Leaving the salt lake like a mirror reflecting the sky, Angel boarded the Gondola with Rhein and Sanders.
As soon as they got on the ship, Dangross, somewhat frightened, jumped up from the tabletop and scampered along Angel’s robe to hide behind him, trembling as it peeked out a half palm to observe the newcomers.
Cubic also showed a bit of timidity, but it was more composed than Dangross. Moreover, it wasn’t near the table but was lying on the ship’s edge, so it didn’t flee but continued to lie still and observe everyone like Dangross.
Angel smiled, glancing at Dangross, without forcibly pulling it out.
Turning to look at the two Wind Element creatures outside, "Speedy, head to Green Forest Domain. Lobal, as before, guard and observe."
With these words, the Gondola, under Speedy’s control, took to the sky.
Only once they entered a steady flight phase did everyone begin to converse.
Rhein, smiling, looked at the surrounding element creatures and jokingly said to Angel, "You’ve gathered quite a few elemental partners."
Angel shook his head, "They are not yet my elemental partners."
"Oh?" Rhein: "Then how come they are on your ship?"
Angel explained briefly, then introduced the element creatures on board to Rhein and Sanders, clarifying their origins and why they were on the ship.
Rhein realized, "I see."
After a pause, Rhein said with a slight regret, "Actually, I think this little hand called Dangross has quite a unique appearance. If its energy and talent are sufficient, you might consider it."
Rhein had an old friend, a Wizard from the Noah Family, nicknamed Black Earl, infused with several ’consciousnesses’ into his flesh, allowing most parts of his body to separate and form independent entities. Last time Rhein visited Black Earl, he was chatting with him while sitting on a rocking chair by the fireplace, and his right hand had detached to write diligently on a distant table.
Seeing Dangross as a solitary right hand reminded Rhein of Black Earl, thus feeling some familiarity.
"This Cubic is also nice; it should be well-received if you bring it out," Rhein then looked at Cubic, "There’s a tea party soon; you might consider Cubic. Maybe some witches will fancy you then."
Angel didn’t react much to Rhein’s words, but Cubic and Dangross felt a stir in their hearts.
They naturally understood what Rhein meant. They realized the concept of elemental partners when watching the trilogy.
Because they understood the meaning of elemental partners, they experienced intense psychological activities.
Yet, their inner thoughts differed; Cubic pondered, whereas Dangross appeared somewhat anxious.
Just then, Sanders spoke, "You mentioned before you’ve picked an elemental partner. Isn’t it them?"
"No, I have someone else in mind," Angel nodded.
"I see," Sanders did not ask further, since Angel already had a plan; naturally, he would unveil it someday. Moreover, Sanders indeed noticed that Angel did not seem to covet these two elemental sprites, suggesting they might not suit him.
Rhein: "Then you must show me what kind of elemental partners catch your eye."
Angel: "That has to wait until I succeed."
While they were conversing, Cubic and Dangross’s feelings changed once again.
When Rhein mistakenly thought Cubic was Angel’s elemental partner earlier, Cubic felt a bit reluctant. It didn’t dislike Angel but hadn’t considered becoming Angel’s elemental partner, preferring to return to White Cloud Village to be with Kamil. But if Angel insisted on taking it as an elemental partner, considering their recent camaraderie, Cubic would seriously think about it.
Now that Angel clearly stated he hadn’t chosen it... Cubic was not relieved but instead felt slightly gloomy.
Dangross experienced an even greater psychological shift; it didn’t fully understand its inner thoughts, but it confirmed that when Rhein mistook it for Angel’s elemental partner, it felt secretly delighted. Yet, when Angel denied it, its heart felt empty.
This feeling of emptiness even surpassed the fear of the two humans who had just boarded the ship.
In the slightly odd atmosphere, Angel introduced Rhein and Sanders’ identities to the elemental creatures.
Cubic and Dangross merely nodded, as Speedy couldn’t speak, so the responsibility of communication fell on Lobal.
Lobal’s tail head was much better at communication compared to the two elemental sprites, brightening the somewhat dull atmosphere with just a few words.
Moreover, Lobal’s tail head had the bearing of a sage and was a native elemental creature; it provided a clearer and more authoritative introduction to the Tidal World compared to Angel.
Rhein and Sanders also enjoyed communicating with Lobal.
Nevertheless, they noticed that Lobal mixed some personal matters in their communication. For instance, Lobal repeatedly mentioned an Element Lord named Hurricane Hypollo, seemingly wanting to pave a path for its lord.
While they could discern Lobal’s underlying intention, they did not mention it; they had a good impression of Lobal’s tail head and indeed planned to visit various Element Lords in the future; meeting this Hurricane Hypollo first wouldn’t hurt.
Thus, under Lobal’s tail head’s unilateral data transmission, the Gondola glided over unknown mountains, heading towards the Green Forest Domain.
Throughout the journey, Sanders and Rhein had a sense of wonder; this world was extremely fertile.
From what was visible in the land of anonymity, this place was actually very suitable for human habitation. In subsidiary worlds, it belonged to the top resource-rich territories.
If you factor in the elemental territory, this place becomes even better.
The land of anonymity could house mortals, while the elemental territory could develop certain areas into wizard domains, fitting the current survival situation in the Wizards’ Realm.
The transcendent and mortals actually complement each other; aside from the top transcendent ones, ordinary transcendent beings also require mortals to supply their living needs and to select seedling from mortals. Hence, most Witcher Organizations have a certain number of mortals nearby.
Even Barbarian Cave, the Witcher Organization located in the Pamiji Plateau, has the nation of Earth’s Heart guarded by mortals.
Therefore, places where mortals can live and also benefit wizards are excellent. And the Tidal World is undoubtedly such a treasure land.
The only regret is... it’s too good here.
Ordinary good is within an acceptable range, but ’too’ good naturally attracts desires from various parties unless Barbarian Cave can possess overwhelming strength; otherwise, monopolizing it is impossible. Establishing a wizard domain and gathering mortals to guard it is also difficult.
While expressing their feelings, they traversed the land of anonymity and arrived at the Green Forest Domain.
Upon reaching the Green Forest Domain, Sanders and Rhein fell silent. Before, they envisioned the situation of the elemental territory but didn’t expect... the real elemental territory to be innumerably better than they imagined.
The natural aura in the air was so thick it was almost condensing into water.