Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3343: Chapter 3344: Verification

As the Dog Deacon’s body began to float and sink, he panicked, fearing that he would drown before even starting his mission. He started moving frantically.

Finally, with the help of his fluffy big tail, he managed to swim in a dog paddle fashion.

With soaked fur, he finally reached the shore.

As the Dog Deacon’s gasping breaths approached, the ”Otter Shorey” lying by the lakeside slowly raised its head, seemingly curious to see who was approaching.

Upon seeing an unfamiliar visitor, the little otter paused for a moment, then swiftly got up, letting out a piercing scream at the Dog Deacon.

From its cries, the Dog Deacon could clearly hear the false bravado.

It seemed to be trying to scare off the Dog Deacon, but the strength was missing from its voice.

Although the little otter was clearly afraid, its cry was almost the first ”exchange” between the Green Rainforest’s small animals and the Dog Deacon.

Thus, new Immortal Realm prompts appeared in the Dog Deacon’s mind along with the cries of the little otter.

”The Green Rainforest is facing a crisis; the bold ’Otter Shorey’ has suddenly become timid and sensitive.”

”As an outsider to the book, you vaguely see another trembling soul in ’Otter Shorey’s eyes...”

”The main quest of the Special Wonderland ’Traveler Listening to Heart Sounds — Green Rainforest Chapter’ officially begins.”

”— Through various details, help the confused souls find their identities.”

”After assisting the confused souls to reclaim their identities, the second main quest will begin.”

”The progress of the main quest one is currently 0/108.”

Seeing this Immortal Realm prompt, whether it’s the Dog Deacon in the instance or Angel outside the Miniature Garden, both understood the current situation.

Their previous guess was correct; indeed, the main quest is to help the souls trapped in chaos regain their identity.

The ”0/108” represents the 108 small animals in the Green Rainforest that are currently trapped in confusion and self-recognition disorder.

The Dog Deacon needs to identify them one by one to complete the main quest one.

As for the subsequent main quest two, Angel estimates it might be related to the Tower Witches. After all, merely finding the true bodies of the small animals doesn’t end things — to conclude, the souls need to be sent back to their original bodies. Under the present circumstances, the only way to facilitate the souls’ return will undoubtedly involve the Tower Witches.

Although the main quest two hasn’t appeared yet, both Angel and the Dog Deacon have a good idea.

However, the more important task now is to complete the main quest one.

By this point, Angel could actually exit his role. He initially aimed to verify his suspicions; now, through the Immortal Realm’s prompts, they’ve been confirmed correct, so he could leave without worry.

But holding onto the idea of ”since I’m here, might as well see it through,” Angel decided to wait a bit more, to see how the Dog Deacon would confront ”Otter Shorey.”

The Dog Deacon didn’t know that his every move was being watched by Angel. He gradually calmed his heavy breathing; once his breath steadied, he lifted his head and smiled at the little otter.

Then, right in front of the little otter, he slowly took off his clothing...

His actions weren’t lewd; rather, he was showing the little otter that he carried no weapons and wasn’t a threat.

Of course, such behavior is only effective among Green Rainforest’s animals.

Because the animals here are intelligent and have their own ways of discerning right from wrong. Most importantly, in ”Forest Fairy Tale,” there’s a little story —

”Elephant Efan and Hippo Galen encountered two groups of confrontational people in the rainforest.

One group was poachers, and the other was innocent merchants.

Perhaps because of the imposing stature of the elephant and hippo, both groups were frightened, neither daring to admit to being poachers, and accusing the other of being the poachers.

To identify the real poachers, Efan and Galen struggled in thought.

At that moment, one group suddenly removed all their clothing: ’Look, we have no weapons, so we’re not the poachers. The real poachers don’t even have the courage to strip!’

Sure enough, when Galen looked at the other group that didn’t disrobe, they were trembling, afraid to remove their clothes as they concealed weapons used for poaching beneath!

This story is a little interlude in ”Forest Fairy Tale.” If you think carefully, it has many flaws and logical inconsistencies; but that’s not the issue.

