Chapter 2559 Birth of Emotions <TOC> Chapter 2561 Collapsed
Translator: SumTLMan
“Hmph.” The Black Count snorted coldly but did not argue further with Angel.
Angel, not wanting to offend the Black Count further, acted as if nothing had happened and gave Daus and the others a slight smile: “You all must have had enough rest yesterday. If there’s nothing else, how about we explore the Garden Labyrinth today?”
“Oh… Oh, okay.” The others, called back to attention by Angel, unconsciously responded while still somewhat stunned as they glanced at the stone slab on Vai.
Previously, they had thought it was just the Black Count’s nose, unable to speak, only communicating through Vai as a translator. Who knew that this nose could also make a sound.
Let alone others, even Vai himself was still bewildered. The Black Count’s nose had been with him for a long time, and this was the first time he had heard it “speak.”
“Then let’s go, leave the Bylron Tree Court first.” At Angel’s words, the others followed in a daze.
Along the way, they still occasionally glanced at the stone slab.
The Black Count, probably annoyed by the stares, snorted heavily: “The principle of sound is the most common knowledge. If even this surprises you, are you even qualified to be wizards?”
The crowd, mocked collectively, looked at each other.
That’s easy for you to say, but you’ve never spoken before, so why start now?
Representing everyone’s thoughts, Vai quietly asked the Black Count this question.
“Hmph, I just couldn’t be bothered to speak before.”
The Black Count did not explain why he was now willing to speak, but, looking at Angel walking ahead, the others had some guesses.
It was just yesterday that the Black Count and Angel did not attend the “forest project.” Perhaps it was then that the Black Count had spoken up.
Thinking this, Daus felt a surge of curiosity and connected with Angel through the mental connection.
Before Daus could speak, Angel said through the mental bond: “To secretly use the mental connection in front of Lord Black Count is quite brave of you.”
Daus was not foolish; how could he not understand what Angel meant? The Black Count had probably already intercepted the mental connection, listening in on their whispers.
Originally, Daus wanted to ask Angel about what he discussed with the Black Count yesterday and also about the information he had gathered from Vai. But since the Black Count might be eavesdropping, such topics naturally could not be discussed.
With this in mind, Daus said through the mental connection: “Anyway, I’m not here to speak ill of Lord Black Count; I just wanted to ask how you managed to get Lord Black Count to speak yesterday.”
This question was reasonable. Even if the Black Count heard it, he likely wouldn’t say anything.
“Why do you think it was me who made Lord Black Count speak?”
Daus pondered and then said: “To me that seems right. Yesterday, the lord did not follow Vai but stayed with you in the treehouse instead, presumably wanting to talk to you. Was it about the ruins?”
Angel replied: “What else would it be, a trip down memory lane?”
Daus dared not probe any further. However, he had gleaned some insights from his understanding of Angel. The final question was definitely a straightforward answer about whether they were discussing the ruins. But Angel had used a rhetorical question in response, serving a dual purpose: it signaled the end of the discussion on this topic and hinted that he had indeed delved deeper into matters with the Black Count.
Given the Black Count’s sarcastic demeanor towards Angel today, it was clear they had clashed fiercely the day before. Otherwise, the Count would not have stooped to mockery.
With this understanding, Daus gave Angel a knowing look and then severed their mental connection.
At the moment the mental connection was severed, a familiar scoff sounded from behind.
There was no doubt now; the Black Count had definitely been eavesdropping on their conversation.
Pretending to be unaware, Daus continued to silently follow Angel.
Soon after, they arrived at the exit of Bylron Tree Court, a place also existing in an alternate dimension. Its exit lay between two maple trees.
Daus expertly tapped the maple trees, which then opened their eyes.
The sentient look in their eyes indicated that these maples had gained spirits.
However, they seemed disinclined to talk. Following the rules, they slowly extended their branches, which intertwined to form an archway.
This archway was the actual exit.
Stepping through the archway, they found themselves next to the two maple trees again, but now, there were no buildings around, only a lush forest.
Clearly, they had left Bylron Tree Court.
