Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2867: Chapter 2868: Paradise Lost

”I understand.” Though he said this, Angel still had some doubts in his heart, but he did not express them at this time.

Angel gently waved his hand to release Speedy from the bracelet.

Speedy was still wearing the heavy alchemy golem shell, and as soon as he appeared, the ground trembled and dust flew up.

Once the dust settled, Angel quickly signaled Speedy to come out of the alchemy golem. But this time, even though Angel called out several times mentally, Speedy did not respond.

It wasn’t until Angel actively reached out and put away the alchemy golem, allowing Speedy to transform into a wisp of invisible wind, that he slowly came to his senses.

”What’s the matter?” Angel asked curiously.

After hesitating for a moment, Speedy offered an answer.

— He sensed something strange about the wind here.

Angel wasn’t surprised by this answer. He released Speedy with the hope that Speedy would study the wind here, and now Speedy spoke about the wind in this space without Angel saying anything, which was a good sign.

Angel conveyed his intention to Speedy.

Without hesitation, Speedy gave a definitive answer.

However, Angel also reminded Speedy mentally: ”I haven’t sensed any danger in the wind here yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous for you. Be cautious while researching.”

Speedy nodded and transformed into a light breeze, blending with the green forest wind blowing by under Angel’s watch.

Through the contract, Angel carefully sensed and confirmed Speedy’s emotions were stable with no abnormalities, putting his mind at ease.

”Is it your follower you mentioned?” At this moment, Lady Laplace asked floating in mid-air.

Angel nodded: ”Yes.”

Laplace was silent for a moment: ”Then I seem to owe you a parting gift.”

Previously, to repay Angel, Laplace gave gifts to all the intelligent beings around him, including Dangross, the Wood Spirit, and Earl Mi.

The only one who didn’t receive a gift was Speedy.

It wasn’t that Laplace forgot about Speedy, but rather at that time, Angel had arranged for Speedy to protect two apprentices.

Laplace did not know that Speedy was Angel’s follower at the time, so naturally, no gift was given.

Earlier, when Angel said he had a wind elemental creature in his space, Laplace thought it was an unknown wind elemental; she did not expect it to be a familiar face.

If it were an unknown wind elemental, Laplace might claim ”you didn’t release it at the time” to not fulfill the promise of a gift, but since Speedy was already among them, she couldn’t use this excuse.

And Laplace wasn’t someone who enjoyed quibbles or taking advantage, so since she didn’t give a gift at the time, she owed Angel a gift.

”Don’t worry, a gift is merely a reflection of the heart. If I say it too well, it might become arrogant; if too poorly, it might lose motivation.” Angel: ”So, it’s no bother.”

”Rather than a gift, I’m more curious about what’s happening with these winds. Why do they have various colors?” Angel asked.

Laplace: ”Special phenomena of a special place.”

”Ah?” Angel didn’t quite understand, looking at Laplace with confusion.

Laplace explained: ”I don’t know about the situation with these winds either. When I solidified this space, I also reflected these winds. I researched for a while but found nothing.”

”And what I just repeated to you were The Sage’s remarks on these winds. Whether true or not, I cannot guarantee.”

The Sage claims these winds are special phenomena of a special place?

From the literal meaning, Angel understood—it’s perhaps inexplicable phenomena occurring in a special location.

Just like when Angel encountered the Ancient Cold Ruins in the Abyss, a place also considered special, unexplained phenomena occur here too. Occasionally, one might hear a summoning whisper beside them, and regardless of how closely watched, they disappear without a trace, never returning.

Although no one has explained the terrifying phenomena at the Ancient Cold Ruins, it has even caused the loss of official wizards. Yet, in emergencies, the Frost Moon Alliance generally chooses the route through the ruins for transporting goods because demons dare not approach it.

As for those who disappeared... there’s no way around it.

And this is what’s meant by ”special phenomena of a special place.”

However, The Sage’s explanation is too vague; there are many special places with inexplicable phenomena in the world.

Yet, The Sage’s words are not entirely useless. At least Angel learned that this special space reflected a special place.

And this special place is likely what Laplace referred to as: Lost Paradise.

Angel understood heavy curiosity isn’t good, so even though he had doubts, he restrained himself from asking more. He was more concerned about Speedy’s situation.

”These winds shouldn’t be dangerous, right?”

Laplace: ”No danger to living things, but for pure elemental creatures without a body, I’m unsure.”

Hearing Laplace’s words, Angel pondered for a moment, then directly connected with Speedy.

”How are you now, any danger?”

Speedy’s feedback was complicated, describing the feeling of the wind abstractly, which Angel didn’t understand... The only thing clear was Speedy indicated no danger.

Since there’s no danger, Angel felt relieved. However, he silently decided in his heart that once everything was settled, he must find a teacher for Speedy to train in expression skills.

Elemental creatures like Speedy, who are silent and don’t like speaking, preferring the ease of mind communication, certainly need improvement.

Mind communication might be convenient, but complex situations like now make it difficult to understand Speedy’s expressions.

They still have decades together. For his sake and to help Speedy grow, finding a teacher for language training is imperative.

”What does your elemental creature think about these differently colored winds?” At this point, Laplace’s voice rang in Angel’s ears.

Although Angel and Speedy didn’t verbally communicate, it didn’t stop Laplace from noticing their mental dialogue. Yet, she didn’t know what they discussed, hence the question.

However, Laplace’s question left Angel stumped.

For one thing, he didn’t know how to describe the feedback from Speedy; it was too abstract, and he couldn’t read it... But if he said nothing, wouldn’t that be losing the face of being the ”master”?

