Chapter 280: Coincidence

Chapter 280: Coincidence

Old Fairy Mikkel felt relieved when he saw Bran reappear. Seeing Bran’s face change several times due to the Ancient Tree’s report, Mikkel could not help but burst out laughing, while also having to marvel at Bran’s good luck.

The fairy legacy had long been incomplete. This was no longer the world of the past, and the orally passed-down records were no longer reliable. Legend said that this Continent was filled with Mana, and various creatures never had to worry about it. Even those beings who could connect to the Sea of Magic retained part of their flesh-and-blood bodies.

Now, in this Mana-barren land, to escape the troubles of Mana shortage, Bran was transforming himself into a Mana-being to store and accumulate more Mana. His success had influenced too many people, but at what cost?

Thinking of this, the joy brought by Bran’s safety was instantly replaced by a rising heaviness.

There were many things he simply could not help with, he could only worry secretly. Heaven and earth had changed, and ancient survivors like them, who had endured until now, were already on the edge of being eliminated.

Mikkel never understood Bran. Out of instinct, any creature would carefully protect its own body, how did he dare to conduct those unreliable experiments?

Would Mana find its own way out?

Bran always repeated this phrase, but it only proved he was lucky and guessed right. And finding a way out did not mean it was the only way, nor did it mean it was the right way; it represented countless possibilities hidden behind the unknown. Was he really not afraid at all? Did he really not consider the what-ifs?

Bran treated his own body like a piece of clothing; this was the conclusion the fairies reached after observation. But this conclusion made Mikkel find it laughable, how could that be?

Bran’s ability to return from the Sea of Magic again probably had little to do with Huahua or the Ancient Tree. Perhaps Bran had thought of this too; he had just disappeared there again moments ago, then reappeared shortly after. Then disappeared again…

It was truly unexpected that Bran could immerse his entire being into the Sea of Magic. Mikkel had been genuinely frightened at the time and lost his composure. But the Ancient Tree’s persuasion calmed him down from his anxiety; perhaps Bran had some backup plan he did not know about.

But thinking of Bran’s expression just now, Mikkel shook his head and sighed again. He could only wish Bran would always have good luck by his side.

…

With Huahua safe and sound, Bran felt at ease. After that, everything should fall into place naturally. When Huahua’s body adapted to the new changes, she would naturally, driven by instinct, enter the Sea of Magic and complete her transformation in her sleep.

The Ancient Tree’s retelling just now had truly startled Bran. He could not help but think of the huge remains under the Tributary. With his growing understanding of the Sea of Magic, Bran knew that if he died in the outside World, he would leave no trace in the Sea of Magic.

If it was a natural Death, why would a creature choose the Sea of Magic as its final resting place? Why not die in the outside World? Why not give back to the outside World?

They were likely trapped there, unable to return. Whether by choice or by force, they had lost their connection to the outside World.

Then what about me? Could I come out earlier really because of Huahua, or the Ancient Tree? So, Bran began to test.

Going in and out repeatedly, Bran gradually gained a flicker of understanding. He seemed to have become the reflection of the Tributary in the Mortal World, and the Key was the small hole that produced this reflection.

Bran, having taken form again, sat under the tree, thinking hard. The tidal flow of Mana from the Tributary passed through his body, then poured out and continued downstream. His will and form also seemed to be gradually stretched and drifting toward that unreachable distance. When would this ever end…

Under the roaring Torrent, only a tiny thread flowed through his own body. It seemed he was truly trapped this time.

Realizing he had fallen into a real predicament, Bran instead felt a sense of abandon and relief. So, he shifted his focus back to his surroundings, back to Northland City.

Feiyu remained alert to its surroundings, though days of high vigilance were beginning to make it drowsy. The White Wolves still lounged leisurely around the Ancient Tree in a circle. The advantage of the group showed at this moment; even the pups still had the energy to play and frolic.

Bran waved at Feiyu, but the creature merely shook its feathers and ignored his greeting. This silly thing, why didn’t it understand cooperation? Let it be, Bran decided not to interfere with Feiyu anymore, since this was its choice.

Recently, more groups were coming and going from Northland City. The White-robed Ones had been active everywhere and naturally never returned empty-handed; there were always confiscated incomes to be collected. Though “raiding” or “looting” might describe it better, as rulers they still needed some glossing over.

Along with the groups came craftsmen the White-robed Ones had borrowed from all sides. The Northland City outpost had become the biggest joke among the White-robed Ones. To end this joke as soon as possible, they had racked their brains.

The master of the Green Kingdom had changed, but little else had. The traditional Nobles still inherited their family Territories passed down through generations, controlling the life and Death of the people on their lands.

Through the White-robed Ones, the Nobles subtly raised a question: who do we pledge loyalty to? Bran, as the Great Wizard, did not want to deal with mortal affairs and did not accept the Nobles’ loyalty. Could he then appoint a mortal agent? Under his (or her) guidance, they would serve the Great Wizard.

So, Bran gave an utterly unreliable command: the City Lord of Northland City would exercise the rights of the Monarch of Green.

With the issuance of this command, Danny gradually became busier. Persuaded by Bran, several adult Fairies were assigned as her assistants.

Bran’s explanation was: to hold the position of Northland City firmly, the Fairies needed to understand the situation on this Continent. Old Fairy Mikkel, however, scoffed. Bran was clearly preparing to leave at any moment.

…

Baz felt a bit uncomfortable, not physically, but mentally. Pachu had been circling him a lot lately. Those seemingly all-penetrating eyes swept over him again and again.

At first, he thought it was dissatisfaction with the outpost construction, but this worry quickly vanished. Pachu was very cooperative, even taking the initiative physically, asking for and following his instructions, while demanding that others fully cooperate as well.

He began to suspect if Pachu knew something, like that his own time was running out. So, with very mixed feelings, he went to see Bran, asking if he should start preparing for transformation? But Bran looked astonished and asked him back if he had lived enough? At the same time, Bran expressed respect for his calm choice of Death and then asked him how he wanted to die?

Baz was grateful that Bran gave him a chance to state his last words. So, after saying “I still want to live a few more years,” he fled in panic. Simultaneously, he began to be wary of Pachu.

What was Pachu trying to do? Baz could not quite figure it out. He and Pachu should have no conflict of interest, and given his current situation, he had little use value to Pachu either.

That old guy must have gone crazy; this was the conclusion Baz reached after thinking it over. It was better to stay away from such a madman; only heaven knew what he might do? So, he began to intentionally avoid Pachu.