Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2658: Chapter 2659: Shattered

Strangely enough, after Angel parted ways with the others, the direction of the hanging stair began to gradually return to normal, no longer exhibiting bizarre inversions or looping steps, transforming instead into a stairway inclined upward at a 45-degree angle. However, the visible scope of the stairs remained limited to the illumination from the red light mark.

Angel could only see the next two levels of stairs ahead and the first level behind him. Therefore, whether it would keep inclining upwards until reaching an end point was still uncertain.

Everything ahead was unknown; the surroundings, on the other hand, were shrouded in darkness and void, with unseen dangers lurking in the void, while he could only move forward alone under the shelter and guidance of the red light.

This scene was quite interesting.

If Mr. Qiao’en were to witness this moment, perhaps he could create a painting depicting a solitary traveler walking alone on the stairs bathed in red light amidst clawing dark magic monsters.

If such a painting existed, it would likely be very epic, wouldn’t it?

Angel conjured various images in his mind, either by reminiscing or daydreaming, which was probably one of his few pleasures in the darkness.

Yet, this was not the first time Angel wandered alone on the hanging stair of the Void.

Back when he wasn’t yet a Wizard Apprentice, he had strayed into the Hanging Jail Stairway of the Nightmare Realm.

In the eyes of others, anywhere in the Nightmare Realm would be more terrifying and dangerous than reality; but for Angel, during his journey in Nightmare Abyss City, he hardly encountered any danger and even received considerable help, such as the assistance from the Flower King of the Maneater Flower; whereas, in the underground aqueducts of reality, Angel felt he faced more dangers instead.

Of course, this was just Angel’s personal experience. If he shared these thoughts with Sanders, he would likely only get an indifferent expression in return. But in the subsequent days to months, he would probably encounter various challenging tasks or trials given by Sanders, demonstrating the simple and unremarkable nature of a man envious.

As Angel continued to daydream, he moved forward with the red mark guiding him.

Though he traveled alone, it wasn’t as lonely as imagined; firstly because Angel’s mind raced, and secondly... the clamoring in the Mind Ribbon indeed made it difficult for one to feel lonely.

The Mind Ribbon did not sever as they parted, and it was almost never quiet in the Mind Ribbon.

Once again, Dox proved how noisy he could be; Vay, too, unexpectedly excited, catching every bit of conversation; even Kaier, who rarely spoke in the Mind Ribbon, occasionally chimed in to prove he was still alive.

Only the Black Earl remained as silent as ever, yet this was merely outward silence. Though the Black Earl didn’t speak in the Mind Ribbon, he secretly contacted Angel.

Black Earl: "How are things on your side?"

Though it appeared to be a concerned query, it was actually an idle question devoid of substance; Angel believed Black Earl reached out to him for other reasons.

"I haven’t encountered any danger yet; I’m still climbing the stairway. Oh, by the way, after parting ways with you, the stairway did change a bit, those strange routes disappeared, and it became a normal stairway extending onward." Angel, understanding the Black Earl had other intentions, still seriously answered his question as a junior, and politely reciprocated: "Is everything alright on your side, Black Earl?"

After a moment, the Black Earl slowly replied: "I’ve already seen the statue of the urinating boy you mentioned."

To see the statue of the urinating boy? Angel initially didn’t react. When he regained his senses, he suddenly recalled that the statue of the urinating boy was right at the entrance to the Hanging Jail Stairway, wasn’t it?

Could it be that the Black Earl had already left the Other-dimensional Space?

Angel: "??? " How so quickly! Already out?

Before Angel could speak, the Black Earl, sensing Angel’s astonished emotions, responded: "To be precise, after I parted ways with you, I took a few steps forward and saw the exit. But I’m still in the Other-dimensional Space; I just split an avatar outside to confirm the statue of the urinating boy you mentioned is indeed outside."

The reason the Black Earl sent an avatar outside was not due to caution but concern that severing the connection with the Mind Ribbon might occur once leaving the Other-dimensional Space.

"What about the others?"

Black Earl: "I’m the only one who found the exit; everyone else is still on the stairs."

Angel: "In that case, not only are the paths divided, but their lengths vary as well?"

"It seems so. Perhaps it’s the unique mechanism here?" The Black Earl paused: "However, this is not the primary matter for which I contacted you; I recently let my avatar enter the Hanging Jail Stairway. The situation inside somewhat exceeds my expectations."

"Did you discover something, my lord?" Angel inquired, having explored the interior of the Hanging Jail Stairway in the Nightmare Realm, the initial levels shouldn’t have anything odd.

"Shattered."

"Shattered?" Angel hesitated: "You mean the interior of the Hanging Jail Stairway is shattered, my lord?"

Black Earl: "Yes, the entire internal space is shattered, and there are some floating areas in the dark void."

