Capítulo 2243: Chapter 2244: Troysha
“I don’t want to, the Elemental Creatures of Malaya Ice Mountain are all bad, it will definitely kill me… I am still an Elf, I haven’t grown up yet… When I grow up, I will be as handsome as my ancestors, I can’t die before seeing that day…”
Dangross buried its face in the palm of its hand on the jewel of Blood Night Shelter, crying and sobbing, not daring to look up, until the moment Angel spoke of refusal, it secretly revealed half of its eye: “Huh?”
Troysa squinted her eyes in a threatening manner: “Are you sure you want to refuse?”
Angel said with certainty: “Yes.”
Angel’s refusal allowed Dangross to breathe a sigh of relief, and his gaze towards Angel burst with incredible brightness.
On Troysa’s side, however, her expression changed instantly: “Since you refuse, then there is no possibility of moving forward. Considering that you were brought by Lobal, I can forgive your intrusion into the Meina Glacier, but now you must turn around and leave immediately, not a step further.”
Troysa’s change of face was expected by Angel. However, the fact that she did not start a direct battle also indicated there was still room for negotiation.
“We actually don’t need to confront each other. I have no malice against Malaya Ice Mountain.” Angel paused: “Moreover, I have very important information to tell His Highness Frostbite. This matter concerns the future of the entire Tidal World. Can you really override the will of His Highness Frostbite and drive us away?”
Troysa’s eyes flashed with disdain: “Do you think I’ll believe it just because you say so?”
Angel replied calmly: “Prior to this, I have already met the Monarchs of Region of Fire, Wild Stone Wasteland, Baya Desert, and White Cloud Village… If you don’t believe me, you can ask Lobal.”
Watching Angel confidently speak the names of several Monarchs, Troysa’s certainty seemed a bit shaken. Moreover, Dangross was in the opponent’s hands, seemingly corroborating his words.
Troysa hesitated for a moment, then turned her gaze towards Lobal.
Lobal immediately caught on: “Yes, we came from White Cloud Village not long ago.”
To prove it, Lobal pushed Cubic out and began to introduce its identity.
The Elemental Creatures of Storm Ridge and White Cloud Village give off entirely different feelings, which Troysa naturally could perceive. Confirming Cubic’s Elemental nature, she began to believe Angel a bit more.
Only she found it difficult to change her stance.
“Even if you have met the Monarchs of various regions, it still cannot prove that what you say concerns the future of the entire Tidal World.” Troysa replied: “Unless you can prove it to me.”
Angel could see Troysa already believed him three points, her current persistence leaning more towards emotional.
He didn’t get annoyed: “If you want proof, I can show it to you.”
After speaking, Angel turned his head to look at Toby.
Although Angel did not speak, years of companionship allowed Toby to immediately understand Angel’s intent.
It leisurely groomed its feathers, slowly collected the fluffy white dress paired with the land of ice and snow into Snow Feather, and then flew into the air under everyone’s gaze.
Troysa was puzzled by the strange sea bird’s actions, and the next second, her eyes widened in disbelief.
Because Toby… expanded into a gigantic Flame Gryphon.
The intense sparks scattered from the colossal creature, burning large holes in the thin ice sheet, showing that the Gryphon’s flames were definitely real.
Troysa stared at the Flame Gryphon that Toby transformed into, her ice-blue eyes filled with incredulity.
“This… This is…”
Angel: “Since you have heard of Dangross, I suppose you won’t be unfamiliar with its appearance?”
Once Toby transformed into Gryphon form, it looked exactly like Kalomchis, the former Sovereign of Tidal World. Since Troysa knew Dangross, she surely also knew Kalomchis.
And to prove “what I said concerns the future of Tidal World,” unless Angel states his purpose, it remains subjective judgment. This subjective judgment pertains to individual standards and is difficult to have an absolute answer.
Angel let Toby show the Flame Gryphon form, hinting to Troysa: this matter is related to Kalomchis.
Connecting to Kalomchis’s former Sovereign status, Angel believed Troysa would think of something beyond judgment standard.
As long as Troysa thought along those lines, then this matter was pretty much guaranteed.
Elsewhere, Troysa indeed linked to Kalomchis under Angel’s hint.
