Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2557: Chapter 2558: Conversation

Bilun Tree Court, Bilosi Inn.

In the spacious treehouse, sunlight filtered through lush leaves, spilling into the branch-filled windows. The scattered spots of light also had a tint of cool green shade.

The air here carried a pleasant natural scent, starkly different from Yirong Country’s haze, Pamiji Plateau’s chill, and Sandworm Market’s dryness. This life-filled atmosphere made Angel feel as if he had arrived in the Green Forest Domain of the Tidal World.

Such an ambiance greatly lifted Angel’s spirits.

If the stone slab with the Black Earl’s nose wasn’t opposite, his mood might be even better.

Yes, when Dox forcibly dragged Vay and Kaier to do what he called the forest project, Angel came to this inn and rented a treehouse.

The Black Earl’s nose had floated behind Angel all the way and now stood on the desk opposite.

Angel couldn’t say much, nor did he dare to expel him, so he pretended it wasn’t there.

Luckily, the Black Earl’s nose didn’t do anything, seemingly treating itself as a mere ornament.

Since the Black Earl wasn’t causing trouble, Angel ignored him and, taking advantage of the good sunshine, began to study the map of The Garden Labyrinth.

The topographic map and the restored aerial view were completely different; the topographic map marked height differences, earth vein directions, and geological subdivisions.

The reason for purchasing this topographic map was that Naraku City in the Nightmare Realm was a projection of its intact period, whereas the real Naraku City had become ruins requiring consideration of whether surface changes had occurred in reality.

After looking at the topographic map and gaining a general idea, Angel began to compare it with the aerial view.

The artist did a good job, but many places on the aerial view still differed from the real Naraku City, although some landmark buildings were quite similar. This gave Angel a clue to locate the underground passages.

After studying both maps thoroughly, time was nearing dusk, the sunset casting a hazy and golden beauty into the treehouse.

Angel stretched and finally turned his gaze to the stone slab opposite.

"Honorable Black Earl, I’m really curious as to why you left Vay and followed me?"

There was no response, only the sound of breathing from the nose, almost like a rustle.

Angel didn’t mind and cheerfully said, "Not long ago, I chatted with Lord Reine about you. Lord Reine’s evaluation was quite interesting."

The Black Earl’s nose twitched slightly, as if expressing some emotion.

Angel continued, "Lord Reine said that people of the Noah Clan are very lazy, you being the laziest of all, even using ’His Consciousness’ for travel. Lord Reine also detailed some aspects of ’His Consciousness’."

"For example, every part of you can actually speak, but except for the mouth, other parts consume a small amount of energy to make sound. The Noah Clan members don’t even know this. Lord Reine suspects it’s because you’re used to having translators, and so too lazy to speak directly."

As Angel said this, the stone slab opposite finally reacted.

A thin layer of energy covered the stone slab, the subtle wind accompanying the energy flow began to make sounds of various frequencies. These sounds composed the Black Earl’s voice.

"I don’t believe Reine would bring me up for no reason. How did you get in touch with Reine?"

Angel chuckled, "You finally spoke, sir. I can answer your question, but can you answer the initial question I posed to you as an exchange?"

"Little runt from Illusion Demon Island, what qualifications do you have to exchange with me?" A raspy voice accompanied by heightened energy was threatening, even without imposing pressure.

Angel merely smiled nonchalantly.

After a while, the Black Earl seemed to scent something, the heightened energy gradually subsiding, "Little brat, you’re well-prepared for this outing huh. Reine actually got you a Demon from the Panic Realm, and even allowed you to control it. Seems Reine hasn’t been idle recently."

The Black Earl’s arrogance diminished after catching Earl Mi’s scent. A True Knowledge level warrior was formidable enough to contend against ’His Consciousness,’ which was just a nose.

But it made sense after all, Angel was quite the treasure trove, not just a member of the Research and Development Institute but also someone who developed a complete Alchemy Cultivation Chain for the Barbarian Cave, even prompting Horus to send him to the Sky Mechanical City.

