Chapter 670 – 148. Experiment
“Pop”
Captain Alagina leaned down, her azure eyes slightly squinted, and within arm’s reach, her shaking heart gradually stabilized, even hoping time would freeze at this moment and never move again.
But deep emotions have their limits; after a brief contact, she and Fisher released each other’s lips almost in perfect sync.
She looked down at Fisher in front of her, his hair falling on his cheek, curling around it.
Amidst their breaths, her voice rang out heavily,
“You’re back, Fisher.”
“Ah, I’m back, Alagina.”
“Didi, nice to see you, Mr. Fisher. I’m David. Sorry for taking the liberty to ask Alagina some inconsequential questions while you were at the door. I hope I did not cause you any trouble.”
Out of the corner of her eye, a small glowing sphere flew up from behind Alagina’s head and politely greeted Fisher.
“Hello, David. Have we met before?”
“Didi. There is no record of such in David’s database. However, since Mr. Fisher says so, excluding the possibility of you having a memory misfire, we might indeed have met.”
Alagina turned to look at David behind her and explained to Fisher,
“David was just repaired not long ago; it previously suffered some database losses.”
“Speaking of which, Alagina, is this mechanism technology something you brought out from the Storm Sea? It looks quite different from Nali’s.”
“These? No, Fisher.”
Alagina walked over to one or two mechanisms placed in the room, gently stroking their cold surfaces while roughly recounting to Fisher what had transpired over the years.
During the time Fisher returned to the past from Pirate Cove, she had been stimulated by Renee and actively began exploring the Storm Sea.
The Storm Sea, of course, is filled with treasures, but these visible treasures were hidden beneath the dangerous ruins at the time, containing many strange and still useful relics that made the exploration process very difficult.
Yet, after all this effort with her sisters, what she received in return was betrayal.
Her partner, the Black Chieftain, secretly struck a deal with Nali to sell the mechanisms and numerous relics obtained in the Storm Sea, ultimately fully pledging allegiance to Nali. To show his sincerity, the Black Chieftain targeted Isabel on Alagina’s ship, planning to abduct her.
At a critical moment, Alagina returned just in time, forced to engage in battle with the Black Chieftain’s fleet.
During the process, the fleet she had built up over the years suffered heavy losses, and her flagship, the Iceberg Queen, sank during the escape to the Northern Region, leading her to rely on the Parasol Tree.
Originally, she thought she was out of options, but in a moment of despair, she found a chance that belonged to her.
“Fisher, the technology of these mechanisms was not brought out from the Storm Sea; we only brought out a few dozen finished products, and among those, there was even a device leading directly to the Spirit Realm’s angel sanctuary. David had been in there all along, and after I discovered him, he imparted to me the complete knowledge of the angel mechanisms.”
“Didi. Alagina learns this knowledge very quickly, which surprises David.”
Fisher listened, somewhat dumbfounded, not expecting Alagina to have such an encounter.
He had already learned from Hela and the teacher’s notes how to enter the Spirit Realm, but each one reminded him that the Spirit Realm is very dangerous. Even Heilson teacher nearly perished there without the help of the kindly Chaos Race.
And Alagina, without magic and rank, not only directly obtained the method to enter the Spirit Realm but also happened to get to a very safe place, an angel refuge?
“So that’s how it is. Does Alagina know much about the Spirit Realm?”
Alagina shook her head, looking at the floating David beside her, saying,
“Not really. Actually, I’ve only dared to stay inside the refuge. To avoid looking outside, I had David seal up all the gaps. The outside of the refuge is very dangerous, and David’s database is also damaged, so I know nothing about what’s outside. However, if Fisher is interested, I can accompany you to take a look now.”
Having said that, Alagina took out another small spherical mechanism she had hidden in her bosom. It was evident that she regarded this thing as a treasure, keeping it against her body in a layer of her clothing, yet she still took it out without hesitation to show Fisher.
Perhaps for Alagina, this was her last support.