Given such a scenario in ”Forest Fairy Tale” to help animals discern good from bad, the Dog Deacon imitating it could indeed calm the restless soul on the other side.

As Dog Deacon anticipated, when the Little Otter saw the naked Dog Deacon, it hesitated for a long time before timidly saying: ’You are a good person...’

A talking little otter might be rare elsewhere; but in fairytales, not only do animals talk, but chairs, tables, and plates can suddenly speak to surprise you.

Therefore, the Dog Deacon wasn’t surprised, merely adopting an elegant gesture, saying: ’I apologize for my reckless appearance; to receive your forgiveness is my honor.’

The Little Otter, seeing the Dog Deacon speaking with such flowery language and courtesy, became timid once again.

This timidity wasn’t due to fear of the Dog Deacon being bad, but concern that its own words and actions were too crude, leading the Dog Deacon to deem it ignorant.

The Dog Deacon anticipated this behavior in the Little Otter.

In ”Forest Fairy Tale,” there’s a story about a black swan that comes to Green Rainforest, exuding elegance, with every act full of nobility; this made the longtime inhabitants of the rainforest feel uncultured, afraid to initiate a conversation for fear of speaking inelegantly.

Simply put, it’s a small feeling of inferiority arising from comparison.

Dog Deacon saw through the Little Otter’s false bravado, guessing it felt somewhat self-pitying, so he assumed this posture to test it.

Of course, Dog Deacon wasn’t doing this without reason.

In the story, the swan was so elegant that in this contrast of elegance and crudity, small animals, even with the courage to converse with the swan, would be left bewildered by ”elegance” after a few exchanges.

In this bewilderment, to appear strong or invisible, they spoke many heartfelt truths kept hidden!

The Dog Deacon desired this outcome too.

If the Little Otter tried hard not to lose face, he might uncover many heartfelt truths.

Then, through these truths, the Dog Deacon could slowly explore its soul’s true identity.

However, the premise for all this was that the Little Otter would falter due to this ”etiquette”... If the opponent cared not about etiquette, then the Dog Deacon must adopt another probing method.

It turns out, the inhabitants of the Green Rainforest are all quite innocent.

The small details in fairytales, when applied to reality, prove very effective.

Seeing the Little Otter’s timid behavior, Dog Deacon realized he had made the right move.

What followed then unfolded as planned by the Dog Deacon, coaxing the Little Otter into revealing many details to ascertain its identity...

...

Seeing this, Angel withdrew his gaze.

There was no need to look further to know that, at this pace, the canine steward would easily find the soul’s true name inside the little otter’s body.

Angel could have waited until he found the little otter’s soul true name before exiting, but... it was simply too eye-blinding.

Angel could guess the canine steward’s thoughts.

Yet, thinking of the canine steward naked, striking poses to display elegance and nobility; Angel felt a chill down his spine.

Importantly, his conspicuous behavior actually subdued the little otter.

One can only say, truly worthy of a character from a fairy tale.

With thoughts, wisdom, a certain moral logic, but precisely lacks a sense of shame.

The little otter doesn’t feel there’s anything wrong with the canine steward’s naked posturing.

The only one receiving critical damage was the peeping Angel in secret.

Therefore, seeing the canine steward was already in his own rhythm, Angel immediately withdrew, too lazy to watch further.

The little otter had no sense of shame, but he still had it!

Angel calmed his stirring emotions, slowly returning to tranquility. Only when his mind was no longer shaken, did he go offline and return to reality.

Angel’s silhouette from Silver Coral Island gradually disappeared, while in the doghouse, Angel slowly opened his eyes.

After opening his eyes, he immediately saw Laplace watching him.

Seeing Angel returning the glance, Laplace asked in the Mind Ribbon, ”How did it go?”

Angel knew that Laplace wasn’t asking about him, but about the canine steward’s situation in the Training Dungeon.

”The main quest is just as we guessed, indeed to help them find their true name.” After a pause, Angel continued, ”As for the canine steward’s progress, it’s quite good.”

Putting aside the canine steward’s shameless acts, just speaking of his strategy, Angel greatly approved.

