About one meter three or four in length, it had a rather plump and delicate appearance. Its pink skin was incredibly smooth, not only round and glossy but also quite elastic, making one irresistibly want to give it a rub.
On its back, there was a pair of very small, pure white wings, with a total length of no more than thirty centimeters. Despite the wings being completely disproportionate to its body, they fluttered and managed to keep it flying in mid-air.
One could say, this was the most adorable and girlish Wind Spirit Angel had ever seen.
However, this pink little flying pig, which appeared innocent and cute on the outside, was now full of grievances, hovering at the palace gate.
When it saw Angel and the others arriving, the little pig hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly flew over.
âMr. Pat, this is the Wind Spirit I mentioned before, the one I adopted.â It was Kamil speaking, introducing the little pigâs identity. However, when mentioning the word âadopted,â there was a slight change in his pupils, which quickly returned to normal.
âI remember, itâs called Cubic?â Angel said, taking a deep look at Cubic. He had once seen Cubic from afar outside Wind Island; back then, Angel didnât notice its appearance. All his attention was on Cubicâs terrifying escape speed. He marveled that, although still in its elf phase, its speed was astonishing, as expected of a wind-element creature.
Now, seeing that Cubicâs form was actually a little flying pig made him take a second look. He really couldnât understand how such small wings could make it fly so fast.
âYes.â Kamil nodded and then glanced at Cubic. His tone suddenly raised, âArenât you going to come over? Did you forget what I told you earlier?â
After hesitating for a while, Cubic, full of grievances, flew in front of Angel, slowly descending from mid-air to the ground under Kamilâs gaze.
Seeing that Cubic wasnât making any moves after landing, Kamil couldnât help but remind him, âAnd then?â
Cubic then lowered its head and said in a mosquito-like voice, âRe-Respectful Mr. PaâŚt, I shouldnât have encouraged my partner to grab your clothes. I have deeply realized my mistake and hope you can forgive my ignorance.â
Finishing this unemotional, clearly memorized line in one breath, Cubic finally breathed a big sigh of relief. It furtively glanced at Kamil, wondering if Kamil was satisfied with its words.
However, Kamilâs response was, âWhy are you looking at me? Are you apologizing to me?â
Cubic immediately withdrew its gaze and looked at Angel with expectant eyes.
Angel was silent for a moment, not responding to Cubic, but instead said to Kamil, âIâve said before, thereâs no need to apologize specifically for a trivial matter.â
Cubicâs eyes, resembling two black beans, instantly brightened, following Angelâs gaze toward Kamil.
Kamil also noticed Cubicâs gaze. He ignored it and instead sighed deeply, âIn my view, itâs not a trivial matter. I seldom accompany Cubic, leading it to act more willfully. Thatâs why it offended you this time. I also hope to use this opportunity to teach it a lesson.â
Kamil didnât say this directly but wrapped it in an invisible wind that blew into Angelâs ears. On the other side, Cubic couldnât hear these words.
After listening, Angel roughly understood Kamilâs intention was to discipline his perpetually naughty child.
Although it sounded reasonable, upon further consideration, something felt off.
Since you already know Cubic acts willfully, there are countless opportunities to discipline it; why seize this chance in particular?
Moreover, it seemed like having Cubic apologize to him was ultimately about making him play the villain and using this opportunity to punish Cubic.
Putting an unrelated guest, whose relationship is yet to be defined, in the role of the villain seemed a bit unreasonable.
How could Kamil, as the Sage, engage in such âwiseâ operations?
Or does he really think he has a way to instantly teach a perpetually naughty child to behave?
Multiple thoughts flashed through Angelâs mind momentarily, but he chose not to express them for now.
Returning to the current situation, responding yes or no to Kamilâs request wasnât important. Regardless of the answer, it seemed like a trap.
Instead of being confused in a murky loop, he might as well directly ask about Kamilâs thoughts.
