"Laksum Principality?" Angel recalled the geography of the Flourish Continent: "That’s in a completely different direction from Winsbills."
"Who told you that because Esos settled in Winsbills, his disciple must also be there?" Tree Spirit said, "Moreover, if you really were in Winsbills, it would take you at least a month to go back and forth without using the Plane Corridor. But it’s different with Laksum Principality; it’s adjacent to the Gumman Kingdom, and you’ll make it back in time to go to the Tidal World with Lord Rhein."
Angel thought it made sense; Laksum Principality wasn’t too far. Even if he just took the Gondola, he should be able to make the round trip in a week. And with the help of Speedy, it would save at least two or three days.
"Anything else?" Tree Spirit asked.
Angel shook his head, "No."
"Then you should prepare to leave," Tree Spirit said, his figure slowly fading away.
Angel carefully tucked away the task envelope and turned to Greya beside him, "What help did you say you needed from me earlier?"
Greya was idly feeding Toby her white bread arm. Hearing Angel’s query, she replied, "It’s not a big deal, just hoping you could introduce me to someone."
"Introduce someone?" Angel asked with confusion, "Who?"
Greya opened her mouth to speak, but then seemed to think better of it and stopped, "I’ll tell you in detail when you come back from your task."
"So mysterious?"
"Not mysterious, I just need a slightly more complete plan."
Angel cast a skeptical look at Greya. Wasn’t it just an introduction? Why did it require a plan?
Angel didn’t think too much of it and continued walking out of the Illusion Demon Island.
Greya was about to head back, but Toby seemed reluctant to part with Angel, so she escorted him a bit further.
On the way, Greya asked curiously, "Just now, I heard Lord Tree Spirit mention you’re going with Lord Rhein to some Tidal World. What’s that place?"
Angel replied, "You’ll find out after a while."
Perhaps Greya considered it a secret of the Barbarian Cave and didn’t press further, instead mused to herself, "It sounds like a new world. Does it have special ingredients?"
Angel thought for a moment, "Some plants there I haven’t seen before, maybe some could be used in cooking."
Greya’s eyes lit up. She had only asked in passing, but it turned out to be an undiscovered new world. The mention of a new world piqued her interest.
Throughout the journey, Greya kept pestering Angel, not to probe the location of the new world, but to learn about any unknown plants.
Unable to refuse, Angel continued walking while using Illusion Techniques to conjure some of the exotic flora and fauna he had seen in the Tidal World.
True to her title as a Gourmet Sorcerer, Greya could instantly tell whether these creatures and plants were edible or not.
At least three to four tenths of them were unfamiliar to Greya, which deepened her interest in the Tidal World. Unfortunately, Angel was tight-lipped, and Greya had to trust that perhaps soon, the coordinates of the Tidal World would be made public.
At the edge of the Illusion Demon Island, Greya finally bid farewell to Angel with the reluctant Toby in tow.
Angel also prepared to take off with the Gondola.
Just as Angel was about to take flight, he suddenly noticed a naked man had appeared on the ship.
"Lord Tree Spirit, do you have further instructions?" The newcomer was indeed Tree Spirit, leisurely sitting on the boat’s rail, his legs dangling, with key areas decently covered with leaves, thankfully preventing an eyeful.
Tree Spirit replied, "Nothing special, just letting you know I plan to stay on the Illusion Demon Island for a while."
Angel said, "...You should inform my mentor about this."
Tree Spirit said, "I just came online and asked Sanders. He said that when he’s not around, you have full authority over the Illusion Demon Island. So, I’m just informing you in advance."
Angel gave Tree Spirit a deep look. His plan to stay permanently on the Illusion Demon Island was clearly to get back at Toby.
Angel couldn’t refuse. After all, Toby indeed caused trouble. If Angel were in Tree Spirit’s position, he’d also feel pained.
After pondering for a moment, Angel said, "If Lord Tree Spirit wishes to reside on the Illusion Demon Island, you’re naturally welcome. Butler Good will arrange your accommodation."
"...But since the Illusion Demon Island is my mentor’s territory, I hope you won’t cause too much disturbance; I’d have a hard time explaining to my mentor."
Tree Spirit chuckled, "No problem, I’ll be responsible for restoring the island. Trust in the land-healing abilities of a Spirit of Nature."
Angel: "..."
Subtly hinting led to Tree Spirit circling back. Angel had no choice but to state directly, "Lord, if you must punish Toby, please be merciful."
Tree Spirit smiled so widely his eyes turned into crescent moons. "Why would I punish Toby? I merely agreed with Greya that since Toby is your assistant, it shouldn’t be too weak compared to you. So, in the next few days, Greya and I will train it properly."
Tree Spirit patted Angel on the shoulder, "Don’t worry, when you return, I’ll return you a Toby as good as new."
As good as new. Why did Angel feel that Tree Spirit spoke through gritted teeth when he said it?
Assured that Toby’s life was safe, Angel managed a reluctant smile, "Then I’ll leave it to you, Lord Tree Spirit."
Tree Spirit cheerfully said, "It’s no trouble, no trouble at all. This is the most motivated I’ve been in the past five hundred years."
Tree Spirit’s smile sent an inexplicable chill down Angel’s spine.
Angel stuttered slightly, "Then, Lord Tree Spirit, please proceed. I’m, I’m going now. Laksum Principality is quite far, yes, quite far."
With that, Angel prepared to initiate the Gondola.
Tree Spirit, however, waved his hand, "Hold on, there’s one more thing I forgot to mention."
Angel looked over.
"On your way to Laksum Principality, you’ll likely pass through the Gumman Kingdom. There’s an apprentice from the Task Hall who took on a job to go to White Shell Sea Market but has no means of teleportation. Since you’re passing by, could you give them a lift? Just stop at Gumman Kingdom, and they’ll have other means to reach White Shell Sea Market," Tree Spirit explained.
Angel thought it over; it was no trouble at all. Since he was going that way, he agreed to it.