Chapter 2512: Chapter 2513: Siber
Angel had seen Lady Melo during his time at the Barbarian Cave. At that time, Lady Melo was just as Serum described, every move she made carried an air of elegance and classic grace. Paired with her efficient manner of doing things, she was like a ceremonial teacher from a traditional noble family.
And now, though Lady Meloâs face was full of worry, that aura of elegance emanating from deep within her heart was not diminished in the slightest.
"Siber... Golos..." Lady Melo, dressed in a black long dress, sat on the edge of a slightly damp and cold stone bed, muttering something softly with a worried expression.
Suddenly, Lady Meloâs troubled expression changed abruptly.
She suddenly stood up, looking around with confusion.
There was nothing around her, the cramped space still carried its usual oppressive air.
But she was explicit that she heard something rustling in the room just now. Outside of this prison, a large Magical Energy Array was installed, making it impossible for bugs and rats to be active. What could that sound be?
Or was it just her illusion?
As suspicion brewed in Meloâs mind, she failed to notice the silence outside the cell, devoid of the usual chatter from other inmates.
Until Melo inadvertently glanced at the prison gate, she was shocked to find that the barred window was already filled with a faint mist.
Was mist appearing in the corridor, or was it just her cell that was abnormal?
Melo subconsciously wanted to walk to the front door and glance outside.
However, she paused after taking only two steps, as she heard another commotion inside the room, and this time it was very clearâa sound of footsteps!
Coming from right behind her!
Melo stiffly and slowly turned around, unsurprised to find that there was indeed a new figure present in the cell, leaning against the nearby wall.
It was a red-haired, gold-eyed man. Melo was certain she had never seen him before.
Melo did not know who this newcomer was, nor his intentions, but to break through the external Magical Energy Array and appear in her cell, he must either be a high-ranking individual from Princess Castle or an Official Wizard.
No matter which one it was, from Meloâs current perspective, neither seemed to bode well.
However, no matter what she thought, Melo did not show any sign of fear on the surface, instead, she gracefully extended her hand, indicating that he could sit down.
The only place to sit in the cell naturally would be the stone bed.
"I donât dare to sit on a ladyâs bed casually. That is a disrespectful offense," Angel paused: "Even if itâs a bed in a cell."
Melo replied lightly, "Then is declining a ladyâs invitation not also a kind of discourtesy?"
Angel chuckled, and did not pursue the topic further. He used etiquette as an opening remark, thinking it might make Lady Melo feel nervous or uncomfortable due to his sudden appearance, but it seemed Lady Melo lived up to Serumâs praise and commendation, handling sudden circumstances with composure.
Given this, speaking directly seemed no issue.
Angel: "The matter of discourtesy, if it needs discussion, is better suited to another venue. Like, Old Porterâs tavern?"
Upon hearing Old Porterâs name, Meloâs pupils slightly contracted. Old Porter had been lurking in Princess Town, almost no one knows about his connection with Barbarian Cave, but the other party suddenly mentions this, clearly suggesting... or threatening something.
"Old Porterâs tavern is indeed a fine place for conversation. But it is quite secluded, how did you think of that place?" With that, Meloâs sharp gaze directly fixed on Angel, seemingly trying to discern something from his expression.
"Because, I just came from there not long ago... hmm, there I also met someone claiming to be your friend, who previously rushed into the castle recklessly trying to rescue you, ending up being chased for hundreds of kilometersâpoor thing. Do you know who I am referring to?"
Lady Melo remained silent.
"Abulei," Angel gently revealed the answer.
Lady Meloâs expression finally changed upon hearing Abuleiâs name: "... Is Abulei okay?"
Angel: "She should be fine and has met quite a good partner."
After a pause, Angel continued: "I almost forgot to introduce myself."
With that, Angelâs figure slightly elongated, his facial features rapidly transforming until they returned to their true form.
"Lady Melo, we have met before, if you remember."
