The “dragonfly nest” in Pocratee had been there for over a thousand years. It looked peaceful enough since the monsters did nothing more than roaming around the village.
But suppose that someone actually provoked them...
Jebra described the general situation of Fairy World as “really bad but could still get worse”. Yet Angor knew there was even more to it. The biggest problem was the nightmare passage hidden in the village.
He wasn’t sure whether something from the Nightmare Realm could enter Fairy World through that tunnel, but he WAS sure that all the strange monsters already living inside the tunnel meant big trouble if they came out.
He still remembered that, when traveling with the rainbow dragonflies, they ran into a gigantic life form that seemed deadly enough AND highly intelligent. If the dragonflies suddenly decided to set it free...
When he thought the southern region had enough trouble, Jebra told him yet another incident, which was caused by the greedy nature of men.
In the past year, Angor kept hearing “Abyss” being mentioned, but he didn’t pay enough attention until Jebra told him what was going on over there.
“In Abyss Plane, Mister Monkey is planning to get his hands on the offspring of a Grand Demon so that he can use its blood to transcend his limit and reach the level of legendary.”
Angor didn’t know much about Abyss Plane or demons, but he knew stealing a demon’s offspring didn’t sound like a good idea.
Finally, he knew why Sunders kept urging him to work harder while indirectly mentioning an incoming demon calamity.
Whether Monkey’s plan could succeed or not, his action would undoubtedly infuriate the Grand Demon. It would direct its madness at where Monkey came from—the southern wizarding region.
In other words, Monkey placed everyone in the south in great danger for his own gain.
Naturally, Angor felt greatly disturbed by Monkey’s act. But on second thought... he would probably do the same if he were also presented with an opportunity of becoming a legendary wizard.
Most wizards in the south, including the supreme leader of Brute Cavern—”Silencer” Rein Mute—all supported Monkey’s plan because they also eagerly wanted to find new destinies that pushed their limits.
There had not been a single legendary wizard in the south for over a thousand years.
Should Monkey succeed, he would reveal a brand new path to achieve glory for everyone else. In the views of wizards who would gain such a valuable chance, completely destroying the peace was an acceptable cost. As wizards, they knew how to hide from demon retaliation. And they knew that the world’s consciousness would intervene eventually and prevent the world from actually being destroyed in due time.
As for the lives of apprentices and mortals... Nobody cared.
While on his way back to Ross Mansion, Angor looked around the shiny and prosperous city. He then sighed in distress.
This is all going to become ruins when the demons come... Well, unless the demon army ignored this land for some reason. But people shouldn’t depend on such a slim chance.
He temporarily forgot about these worrying matters upon arriving at Ross Mansion because he saw the purple-haired woman from Summerdew Ridge again, and she was standing right outside the mansion’s door.
Neet also recognized her as another supernatural being since he saw her talking in front of Blue Estate. The poor man looked back at Angor hoping to learn what he should do.
Angor simply asked Neet to go and park their vehicle. He then walked to the woman to talk.
“I’m a total stranger to Summerdew Ridge, so... do you have anything you wish to tell me, ma’am?”
He fully knew that this woman was probably here to establish a social connection with him, just like Jebra. But he still asked this question out of courtesy.
As expected, both Swan’s response and the way she moved proved his idea.
“It’s so hard for people like us to run into each other at this land. Don’t be like that. You can call me Swan, by the way,” the woman said while moving closer to Angor until Angor could hear her breath.
Angor smelled the scent of an unknown pheromone and activated his Purification Field without a second thought.
Swan saw her initial tactic not working and took several steps back.
“As I said last time, I’ve heard a lot about the brilliant alchemy skills displayed by you, Mister Padt. I once attempted alchemy too. Biological research was what I learned at that time. As a fellow alchemist, I’d really appreciate it if we can find a time and exchange some experience.”
Swan leaned against the door frame nearby and smoked her pipe while not forgetting to wink at Angor.
Angor already heard that the “Basket Witch” was a Karabit who loved doing research on life forms. It was expected that her student also knew something similar.
“I’m afraid I don’t have time for it since I’m leaving Lost Paradise City very soon. But I’m sure we’ll meet again and find another time.”
Swan frowned. It seemed her second approach also failed.
Seeing Swan not giving up, Angor quickly thought about an idea.
“Miss Swan, I heard your name from Helen before. Personally, I think Helen has what it takes to become a great witch. She’s a strong-willed and determined woman. If you’re to guide her into the wizarding world, I hope you can assist her wherever you can.”
Then he turned around and went inside Ross Mansion, leaving Swan to ponder over what she just meant.
“Did he offer to accept my friendship if I treat Helen well? Hmm...”
Swan’s eyes twinkled in delight.
...
After putting the brief encounter behind his mind, Angor returned to his room and took out his personal notebook. Since he knew for sure that a demon calamity was going to occur, he would start making plans about protecting his family and Jon.
The most efficient way he could think of was, of course, to become a wizard before the disaster struck. A wizard should have enough strength and resources to shield his mortal family.
But what if he failed to reach that level in time?
...
It was the end of the Month of Resuscitation.
A week had passed since he escaped from the strange island. There were still some inner injuries on him caused by the Leviathan’s concentrated pressure, and he constantly felt tired out.
It was almost time to pick up Tulu and head elsewhere, so he decided to leave Lost Paradise.
Without informing anyone, he took out his Gondola and headed straight to Yothur City.
Haku, who had been watching him near Ross Mansion, easily saw him leaving. She immediately went to Blue Estate and reported the matter to Jebra.
“Well, he stayed for long enough.” Jebra didn’t seem too concerned. Even so, he still relayed the message to Sliv since he was tasked to keep an eye on Angor’s movements.
A moment later, Sliv responded by using a long-range transmission machine developed by Floating Mech City instead of using their unique “message bubbles”.
While feeling a bit annoyed for having to unnecessarily spend money, Jebra tossed two magic crystals into his device and established a connection with Sliv.
“Angor left the city? So why are you not following him, hmm?” Sliv spoke through the speakers.
“Mister Sliv, I’ve met with Angor. I don’t believe he’s the thief you’re looking for.”
Sliv scowled upon hearing the word “thief”.
“Why do you say so, hmm?”
Jebra silently cursed Sliv for asking an unnecessary question but still maintained his polite look. “I sensed no particular reactions during our conversation. Besides, as I said last time, Angor created a powerful mid-tier alchemy item at White Oak Mountain just before the time of thievery. I believe you know how alchemists all treasured their creations dearly, sir. There’s no way Angor had the time to finish his item and head to the secret dimension to conveniently steal the treasure in such a short time.”
As commonly known in this world, an alchemist needed months or even years prior to making a new item to set up careful plans. And after the item was successfully crafted, they also needed time to evaluate and test it.
They would then write down everything they learned from their work in great detail, which would later become their most precious knowledge either used for reviewing, teaching, or bartering with others. How could an alchemist skip such important work and go treasure hunting?