Chapter 2557 Bylron Tree Court <TOC> Chapter 2559 Birth of Emotions
Translator: SumTLMan
At the Bylron Tree Court, in the spacious Bylron Inn’s treehouse, sunlight streamed through the lush leaves, casting cool green patches of light through the branch-filled windows.
The air here carried a pleasant natural scent, distinct from the haze of the Gloriosa Kingdom, the briskness of the Paramjit Plateau, and the dryness of the Sandworm Market. This vibrant, life filled aroma almost transported Angel to the Green Forest Domain of the Tidal Realm.
Such an ambiance uplifted Angel’s mood tremendously.
Had it not been for the stone slab with the Black Count’s nose on it sitting across from him, his mood might have been even better.
Indeed, while Daus forcefully dragged Vai and Kael to what he called the “forest project,” Angel had opted to stay at this inn, renting a treehouse.
And there, the Black Count’s nose, which had floated behind Angel all along, now stood sternly on the desk opposite him.
Angel could hardly say anything about it, let alone shoo it away, so he decided to ignore its presence.
Fortunately, the Black Count’s nose didn’t stir trouble, seemingly content to be just an ornamental piece.
Since the Black Count was not causing any mischief, Angel paid it no further mind and took the opportunity to study the Garden Labyrinth’s topographic map while the sunlight was favorable.
A topographic map is quite different from a restored bird’s-eye view; it indicates elevation changes, the direction of ley lines, and geological subdivisions.
Angel had purchased this map because the Nightfall City in the Nightmare Plane was a projection of its pristine period, whereas the actual Nightfall City had become ruins. It was essential to compare this with reality to discern any changes in the landscape.
After reviewing the topographic map and having a fair idea in mind, Angel then picked up the bird’s-eye view for comparison.
The painter had done well, but there were still discrepancies between the bird’s-eye view and the real Nightfall City, although key landmarks were much the same. This helped Angel in pinpointing his needed sites.
Having studied both maps extensively, by the time evening approached and the twilight entered the treehouse, casting a hazy and golden beauty around.
Stretching languidly, Angel’s gaze finally settled on the stone slab opposite him.
“Esteemed Black Count, I am genuinely curious. Why did you leave Vai and follow me?” Angel inquired.
There was no response, just the sound of a nose breathing softly.
Undisturbed, Angel continued with a smile: “Just recently, I had a chat with Lord Rhine about you, and Lord Rhine’s remarks were indeed very intriguing.”
The Black Count’s nose twitched slightly, seemingly conveying a certain emotion.
Angel continued: “Lord Rhine said that the people of the Noah family are very lazy, especially the lord, who even uses ‘separate consciousnesses’ for travel. Rhine also detailed some situations about ‘these consciousness’.”
“For example, in fact, every part of the lord can speak, but apart from the mouth, which does not consume energy, other parts require a small amount of energy to produce sound. This, even other members of the Noah family do not know, Rhine guessed that the lord has gotten used to having someone translate and has become lazy about speaking directly.”
At this point in Angel’s explanation, the stone slab opposite him finally reacted.
A thin layer of energy covered the stone slab, and a gentle breeze accompanied the flow of energy, starting to emit sounds at different frequencies. These sounds then formed the voice of the Black Count.
“I don’t believe Rhine would bring me up for no reason; how did you get in touch with Rhine?” the voice asked.
Angel smiled: “The lord finally speaks; I can answer your question, but in exchange, perhaps you could answer the initial question I asked?”
“Stinking kid from Phantom Island, what right do you have to make a deal with me?” A raspy voice, accompanied by surging energy, was full of threat, even without physical intimidation.
Yet, Angel simply smiled, unfazed.
After a while, the Black Count seemed to smell something; the surge of energy slowly receded: “You stinking kid, you’ve come well-prepared this time. Rhine even got you a demon from the Panic World, and you can even control it. It seems Rhine hasn’t been idle lately.”
The Black Count’s aura diminished upon smelling Eremy’s scent. True knowledge level combat capability was enough to confront ‘His consciousness’ that was only a nose.
