Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2870: Chapter 2871: Shell Lamp

In the Mirror Domain, there is no concept of swaddling clothes. Perhaps other Mirror Domains in the Mirror World have it, but this one does not.

However, this doesn’t mean that Laplace is unaware of swaddling clothes.

In the Sea of Void Mirror, countless reflections float and sink, including scenes from ordinary families, where baby swaddlings are naturally not uncommon.

Laplace looked seriously at the mural changing in light and shadow, pondering for a long time.

At first, when Angel mentioned swaddling, she couldn’t make the connection with the mural. But as time went on, the concept of swaddling became more and more ingrained in her mind, and when she looked at the mural again, it seemed... there really was an outline of swaddling.

This feeling is like interpreting constellations. Even if ordinary people know the coordinates of a constellation, it’s hard for them to make any complex associations. But when astrologers explain seriously, connecting these points and adding their own imagination, the image of the constellation immediately becomes three-dimensional.

The change in light and shadow before her was the same; before being pointed out, it seemed to resemble nothing.

But once the concept of ”swaddling” emerged in her mind, she couldn’t see any other image in the light and shadow. No matter how she looked or at what time she observed, it was all swaddling.

Laplace didn’t think this was due to the limitations of her own thinking. Since her mind could only conjure swaddling, perhaps Angel was indeed right, and this was a pattern of swaddling.

But then, why would there be a mural of swaddling at the top of the tree?

Laplace thought carefully but found nothing, so she could only place her hopeful gaze on Angel.

Angel scratched the Wood Spirit on his arm, letting it loosen its grip slightly, and then said, ”I just said it casually; I can’t be sure it’s really swaddling. But if it is, it could be understood as a symbol of birth, perhaps this was once the birthplace of some creatures.”

When Angel mentioned this, he couldn’t help but recall those stories from the Earth novels in his holographic tablet, which recorded the Trees of the Elves.

No one knows what inspired Earth’s authors, but many of them describe the birth of elves as asexual reproduction, or simply as fruits borne from the Trees of the Elves, giving birth to elves.

And once the Tree of the Elves shows signs of withering, the number of elves begins to decline.

If this tree is truly seen as a Tree of the Elves, and some ”elves” once lived here, then perhaps this was the place where those elves were born. Or, where they were baptized after being born.

Of course, this is purely Angel’s imagination; with only this one mural, he couldn’t ascertain much.

Most importantly, Angel doesn’t feel that his interpretation of ”swaddling” is absolutely correct.

Angel maintained a casual attitude, but Laplace took it seriously. She didn’t truly believe in Angel; she believed in herself, believed in Glaipnir’s interpretation.

Glaipnir is her, she is Glaipnir. Glaipnir gave no reaction to Angel’s mention of ”swaddling,” and coupled with the fact that her own mind was filled with swaddling and no other images, it wasn’t normal. It was somewhat like... inspiration, or a premonition?

Given this, Laplace was convinced this was swaddling.

”Birthplace... it might make some sense, but it’s still lacking more information.” Laplace looked at Angel: ”Are you interested in looking at the other murals here?”

In Laplace’s view, since Angel could uncover the truth of the mural at the tree’s top, perhaps the other murals could also offer him some insight.

Angel: ”Of course, I’m interested. Speaking of which, I also have some questions that need Lady Laplace’s answers.”

”What questions?”

Angel: ”It’s unrelated to these murals.”

Laplace: ”Then... is it related to the Sweet Dreams? Has your research made progress?”

Angel hesitated for a moment: ”It is related to Sweet Dreams, but the research plan still needs time; I just need some questions answered.”

”Then what doubts do you have; you can ask now.”

Angel: ”No hurry; since we’re going to look at the murals, we can talk as we walk.”

Laplace nodded noncommittally, her figure turned, and she flew to the edge of a branch. Seeing this, Angel didn’t hesitate and immediately followed.

Laplace glanced back at Angel, releasing the Art of Flying, and began free-falling towards the ground.

Angel also followed without hesitation.

A few seconds later, Laplace and Angel returned to the base of the giant tree.

