Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2530: Chapter 2531: Tullas, Eager to Return

"Don’t worry, if there’s any discovery, I will surely inform everyone. By the way, you’re busy through the night and must be thirsty, here are some sour berry wines from the Grand Duchy of Arian, take it to quench your thirst... It’s no problem, it’s not expensive, and hardly any guests order it without the taste of alcohol... Take care."

Old Porter remained standing outside the tavern, smiling as he watched the patrol guards walk into the distance. It wasn’t until their figures disappeared that Old Porter’s smile gradually faded.

"Sigh..."

As soon as Old Porter put away his expression, he heard a sigh from beside him. Turning back, he saw the owner of the perfume shop next door also come out of his store, looking at the street lit up like daytime and sighed, "This night is really lively."

The owner of the perfume shop was also a Third Level apprentice and had been neighbors with Old Porter for five or six years. They had a harmonious relationship and occasionally exchanged sympathetic words, like now:

"Old Porter, only you would bow and scrape to those princes’ watchdogs. I really don’t understand what you’re thinking. From my point of view, there’s no need to deal with them at all."

"To me, they are all guests. Building a good relationship can bring more people to spend money here. Plus, sour berry wine isn’t worth much," Old Porter said with a smile.

"Not worth much, so you just give it away? If it were me, I’d rather pour it out than give it to these people. Do you think they’d really dare to fight you? They’re just a bunch of weak chickens."

The perfume shop owner’s words actually echoed the sentiments of most of the shop owners in the neighborhood, but Old Porter did not respond to his neighbor’s complaint.

The patrol guards indeed weren’t very strong. The highest ranked among them just now was only at the Second Level apprentice level. However, they had numbers on their side.

How was Lady Melo and her group captured? Sure, the Talented One was a disadvantage, but another main reason was the sheer number of patrol guards at Princess Castle.

Enough ants can bite an elephant to death, and that’s how Lady Melo was overpowered.

As for why there were so many low to mid-level apprentice guards, Old Porter, who had been an undercover agent in the Gumman Kingdom for so many years, had looked into it. The trail always led back to King Gumman, and he couldn’t investigate further. He once reported this, but the upper echelons of the Barbarian Cave didn’t seem interested, nor did most of the witcher organizations. It was clear from this tacit understanding that they already had the answer in their hearts.

"It’s late, no one will probably come to buy perfume from your shop tonight, why don’t I get you a bottle of wine to drink and then rest," Old Porter suggested, looking at his longtime neighbor.

"No one will buy perfume? Then you’re wrong. The patrol guards who came to my shop earlier said that Modia might requisition finished products and materials later, probably a big order."

Old Porter: "Requisition perfume? Modia has come up with new tricks to torment people?"

The perfume shop owner snorted through his nose, "Who knows, that little monster can do anything. But anyway, it’s got nothing to do with me, I just need to earn Magic Crystals."

"It’s just a requisition now, aren’t you afraid they won’t pay afterwards?"

"Would they dare?! This time, many shops have been mentioned for requisition, if they dare to renege on this large-scale requisition, do they really think King Gumman can shelter them at this frontier..."

The perfume shop owner was about to angrily shout a few words, but his rant was interrupted halfway by a loud boom from afar.

Old Porter and the perfume shop owner exchanged glances, both took out their flying devices, and flew into the air.

Looking down from above, they saw the source of the loud noise was the center of Princess Town, where Modia’s castle was located!

Along with the boom, there was also a dazzling bright light!

The light shone wildly over the land, turning the night into day.

Old Porter looked at the Princess Town below, which was now completely awakened, and murmured softly, "You were right earlier, this night... is even more lively than expected."

...

Not long after the loud noise, more patrol guards were dispatched from the castle; some went to requisition potions and materials, while others patrolled and searched between shops under the pretense of catching fugitives.

While Old Porter’s tavern also occasionally had guards come by, they merely chatted with Old Porter and left, far more lenient than other stores.

Obviously, the relationships Old Porter had been cultivating played a crucial role here.

This was good news for Old Porter. After the boom, he had feared he would have to deal with the guards non-stop, but now that few people came by, he finally had time to go meet Lord Pat.

However, before meeting Lord Pat, he still had to deal with the person suddenly blocking his way.

"Red Sword" Dox.