So, having True Knowledge level protection seemed reasonable.

Moreover, the Black Earl believed that the Demon of the Panic Realm wasn’t Angel’s real trump card. He sensed a much more unsettling presence around Angel.

"Can we exchange answers now?" Angel maintained his smile.

This time, the Black Earl made no sound, implicitly agreeing.

Angel said, "Your question is quite simple. As a member of the Research and Development Institute, isn’t it normal for me to possess a Mini Signal Tower?"

Angel’s entire statement was true. But he didn’t specifically answer how he contacted Reine.

He only mentioned having a Mini Signal Tower, subtly implying he used it to contact Reine.

After hearing about the Mini Signal Tower, the Black Earl didn’t delve deeper. At their level, many things were no longer secrets. Although the Sky Mechanical City’s Mini Signal Tower was just a rumor outside, the Black Earl knew the Research and Development Institute truly had such convenient contact tools.

"You want to know why I’m following you?" The Black Earl asked.

Angel nodded.

The Black Earl scoffed, "Because I hate Sanders, so I planned to give you a beating, but didn’t expect Reine values you so highly, giving you a Demon from the Panic Realm."

Angel could sense the Black Earl was telling the truth; he indeed had a strong desire to beat him up.

However, Angel had a feeling that even though the Black Earl spoke the truth, there was more to why he was following him.

This was fair, Angel was truthful, the Black Earl was truthful too, but both were concealing the real truth.

"Although I don’t know why you despise my mentor, we are indeed different, and I hope you won’t extend that sentiment to me. After all, we’re exploring the ruins together, and I wouldn’t want you to suddenly hinder us at a critical moment." Angel tried steering the conversation toward the ruins.

"Ha, what do you take me for, brat? Since I’ve promised you passage without mishap, I won’t go back on my word."

This promise, Angel has indeed heard Dox mention it before; it’s the premise for Vay to participate in the exploration.

Angel: "Lord Rhein also said that Earl will protect Vay with all his might, so if there really is danger, Earl will definitely take action."

The Black Earl snorted through his nose but didn’t speak. In his heart, however, he cursed Rhein, as Angel suddenly brought up that he would protect Vay with all his might, which must mean Rhein had divulged that his ’consciousness’ was inseparable from Vay, effectively revealing all his secrets.

Feeling a moment of frustration, the Black Earl couldn’t help but say: "He seems to have told you everything. Let me tell you, don’t fully trust that guy’s words either. You are valuable now, so he might value you, but if you fall to the bottom, he will be the first to abandon you."

This was evidently a provocation borne of shame and anger.

Angel responded calmly: "Being abandoned is a normal state in itself. I have also abandoned many; it’s about giving up when necessary. Isn’t that the norm for those who want to walk this path?"

The Black Earl sneered: "I kindly remind you, but you’re talking values to me. With less than ten years of cultivation, what qualifications do you have to discuss the path of truth with me?"

Angel: "I wasn’t discussing the path of truth; I was merely saying that severing ties and leaving are normal aspects of life."

This statement was indeed indisputable. The Black Earl had no way to refute it, so he merely coldly snorted and said no more.

Angel: "Speaking of which, I asked Lord Rhein why the Black Earl would let Vay accompany us in exploring the relics."

The Black Earl’s sidelong nose turned back, "looking" directly at Angel, waiting for his explanation.

"Lord Rhein said that Earl is very curious about all unknowns and mysteries, but the members of the Noah Clan are reclusive. Encountering an opportunity to explore the unknown is rare; why would Earl let it pass?"

"I wonder if Lord Rhein’s words were correct?"

The Black Earl remained silent for a moment before reluctantly saying: "He seems to understand me."

Angel: "It seems Lord Rhein was right, but he also said that Earl wouldn’t participate in ordinary relic explorations. Maybe this time he really sensed something. I wonder if this statement is true or false?"