Fisher opened his mouth, but he first reached out and pushed the mechanism she had taken out back towards her,
“Let’s look at it later. Valentina is still waiting for us to return.”
“You must take good care of this item; it’s very valuable.”
“Valentina”
Alagina was slightly taken aback but after hesitating for a moment, she put the teleporter mechanism back into her bosom and nodded,
“Alright, I’ll go with you, David. You wait for me to return here.”
“Didi. Okay, Alagina.”
Actually, it probably wouldn’t be too intense upstairs. During the short time Fisher had been back, he observed that there didn’t seem to be any apparent hostility between Alagina and Valentina.
There would definitely be some rejection, but it was unlike the chilling coldness seen in Elizabeth’s eyes.
It was like placing another female related to Fisher in front and then putting a dagger on the side table, giving them a chance to settle things.
If it were Valentina and Alagina, they might hesitate, or even end up cutting the ropes themselves to let the other go.
But Elizabeth might have already drawn her blade and attacked the woman before even finishing the rules.
Of course, dividing and conquering might be a better option, quietly reducing the remaining hostility in both their hearts before confronting them face to face.
However, in the earlier situation, if Fisher didn’t chase after it, it would be unfair to Alagina. If he did chase, he would have to explain to Valentina, and rather than that, it would be better to let the storm be even fiercer.
Following Fisher out of the room, returning no longer required the frantic pace as when they arrived.
Alagina followed behind Fisher, watching his back, but her steps slowed.
She tightened her hands, and after raising her gaze several times, she suddenly asked,
“Fisher, what about you and Valentina?”
“I just told you and you weren’t listening. Now you want to ask me.”
Fisher turned around with an amused yet exasperated expression, looking at the somewhat awkward Alagina behind him.
Alagina thought this was a scolding and quickly explained,
“It’s just because… you’re too good-looking, so I couldn’t help but want to… that.”
“…”
Alagina was indeed being greedy, which wasn’t surprising; she hadn’t seen Fisher for a full four and a half years.
Earlier, seeing him in the Golden Palace through the mechanism, that feeling of being able to see the male god but not being able to touch him was maddening.
“So if I don’t ask, you won’t be angry?”
After a moment of pause, Alagina gloomily added that line.
Fisher found it all the more amusing; Alagina couldn’t even read her own tone. No wonder she could only understand one out of every ten words in front of Renee.
They were simply not on the same level.
Previously, he thought she was similar to Raphael, but he was wrong; she should be sitting at the children’s table like Valentina and Jasmine.
Fisher sighed, reached out to lightly scratch her nose, and softly said,
“Fool.”
“.”
Alagina felt a bit of itch in her nose, wanting to raise her hand to rub it, but halfway through, it was casually caught and held tightly in Fisher’s hand, the force pushing her forward.
“After leaving you to go to the Northern Region, Valentina and I formed a partnership. To be precise, it was with the Turan Family that we formed a partnership.”
As they walked, Fisher told Alagina every detail of what had happened back then.
This time he truly did not hide anything; he laid everything bare.
But honestly, at the beginning, he really didn’t view Valentina in that way. He had always seen her as a childish young lady, a partner needing care, nothing more.
His feelings changed mainly after she revealed her Phoenix bloodline. No, it was after she was cast aside by the Turan Family.
He still remembered after the reliable Haldor died and the family that had utilized her abandoned her, how she put on a brave face and even decided to sacrifice her own life to protect those companions she had hired.
On that stormy night, when she pushed her wheelchair and pressed a dagger against her wrist, when she brought Fisher into that “dream,” it wasn’t just impulsive when Valentina kissed Fisher; he too was moved.
He thought, if the Phoenix truly had a form, it should be Valentina’s form.
Fisher slowly recounted the events, and Alagina behind him was immersed in the story of that Phoenix but unconsciously grew jealous.
Especially when she heard Fisher speak so calmly about Valentina’s merits, Alagina perhaps felt more sensitive.
