Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2068: Chapter 2069: Nuka’s Motive

Meina Varro continued to explain the progress at the Cross Tenure, also mentioning some major and minor events that occurred during the construction process.

Among them, they specifically talked about the Dalmatian.

When Meina Varro spoke of the Dalmatian, there was an awkward look in its eyes. This was probably the most absurd event since it had been guarding the Cross Tenure.

— A stowaway from the Nightmare Realm.

And that stowaway was actually the Dalmatian!

To Meina Varro, this seemed somewhat unbelievable.

Because creatures from the Nightmare Realm generally dislike descending into the Wizards’ Realm. There are no Nightmare Realm auras here, and even in demiplanes, their power decreases significantly. Even Meina Varro itself wouldn’t have thought to come here if it weren’t for following in the footsteps of Lord Nuka.

Therefore, the Dalmatian’s ’stowaway’ is truly puzzling.

Most importantly, the Dalmatian is the most cherished pet of Minister Dim. Why would it stowaway to the Wizards’ Realm?

While talking about the Dalmatian, Meina Varro voiced its doubts aloud.

Nuka, hearing Meina Varro’s doubts, stroked his beard while glancing at the Dalmatian in Angel’s arms, with a faint, mysterious emotion hidden in his small eyes: ”Before my descent, I met Minister Dim, and he mentioned that the Dalmatian was too uninhibited and roamed around everywhere in the inner district. As for why it sneaked here, I don’t know, this should be asked of it itself. Or perhaps...”

Nuka looked at Angel: ”Perhaps Lord Shava knows the answer.”

Meina Varro also looked at Angel, though without verbal inquiry, curiosity was evident in its eyes.

After slipping out of the Nightmare Realm Portal, the Dalmatian shot out like an arrow towards the outside of the Cross Tenure. Meina Varro simply couldn’t keep up, and after searching in Xinnai Land for half a day without finding the Dalmatian’s traces, it came here to find it comfortably nestled in Lord Shava’s arms.

Judging by the timing, after it slipped out of the Cross Tenure, it went directly to Duling Garden, almost as if it had come specifically for Lord Shava.

Watching the Dalmatian being petted by Lord Shava, lazily turning into a little piglet, Meina Varro thought to itself: Not almost, this guy is clearly here for Lord Shava.

So, perhaps Lord Shava truly knows the reason.

Angel, who was initially eavesdropping on the Cross Tenure’s news, did not expect to suddenly become the focal point, with everyone’s eyes fixed on him.

Although they had previously seen the Dalmatian by Angel’s side and didn’t say much; it was merely because of Lord Shava’s status. They all harbored questions in their minds, and now with Lord Nuka leading the inquiry, they naturally hoped for an answer. After all, the Dalmatian is the first weapon in Minister of Arms’ arsenal.

Feeling the gaze of everyone scrutinizing him, Angel suppressed his slightly flustered feelings and spoke calmly: ”Its appearance is also beyond my expectations.”

Angel’s answer was naturally unsatisfactory to the other guests, but given Shava’s status, it was already commendable that he was willing to answer; they couldn’t continue pressing for more. They just thought that there might be an inside story that Lord Shava didn’t want to disclose.

Meina Varro: ”Sir, that is the current situation at the Cross Tenure.”

Nuka nodded. Although the Dalmatian incident had occurred, overall, the Cross Tenure was satisfactory to Nuka. After all, the Cross Tenure is the most critical area, responsible for the core tasks of Xinai’s descent.

When everyone had finished speaking, Nuka looked at Angel: ”Lord Shava, do you have any suggestions regarding the construction progress of Xinnai Land?”

”The construction of Xinnai Land is currently proceeding systematically; blind suggestions are not a good idea.” Angel paused, then added, ”Moreover, from what I’ve heard, everyone is guarding their duties well, and I didn’t find anything worth suggesting.”

Angel actually wanted to pick some flaws, ideally to stop the Xinnai descent altogether. But he also knew that was impossible. Previously Nuka had mentioned that the Xinnai descent had the Queen’s approval. Although Angel had confidence in ”Shava’s” identity, he knew its status couldn’t compare to the Queen’s. Since the Queen had agreed, if Shava were to oppose it, he would probably become a joke.