Lord Rhein hadn’t actually said this, but it didn’t prevent Angel from using it to bluff.

The Black Earl: "With all you said, what exactly are you trying to ask?"

"I have no ulterior motives. I just want to know why Earl wants to participate in this relic exploration—did Earl sense something? If you truly know insider information, I hope you won’t withhold it, as we’re currently a team, and Earl surely wouldn’t want any danger arising from insufficient intelligence, right?"

After Angel spoke, he felt as though his entire body was being scrutinized. The one scrutinizing him was undoubtedly the Black Earl, but with only a nose, what was he using to inspect? His nostrils?

As Angel shivered at the thought, the Black Earl spoke mysteriously: "I can answer this question for you, but you must first answer one of my questions."

Angel: "Please ask, Earl."

The Black Earl: "How did you determine the corresponding location of the key?"

Angel raised an eyebrow; he had anticipated this question before the Black Earl even asked. It turned out his guess was indeed correct.

"I might not be able to give Earl a clear answer to this question because it concerns my mentor’s secret."

"Sanders’ secret?" the Black Earl questioned.

Angel pretended to be serious and nodded: "Yes, this matter is related to my mentor, so I can’t disclose the portion about him."

The Black Earl "looked" at Angel intently, confirming that he wasn’t lying before saying: "Then tell me the part you know."

"My mentor took me to a certain place. There, I saw some things which led me to know the location the key corresponds to." Angel paused before adding, "In that place, everything is on display and can’t be considered a secret, but here it has become mysterious."

If Sanders took Angel to a place where everything was laid out openly, then here it was mysterious? The Black Earl pondered over this statement repeatedly, and recalling some rumors about Sanders, he began to have a vague answer.

—Is it the Nightmare Realm?

Considering the Black Earl is one of the leading Wizards in the Southern Domain, he knows much more about the Nightmare Realm than others. Moreover, the Black Earl has a penchant for mysteries, and the Nightmare Realm is indeed a world of mystery.

Projecting reality, shining into illusion, generating truth. The essence of the Nightmare Realm, he understands.

If the Nightmare Realm projects the complete Naraku City rather than the ruins, then indeed everything would be laid out openly rather than being merely secretive now.

While the Black Earl contemplated, Angel remained silent, intentionally guiding the Black Earl to think of the Nightmare Realm. Regarding how he knew the key’s corresponding location, any other answer would be filled with flaws, so he straightforwardly gave the real answer, albeit diluted to ninety percent.

Once the Black Earl linked to the Nightmare Realm, Angel wouldn’t need to say anything further.

After all, he just followed Sanders into the Nightmare Realm. Sanders was the one driving everything. An insignificant shrimp like him couldn’t achieve anything there, right?

After mulling it over for a while, the Black Earl slowly spoke: "I have an idea. My true self can verify with Sanders whether it’s true."

Angel was a bit stunned; didn’t the Black Earl have animosity with Sanders? How could he verify with Sanders? What exactly is the relationship between them?

The doubts on Angel’s face were evident to the Black Earl, but he didn’t wish to explain. After all, the things Sanders had done were hard to articulate.

"Now it’s time for me to answer you. Since you only gave part of an answer, I will only give part as well." The Black Earl paused, then slowly said: "Rhein’s words are correct; I let Vay explore for a reason. Because I sensed something that made my blood boil with excitement..."

Angel showed no expression, but internally he was quite surprised: did the Black Earl really smell something?

Clearly it was only Dox’s whim whether to go or not, yet the Black Earl could actually smell a future scent that would excite him? It was simply beyond imagination.

Previously, Rhein’s real statement was that the Black Earl might not have sensed anything, driven purely by curiosity.

But they underestimated the Black Earl’s ability after all.

A man who stands atop the Southern Domain indeed possesses abilities of such mystery that compel respect.

Yet, whether what he meant by the scent that excited him was linked to the destination related to the Noah Clan, or simply smelling the mystery and unknown remains a mystery itself.