Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2654: Chapter 2655: Rapier

As Angel left Cicia’s Box and appeared in front of everyone, he wore an apologetic smile, "Sorry for keeping you waiting."

As soon as he spoke, Vay leaned forward, "It’s alright, we haven’t been waiting long."

"It’s been about half an hour; outside that’s not long, but inside Cicia’s Box, it’s probably been more than half a day," came the lazy voice of Dox.

Dox, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, stood up leisurely when he saw Angel appear, "Does your negotiation really take this long?"

Angel replied, "Actually, I didn’t stay in the Box that long. Cicia had suspended the time perception difference for quite a while."

Angel spoke frankly, and at least in Dox’s feeling, there was no deception in Angel’s words.

"Did she suspend the time perception difference because of your negotiation?" Dox asked curiously.

Angel did not hide it, "Sort of."

Dox squinted, speculating, "Could it be that you refined something unspeakable in Cicia’s Box?"

Angel: "???"

Dox, with an air of self-assurance, continued, "A woman enduring solitude for ten thousand years must need some appropriate relaxation and entertainment... Hey, hey, hey, what’s with those looks? Is there something wrong with what I said?"

No one answered Dox’s question. Instead, they all turned their heads slightly, trying to avoid the topic. Even the Black Earl "stared" at Dox for three seconds with unusual "gaze" — the fluttering of nostrils.

A risqué joke occasionally thrown around was one thing, but with Cicia’s Box right beside them, Dox dared to speak so boldly, indeed a brave soul. Whatever the case, Cicia is another ten-thousand-year-old monstrous being of unknown power... All they could hope for was that Cicia was not monitoring the outside world when Dox was speaking just now.

The unexpected silence was finally broken by the Black Earl, "A reminder, the fastest Traveling Merchants have already passed the Ghosteye Witch’s area and entered the Sewers."

Vay exclaimed, "How could they be so fast? Weren’t they entangled by the Ghosteye Witch?"

The Black Earl replied, "They encountered them and even alarmed those two Wizard-level Ghosteye Witches."

"However, those chasing after us are wearing gray masks, the Gray Merchants, who are very knowledgeable about the Underground Labyrinth. When they met obstacles, they didn’t move together but split apart."

"For instance, one uses illusion techniques, and another disrupts the Ghosteye Witches’ minds, staying outside to attract and avoid the Wizard-level Ghosteye Witches’ tracking."

"The others continue their advance."

"One team is very purposeful; they’re probably coming after us. They’ve already entered the Sewers. As long as they don’t take a wrong turn, they should not be far from the Other-dimensional Space."

Angel, rubbing his chin, contemplated, "It seems we should leave here as soon as possible."

"Let’s go. Anyway, we already have the tickets; we can talk on the way."

Upon finishing, Angel spread out his hand, and a glowing red symbol slowly rose, hovering mid-air.

Without saying much, Angel walked towards the end of the platform first.

This time, the Alchemy Golem did not block Angel, allowing him to smoothly step out of the platform, while the red glowing symbol floated from Angel’s palm to the front, illuminating the stairs below.

The once ethereal steps began to turn solid under the red glow.

However, if Angel stepped onto a new step, the previous solid step would slowly become ephemeral again.

Seeing Angel successfully onto the stairs, the others quickly followed.

Those illuminated by the red glow symbol smoothly passed the Alchemy Golem’s examination. Only Dox, when passing by the Alchemy Golem’s side, suddenly had a red light appear at his feet.

Dox reacted quickly, but the red light was even faster, transforming directly into a hand that grabbed Dox’s ankle. With a light pull, Dox lost his balance and tumbled towards the platform edge.

However, with everyone nearby, they naturally wouldn’t just watch Dox fall. A pale blue Hand of Magic grabbed Dox’s other ankle and pulled him upwards.

Dox was smoothly returned to the platform while the hand formed by the red light gradually disappeared. As the red light vanished, everyone heard a familiar cold snort.

Kaier: "It seems to be the one from Cicia’s Box..."

Angel: "No need for ’seems like,’ it is Cicia."

As soon as he finished speaking, on the other side, Dox got up from the ground, looking indignant, muttering under his breath, accusing Cicia of burning bridges after crossing.

However, Cicia did not respond to him.

The others exchanged glances, with a tacit understanding in their eyes. One can only say that Dox sometimes acts too casually, speaking without regard to boundaries, and being retaliated against was entirely predictable... This is probably the "freedom" Dox pursues; however, while you are free, others are affected by your freedom, even harmed—can this freedom really be considered freedom?

After ranting for a while, Dox finally stopped and prepared to step back onto the stairs.

However, this time the Alchemy Golem blocked him.

While Dox was puzzled, Vay whispered: "When you fell down just now, the ’ticket’ in your hand also dropped..."

Dox looked confused: "Isn’t the ticket supposed to stay with us? Your tickets are all floating in front of you, so why did mine fall?"