For another, Angel discovered that Laplace’s curiosity about this special location was extremely high. It might even surpass her previous curiosity about why Angel could ward off her Reflection of the Heart.

Why is that? What exactly is it about this ”Paradise Lost” that attracts Laplace?

Most importantly, why is Laplace asking him?

Angel had never heard of Paradise Lost, nor seen it. Why does Laplace always ask him about matters concerning Paradise Lost? Does Laplace think he must know about Paradise Lost?

Angel pondered for a moment and cautiously replied, ”Speedy didn’t say anything.”

”Really?” Laplace looked at Angel suspiciously, full of disbelief.

Angel hesitated for a moment and added, ”It did say some things, but it’s an elemental creature I subdued not long ago in the wilds. It doesn’t have much contact with human civilization, and its ability to express itself is not strong.”

In short, it’s a country bumpkin seeing the world for the first time; I can’t understand what it’s saying.

After staring at Angel for several seconds, Laplace nodded, ”I see.”

This explanation satisfied Laplace because her question didn’t actually involve anything secretive, so Angel didn’t need to conceal anything deliberately at this time. Furthermore, Angel currently had something to ask of her; even if he really discovered some secret, it’s mostly unlikely he would choose not to tell at this moment.

”What insights does Lady Laplace have on these winds?” Angel, in turn, asked Laplace.

Laplace shook her head, ”I used to have some ideas, but under the validation of the Sage, it turned out my insights were wrong.”

Laplace was implying that she currently had no insights.

However, this statement also revealed one piece of information—Laplace was indeed very focused on this world she had solidified.

Or perhaps, she was more concerned with the real world that corresponds to Paradise Lost? Otherwise, Laplace wouldn’t have easily handed over this space to the Wise Sovereign.

”It’s a pity I’m not a wind wizard; otherwise, I could join the research.” After lamenting, Angel changed the subject, ”By the way, Lady Laplace, where is Sweet Dream?”

Angel originally wanted to ask about matters related to Paradise Lost, but then thought better of it. If the reward Laplace wanted was related to Paradise Lost, then he’d be completely lost.

It’s best to solve the most pressing problem at hand—Sweet Dream—before talking about anything else.

”At the treetop,” Laplace pointed to the grand tree in the distance.

This surreal garden featured not just strange winds and vibrant flowers but a very tall, impossibly hard-to-ignore grand tree.

This grand tree was located at the very center of the fantasy garden, as if to declare itself the main character here.

The tree seemed to be about eighty meters tall.

Judging by the bright green upper branches and dark green lower ones, it somewhat resembled the submerged eucalyptus. This kind of tree, distributed throughout vast rainforests, exists on nearly every continent, and trees of such height are typically only born in highly competitive environments like forests.

However, aside from the obvious green stratification of its branches and leaves, the eucalyptus is known for its tall, straight trunk.

In an average thirty-meter-tall forest, it stands proudly like a crane, constantly climbing upward to capture sunshine, hence creating its tall stature.

But this tree is different—it’s not only tall but also quite robust.

Eucalyptus leaves are typically found in the middle and upper layers, with the lower parts having almost no branches. This tree starts spreading its branches right from the bottom.

This is a typical feature of plain trees.

Moreover, its branches spread out fantastically, from the bottom to the top, continuously blooming.

Most crucially, its trunk is not upright; it winds upward, characteristic of deep cavernous ancient trees.

Angel had never seen such a tree before, but upon first sight, the image of a ”Tree of Elves” from fairy tale novels in his holographic tablet flashed in his mind.

This lush grand tree resembled the Tree of Elves. Alongside the various exquisite scenery surrounding it, petals flurried down like twilight snow, and a gentle pink wind swirled at the top, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

If an elf were to emerge from this tree, Angel wouldn’t be surprised at all.

Angel focused his gaze on the top of the grand tree, where a pink wind swirled, and it was the only wind in the entire area that didn’t move sideways.

It only swirled at the top of the tree, seemingly guarding... Sweet Dream.

Angel wasn’t sure if it had a protective function, but right now, he didn’t sense any mysterious aura present.

If the pink wind could conceal the mysterious aura, its effect would be comparable to a Geometric Lock.

As Angel thought about this, he began to walk toward the grand tree.

Laplace didn’t obstruct him but rather floated alongside Angel toward the tree.

On the way to the tree, Laplace finally returned to the main subject from the topic of Paradise Lost, ”According to Duo’s words, you want me to cooperate with you in researching Sweet Dream? How do you want me to cooperate?”

Angel: ”If I were to say, I don’t yet know, would you believe me?”

Laplace: ”I believe you. The Wise Sovereign also researched Sweet Dream and had me cooperate before, but every time he came with great enthusiasm, he left empty-handed. His research often involves sudden whims, so I believe you when you say you don’t know where to start now.”

”But, under circumstances where there’s no plan at all, inviting the Wise Sovereign and asking me to participate—I find that hard to believe.”

Just like a graduate writing their thesis, they must first have a topic, target, and a rough draft before seeking approval from their mentor.

Laplace doesn’t compare herself to a mentor, nor does she have a conceited nature, but this indeed is a kind of worldly wisdom.

For someone in Angel’s position, if he genuinely intended to research, he’d at least need a rough plan for Sweet Dream... Even if not a plan, at least a preliminary impression.

But with nothing in place, inviting her for comprehensive research—this was clearly off.

”I do have some ideas, but these ideas are fragmented. I don’t know how to piece them together.”

After Angel said this, he looked at Laplace: ”By the way, I’m curious—since Lady Laplace knew from the start that inviting you this way was somewhat improper, why did you agree to come?”