Chapter 1259: Section 1260 Blurred Focus
Because they might not stay in the Barbarian Cave for the next while, Sanders decided to take Angel to report their upcoming itinerary first.
Normally, leaving didn’t actually require a special report. Many wizards often decided on the spur of the moment not to return for a while, like Madeline, who had initially left the Barbarian Cave for a short time, only to later decide to stay in the Abyss to study Black Thorn. These sudden changes of plans were too numerous, and generally, if one were gone for over a decade, such short-term leaves did not need to be officially reported.
Generally speaking, reporting one’s itinerary was only required for Apprentices and Official Wizards who were certain they wouldn’t return for a long time. Take Zithraide, for example, when he left the Barbarian Cave, he had no intention to return anytime soon, and it has been nearly two hundred years since he left.
However, they needed to report mainly to convey the messages from their previous venture in the Abyss, and to inform the Frostmoon Alliance of their overt presence through their actions.
Therefore, this report of their itinerary was essential, even if they were to return shortly after leaving.
As for the reporting party, Apprentices would report at the Task Hall, and Official Wizards would report directly to Rhein. But since Rhein was not present, the Tree Spirit and Wallace were handling these matters instead.
...
Though it was possible to send a message directly to the Tree Spirit, after some thought, Sanders decided to formally visit the Spirit Tree Hall and then call Wallace over as well.
When they arrived at the Spirit Tree Hall, the Tree Spirit greeted them lazily, then turned its gaze to Angel: “What, decided to walk into the trap yourself again after just leaving?”
Angel: “I’m here to report the itinerary for my departure.”
The Tree Spirit tongued two clicks: “But some people might not think so.”
No sooner had the Tree Spirit finished speaking than a ‘white old man’ with white robes, white hair, white eyebrows, and a white beard suddenly appeared beside it, looking gaunt but with an aura that seemed kindly.
Upon the white old man’s arrival, he completely ignored Sanders, walked straight up to Angel, and said with a beaming smile, “Ah, Angel, the effect of the Ocean’s Rhythm just now was quite a surprise. But it wouldn’t be fair to only benefit the flowers and trees. At my White Gull Academy, there’s a bunch of disappointing Apprentices. How about you go there and broaden their horizons? Then, as Lord Tree Spirit mentioned, we can assign them all to a compulsory task. They have been comfortable for too long; it’s about time they gained some experience.”
The White Gull Academy was Wallace’s domain. He was the wizard in the Barbarian Cave who had taken in the most students, all of whom were placed at the White Gull Academy.
And this white old man was none other than the head of White Gull Academy, Wallace.
Upon hearing Wallace’s words, for some reason, Angel inexplicably felt a hint of eagerness in the tone and attitude Wallace exhibited when speaking to him.
Angel chose his words carefully: “If the chance arises, I will definitely visit.”
“Of course, there will be an opportunity, aren’t you here to report your itinerary? Once it’s reported, I’ll take you there,” Wallace said, still smiling.
Before Angel could respond, Sanders abruptly said, “Once we’re done here, I’m afraid you might not be in the mood anymore.”
“I was speaking with Angel; what does it have to do with you?” Wallace glanced at Sanders, shook his head, and said to Angel: “It’s such a pity for you.”
Angel: “???”
“Following such a mentor, it must be quite restrictive, right? Ah, the doors of White Gull Academy will always be open to you.”
What did he mean by ‘such a mentor’? Angel didn’t understand the implication of Wallace’s words. Or was it simply that Wallace wanted to take a jab at Sanders? After all, Angel had known for quite some time that Wallace and Sanders did not get along.
Deciding to stay out of personal disputes, Angel opted for silence.
Sanders didn’t want to talk to Wallace any longer either, turning to the Tree Spirit to say, “Let’s get to the main point. I’ve brought Angel here to report our itinerary; we will be away from the Barbarian Cave for a while.”
“Of course, this report is optional. You probably know already, my main purpose is to discuss matters regarding the Abyss.”
With Sanders’s return to the Barbarian Cave, the current situation in the Abyss naturally became a point of interest for all wizards. After all, the Abyss was lucrative for both wizards and Apprentices. Yet, due to the plans of Lord Monty, they dared not venture into the Abyss for the time being.
Now that Sanders had returned from the Abyss, the most pressing concern for everyone was the situation there.
Therefore, when Sanders started to speak, not only did the Tree Spirit and Wallace turn their attention his way, but so did every wizard in the Barbarian Cave who sensed the atmosphere here; all eyes were on the Spirit Tree Hall.
Sanders didn’t beat around the bush and directly began recounting his experiences during this period.
At this moment, the surrounding air turned still, filled only by Sanders’s voice steadily narrating events from another world.
Sanders did not keep secrets, but he glossed over matters involving Angel.
For instance, the issue of Angel appearing suddenly in Lassudral with the Abyssal Wind Dragon Fafnir was not concealed by Sanders, but he merely mentioned it in passing.
Yet, even such brief mentions only fueled everyone’s curiosity more, making them itch with anticipation as if ants were crawling over them.
How could an Apprentice like Angel be connected to Fafnir?
And that wasn’t the extent of Angel’s involvement. As more was revealed, people grew increasingly astonished to realize that many messages had come from Angel to Frostmoon, which then led to subsequent arrangements.