Vay hesitated for a moment: "Maybe, you were specially treated."

Upon hearing this, Dox got agitated again, shouting, "Why?"

The Black Earl, who hadn’t paid much attention to Dox, let out a cold snort: "You don’t know why you were targeted? This is the consequence of speaking without a filter. The rules of the Other-dimensional Space are not for you or me to dictate unless you have the power to break through this space, then you can do as you please. If not, then just follow the rules here."

After the Black Earl finished speaking, Angel also chimed in timely: "Now you only have two choices, either buy another ticket or temporarily come into my Exile Space, and I’ll release you after we leave."

Dox had already guessed why Cicia targeted him, but in front of everyone, he couldn’t save face, so he purposely acted furious. —From the fact that his complaints were only directed at the Alchemy Golem and never mentioned Cicia, it’s clear he was actually intimidated.

Now with Angel presenting him with two options, Dox didn’t want to waste everyone’s time. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath: "I’ll exchange for another ticket!"

Angel raised an eyebrow without commenting. Although he didn’t quite understand why Dox insisted on getting another ticket, it was Dox’s decision to make, and Angel wouldn’t stop him.

After some hesitation, Dox took out a finely crafted Knight’s Stiletto from his Spatial Artifact.

The stiletto bore some resemblance in appearance to Dox’s Red Sword, but it emitted far less energy. However, from Angel’s perspective as an Alchemist, this Knight’s Stiletto was excellently refined, almost universally applicable during apprenticeship. Also, due to its years of maintenance, it’s easier to handle than newly refined swords.

"D...Dox, are you really going to use this sword to exchange for a ticket? Have you thought this through?" Vay looked at Dox with shock.

Dox himself hesitated slightly but ultimately placed the stiletto into Cicia’s Box: "It’s useless anyway, so might as well exchange it."

As the stiletto fell into Cicia’s Box, Cicia’s voice floated out from within, and this time, everyone heard it.

"Having the courage to abandon your own sword, but you’d better sew your mouth shut in the future." Cicia’s voice was quite cold: "Considering the Noah descendant and Angel, this time I’ll let you off, but there won’t be a next time."

Upon finishing these words, a red light mark floated out from the box and hovered once again over Dox’s hand.

Dox looked at the ticket now back in his hand, cursing internally: No next time? I guarantee we’ll never meet again in this lifetime.

This time, Dox learned his lesson; he only grumbled internally, without speaking out.

With the ticket, Dox was no longer blocked by the Alchemy Golem and smoothly stepped onto the stairway that had turned from virtual to real.

"Let’s go." Dox: "I don’t want to stay here a moment longer."

Angel turned around and continued walking at the front, without commenting.

Vay came to Dox’s side and whispered: "I never thought you would exchange that sword."

Kaier, who was beside Vay, curiously asked upon hearing Vay’s comment: "What significance does this sword hold for Lord Red Sword?"

Vay glanced at Dox, seeing he didn’t mind, he replied: "This is the sword he always used before advancing to Official Wizard. Also, he spent all his savings to buy it at an auction in Mesomyia back in the day and used it for decades."

Vay paused for a moment: "I suspect Dox doesn’t even have as much sentiment for his current Red Sword as he does for this stiletto."

Vay’s words weren’t concealed, so Angel, walking at the front, also heard them. He too was quite amazed and remarked: "For a sword with such deep meaning to you, you’re willing to part with it?"

Dox grumbled, "I’m reluctant too. But I just have this strange feeling that if I take someone else’s stuff again, or something of little significance, that woman will definitely make things difficult. I had no choice but to bring out that sword!"

"Is this inspiration? Your inspiration recovered so quickly?"

Dox: "No, just a kind of feeling. I suspect that woman is up to no good."

Angel: "So, this is Cicia’s test for you."

No wonder when Cicia got the sword, she said, "Being able to give up your own sword shows some courage." If Dox had brought out something else, Cicia might really have made things difficult.

Dox: "That damned woman... so annoying."

Vay quietly joked from the side, "If you hadn’t said that through the Mind Ribbon, the expression would have been much more intense."

Given the previous lesson, Dox didn’t dare speak openly. If that woman could monitor the entire Other-dimensional Space, he might get into trouble again.

However, being teased by Vay made Dox a bit unhappy: "You talk about me, but that woman clearly said she spared me for the sake of Noah’s descendant and Angel’s face. It’s understandable that Angel has some sort of deal with her, but how did your Noah Clan get involved with this woman?"

Vay paused since he also didn’t know the details and could only turn to Black Earl for answers.

Black Earl remained silent.

Angel then spoke, "Cicia had ties with an ancestor from Noah she mentioned to me before."

Black Earl had already suspected that Angel might inquire about what he and Cicia discussed, and now Angel’s candid acknowledgment showed that he indeed had inquired.

Otherwise, it’s unlikely that Cicia would mention the Noah Clan to Angel for no reason.

