On the surface, Reynaud is currently the most urgent, as it concerns his life.
But in reality, Nis, driven purely by curiosity with the most unclear objective, is actually the most urgent.
Ever since he came here, Nis has had a vague premonition that the true path he’s been seeking might be found here.
Because of this, even though Nis knows that safety in the gas wave is hard to guarantee, he hasn’t immediately chosen to leave. He’s urgently hoping to get what he wants.
And what he wants... is most likely in the laboratory.
Nis shifted his gaze to the Steel Fortress not far away, his eyes gleaming: "Angel, you said you have a way to open the laboratory?"
Angel: "Indeed, I have a way to enter the laboratory, but are you sure you want to go in?"
Angel hadn’t forgotten that Number 03 was urging them to enter the laboratory. No one knew if there might be traps inside.
Nis: "I do want to go in and take a look, and besides, Reynaud’s body might be in there. The longer his soul is separated, the greater the damage to his body... Of course, if he dies, it’s fine too, perfect to be a mascot in my Soul Valley."
Though Nis mentioned Reynaud’s situation, Angel could see that Nis truly wanted to check out the laboratory.
Angel: "The situation in the laboratory is currently unknown; it’s best to approach cautiously."
Nis: "Do you think I’ll rush in without understanding the situation, like Reynaud and Nausicaa? Don’t worry, I won’t gamble my life recklessly."
Angel paused for a moment: "Then..."
Nis pulled out a monocle from his pocket, shook it at Angel, then winked: "Flora knows to get together with Sumishe when researching the blood fusion virus, so how could I act rashly? Over the years, I’ve saved up quite a bit, so I plan to call in some reinforcements."
"I’ll find a safe spot to make a trip to the Wilderness of Dreams, and while I’m at it, I’ll see if Lord Tree Spirit or Ironclad Granny are around, and ask them about the person Ferro encountered."
After speaking, Nis remarked: "I have to say, Angel, this Wilderness of Dreams you’ve developed is really great. Back in the day, there were so few options for situations like this."
Angel thought about it and found Nis’s approach reasonable. With better options available, there’s no need to take unnecessary risks.
Without delay, Nis turned and prepared to leave, taking Nausicaa with him as he left.
Previously unaware that the laboratory might involve very high-level stakes, taking Nausicaa along wasn’t an issue, but now her staying here would be redundant.
Nausicaa understood her own weakness, unable to change anything, and with a complex emotion in her eyes, she ultimately chose to leave with Nis.
After Nis departed, with the party temporarily down a member, Angel, following his heart’s intent, prepared the casting materials for the Plane Corridor, ready to leave if any surprises occurred or if the gas wave changed.
After making preparations, Angel continued researching the magic patterns on the fortress.
Not long after, Ferro returned to the vicinity of the fortress.
"What’s the situation, where did Nis go?" Ferro looked around in confusion: "And where’s Nausicaa?"
Angel came back to reality from the world of magic patterns, stretched, and briefly explained Nis’s whereabouts.
Afterward, Angel asked: "How did things go on your end, did Number 03 say anything?"
Ferro shook his head: "Whenever I asked about The Nest, she completely wouldn’t respond. The only thing she mentioned was what she said before, that when Number 01 and Number 02 come back, she’ll compensate as per the previous proposal."
"Though I have no idea what she’s doing in that hunk of metal, I think she genuinely meant that."
Angel: "As Nis said, everything she’s said so far has been empty words. Moreover, what Nis wants, Number 03 certainly won’t give."
Although Nis’s objectives are vague, his desired item is clear—the research materials in the laboratory.
Particularly those related to Soul Arms.
Number 03 might give out Soul Arms, but she definitely won’t provide these materials. This is precisely why Nis intends to personally search the laboratory.
As they continued their conversation, another gas wave arrived.
The gas wave still had the same effects as before, yet the accompanying rumbling seemed slightly weaker.
Moreover, within the rumble, there seemed to be faintly mixed deep beastly roars?
As Angel tried to listen more carefully, the rumbling gradually disappeared.
Regarding the beastly roars, Angel asked Ferro, who shook his head, indicating he hadn’t noticed.
"Perhaps it’s a psychological suggestion from the mention of the Sea Beasts’ Nest earlier." Angel thought no more about it, whatever was happening, he wasn’t going to get involved.
After a while, a soul aura came from above, through the mist.
Nis had returned.