Chapter 2653: Chapter 2654: Leaving the Casket
Cicia and Jon passed each other and then sat back opposite Angel. But she didnât speak immediately; instead, she held her forehead with her hand and fell into silent contemplation.
After Jonâs guidance, Angel also realized where he went wrong, thus he no longer appeared impatient, choosing to quietly wait for Cicia to come back to her senses.
"Coco and Lulu are real." About two minutes later, Cicia slowly began to speak.
After a pause, Cicia added: "But they are also fake."
"Whatâs real are those memories of the past, their essence, and independent consciousness; but fake are their bodies," explained Cicia.
Angel: "From what youâre saying, you should trust me now, right?"
Cicia shook her head: "I can only determine that Coco and Luluâs consciousness is real. As for the Popota you mentioned, itâs still hard to say."
Angel: "Youâll see for yourself if you pay him a visit."
Cicia: "Where is he?"
Angel directly pointed upwards: "Dining room, that corresponds to the second-floor location where we are situated now. If you canât find it, you can ask the second-floor maid to show you the way."
"Are you ridiculing me for being so stupid I canât find my way?"
Angel: "No, just a friendly reminder that if you need anything, you can ask the maids here."
Cicia stood up, seemingly not planning to converse further with Angel, preparing to meet Popota that he mentioned.
"Do you need me to be there?" Angel asked.
Cicia retorted coldly: "If this is your dreamscape creation, does it make any difference whether youâre present or not?"
"You still think of this place as a dream realm. It seems you havenât realized its essence yet," Angel stretched: "Thatâs fine; go meet Popota, let him tell you the truth of this place. I wonât join to mess things up; Iâll wait here for you."
"Also, donât chat too long. The time here mirrors reality; your box canât affect the time flow here. So, you must hurry, I plan to find the Wood Spirit next." Angel: "Once you understand the basic situation, come to find me. If you want to have a detailed conversation with Popota, youâll have plenty of time in the future."
Ciciaâs ears slightly moved: "Youâre saying, I can enter here again in the future?"
Angel: "Of course. Your two Gargoyle companions are already lethargic outside, and after this, they might only live in the Wilderness of Dreams. Are you really willing to let them venture alone in this unfamiliar world? Moreover, you canât access the outside world through that box, but here, you can connect with people in any corner of the Southern Domain."
"What do you mean?" Cicia could sense that Angelâs words contained profound information, difficult to comprehend all at once.
Angel made a "shh" gesture: "You can explore and understand this on your own; if you really donât want to waste time, go ask Popota."
Cicia gave Angel a deep look, refrained from questioning further, and turned to leave.
But before Cicia could exit, Angelâs voice reached her again: "Oh, I forgot to ask. Do you truly believe that the judgment you made earlier is correct?"
Cicia paused, turned to look at Angel, and didnât speak, instead inquiring with her eyes.
Angel: "Coco and Lulu are real, but why do you think their bodies are fake?"
Cicia: "If not, do you want to argue that their fragile, newborn bodies are real?"
Angel: "At least within the Wilderness of Dreams, theyâre real. Just like the body youâre currently using, itâs manifested based on reality as a newborn version of you. As long as you donât damage it, it will accompany you here in the Wilderness of Dreams."
Cicia squinted: "Are you saying this world is real? That all the bodies here are creations?"
Angel: "Whether this world is real is something you can feel for yourself. As for whether the bodies are creations, I donât know... donât look at me with that skeptical gaze; I truly donât know. The only thing Iâm aware of is that the Wilderness of Dreams is continuously improving, and each personâs body here improves along with it, but I have no clear understanding of the specific reason."
Angelâs words added another layer of doubt in Ciciaâs mind. However, at the same time, her curiosity about the Wilderness of Dreams increased substantially.
Cicia: "Youâd better not be deceiving me."
With those words, Cicia turned and exited the curtain.
Angelâs voice didnât stop, continuing to sound, but this time, it was not for supplementing information, but rather a late welcome: "Earlier I forgot to tell you, this is Pat Manor, Miss Cicia, welcome to your arrival. A friendly tip, the cream mushroom soup made by Maid Mana is delicious, Iâve already smelled the aroma, and when the time comes, please make sure to try it..."
Cicia "hummed" lightly, and didnât respond,
Through the thumping sound of footsteps outside the curtain, it could be known that Cicia had ascended the stairs.
Only at this point did Angel let out a long breath.
Next, all depends on Popotaâs performance. With Dororoâs prior guidance, hopefully, there shouldnât be any big mistakes.
The only unexpected issue might be if Popota wasnât recognized by Cicia as a Baiyuanian... if such an accident really occurs, Angel would have no choice but to accept that Popota, as a Baiyuanian, had lived a bit too unsuccessfully.
...
With Angelâs abilities, wanting to spy on what Cicia and Popota were discussing was easy. However, he didnât do so.
This wasnât about trusting Popota excessively, but rather having confidence in Dororo.
