Chapter 954 The Wild Witch <TOC> Chapter 956 News and Speculation
Translator: SumTLMan
Who in the world is the Music Box Magician!
Angel’s face turned somewhat dark at the moment, yet he was dealing with a full-fledged wizard, so he had to suppress the urge to retort. He explained, “Lord, I am indeed Angel, but I believe that the title of Music Box Magician has nothing to do with me.”
“Aren’t you quite fond of crafting music boxes, though?” It wasn’t Velite who said this, but Madeline teasing from the side. “I’ve heard from Tree Spirit that your high-rank creation was also a music box. Given your history of crafting a series of music boxes, doesn’t the title of Music Box Magician suit you quite well?”
Angel’s mouth twitched, and he dryly clarified, “My crafting of music boxes was purely accidental.”
Pointing to Toby who was snoozing in his pocket, he continued, “He loves music, hence I initially crafted music boxes. As I became proficient, I crafted a few more… However, this doesn’t mean that I am fond of music boxes. I have other signature works!”
“Oh, I see.” Madeline responded, her eyes smiling, before turning her gaze to Velite. She was curious as to why Velite was seeking Angel.
At this point, Velite chuckled, “When I saw you earlier, I wasn’t sure it was you. I can’t believe it truly is.”
After Angel’s music box was auctioned at the Ancient River Beach, his fame began to gradually rise. Once the images of his high-rank creation spread, his name grew even more illustrious.
However, every wave of popularity eventually recedes, especially in the rapidly changing world of wizards.
At the height of Angel’s fame, he never appeared in public. So now, as Angel’s popularity started to fade, Velite didn’t think much about him when they met.
Moreover, the image of Angel published in the magazines was from two years ago. Now, Angel had grown taller, and his face, while still not entirely mature, had started to show signs of maturing. This added a certain distinction to his current look from before, making it understandable that Velite hadn’t recognized him.
Above all, Velite would never have imagined that Angel would be sent to the Abyss!
However, the doubts he had when he first met Angel lingered in Velite’s mind. After pondering for a long time, he accidentally caught a glimpse of some lip-reading details when Madeline and Angel were chatting, seemingly mentioning “music box” and “alchemy”.
This realization made Velite pause, and he finally connected the dots with Angel.
Velite harbored an inquisitive disposition towards Angel, and recent conversations with his old acquaintance Gauss had hinted that Angel might possess inside information concerning the predicaments of Eternal Night Kingdom. What’s more, the calamity of Eternal Night Kingdom posed a potential threat to Western Demos, hence, he felt compelled to approach.
“Lord, may I inquire as to why you sought me out?” Angel ventured to ask.
Velite’s smile was radiant with kindness, his thoughts neatly concealed. He replied, “In truth, there isn’t much to it. I’m merely intrigued by you.” A pause hung in the air before Velite continued, “Lord Rhine is rather daring to send you into the Abyss. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have made such a choice.”
Angel responded, “This has nothing to do with Lord Rhine, venturing into the Abyss was my own idea.”
“I heard that Sumesh ventured into the Abyss not too long ago, and is still lingering around the Abyss Passage. Unexpectedly, you’re also heading to the Abyss. Does this mean… Phantom Master is planning some major move?”
Madeline’s eyes narrowed subtly, “Lord Velite, it appears that you’re quite interested in Phantom Master’s activities?”
Velite chuckled, “I’m simply a little curious.”
“Lord Velite, I’m heading into the Abyss solely because I’ve hit a bottleneck with my current abilities and need my mentor’s guidance. Also, I’ve only recently returned to the Vast Continent, and I’m not too privy to other matters,” Angel explained.
Upon noticing Angel’s furrowed brow and a flicker of wariness in his eyes, Velite heaved a soft sigh internally.
Had Madeline not been present, Velite had plenty of ways to coax information out of Angel, even without resorting to threats. However, with Madeline clearly providing Angel with a strong backing, Velite found it inappropriate to continue pressing.
After giving it some thought, Velite decided to change tack.
“I’d like to propose a deal, if you’re willing?” Velite looked at Angel.
“A deal?” Angel frowned, “If you’re seeking alchemy services, I’m afraid it might not be feasible at the moment. My main focus right now is on breaking through my current limitations.”
Velite replied, “While I do have some plans for alchemy, given your circumstances, we can put that aside for now. The deal I’m suggesting involves acquiring a piece of information from you.”
Information? Madeline, too, turned her gaze curiously. What sort of news could be so secretive that even the well-connected Velite was in the dark? Was it a query meant for Angel instead?
“What kind of information?”
Velite idly stroked his beard, his droopy eyelids hanging low, shielding his eyes from clear view. After a considerable pause, he slowly uttered, “The Transformation of Eternal Night Kingdom.”
The Transformation of Eternal Night Kingdom refers to the rapid proliferation of domes across the region, which, within a year, had upended half of the kingdom and began to extend into neighboring states. By sheer coincidence, the Fertile Kingdom where Western Demos resided lay on the border of Eternal Night Kingdom.