“Alagina.”
“.”
“Alagina?”
“Ah? I-”
After Fisher called her name twice, Alagina suddenly came to her senses, quickly raising her head to find Fisher had stopped and was looking at her apologetically.
“I was listening, Fisher.”
“Alagina, I’m done speaking.”
“Ah, yes.”
Alagina subconsciously nodded but was awakened by Fisher’s words, momentarily dazed, while Fisher had to be more explicit,
“The years I wasn’t around were to drive away death. I told you this when I was at Pirate Cove, but I hadn’t told you these details back then. To be honest, aside from being hunted by death, my concealment of the truth from you was likely intentional. You know, people who do bad things always want to avoid talking about them; I’m no exception.
“Whether it’s Isabel or Old Jack, I threw them to you and left, making you shoulder all the losses; that was my fault. Upon reflection, being with me has always been a burden for you, so regardless, I need to clarify my relationship with you and Valentina.”
Alagina opened her mouth, feeling a lump in her heart but not knowing how to describe it.
Yet she instinctively tightened her grip on Fisher’s hand, her words spilling out instinctively,
“It’s me pursuing you, Fisher; taking a bit of grievance is nothing. As long as you still have me in your heart, that’s enough to repay the past. I forgive you, Fisher.”
“.”
Fisher looked at her for a second, smiled slightly, and didn’t let go of her hand. He only said,
“Sometimes being tongue-tied is a bad habit too, Alagina.”
“Fisher, I-”
“Let’s keep walking.”
Alagina bit her lip, the suffocating feeling in her heart seemed to be pried open by Fisher’s words, making her feel heavier and heavier.
Perhaps she had some thoughts but was so clumsy she couldn’t express anything, only feeling complicated.
Fortunately, Fisher held her hand, and not letting go of it gave her the warmth and guidance to process the emotions trapped in her chest.
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Along the way, there were even fewer people at the Parasol Tree than when Fisher arrived, as if everyone from the Parasol Tree were outside, leaving just the two of them.
At the same time, outside the Parasol Tree, a violent vibration and noise seemed to come, followed by a wave of cheers.
“Awesome!!”
“It worked! It worked! Look!”
Fisher thought of the mechanism experiments the guards had mentioned earlier. Just as Alagina was behind him, he asked,
“Is the mechanism experiment going on outside really that important? It seems everyone from the Parasol Tree has gone out to watch.”
“Mm, David said that machine is the highest level design from the angels, a multi-functional type personally designed by the angel Michael. If it can be produced and mass-produced, even Nali would not stand a chance. I failed many times before, and even the abilities demonstrated by this half-finished product exceeded the expectations of the entire Parasol Tree, so they are very interested in this first complete startup test.”
“Flagship model? But since it was created by you, wouldn’t it be inappropriate not to attend the first startup test?”
Alagina shook her head and said,
“Because Fisher is here, and I have privately tested it many times already, knowing it will definitely succeed, so there’s no need for me to attend.”
Fisher thought for a moment and soon they reached the platform where he was to meet Valentina.
However, before they could approach the meeting hall, the main doors of the Parasol Tree creaked open, and those who had just watched the experiment all rushed back excitedly, with the flying Cangniao tribe in the sky and the running Sardinia pirates and the Snow Fox Tribe all joyfully rushing back,
“It worked! Quickly report it to the Phoenix Lord!”
“Ah, how magnificent!”
“Quick!”
Fisher and Alagina watched as people rushed back in droves, among them many familiar figures to Fisher.
Four and a half years had passed; Kalma’s three granddaughters were almost half a person tall now. This was also the stature of adult Mouse Folk, looking like three large dumplings from a distance. They were running so fast that the Cangniao tribe couldn’t keep up with them; it was Kalma leading the way.
“Phoenix Lord! Sister Alagina! We did it! The mechanism flew so high! So fast! Hey, Kalma, you guys look!”
“It’s Fisher!”
