Chapter 872 Updating the Dream Realm <TOC> Chapter 874 First Experiment
Translator: SumTLMan
Two days later, when Angel set foot on the Old Land Continent again, it suddenly occurred to him that he seemed to have forgotten to ask Freud why he knew about his successful crafting of high-rank alchemical products.
After pondering for a moment, Angel decided it didn’t matter. Even if word of this got out, it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. At the very least, his reputation would spread. Besides, when he was crafting originally, a large number of the Rogue merfolk were nearby, so it would be normal for someone to spread the news.
Dismissing this thought, Angel flew in the direction of the Elegant Plum Province.
On his way home, he saw many refugees, but he could sense that their mood was much more stable than before. Even the local residents, under the shadow of the war, were smiling, a sight rarely seen.
It was clear that Shannon’s victory at Sea Moon City had given the people of the Goldfinch Empire a sense of calm, making them feel that in the face of Sea Wave’s encroachment, Goldfinch wasn’t entirely hopeless.
The closer he got to Grud Town, the happier Angel became. Blaire, on the other hand, appeared increasingly anxious, as if worried about something.
Angel had an idea of what was bothering her—it was fear that the materials he brought back would cause Eureka to blame her.
However, Angel felt that Blaire couldn’t be blamed for this. After all, it was Eureka herself who had made the agreement with the merchant group.
In a rare show of compassion, Angel comforted Blaire, “If you explain the situation, I believe Eureka will understand.”
Hearing Angel’s reassurance, Blaire remained worried. But soon, her eyes lit up, and she asked in a pleasing tone, “Could you help me?”
“Help you? What can I do?” Angel asked.
Seeing that Angel didn’t seem to refuse outright, Blaire immediately became excited and chirped, “Didn’t you buy a Demeter? You can present the Demeter to the Master, saying it’s a gift from the head of the merchant group because they failed to complete the Master’s task!”
Angel looked at Blaire as if she were a simpleton.
“Do you think humans are as foolish as you?” Angel said with displeasure. “Look at the materials you bought. Even all together, they’re not as valuable as the Demeter. Even if your master believes it, do you think a slave trader group like Ashen Time would be willing to make such a loss-making deal?”
“But…” Blaire weakly raised her wing, attempting a last-ditch struggle.
“The most important thing is, I bought the Demeter with my own money. Why should I present it to your master?”
Blaire: “Don’t you want to get on good terms with the Master… If you help me, I can put in a good word for you in front of the Master.”
“I believe there’s been a misunderstanding, I’ve never intended to ingratiate myself with your master,” Angel paused, firmly stating, “That’s an absolute impossibility, so abandon any such hopes. If you continue to harbor such thoughts about me, I might not be able to deal with your master, but handling a bird like you is quite straightforward.”
Having said this, Angel turned away, his good intentions met with nothing but frustration.
Upon returning to the estate, Angel immediately headed for the loft, laying out all the materials he had acquired from the merchant caravan in front of Eureka.
At first, Eureka greeted him with a smile, but as Angel unpacked each item, her smile gradually faded into a dark expression. Simultaneously, her gaze turned towards the owl, Blaire, who cowered on the ground, shivering under her stare.
“Blaire, what is going on here?” Eureka’s voice was steady, but the suppressed fury within it was palpable to anyone.
“It has nothing to do with me, it was Captain Piers group…” Blaire stuttered out the events.
What Angel had not expected, however, was that even though Blaire did not use the almost ludicrous strategy from before, it still managed to drag him into the mess.
Blaire gave only a symbolic description of the cause and effect of the material problem. But that wasn’t the end of it, it went on to elaborate on the matter of the Demeter, how valuable it was, how many people envied it, and how Captain Piers group showed great respect to Angel…
Blaire successfully shifted Eureka’s attention to Angel.
Just as Blaire breathed a sigh of relief, Angel was inwardly cursing this unprincipled owl. Although Eureka would inevitably find out about the Demeter, Blaire’s current mention was clearly an attempt to shift the topic, using him as a scapegoat, which was bound to infuriate him.
“You bought a Demeter?” Eureka looked at Angel with curiosity.
Angel glared at Blaire before turning back to Eureka and nodding, “Yes, my brother is about to enter the Wizarding World, and having the Demeter to help regulate the concentration of primitive magical power can make his meditation much smoother.”
Eureka, of course, knew the benefits of a Demeter. When she herself had wanted to settle down, she had considered buying one to improve her living environment but had ultimately given up due to a lack of magical crystals.
Now, as she had to evade King Guman’s warrant, she couldn’t settle down and consequently lost interest in the Demeter.
Therefore, Eureka was more curious about Angel than the Demeter.
“Blaire mentioned that the ‘Whale Hunter’ seems to regard you in a special light. Can you tell me why?” Eureka inquired.
“Whale Hunter?” Angel looked perplexed at Eureka. He assumed Eureka would immediately request him to unveil the Demeter for her inspection, but instead she led with an unexpectedly tangential question.