Unable to stop the Xinnai descent, Angel naturally couldn’t help by providing suggestions. Even if he did notice any issues, he would silently cheer inside rather than voice them out, giving them a chance to correct.

Moreover, he truly hadn’t noticed any flaws.

”Looks like Lord Shava is quite satisfied with Xinnai Land’s descent, which makes me more at ease. After all, Lord Shava is more familiar with descents.” Nuka spread a broad smile, revealing a strangely eerie appearance and emotion.

Shava was familiar with ”descents”? Angel didn’t know whether Nuka was testing or if Shava was genuinely familiar with descents.

His only response was to simply smile and remain silent. Neither denying nor confirming.

”The construction of Xinnai Land receiving Lord Shava’s affirmation makes me very happy. However, right now, the descent of Xinnai Land is somewhat lacking. If we could gain Lord Shava’s assistance...”

Angel watched the flames flickering on the candelabra, seemingly calm in expression, but inwardly he was pondering:

Here it comes.

His participation in this banquet was completely passive. Up to this point, he still didn’t know why he was here.

But without a doubt, Nuka surely knows everything.

Nuka inviting him here, there must be a reason; is it due to suspicion about his identity, or is there another purpose?

From the current standpoint, Nuka hadn’t probed his identity too much. It seemed he had accepted that he was Shava. Excluding doubts on identity, perhaps Nuka’s reason for hosting this banquet was to extract certain benefits from ”Shava” to accomplish its own objectives?

Thus, when Nuka proposed needing Shava’s help, Angel’s mind immediately reacted.

Why did Nuka invite him to this banquet? It seems the moment of revelation is approaching.

Angel’s brow lightly arched, his right eye drifting with a faint green light: ”You need my help? Why not tell me about it.”

Nuka: ”It’s like this; Lord Shava may have heard about Meina Varro’s earlier mention of the Arcana Mysterious Palace descent...”

Nuka did not conceal anything; accompanied by the flickering candlelight, he slowly revealed his request.

Before Nuka unveiled the answer, various speculations flashed through Angel’s mind: ”Shava” is very close to humans, Nightmare Realm creatures should already know, whether it was the former fox harpist or today’s Misty Goldlady, Boiling Gentleman and so on, they should have seen Shava coexisting with humans; so, Angel even wondered if Nuka wanted him to be a traitor to the humans.

But after hearing Nuka’s words, Angel was momentarily stunned.

What Nuka wanted was truly baffling—

”Arcana’s Mysterious Palace is about to descend. But Lord Shava should also know, I don’t have enough manpower here to take care of the Mysterious Palace area, so...” Nuka’s gaze slowly fell upon Angel.

”So you want me to guard Arcana’s Mysterious Palace?” Angel showed a somewhat mocking expression, even a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.

Even if Angel were stupid, he knew that Shava’s identity is definitely much higher than the so-called Minister of Agriculture. Now, with Nuka wanting him to guard Arcana’s Mysterious Palace, from a perspective of hierarchy, this is absolutely inappropriate. In fact, it is an insult to Shava.

Since Angel needed to play Shava’s role well, even if there were ulterior thoughts in his mind, his expression at least had to show anger.

But mere anger would seem out of character. Using sarcasm was more fitting for the persona.

Nuka: ”Please don’t be angry, Lord Shava, I do not mean for you to guard Arcana’s Mysterious Palace, mainly I am short-handed on my side and hope to request some subordinates from you to take on this important task.”

Upon hearing this, Angel’s expression relaxed slightly.

However, letting his subordinates take over Arcana’s Mysterious Palace... Angel also desired this, as it would provide an opportunity to wreak havoc.

But where could he find subordinates? Perhaps he could gather many human subordinates, but Angel knows very well that Nuka desires, not humans, but Shava’s subordinates in the Nightmare Realm.

Up until now, Angel is still clueless about who Shava even is, let alone knowing about Shava’s subordinates.

Moreover, if Shava’s subordinates really saw him, his identity would likely be uncovered quickly. After all, he isn’t truly Shava.