Dororo came to personally "guide" Popota, so if Popota still ended up being swayed by Cicia, colluding to cause trouble, then donât expect Dororo to ignite the ancestral altar for it. â Besides, Dororo wasnât too interested in that aspect.
While Cicia and Popota were talking, Angel wasnât idle; he first went to arrange those two Gargoyles.
Thanks to these two Gargoyles, Cicia discarded most of her doubts, so Angel didnât plan to let them be "paper monsters from the illustrations," they should stay in the manor... as for their usage, besides providing Jon with more research material, just let them be mascots or waste.
Regarding the Gargoylesâ talent "Guard," having them act as gatekeepers? Forget about it; their bodies are just newborn, among the most fragile. Without training, donât expect them to be impressive; whether they can even handle the farmers in the field is a question.
At least their fierce appearance might scare some people.
To say arranging them was simply taking Lulu and Coco on a walk around the manor, getting familiar with the place and faces. Letting everyone know those two are weak in power, no need to fear, should they encounter them in the future, treat them purely as mascots.
Once theyâve toured enough, Angel let them find a place in the manor to stay.
Angel then leisurely returned to the castle.
At this time, Cicia hadnât returned, so Angel couldnât leave now. Instead, he opened the tree network and started chatting with the "always active" Ironclad Granny...
...
A quarter of an hour later, inside Ciciaâs box.
When Cicia awakened from the throneâs apex, there was a moment of confusion in her eyes, immediately followed by a recall, she looked down towards Angel standing at the edge of darkness.
"You..." Cicia was about to speak, but Angel interrupted her.
"If you have any questions about the Wilderness of Dreams, donât ask me, youâd better seek the answers yourself. Even a classic work has multiple interpretations, not to mention a world. Everyoneâs perspective is different, leading to different conclusions; what I see and know might not offer the most correct answer." Angel, with the tone akin to a mystic, painted his "laziness" in an impressive light.
After ensuring Cicia absorbed this, Angel continued: "Back to the main point, does Miss Cicia now consider Popota a fictional character I created?"
Cicia was silent for a moment, ultimately nodding: "Popota is a Baiyuanian, that I can confirm."
Upon hearing Ciciaâs response, Angel also breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully Popota hadnât faltered over there...
"So, does this mean you believe what I said?"
Cicia didnât answer, but sometimes silence is an answer in itself.
"Now you should understand why I said that we can meet frequently in the future, right? As long as both of us are online, meeting isnât difficult. And if you want to know updated news from outside, you wonât have to rely solely on The Sage; there are Transcendents in the Wilderness of Dreams with whom you can communicate."
After exchanging with Popota, Cicia indeed learned a lot. And precisely because she understood, she began to show reverence.
In a broad sense, this is a new world independent of the Dream Realm.
And Cicia once heard a rumor that the existence of a world is a miracle in itself. The world Angel possesses will also become a miracle... or a catalyst?
Cicia: "About the Wilderness of Dreams you mentioned, I just want to ask one question, does the Wilderness of Dreams exist permanently?"
Angel: "Consider it permanent. However, it hovers on the periphery of the Dream Realm. If you accidentally encounter a Magical Creature from the Dream Realm, and itâs very powerful, it might be destroyed."
Cicia: "So, the Wilderness of Dreams has encountered Magical Creatures from the Dream Realm before?"
Angel: "That counts as a second question, but Iâll tell you anyway, yes, it has encountered them. However, at that time I brought in outside help to take down the creature."
"As a Wizard from the Barbarian Cave, I have many allies behind me. In addition, there are Ancestral Spirits that dwell constantly in the Wilderness of Dreams, like the Tree Spirit you know, youâre all beings that have lived for millennia, why donât you go and chat with him, maybe youâll have common topics."
Cicia: "I donât know them, just heard their names."
Angel: "No worries, anyway, you can go to the Wilderness of Dreams often from now on, or even immerse yourself in it, and given your identity, youâll gradually become familiar with them."
"My identity?" Cicia sneered: "What identity could I possibly have? How do you even know what my identity is?"
Angel looked at Cicia with suspicion: "Isnât your identity that of a former Baiyuanian?"
Cicia was momentarily speechless, suddenly unsure of how to refute. She thought Angel knew of her past identity, but he only recognized her group identity.
Angel observed Ciciaâs silent, pained expression, still maintaining an innocent, puzzled demeanor. Since earlier Cicia mentioned that Wise Sovereignâs status is similar to her past position, Angel knew Cicia was certainly not an ordinary Baiyuanian, perhaps a significant figure a thousand years ago.
But since Cicia didnât reveal it, Angel wouldnât ask.
For now, calling her Miss Cicia, or Lady Cicia is fine. If sheâs truly a significant elder figure, then wouldnât he have to immediately change to a respectful address?
Of course, switching to a respectful address isnât a big deal, but Angel prefers Cicia to firmly stand on their side before changing addresses. Otherwise, speaking and acting becomes constrained, which is troublesome.
Angel: "As a predecessor of the Baiyuanians, even if you donât want to, as long as youâre in the Wilderness of Dreams, youâll naturally come into contact with the upper echelons of the Barbarian Cave. After all, a living Baiyuanian cannot be shielded by me alone, without Barbarian Cave as a support, he might have been consumed by the outside world long ago."
