Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1979: Chapter 1980: Gears, Fate, and Original Intent

When only Angel and Sanders remained at the relic Star Pond, Sanders indicated for Angel to follow him forward.

Walking on the Star Sea, they were bathed entirely in starlight. The ripples and undulations seemed to merge with them.

”Dororo already knows about the Wilderness of Dreams.” As they stepped forward across the waves, Angel broke the silence.

Sanders: ”Did you tell him?”

Angel shook his head: ”He predicted it himself.”

Earlier, when Angel left Dororo to speak with him alone, Dororo revealed the future scenes he hadn’t dared to speak of before.

To Angel’s surprise, the prophecy that Dororo chose to conceal from him specifically pertained to the Wilderness of Dreams.

Angel didn’t know exactly what Dororo saw, but undoubtedly, Dororo recognized that the Wilderness of Dreams belonged to Angel and saw its endless potential. It was because of this that he determined the Wilderness of Dreams was extremely precious, and since Angel hadn’t made it public, Dororo was unwilling to speak of it with outsiders present.

It was only during his one-on-one conversation with Angel that Dororo didn’t conceal it.

”It was actually prophesied...” Sanders’ gaze was briefly vacant, but he quickly regained clarity under the full brilliance of the starry pool: ”He truly lives up to being the only descendant of the Baiyuan Clan. It seems his innate gift for prophecy is as unique as he is.”

”Dororo’s prophecy ability, aided by the Mystery of the Stars, has almost reached the Observer’s Domain, which is an extraordinary height.” Sanders turned to look at Angel: ”However, he is now caught in the same predicament you were before; his strength does not match his status. He has the means to reach the pinnacle but lacks the ability to stand at the peak. You should pay more attention to his situation.”

Angel nodded: ”Previously, Lord Tree Spirit also mentioned something similar. Success and burden both come from fame.”

”I will advise him that when he returns to the Barbarian Cave, he should try not to choose to go out flamboyantly.”

Since the Tree Spirit already mentioned it, Sanders didn’t need to say more. Moreover, Dororo is considered part of Angel’s personal network, and Sanders believed Angel would handle it appropriately.

”Did Dororo say anything else besides telling you about the Wilderness of Dreams?” Sanders asked.

”He said one more thing, but he said it so vaguely that I didn’t understand.” Angel clearly remembered how Dororo carefully embellished and concealed his words when he said this.

This was the first time Angel saw Dororo not daring to speak a prophecy directly, instead using cryptic phrases commonly employed by soothsayers to obliquely convey his meaning.

However, Angel still didn’t understand what Dororo was trying to express.

”What did he say?” Sanders asked curiously.

”When the gears turn, the path of fate will unfold. With the original intention unchanged, you can stride forward.”

Angel repeated Dororo’s words.

Repeating it again, Angel still found the phrase perplexing. It sounded like an inspirational saying, but he felt it couldn’t be that simple.

Upon hearing this, Sanders also fell into deep thought.

After a moment, Angel quietly murmured: ”Original intention unchanged, it mentioned the original intention. Could it be related to Originheart City?”

At this moment, Sanders shook his head: ”It should have nothing to do with Originheart City. What Dororo wants to tell you is not to forget your original intention, don’t be affected by external disturbances, and forge ahead.”

Angel: ”So it really is an inspirational warning? Then it’s probably not a prophecy.”

Sanders gave Angel a deep look: ”Not that simple. Do you know what gears represent in the realm of prophecy?”

Angel hesitated, on the path of Alchemy, gears are mechanical components used to transmit power. But in prophecy, is there even such a thing as gears?

Angel pondered for quite a while and still had no answer. He looked up at Sanders, only to find Sanders gazing at his chest.

Sanders seemed to be looking at something.

Angel reached out with his hand and lightly touched his chest, feeling a rhythmic ticking sensation from his fingertips.

Angel seemed to understand something and quickly took out an ancient bronze pocket watch from his inner lining.

The ticking sensation was the movement produced by the watch hands. Looking at the pocket watch, Angel realized something and murmured: ”Wheel of Time?”

In prophecy, there are currently three mainstream divisions, which are the River of Fate, Strings of the World, and the Wheel of Time.

An imagery often associated with the Wheel of Time is the fast movement of clock hands driven by the linkage of gears.

So, in a certain sense, gears can represent the Wheel of Time.

If inferred this way, what Dororo meant probably was: The Wheel of Time descends, the path of fate unfolds before you, remember your original intention, to reach the end?

It sounded more complete, but what did the prefixes ”Wheel of Time” and ”path of fate” mean?

At this point, Sanders suddenly said, ”Everyone’s fate is different. Even twins from the same family, growing up, will eventually face different destinies.”

A sudden realization struck Angel’s mind: ”Choice?”

Because people’s hearts differ, they would make different choices even when faced with the same situation. Once you make that choice, even if you are twins, even if all the karmic affinities are the same, due to different choices, the trajectory of life keeps deviating, moving towards their distinct fates.

Wheel of Time, Choice, Path of Fate.

When these elements are linked together, Angel had an answer in his heart. As the answer emerged, a faceless silhouette also appeared in his mind.

”Thief of Time.” Angel softly recited his name.

Sanders nodded: ”Most likely, Dororo is reminding you that the Thief of Time will soon come to steal your choice. Moreover, this choice is undoubtedly about the Wilderness of Dreams.”

Dororo didn’t dare speak plainly because the gap between him and the Thief of Time was too daunting. For others, it didn’t matter, but this matter concerned Angel’s future. Dororo spared no effort to pass the answer to Angel.

That was why Dororo spoke so obscurely.

Angel: ”I’ve always been guessing when he would come, and for what, but now the answer has emerged—he’s here for the Wilderness of Dreams.”

Sanders: ”That also indirectly highlights the Wilderness of Dreams’ potential.”

Seeing Angel’s troubled expression, Sanders smiled gently, patting Angel’s shoulder: ”Don’t be too worried. Dororo has already told you how to resolve it, hasn’t he?”

—Remember your original intention, and forge ahead.

As long as your belief remains steadfast, don’t get tempted by the Thief of Time, and eventually, you will reach the end of the path.

Sanders observed as the determination in Angel’s eyes grew, easing his own mind. When the day truly comes that the Thief of Time descends, Sanders will not be able to assist Angel; it will be up to Angel alone to decide.

Though it sounded easy, when it came time to make a choice, variables still existed.

In the face of uncertainty, without a steadfast belief, it’s hard to persevere until the end. Therefore, Sanders doesn’t want Angel to be more anxious but instead wants to reinforce his confidence when facing ”the choice.”

This is why Sanders appears indifferent on the surface, but internally, he’s not as relaxed as he seems.