“Fisher!!”
The three little dumplings leaped forward all at once from ten meters away, and Fisher reached out and hugged all three little Mouse Folk in his arms like a mountain.
“Kalma, Diandian, Holly, you’ve all grown so big! Where’s Old Jack?”
“Grandpa is behind, walking slowly with Grandma Paz; they’re taking their time!”
“Fisher, you’re back! Grandpa thought you were killed by women!”
“Yeah, right, turned to bones!”
Fisher’s face darkened, nearly giving these three mischievous little ones a lesson.
Meanwhile, behind him, the hall’s doors opened again to reveal Valentina, looking composed and reliable in her Phoenix state.
She was slightly taken aback when she saw Alagina standing next to Fisher, and Alagina also met her gaze. After a moment of silence, she slowly straightened her back, seeming to declare her stance.
“.”
“Phoenix sister!”
“The experiment outside was successful!!”
Seeing Valentina behind them, the three little ones craned their necks from Fisher’s embrace to announce the good news to her.
Valentina quickly adjusted her expression on her face, smiled slightly, her frost-feathered wings fluttering gently as she spoke,
“Congratulations, Miss Alagina, the Parasol Tree is stronger because of you, and I pay my respects to you.”
“. Not at all, this is what I should do.”
Seeing Valentina taking an official stance, Alagina also spoke earnestly, while Fisher blinked, realizing that fortune had favored him, and the happenings objectively made the imminent face-to-face judgment impossible.
Thus, Fisher could only shed a few tears, set the stage for further negotiations before discussing matters face-to-face.
Valentina couldn’t discern the turmoil within Fisher, but something in her mind noticed the current situation and teasingly spoke up,
“Hehe, your good husband must have set down a huge stone in his heart.”
“Ah? What stone?”
“The one who was supposed to bring that half-blood trash in front of you. Now that everyone is back, aren’t you all just delaying this petty issue? Time is opportunity, and your good husband can’t seize the chance now?”
“Ah, is that so, Duke of Peach?”
“. You don’t even understand what kind of love you’re talking about, you trash.”
Valentina opened her mouth, looking confusedly at Fisher, whose expression remained unchanged, still feeling that Duke of Peach’s judgment was wrong.
She didn’t know what animosity Fisher had with the Duke in the past that made her often denounce and ridicule him.
But as the Duke mentioned, the other six clan leaders had also returned one after another. As the leader of the Parasol Tree, Valentina must maintain a good Phoenix image, making it inappropriate to bring up personal emotional disputes now.
Just then, as others from the Parasol Tree returned one after another, the fate lord who brought Alicia also walked in expressionlessly through the entrance, seeming to have thoroughly observed the entire mechanism experiment process.
And on her shoulder stood Sir Book, who had been looking around with wide eyes, anxiously searching for Fisher.
Emhart flew up into the air, scanning the room for a long while before finally spotting Fisher inside. He hurriedly abandoned the fate lord and Alicia behind him and rushed straight towards Fisher.
“Not good, not good, not good!! Fisher, let’s run, let’s run!!”
“What’s wrong, so anxious?”
Fisher set down the three Mouse Daughters he had been holding and looked at the gleaming figure of Emhart flying rapidly to his side, confused about his rush. He, deep in a battleground of chaos, wasn’t anxious at all.
While panting, Emhart perched on his shoulder and leaned in close, whispering quickly,
“Run, run, run, Fisher! Do you know what I just heard outside? Heidi Lin!! That woman was actually still in the Parasol Tree earlier!”
“Heidi Lin, what is she doing here? She’s not Valentina’s-”
Beside him, Emhart’s expression had turned frantically desperate,
“Did you forget?! She’s disguised by Baemon! Oh my! Think about it, what’s Baemon’s current situation!”
“She—”
As Fisher spoke, he momentarily halted, looking incredulously at Emhart beside him.
That’s right, Hela was currently sealed!
(End of Chapter)