âI understand what Mr. Kamil meansâŚâ Angel pondered for a moment and transmitted his voice, âBut what punishment do you want me to give Cubic?â
Kamil: âWhy not just follow what you previously mentioned?â
Previously mentioned? Angel didnât react immediately to what he had said before.
Kamil: âThe Dingyuan Merck Oath.â
Angel suddenly realized, recalling that he had indeed mentioned that had it been anyone else but him, a complete Dingyuan Merck Oath would have been required; otherwise, the matter wouldnât be considered resolved.
âMr. Kamil, you wish for me to scare it with the Dingyuan Merck Oath?â
Kamil: âDonât scare it, just have it sign the oath directly.â
Angel: ââŚâ
Kamilâs voice remained gentle and calm in his ear, but the content expressed left Angel utterly shocked.
He wasnât punishing Cubic; he wasnât intending on keeping this troublemaking child!
Angel: âAre you joking?â
Kamil had a serious expression: âThis is not a joke. Iâve thought about it for a long time and feel that since Cubic indeed made a mistake, it should be punished according to what you mentioned.â
Angel was utterly baffled, wondering if he had approached Wind Island the wrong way. Even if you didnât want this kid anymore, couldnât you just leave it somewhere? Why thrust the responsibility onto him?
Moreover, just a moment earlier, the gentle breezes shared that signing a full Dingyuan Merck Oath would lead to depression or even self-destruction for freedom-loving wind-element creatures. In the next moment, Kamil wanted to impose it. To Angel, it all seemed utterly inexplicable.
Facing Angelâs prolonged silence, Kamil noticed his hesitation and approached Cubic, who was still completely oblivious, âWhat you did this time is very serious and may even damage our entire Wind Islandâs reputation, so you must face severe punishment. As for how youâll be punished, Mr. Pat and I will discuss it, and youâll know later.â
After a pause, Kamil waved at Cubic, âAlright, you go back to your room first. Iâll come see you later.â
Cubic was completely confused. Wasnât the purpose to apologize? Why had it turned into a punishment now, and it was even sent away first? What exactly is going on?
Cubic didnât quite understand, but Kamilâs words held great sway over it, so it nodded before obediently heading home.
After Cubic fluttered away on its scrawny wings, Kamil finally turned to Angel and said, âYou seem a bit puzzled, sir.â
âIndeed, thereâs something I donât understand.â Angel replied, âWhy did you do this?â
Kamil sighed deeply, âThe reason behind this is complex, but I sincerely hope to take this opportunity to let it leave Wind Island. Ideally, it could see a vaster world.â
âLike the human world?â Angel raised an eyebrow.
Kamil nodded, âMr. Pat signed an oath with the wind creatures of Storm Ridge; itâs only for twenty years. He has no plans to take them out of Tidal World, correct?â
Angel didnât reply. Instead, he asked, âSo you think that after I sign a complete oath with Cubic, I would take it to the human world?â
Kamil: âYes.â
Looking at Kamilâs indistinct figure, Angel still couldnât quite understand it. Why did it want to take Cubic out of Tidal World? Did it think Cubic needed a broader stage, or was there another reason?
However, Angel didnât probe further. Since Kamil brushed it off with a simple âthe reason behind it is complex,â it seemed unwilling to delve deeper.
âA complete Dyron-Merke oath will become a shackle to the freedom of wind creatures. Are you willing?â Angel asked.
Kamil didnât hide its motives, âWhat you refer to are mature wind creatures. Theyâve already established a complete and independent sense of freedom, which would be suppressed by the oath. Cubic is still some time from adulthood, and thereâs a lot of room for reformation.â
These words sound beautiful, but boiled down, itâs essentially brainwashing.
Angel hadnât expected Kamil to be so hard on its fostered Cubic.