”Forget it, no one is likely to be interested in this place anyway.” Angel hesitated repeatedly but ultimately rejected the highly tempting proposal. Although he wanted to ask if a Watcher could guard the place... the Watcher naturally refers to Sanders, but Angel ultimately didn’t ask, as even at his worst, he would not pit his mentor against danger. Among those present, in Angel’s opinion, even Misty Goldlady could be on par with Sanders; this place is essentially a blazing pit where anyone who comes gets burned.

”Oh dear, oh dear, Lord Shava is right, who would be interested in this place...” No sooner had Angel’s words fallen than the Boiling Gentleman sitting to his right chimed in.

The Boiling Gentleman’s words also drew a chorus of agreement from several other guests, among them were the black-and-white maid and Meina Varro, though they did not nod, they internally agreed.

—Everyone is well in the Nightmare Realm; who wants to come here?

To the Nightmare Realm creatures, anywhere outside the Nightmare Realm is a barren land.

Nuka naturally understood the sentiments of the multitude; he also has many subordinates in the Nightmare Realm, only the black-and-white maid, Misty Goldlady, and Meina Varro are willing to come with him.

”Since Lord Shava has spoken thus, let’s temporarily set aside this matter.” Nuka sighed regretfully, this matter was of great significance to him, if Lord Shava agreed, he would have much greater libertine space in things on this side, but alas, Lord Shava refused.

However, Nuka did not give up; he had already anticipated that Lord Shava would likely not agree, so he had a second scheme.

”I once heard Queen mention that Lord Shava often descends into the human world. I wonder how long Lord Shava plans to stay in this world this time?” Nuka propped his delicate elongated hands under his cheeks, his facial whiskers swaying in the wind, posing a curious expression.

”Is Minister Nuka very interested in my whereabouts?” Angel asked back nonchalantly, though inside he was puzzled: is Nuka speaking the truth? If true, does Shava often descend into the human world because of him?

Additionally, Shava’s capabilities should far exceed the warning threshold of world consciousness; if he descended into the human world, it should trigger a response. Or is Shava’s descension actually a different type, like an Avatar or puppet? Or perhaps akin to the projection of a Demon God’s follower?

If so, that would explain why they can see through his not-so-powerful strength yet still definitively recognize him as Shava.

They identify only the aura, not the strength. Because Shava’s descension isn’t his True Body.

”Lord Shava, don’t misunderstand, I mean nothing else, I merely suggest that if you stay in this world for a long time. Perhaps you might occasionally attend a banquet in Xinnai Land.”

”Oh?” Angel neither refused nor agreed, merely gazing at Nuka inquisitively.

”To have Lord Shava visit Xinnai Land is indeed an honor for us. If during Xinnai’s descent we could receive your guidance in construction, it would prevent us from taking unnecessary detours.”

”At the same time, I also hope to offer the greatest assistance to you during your stay in this world.”

Angel scrutinized Nuka intensely, seemingly wanting to decipher from his eyes whether he was lying.

Of course, this was part of Angel’s performance; given the disparity in power between him and Nuka, it was absolutely impossible to determine the opponent’s true intentions.

Nevertheless, Angel could sense the urgency emanating from Nuka, seemingly genuinely sincere.

Angel definitely wouldn’t trust his intuition; there were undoubtedly other reasons hidden behind Nuka’s sincerity.

Yet Angel had the inkling that Nuka sincerely wanted him to get involved with Xinnai Land’s construction... why? Is it because of Shava’s identity, or does Shava really have some role to play in Xinnai Land’s construction?

What Angel didn’t know was that during his pondering, Nuka was internally quite anxious.

He truly hoped for Angel’s consent.

Though Xinnai’s descent was accepted by the Queen, she didn’t truly issue orders, she merely didn’t oppose it. If Lord Shava were to join, even if it’s just to make an appearance, it would greatly aid in Nuka’s initiatives during Xinnai’s descent.

”Every month on the day of the festival, we host a banquet. If Lord Shava agrees, we would highly anticipate the honor to dine with the Lord then.” Seeing Angel stay silent for a prolonged time, Nuka implored earnestly once more.

Feigning indifference, Angel glanced at Nuka, still not responding directly, but ambiguously said: ”Let’s see how things are then.”