Chapter 759 The Luminous Wishing Tree <TOC> Chapter 761 The Scam of the Century
Translator: SumTLMan
As Angel headed towards Pompeii Lane, he was still thinking about the luminous wishing tree at the Glare Square.
Based on the information he had collected, Lucas’s secret seemed to be related to prophecy. However, each time Lucas made a “prophecy,” the way it eventually came true seemed a bit peculiar.
Perhaps his prophecies had some deviation? This was Angel’s guess.
However, if Lucas indeed had the power of prophecy, it didn’t seem like much.
Many races were born with abilities, such as the Black Shadow Servant race. When Angel first encountered Wimbledon, his ability, similar to the “Illusion Body,” could be considered temporarily invincible to some extent. Compared to Lucas’s ability, it was much cleaner and more efficient.
Not only powerful races, but humans could also awaken extraordinary abilities. Just like “Sleepy Trickle to Flowing Stream,” she had the power to change the “nature of water” even before becoming a witch.
So, although it’s rare for humans to possess extraordinary abilities, it’s not impossible.
For wizards, there are so many creatures with extraordinary abilities, why would Lucas’s ability attract so much attention? Even if Lucas’s prophecies were accurate, there were many prophetic wizards in the witch world.
Thus, Angel was still a bit unclear about what exactly Song of the Deep Sea and Summer Dew Ridge saw in Lucas.
With Lucas’s ability, was it really worth the attention of the true knowledge wizards to investigate him?
Unless… there was something deeper involved. For example, did Lucas prophesize something about Song of the Deep Sea or Summer Dew Ridge?
Or perhaps, Lucas’s ability didn’t originate from himself.
“Could it be that Lucas possesses an item with the power of prophecy… Uh, it couldn’t be the Mysterious Object, could it?” After muttering to himself, Angel suddenly laughed, feeling that he must be going mad to think it was the Mysterious Object.
“I guess I’m too obsessed with the Dream Conch.” Angel shook his head silently.
Angel found Pompeii Lane, but he didn’t find the small courtyard where Lucas had bought for his lover. Time had passed, and the objects from three thousand years ago weren’t easy to preserve till now.
However, Angel still walked around Pompeii Lane, but unfortunately, he didn’t detect any energy reaction.
Then, Angel visited several locations that appeared in the nautical logs or Muya records. Either they had been completely eroded by the sands of time, or there were transcendent beings active nearby.
In order not to attract their attention, Angel just observed from afar for a while and then turned to leave.
That night, he gained nothing.
After returning to the Earl of New Rosberg Manor, Angel took out Lucas’s nautical log and read it again. He had visited almost all the “addresses” mentioned in it. The only place he hadn’t been to was the location where Lucas had committed suicide.
“Shining Gold Year 1353, the sixth day of the first half of the Month of Frostfall, foggy.”
“Thirty days have passed since I returned to the mainland. No one believes the honest Captain Lucas’s words. They say I’m a liar because I can’t produce the treasure! I was so angry that I jumped into a well.”
Lucas had committed suicide by jumping into a well, but there were many wells in the city, and it was difficult for Angel to determine which one it was.
However, the general area should be determinable, as many wells were private. It was unlikely that Lucas would commit suicide by jumping into someone else’s well. It had to be either his own well or a public one, and even a public well wouldn’t be too far from Lucas’s home.
Angel called Nite over and took out the map Nite had given him previously, marking a few areas where Lucas might have been active.
After handing the map to Nite, Angel took out a bottle of Pale Blue Water from his bracelet and placed it on the table.
The faint blue light of the Pale Blue Water dazzled Nite, as if he was witnessing the birth of life.
“This is the Pale Blue Water, a special alchemical potion. Its function is to extend one’s life, with a maximum extension of 10 years,” Angel explained. Nite’s eyes lit up instantly.
His parents were both getting old, and the reason he chose not to continue following the Cloud Conch vessel was due to concerns for their health. If his parents could take this potion… Nite swallowed hard, his eyes full of longing.
Angel naturally saw the light in Nite’s eyes. This Pale Blue Water was a low-grade potion he had purchased, and its quality was not even that good. A normal quality Pale Blue Water could extend life by up to 15 years, but this bottle was clearly below standard.
Due to the many restrictions of the Pale Blue Water, such as the consumption of potential, even apprentices tended to disdain it. When Angel originally bought it, he intended to give it to ordinary people.
“During my stay at your home, I may need your help with some tasks. Once I leave, this bottle of potion will be your reward.”
Initially, he only intended to give Nite a Glistening Velvet Potion – a low-quality version he had crafted himself in the Savage Grottoes. However, Angel had come to appreciate Nite’s performance during this time, as some of Nite’s ideals resonated with him. So, in the end, Angel offered him the Pale Blue Water.
There was no need for Nite to express his gratitude. Angel quickly shifted the topic to the map in Nite’s hand.
“Help me find out how many wells there are in this area,” Angel paused, “and when they were constructed. I don’t need the exact date, just an approximate year.”