As the only Sovereign after the disaster, Kalomchis restructured the pattern of Tidal World, reinvigorating the ruined landscape. Kalomchis, in any region of Tidal World, holds exceedingly high status. Even in Malaya Ice Mountain, where water and fire are incompatible, many Water System and Ice System creatures still admire Kalomchis.
Troysa was one of them.
Though Kalomchis has perished, its influence remains. Now a creature appearing just like Kalomchis holds the potential to affect the future of the entire Tidal World.
Thinking of this, Troysa’s heart completely swayed. Perhaps this time, Angel truly came to see His Highness Frostbite for a vital matter as he claimed.
Even though His Highness Frostbite granted it the right to handle foreign affairs, Troysa did not feel qualified to deal with matters concerning the future of the entire Tidal World.
Such a matter indeed requires His Highness Frostbite’s personal involvement.
Troysa gazed deeply at Toby’s majestic body high in the sky, then turned toward Angel:
“You’ve convinced me.”
After speaking, Troysa gently waved her white arm, reforming the ice surface that was previously burned through by Toby’s sparks into a thick ice path, extending directly into the depths of the white mist.
Undoubtedly, this path was intentionally created by Troysa, demonstrating her willingness to concede.
However, Angel did not step onto the ice path but continued looking at Troysa.
“Previously, you said you could send us directly through Meina Glacier to His Highness Frostbite’s doorstep?”
Half of Troysa’s body returned to the water column, only exposing her head: “Do you intend to exploit the situation? I did say that, but the condition was for you to hand over Dangross to me.”
Troysa glanced at Dangross, who immediately shrank back and nimbly hid behind Angel.
Angel: “How about we make a trade?”
“A trade?”
Angel: “I can offer you a chance, in exchange for you sending us to His Highness Frostbite’s doorstep.”
“A chance? I don’t think you have any chance worth me doing this.”
Angel smiled, and took out an item from his bracelet.
An unusual yet cordial vibration emanated from the item in Angel’s hand.
Troysa looked over in surprise and found it was a figurine of a Mermaid embracing a tower-shaped shell. It seemed ordinary, but inexplicably attracted her.
“You intend to give it to me?”
Angel: “This object is called the Ocean Melody. It doesn’t belong to me, so I cannot give it to you. But, I can let you experience it.”
Troysa: “Is this the so-called chance you want to trade?”
Angel nodded: “If you’re willing, we can start now. If not, then we will leave immediately.”
Troysa felt that irresistible attraction, and after a moment said, “Are you sure you want to trade with me? I can tell you directly, even without borrowing my glacier, it’s not hard for you to reach His Highness’s palace, maybe just a day or two delay.”
“I’m sure.” Angel naturally knew that this transaction now seemed like he was offering something for nothing, but some things weren’t calculated that way.
As far as he knew, Troysa was the only Water System creature among the three glacier dominators, meaning it was the most capable of sensing the essence of Oceanic Rhythm.
Once Troysa experienced the Oceanic Rhythm, it would naturally know this transaction was unequal, that it got a huge advantage.
As the advantaged party, Troysa would naturally lean toward Angel.
This is actually based on the psychological compensation effect due to guilt.
Even though Angel had clearly said this was a fair “transaction,” this psychological compensation still existed. The other party would feel even more ashamed thinking they got a huge advantage under the guise of a “transaction” without needing compensation.
Of course, the above situation only applies to ordinary people not deeply scheming. For those cunning minds and for Wizards, a transaction is a transaction, final with one hit, even if one side gets a huge advantage, they don’t think compensation is needed.
Angel was willing to try this because he saw that although Troysa always maintained a high posture, in truth, like most elemental creatures, it was a clean slate, susceptible to such simple psychological effects.
Even stepping back a thousand steps, if Troysa didn’t develop the guilt psychological compensation, it wouldn’t matter.
After all, opening the Oceanic Rhythm just cost a bit of negligible energy.
In Angel’s eyes, spending a little bit of energy in exchange for saving a day or two of travel wasn’t a significant loss.
The twists and turns in Angel’s heart, Troysa naturally didn’t know. All its faculties were currently attracted by the Oceanic Rhythm, so when Angel nodded, it immediately agreed to the transaction without pretending to be reserved.