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The gazes falling upon Angel grew more numerous.
Sanders was naturally aware of this situation, and since Rivetta had already set off to return to the Southern Domain, it wasn’t long before the new issue of “Glowing City Night Talk” would be published, which was certain to prominently feature Angel’s story. Thus, it was impossible to keep it hidden.
However, the reason he breezed over the topic of Angel while recounting the events wasn’t to keep people in suspense; rather, it was to let Angel narrate it himself. Because the authenticity of Sanders’s words couldn’t be verified with truth discernment techniques, people would remain skeptical about whether to believe him. But Angel was different—his strength was evident, and whether his words were true was crystal clear to everyone.
The incident in Lassudral saw several twists and turns, making everyone’s heart skip a beat every now and then. Especially upon learning that a half-blood demon had opportunistically advanced to become a lord, adding a significant variable to the situation.
It sounded too dramatic, as if even playwrights wouldn’t craft a story in such a way. But the more bizarre the event, the more it convinced the audience, not to mention they didn’t think Sanders would lie to them at this moment.
At the same time, they were also pondering: Had Monty ultimately obtained what he desired?
The answer was no.
When Sanders spoke of the sudden appearance of the alien creature that controlled the scene with chains and took away the Primeval Flame along with Aoluxiya’s body, everyone was astounded.
Who was this person? Could it be that the undercurrents they had failed to understand were actually this individual’s doing?
“The Flame Mark on Angel’s earlobe attracted the subsequent appearance of the Primeval Flame. Therefore, he was also taken away by the alien creature,” Sanders said, pausing at this point.
But this remark only deepened the crowd’s suspicions.
There were too many oddities! And all these strange occurrences revolved around Angel!
Why would the Abyssal Wind Dragon be with Angel? The newly ascended lord also seemed to be connected with Angel? Moreover, why would the Flame Mark on Angel’s earlobe attract the Primeval Flame? If Angel was taken by the alien creature, how is it that he is safely here now?
The Tree Spirit and Wallace exchanged glances and then set their eyes on Angel, realizing that Sanders’ pause was likely meant to let Angel unveil all these mysteries.
This was for the best as they would find it easier to distinguish the truth in Angel’s words.
Angel felt the gazes fixated on him, not just from the Tree Spirit and Wallace before him, but he could faintly sense eyes from every corner of the Mirror World watching.
Faced with everyone’s attention, Angel was not too nervous, recalling what Sanders had said earlier: “The events in Lassudral are centred on you, an indelible matter, as any wizard that returned from the Abyss could testify. But you cannot remain the focal point forever.”
“Remember, when it’s your turn to explain, you must skim over highly sensitive issues and extricate yourself from the proceedings, so as not to become the focal point again.”
Angel took stock of the key points Sanders had mentioned and began to narrate slowly.
Starting with the encounter in Wind Whisper Valley, where he met Fafnir, he glossed over the sensitive green pattern behind it, merely mentioning that Fafnir had just awakened from slumber and hoped Angel could do her a favor.
Then, he moved on to the Ice Valley incident, from the Flame Mark to the tasks Odeclass had assigned to him, Angel touched on each topic.
He skimmed over sensitive matters, such as those concerning “Feng”; he didn’t elaborate on them. Instead, he relayed that Odeclass had told him the night tavern master in Lassudral knew how to synthesize the Fire Transmission Stone and had sent him there in search of “Night.”
In this way, he explained the matters of the night tavern master, Fafnir, and the Marks. Although some details remained vague, the listeners did not mind, Overall, the story Angel told was true.
By the time he finished, the listeners were unsure whether Angel’s experiences were a blessing or a curse.
In the following account, Angel sped up considerably, adhering to Sanders’s advice to downplay his presence within the events as much as possible.
He attributed most of what happened in Lassudral to Fafnir, and glossed over the events after being taken by Popota, claiming unconsciousness as an excuse and asserting he knew nothing, then directly jumping to the Ice Valley. He let the audience misinterpret that Odeclass had saved him and informed him of the fall of the Lord of the Flameless’s True Spirit.
The news of the Lord of the Flameless True Spirit’s demise instantly set the previously calm atmosphere ablaze.
It was one thing for everyone to covertly direct their attention towards him, but now they did not hold back, with various inquiries directed at Angel, and others anxiously discussing the repercussions and the potential impact on the Southern Domain.
Although the ambiguity raised some doubts, nobody believed that Angel, a mere Apprentice, could be involved in the fall of the Lord of the Flameless’s True Spirit. It was certainly Odeclass who must have informed Angel of the True Spirit’s demise. As for who was responsible for it, that remained a mystery.
And as for the matter of Odeclass, Angel’s evasiveness was acceptable, considering it concerned a being comparable to—if not surpassing—Monty, a very powerful Magical Creature.
Of course, there were also queries about the whereabouts of Popota and Aoluxiya, to which Angel pleaded complete ignorance.
Although the others had their suspicions, they were resigned to the fact that Angel’s modest powers made it almost impossible for him to be mixed up in affairs between such mighty beings.
The Tree Spirit, however, shot a glance at Angel, whose physical strength had grown so formidable, surely the result of some fortuitous circumstances. But he could not confirm whether this occurred during the course of these events, or it might as well have been Odeclass’s assistance to Angel.
After all, according to Angel, he had gained Odeclass’s friendship.
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