An ancient gate appeared out of nowhere in the lush forest.
As the gate opened, Angel and Kaier emerged from it.
Kaier was specially brought by Angel, mainly because Kaier had no role to play at the Garden Labyrinth ruins. Following Angel to Bilun Tree Court could at least serve as a messenger. After all, Angel was about to "settle in" and certainly wouldn’t be able to contact the outside world. If Dox and others came looking for him and couldn’t find his residence, it would be problematic.
Having Kaier around ensured munication wouldn’t be interrupted.
"There shouldn’t be any issues with the Red Sword Master, right?" Kaier worriedly glanced back after stepping out of the Gate of Void, but behind the gate lay a vast expanse, obscuring any view of the interior.
Angel: "Don’t worry, Vay is still there."
The focus, of course, wasn’t Vay but the Black Earl attached to him.
With the Black Earl holding fort, even if the Birlos Family launched a full-scale attack, there was no need to worry.
Kaier also considered this and exhaled deeply: Thinking it through, it made sense, especially since Gray Merchant’s memory was still in Dox’s hands; they wouldn’t dare act rashly.
Kaier relaxed a bit and began packing up the Photostone, which he had kept running continuously to research the ruins. Leaving the Underground Aqueduct meant he no longer needed it activated.
Just as Kaier turned off the Photostone, ready to ask Angel about the next steps, he looked up and saw a butterfly perched on a nearby tree stump.
If it were an ordinary butterfly, Kaier wouldn’t pay much attention. What caught his eye was the butterfly’s large pale green wings. Even when closed, they matched the shoulder width of a four or five-year-old child; when spread, they were roughly as wide as an adult’s shoulders!
Most critically, at the center of the wings wasn’t the expected insect body but a palm-sized girl dressed in a green dress!
"This, this is..." Kaier’s gaze was initially puzzled but quickly turned into ecstatic joy: "Natural Sprite!"
Natural Sprites represent the elemental sprites of the plants.
In the contemporary Southern Domain Wizard World, elemental sprites are extremely rare creatures. Kaier knows that in the Loren Bill mega-city on Lujima, each elemental sprite could be sold for a fortune. Even mere intelligence on wild elemental sprites was invaluable.
At this moment, seeing a Natural Sprite here, Kaier couldn’t help but show his delight.
"Master, should we capture it? I feel it’s not at the mature stage yet..." Kaier doubted his ability to capture an elemental sprite, and even if he could, having it would only bring calamity. Elemental sprites were only maximally useful to Official Wizards; should any know he possessed one, his fate would be grim.
Though Angel was beside him, capturing the sprite for Angel would be beneficial. After all, Angel had taken good care of him along the way.
Angel closed the Gate of Void and glanced at Kaier: "Before saying that, you should at least verify if this Natural Sprite is wild."
Kaier froze and stuttered: "Ah? It’s, it’s not wild?"
Angel shrugged: "It’s uncertain, but it doesn’t seem so."
Kaier frowned: "I remember from previous visits, checking the Bilun Tree Court’s records, which clearly stated—"
"Bilun Tree Court was sited in lush forests with an intense natural aura. Later, the Birlos Family enclosed the most fertile central forest, engraved a massive Magical Energy Array, nurturing rich soil. Today, the natural aura in the forest rivals the Fairy Forest of Wunong Duchy, occasionally birthing Natural Sprites. It’s a must-visit for Natural System Wizards seeking Natural Sprites."
Angel: "Those are merely promotional slogans. Just like before I went to the Sandworm Market, there was news saying the vicinity had a concentrated Power of Earth, nurturing countless sandworms and many Earth Sprites... You’ve spent significant time at Sandworm Market; did you ever see wild Earth Sprites nearby?"
Kaier thought for a while: "Well, it seems not. But I heard..."
"Things heard cannot always be trusted." Angel blinked: "When spreading rumors, the first phrase everyone uses is ’I heard...’"
Kaier’s tales of Bilun Tree Court producing Natural Sprites were also heard by Angel but were understood to be mere promotional tactics. Consider Gray Merchant and the Crone, both Official Wizards under Birlos, if it were so easy to birth Natural Sprites here, they should possess them... However, they did not.
Thus, it’s just irresponsible promotional chatter, easily spoken. Whether the rosy picture painted in promotions is real is a matter of debate.