“Piers, the captain of the Ashen Time, has the alias ‘Whale Hunter’, a bloodline wizard adept at concealment, always capitalizing on every opportunity,” Eureka clarified.
“Why would he hold me in unique regard? I’m unaware of this, it’s my first time hearing of his title,” Angel glanced at Blaire who was feigning ignorance beside him, “Blaire is well aware of this fact.”
Eureka, having ascertained that Angel wasn’t being untruthful, continued, “The Demeter doesn’t come cheap, where did your magic crystals come from?”
After a moment’s silence, Angel responded, “I practice alchemy.”
…
As Angel left the Stilt Building, his countenance was subtly complex.
He claimed to be an alchemist, that he earned the magic crystals himself, a statement Eureka found entirely unbelievable.
He later amended his story, attributing the source of his wealth to a wizard-level monster that Sanders had hunted down. He happened to be there at the time and Sanders shared some of the monster materials with him, which he eventually sold for a profit.
Surprisingly, Eureka readily accepted this version.
However, Angel didn’t actually lie, both answers were accurate. The reason he had such a considerable amount of magic crystals was due to Sanders slaying the Blood Vine Skeleton Woman in the Nightmare Plane’s Witch Town. Angel got a share of the Blood Vine and ended up selling it for 230,000 magic crystals. He later returned 150,000 magic crystals to Sanders, keeping a little over 60,000 for himself.
The funds he used to purchase the Demeter did indeed come from these 60,000 magic crystals.
Hence, everything he stated was true. It’s just that Eureka was more inclined to believe the version that resonated with her preconceived notions.
After answering Eureka’s question, Angel took his leave from the Stilt Building. Eureka didn’t inspect the Demeter, after all, she knew Angel planned to plant the Demeter in the Pat Manor, and she had plenty of time to observe it later.
Following Angel’s departure, the Stilt Building was filled with the sounds of Blair’s whimpering…
Angel initially planned to release the Demeter as soon as possible, allowing it to take root, rather than having it silently weep within the bracelet.
However, considering the Demeter was no ordinary entity, he decided to consult with Leon before making any decisions. Given that it was already midnight, Angel decided not to disturb Leon’s rest and planned to discuss the matter of the Demeter the following day.
Angel had been away from the Pat Manor for a total of four days and was somewhat concerned about Jon’s condition. Thus, he first made a trip to the Ice Chamber.
Jon’s condition remains quite promising. Currently, he is in the healing phase, aided by the Lifedrawn Water, coupled with the pleasant dreams brought by the Dreamweaver Ant. His countenance in slumber now is visibly more relaxed than before.
Angel executed a Dream Entry spell.
In the dream, Jon’s memories continued. However, they weren’t of Earth, but of Pat Manor. He was living a leisurely life with his imagined wife and daughter in the manor… Yet, there was one thing that caused Angel a bit of a headache.
In his dream, Jon arbitrarily paired his daughter, Jo Mu, with Angel.
In Jon’s memories, Jo Mu was still a child, even younger than Angel!
Angel, expressionless, withdrew from Jon’s dream. Regardless, at least Jon was currently living well in his dream. Angel contemplated that perhaps Freud’s suggestion might hold some value.
However, whether Freud’s research could materialize required substantial empirical data for support, and at the moment, it was merely empty talk.
Angel left some of his Akeso blood essence as nourishment for the Dreamweaver Ant and then departed from the Ice Chamber.
Back in his room, Angel first glanced at a small illusion in one corner, untouched since he had left.
It appeared that Eureka hadn’t visited his room while he was away.
Angel dispelled the illusion, revealing the object inside as the air gradually rippled—the Softworm’s nest.
Before leaving, Angel had particularly observed that special egg. He wondered what condition it was in now?
When Angel extended his mental tendrils into the nest, he found several Softworms had hatched. Regrettably, all of them were ordinary Softworms, with only average value.
Angel turned his attention to the egg he had isolated.
It hadn’t hatched. Since being separated, it had consumed a significant amount of Akeso blood essence. In a mere four days, the blood essence Angel had previously placed inside had been entirely exhausted.
Angel poured a bit more blood essence into it. As it was still capable of absorbing blood essence, it indicated that its condition was still quite good.
Upon closer inspection, Angel muttered to himself, “Does this egg seem to have grown a bit? Or is it just my imagination?”
Regardless of any changes, Angel merely hoped it would hatch into a transformative Softworm.
A night passed.
In the early morning, news of Angel’s return was spread by Ollie, who was cleaning, and within ten minutes, Leon sought him out.
Leon’s main reason for visiting was to inquire about the purpose of Angel’s departure and to confirm his safety.
Only after Angel had briefly narrated his journey did he bring up the matter of the Demeter.
Chapter 872 Updating the Dream Realm <TOC> Chapter 874 First Experiment