Stepping out from the illusion barrier, the person shrouded in a black cloak was none other than Duncan. A wizard of the Mysterious Sideās Summoning System, proficient in Skeletal Summoning, known by the alias "Whisper of the Netherworld".
When Duncan saw that Tree Spirit was holding his magic staff, his previously angry expression instantly vanished, and he didnāt even glance at his magic staff, as if it didnāt exist.
"Lord Tree Spirit, why have you come here?"
"I broughtā¦" Tree Spirit was about to mention Angelās name, but immediately realized something and corrected himself, "I brought a wizard who is researching the ruins to take a look."
Pausing for a moment, Tree Spirit glanced at Duncan: "If there was no accident, Rhein would have notified you. However, if youāve been slacking off, you probably didnāt receive the message."
Duncan ignored Tree Spiritās remark about his laziness. The ruins were not currently in an outbreak phase; he was just taking a brief rest. How was that slacking off? Of course, he wouldnāt dare say such things, especially since his magic staff was still in Tree Spiritās hands.
Duncan didnāt speak, tacitly agreeing with Tree Spiritās implication, and then turned to look at the person beside Tree Spirit.
With red hair and golden eyes, the figure was a middle-aged man who appeared lazy from his gaze to his posture.
From the aura he actively emanated, he was an Official Wizard. However, in Duncanās memory, he couldnāt find a wizard whose appearance matched the man before him.
Either he was a wandering wizard, or he had transformed his appearance.
Of course, Duncan couldnāt recognize every wizard, but anyone brought personally by Tree Spirit and named by Rhein surely wasnāt an ordinary figure. Duncan hypothesized that the other person must be quite renowned. Thus, among all possibilities, without a matching visage, there remained only these two options.
Though Duncan had his suspicions, he didnāt voice them. Regardless of the scenario, being someone brought by Tree Spirit meant there was surely no issue.
Duncan removed his cloak, nodding slightly at Angel.
Duncan was a middle-aged man with slightly graying beard, a somewhat indifferent expression, and eyes devoid of warmth. At first glance, he seemed like a skeleton covered in a layer of skin.
Duncanās proactive nod was his way of greeting, intending to hear Angel speak according to protocol, at least to offer his name. Nevertheless, seeing Angel say nothing, Duncan harbored slight doubts but didnāt show it, merely narrowing his eyes slightly without speaking.
"Iāll lead you in."
Though Tree Spirit certainly knew the way, Duncan voluntarily took on the responsibility of guiding. He knew Tree Spirit too well; Tree Spirit was someone who responded to gentleness over hardness, and furthermore, never went overboard with actions. If Duncan wanted to retrieve his magic staff, directly asking would only result in Tree Spirit nagging a lot, so it was better to yield and silence Tree Spirit with his actions.
Not mentioning the magic staff at all, Duncan dutifully discussed the current situation of the ruins along the way, truly striking Tree Spiritās soft spot. As Duncan led them into the ruinsā area, just as Duncan anticipated, Tree Spirit didnāt nag but returned the magic staff to him.
"You should replace this staff; its energy can no longer sustain the shrouding of much necrotic energy. If you use it vigorously, at most it will last another one or two years before it breaks." Tree Spirit advised sincerely after returning the staff to Duncan.
Duncan shrugged indifferently: "I know. I heard Wizard Pat plans to return to the Barbarian Cave. Once heās back, Iāll visit him to request his help in refining another. For now, Iāll have to make do."
"Iāll head back first to continue watching over the perimeter." After saying this, Duncan bowed to Tree Spirit, nodded to Angel, then turned and left.
Angel watched Duncanās departing figure, recalling an incident.
He hadnāt interacted much with Duncan; the only time they met was when he took the three talented Kulakuka Tribe members to see their mentor, where he encountered Duncan.
Duncan was Rococoās mentor.
Rococo was the most talented among the three from the Kulakuka Tribe. However, due to her characterās evident flaws, Angel had no more impressions of her.
But thinking of Rococo led Angel to naturally recall the other two, Babaya and Kudodo.
Angel wasnāt worried about Babaya, who had clear goals for the future. Angelās concern was Kudodo, the seemingly simple-minded lad from before.
Before returning from the Sky Mechanical City, Kudodoās mentor, Lianna, mentioned Kudodo seemed emotionally off, spending a prolonged period in a negative state. His motivation for cultivation was nearly entirely lost, and he couldnāt even cast a basic trick now.
Angel had promised Lianna that upon returning to the Barbarian Cave, he would check on Kudodoās condition.
However, being caught up in various matters, he forgot about Kudodo.
"Angel?" Tree Spiritās voice entered Angelās ears. Seeing Angel come to his senses, Tree Spirit asked in confusion, "What are you thinking about just now? Wondering when Duncan will find you for alchemy?"
Angel shook his head: "I was just thinking of Rococo."
"Ah, Rococo, Duncanās student. That little one has great talent, having learned several tricks. However, her introverted and shy nature prevents her from expanding her social circle, and she isnāt decisiveā¦ well, one canāt really say that. She does have a stubborn side, insisting that her first summoned creature must be a pig. Because of this, she hasnāt successfully completed a summoning ritual." Mentioning Rococo, Tree Spirit couldnāt help but sigh, "I just canāt fathom why she insists on a pig."
Angel knew why Rococo was fixated on pigs. Rococoās deceased grandmother loved to tell her the story "The Adventures of Baby Flying Pig", whose protagonist was a little flying pig.
When Rococo was tested for talent, the phenomenon she saw was also a little pig bathed in golden light wearing a red cape.
Clearly, Rococoās fixation on pigs was understandable.
"How are Babaya and Kudodo doing now, Lord Tree Spirit?" Angel inquired.
"Babaya seems to be cultivating, while Kudodoā¦ that kid is quite odd. Heās not focused on cultivation but recently has frequently joined teams for missions, seemingly to save money?"
Tree Spirit wasnāt sure about Kudodoās case, but compared to Babaya and Rococo, Kudodo, the only male among the Kulakuka Tribe talents, was much weaker.
Hearing Tree Spiritās remarks, Angel found it even stranger and sighed inwardly, "It seems I need to check on Kudodo soon."
Though the three have different mentors, they are connected to Angel in a way, almost similar to how Dororo relates to Angelāa unique part of his social circle. Because of this, Lianna had informed Angel about Kudodoās situation, suggesting he keep an eye on him.
Tree Spirit: "Enough with the sidetracking. Weāre at the ruinsā entrance, letās head in first."
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