Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2551: Chapter 2552: The Purpose of Traveling Together

Deep in the black market, in Kaier’s earth cavern.

Although being interrupted during alchemy made Angel quite displeased; the short sword’s embryo was formed, and it needs time to cool. Additionally, Dangross, who had been efficiently using fire, also needed a short rest.

Thus, the timing was just right to spare some time to meet Dox, who urgently sought him out.

Even so, Angel’s mood remained somewhat sour.

Upon meeting Dox and Kaier, after listening to Dox’s guilt-ridden explanation, Angel’s mood worsened.

"Adding one more person? Who is Vay, I don’t know him, and yet you want to bring him along?" Angel rubbed his throbbing temples, already exhausted, now compounded by emotional fatigue.

Before exploring the relic, due to lacking any spiritual perception, he asked someone to predict whether there would be danger, but ended up being entangled by the other party.

What kind of incompetent teammates are these?

"Vay is an old friend of mine, I know his character well, he personally doesn’t want to go, but the main issue is with the Black Earl behind him..." Dox sighed helplessly.

"Let’s put aside Vay and the Black Earl for now. I just want to ask you, I know your wizard premonition is strong, your spiritual perception often proves effective, but relying on spiritual perception for everything, don’t you feel it makes any endeavor dull?"

"Previously, when you followed me to the Princess Castle, I thought you seemed quite fearless, but turned into a coward once you had no premonition."

Dox shook his head: "I’m not afraid of death, even if my spiritual perception tells me this is extremely dangerous, I would still go. Only by probing the edge of death can one find a chance to breakthrough, which has always been my belief."

"This time, however, the sudden failure of spiritual perception made me feel strange, prompting me to approach my old friend Vay. Through his death sense, check whether my spiritual perception is acting up."

Dox’s explanation was sincere, Angel believed it partially: "Then did you notice any issues?"

"Vay also smelled our mixed blood, but couldn’t detect any scent. This suggests both his talent and my spiritual perception experienced similar issues, meaning the issue isn’t with spiritual perception, but perhaps something peculiar about this relic exploration."

"Perhaps it was this peculiar nature that caught the attention of the Black Earl, thus leading to Vay joining the exploration."

Dox stated his conjecture.

Having heard this, Angel was barely convinced by Dox’s words. At least from the textual standpoint, there appeared to be no issues, and the logic was feasible.

Dox was visibly guilty: "Even if we refuse Vay, as the Black Earl is aware of this matter, he would have other means to follow up. This time was my mistake."

"I asked Vay for a day to consider, sought you out to discuss further."

"With the Black Earl involved as a variable, let’s cancel this journey altogether. Regarding your alchemy, I’ll compensate for all materials."

Dox figured, if Angel wouldn’t go, no matter what plot or scheme was involved, it would be hard to proceed.

Since others were unaware of the short sword’s corresponding location.

Also, the short sword was yet to be refined, meaning it could be canceled mid-way.

Previously outside, Dox had discussed with Kaier, and Kaier agreed to Dox’s proposal of compensating materials, now only needed Angel to agree, then the matter was concluded.

Regarded as if nothing happened.

Angel pondered for a moment; if it earlier, he might have accepted Dox’s proposal. After all, it was just an alchemy task, as long as the reward was sufficient, skipping it was fine.

But now realizing, this task might involve the space behind the wall in Naraku City, Angel couldn’t suppress his curiosity.

He genuinely wanted to see whether the wall existed in the real Naraku City, and what lay behind it.

However, unforeseen circumstances made Angel consider other variables.

The Black Earl... Angel wasn’t familiar with this wizard, only knew he was a major figure, standing at the pyramid’s pinnacle, with even his mentor Dox respectfully addressing him as Lord.

The Black Earl now focused on this matter, even if it’s only his apprentice, still equipping the Black Earl’s nose.

This indicates possible unexpected circumstances may arise during this exploration.

"You all step out first, I need some time to think and make my decision," Angel silently stated to Dox and Kaier.

Although Dox had more to say, after thinking it over, he realized he said all he had to. Ultimately, it depended on Angel’s decision. Hence, he nodded and, along with Kaier, temporarily left the earth cavern.

As for Angel, he stood up, picked up Dangross lying atop the quenching liquid, and placed it near the short sword embryo.

