Chapter 996 The Harbinger of Doom <TOC> Chapter 998 Prophecies and the Unexpected Visitor
Translator: SumTLMan
The unforeseen emergence of the Harbinger of Doom set the entire Watchtower Fortress into a state of upheaval.
No sooner had Samantha hastened back to the fortress, she veered off course and rushed to the Inverted Waterfalls, relaying the situation to Sky Island.
Simultaneously, Sineva dispatched scouts, tracing the route that the harbinger took in his departure to prevent other wizards from passing the same path.
Ultimately, Samantha’s conjecture wasn’t wrong. The path tread by the Harbinger of Doom led from the Howling Plains to the Silent Shore. However, upon reaching Silent Shore, it dived into the Silent Dead Sea, disappearing without a trace.
Angel stood on the fourth floor balcony of Sanders’ room, gazing outwards.
The atmosphere of the entire Watchtower Fortress had shifted from its prior vibrant, bustling state to a touch of dejection. Even the once gleaming steel edifices seemed to have lost some of their luster, tainted with a hint of gloom.
The cause of this sea change? The Harbinger of Doom.
“What manner of creature is this Harbinger of Doom?” Angel mused curiously.
Engrossed in his research, Angel had only come to the balcony upon hearing the rumors from outside. His mutterings weren’t intended to be heard, yet surprisingly, someone answered him.
“It’s a beast that everyone gives a wide berth to, its ill-fate so potent that even the lords of the Abyss find repellent.”
The familiar voice made Angel spin around swiftly, only to see Sanders’ figure abruptly materialize behind him, morphing from a vague outline to a tangible form.
“Mentor, you’ve returned?” Angel greeted respectfully.
Sanders strode up to the balcony, his boots imprinting faint tracks in the snow, then came to a halt beside Angel. He raised an eyebrow and said, “I heard from Canter that you’ve been stirring things up these past few days?”
“Not at all.” Angel blinked innocently, portraying a guiltless facade.
Sanders didn’t press further. He had already gleaned the specifics from Canter regarding the Worm Mother’s matter. While it had stirred Canter, Sanders considered it insignificant compared to Angel’s previous exploits; it barely registered.
It was merely a fortunate opportunity that had come his way.
“I recall Nisi once ventured into the ruins of the ‘Heart of the Swarm’ research institute. Once we return to the Savage Grottoes, I’ll help you ask him about it,” Sanders seemed pleased that Angel could cultivate the Morphing Softworm. After all, the Shapeshifting Spell is a crucial skill for a wizard.
Angel beamed, acknowledging that he was merely following Canter’s suggestions at present. If there were more detailed records, his probability of cultivating the Softworm would be significantly heightened.
“Don’t express your gratitude just yet. Nisi might not even truly know anything,” Sanders interjected, altering the direction of the conversation. “Have you completed the task I set for you before I left?”
A flicker of embarrassment passed over Angel’s face. He had been engrossed in dealing with the Dreamweaver Ant’s invasion for the past few days and had not created the alchemical dream realm.
“I planned to begin crafting it today, but I didn’t expect you to return so early, mentor.”
“Since you haven’t begun, let it be for now. It won’t take long. Once Samantha returns from Sky Island, Watchtower Fortress should be able to catch up with the next phase,” Sanders, gazing at Downfallen Forest blanketed in white snow in the distance, asserted. “When the news comes, I should have time to take you back to the Wizarding World.”
“Can we go back?”
Sanders nodded, “The Harbinger of Doom’s appearance here implies that the Descendant of the Demon God will not take the passage through Downfallen Forest. The significance of Watchtower Fortress diminishes then. When the time comes, there will surely be personnel shifts, and I could carve out some leisure time.”
“Is the Harbinger of Doom that powerful? Is it impossible for others to tread where it has passed?”
“The doom it spreads is almost unstoppable. Whoever treads on the path it has taken will face misfortune,” Sanders replied, his eyes involuntarily revealing a hint of dread.
The entire Watchtower Fortress was steeped in despair due to the Harbinger of Doom’s arrival. Every apprentice knew the fortress was possibly on the brink of failure, so nobody continued their work.
Nevertheless, despite the apprentices appearing more relaxed, they were not particularly pleased. Because, if the fortress were confirmed to be discontinued, they would inevitably be relocated to other frontlines. The safety on their journey could not be guaranteed.
The apprentices were displeased, but the wizards weren’t exactly thrilled either.
Velite came to Watchtower Fortress with the aim of journeying into the Inner Layer. Now, with the emergence of the Harbinger of Doom, he had no other option but to wait.
Having learned from Sanders that the Inner Layer contained Soul Returning Sand, Sineva also intended to explore it after a period of recovery. Now, she had no choice but to wait for relocation.
The only person in the entire fortress who was probably overjoyed was Madeleine.
Because, as of now, Dongola was still exploring the Inner Layer in search of demonic materials.
She remained oblivious of the encroaching specter known as the Harbinger of Doom. Therefore, if she was to traverse the layers of Downfallen Forest to return, she was bound to be stained by the ill-fated doom.
However, as of this moment, there was no feasible way to relay this vital information to Dongola.
Even if they attempted to use a magical puppet for this purpose, it would invariably be corrupted by the impending doom, rendering it absolutely incapable of delivering the message to Dongola.
Unless unforeseen circumstances were to intervene, there was a high probability that Dongola would be tainted by the curse of doom. This news could only bring joy to Madeline.
…
Throughout these days, Angel stayed in Sanders’ Gravity Garden, discussing matters pertaining to the Wilderness of Dreams together.
Meanwhile, Sanders was fervently absorbing the foundational knowledge Angel offered.
Two days later, Samantha returned from Sky Island with news. Everyone was to stay in Watchtower Fortress for now, until the state of martial law imposed upon the demon city was lifted. If Downfallen Forest remained unchanged, they would then withdraw to Kodo Port.
