Angel knew very well in his heart that these five mushrooms of different colors were Nuka’s hypnotic trick to make him agree to participate in the Festival of the Moon banquet.
Even though Angel felt a strong resistance inside and wanted to refuse outright, he simply couldn’t resist the temptation.
When the small mushroom forms tried to beco accessories and clung to him, Angel didn’t push them away, signaling his tacit acceptance.
This tacit acceptance didn’t an that Angel agreed to Nuka’s proposal, but from Nuka’s perspective, things were moving in a positive direction.
Nuka didn’t continue to press the issue but instead cheerfully clinked glasses with Angel.
Since Nuka had a request for him, Angel took the opportunity to learn so things about Xinnai Land from the sidelines.
However, the more Angel learned about Xinnai Land, the heavier his heart beca.
The banquet ended two hours later, with Davasia arriving first and departing first. Davasia didn’t speak to anyone else at the banquet but told Angel that if he wanted to find him, he should go to Rainbow Mountain, where he’d prepare a grand candy feast for Angel.
After Davasia left, the black-and-white maids also bid farewell to Angel.
Perhaps because their master had requests of Angel, their attitude was noticeably warr than upon first eting him. However, despite their seemingly enthusiastic parting words, upon closer reflection, it was still far too ordinary compared to Davasia.
"It’s a great fortune to have dined with esteed Shava. We hope to host an even grander banquet for Shava at Byer Corner or Sunken Cetery soday."
The black-and-white maids were still subtly hoping that Angel would agree to Nuka’s proposal to join the Festival of the Moon banquet.
To this, Angel only responded with a wry smile.
Setting aside the question of agreeing with Nuka, rely going to Sunken Cetery for the banquet felt odd to Angel...
ina Varro followed in leaving the gathering, perhaps because she’d "offended" Angel at the banquet. Although ina Varro was a fervent devotee of Nuka, her farewell was formal and did not include any of the subtle hints like those from the black-and-white maids.
A bow to Angel was made, an angry glare at Gentleman Boil followed, and finally, ina Varro slowly vanished at the end of the hall.
Now, remaining in the hall were Angel, Gentleman Boil, Nuka, and the host Misty Goldlady.
Gentleman Boil drank an enigmatic liquid before finally standing to take his leave, upon which Angel promptly stood too: "I’ll go with you, just to take a look at the Seed of Distortion."
And also to escape this perilous ruin. Angel murmured internally.
Gentleman Boil clearly wasn’t going to refuse; Shava’s interest in the Seed of Distortion was an enormous honor to him.
However, just as Angel was preparing to leave with Gentleman Boil, Nuka, seated opposite, suddenly spoke: "Shava, are you planning to take it along?"
Nuka’s gaze fell upon the spotted puppy cradled in Angel’s arms.
Angel paused and quietly looked at Nuka: "What does Minister Nuka an?"
Nuka shook his head: "It’s nothing, I’ve just heard so rumors about you, Shava."
Nuka didn’t elaborate on the rumors but shifted the topic back to the Dalmatian: "It sneaked out again this ti, and if not sent back soon, Minister Dim will probably arrive here through the cross-paths quickly."
Angel said nothing, continuing to wait for Nuka’s explanation.
Nuka calmly stated: "After all, the Dalmatian is the first weapon under the Minister of Arms."
Angel’s pupils constricted sharply; although he’d heard of Minister Dim, he didn’t realize Dim was the Minister of Arms for the first ti!
The Dalmatian being the first weapon of the Minister of Arms! This sounded sowhat incredible, but Angel knew the Dalmatian’s great power, so he could see how it all added up.
"Minister Dim’s ideology is probably quite difficult for you, Shava, to acknowledge. If you don’t want to et Minister Dim, it’s best to return the Dalmatian promptly to avoid his arrival."
Nuka didn’t specify Dim’s ideology, but Angel sensed an underlying ssage, perhaps implying conflict between Shava and Dim?
Maybe Nuka could treat Shava calmly, but Dim might be aggressive toward Shava?
Angel’s thoughts raced; he couldn’t guarantee Nuka’s words were true, but he certainly felt that it was best to avoid eting other Nightmare Realm ministers if he could.
Even if Nuka lied and there were no conflicts with Dim and Shava, Angel didn’t want to et Dim for the mont.
He might have maneuvered smoothly at the banquet earlier, but only he knew that every word was carefully crafted and imdiate responses were essential to prevent suspicions about his identity.
It’s been a very difficult and tiring task, like a Joker dancing on a ball, losing balance would lead to a fall, exposing himself and facing threats to life.
Before facing Nuka, Angel hesitated but gradually collected clues from other guests at the banquet. Once Nuka arrived, Angel had already built a rough profile of him in his mind and formulated a plan to respond.
Yet for Dim, Angel had no clue about his character at all, despite Nuka saying Dim and Shava didn’t align ideologically. Angel didn’t even know what kind of ideology Shava might have.
Thus, faced with a completely unknown minister, regardless of whether Minister Dim had no malice towards Shava, Angel did not wish to et him.
However...
Angel looked down at the Dalmatian in his arms.
He genuinely wanted to spirit away the Dalmatian.
This Dalmatian, in his view, was like a living encyclopedia of mysteries. If he could observe its secrets closely, it might greatly assist him in crafting Mysterious Objects in the future.
Moreover, the Dalmatian was... the first weapon.
The temptation was even stronger.
Angel’s eyelids lowered, concealing the change in his gaze. After a complex psychological struggle, he ultimately decided to compromise.
The Dalmatian was indeed a favorite of his, and beyond its functionalities, its affection towards him and its aid in blocking the pressure emanating from Nuka were already enough to make Angel consider whisking it away.
But Angel still couldn’t take the Dalmatian away. Minister Dim was one reason, while another was Angel’s doubt in his ability to safeguard the Dalmatian.
Balancing these considerations, Angel decided to heed Nuka’s advice.
Nonetheless, Angel wasn’t planning to release the Dalmatian imdiately, at least... not until he left Duling Garden, since the pressure surrounding Nuka had not diminished. He still needed the Dalmatian to shield him from the oppressive force, otherwise, he couldn’t continue to maintain his image.
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