Instructed Dangross to watch the cooling process, if rapid cooling occurred, to apply some heat to slow down the cooling. It was a way to gain more time to handle other matters.

Dangross understood Angel’s serious expression, didn’t have any reluctance, and nodded: "Okay, it’s not difficult, leave it to me!"

Seeing Dangross patting its "chest"—or rather "palm"—with a little finger, Angel, for the first time, felt this little creature seemed dependable.

With Dangross watching over, Angel didn’t hesitate, immediately sitting on the sofa, entered the Wilderness of Dreams.

Around half a day later, Angel once again encountered Ironclad Granny.

This time, Ironclad Granny was alone, seated in the Rose Garden of the New City, overlooking the increasingly wondrous city.

"Rarely see Granny not drinking tea at the water pavilion." Angel’s voice echoed from behind Ironclad Granny.

Ironclad Granny turned: "Apart from the water pavilion, I often come here too. Watching this Extraordinary City being built bit by bit, it’s a feeling beyond words."

In the Southern Domain, establishing an Extraordinary City consumes unimaginable wealth. For example, Sky Mechanical City took countless years to improve gradually. Mesomyia’s renowned Quicksand City also required silent effort from multiple super families and organizations to build.

Now, in their Barbarian Cave, due to Angel’s influence, they almost spent nothing and built an Extraordinary City. Moreover, this city rivaled any city in the Southern Domain, not only using the most luxurious materials but also featuring an extremely unique style.

This feeling brought Ironclad Granny indescribable joy.

Even though it’s in the Wilderness of Dreams, not in the real world. Yet, Ironclad Granny sees the potential of the Wilderness; it could become a second world.

By then, it could still be a city not less dazzling than reality.

"If you want to build such a city, you can do it anytime. Next time, Granny can design one too." Angel, however, doesn’t share Ironclad Granny’s sentiment and cannot understand the significance of an extraordinary city to the Witcher Organization.

Ironclad Granny smiled and shook her head, not responding directly. Angel is still young, with a limitless future. Such sentiments of the past can be left to these old bones, while Angel should focus on the distant future.

"You said it’s rare for you to see me here. Actually, it’s rare for me to see you come looking for me twice in a short time," Ironclad Granny chuckled, "So, is there another problem? Speak up, and if I can answer, I will tell you."

Angel felt a bit embarrassed inwardly, since he always runs to the Wilderness of Dreams whenever there’s a difficult issue. This is somewhat like Docks’ "spiritual perception," becoming a dependence.

"What is the matter? If it’s about Princess Town, you don’t have to worry. Wizards from the organization have already gone over there."

Angel shook his head: "It’s not about Princess Town. I want to ask Granny if you know about the Black Earl?"

Ironclad Granny was momentarily stunned. She had considered any possible question Angel might ask, but completely didn’t expect Angel to suddenly mention this person.

"Do you mean ’Black Duke’ or ’the Black Earl’?" Ironclad Granny asked.

Angel: "Not Lord Adelaide, it’s the Black Earl of the Noah Clan."

After confirming she hadn’t heard wrong, Ironclad Granny’s expression turned a bit peculiar: "The Black Earl is quite... "

Ironclad Granny pondered for a long time, seemingly contemplating the wording, and only continued after a good while: "He can be considered enigmatic, a peculiar and mysterious wizard."

"In the region where the Noah Clan resides, all sorts of bizarre things can be seen. And being enigmatic seems to be the Black Earl’s personal pursuit as well."

Ironclad Granny paused: "As for him personally, I’m not sure which aspect you want to know about, so it’s hard to describe."

Angel: "I also don’t know to what extent I should understand. How about this, I’ll talk to Granny about the whole matter, and Granny can help me analyze it."

Since Angel had already told Ironclad Granny about going to the ruins before, there was no harm in mentioning it.

After listening to Angel’s account, Ironclad Granny pondered for a moment and asked: "So, you’re saying, you actually don’t want to stop exploring the possible ruins, but with the addition of Vay, a descendant of the Noah Clan, you’re worried there might be changes."

Angel nodded.

Ironclad Granny thought for a moment: "I’m not very familiar with the Black Earl, but the Black Earl is a friend of Rhein. How about this, I’ll go offline to ask Rhein for you."