The news wasn’t surprising. Their current stay at Watchtower Fortress was merely a waiting game for that “one in ten thousand” possibility.
Perhaps the Descendant of the Demon God were fearless in the face of the impending doom and would genuinely emerge from Downfallen Forest?
While the possibility existed, it was infinitesimal. Everyone dismissed the notion out of hand. Besides, given the presence of impending doom in Downfallen Forest, the demons were also temporarily incapacitated from launching any attacks. Therefore, what was once considered the most dangerous frontier — Watchtower Fortress — was paradoxically the safest haven now.
A rare period of respite was granted to all.
The day following Samantha’s return, every wizard in the fortress received a magazine named —Frost Moon Confidential—.
—Frost Moon Confidential— was an internal periodical of the Frost Moon Alliance, filled with myriad secret news that was never distributed to outsiders. However, all wizards on the Abyss frontlines, regardless of whether they belonged to the Frost Moon Alliance, were entitled to a copy.
This time, Samantha brought back the latest —Frost Moon Confidential— from her trip to Sky Island.
While Sanders was leafing through the magazine, his pupils constricted halfway through the reading.
In the next instant, Angel, who was savoring a cup of pale golden milk, found himself materializing in the study.
Taken aback by the sudden relocation from the Gravity Garden, Angel stared at Sanders. Most notably, he was still holding the milk from the Milk Fruit Tree, and a dollop of white, golden-light-tinged viscous fluid was still sticking to his lips!
Where in the world does this leave his dignity!
A flicker of embarrassment flashed across Angel’s face as he coughed lightly, “Engrossed in my research, I felt parched, thus I indulged in a minor libation.”
As he scrambled to put away the milk cup, Angel simultaneously tried to offer this explanation.
Sanders, who had been in awe due to the previous accounts in —Frost Moon Confidential—, was now finding it hard to stifle his amusement at Angel’s predicament.
Hearing a guttural chuckle, Angel looked up, perplexed, at Sanders.
Could it be that Sanders deliberately chose the moment he was drinking milk to pluck him out from the Gravity Garden?
After his laughter subsided, noticing Angel’s expression darken with suspicion, Sanders began, “The reason I’ve called you out this time is that there’s something we need to address.”
Lifting the magazine he held, he pointed to a page and said to Angel:
“Lucas’ Skull—it’s been located.”
A chill darted through Angel’s eyes. His mind, initially cluttered with a multitude of thoughts, was instantly cleared, with all his attention now riveted on Sanders’ revelation——
Lucas’ Skull has been found?!
He rushed over to the desk, hastily scanning the magazine’s pages.
The first thing that caught his eye wasn’t the “Lucas’ Skull” mentioned by Sanders but a giant headline: Star Observing Day.
The following subheading was rather prosaic: —Prophecy Two: Mysterious Object Lost in the Devil’s Sea—.
Seemingly mundane upon reading, yet the content recorded within was enough to send shockwaves through Angel’s heart!
He had previously speculated about who might have taken that Mysterious Object. Although he hadn’t touched Lucas’ Skull, news of the Mysterious Object’s disappearance soon arrived. Meaning, after his departure, someone had stealthily absconded with Lucas’ Skull amidst numerous true knowledge wizards.
This had been Angel’s previous conjecture, which was refuted by Sanders.
Given the ability of “Sea God” Florence to cover the entire dark space in a glance, it would be impossible for anyone to secretly steal anything under his watch.
Indeed, it was this very curiosity that gnawed at Angel, puzzling him as to who could have absconded with Lucas’ Skull, orchestrating it amongst the Song of the Deep Sea and Summer Dew Ridge… Above all else, he had been unwittingly dragged into the mess! He had narrowly escaped a lethal encounter with Sirius in the Silver Heron Royal Palace!
Angel began to meticulously peruse the text before him.
According to the chronicle in the magazine, a certain Observer named “Ivan” had made this discovery while observing the Mystery of Starlight.
As he made his way halfway through, his brow started to furrow.
“This Mysterious Object, isn’t in human hands?” Angel queried in disbelief, “How is that possible? Could the Leviathan have gotten it?”
After uttering those words, Angel immediately had second thoughts; if the Leviathan was in possession, they would have discovered it long ago.
“Ivan’s prophecy suggests that Lucas’ Skull indeed isn’t in human possession. Subsequent texts mention some speculation that the entity holding the Mysterious Object might still be human, but they have entrusted it to a non-human hand.” Pausing for a moment, Sanders added, “Also, this individual can shield against prophecy spying and might even own an exceptionally rare alchemy item with the same function.”
The more Sanders expounded, the more Angel felt that something was amiss.
He possessed an alchemy item that could shield prophecies, and considering the circumstances of that time, it seemed highly improbable for anyone else to take Lucas’ Skull right from under Florence’s nose…
A chill ran down Angel’s spine as he was struck by a sudden realization.
Could it be Toby who took it?
Toby indeed had the opportunity to take the skull, and, being a constant presence around him, could fully benefit from the effects of Blood Night Sanctuary.
Angel spun around, looking for Toby, but found no trace of him.
When the passage to Downfallen Forest was sealed off and there were no visible threats around, Toby, being adept in navigating the Abyss, was let loose. He only advised it against venturing into Downfallen Forest and not to stray too far.
“What are you looking for?” Sanders asked, puzzled.
Hesitating for a moment, Angel finally voiced his suspicion: “I suspect, could it be Toby who took Lucas’ Skull?”
Sanders paused for a moment, then began to laugh: “It’s not Toby, you should keep reading.”
Chapter 996 The Harbinger of Doom <TOC> Chapter 998 Prophecies and the Unexpected Visitor