To this, Black Earl was not angry. Angel using "connections" to inquire is perfectly normal; his honesty removed some of Black Earl’s doubts.

Nevertheless, Black Earl wanted to know exactly how much Angel discovered. This would reveal how close Angel and Cicia’s "relationship" is.

Since Angel didn’t conceal his actions, Black Earl directly asked his concerns: "Did Cicia tell you about Noah’s ancestor?"

Angel: "Sort of. I learned some general stories, like the ancestor’s name and a certain Dominator’s daughter’s name. Other than that, nothing much... But Cicia’s description of this Noah ancestor reminded me of something."

Black Earl immediately asked, "What is it?"

Angel shrugged: "Let’s keep that as a secret for now; if it becomes necessary, I’ll mention it."

Whether Angel shared it or not was his choice, but the phrase "if necessary, I’ll mention it" stirred everyone’s imagination.

Black Earl: "Is it related to this exploration?"

Angel: "It’s uncertain for now. If it turns out unrelated, that’s fine. However, if it does relate, then it will be a very close connection."

After speaking, Angel chuckled lightly, "Rest assured, once I find any clues related to it, I’ll surely bring it up. Otherwise, it’d be pointless to say."

Dox muttered, "You could share to enlighten us..."

Angel smiled, with some hidden meanings, "If it’s related to this exploration, I wouldn’t mind sharing for the team’s sake. But if not, exchanging secrets doesn’t come free."

Dox clutched his pouch warily, "What do you mean?"

Angel: "Nothing much, just equivalent exchange."

With that, Angel stopped talking, silently counting in his mind: 1, 2, 3, ...

By the time he counted to ten, a familiar ripple reached Angel.

——The private line between Black Earl and Angel.

Black Earl: "Are you hinting at something?"

Angel: "Hinting? It seems quite clear to me."

Angel gestured for Black Earl to look back.

Black Earl turned around and saw everyone’s attention on him and Angel. Clearly, they all had some guesses.

In Black Earl’s mind, he also heard Vay’s voice, "Is the Transcendental Wizard hinting at the Lord?"

Black Earl replied helplessly, "Hinting? Obviously showing."

After cursing a bit, Black Earl continued speaking with Angel, "Looks like you have your eyes on something I possess?"

Angel: "Knowledge, does that count?"

Black Earl laughed softly, "It counts. But the price for knowledge isn’t cheap."

Angel did not respond directly but changed the topic, "Didn’t you say before that we can exchange information?"

Black Earl: "That we can, but I’m talking about my True Body. Do you dare come to Noah’s territory?"

Angel: "Why not?"

Black Earl: "Come alone."

Upon hearing this, Angel refused decisively, "Then forget it. I’d definitely call Lord Reine, Ironclad Granny, Mentor, everyone to come along, or else I might not make it back. If you want me to come alone, then let’s drop it. No trade is fine too."

Black Earl: "..."

Black Earl: "Do you know what I’m thinking now?"

Angel spread out his hands and shrugged.

Black Earl: "I’m thinking, you might as well have a blood relation with the Wood Spirit. I can’t tell who’s more timid, you or it."

Facing Black Earl’s mockery, Angel didn’t care. His true intention was circling around to acquire a Crystal Ball similar to Vay’s. Although Cicia mentioned that this Crystal Ball wouldn’t fully cure Jon, it might delay the deterioration, which was already enough. Angel didn’t hope to cure Jon immediately; merely delaying the worsening would suffice.

——In fact, Sanders had already prepared several ways to slow the deterioration, but the more options, the better.

However, how to get Black Earl to trade his used Crystal Ball wasn’t yet formulated by Angel.

The negotiation was just a precaution.

Perhaps, in the end, Angel could trade through Vay to acquire Black Earl’s Crystal Ball... After all, Vay used his Crystal Ball to trade for a ticket, and even asked for customization with a "name your price" offer. When claiming the difficulty of refining, Angel could borrow Black Earl’s Crystal Ball to take a look, then strategize; it might just work.

"Alright then, I agree to your exchange for now, just hoping your information won’t be useless." After a round of ridicule, Black Earl accepted Angel’s previous suggestion of "equivalent exchange."

"Then let’s hope the exploration doesn’t overlap with my information, or I’ll suffer a loss." Angel made a praying gesture.

Black Earl snorted, "I’m not that petty. If the information is indeed valuable, I won’t take advantage unjustly."

Angel quickly offered thanks, complimenting, "As expected, adults have a broad perspective."

Black Earl intended to further probe whether Angel had obtained more Noah Clan information from Cicia. However, before he could think out his words, Angel spoke first:

"After leaving the Other-dimensional Space later, we’re going to look for the Wood Spirit. I obtained some intriguing information about the Wood Spirit from Cicia."

This time, Angel didn’t use Black Earl’s private chat channel but addressed the group directly.

"Interesting? What do you mean?"

Angel: "Look at this, and you will understand."

While talking, Angel spread out his hand.