Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2559: Chapter 2560: Arrival at the Ruins

"Hmph." The Black Earl let out a cold snort but did not argue with Angel further.

Angel didn’t want to offend the Black Earl too much either. He acted as if nothing had happened and gave Dox and the others a slight smile: "You all should have had enough rest yesterday. If there are no other matters, why don’t we explore The Garden Labyrinth today?"

"Oh... oh, alright." The group, called back to their senses by Angel’s voice, responded almost reflexively, but still cast a somewhat astonished glance at the slate on Vay’s body.

Previously, they all thought the nose was just the Black Earl’s, unable to speak and needing Vay as a third-party translator. Who knew this nose could actually make sounds?

Not to mention the others, but even Vay was still bewildered. The Black Earl’s nose had been with him for a long time, and this was the first time he’d heard it "speak".

"Then let’s go, let’s leave Bilun Tree Court first." Under Angel’s call, everyone followed along in a daze.

On the way, they occasionally cast glances at the slate.

The Black Earl seemed to be annoyed by everyone’s stares and let out a heavy snort: "The principle of sound is the most basic knowledge. If you’re surprised by even this, do you still deserve to be wizards?"

The group, mocked collectively, exchanged glanced at each other.

Though that’s what he says, you never spoke before, so why now?

Vay, speaking for everyone’s thoughts, quietly asked the Black Earl that question.

"Hmph, I was just too lazy to talk before."

The Black Earl didn’t explain why he was willing to speak now, but the group looked at Angel walking ahead, harboring their own suspicions.

Yesterday, neither the Black Earl nor Angel attended the "Forest Project", possibly because that’s when the Black Earl started speaking.

With that thought, Dox felt a spark and connected with Angel via the Mind Ribbon.

Before Dox could speak, Angel said through the Mind Ribbon: "Using the Mind Ribbon with me in front of Lord Black Earl, you are indeed brave."

Dox wasn’t foolish; hearing Angel’s words, he understood that the Black Earl likely intercepted the Mind Ribbon and was listening to their secret conversation.

Dox originally wanted to ask Angel what he discussed with the Black Earl yesterday and chat about the news he learned from Vay, but since they might be eavesdropped by the Black Earl, those topics couldn’t be discussed.

With that realization, Dox spoke through the Mind Ribbon: "Anyway, I didn’t come to speak ill of Lord Black Earl; I just wanted to ask you how you got Lord Black Earl to speak yesterday."

This question was reasonable. Even if the Black Earl overheard, he probably wouldn’t say anything.

"Why do you think I’m the one who got Lord Black Earl to speak?"

Dox pondered: "Well, that makes sense. Yesterday, the lord didn’t follow Vay but stayed with you in the treehouse, probably to talk to you. Was it about the ruins?"

Angel: "What else? To reminisce?"

Dox dared not probe further. Given his understanding of Angel, the last question was answered normally; whether it was about the ruins or not, Angel’s retort suggested the topic paled. It implied those two had a deeper conversation.

Judging by the Black Earl’s sarcastic demeanor towards Angel today, they clearly had a clash yesterday, and the Black Earl might have suffered a loss. Otherwise, why lower himself to ridicule Angel?

After putting the pieces together, Dox threw a knowing glance at Angel before disconnecting from the Mind Ribbon.

The moment he broke the connection, a familiar cold snort came from behind.

Now there was no doubt; the Black Earl must have been listening to their conversation.

Dox pretended not to know, continuing to follow silently behind Angel.

Shortly after, they reached the exit of Bilun Tree Court, which also belonged to the Other-dimensional Space. Its exit lay between two maple trees.

Dox skillfully knocked on both maple trees, and the trees each opened their eyes.

From their lively gaze, it was clear these maple trees had gained a spirit.

However, they seemed not fond of speaking, simply following protocol, stretching out branches. As their branches entwined, they formed an archway.

This archway was the true exit.

After passing through the arch, they found themselves once again beside two maple trees, only now there were no buildings around, just a lush forest.

Clearly, they had left Bilun Tree Court.