"Lord Red Sword, what can I do for you?" Old Porter asked respectfully.

"You’re... going to see the Transcendental Wizard, right? I’ll join you. I also have something to ask him." Dox frowned, his mind in contemplation.

Old Porter hesitated, intending to lie, as his business was about the Wilderness of Dreams, something he definitely couldn’t let Dox know.

But looking at Dox’s slightly glowing, direct gaze, Old Porter knew lying was probably futile.

"Maybe I should notify the lord first?"

"No need to trouble, let’s go together." Dox said, signaling Old Porter to lead the way.

Old Porter sighed inwardly. Although reluctant, he dared not refuse Dox and began leading the way.

Throughout the journey, Dox remained silent, only speaking upon reaching the secret chamber, "Is he inside?"

Old Porter nodded and prepared to knock on the door.

But before he could move, the door was opened from the inside.

Once the door opened, Angel could be seen on a sofa inside, looking towards the door.

Angel first glanced at Old Porter, then turned his gaze to the person beside him, "Dox, what? You still don’t want to give up and want to ask about the secrets of Barbarian Cave?"

Angel stood up, inviting them in, "Why not just join the Barbarian Cave instead."

Dox looked intently at Angel and finally said, "It seems something happened again at Princess Castle earlier, do you know about it?"

Angel: "I heard. Why, do you suspect I did it?"

Dox: "You previously invited me to the castle for a show."

Angel nodded, "Yes, you can still see a good show now. After all, the big gift I left there was very much welcomed by the princess."

"You invited me to the show, just for that big gift?"

"What else? Do you still suspect I did it?" Angel’s tone suddenly shifted, "If the earlier loud noise was due to the aftermath of the big gift I left there, then perhaps it’s related to me. But if it’s not about the gift, then it has nothing to do with me. I certainly didn’t plan to return to that castle full of filthy art."

Dox’s spiritual senses spread continuously. Although he didn’t use any verification spells, Angel’s words didn’t seem opaque in his spiritual perception, meaning Angel wasn’t lying.

Yet, Dox still felt something was off.

He came along with Old Porter to see if Angel was in the chamber, and whether Angel was behind the giant explosion at Princess Castle.

But with Angel present in the chamber and not lying, Dox found it difficult to understand.

Rational cognition and spiritual perception appeared to be at odds.

Angel, seeing the conflicted expression on Dox’s face, couldn’t help but tease, "It seems, your previous statement about losing interest in Princess Castle wasn’t sincere. You’re still quite interested in it, aren’t you?"

Dox remained silent.

"If you’re really interested, my advice remains the same: going now, the show hasn’t ended yet," Angel remarked with a hint of suggestion.

Dox pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "No, I’ll just wait outside for that Crowned Parrot to return, and once the battle is over, we need to hurry back to Sandworm Market."

Having said that, Dox turned and left.

Watching Dox’s departing figure, Angel raised an eyebrow noncommittally and snapped his fingers, causing the chamber’s door to close immediately.

As of now, only Angel and Old Porter were left in the chamber.

Old Porter was still somewhat baffled by the previous conversation; he didn’t quite understand its meaning. But seeing Angel’s gaze, he chose not to inquire further and instead proceeded with his work report.

The main content was Old Porter explaining the situation in Princess Town to Granny Ironclad, who then relayed it to Rhein.

"Did Lord Rhein say anything?"

Old Porter: "Lord Rhein mentioned he would quickly arrange for someone to investigate Lady Melo’s capture, and at that time, I will need to cooperate with Lady Melo."

After a pause, Old Porter added, "Furthermore, Lord Rhein is aware of your presence in Princess Town and asked me to tell you that if you discover anything, you can go to the Wilderness of Dreams to find him, or leave a message through some group."

Angel: "Tree Group."

Old Porter’s eyes lit up: "Yes, the Tree Group. Sir, what is the Tree Group?"

Angel briefly explained the function of the Tree Group, and Old Porter didn’t show much surprise—which was normal as many wizards initially hear about the Tree Group and don’t pay much attention. This is somewhat similar to the communicator in Barbarian Cave.

However, upon further understanding, one comes to realize that the Tree Group and the communicator are fundamentally different.