This time, instead of flying up as before, they walked slowly up along the winding tree trunk like a small path.

Laplace finally touched the ground, her long silver hair cascading onto the trunk, creating a beautiful flowing light as the two advanced.

From afar, with the surrounding environment—the ancient wood, the dense foliage, and the dappled light and shadow—Laplace seemed like an elven queen about to ascend the throne.

Angel’s presence seemed somewhat diminished before Laplace.

However, Angel didn’t intend to compete for presence; besides, in a true test of strength, he couldn’t match Laplace, so it was normal for her aura to be stronger.

Angel quickly walked in front of Laplace, overtaking by about half a body length. Not because being behind felt like a lackey, but purely because walking behind Laplace, he feared stepping on the several-meter-long hair trailing on the ground.

”Aren’t you planning to ask?” Laplace looked at Angel.

Angel: ”I want to ask a potentially private question: Lady Laplace, do you dream?”

Laplace: ”Are you asking if I am influenced by the Sweet Dreams?”

Angel waved his hand: ”No. I’m just curious whether a being like Laplace, born within mirrors, sleeps and dreams.”

Though Laplace didn’t understand why Angel asked this, she still answered seriously: ”I do sleep, but dreaming... besides being influenced by Sweet Dreams, I’ve only dreamed a long, long time ago.”

”A long time ago?”

Laplace: ”Perhaps two thousand, or maybe three thousand years ago... such trivial matters aren’t something I remember.”

Angel was a bit puzzled: ”So afterwards you’ve never slept again, or you’ve slept but never dreamed again?”

Laplace: ”My true body is still in slumber now.”

In other words, Laplace can sleep but has never dreamed again.

Angel pondered for a moment before asking: ”Is this an isolated case, or is it common?”

Laplace was puzzled: ”What do you mean?”

Angel: ”Dreaming. Is it just that Lady Laplace hasn’t dreamed for a long time, or is it that the beings of this Mirror Domain haven’t dreamed for a long time?”

Laplace: ”I don’t know; very few beings reach the Sea of Void Mirror, and even if they do, I’m not interested in whether they dream...”

Laplace paused for a moment and asked: ”Why, are you very interested in this?”

Angel nodded: ”Yes.”

Laplace: ”Can you tell me why? Or does it have something to do with your research on the Sweet Dream?”

Angel: ”Whether it is related or not depends on the result. But even if the result affects the ultimate research on the Sweet Dream, it shouldn’t be significant.”

Seeing Laplace still looked puzzled, Angel thought for a moment and decided to reveal more: ”Have you ever heard of the Dream Realm, Lady Laplace?”

Laplace: ”I’ve heard of it, but never seen it... Even the Sea of Void Mirror has no reflection of the Dream Realm.”

This means that even if the Dream Realm appeared as a mirror, its reflected content would not flow into the Mirror Domain.

Angel: ”The Dream Realm and the Mirror World are both special worlds. The logic of the Mirror World’s coverage is that as long as there is a mirror surface, it can reflect the space within the mirror and eventually become the Mirror Domain. In contrast, the Dream World’s extension logic is that anywhere dreams happen, that place becomes part of the Dream World’s territory.”

”I have some research on the Dream Realm, so I plan to start from this aspect to see the extent of the Dream Realm’s influence on the Mirror World.” After speaking, Angel added: ”After all, the Sweet Dream belongs to the ’dream’ category, and it’s within the Mirror Domain. Two special worlds intersect because of the Sweet Dream, I’m contemplating whether I can analyze the Sweet Dream from this angle.”

Most of what Angel said was true. However, he was hiding something concerning the research part.

Laplace thought for a moment after hearing Angel’s words: ”Your Wise Sovereign told me many research entry points before; this entry point of yours is quite unheard of. But, thinking about it, it’s rather interesting.”

”Even aside from the research on the Sweet Dream, this entry point is quite intriguing.”

”The Mirror World and the Dream Realm are indeed special worlds. Whether and to what extent they intersect hasn’t been studied before. Since you have some knowledge of the Dream Realm, you might actually have a way to answer this question.”