Angel recalled that Cicia had previously mentioned only the upper levels were severed, how come the lower levels showed signs of shattering? Angel quickly asked: "What about the stairway?"

Black Earl: "Though the stairway has damaged sections, it still exists overall; one should still be able to ascend."

Upon hearing this, Angel let out a slight sigh of relief. If the stairway itself were shattered, they wouldn’t need to search for the Wood Spirit anymore, as a shattered stairway meant the lower levels weren’t safe. With the Wood Spirit’s shy nature, he definitely wouldn’t stay in the Hanging Jail Stairway.

However, even if the stairway remained intact, the lower levels being shattered meant that with the Wood Spirit’s timid nature, would he still be within the Hanging Jail Stairway?

Angel now regretted it somewhat; previously, he relied on his own exploration of the Hanging Jail Stairway in the Nightmare Realm, thus he didn’t inquire in detail about its specific condition from Cicia.

Moreover, he completely overlooked one thing.

— Cicia’s information was delayed!

All of her messages were conveyed to her after The Sage arrived. As for the last visit from The Sage, it might have been years or decades ago. During this time, changes in the Hanging Jail Stairway or relocations by the Wood Spirit were possible.

"Is the shattering situation on the lower levels severe?" Angel pondered and asked.

Black Earl: "Quite severe at the edges; near the stairway, there seems to be a Magical Energy Array, fewer damaged spots, but... it’s not absolutely safe."

Angel understood the implication behind the Black Earl’s final words.

The Black Earl was in agreement with him; the Wood Spirit might have already moved.

"I understand... We’ll discuss further upon our meeting."

"Hmm." After a pause, the Black Earl added: "Pleasing The Sage through the Wood Spirit was Sunshine’s idea. It might not be effective, if it doesn’t work, we just change paths."

The Black Earl’s tone was very calm, yet Angel could feel the Black Earl’s concern.

Angel indeed felt somewhat crestfallen. If the Wood Spirit truly wasn’t in the Hanging Jail Stairway, he was undoubtedly the most responsible, as all the arrangements were his doing.

Being overly confident often made him overlook many details, and Angel also wished to keep the presence of the Nightmare Realm undisclosed; hence, he didn’t dare speak too bluntly, which resulted in others failing to spot flaws right away, leaving them to follow Angel’s arrangement.

This was also the first time Angel served as a leader, receiving this "lesson."

Though whether the "lesson" existed remained uncertain, Angel had already begun introspection.

"If any problems arise, I’ll make the necessary preparations." Angel paused: "Regardless of whether we find the Wood Spirit or not, I believe the Wood Spirit certainly has an influence on The Sage."

Black Earl: "Oh, are you so sure?"

Angel: "Sunshine is merely a guard; his words might not carry sufficient weight, but Cicia holds a unique identity and status, her words should be far more reliable. Cicia’s suggestion was to win The Sage’s favor through the Wood Spirit, so I believe it should be effective."

Black Earl responded quickly, but his focus shifted to Cicia: "Cicia holds a unique identity and status? Do you know what identity Cicia has?"

Angel: "I don’t know. However, Cicia herself has repeatedly hinted that her identity is extraordinary, and before she was unsealed, she was even on par with the Wise Sovereign. Although we don’t know if that’s true, judging from Cicia’s authority over this Other-dimensional Space, it’s clear that her status is at least much higher than Day’s."

After Angel spoke, the Black Earl remained silent for a while before saying, "Let’s hope her advice is indeed useful."

Angel: "And hope her information isn’t outdated..."

The Black Earl chuckled softly and ended the private conversation.

...

Angel listened as everyone chatted with high spirits on the Mind Ribbon, feeling both anxious and hopeful about the path ahead, but he was somewhat guilt-ridden.

If the Wood Spirit really left, their journey was in vain, and everyone lost meaningful items...

Angel fell silent for a moment, then started to speed up, hoping to leave here quickly and confirm the situation of the Hanging Jail Stairway’s exit.

However, just a few seconds into accelerating, Angel suddenly stopped.

Because, deep in his thoughts, he received a notification of a specific individual entering the Wilderness of Dreams.

Previously, the specific individuals included Sanders, Rhein, Tree Spirit... Nami Midori and the Observer.

But not long ago, Angel added another person who would actively cause the "Gate of Dreams" authority to send a notification: Cicia!

Cicia’s identity is quite special, a Baiyuanian from ten thousand years ago. She is also prepared by Angel to be Dororo’s "teacher of the Baiyuan Clan," to guide him in better developing his abilities. But as for what Cicia really is like, the extent of her ambition, whether she might brainwash Dororo... all need further observation from Angel, hence he set Cicia as a "specific individual."

And just now, it was the notification of Cicia entering the Wilderness of Dreams.