Dox approached the maple trees again, snapped his fingers, and from his earring emerged an endearing green sandworm.

The green sandworm spat a ghostly green mist at both maple trees before retreating back into Dox’s earring.

The maple trees opened their eyes, and their leaves swayed as if moved by the wind: "Thank you."

"May the cross of freedom remain forever." Dox solemnly touched his chest and gave a slight bow.

After these formalities, Dox returned to the group.

Kaier, curious, looked at Dox: "What were you doing just now?"

Dox just smiled without answering.

However, Dox’s long-time friend Vay explained to Kaier: "It’s a habit of his. Not all Wandering Wizards have it as good as you and Dox. He does it to plant a good cause, so even if there’s no good result, at least it won’t be a bad one."

Kaier listened and looked at Dox with a surprised expression: "I never thought you considered the bigger picture for all Wandering Wizards."

Dox responded tersely: "I did it casually, don’t talk about some grand scheme."

Finishing his sentence, Dox told Vay: "Previously, when I explained it to you, I didn’t mention any grand perspective. Don’t exaggerate."

But Vay said, "That’s my understanding. I believe my understanding is correct, right, my lord?"

Vay directed his last question to the Black Earl but received no response, indicating the Black Earl couldn’t be bothered to comment on such a trivial matter.

"Whatever needs saying can wait. Let’s leave first." As Angel spoke, he took out the Gondola.

Amidst the group’s amazed gazes, the Gondola, its thin veil billowing like a starry sky, soared into the air.

"Hmph." While the others were still admiring the Gondola, the Black Earl let out a cold snort.

The group’s motives were unclear, but Vay heard the Black Earl mumble in his mind: "So flamboyant, afraid others won’t recognize his signature."

Vay only dared to listen, not to comment.

As for Angel, he could discern the Black Earl’s reason for the snort, but he didn’t mind. To him, such deliberate contrariness was actually a subtle compliment.

Once everyone was settled in, everything was left to Speedy to control.

Angel had shown Speedy the map yesterday, so there was no need to worry about getting lost.

After the gondola set off, Angel glanced at Dox sitting beside him and said softly, "The green sandworm you summoned earlier, is it a natural elemental creature?"

Dox nodded noncommittally.

"Sandworm form... was it caught in the desert? Can natural elves still be born in the desert?"

Dox: "I don’t know if other natural elves can be born in the desert, but I happened to encounter this one in an oasis. At least for now, in the wizard circle of the entire Laksum Principality, I think I’m the only one with a natural-type sandworm."

Dox’s tone was calm, but the sense of pride was almost overflowing.

However, when he felt the surrounding gusts of wind and saw Speedy’s smooth operation, Dox’s pride slowly receded.

This natural sandworm, though rare, wasn’t very capable. Angel’s wind element creature did not reveal much power, yet its surging elemental force was immensely astounding. Even though his sandworm had passed its elf phase, it paled in comparison.

Not only Speedy, but the flame elf on Angel was also very unique.

Speaking of which, this guy has just advanced not long ago. Where did he get these elemental creatures?

Dox asked curiously.

Angel: "You’ll know soon enough, but for now, let’s keep it mysterious."

Looking at Angel’s deliberately mysterious smile, Dox’s spiritual sense quickly moved, and after a while, Dox wondered, "Why do I feel like there’s something odd about this?"

This time, Angel didn’t answer. When the Tidal World unveils itself, Dox will naturally understand. With Dox’s profit-driven nature, he should be the first to head to the Tidal World. However, whether he’ll be able to enter when the time comes is another story.

...

The Garden Labyrinth was just a few dozen miles from the Bilun Tree Court. In just a few minutes, moving at Speedy’s steady pace, they saw a ruin covered in green moss.

The expanse of this ruin was exceedingly vast, comparable to the size of major capitals of various countries today. In its time, it must have been a magnificent giant city.

Unfortunately, no matter how grand a city, once abandoned, time’s erosion leaves it in ruins.

Debris-filled buildings were everywhere, all covered with moss and tiny flora. To wasteland enthusiasts, this might be paradise.

