Chapter 978 The Snowstorm Banshee <TOC> Chapter 980 The Tavern in the Graveyard
Translator: SumTLMan
“Are elemental beings a rarity?” Upon hearing Duchess Bel’s words, Angel posed a query with a dash of curiosity.
Madeline answered, “Not exactly, there’s a profusion of elemental creatures within the Wizarding World. In fact, wizards often nurture elemental spirits with unique methods and over time, these spirits evolve into full-fledged elemental beings. However, this does require a long span of nurturing.”
“Nevertheless,” she continued, “naturally birthed elemental creatures are indeed a lesser-seen phenomena. These beings only emerge in places that satisfy specific environmental conditions and other stringent criteria.”
Angel nodded, the explanation was in alignment with his pre-existing knowledge. Although, his real question was of a different nature.
“So, are there any worlds where only elemental beings exist?” Angel inquired with an air of nonchalance.
“A world solely inhabited by elemental beings? I’ve not come across such a realm, though the pan-dimensional universe has not yet been completely explored, so there could be a chance,” Madeline chuckled and added, “However, if such a world were indeed discovered, I surmise the majority of wizards would become utterly obsessed with it.”
“Obsessed? Why so?” Angel was taken aback.
“Wizards and elemental beings share an intricate symbiosis…” As Madeline unravelled the complexities of this relationship, Angel began to fathom what elemental beings meant to wizards.
Firstly, possession of an elemental creature could aid a wizard’s progression in elemental practices. Besides very specific cases, most wizards inevitably delve into elemental magic, and researching elemental creatures could expedite your cross-disciplinary practices.
Secondly, elemental beings could serve as conduits for casting elemental magic. As long as you do not exhaust all of the elemental being’s energy at once, it can recover over time.
Moreover, if properly nurtured, elemental beings could become formidable forces themselves and serve as valuable allies.
“When you ascend to wizardhood, you can commence the nurturing of your own elemental beings. But if you are able to capture a naturally-born elemental being, you could save considerable nurturing time.”
However, Madeline also compared nurtured versus naturally-born elemental beings, noting that both had their unique strengths and weaknesses.
In terms of aiding in wizardly practices, both were equally effective. However, nurturing an elemental being required a considerable investment of time and magical materials. Yet, because you raised them, they tend to be loyal and can be nurtured according to your own intentions.
Naturally-born elemental beings, on the other hand, are not easily tamed. Furthermore, they are so sparse in the natural world that finding one in sync with your own affinities is far from a straightforward task.
“Indeed, if we imagine a world solely inhabited by elemental beings, the quest for one’s own elemental counterpart becomes a much simpler task, likely driving wizards into a frenzy.”
Upon hearing Madeline’s explanation, Angel found himself enlightened. He had previously observed Bogula’s fire elemental sprite, could it have been nurturing into an elemental creature?
However, a question lingered: “If these elemental creatures are such rare commodities, why did we kill the Snowstorm Banshee earlier?”
“The abyssal elemental energy is far too explosive and difficult to control, offering little in the way of assistance to a wizard. Moreover, that tangible malice demonstrated earlier suggested it would be a challenge to tame, therefore, it was unnecessary to spare her.” Madeline paused, looking at Angel quizzically, “It seems, you’ve taken an interest in these elemental creatures?”
“For my first encounter. Yes, I’m slightly intrigued.”
“Although they are rare, they do exist. The next time we encounter an elemental being similar to the Snowstorm Banshee, I could help you capture it.”
Angel quickly waved off the offer. His professed interest was purely due to his thoughts about the Tidal Realm, not because he truly wished to capture an elemental creature.
Since Angel declined, Madeline did not press the matter, believing it would be better for one to nurture their own elemental creatures.
As Duchess Bel continued her incessant chatter, the group advanced, eventually returning inside the Frost Cathedral.
Listening to Madeline’s words earlier, Angel found himself feeling relieved yet burdened. It seems the Tidal Realm truly remained unknown to others. If the Tidal Realm was discovered, as Madeline suggested, a majority of wizards would likely succumb to madness, wouldn’t they?
It seems this secret must be kept for now.
However, Angel couldn’t completely ascertain if the small door within the Shannon Royal Family indeed led to the Tidal Realm. All his assumptions were based on a not-so-detailed map from the Magic Painter.
Only future exploration would clarify what lies behind that door. Depending on the circumstances, the decision to disclose this secret can be made then.
Two hours later, Duchess Bel had navigated through the overlapping mountain ranges, finally reaching the confluence of mountains and sea.
From afar, they could already see the desolate expanse of the sea.
The skies over the Silent Dead Sea bore an uncanny aura, one that sent shivers down one’s spine, causing a sense of dread even without venturing into the ocean itself.
Angel glimpsed the tranquil, eerily silent sea through the stained glass window of the cathedral.
The Silent Dead Sea, whispered about in legends, was once the watery grave of a demon god from the deepest layers of the underworld. Lord Mengke, intrigued by these tales, took it upon himself to investigate, only to ultimately debunk them as mere fables. However, following his exploration, he declared unequivocally that beneath the surface of the Silent Dead Sea lurked immense dangers—not only monstrous creatures of significant power, but entities that surpassed even his own.