Melo was dumbfounded, staring at the person before her for a while before stammering, "Pa... Master Pat?"
Angel smiled slightly: "It seems Lady Melo indeed has quite a good memory, as Serum said."
Though Angel seemed to commend Lady Meloâs memory, it was actually to confirm his identity by mentioning Serum. After all, only someone with a connection to Serum could know such an unremarkable apprentice.
And Angel was Serumâs closest friend. As Serumâs senior apprentice sister, how could Melo not be aware of this relationship?
"Master Pat, it was my impoliteness." Upon confirming his identity, Melo immediately exhibited a nearly self-restrained manner of etiquette.
"Donât mind it, your performance was excellent." When Angel mentioned he nearly forgot to introduce himself, it wasnât true, he was curious about someone whom Serum praised and admired, thus deliberately saving his introduction for later as a small test. Lady Melo indeed performed as gracefully as expected.
"Iâm here at the behest of Abulei and Old Porter to take you away."
Melo was delighted to hear this but quickly her expression dulled again: "Master, forgive my rashness, this time I left Barbarian Cave to undertake a Guideâs mission. I wonder if you could also bring the Talented Ones I found?"
Angel: "Thatâs not being presumptuous, it is part of my purpose for coming."
Talented Ones are crucial to any Witcher Organization and might become the pillars of the organization in the future, so Angel wouldnât forsake them.
Upon receiving confirmation, Melo finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I still donât know whom you recruited as Talented Ones, I need you to point them out." Pausing, Angel then slowly headed to the door, "Please follow me."
Melo did not doubt him and followed without hesitation.
The iron door, covered with Magical Energy Array, seemed transparent at this moment, unable to impede their actions, they directly passed through the closed door and appeared in the corridor.
It was then that Melo realized the mist she saw earlier wasnât filling the corridor, it purely surrounded Angel at that moment... now also enveloping her.
This should be some type of concealment illusion technique, Melo thought to herself.
Angel proceeded forward, Melo promptly followed.
Upon entering the corridor, the chattering of fellow inmates also finally reached her ears.
Most of these inmates were like her, captured here by the princess using various unscrupulous methods. Though Melo hadnât conversed much with them in recent days, she felt they werenât gravely guilty, with some being quite friendly towards her.
Lady Melo listened to the familiar chattering of her fellow prisoners and sighed softly in her heart.
She really wished Angel could rescue them together, but she knew that excessive demands would be rude.
Melo could only secretly say in her heart: I hope you can hold on for a few more days. Once Iâm out, I will notify your organization to come rescue you.
As for those Wandering Wizards, Melo would also inform the Cross Alliance, but it seemed unlikely anyone would come to rescue them. After all, most Wandering Wizards are too busy taking care of themselves to have the energy to care for others.
"How have you been these days?" Angel asked casually.
"Except for the psychological pressure and worrying about the Talented Ones Iâve brought in, the rest is actually nothing." Melo paused: "The guards on this level are two Gargoyles, and they donât usually come inside. So, staying here is not that torturous; itâs just that no one brings us food."
Melo was already a peak Apprentice, so not eating for a few months was no big deal.
"Looks like the fourth-level prison isnât too bad." Angel compared it to the previous levelsâ prisons and said.
Melo: "Is the master saying that the people in the first three levels of the prison are not doing well?"
Angel: "To be precise, only two levels of the prison. As for whether theyâre doing well or not, you can take a look yourself."
Previously, he heard the chubby guard on the second floor say that those Talented Ones Lady Melo brought were mostly on the second floor. Compared to the third and fourth floors, the situation on the second floor was indeed grim.
Melo picked up on the undertone in Angelâs words and her expression became a bit somber.
They traveled down the mechanism corridor, and the playing card remained inserted in the energy pipeline, allowing them to pass without impediment.
Outside the corridor were the two Gargoyles.
