, my lord. I’m afraid I might lose it.”
With that, Kael winked, thinking he was being playful, showing that he understood Angel’s meaning and would be careful about Vai.
Angel responded with slight irritation: “Why do you think I meant that? What I meant is, the crafting mission is over. Shouldn’t you show some appreciation? Didn’t your mentor explain to you the rules in his letter?”
Kael was startled, remembering the instructions in the letter from his mentor, and quickly nodded: “I understand, I’ll look for Mentor’s notes right now.”
At first, Angel didn’t understand why Kael had to “search”, until he saw Kael walk towards a corner of the cave, in front of a pile of what Angel thought was just rubbish, he finally realized.
Kael began to frantically rummage through the pile of junk, just as he had when searching for the Skinner Magic Box.
Various items were thrown about by him, filling the air.
Angel silently watched this scene, while labeling Kael as sloppy.
Meanwhile, Dangros watched the falling items with excitement, hoping to find a vial of quenching concentrate, which would be great.
Unfortunately, there was no quenching concentrate, but Dangros did catch a fiery red gem.
Angel took a look, initially thinking it was a fire elemental gem, common in the fire territories of the Tidal Realm, perhaps Dangros held it feeling nostalgic for home.
But upon closer inspection, he realized something was wrong; this fiery red gem was actually a crystal of Fragment of Nascent Plane.
Fragment of Nascent Plane are space materials, commonly appearing in large quantities when a subsidiary plane is formed, and occasionally obtained when opening planar passages. They are typically involved in most alchemy related to space, generally not considered rare, and are available for sale in alchemy shops run by formal wizards.
However, what was mentioned were Fragment of Nascent Plane; this was a Nascent Plane Crystal, which is different.
Typically, five nascent fragments can condense into one crystal. Judging by the size of this crystal, it would take at least ten or more crystals to condense.
Although the effects are similar, the value is much different because condensing fragments is a special spell, only mastered by space wizards.
This crystal could even be placed in the early lots of a regular auction, indicating its considerable value.
Dangros seemed to really like this gem, holding it and continually rubbing it against its face, essentially its palm, much like a human petting a cat.
However, as much as Dangros liked it, it could not just claim it as its own.
This item, unlike quenching concentrate with its low value, should not be taken lightly.
Angel was about to sternly reprimand Dangros, making it realize its mistake, but just then, Kael walked over, curious, looking at Dangros: “Do you like this?”
Dangros hugged the gem and nodded vigorously.
Kael smiled, seemingly unconcerned, and said: “Since you like it, I’ll give it to you.”
Angel, regardless of how excited Dangros was at the time, quickly said: “Nascent Plane Crystals are useless to it; you should keep it.”
Kael quickly waved his hand: “No need, no need.”
Seeing Kael’s insistence, Angel frowned and sighed: “Then I’ll buy it, and pay you the market price.”
The reason Angel refused to accept Kael’s items for free was simple: to outsiders, Dangros was seen as Angel’s elemental companion, and thus his subject. To give something to Dangros was indirectly giving it to Angel, albeit more subtly. This was equivalent to Angel owing someone a favor.
Angel liked others owing him favors but disliked owing favors himself. Moreover, he could afford the Nascent Plane Crystals.
Kael didn’t understand the complexities of Angel’s thoughts. As Angel offered to pay for the magic crystal, Kael quickly said: “It’s okay, this is a discarded crystal. My mentor was distracted during synthesis, and something went wrong, so it’s unusable now.”
“Since it’s discarded, it’s worthless,” Kael said, scratching his head sheepishly: “I brought it here intending to place it in the shop to trick those who don’t know any better.”
“Since it’s just a discarded crystal, giving it away doesn’t matter,” Kael added: “I would definitely charge for something valuable.”
Hearing this, Angel shifted his gaze back to the crystal.
“Let me see it.” Under Dangros’ reluctant expression, the crystal reached Angel’s hand.
Holding it, Angel felt a surge of heat, which was clearly different from the touch of a typical Nascent Plane Crystal.
He examined it closely and discovered that the Nascent Plane Crystal was infused with a significant amount of fire element. Essentially, it was a hybrid of fire and space elements.
“Why is there fire element inside?” Angel wondered aloud.
Kael replied: “I haven’t learned to synthesize crystals yet, so I don’t know the specifics, but I guess it might be because my mentor made a mistake during a step that required fire element control. The fire element got in, and it turned into this weird situation.”
Angel didn’t know exactly how such a strange thing was created, but he now understood why Dangros liked it, the fire element inside was quite powerful. He guessed that the flame used by Aesop during the synthesis was from a high-level flame creature, perhaps even a special kind of fire source.
Angel toyed with it for a while but couldn’t figure out any use for it. Eventually, he handed it back to Dangros.
Then, Angel took out a small bag of magic crystals and handed it to Kael.
With a look of refusal and confusion in Kael’s eyes, Angel said: “The space element balancing with the fire element is quite a rare occurrence. I’ll take it back and study it; it might even inspire some research topics.”
Kael hesitated for a moment but eventually accepted it. Although he thought the crystal was useless, if Angel said he could use it to find inspiration for research topics, then it had some value.
Dangros, receiving a new favorite crystal, was visibly excited, evident from its awkward finger dance.
Angel felt embarrassed and quickly hooked Dangros onto the clasp of the Blood Night Sanctuary to keep it in place. He then turned his gaze toward Kael, or rather, the stack of notebooks in Kael’s hands.
Seeing Angel’s gaze, Kael quickly handed over the notebooks to him.
There are six volumes of notebooks, feeling substantial in the hand. The first three volumes are made of parchment, which is very thick and has frayed edges, showing many years of use.
As for the last three volumes, they are made from pulp paper, which is surprisingly clean and pristine to Angel.
Kael said: “The first three volumes are the notebooks from my mentor’s apprenticeship, and the last three are my own notebooks, which also include interpretations and supplements to my mentor’s notes.”
Angel, taking out the last three volumes, indeed saw Kael’s name on them.
With a slight frown, Angel seemed conflicted, as Kael’s notebooks were not part of the mission reward. However, Kael explained: “Although Mentor’s letter only mentioned his own notebooks as the reward, the deciphering of the blueprint and the crafting of the dagger you accomplished far exceed the value of my mentor’s notebooks. I know my own notebooks aren’t worth much, but I hope you don’t mind the supplements.”
Angel did not respond immediately but flipped through Aesop’s and then Kael’s notebooks.
Even with just a cursory glance, Angel preferred Kael’s detailed and straightforward text over Aesop’s, which was frustratingly abbreviated due to the limited space on parchment.
Eventually, Angel nodded and accepted them: “Since that’s the case, I will take them.”
Kael bowed deeply: “It’s my honor to be of help to you.”
Angel pondered: “I have some knowledge of space concepts, though only basic. During this period, feel free to ask me any questions.”
Having recently acquired space knowledge from the spotted puppy, Angel found it could now be quite useful.
Kael, aware of Angel’s space knowledge but unclear on the extent of his expertise, took Angel’s invitation seriously. He was genuinely immersed in his research and filled with a desire for knowledge, already planning what questions to ask.
After Kael left, Angel carefully stored the notebooks and cautioned Dangros not to overindulge in absorption before he began to meditate.
Three hours later, Angel opened his eyes.
Chapter 2555 The Noah’s Secret <TOC> Chapter 2557 Bylron Tree Court