Daus approached the maple trees again and snapped his fingers, prompting a clumsy green sandworm to emerge from his earring.
The green sandworm exhaled a faint green breath at each of the maple trees, then burrowed back into Daus’ earring.
The maple trees opened their eyes, their branches swaying as if blown by the wind: “Thank you.”
“With the cross of freedom eternal,” Daus solemnly touched his chest and bowed slightly.
After all this, Daus rejoined the group.
Curious, Kael asked: “What were you doing just now?”
Daus smiled and remained silent.
Daus, having been friends with Vai for many years, gave an answer on his behalf to Kael: “It’s a habit of his. Not all wandering wizards are as well-off as you and Daus. He does this simply to sow good seeds among wandering wizards; even if it doesn’t bear good fruit, it won’t result in bad outcomes either.”
Kael, looking at Daus with a surprised expression, responded: “I didn’t expect you to consider the bigger picture for all wandering wizards.”
Daus replied dismissively: “It’s just something I do without thinking much about it, don’t make it into something bigger.”
After that, Daus also told Vai: “When I explained it to you before, it didn’t elevate to such a scale. Don’t exaggerate.”
Vai said: “That’s my understanding, and I believe I’m not wrong, right, Elder?”
Vai’s last question was directed at the Black Count, but he received no response, as the Black Count couldn’t be bothered to speak about such a trivial matter.
“Let’s talk more later; let’s leave this place first,” Angel said while pulling out the Gondola.
As the Gondola took off, lifted by the wind like a veil of stars, everyone gazed in awe.
“Hmph,” the Black Count scoffed while the others were still admiring the Gondola.
Vai could hear the Black Count’s critique in his mind: Making such a show, as if afraid that others won’t recognize his signature.
Vai just listened, not daring to explain.
However, Angel himself could discern the reason behind the Black Count’s scoff, but he didn’t mind. In his view, this overt defiance was also a kind of subtle compliment.
Once seated, everything was left in the control of Speedling.
Angel had shown Speedling the map the day before, so there was no worry about getting lost.
After the Gondola set off, Angel, sitting next to Daus, said softly: “The green sandworm you summoned just now, it’s a nature elemental creature, right?”
Daus nodded noncommittally.
“A sandworm form… Could it be from the desert? Can nature sprites actually be born in the desert?”
Daus replied: “Whether other nature sprites can be born in the desert, I don’t know, but this one I happened to encounter in an oasis. For now, in the entire wizard circle of Laxum Duchy, it seems I’m the only one with a nature elemental sandworm.”
Daus spoke in a flat tone, but his pride was nearly overflowing.
However, as he felt the whooshing sound of the wind around and saw Speedling’s smooth, efficient handling, Daus’ pride slowly subsided.
His nature elemental sandworm was indeed rare, but its capabilities were somewhat lacking. Angel’s wind elemental creature, however, even without showing much power, exuded an overwhelming elemental power, which made his sandworm seem quite inferior in comparison.
Not just Speedling, the fire sprite accompanying Angel was also quite unique.
“Speaking of which, despite having only recently advanced, where did you get these elemental creatures?”
Daus was curious.
Angel: “You’ll find out soon enough, but for now, I’m keeping it a mystery.”
Daus, watching Angel’s meaningfully deep smile, had his spiritual perception rapidly processing, and after a moment, Daus suspiciously said: “I have a feeling there’s something odd about this.”
Angel didn’t answer this time, waiting for the moment the Tidal Realm made its appearance. With Daus’ motivation driven by interests, he would undoubtedly head to the Tidal Realm at the first opportunity. The real question was whether he would be able to enter.
…
The Garden Labyrinth was only a few dozen kilometers from the Bylron Tree Court, and in just a few minutes, with the steady speed of Speedling, they saw a wide expanse covered in green moss.
The expanse of the ruins was extremely broad, rivaling the capitals of current kingdoms, surely a grand city in its time.
Unfortunately, even the grandest of cities, once abandoned and washed over by time, were left only in ruins.
The area was strewn with broken buildings, all covered with moss and small plants. For archeologists, this was probably heaven.