Thinking about it, it made sense that Angel, a treasure trove of a person, not only a member of the Research Institute but also someone who had developed a complete alchemy training chain for Savage Grottoes, was even sent to Sky Mechanical City by Horus.
Thus, it seemed reasonable that he was protected by true knowledge level combat capability.
Moreover, the Black Count believed that the demon from the Panic World was not Angel’s real trump card. He sensed an even more unsettling presence emanating from Angel.
“Can we now exchange answers to our questions?” Angel still maintained his smile.
This time, the Black Count did not utter a word, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Angel said: “The lord’s question is actually quite simple; as a member of the Research Institute, isn’t it normal that I have a mini signal tower?”
Angel’s entire statement was true. However, he did not explicitly answer how he had contacted Rhine.
He just mentioned owning a mini signal tower, suggesting it as the means by which he might have contacted Rhine.
Hearing about the mini signal tower, the Black Count did not pursue further. When reaching their level, many things are not secret. The mini signal towers of Sky Mechanical City are just rumors to the outside world, but the Black Count knew that the Research Institute indeed had such convenient communication tools.
“Do you want to know why I am following you?” the Black Count asked.
Angel shook his head.
The Black Count snorted coldly: “I despise Sanders, so I was prepared to seize the opportunity to give you a beating. But unexpectedly, Rhine values you so much that he has even given you a demon from the Panic World.”
Angel could sense that the Black Count was telling the truth; he indeed harbored a strong desire to beat him up.
However, Angel felt that although the Black Count spoke the truth, there was more than one reason he was following him.
This was a sort of equalization; both Angel and the Black Count spoke the truth, but both concealed the real truth.
“Although I don’t know why Lord despises Mentor, after all, I am different from Mentor, and I hope the lord will not let his emotions extend to me. After all, we still have to explore the ruins together, and I don’t want to be suddenly betrayed by the lord there.” Angel tried to steer the conversation towards the ruins.
“Hmph, kid, what do you think of me? Since I promised you all would be safe, I will not break my word.”
This promise, Angel had heard about from Daus; it was a prerequisite for Vai to participate in the exploration.
Angel: “Lord Rhine also said that you would protect Vai at all costs, so if there’s real danger, you will definitely intervene.”
The Black Count snorted through his nose and did not speak. But internally, he cursed Rhine, as Angel suddenly mentioning his full protection of Vai meant that Rhine must have disclosed, “His consciousness” is inseparable from Vai, effectively exposing his vulnerability.
Feeling stifled, the Black Count couldn’t help but say: “He did tell you everything. I’m telling you, you better not believe everything that guy says. Right now, you are useful to him, and he values you, but the moment you fall into the abyss, he will definitely be the first to abandon you.”
This was clearly shaming to the point of sowing discord.
Angel calmly said: “Being abandoned is the norm. I have abandoned many myself; to let go when necessary, isn’t that the way to walk this path?”
The Black Count scoffed: “I kindly gave you a warning, and you turn it into something useless. What right do you, a kid who hasn’t even cultivated for ten years, have to talk to me about the path of Truth?”
Angel: “I am not talking about the path of Truth, I’m just saying that severance, relinquishment, and detachment are normal parts of life.”
The Black Count could not refute this and merely snorted coldly, saying no more.
Angel: “By the way, I asked Lord Rhine why you would let Vai join us in exploring the ruins.”
The Black Count tilted his nose to one side, then turned back to face Angel, waiting for his explanation.
“Lord Rhine said, you are curious about all unknowns and mysteries, but members of the Noah family are homebodies. It’s rare to have an opportunity to explore the unknown, how could you miss it?”
“Don’t know if Lord Rhine is right or not?”
The Black Count was silent for a moment, then reluctantly said: “He does understand me.”
Angel: “It seems Lord Rhine was right, but he also said something else, that the lord usually wouldn’t participate in ordinary explorations of ruins. This time, the lord might have really sensed something. Is this statement right or wrong?”
Rhine did not say these words, but that did not affect Angel’s use of them to bluff.