Laplace paused: ”Although I don’t know if other mirror beings are like me, I can send a Temporal Body to help you inquire.”

Angel: ”Then I’m grateful.”

Laplace waved her hand: ”No worries, I’m also very interested in your research results. If you manage to research them, will you be able to share the results with me?”

Angel nodded: ”Sure.”

Laplace smiled satisfied, then stopped talking and halted her steps, closing her eyes to sink into her thoughts.

After a while, Laplace opened her eyes: ”I’ve already sent the Temporal Body through a special mirror path to various places in the Mirror Domain to investigate.”

Laplace briefly explained the investigation method, which is a multi-point, multi-population, multi-age distribution norm investigation.

This investigation method is very comprehensive and can make the final investigation result more credible.

This also shows that Laplace indeed showed interest in what Angel was saying, thus using such a vast yet precise investigation method.

However, because this method is more accurate, it will take much longer than a standard investigation.

Angel estimated that even quickly, it might take several days. If slower, ten days to half a month might pass.

Angel pondered for a moment and figured that since things were already settled here, it would be no concern if a little more time is spent.

Considering this, Angel no longer worried about time.

Soon, they reached the first hollow of the great tree; here was a nodule resembling a tree tumor, and the hollow was precisely within it, forming a natural ”tree house.”

Calling it a tree house is not far-fetched, as it has a door.

The door wasn’t locked, with a gentle push it swung open.

Upon entering the tree house, the first thing Angel saw was a very beautiful small room, furnished with a bed, a table, and hollowed-out windows, and all the furniture looked like intricately carved works.

On the walls was also a hollow lamp grid carved in the shape of a shell, yet inside was empty, with neither a lamp wick nor any flame.

Such an exquisite small room made Angel involuntarily conjure up the settings of ”Elves,” resembling the novels on Holographic Tablet where elves are the finest craftsmen.

This bore some resemblance to the room’s furniture and decor.

Still, at a glance, while the room was gorgeous, there seemed to be nothing noteworthy.

The only thing that seemed somewhat informative was the picture frame on the wall next to the door.

The frame was small, inside should have been a mini painting, but now it was empty, with nothing inside.

Judging by the room’s neatness, it hadn’t reached the point of the painting decaying; it might have reflected when someone lived inside it.

But now the painting was gone, could Laplace have taken it?

Angel looked at Laplace, and before he could ask, she seemed to have guessed his mind and proactively said: ”Originally, there was nothing in this frame.”

”But initially, there were traces of energy inside. Based on the Wise Sovereign’s guess, it might not be an ordinary painting, but akin to your Illusion Technique, images created from energy.”

”Unfortunately, it’s now impossible to restore.”

Following Laplace’s words, Angel looked closely and indeed saw some unusual smudges. Whether this is an energy trace, he didn’t know, but he trusted the Wise Sovereign’s judgment.

Even if these are energy smudges, one can’t deduce what the original painting was just from this.

”Are there no murals here?” Angel asked puzzledly; since there’s no painting in the frame, and nothing else to carry information in the room, why did Laplace bring him here?

”There is.” Laplace said as she walked to the window, gently gesturing, drawing in a strand of cream-colored wind from outside.

Cream-colored wind here is many ”birds’” dedicated flying carpet.

This strand of cream-colored wind was no exception, bringing along a small bird with pale yellow feathers.

This bird seemed ordinary, probably some kind of snow finch, at most palm-sized.

After entering the room with the cream-colored wind, the bird showed no unusual movements, standing steadily on the ”wind carpet.”

Ultimately, Laplace placed the cream-colored wind within the ”shell lamp grid” on the wall.

The bird followed the wind into the grid, a perfect fit for the bird.

Once inside, the previously ordinary bird began radiating bright yellow light.

Angel looked at the suddenly illuminated room, in a bit of a daze... He was previously puzzled why there was no lamp in the shell lamp, turned out the lamp was the bird outside!

The bird perched calmly in the shell lamp, showing no discomfort at becoming the light source.

And as the shell lamp lit up, a hidden door also opened...