Angor thought about following the same steps and creating another cape to see whether the outcome remained the same. But he gave up on this plan since it was too difficult to find enough resources at mortal lands.
The extra effect was beneficial, and this was more important right now.
The cape had a simple black design combined with pale golden markings that occasionally faded from view as the cape moved. The inner lining of the cape was made from a special beast hide resistant against cold and dust. There was a single shoulder pad over the right shoulder, while a teardrop-shaped crystal was attached to it.
The crystal was both an extra decoration and a simple space storage, which could be used to keep the cape when it wasn’t in use. At the same time, the energy source was also placed inside the crystal.
Angor was pretty satisfied with the general coloring of his new garment. The golden patterns and the red fur interlining went well with his noble style, and he could fasten it tighter to remain inconspicuous.
However, the first designer of the cape, which was Nano, would get mad to see the final outcome. During their initial discussion, Nano used really bright colors on the cape, such as purple, light green, as well as shiny embroideries. And Nano was probably the only individual in this world who would walk in public in such chaotic colors.
Last but not least, he must see how well the Empty Ballad magic array turned out.
He took out a magic crystal and put it near the “teardrop charm”, which quickly absorbed the crystal and began to glow with a golden light.
Angor then put on the cape and activated Empty Ballad, which received the energy provided by the teardrop object.
He didn’t see any visible effect. In fact, he couldn’t tell whether the magic array was working at all if he had not seen the energy stored in the teardrop depleting rapidly. He knew he was now protected.
He took a moment to observe the consumption rate and estimated that Empty Ballad required a new magic crystal to remain in effect for three days. This didn’t sound like much at first, but it was in fact rather expensive since he needed to keep the magic array on at all times to prevent Prophets from looking at him or his family. Since he couldn’t predict when exactly a Prophet would “scan” him, the magic crystals he spent on the cape would serve no purpose most of the time. Apprentices usually couldn’t afford to waste money like this.
Angor did save a lot of magic crystals to keep the cape working for now, but he still felt his heart bleeding for it.
He studied Empty Ballad just to keep himself and his family safe from peeking eyes, and that was what he would do. From this point and on, he would leave the magic array activated at all times. Thankfully, the effect could cover a small area around its position as well, so he didn’t have to wear the cape twenty-four seven. He could leave the cape inside the “teardrop storage” and carry the teardrop crystal with him. However, in this way, the covering effect would only protect him, and just barely.
“One less task to do...” He stretched his arms and took out his personal notebook to record his new crafting experience as well as several unsolved questions such as the unknown effect of the cape and Cassini.
Also, he came up with a name for his cape—The Crimson Aegis.
The cape had solved his most imminent concern. At least the Centipede Guild couldn’t locate him as easily from now on.
He had a night of much-needed good sleep and felt safer than ever. It was as if Crimson Aegis came to life and was guarding him against looming threats while also soothing his mind by chanting a gentle poem.
He woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed from head to toe. He was glad to notice that all the uneasiness and anxiety that had been bugging him during the past days were all gone. Now he somewhat understood why the magic array was named the “Empty Ballad”.
The snowy weather continued.
In the early morning, Angor took out his Gondola and found a spot among several barren mountains several thousands of kilometers away from Lost Paradise City. He then took out his tools and materials to begin another crafting session.
Another alchemy omen occurred in midway, but he passed it without trouble since he already had the experience.
When the omen fully ended, it revealed a single gray feather floating in front of him.
This was the Dusky Feather, a mid-tiered alchemy item made for Toby.
Angor made this one to grant a similar stealth effect to Toby since he saw more than once that people could use Toby to track him down.
Dusky Feather was also enchanted with Infinite Reticence. With this, Toby could help him keep track of targets without being discovered.
After blending the item with Toby’s usual gray feathers around his neck, Angor noticed that he would slowly forget about Toby’s presence if he wasn’t paying attention, just as expected.
“Let’s go back.” He summoned Toby, who was hopping around happily for getting a new toy, and left on his Gondola again.
He came to Lost Paradise City to look for Lucas’ traces. But since he decided to quit this matter so as not to aggravate Jebra and the other investigating parties, and that there were no talents to be found here, he was going to head back to Yothur City, find Tulu, and continue their journey.
Before leaving, he paid Ross Manor another visit. He had not given Neet the bottle of Indigo Elixir yet. He wasn’t going to fail such a simple promise.
Within several minutes, Gondola took them to Oak Mountain. Angor put away his boat and moved toward Ross Mansion by using his flying boots.
After arriving at the snow-covered mansion and scanning it using spirit feelers, he soon found Neet happily talking to a young lady in the backyard.
Then he landed right behind Neet, which startled the poor sailor for good.
“Do you need something, sir?” Neet recovered from his shock and asked his partner to be polite in front of Angor.
Angor remained silent for a moment to observe the blushing pair.
“Apologizes. It seems I interrupted something.”
“Ahem! No, sir, Sonata is just here to—”
The lady named Sonata, who was wearing a plain-looking dress, helped Neet by picking up the subject. “Sir Wizard, I’m a humble gardener working at Sherry Patio. I’m only a common friend of Mister Neet, and I’m glad we are.”
“But Sonata, I truly—” Neet disagreed.
Sonata looked at the ground in sadness. Being a lowly servant meant she had no hope of accepting the love of a noble member.
Meanwhile, Angor instantly knew what was going on since this drama was too common in storybooks.
“Fine, I’ll not meddle with your love affairs. Neet, you can take this.”
He tossed a bottle of blue liquid to Neet, who quickly accepted it with a delighted look.
“Thank you very much, sir!”
“You’re welcome.” Angor looked at Sonata. “Did you just say you worked for the Sherry Patio?”
Sonata nodded.
Angor frowned. He saw this name in Moyah’s journal. It was a small garden full of a type of flowers called “sherry blossoms”, and it was also where Moyah lived most of her life.
He wondered if the “Sherry Patio” mentioned by Sonata was the same place.
“Where is this patio?”
“This place right here is the Sherry Patio, sir,” said Neet.
Angor looked around the small yard and saw patches of violet flowers striving against the snow.
An old well covered by haystacks in the corner of the yard suddenly caught his attention.
“When did your family start to live here?” He looked at Neet and asked a question that just came to his mind.
“Um, while Anrum has been constantly affected by wars, they never reached Lost Paradise City. The king granted us our territory at Winterrange, a city pretty far from here. But the descendants of the Ross Family have been living at Lost Paradise since the Age of Gold.”
“You mean your family has existed in this city since three thousand years ago?”
“That’s right, sir.”