The air suddenly fell into silence for a moment before Kamil chuckled softly, âActually, Iâm taking a gamble too. I believe you are a decent human being.â
âMoreover, I donât have any other choice. After all, youâre the first human to come to Tidal World, aside from the Savior.â
âYou donât have to decide right away. Just let me know before leaving Wind Island. Whether it happens or not is up to fate.â
Angel gave Kamil a sidelong glance, âTalking about fate⌠That doesnât sound like something an elemental creature would say, but rather like something a Prophet Wizard would say.â
Kamil chuckled and shifted the conversation away from Cubic, continuing along Angelâs line, âBy the way, the word âfateâ is actually something Mr. Feng told us about.â
Angel had a moment of realization. He thought so; how could a group of elemental creatures discuss fate? If it was Feng, then it made sense.
From the moment he entered Fengâs trap through the Abyss, Angel felt certain that Feng must have a deep understanding of the Prophet Wizardâs notions of âfateâ and âdestiny.â Otherwise, why would he always leave a slew of backup plans and set up such mystical traps?
Perhaps Fengâs latent talent was prophecy.
For this reason, when Kamil mentioned that âfateâ was brought up by Feng, Angel immediately believed it.
âDo you know if Feng ever said anything else relating to fate, destiny, or the future?â Angel asked curiously. He was very sensitive to such information, thinking that his presence in Tidal World might be one of Fengâs traps.
âThat I donât know,â Kamil replied, sounding apologetic, âI only know the term comes from Mr. Feng. As for the specifics, perhaps only His Highness knows.â
As Kamil finished speaking, a gentle breeze suddenly blew around them.
As the breeze brushed their faces, a gentle voice like the wind echoed in their ears, âMr. Feng indeed often mentioned fate and destiny. He often lamented that his journey to Tidal World followed the pointer of destiny.â
Angel and Kamil turned around to see a figure holding a harp standing on the platform in front of the grand hall, gathering from countless wisps of breeze in the soft white mist.
The visitor was none other than the gentle wind, Ulano.
It plucked a string, and in a wave of melodious notes, approached Angel and gracefully performed a half-bow, âThank you, Mr. Pat, for your understanding earlier. Once the emotions of the tribe settle from their excitement, I will reveal the truth to them. The real hero is not me, but Mr. Pat.â
Angel: âIâm no hero. I dealt with Hurricaneâs group only because they bore malice toward me. If treated kindly, I naturally repay kindness; met with evil, I can only respond in kind.â
Ulano, perceptive enough to catch Angelâs subtle hint, smiled, âMr. Pat indeed thinks just as I do. I believe Mr. Pat can discern between feigned benevolence and genuine kindness.â
Having determined Ulano to be a âHoly Mother,â Angel no longer doubted whether it was feigned kindness. Even if it was fake, deceiving so many sages proved it had done much good.
Therefore, Angel felt a fair level of trust toward Ulano.
âI donât mind whether you reveal the truth to the Wind Tribe. But if you do speak, just tell it straight; donât dress me up as a hero,â Angel paused, his expression turning serious, âBack to the previous topic, did Ulano just mention what Mr. Feng said about fate? Is it true?â
Ulano nodded, âIndeed, Mr. Feng often spoke those words. If you donât believe me, Mr. Pat, you can ask Nami Midori and Isel. Theyâve spent more time with Mr. Feng than I have.â
As the words fell, Kamil softly reminded, âYour Highness, itâs Frost Iser.â
Angel: âI naturally trust His Highness Ulano.â
However⌠if Feng indeed said âfollowed destinyâs pointerâ or similar, it means Feng didnât come to Tidal World according to his wishes.
Then itâs possible Feng set up a trap in Tidal World just like in the Abyss.
Back when Angel was in the Abyss, he foolishly fell into the trap. Will he step into Fengâs trap again this time?
Angel shook his head, sighed helplessly, and temporarily set aside his troubled thoughts, since thinking about it now was useless.
When he saw Fengâs message on the little door leading into Tidal World, he had a vague feeling he might be entering a trap. But the essence of Tidal World was too alluring, and he needed an elemental partner, so he had no choice but to step inside.
Since he already decided to enter the trap back then, overthinking it now is pointless.
The most important thing now is to find out exactly what trap Feng set up in Tidal World.