Angel stayed in the Baya Desert for two days and two nights.
The first day, he communicated his purpose and handed over the Shadow Box to The Sage Bitter Platinum.
On the second day, after seeking Bitter Platinum’s consent, Angel began to explore the ancient palace, rumored to have existed since ancient times.
By dawn on the third day, Angel prepared to bid farewell to Bitter Platinum and leave the Baya Desert.
During these two days in the Baya Desert, Angel never saw Sandstorm Sanders. The reason was not that Angel did not seek an audience, but because of The Sage Bitter Platinum’s advice.
Two days ago, after learning about Angel’s identity and purpose, Bitter Platinum did not immediately inform His Highness Sandstorm but instead requested to see the Shadow Box first. Angel, thinking it made no difference whether it was watched before or after, thus played the Shadow Box.
What Bitter Platinum felt after viewing it, Angel did not know, but Bitter Platinum directly gave a suggestion, which was to advise Angel not to meet His Highness Sandstorm.
After inquiring about the reason, Angel then understood the depth of Bitter Platinum’s intention.
Sandstorm Sanders, whether in Magu’s or Posia’s narrative, was depicted as an autocratic, paranoid, and somewhat hot-tempered monarch. Even in Dangross, an Elemental Sprite’s imagination, Sandstorm Sanders was a tyrant who would unleash a terrifying sandstorm without a word.
From Bitter Platinum’s account, Angel finally understood that the external information was mostly accurate, but His Highness Sandstorm was not really bad-tempered, nor was he truly a tyrant, but because he was ill.
Yes, this was what Bitter Platinum personally stated.
Sandstorm Sanders’s arbitrariness and paranoia, the odd and quirky rules set, and the resistance to visits from Elemental Creatures from other regions, all stemmed from his illness.
His symptoms, put elegantly, can be called living in constant vigilance, but in simpler terms, it’s paranoia.
Sandstorm Sanders might have been affected in his childhood; he constantly feels that a terrible cataclysm could befall at any time, either a natural disaster or an external enemy.
Thus, he began to imitate the ways of the Wild Stone Barrens, creating multiple defense lines in the Baya Desert; yet, the natural conditions of the Baya Desert itself already form a formidable barrier, making such defenses unnecessary for external enemies.
Besides the defenses, he also set up many bizarre restrictions, such as prohibiting any non-Baya Desert Elemental Creatures from flying over the desert, fearing an "air raid."
The various paranoia-induced rule restrictions are numerous. Bitter Platinum shared these situations with a helpless, wry smile.
Precisely because His Highness Sandstorm has such an illness, Bitter Platinum advised Angel not to meet him.
Bitter Platinum even foresees that once His Highness sees Angel, this "outsider" who is not an Element, even knowing he is of the same race as the Savior, the first thought wouldn’t be to get close but to be on guard, more so than with other Elements, as the unknown is the greatest fear. To His Highness Sandstorm, humans belong to an unknown domain.
If at that time Angel presents the Shadow Box, upon witnessing humans "capturing" Elemental Creatures and the world-destroying power of human Wizards, even without Bitter Platinum’s explanation, Angel knows His Highness Sandstorm’s paranoia level would max out.
With his neurotic way of thinking, he wouldn’t analyze the pros and cons; he wouldn’t listen to Angel’s explanations or dissuasions, and it would surely turn into a direct conflict.
Sandstorm Sanders, who controls all the Elemental Creatures in the Baya Desert, might even launch a comprehensive pursuit and blockade.
In this scenario, Bitter Platinum gave a conscientious suggestion not to meet His Highness Sandstorm.
As for the Shadow Box matter, Bitter Platinum clearly told Angel that after Angel leaves, he will find an opportunity to inform His Highness Sandstorm.
Bitter Platinum has a profound understanding of Sandstorm Sanders; he knows what rhetoric to use to guide the topic and induce thinking; coupled with the "Incarnation of Disaster" Angel not being present, His Highness Sandstorm should be able to listen to Bitter Platinum’s words,
After thinking it over for a while, Angel agreed to Bitter Platinum’s proposal.
Because he learned from Loga that everything Bitter Platinum said was true, Sandstorm Sanders was indeed ill! Even when Loga came to study, he was obstructed; if it weren’t for Loga being an earth-type creature and Bitter Platinum persuading from the side, saying, "In case a war with Wild Stone Barrens breaks out, Loga could serve as a hostage in Baya Desert," only because of this Sandstorm Sanders agreed to Loga’s studies.
Bear in mind that the Wild Stone Barrens and Baya Desert were "brotherly" allied, with a deeper bond than with the Region of Fire. But even so, Sandstorm Sanders could consider the notion of "war," showing how deep-seated his paranoia was.
Facing such a mentally affected individual, it’s better left to professionals. He’d surely become a trigger for a collapse if he went, so Angel agreed to Bitter Platinum’s suggestion.
...
As Angel was leaving the palace, Bitter Platinum solemnly told Angel, "Humans are about to enter the Tidal World, an immense affair. I will do everything I can to persuade His Highness, to prompt it to meet Magu the Wise as soon as possible, and to have a profound discussion about this irreversible major trend."
Angel nodded: "Let us hope His Highness can figure it out soon."
After a pause, Angel hesitated for a moment, and finally asked Bitter Platinum about the biggest doubt in his heart over these two days, "Setting aside His Highness’ thoughts, I really want to know, Mr. Bitter Platinum, what do you think of this matter?"
Bitter Platinum smiled: "I trust Mr. Magu’s judgment; I also feel that cooperating with humans is not such a bad choice."
"Why?"
Bitter Platinum: "If there were no major trends ahead, I would certainly hope for no changes in my peaceful life. But since fate has chosen this path, we can only roll forward in sync with the turning gears."
"In the impending future of the Tidal World, our options are limited. The option Mr. Pat offered, to me, is actually quite good... And my perception of humans is very different from His Highness’; whether it is the Savior or Mr. Pat, I think they’re quite commendable."
Angel was taken aback; Bitter Platinum deemed the Savior commendable, that could be overlooked, but suddenly mentioning him... why was that?
Bitter Platinum chuckled, and a kind look appeared in his eyes as he gazed at Angel: "Because, well, those Elves quite like you."
After a moment, Angel understood that Bitter Platinum was referring to the over forty Elemental Sprites he brought back with him.
However, do these Elemental Sprites actually like him? Angel didn’t feel it; if they truly liked him, they shouldn’t have spit sand on the Gondola...
After bidding farewell to Bitter Platinum, Angel made a point to meet Loga, who was preparing to stay and study there.
Both to say goodbye and to express gratitude.
He had a very favorable impression of Loga, for after seeing too many troublesome children, it was rare to encounter a normal Elemental Creature, and with such contrast, the impression naturally improved.
Moreover, Loga helped him meet The Sage Bitter Platinum first, sparing him a direct encounter with Sandstorm Sanders, which was well worth Angel personally saying farewell and expressing his thanks.
Upon departure, Angel also painted a grand picture for Loga, who loves to study.
"When the grand door of the Tidal World opens in the future, you are welcome to come to the Barbarian Cave, where there is more and broader knowledge; I believe you will like it."
After all was said and done, Angel then boarded the Gondola and slowly departed.
Watching as the solemn and imposing palace with an exotic religious vibe gradually disappeared from view, Angel let out a long sigh of relief.
The journey through the Baya Desert was over, and the only regret was that palace.