"Unless, you no longer enter the Wilderness of Dreams in the future."
As Angel spoke, he looked at the chain on Ciciaâs brow: "The chain is the Log-in Device, I gave it to you, and I wonât take it back. You are free to either keep using it or discard it, the choice is yours."
While Angel spoke, Ciciaâs hand had already reached the chain, originally intending to take it off because its exquisiteness and size easily blocked vision.
But Angelâs words caused Ciciaâs hand to pause.
Of course she still wanted to enter the Wilderness of Dreams, after being lonely for millennia, even just watching the bustling crowd from afar is extravagant for her. Moreover, Cicia can communicate with them.
Besides, Popota is also there.
Even if itâs just a dream, Cicia intends to stay intoxicated in this dream.
So, would taking off the chain now make Angel misunderstand that she doesnât want this Log-in Device and intends to discard the chain?
Thinking of this, and seeing Angelâs puzzled gaze opposite her, Cicia lowered her hand.
She could take it off once Angel leaves, for now, itâs fine to keep it on.
"Miss Cicia, do you have any other questions? Of course, donât ask about matters concerning the Wilderness of Dreams." Angel looked at Cicia.
Cicia pondered for a moment: "Popota told me a lot of information, itâs quite varied and chaotic, I still need to organize it, so for now I have no more questions."
Angel: "If Miss Cicia has no questions, then Iâll take my leave. If you need to contact me, you can leave a message in the tree group, ask Popota what the tree group is if you donât know. If you have an urgent matter, you can find Frode, and he will contact me as soon as possible."
After Angel finished speaking, he made a "please" gesture.
Indicating that Cicia could send him out.
Cicia, however, did not immediately send Angel out of the Box, but gently said: "From what you said earlier, you wish for me to meet with The Sage in the Wilderness of Dreams?"
Angel: "Yes, if possible, I hope The Wise Sovereign can meet with Miss Cicia, I believe Miss Cicia might be better at convincing The Wise Sovereign than I am."
Cicia pondered: "A sage that can be called a sage must have exceptional qualities. I cannot discern the essence of the Wilderness of Dreams, but the Sage might be able to glimpse some threads. Are you sure you want the Sage to enter the Wilderness of Dreams?"
Angel did not respond, as he saw that Cicia had more to say.
Indeed, Cicia only paused for a moment and then continued: "You showed me the Primeval Flame, showed me the Wilderness of Dreams, let me meet Popota... I can probably guess your intention is to recruit me."
Angel silently said in his heart: No, recruiting you is not the purpose. I just want to find a predecessor of the same tribe for Dororo.
Of course, Angel wouldnât reveal his true intentions, but instead looked at Cicia: "And then?"
Cicia: "Whether you can recruit me depends on your ability, but you absolutely cannot recruit the Sage."
"Why?"
Cicia: "A being that has guarded the ruins for millennia, firmly believing that Naraku City can be resurrectedâyou think you can sway it?"
"The Sage is absolutely loyal to Naraku City, while I am more neutral. Do you understand what I mean?"
Angel nodded, meaning Cicia can be recruited, but the Sage cannot be persuaded.
Cicia: "Moreover, donât be fooled by the Sageâs gentle demeanor, the Sage will exhaust all means to revive Naraku City. If the Wilderness of Dreams truly is as you say, capable of developing into a world, then it would be very special... The Sage might resort to unscrupulous means to make the Wilderness of Dreams a card in his hand."
Angel touched his chin: "Listening to this, certainly one needs to be wary of the Wise Sovereign."
Just wary? Cicia instinctively furrowed her brow... but the chain blocked it, almost scratching her brow.
"I know Barbarian Cave is strong, they will be your backing. But Naraku City, which has been dormant for millennia, do you think it is a harmless sheep?"
"If you ultimately decide to let me meet with the Sage in the Wilderness of Dreams, I will agree. But I still hope you will make a prudent decision."
Angel nodded: "I understand, thank you for the reminder, Miss Cicia."
Cicia said no more but waved her hand, and a glowing red symbol slowly floated to Angelâs side.
"This is the ticket to pass through, hold it, it will guide you and your group all the way to the location of the Hanging Jail Stairway."
Angel looked at the red symbol hovering in his palm, curiosity flashing in his eyes. He had noticed earlier that this thing was very peculiar, even though its structure was indeed simple, he couldnât mimic it for some reason.
Cicia: "No need to be overly curious, this is just a byproduct derived from the Other-dimensional Space, a specialty of this Different Space. It cannot be taken out, when you leave this Different Space, it will return to me."
After a pause, Cicia said: "Iâll send you out now."
Angel: "Wait a moment..."
Cicia: ...
Angel smiled slyly: "Everyone responds to each other, you called me to wait, now I do the same."
Cicia: "Okay, what do you want?"
Angel: "Itâs not a big matter, I just want to confirm some information with Miss Cicia..."
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