One focuses only on short-range calls while the other opens up a new concept of "social networking." This social form is simple, easy to understand, and convenient; once involved, many become addicted, much like the Tree Spirit, who is eager to join the Tree Group development team now.

Old Porter didn’t continue to inquire about the Tree Group but instead started asking various questions about the Wilderness of Dreams. Including whether the Wilderness of Dreams is unique? Who created it? Is there a connection with the real world? Do people from other Witcher Organizations know about the Wilderness of Dreams?

For this series of questions, Angel provided a uniform response: "Find the answers yourself in the Wilderness of Dreams."

"But..."

"No buts. I’m going to the Wilderness of Dreams to meet Granny Ironclad; you can do as you please if you have any business." Angel said, reclining on the sofa with eyes shut, feigning sleep.

Old Porter: "You brought me here for certain matters, didn’t you?"

Angel: "Nothing more."

That’s it? Old Porter was puzzled, as he merely reported the situation and had done nothing else.

Old Porter wanted to ask further when Angel had already crossed into the Bridge of Dreams.

...

Upon entering the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel didn’t immediately seek out Granny Ironclad but appeared outside the residence of Wizard Nis in the New City.

Nis wasn’t in the Wilderness of Dreams, but he had left a message for Angel in the Tree Group.

Just one concise line: Kanter is looking for you; find an opportunity to meet him. Also, tell him to stop bothering me.

Angel didn’t respond to Nis’s message or meet Kanter. Although Kanter is now in the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel decided against visiting him. Like Old Porter, Kanter remained curious about anything related to the Wilderness of Dreams, sure to lead to a round of inquiries. So, for now, it’s best left aside.

After all, Kanter is here in the Wilderness of Dreams and can be met anytime. Even outside the Wilderness of Dreams, when the mission ends and Angel and Lord Rhein head to the Tidal World, Angel can meet Kanter personally.

His visit to Nis’s residence wasn’t to find Nis but another person.

—Tullas.

Tullas was currently in Nis’s front yard, rapidly typing text on the Mother Tree Interlinker.

Only when Angel approached did Tullas raise his head with a wary expression.

Upon seeing Angel, Tullas immediately displayed a sweet, sunny smile, quickly stood up, and eagerly shared thoughts from their long time apart.

Already learned to miss? Angel regarded Tullas, musing internally, "Seems she has put some effort into it; no wonder she dared to have me probe him."

After expressing nostalgic sentiments, Tullas curiously inquired about Angel’s intentions.

Angel: "I just came to check on you."

After a pause, continued: "I noticed you were chatting in the Tree Group earlier; who were you talking to? Perhaps discussing emotional matters?"

Tullas asked puzzledly: "What emotional matters? I don’t understand."

Angel: "...I mean, what were you chatting about so intently?"

Tullas: "Oh, you meant that. I was chatting with Frode, hoping he could send a flying ship to pick me up. I feel quite bored here and am thinking of returning to Originheart City."

"I also mentioned this to Lord Nis; since he won’t be online to research the tablet these days, he agreed to my departure. So I’m thinking of spending a few days in Originheart City."

As Tullas reached this point, his eyes suddenly brightened: "Right, since you’re here, you can directly take me back to Originheart City!"

Angel looked at the excited Tullas, softly saying, "Sending you back to Originheart City is no problem, but, just you alone?"

Tullas replied with a self-evident tone: "Yes."

Angel: "...Are you certain it’s just you alone?"

Tullas nodded again: "I’m certain."

Angel fell silent for a moment before softly saying, "Didn’t you come to the New City with Mandhela? Aren’t you taking her?"

Tullas froze for a moment: "Oh right, Mandhela. But I don’t know if she wants to go back; she seems to really like it here. Also, she’s not currently here, how about taking me first?"

Angel: "Do you know where Mandhela went?"

Tullas honestly shook his head: "Don’t know."

Angel: "Aren’t you concerned about her whereabouts?"

Tullas displayed a confused expression. Without needing his answer, Angel could already guess Tullas’s intention: Where she goes, what has it got to do with me?

Angel sighed privately; he thought Tullas had learned to miss someone from Mandhela, but evidently, he was mistaken.

Moreover, judging by Tullas’s attitude, his relationship with Mandhela seems limited to mere friendship.

Apparently, not only did Angel guess incorrectly this time, but Mandhela also misjudged Tullas’s feelings for her.