This is Cicia’s first time actively entering the Wilderness of Dreams.

Originally, Cicia entered the Wilderness of Dreams on her own, and Angel did not plan to meet her, letting her slowly engage and understand, in a way that was relatively mild and more likely to integrate her into the Wilderness of Dreams.

But now, Angel has no choice but to meet Cicia.

The situation which was not clearly asked before, he needs to get more specific answers from Cicia. And now he is in a situation where he can only move forward but not back, so he wants to meet Cicia, only in the Wilderness of Dreams.

Moreover, at this moment he is alone, so even if he goes to the Wilderness of Dreams, he won’t be discovered.

Thinking of this, Angel made his decision.

Angel stopped proceeding further and instead sat down cross-legged on the stairs.

The red mark, since Angel did not proceed, was drifting by his side, casting down flickering dim lights.

Even though Cicia had said that as long as he followed the red mark, everything would be safe. But Angel would not really entrust his life to an unknown red mark.

In the outer darkness, there might be terrifying dangers, as evidenced by when Dox was nearly engulfed by the shadows previously.

He must be well-prepared to go to the Wilderness of Dreams.

Human and timing are in place. What he’s missing is "environment."

And environment, for Angel, is actually the simplest part. If the environment is "unfavorable," then transform it into a "favorable" one.

As for how to transform? As an Illusion Technique master and Alchemist, Angel finds it quite straightforward.

After a while, the red light slowly faded into the darkness.

The red mark didn’t disappear, but was surrounded by layers of illusions that Angel had set up, with the innermost layer being the Luxury Nightmare Realm.

The red mark was now floating atop the Luxury Nightmare Realm, like a red lamp, casting a crimson light over this Nightmare Realm.

After arranging the illusion, Angel suppressed the surrounding aura to the extreme, confirming that nothing was amiss before sitting on the sofa within the Nightmare Realm, slowly closing his eyes.

...

Cicia actually did not expect herself to enter the Wilderness of Dreams again so soon.

Truly, the Wilderness of Dreams was irresistibly tempting for Cicia, who had been lonely for thousands of years.

She had chatted with Popota for a while before going offline, still hadn’t embraced the sunlight outside, or felt the fragrance of the earth... These are everyday images for ordinary people, like air, which they have almost ignored its existence.

But for Cicia, whether it be the sunshine, raindrops, soil, grass, or even a withered flower, they all make her feel the power of "life."

This is a life force she hasn’t felt in thousands of years.

So, after Angel and the others left, Cicia couldn’t resist the itch on her throne, a few times she took off her headpiece, then put it back on, realizing that she couldn’t escape it, and even if she could control it, her heart had already succumbed ahead of her.

The beauty of life, the joy of having a body, is an irresistible temptation.

Since her heart so yearns for the Wilderness of Dreams, she decided to go.

Cicia reactivated her headpiece, step by step walking across the Dream Bridge. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the castle hall of Pat Manor once more.

"Ah!" A soft call sounded beside her.

Cicia instinctively turned her head to brace herself, but found the speaker was a plump middle-aged lady.

"Oh, it’s Miss Cicia. Suddenly coming online, it gave me quite a scare." After the surprise, the lady revealed a kind and gentle expression upon seeing the familiar face.

"You are... Mana, the Head Maid?" Cicia remembered, before her conversation with Popota, Mana the Head Maid had brought various tasty foods.

Cicia, who hadn’t eaten anything for thousands of years, even though extremely restrained, showed an unavoidable pleasure when drinking the cream of mushroom soup. This delighted Mana the Head Maid nearby, as it was indeed gratifying to see the chef’s dishes were appreciated.

Also because of the bowl of cream of mushroom soup recommended by Angel, Cicia remembered Mana the Head Maid’s name.

"Miss Cicia meeting me once and remembering my name makes me like you even more." Mana the Head Maid said and pulled Cicia’s hand: "Oh, Mr. Qiao’en just ordered a bowl of onion fried rice, and I made several portions. Miss Cicia, you must come and try."

Before Cicia could react, Mana the Head Maid was already dragging her towards the kitchen.

With Cicia’s strength, she could certainly let go of Mana’s hand, but she sensed that Mana the Head Maid had no malice. Moreover, her straightforward expression of ’liking’ was genuine.

Cicia found it difficult to refuse such enthusiasm.

Because this warmth, she hadn’t felt in so very long.

And Mana the Head Maid indeed liked this young girl as Cicia sensed, even secretly guessed whether this first girl little master brought home might just be little master’s love interest.

Because of this added guesswork filter, Mana the Head Maid naturally showed care upon seeing Cicia... After all, Angel and Lyon were both raised by her, and she wished for the two young masters to have families soon.

However, if Mana the Head Maid knew Cicia’s true age, she probably wouldn’t think so...