But compared to speeding up the fruit’s maturity, preventing the fruit from maturing has significantly fewer variables and falls within a controllable range.
Therefore, they decided to choose to prevent the fruit from maturing.
But how to prevent the fruit from maturing is another dilemma.
While everyone was at a loss, Dangross, perched on Angel’s shoulder, suddenly said: "Over there, it seems someone is coming?"
Following Dangross’s pointing, everyone looked and, sure enough, in the distant mist, a large group of people appeared.
Because they were within the Domain Field and the Observer’s warped realm, the people coming from behind did not discover them.
Leading this group was Angel’s acquaintance, Wizard No. 02, and behind him was a large group of combat personnel with various numbers.
Ferro said, "Judging from their route, it seems they’re here to find No. 03."
Nis: "Since they haven’t seen us, there’s no need for us to bother with them. Let them scout the way; maybe No. 02 has a way to contact No. 03."
After all, this bizarre situation was caused by No. 03, and since No. 02 is a colleague of No. 03, he might have a way to deal with this perplexing situation.
Ferro also agreed with Nis’s suggestion, so he opted to stay silent and quietly watched as No. 02 and his group approached.
At this point, Reynolds, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: "I see... Ge."
Ferro glanced at Reynolds but didn’t pay much attention, as Reynolds was from the base laboratory, so recognizing someone there was normal.
However, Angel and Nis frowned, as if they had thought of something.
"The ’Ge’ you mentioned, is it X3?"
Reynolds nodded, his expression filled with obvious hesitation. ’Ge’ was once his best friend, sharing the same philosophy, but later, ’Ge’ was brainwashed by the lab’s people and drifted apart from Reynolds.
But no matter what, ’Ge’ was still his friend, and he hoped ’Ge’ could survive.
To ensure ’Ge’s survival, he could only ask Angel for help.
However, Reynolds also knew very well that he didn’t feel he was in a position to ask Angel to save ’Ge.’ If he spoke up, he might even lose their last bit of friendship. But his past ties with ’Ge’ made it really hard for Reynolds to let go, which is why he looked so hesitant.
"Sir, ’Ge’ was my once closest friend, I, I..." Reynolds hesitated for a long time but couldn’t continue.
Angel, however, didn’t notice Reynolds speaking and was thinking about something else.
"The ability of X3, I remember you saying was controlling sea beasts, right?" Angel looked at Reynolds.
Reynolds numbly nodded.
"Controlling sea beasts, controlling sea beasts..." Nis’s eyes suddenly lit up, raising his head sharply to meet Angel’s gaze.
Angel understood what Nis meant, nodding slightly towards him: "X3 might be able to stop the fruit from maturing."
At this point, Ferro kind of got it too.
"It seems, we can’t let them scout ahead anymore."
...
Dealing with No. 02 and his people isn’t difficult.
Even though Earl Mi’s power was reduced due to the death of his shadow avatar, he could still completely overpower No. 02.
And the others are not Official Wizards. Although their combat strength is decent, comparable to an average Supernova candidate, they are still apprentices. Controlling them is still straightforward.
It took a very short time for Earl Mi to subdue No. 02, and as for the others, apart from X3, they all fell into an illusion created by Angel. Under the illusion’s guidance, they dazedly turned around and flew out towards the Outer Sea.
This actually saved them, letting them avoid the fruit’s disaster.
It’s not that Angel is merciful; he simply felt that since they weren’t planning to use them as scouting cannon fodder, there was no need to send them to their deaths; if they died, they would become nourishment for the fruit, fostering its maturity, which wasn’t worthwhile.
After No. 02 was trapped, he was handed over to Ferro for interrogation, to see if No. 02 knows about the situation with No. 03’s fruit.
As for Angel and Nis, they focused their attention on X3.
X3 was a girl in a green shepherd’s long skirt. At first glance, she looked quite fresh and pretty. But her eyes appeared a bit wooden, like a robot devoid of emotion.
Even when facing several wizards, X3 could maintain a straight face, handling it with calm indifference.
However, the people present were all sharp-minded individuals. X3 seemed composed and cold, but the slight twitch at the corner of her eyes occasionally gave her away; she didn’t dare make direct eye contact with Nis and Angel, indicating her inner turmoil wasn’t as calm as it appeared on the surface.
Nis: "We have something we need you to do."
X3 lowered her eyes, acting as if she hadn’t heard anything.
Nis didn’t mind, continuing, "Complete it, and you can leave alive. As for the specifics, Reynolds will tell you."
Nis didn’t mention what would happen if she failed; he believed X3 would understand on her own.
Nis stepped back, letting Reynolds talk to X3.
When facing Reynolds, X3 finally raised her eyes and said with a determined tone: "You’ve taken that step, you’re a traitor."
Reynolds’ expression was somewhat complicated: "Ge, you were the one who understood me the most; you should know why I had to do this."
X3 sneered without responding.
Reynolds wanted to say more, but Nis interrupted: "Reynolds, whatever sweet words you have, you can save for after this is over to say to her. Don’t dawdle, discuss the business at hand now."
Reynolds nodded. He had witnessed the changes in the fruit and understood what was most important at the moment. Moreover, this concerned whether ’Ge’ could survive or not, so he didn’t exchange pleasantries and started discussing the critical matters.