Nite didn’t question it and immediately agreed, motivated by the Pale Blue Water, “Private well construction must be reported to the local viscount, with records ultimately submitted to the Religious Council. I have a friend who is a religious officiant, and with his authority, he should be able to access such minor information.”
The Anru Dynasty was a country where divine and royal powers coexisted, so it was normal for such matters to be handled by the Religious Council.
“I’ll leave it to you, then. Remember, this matter must be kept confidential.”
As time flowed, evening descended once more.
In the dead of night, the sky suddenly began to sprinkle light snow, which gradually intensified. Eventually, the snowflakes danced in the freezing wind like dense willow catkins.
Lost in the snow, the City of Lost Melodies took on an even more dreamlike quality. Originally, this city that never sleeps resembled a beguiling succubus, eager to showcase her charm. But amidst the hazy snowfall, she transformed into a tranquil beauty hidden behind a veil.
The streets were much emptier than usual, with only the light from the glowing stones illuminating the snow, casting a crystalline glow.
At this moment, a middle-aged man, dressed lightly and covered in white snowflakes, stood before a factory by the riverbank. As he approached, a trail of faint footprints was left behind in the snow.
Thud, thud, thud—
As the sounds of grumbling and confusion resonated, the iron door was opened from the inside, revealing an old man smoking a pipe.
The cold wind from outside rushed in, causing the old man to shiver. He exhaled a cloud of smoke and asked, “Who are you looking for?”
“I’ve heard that an extremely experienced boatbuilder lives here. I’ve come specifically to meet him.”
The old man sized up the middle-aged man before him. He was dressed lightly, looked ordinary, and his clothes were somewhat wrinkled, giving off a slovenly, lazy impression.
“If you’re looking for a boatbuilder, then I’m the only one here,” the old man replied, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. “You’re a stranger. Coming here in the middle of the night, I hope you’re not here to rob me. Let me tell you, although I have some fame, I’ve donated all my money. If you’re here to rob me, you won’t find a dime!”
“Donated? To a casino, perhaps?” A low, teasing laugh reached the old man’s ears.
The old man’s cheeks reddened, “Who I donate to is none of your business!”
“I’m not here to rob you. I’m here to give you money.” As he spoke, he opened a cloth bag filled with shimmering gold coins.
The old man’s eyes lit up, and he took a fierce drag on his pipe, baring his yellowed teeth as he welcomed the man inside. “So you’re a guest! Please come in!”
After closing the iron door, the old man rubbed his hands and asked, “What’s your name, sir?”
“Call me Pat, Master Boatbuilder Om.” The middle-aged man was none other than Angel. He smiled as his eyes seemed to focus on Om, but his mental tendrils were already spreading out around them.
The vast factory was filled with various types of wood. In the middle of a waterway, a small sailboat was undergoing repairs.
After a while, Angel withdrew his mental tendrils, having detected no extraordinary individuals nearby.
“Sir Pat, are you looking to build a boat or repair one?” Master Boatbuilder Om attentively guided Angel to a nearby seat. A fire blazed nearby, driving away the surrounding chill.
“Neither,” Angel replied with a faint smile. As the boatbuilder looked at him quizzically, he continued, “I’ve come to inquire about something.”
“Inquire about a matter?” Om frowned, “What matter? I don’t know any gossip about royalty and nobility, but I’m quite familiar with the dirty business in the gambling houses.”
“I’m not interested in that gossip either. I just want to know if Om the boatmaker has studied the historical ships?”
“It depends on the ship. I do know a thing or two about famous ships,” Om answered truthfully.
“The Feather Fan? Have you heard of it, Om the boatmaker?”
“The Feather Fan?” Om repeated Angel’s words, his expression hesitant, “Huh, I seem to have heard of this ship somewhere before.”
Angel placed the money bag on the tea table, the crisp sound acting like a key that unlocked Om’s memories. The stories the old boatmaker had told him when he was young suddenly leaped clearly into his mind.
“I remember now, surely the ship Sir Pat mentioned is the one that Lucas sailed on three thousand years ago? I recall that ship being called the Feather Fan.”
Angel didn’t deny Om’s words but instead asked, “How much do you know about Lucas’s Feather Fan? Why not tell me what you know?”
As he spoke, Angel slowly pushed the money bag toward Om, though the pace was agonizingly slow for Om.
“The Feather Fan was an exploration ship, with a design typical of the Glittering Age’s three-masted ship…”
When Om mentioned that the Feather Fan was an exploration ship, Angel knew that he must be on the right track. The ship he had seen on the sea was indeed Lucas’s ship.
As Om continued to speak, Angel moved the money bag closer and closer to him.
Om noticed that when he talked about the gossip surrounding the Feather Fan and Lucas, the speed at which Angel pushed the money increased significantly; however, when the topic turned to the ship’s design and functionality, Angel simply stopped. So Om picked up more gossip to share.
When Om spoke about Lucas’s grand scam of the time,
Angel pushed the money bag into Om’s hands, letting go and expressing satisfaction, “This money bag is yours now.”
Chapter 759 The Luminous Wishing Tree <TOC> Chapter 761 The Scam of the Century