Through the various little stories in ”Forest Fairy Tale,” he easily captured the little otter, practically at his fingertips. If the canine steward were placed in the human world, he’d certainly be a lecturer well versed in human nature, grasping the rhythm with a word or two, such skill can’t be considered low.

If Angel were in the canine steward’s position, facing the little otter’s screams, he might not have been able to defuse the other’s vigilance so quickly.

Nor could he have made the other speak sincerely the very next second after being on guard a moment before.

Angel thought he couldn’t do it.

The canine steward could easily accomplish it, not only because he was shameless, but more so because he had a strategy of adapting to changes.

Angel believed that even if the little otter didn’t respond to the undressing, didn’t respond to the etiquette, the canine steward would surely find another method to substitute in a short time.

This is the canine steward’s ability.

So, regardless of everything else, at least in terms of ability, Angel was full of affirmation for the canine steward.

Laplace, although unaware of what the canine steward did in the Training Dungeon, receiving such high praise from Angel indicated he did quite well.

Since that’s the case, Laplace needn’t worry about his situation anymore.

Laplace didn’t continue to ask about the canine steward but shifted topics, ”Since Little Red and Meatball are both in Crystal Origin of Dreams, we might as well leave. Or do you want to stay here and continue watching the exhibition displays?”

Hearing Laplace’s inquiry, Angel subconsciously looked up at the projected image.

At that moment, what Luigi was watching was a scene of a group of veiled people scattered across the exhibition platform, holding different musical instruments, swaying as they played.

In terms of artistry, this was certainly a high-standard music performance.

Seeing this, Angel understood why Luigi was fixed on this exhibition platform, presumably for the music.

However, Angel had no particular interest in music, he merely glanced and was prepared to respond to Laplace: They could leave.

Just as Angel was about to speak, he noticed that the swaying amplitude of the people on the platform was somewhat large, causing their veils to sway as well.

Taking advantage of the moment the veils swayed, Angel saw the faces behind them.

Those weren’t normal human faces at all, but exquisitely crafted ceramic teapots!

Seeing this, Angel immediately understood these were people from Turuga City, the Turul people, also known as Cupheads.

Previously, Angel had seen the appearance of Cupheads; after just one look, he didn’t think much; but now, with a platform full of Cupheads, each teapot intricately designed, it felt like being immersed in the Teapot Country.

Teapot Country?

The sudden flash of this name in Angel’s mind momentarily surprised him.

The place where Cha Cha resided is the Teapot Country. There was the Earl of Black Tea, the White Tea Princess, and the Black Tea Earl...

Angel had never seen the Turuls’ appearance in the Teapot Country, but at this moment, he inexplicably began to group these two races together in his mind.

Like an arranged match, or perhaps a connection from afar?

In his daze, Laplace’s question rang in the Mind Ribbon, ”What is it? Was it the Turuls’ performance that attracted you?”

Hearing Laplace’s voice, Angel slowly returned to himself.

Seeing Laplace’s puzzled eyes, Angel gently shook his head, ”Nothing, seeing these Cupheads just reminded me of an old friend.”

”Old friend?” As soon as Angel finished speaking, a response came, but it wasn’t from Laplace, it was from Luigi.

The Turuls longed to find their origin, their source, their homeland.

But the ancestors of the Turuls, after crossing the Sea of Void Mirror, had forgotten everything. The only thing they remembered was etched deep in memory, the traditional cultural memories not washed away by the Sea of Void Mirror.

These traditional cultures included music, and thus, in seeking their homeland, the Turuls would display their traditional music at every gathering, hoping someone recognized it.

When Angel suddenly mentioned ”old friend,” this surprised Luigi, could it be that Angel found the traditional music familiar and thought of an old friend?

After listening to Luigi’s query, Angel gently shook his head.

Though not long ago, he briefly associated the Teapot Country with the Turuls, upon regaining clarity and careful consideration, he found it completely nonsensical.

”The old friend I mentioned isn’t actually a person, but a little rabbit, a different kind from the Turuls’ ancestors.” Angel shrugged lightly as he said this, ”The reason I thought of it was because it really loved tea.”