"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.