Lord Rhein is actually friends with the Black Earl? This was the first time Angel heard of it. But thinking about it, it’s not surprising; among the top of the Southern Domain’s pyramid, it’s normal for these few to have connections with each other.

"But didn’t Granny say Lord Rhein is currently away on some business?"

Ironclad Granny: "I’ll have the Tree Spirit pass a message. The Tree Spirit has an avatar with Rhein."

With that, Ironclad Granny slowly disappeared in front of him, apparently going offline.

Angel pondered over Ironclad Granny’s words—have Tree Spirit pass a message?

Angel knows some of the Tree Spirit’s abilities; the range his true form and avatar can cover does not exceed the Pamiji Plateau.

Which means, Lord Rhein is actually also at the Pamiji Plateau?

Earlier, Granny mentioned there was an issue on Rhein’s side, saying there was an infiltration of spies, and Rhein went to attack their nest. Was the nest of these spies also on the Pamiji Plateau?

Isn’t Pamiji Plateau dominated solely by the Barbarian Cave? Besides the Star Pond Ruins, what kind of spy nest would require Rhein to personally take action?

Angel had a feeling that this matter might not be as Granny said, merely a "small matter."

After waiting for over ten minutes, Ironclad Granny and Lord Rhein came online together. Sensing this, Angel changed the entry location of Lord Rhein to the Rose Garden on the aerial sky bridge.

"I’m sorry to have disturbed Lord Rhein." Angel quickly bowed.

Rhein waved his hand: "It’s okay, the external matters are just troublesome to handle in the end, but whether there’s one more or one less of me doesn’t really matter in the process."

Angel curiously asked: "Is it troublesome to handle? What exactly happened outside?"

Rhein chuckled: "Didn’t Granny already tell you? You don’t have to worry about this matter. After all, it’s nothing major, so let’s talk about your issue."

Upon hearing Rhein say this, Angel understood that this definitely isn’t a minor issue, and the fact that he should specifically not interfere implies that it likely involves him?

While Angel was pondering, Ironclad Granny glanced at Rhein in a not very pleased manner: Angel is not a fool, the more secretive you are, the more he’ll mind.

Rhein, however, didn’t care. The reason for keeping this from Angel was simply that, initially, Angel was the primary target of this bud of followers, but now, after various forces got involved, Angel, this "nobody," had long been completely forgotten by them. They are now in a gambit with various forces.

At this point, whether Angel knows or not doesn’t really matter anymore.

Rhein actually looked forward to Angel continuing with questions, but it seemed Angel already guessed something and didn’t ask further about things on the Pamiji Plateau, instead shifting the topic to the situation of Vay Noah.

Rhein: "Granny briefly explained to me what happened on your side. I’m very familiar with the Black Earl, and I can pretty much guess what he’s up to by letting his descendant follow along."

"Simply put, the Black Earl has sniffed out a scent he loves."

Angel questioned: "A scent he loves?"

Rhein nodded: "You previously told Granny that Docks said Vay is a person who doesn’t like going out. Actually, it’s not just Vay. Most of the Noah Clan has this trait. The Black Earl is also a lazy person. The reason he came up with this ’he-consciousness’ was to avoid going out himself, letting others take part of his body out instead."

Angel: "..." This counts as insider information, right?

Rhein: "I’ve said enough, and this really isn’t related to the matter. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about the Black Earl coming personally to deal with you. Even if a Demon God descended, he might not leave his door. It’s just an organ, and it’s a ’nose,’ not a hand or foot, making it even easier to deal with."

"Do you still have the Demon of the Panic Realm you bought from the Foul Wing Trading Group last time?"

Angel nodded: "Earl Mi is still around."

"If that nose really causes trouble, using Earl Mi to handle it would suffice. If you also have Red Sword Docks, you might even destroy that nose."

Rhein made it sound simple, and it seemed quite easy to handle. But the fact that the nose of a top-tier Third Tier wizard could be on par with Earl Mi, comparable to a True Knowledge Wizard, is already quite terrifying. If it were a hand or a foot of the Black Earl, Earl Mi probably wouldn’t stand a chance.

"I understand, but it’s not about combat right now. Is letting Vay follow us good or bad? You previously mentioned knowing the Black Earl’s purpose. What exactly is his purpose?"