But for Angel, who had seen the true Nightfall City, the sight of such dilapidated ruins stirred more of a sense of melancholy.
This place was the Garden Labyrinth, once Nightfall City.
Angel began piloting the Gondola, circling over the Garden Labyrinth, comparing the entire view of the ruins to a bird’s eye view from the day before.
Yesterday, he thought the mapmaker who had reconstructed the buildings in the bird’s eye view was perhaps too presumptive. But having seen the full scope of the Garden Labyrinth for himself, Angel had to admire that mapmaker’s imaginative capacity, which was simply off the charts.
Such utter ruin was depicted as a city, with even its iconic buildings identifiable, a talent that could only be described as that of a visionary.
At least, from Angel’s aerial view, he couldn’t identify any landmark buildings of Nightfall City.
Without the bird’s eye view, their visit today might have been in vain.
During their overview, they also spotted some people. Though sparse compared to the entire city ruins, the total number was still significant, which didn’t quite align with the “desolate” reputation it had.
However, upon closer inspection, it became clear that these were ordinary mortals. There were very few transcendents, and as for formal wizards… aside from their group, it was unlikely any other would inexplicably come here.
These ordinary people were also treasure hunting in the ruins, and what might seem insignificant to transcendents could be seen as valuable treasures in the eyes of mortals. Thus, their presence here was understandable.
After circling around, Angel stopped at the top of a bell tower ruin.
Green moss covered everything, and the building was so dilapidated that only about 20% of it remained intact. The top where they stood was precarious, and as for the “bell,” it was nowhere to be found.
If it weren’t for the bell tower drawn on the aerial map, Angel himself would not have recognized it.
“Is this our destination?” Kael asked curiously.
Angel didn’t respond but jumped straight into the bell tower. Seeing this, the others followed suit.
The reason Angel had come to this bell tower was because he had seen a complete map of Nightfall City and knew that there was an entrance to the underground aqueduct near the bell tower.
Although there were several entrances to the underground aqueduct, not many were so close to a landmark.
Angel planned to start his exploration from here.
Upon entering the bell tower, Angel frowned immediately; the ground was covered with rubble, not from decay, but from huge vines that had burst through the ground, dislodging the stones.
He hadn’t realized that the ruins still harbored such massive vines. If they were widespread, it would greatly damage the underground aqueducts. In such a case, finding the wall in the aqueduct would be increasingly difficult.
After a few minutes, Angel navigated around various vines and ruins to a nearby arched pile of stones.
According to his memory, this was one of the entrances to the underground aqueduct.
Angel had intended to clear the stone pile himself, but seeing Daus come along, he stepped aside and left the clearing task to him.
“Aren’t you going to cast a spell to do this little thing? Also, where’s your fire sprite?” Daus asked.
“It’s tired,” Angel lied blatantly.
Daus spat disdainfully but still grumbled and stepped forward, clearing the pile of stones with just his physical strength.
With the pile of stones removed, the manhole cover of the underground sewer below was revealed.
“Is this the place? So we’re going underground.” Daus said, lifting the manhole cover.
However, when the manhole cover was lifted, it was filled with a large amount of rubble and soil, almost indistinguishable from the ground above.
“Time has changed everything here,” Angel sighed. Since the sewer was completely sealed off, they decided to find another way.
But Daus was not convinced: “It’s just some dirt, watch me, I’ll get someone to chew it right up.”
With those words, Daus pushed Vai forward, pointing to the soil in the manhole: “It’s your turn.”
Vai was silent for a moment, then slowly extended his hands, and the rubble and soil under the manhole began to be drawn out. While doing this, Vai took the opportunity to retort to Daus: “I don’t chew soil.”
“As if there is much difference, you earth wizards are either chewing soil or on your way to chew soil.”
Vai remained silent.
But the stone slab on Vai’s body lit up with brilliance, and a violent energy fell, flipping Daus completely over.
When Daus finally sat up again, he was still a bit dazed.
Then, Kael quietly said: “I heard from Mentor that those of the Noah family are all earth wizards.”