Angel didn’t hesitate, directly activating the Oceanic Rhythm, enveloping Troysa in a wondrous illusionary realm.
Three minutes later, Troysa opened its eyes.
Compared to before, externally, there was no noticeable change in Troysa, but its eyes were clearer and more transparent, and the turbulent aura around its body became much calmer. And this calmness didn’t signify deathly stillness; instead, it hid the surging waves deeper within the abyssal sea.
Outsiders would find it difficult to judge, only Troysa knew how much advantage it gained this time.
Although regretfully, it didn’t survive until the end in the world of Oceanic Rhythm; even so, its gains were enough to push it to heights unimaginable before.
Given time, it even felt it could become a monarch candidate.
Of course, this was just a feeling.
Yet even so, it was extremely terrifying.
Precisely because Troysa knew it got a huge advantage this time, the look in its eyes toward Angel was noticeably less alienated and more intimate.
With time as Troysa digests the opportunity brought by Oceanic Rhythm, this sense of closeness would continue to increase daily.
This was the long-term and gradually deepening relationship Angel gained from trading with Troysa.
And he only sacrificed a little bit of energy.
“Thank you, sir.” Troysa restrained its excitement and nodded gently at Angel.
Angel, having already put away the Oceanic Rhythm, calmly said to Troysa, “This was just a transaction.”
Troysa didn’t say anything, but thought to itself: for it, this was a transcendence and baptism, so it wasn’t just a transaction.
Angel could guess what Troysa was thinking, but he pretended not to know, still showing a “fair transaction” demeanor, making Troysa feel even more it got the better end, unconsciously amplifying the guilt compensation effect.
Angel: “Since the transaction is concluded, then…”
Troysa quickly said, “I will now take you to His Highness Frostbite’s palace.”
With that, Troysa gently pointed, causing the ice surface to crack open, revealing the dark bottomless icy river below.
In this icy river emerged a large circular bubble, and Troysa gestured for Angel to enter the bubble.
Angel, with a nonchalant demeanor, walked inside, and with a gurgling sound, the bubble was pushed forward by a strong current, rushing at an amazing speed into the dark icy river.
…
The journey beneath the glacier continued.
Although it was pitch black all around, and occasionally strange water sounds echoed, Angel wasn’t the least bit afraid; instead, he leisurely looked at the glowing… mermaid outside the bubble.
Yes, it was indeed a mermaid.
This was Troysa’s true form, an elemental creature in a mermaid form.
Compared to its normal upper body, its tail was incredibly long, reaching over ten meters. The scales shimmered white tinted with blue, embodying the gentle of water and the sharp edge of ice.
Because of its tail, it could be said this was the simplest yet most elegant mermaid form Angel had ever seen.
Such a form, likely achievable only by elemental creatures, was rarely seen in reality.
After admiring it for a while, Angel spoke to Troysa “guarding” beside the bubble, “I’ve had a question for a long time, I wonder if you can clarify it for me?”
Troysa nodded without hesitation, even using a respectful term: “Please, sir.”
“I want to know, why are you interested in Dangross?”
Since Troysa knew Dangross, it naturally should understand Dangross’s special nature. Why would Troysa want to take Dangross away? And moreover, Dangross was an elemental sprite.
Hence, Angel was curious, why did Troysa want Dangross?
Dangross, hearing a question concerning itself, although not daring to poke its head out to see Troysa, perked up its ears, wanting to hear the answer.
Troysa remained silent for a moment, then softly said, “Because I have great admiration for Lord Kalomchis.”
“When I heard that a Fire Element creature named Dangross was born from the remains of the Lord, I have always wanted to meet Dangross.”
Dangross mused: To meet me? Could it be… from afar… admiring?
Troysa: “I want to see if it truly has the qualification to call itself the descendant of Lord Kalomchis.”
Angel: “Is this the reason for your interest in Dangross?”
Troysa nodded: “Yes.”
Angel: “And now your answer? Do you think Dangross has the qualification to claim as Lord Kalomchis’s descendant?”
Dangross also curiously poked out its palm, secretly looking at Troysa.
Troysa merely glanced at Dangross, snorted disdainfully.
Although it didn’t answer directly, seeing Dangross’s eyes turn red with anger, the answer was already clear without words.