Angel looked at Kaier, speaking faintly: "By the way, I’ve heard there exists an Otherworld within the Wizards’ Realm full of elemental beings... Do you believe it?"
Kaier shook his head decisively: "Impossible."
If an Otherworld entirely consisted of elemental beings existed, the price of elemental beings wouldn’t be so high, nor would numerous wizards venture into Otherworlds to seek an elemental being.
Hence, such a world cannot exist. Even if it did, it’s certainly not in the Southern Domain.
"Rumors are always mixed with truth and falsehood; who can say for sure?"
Angel chuckled and didn’t continue the topic, instead approaching the tree stump directly, gazing at the Natural Sprite.
The Natural Sprite stared back at Angel. Its eyes held not fear but inquisitiveness, as if assessing Angel.
Judging by its expression, Angel was pretty sure that it was likely not wild. Wild elemental beings aren’t endowed with such lively intelligence, and given its fearlessness, its master was presumably nearby.
"Can you speak?" Angel asked.
Kaier stepped forward, whispering: "It likely can’t speak. I recall many mature elemental beings struggle with speech. Elemental Sprites who do speak are exceedingly rare... except Dangross."
Kaier’s voice had scarcely faded when the Natural Sprite opened its mouth, a crisp voice emanating like a mountain stream rippling through a forest, though its words made Kaier’s forehead lined with frustration.
"Dear visitors from afar, wele to Bilun Tree Court. I know you must be curious about my origins; I can definitely tell you I was born in this miraculous land! I have many siblings hiding in this forest; if you spend 99 Magic Crystals at ’Starlit Business,’ I will share this cryptic information with you. If you spend 999 Magic Crystals, or 1999 Magic Crystals, I will gift additional intelligence as well."
Kaier was stunned, listening to the entire message, dazed for a good while before speaking: "Is this... promotional?"
Hearing the spirited advertisement phrase, and remembering his earlier enthusiastic remarks about the Natural Sprite, Kaier was overwhelmed.
He even called it a wild sprite... turns out it’s a sales rep!
Using a Natural Sprite as a salesperson and placing it singularly in the forest—it’s definitely bait!
And it truly snagged a fish... Kaier lowered his head in resignation, realizing he himself was the fish.
Feeling embarrassed, Kaier softly suggested: "Master, perhaps we should leave her be and return to the inn?"
Angel nodded indifferently; knowing this Natural Sprite was a salesperson indeed left little reason to linger.
However, just as Angel was about to leave, the Natural Sprite spoke up again: "Two esteemed guests, are you heading to the Traveller’s Inn? Looking for a well-equipped, laboratory-equipped, fortable, private, and safe room to rest? That’s great, the Starlight Traveller’s Inn weles you!"
"I can show the way for the esteemed guests!"
Kaier muttered under his breath: "I’ve never even heard of the inn you mentioned. I was talking about the Birlos Traveller’s Inn!"
When they came to the Bilun Tree Court earlier, they stayed at the Birlos Traveller’s Inn. The rooms at the Birlos Traveller’s Inn fit the atmosphere here perfectly, being independent tree houses transformed from towering ancient trees, offering not only a fortable environment but also high secrecy. So when Kaier thought of Angel wanting to find a quiet place to settle down, the Birlos Traveller’s Inn immediately came to mind.
The Natural Sprite spread its light green wings, floating in mid-air, as if to lead the way: "Never heard of it, that’s fine. The Starlight Traveller’s Inn will definitely provide the best service! Please, you must try it, and if you stay for more than 10 days, I’ll immediately inform you of my siblings’ intelligence."
Kaier: "Still lying."
Natural Sprite: "I’m not lying, I will definitely tell you."
Kaier sneered: "Even if you tell, it’s not necessarily true intelligence. Even if it is true intelligence, it doesn’t mean your siblings are wild ones. Most importantly, where does an Elemental Sprite like you e from with so many siblings?"
It’s not like it’s an extreme natural environment. Even if a Natural Sprite could be born, it would only be one at a time. The simultaneous birth of multiple Natural Sprites, and so-called ’siblings’, is just impossible.