Angelâs method of handling them remained the same as before; with Earl Mi covering them, they easily avoided detection.
Arriving at the third level.
The pace of their travel began to slow, as Melo needed to check each cell to confirm if any of the Talented Ones she brought were there.
Fortunately, the prison here had no forks, so they could keep searching while advancing.
Most of those imprisoned on the third level were Transcendents, but mostly First and Second Level Apprentices. Though they seemed pallid, they didnât exhibit many signs of being punished.
This made Melo silently hope that the Talented Ones she brought were in a similar state.
However, after browsing the entire third level, she didnât see a single Talented One.
This indicated that all the Talented Ones Melo recruited were on the second level.
Come to think of it, the second level imprisoned mostly ordinary people. Although Talented Ones have talents, they havenât yet manifested, so they are still considered ordinary.
Circumventing the third-level guards, they finally arrived at the second level.
Upon reaching the second level, they hadnât started seeking individuals when they heard commotion.
From the surrounding prison discussions, they learned that the chubby guard on the second level suddenly collapsed during a patrol, possibly dead.
Upon learning this news, Angel immediately used the Mind Ribbon to contact Dox.
Though Angelâs Nightmare Illusion affected the chubby guard previously, he hadnât resorted to violence. It was unlikely that his illusion caused the guard to collapse; perhaps only Dox could do something like that.
Sure enough, a confirmed response came from Dox, who had left the castle and was now in the second-level prison: "Itâs my doing. I gave that dead fat pig a good thumping."
As for the reason, Dox explained that he came to the prison to rescue Wandering Apprentices and coincidentally saw the chubby guard extorting a Wandering Apprentice.
And this extorted Wandering Apprentice had visited Doxâs Cross Tavern before, making Dox somewhat familiar with him.
Though not a friend, he was a guest at his tavern, and Dox wouldnât allow the chubby guard to wield a Wolf Fang Club against his guest!
Hence, the surprise attack from behind.
"Ignore that dead fat pig. Without a guard, itâll be easier to release people later."
Having exchanged location information with Dox, they ceased their conversation. Since Dox was also on the second level, they would inevitably encounter him by continuing down the path.
"Letâs cont..." Angel turned his head, ready to tell Lady Melo to continue, but realized Lady Melo was no longer beside him.
Looking closely, he found Lady Melo conversing with someone inside a prison cell.
"Judging by appearances, she found the first Talented One," Angel muttered, walking over.
Upon seeing this so-called first Talented One, Angelâs eyes flashed with surprise.
The person in the cell was the cold-faced black-haired girl Angel had noticed before.
When Angel passed her cell, a slight inspiration emerged. Unexpectedly, she turned out to be one of the Talented Ones recruited by Lady Melo.
Furthermore, from Lady Meloâs warm inquiries, Angel could tell their relationship went beyond just a Guide and Talented One.
Perhaps it was closerâthey were acquaintances or family?
Considering it wasnât quite the time for a chat, Lady Melo asked a few simple questions and then walked over to Angel: "Master, her name is Siber, one of the Talented Ones I recruited."
Perhaps sensing Angelâs puzzlement, Lady Melo further clarified: "Once I was her etiquette teacher for a while."
Angel nodded knowingly, indeed they were acquaintances.
Angel didnât think much further, lightly waved his hand, and Siberâs cell door opened.
Siber had heard Lady Meloâs voice before but hadnât seen where she was, until the cell door opened and a mist enveloped her, only then she saw Lady Melo.
Seeing Lady Melo, Siberâs expression visibly changed, the cold look faded, replaced by a radiant smile.
However, upon noticing a stranger beside Lady Melo, Siberâs radiant smile quickly retreated.
"My cold maid, your face-changing skills have improved again." Lady Melo teased lightly before introducing Angelâs identity.
Upon learning Angel was an Official Wizard, Siber, like Lady Melo before her, bowed deeply.
From an etiquette standpoint, indeed there was an inheritance.
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