But to Angel, who has seen the true Naraku City, the sight of such dilapidated ruins brings more sighs than anything.

This place is the Garden Labyrinth, and it used to be Naraku City.

Angel navigated the gondola over the Garden Labyrinth, taking in the complete view of the ruins while comparing it with yesterday’s bird’s-eye sketch.

Yesterday, he thought the sketch artist was being overly imaginative when reconstructing the buildings in the bird’s-eye sketch, but once he saw the Garden Labyrinth in full view, Angel had to admit admiration. The bird’s-eye sketch artist’s imaginative ability is almost off the charts.

Such utterly broken-down ruins could still be depicted as a city, even with roughly iconic buildings marked — a talent worthy of being called visionary.

At least, when Angel took a bird’s-eye view, he couldn’t even identify Naraku City’s iconic buildings.

Without the bird’s-eye sketch, they might have come in vain today.

While overlooking, they also noticed a few figures. Though compared to the city’s ruins, they were scattered and few, the total number wasn’t insignificant, somewhat defying the "desolation" rumored about.

Upon closer inspection, most individuals in the ruin turned out to be ordinary people. Transcendents were sparse, and as for Official Wizards... Apart from their small group, none would inexplicably come here.

These ordinary people were here treasure hunting. The items trash to Transcendents might be invaluable treasures to ordinary people. Having ordinary people here was thus normal.

After circumnavigating once, Angel stopped at the top of a bell tower ruin.

Green moss was all over; the building was dilapidated, with only 20% left standing. Even the "bell" itself was nowhere to be found.

If it weren’t for the bird’s-eye sketch marking it as a bell tower, Angel wouldn’t have recognized it on his own.

"Is the destination here?" Kaier asked curiously.

Angel did not respond. He directly jumped into the bell tower. Seeing this, the others followed suit.

Angel came to this bell tower because he had seen the full map of Naraku City; he knew there was an entrance to the Underground Aqueduct near the bell tower.

Though there were several entrances to the Underground Aqueduct, those close to iconic buildings were uncommon.

Angel planned to explore here first.

Upon entering the bell tower, Angel frowned. The ground was covered with rubble, not originally broken but pushed up by huge underground vines breaking through the surface.

Earlier, he hadn’t figured there’d be such gigantic vines in the ruins; if they’re everywhere, the Underground Aqueduct might suffer severe damage. Given this situation, it becomes significantly harder to smoothly find that wall in the Underground Aqueduct.

After navigating around numerous vines and ruins for a few minutes, Angel arrived near an arched pile of stones.

According to his mental map, this should be one of the entrances to the Underground Aqueduct.

Angel initially intended to clear these piles of stones himself but seeing Dox following, he stepped back, leaving the clearing work to him.

"Won’t you handle even this? Where’s your wind elemental sprite?"

"It’s tired," Angel lied directly.

Dox spat a curse but moved forward with grumbling. With a wave, he effortlessly cleared the stone pile using pure physical strength.

With the stones cleared, the manhole cover to the Underground Aqueduct was revealed.

"Is it here? So we need to go underground," Dox muttered, lifting the manhole cover.

However, once the cover was lifted, it revealed a heap of rubble and soil inside, indistinguishable from the outside ground.

"Time has changed everything here," Angel sighed. Since this Underground Aqueduct was sealed, they’d try another route.

Yet Dox seemed unwilling to give up, "It’s just some dirt! Watch me, I’ll clear it by mouth if need be."

Saying that, Dox pushed Vay forward, pointing at the soil below the cover, "Your turn."

Vay was silent for a moment before slowly stretching out his hands. The rubble and soil beneath the cover lifted, and as he did this, he retorted to Dox, "I don’t chew dirt."

"Pretty close; you Earth Wizards are either chewing dirt or on the way to chewing dirt."

Vay held his silence.

Suddenly Vay’s stone slabs on his body began to glow. A burst of fierce energy washed over him, flipping Dox upside down.

When Dox sat up again, he was still dazed.

At this point, Kaier remarked quietly, "I heard from my mentor that people of the Noah Clan are all Earth Wizards."