The Natural Sprite obviously knew its lie had been exposed, but it didn’t care at all, still speaking earnestly: "It’s okay, if you don’t want intelligence about my siblings, I can provide other intelligence. As long as I know it, I can... Hmm, can we go to the Starlight Traveller’s Inn now?"
Kaier frowned: "Who agreed to go with you? We don’t lack intelligence."
Kaier didn’t want to pay attention to the Natural Sprite anymore and prepared to leave.
However, at this moment, Angel murmured softly: "Starlight Traveller’s Inn... I feel like I’ve heard of it."
The Natural Sprite’s eyes lit up: "Ah, esteemed guest, you’ve heard of our inn? That’s wonderful, should we go now? I can offer a discount from my master, the original price is 10 Magic Crystals a day, now only 9.9 Magic Crystals!"
"10 Magic Crystals a day for an inn? Are you robbing me?" Kaier, normally with a good temper, couldn’t help but shout out.
You must know, the Birlos Traveller’s Inn costs only 1 Magic Crystal for a 10-day stay, including food and acmodation. And the food contains a hint of Transcendent fragrance! The Starlight Traveller’s Inn charges directly 10 Magic Crystals a day, this difference is a hundredfold!
"You get what you pay for." The Natural Sprite said.
Kaier wanted to argue more, but was stopped by Angel.
Angel looked at the Natural Sprite: "10 Magic Crystals a day, fine. Lead the way, we’re going to the Starlight Traveller’s Inn!"
....
The Natural Sprite hummed an unknown tune while leading the way, its light green wings flapping, stirring a wind of falling leaves, appearing beautifully magnificent.
Kaier and Angel rode the wind of falling leaves, following behind.
Angel’s expression was calm, but Kaier’s was full of gloom.
"Sir, are we really going to this so-called Starlight Traveller’s Inn?" Kaier asked.
Angel nodded.
Kaier asked puzzledly: "Why?"
Angel thought for a moment, stretched out his finger, and gently tapped Kaier’s glabella.
Streams of information acpanied by the Power of Nightmare Illusion flooded into Kaier’s mind.
It’s not too much information, but it contained all the rumours related to the "Starlight Traveller’s Inn."
After reading the rumours, Kaier was dazed for a while before whispering, "Is this Starlight Traveller’s Inn really ’that’ master’s enterprise?"
Angel replied nonchalantly: "We’ll know once we go. But, to my knowledge, this Observer indeed often operates in the Gumman Kingdom."
When the Natural Sprite first mentioned the ’Starlit Business’, Angel did not know what it was. But when it said ’Starlight’, a figure immediately sprang to Angel’s mind.
This person is one of the eighteen Permanent Observers of the Crown Star Church, nicknamed the "Preacher of Starlight."
This Observer is very mysterious, no one knows her real name, only that she calls herself the "Preacher."
Although she herself is very mysterious, her business group is very famous.
—The Starlight Business Group is her handiwork.
Whether the Starlight Business Group is her protection, cooperation, or her creation, no one knows. However, many projects of the Starlight Business Group are closely related to the Preacher’s abilities.
For example, the Starlight Business Group undertakes astrology projects externally, and the Preacher’s astrology skills are exceptional in the Crown Star Church.
Also, the Starlight Business Group has hidden shops in many Wizard Markets, and the main reason these shops can persist is that they have "anti-prophecy nature," which makes them an excellent place for concealment. The Preacher’s "anti-prophecy" is one of her best skills.
Angel chose to follow the Natural Sprite to the "Starlight Traveller’s Inn" because in terms of concealment, the Starlight Traveller’s Inn is definitely far superior to the Birlos Traveller’s Inn.
However, this is not the main reason, the biggest reason is, why did this Natural Sprite just happen to appear in front of them?
Did someone make a prophecy?
But the Blood Night Shelter was not triggered, meaning no one prophesied Angel... Could it really be a coincidence?
But dealing with a Prophet Wizard, Angel was somewhat disbelieving.
No matter the reason, we’ll see when we go.
Anyways, Angel has strong trump cards, and even the true strongest of the Southern Domain - the Observer, is barely on Angel’s side. He doesn’t fear anyone plotting against him.
Moreover, he can call for help.
If it’s not a coincidence, then ask clearly; if it is a coincidence... then he will treat it as finding a secluded place to practice stoically, not a loss.
Reviews
All reviews (0)