Yet, these creatures were bound to the sea, seldom encroaching upon the land. Even if they did, their threat to wizards significantly diminished compared to their lethal potency in their aquatic domain.
In essence, as long as one refrained from recklessly venturing into the sea, the coast of the Silent Dead Sea was relatively safe.
But was the coast of the Silent Dead Sea truly safe now?
Angel’s gaze shifted from the lusterless sea, devoid of any semblance of life, to the nearby coast. The coastline wasn’t sandy shores, but rather barren mountains atop steep cliffs with grotesque boulders scattered about. The vegetation was sparse due to the uneven ridge lines, hindering a clear view of the distance. Yet upon closer inspection, the solitude was palpable.
“According to past encounters, there usually are sea monsters lingering about once we’re outside the snow mountain range. However, it seems Duchess Bel was right; not a single one is in sight.” Velite’s expression was grave. Upon reaching this abnormal area, caution was mandatory.
“Let’s press on, just stay on your guard,” Sineva glanced at Bruen, “You too, be alert. If there’s any sign of trouble, have Duchess Bel go berserk immediately.”
As everyone braced themselves, Duchess Bel finally embarked on the route leading to the Silent Dead Sea’s Silent Shore.
Perhaps sensing the air of tension, Duchess Bel quickened her pace without any prodding from Sineva. She was deliberate in keeping her footsteps light, avoiding attracting any unwelcome attention lurking in the shadows.
The heightened alertness of the wizards and the change in Duchess Bel’s demeanor put the apprentices in the cathedral on edge.
Time slowly ticked away, and Duchess Bel’s pace steadily increased.
For now, everything remained calm, but the pressure bearing down on everyone did not abate. They were still half a day away from crossing the Silent Dead Sea coast.
This palpable tension had a few of the apprentices jumping at shadows, spooked by every little rustle and stir.
“I think I heard something…like a heartbeat, but it’s so loud…” One apprentice confessed with a tremor in his voice.
Bruen turned his head, a sneer forming on his face. “Don’t doubt yourself, that’s the pounding of your own heart.”
“Why does it feel like the wind has died down and the silence around us has deepened?”
“Because I just closed the window.”
There were not a few among the apprentices who frightened themselves in such a manner. It was like a wave of mass hysteria, causing even the most steadfast of them to suffer from auditory and visual hallucinations.
Bruen shook his head in dismay, glancing at these apprentices, then at Angel, the stark contrast between them did not escape his notice.
“Living for decades without knowing the true purpose of life, they are far inferior to a child barely in his teens,” he mused, realizing why they’d been held back by their own mental barriers for years, failing to make any progress, left with no choice but to venture into the Abyss.
“Did anyone hear something?”
Upon hearing the question, Bruen was about to admonish what he assumed was yet another apprentice getting jittery. But when he turned his head, he found it wasn’t an apprentice who had spoken, but Sineva, her brow furrowed in a show of genuine concern.
The sincerity in Sineva’s face was undeniable, and it was improbable that she would attempt to frighten the others deliberately.
“A sound?” Velite lightly tapped his staff, a strange energy radiating outwards, the tiny ears of the chubby sand rat beneath his feet swelled to several times their size, looking like those of a rabbit.
The sand rat’s ears twitched, and simultaneously so did Velite’s.
“There indeed is a sound, it seems like someone is…” Velite began, carefully choosing his words, yet struggling to describe the auditory sensation.
It was a faint murmur, as inconspicuous as the buzz of a mosquito, resembling a prayer; but it seemed to contain fluctuations, almost like a lamenting song; yet upon closer listening, it bore no recognizable form of language.
Bruen started listening attentively, and after a while, his brows furrowed. “I think I’m hearing the chirping of birds?”
“Ahem…that’s the sound of Angel’s magical pet,” Velite clarified.
Bruen cast a glance back and indeed, he caught Angel deep in hushed conversation with the diminutive seabird known as Toby.
Bruen: “…”
At this, Angel turned his head, addressing the crowd, “Toby just informed me that there seems to be singing.”
“Singing?” Bruen queried, puzzled.
Angel: “To be precise, it’s humming.”
“Yes! That’s it, humming!” Velite’s recognition dawned, finally able to put a name to the elusive sound that had been perplexing him all along. Angel’s words triggered his epiphany.
Sineva chimed in with a nod, “Indeed, there’s the sound of humming, although it doesn’t seem to carry any energy fluctuations.”
“Regardless of any energy fluctuations, the presence of humming here undoubtedly signals life. We need to either locate it or avoid it,” Bruen declared.
As Duchess Bel advanced, the humming sound seemed to intensify.
Velite: “It appears that we are heading in the direction of the hummer… Avoiding it may be easier said than done. Perhaps, they’ve already detected our presence.”
Chapter 978 The Snowstorm Banshee <TOC> Chapter 980 The Tavern in the Graveyard