At this moment, Sanders and others, who had just left the Mist Belt, also noticed the tense atmosphere surrounding them.
"Earlier, someone with a bird-beak mask, half of his body mechanically altered, flew over us." Cindy spoke softly: "I feel like he glanced at us, has he discovered us?"
Nis: "That’s Magus Stone from the Lida Society."
Cindy exclaimed in surprise: "Master Magus Stone?"
This wizard is usually very low-profile, yet quite renowned, obvious from his title: member of the Research and Development Institute.
Indeed, this is a veteran Alchemy Master specializing in mechanical transformation.
"It’s him. With Illusion Demon Lord’s illusion technique concealing us, he shouldn’t have directly discovered us. However, as the leading figure in mechanical alchemy, Magus Stone is extremely sensitive to all mechanical alchemy creations. Many of the machines we use in daily life were developed by him, perhaps he sensed the mechanical aura and thus looked below." Kanter spoke, though he had no personal ties with Magus Stone, his level allowed him to naturally understand some secrets.
"Maguston’s direction is towards the Mist Belt... He must sense something peculiar there, but he hasn’t come to investigate. It seems his desire for the Mysterious Object surpasses everything else."
Nis squinted his eyes: "Maguston stays in Sky Mechanical City year-round, and even he has received the news. It seems the news of that Mysterious Fruit has spread widely."
Kanter nodded: "Probably. The Mysterious Object has appeared again in the Devil’s Sea, and it might lead to another bloodbath like Silver Palm Island."
Sanders said calmly: "With the lesson from last time, not many will come. But those who do, if they don’t have the means, might end up with more casualties than last time."
After all, the incident at Silver Palm Island involved a Mysterious Object that seemed controllable. The danger among Wizards stems more from their peers than the Mysterious Object itself.
But this time, the Mysterious Fruit seems to be falling into disorder.
For most Wizards in the Southern Domain, the term ’disordered object’ is unfamiliar, and they don’t understand its terror.
Once it enters a disordered rhythm, these Wizards might not survive.
"Regardless, many Wizards know the news, and there will likely be many entering the Mist Belt... Will Angel be affected?" Ferro sighed.
Ferro’s words caused the group’s mood to darken slightly.
In their view, Angel’s choice to return was a mistake, and he might remain there forever.
Sanders: "Angel’s situation is different, he... probably won’t be in danger."
"As for whether the Wizards entering will affect Angel, I personally believe it won’t. They might even help Angel."
After all, the disordered object has not matured, and nobody knows its exact effects. The more people, the more will enter the disordered rhythm. Since time can’t reveal its effects, perhaps human sacrifice will reveal its effects and limits sooner.
Angel has Domain Field assistance, and "external aid," so as long as he can last until the disordered object’s effects are clarified, his chances of survival are higher than if he were alone.
These were Sanders’ thoughts, but he hadn’t shared them, as the others were unaware of Angel’s external aid.
"Don’t worry about Angel; since he made his choice, he must bear the consequences. I trust he knows what he’s doing." Sanders paused and looked at Nis: "By the way, Nis, aren’t you tired?"
Nis: "???" Why would I be tired? How did this suddenly involve me?
Sanders squinted his eyes: "I believe you should be tired."
Nis: What do you mean ’you believe’? Shouldn’t it be ’I think’?
Ferro glanced at Sanders, then looked back at Nis, seeming to understand something: "Yes, yes, Wizard Nis, you’ve been in the lab, facing allure; you’re definitely tired. How about a break to recharge?"
While Ferro spoke, Sanders looked into the distance, seeing another Wizard enter the Mist Belt. He muttered quietly, "Hopefully, the Barbarian Cave folks won’t come... the Mist Belt is a giant trap now."
With Ferro’s persuasion and Sanders’ muttering, how could Nis not understand Sanders’ intention at this point—
Go to the Wilderness of Dreams and inform the Barbarian Cave folks not to get involved with the Mist Belt; it’s a giant trap here!
Realizing this, Nis coughed twice: "You guys are right, I am a bit tired. I’ll rest inside the Spirit Armor, just a small rest."
With that, Nis summoned a Bone Armor Knight and lay inside the armor.
With the bone armor on, external chaotic messages vanished, and he fell into slumber.
Kanter watched this odd scene, confused: What are you doing?
Nis seemed fine, so why suddenly tired?
If anyone should be tired, it’s me, being influenced by the Mysterious Fruit’s allure for half a day!
In Kanter’s speechlessness, Sanders gently patted Kanter’s shoulder: "Many things can’t be explained to you now, but soon, very soon, you’ll understand."
He finished, silently adding in his heart: Of course, all of this assumes Angel returns safely.
"Let’s go, we continue forward."
Finished speaking, a giant ship slowly sailed into the distance.
On the ship, besides Sanders and others, were many mortals.
And this ship was the Moonlight Map Bird.
...
The "thud" sound had a rhythmic start, sounding once a minute, with each sound the fruit swells a bit, turning crimson.
As time passed, the frequency of "thud" sounds shortened, from a minute to fifty seconds, and gradually shortened to thirty seconds.
This shortening process continued for half a day.
At the current pace, in another half day, the frequency might become once a second or even more.
By then, the fruit may enter the next stage of metamorphosis.
...
During the waiting period, no one spoke, not even Polo Ye in the distance, no longer focused on Angel, but like the others, fully attentive to the fruit’s pulsation.
Angel started similarly to others, but as more people arrived, his focus slowly shifted.
When the mysterious aura started to seep out, Angel guessed it might attract people.
But he didn’t expect more people than he had imagined.
Among them, many were familiar faces.
Like the person nearby, about twenty nautical miles away, with a bird-beak hat; Angel knew him well.
Maguston.
Being a member of the Research and Development Institute, Angel naturally knew his name.
Back when Muse nominated Angel for the Institute, Maguston was clearly a dissenter.
This wasn’t because Maguston resented Angel, but due to different stances.
Although Maguston is an Alchemist with Lida Combination Association, belonging to the Frostmoon Alliance witcher organization. Effectively, he’s part of the Frostmoon Alliance.
Angel and the Frostmoon Alliance have tension, so Maguston’s stance aligns with them.
Apart from Maguston, Angel also spotted another familiar Wizard.