Angel wasn’t overly surprised by Velite’s query. When he and Sanders emerged from the fallen Sleepless City, he had an inkling that such questions would arise. However, Angel was about to return to Old Land Continent, and Sanders decided to shoulder the affairs of Sleepless City himself, purposely diverting attention from Angel, hence the matter was temporarily shelved.
Nonetheless, some wizards outside Sleepless City were skeptical about Angel, especially Professor Angelo, ‘The String Plucker’ from White Coral Floating Island Academy, who evidently knew something. Despite Sanders’ efforts to quell these suspicions, they were bound to resurface and amplify as the domes of Eternal Night Kingdom continued to grow. The anomaly that Angel manifested in Sleepless City would surely catch the attention of the observant.
As Angel pondered how to respond to Velite, Madeline interjected, “Angel is but an apprentice. Even if he was involved in the Sleepless City incident, he was merely a fortunate passerby. Instead of interrogating Angel, why not seek the one who truly knows the truth?”
“Phantom Master is also in the Abyss, and since Lord Velite seems to be heading there as well, why not directly ask Phantom Master when you arrive?”
Faced with Madeline, Velite chuckled, “Once in the Abyss, I will, of course, seek the counsel of Phantom Master, but I am also curious to know Angel’s perspective on this matter.”
Velite’s gaze focused on Angel, a spark of keen interest illuminating his eyes, “I have received some information from a few friends. It was you, wasn’t it, who conjured the energy storm in Sleepless City? It was rumored that had the storm continued, the city’s dome might have disappeared. Furthermore, you were the first to emerge from the dome of Sleepless City, yet you returned right after exiting—a scene that was caught by Whip Witch.”
The information shared by Velite was even unknown to Madeline.
With a sigh resonating deep within him, Angel realized the inevitability of his unusual past actions coming under scrutiny as the situation in Eternal Night Kingdom escalated. Velite, perhaps, was the first one to question him, but he certainly would not be the last.
After a moment’s contemplation, Angel lifted his gaze, meeting Velite’s scrutinizing eyes without flinching.
A smirk crawled onto Velite’s face as he anticipated Angel’s explanation.
Instead of Sanders, he was more interested in Angel’s perspective about Eternal Night Kingdom. After all, he couldn’t discern the authenticity of Sanders’s statements. But with Angel… even without resorting to the Truth Spell, Angel’s heart rate, blood flow speed, and the dispersal of his pheromones during speech would reveal if he was being truthful.
A smile spread across Angel’s face as well. Under Velite’s expectant gaze, he stated firmly, yet deliberately, “I decline.”
Velite blinked, still processing Angel’s intention, when Madeline burst out laughing from the side.
“Didn’t you ask Angel if he’d be willing to make a deal? Well, he answered, didn’t he? He declined,” chuckled Madeline. She had assumed Angel would be intimidated by Velite’s wizard status and would respond ambiguously. But to her surprise, Angel rejected outright.
Once the gist of Angel’s words dawned on him, Velite’s expression darkened instantaneously.
This was the second snub he had encountered within a fortnight. The first one was from Piers, and now, Angel. Piers, at least, was a formal wizard, whereas Angel was merely an apprentice. How could he bear such humiliation?
As Velite’s temper threatened to erupt, a sudden commotion erupted from a distance.
“Huh? What’s that?” someone pointed towards the distant horizon.
At the edge of the azure sky, a black dot abruptly appeared, darting towards the direction of the Wings of Cold Frost with lightning speed.
It was only when the black dot approached, did they discern that it was a cloaked figure swathed in a black cape.
Some speculated that this individual came to investigate the preceding anomaly in the space as its enormity had already attracted several rounds of inspections. However, to their surprise, the newcomer soared directly onto the Wings of Cold Frost.
The initial ruckus was a catalyst for a brewing storm.
Velite was contemplating meting out a lesson to Angel when a familiar voice echoed from behind, “Angel? Fantastic, I’m fortunate to have caught up!”
The voice prattled on, accompanied by the rhythmic tempo of footfalls, “I initially ventured to the Savage Grottoes and had to scramble to find out you’ve ascended the Wings of Cold Frost. I thought I wouldn’t make it in time, but it appears luck has deigned to smile upon me.”
Soon, the figure stopped in its tracks, coming to a standstill not far behind Velite. Puzzled, Velite swiveled, coming face to face with the newcomer.
Regardless of whether it was Velite or the visitor, upon seeing the other, their pupils subtly contracted.
“Velite?” “Piers?” “What brings you here?” Both voices collided in an uncanny unison.
The person who had arrived was none other than Piers, who had parted ways with Velite not so long ago!
Captain of the Ashen Time Merchant Group!
Why would he be here? This thought lingered not only in Piers’s mind but also lingered in Velite’s thoughts.
Piers furrowed his brow, directing his gaze towards Angel.
Velite glanced at Piers, then shifted his focus back to Angel. A thunderous epiphany seemed to resonate in his mind as if he had stumbled upon an intricate plot…
Chapter 954 The Wild Witch <TOC> Chapter 956 News and Speculation