The Black Count said: “You’ve said so much, what exactly do you want to ask?”
“I have no other intentions; I simply wish to know why you, the lord, are participating in this expedition to explore the ruins. Has the lord sensed something? If you indeed know something confidential, I hope you will not be stingy with your teachings, given that we are now a team. Surely you would not want a lack of information to lead to danger, right?”
As soon as Angel finished speaking, he felt as if he was being sized up. Undoubtedly, it must be the Black Count. But since the Black Count was still only a nose, what was he using to size him up? His nostrils?
When Angel shivered at the thought, the Black Count solemnly said: “I can answer your question, but first, you must answer one of mine.”
Angel responded: “Please ask, Lord.”
The Black Count asked: “How did you determine the location corresponding to the key?”
Angel raised an eyebrow, having guessed before the Black Count even asked that this might be the question. Indeed, his guess was correct.
“I might not be able to clearly answer that question for you, Lord, as it pertains to my mentor’s secrets.”
“Sanders’ secrets?” the Black Count questioned.
Pretending to be solemn, Angel nodded: “Yes, it’s related to my mentor, so I cannot speak about that part.”
The Black Count scrutinized Angel, making sure he wasn’t lying, then said: “Then tell me what you know.”
“My mentor took me to a place, and there, I saw certain things. That’s how I came to know the location corresponding to the key,” Angel concluded, adding pointedly: “Interestingly, in that place, everything was out in the open, making it no secret. Conversely, here it has become a lucky secret.”
Sanders had taken Angel to a place where everything was openly displayed, turning it into a secret here? The Black Count mulled over this statement, connecting it with some rumors about Sanders. He vaguely had an answer.
——Could it be the Nightmare Plane?
No matter what, the Black Count was one of the top wizards in the Southern Region and knew much more about the Nightmare Plane than others. Moreover, as a pursuer of mysteries, the Nightmare Plane was a world of mysteries to him.
Project Reality, Reveal Illusion, Create Truth. The essence of the Nightmare Plane was known to him.
If the Nightmare Plane had projected a complete Nightfall City, rather than ruins, then indeed everything would be out in the open, instead of being a secret now.
While the Black Count pondered, Angel remained silent. He had deliberately led the Black Count to think of the Nightmare Plane. On the matter of how he knew the corresponding location of the key, any other answer would have been full of holes, so he might as well trust the real answer, albeit a diluted one, at least to the extent of ten percent.
As long as the Black Count could think of the Nightmare Plane, there was no need for Angel to say anything else.
After all, he merely accompanied Sanders to the Nightmare Plane, where Sanders was the one in control. What could he, a small fry at the time, do there?
The Black Count pondered for a long moment before slowly saying: “I have some guesses, and my original self has a way to verify with Sanders. When the time comes, the truth will be clear.”
Angel was momentarily stunned. Wasn’t the Black Count at odds with Sanders? How could he still seek verification from Sanders? What exactly was their relationship?
The confusion on Angel’s face did not escape the Black Count, but he chose not to explain. After all, the things Sanders had done were truly unspeakable.
“Now it’s my turn to answer you. Since you’ve only given a partial response, I’ll also give just a part,” the Black Count paused before slowly adding: “Rhine was right, I had Vai explore for a reason. Because, I’ve sensed a scent that makes my blood boil…”
Angel showed no emotion, but he was quite surprised: The Black Count really smelled something?
It was just Daus’ thoughts of “going or not going,” yet the Black Count could smell a future that made his blood boil? That was beyond imagination.
Rhine’s earlier statement was that the Black Count might not have smelled anything at all, driven merely by curiosity.
But it seems that the Black Count’s abilities were still underestimated.
Indeed, he is a man standing at the pinnacle of the Southern Region. His enigmatic powers command respect.
Yet, whether the scent that made his blood boil was because he knew the destination was related to the Noah family, or simply because he smelled the mysterious and unknown, still remains a mystery.
Chapter 2557 Bylron Tree Court <TOC> Chapter 2559 Birth of Emotions