Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2695: Chapter 2696: An Interlude

"Still shivering with fear not long ago, now playing with the Demon People of Panic Realm... Is it really scared, or just pretending?" Dox also noticed the interaction between the Wood Spirit and Earl Mi, and couldn’t help but mutter.

"It should just be fond of plants. Here, there should be very few plants." Vay speculated.

"Very few plants?" Dox stroked his chin, carefully recalling, and indeed hadn’t encountered any significant plants. Or perhaps, he hadn’t paid attention?

"It’s not that there aren’t many plants, it’s just that there are very few plants that the Wood Spirit dares to approach." Angel said, "Don’t forget those Bloodthirsty Tendrils in the living area."

Bloodthirsty Tendrils can barely be considered plants, but their ferocity rivals that of Magical Creatures. With the Wood Spirit’s personality, not only would it not try to build rapport, but merely smelling their fragrance would make it flee hastily. On the contrary, Earl Mi retracted all the aura into the shadow, leaving only the faint Blue Lantern Flower outside, seemingly devoid of energy, like a wildflower growing in the shadows. This made the Wood Spirit relax its vigilance somewhat, cautiously trying to exchange auras with the Blue Lantern Flower.

The whole process was clear: Earl Mi was teasing the Wood Spirit, in other words, soothing the overly frightened emotions of the Wood Spirit.

Others could also see it, but they thought it was Angel’s doing, because it fit Angel’s personality, so they didn’t pay much attention.

However, Angel, knowing the inside story, outwardly appeared unaffected, but was internally filled with confusion.

After hesitating for a moment, he secretly contacted Earl Mi, wanting to know what was really going on with him.

Initially, Earl Mi’s responses were similar to before. Whatever Angel asked, he answered systematically, with no sign of being enlightened.

But when inquiring about the Wood Spirit’s situation, Earl Mi seemed to have a mental glitch, and the tone of his replies showed evident confusion. Ultimately, Angel extracted possible true information from those strange and chaotic responses.

"It’s afraid, it needs reassurance." This was Earl Mi’s reason for his actions.

It sounded reasonable; those unaware of the inside story might even find it heartwarming. But Angel felt that the trouble might be growing... Although Earl Mi generally maintained absolute obedience like before, during this process, he expressed his own thoughts.

"Thoughts" and "practice" are the foundations for the birth of Spirit Intelligence in life forms. Now, Earl Mi has started having his own ideas, and even practiced them.

Angel really wanted to pull out Earl Mi right now and check if the Seed of Distortion had loosened, but now was not the right time, so he had to temporarily hold back. He planned to study it further after leaving.

As for whether this situation was good or bad, Angel couldn’t judge at present. He leaned towards it being bad; the Demon People of Panic Realm were originally guardian deities protecting humans from the intrusion of demons, but their power source is the demons. Once they awaken, they become even bloodthirstier demons, not only powerful but also familiar with all human intelligence, making them the most terrifying entities in the Panic Realm.

Earl Mi was such an Awakened Demon. The true form of Demon People should resemble humans. Earl Mi is more like a "blooming wild leopard," which is the form after awakening. This also indicates that Earl Mi, after being captured, has entered awakening.

Given Angel’s understanding of Panic Realm, he couldn’t believe that Awakened Demons could be friendly. They understand language, writing, camouflaging, and adapting, using various means to achieve murderous purposes, making them more fearsome than demons.

Therefore, when Earl Mi showed signs of Spirit Intelligence, attempting to soothe the "frightened Wood Spirit," Angel more likely believed he might have entered "disguise."

Angel frowned, secretly contacted the Seed of Distortion.

The Seed of Distortion was in Earl Mi’s core; whether it loosened was currently unknown, but it could be controlled, meaning Angel could decide Earl Mi’s demise in a single thought.

After confirming he still held the upper hand, Angel breathed a little easier.

Temporarily putting Earl Mi’s situation aside, Angel approached the Wise Sovereign.

The Wise Sovereign slowly shifted his gaze from the Wood Spirit, meeting Angel’s eyes.

Angel: "After thinking about it, it’s better to discuss here first. At least, we want to know the purpose of the Wise Sovereign, so we can trustfully cooperate with the Wise Sovereign."

Angel deliberately emphasized the word "cooperation," clearly telling the Wise Sovereign that they came here with a purpose, but the Wise Sovereign, through a series of tests, undoubtedly had his own purpose. Moreover, this purpose had to be achieved by them; otherwise, why wouldn’t the Wise Sovereign accomplish it himself?

Therefore, they shouldn’t be treated as ignorant pawns; they need to find mutual interests, aiming for a win-win collaboration, rather than unilateral exploitation.

The Wise Sovereign understood Angel’s meaning, but didn’t mind. Along the way, he had already discovered that apart from the two apprentices present, everyone else wasn’t foolish, especially Angel, who despite seeming inexperienced, was extremely cautious. In dealing with someone fully equipped with soft spikes, cunning schemes were not as effective as directly addressing the topic.

Moreover, the Wise Sovereign discerned intelligence from Angel’s response - "I’ve thought about it, let’s discuss here first."

If rephrased as "We discussed and decided to talk here," it would fit the current context, but Angel’s response didn’t incorporate the others. That is to say, he still held the dominant position, becoming the center of negotiation.

It’s worth noting that the Wise Sovereign was already prepared to negotiate with the "true Noah Clan." But the Noah descendants hadn’t planned to step forward, still letting Angel conduct the talks.

Although the Wise Sovereign also intended to ask Angel some questions, since the Noah Clan hadn’t actively revealed their identity, he was helpless... At the time, Augustine was forthright, but the Noah descendants were less forthcoming, hiding like turtles.

The Wise Sovereign roughly identified the Noah descendants, but since they didn’t acknowledge, he couldn’t point them out. Anyway, ultimately, only the Noah descendants could open that Door; somehow, they would reveal themselves.

"Discussion here is fine. However, if staying here, there might be some small interludes." The Wise Sovereign said lightly.

Angel: "Small interludes? Please explain, Wise Sovereign."

The Wise Sovereign pointed to his forehead’s tightly closed third eye: "In my current state, I can’t see the specifics, but the interludes will come."

Pausing, he added: "Also, staying here, these small interludes need to be handled by you."

The group still didn’t understand the Wise Sovereign’s intentions, but they recalled not long ago, the Wise Sovereign suddenly went offline during a live stream. Was it related to this?

While they speculated, the Black Earl suddenly spoke: "Related to the Tracker from the Merchant Organization?"

The Wise Sovereign glanced at the Black Earl and nodded: "Yes."

Hearing it was related to the Merchant Organization, Angel and others relaxed considerably. They previously heard from the Black Earl about leaving a scent pinpoint in Other-dimensional Space, discovering traces of the Merchant Organization.

Regarding this, they were actually indifferent.

Mainly, the Black Earl explicitly stated the strength of the visitors, not particularly strong, mostly apprentices, relatively easy to deal with.

Moreover, they currently hadn’t reached a level of opposition with the Merchant Organization. At least, they helped the Merchant Organization find a new entry to the Underground Aqueduct, also considered a profit-generating benefit.

But most importantly, Angel knew a secret piece of intelligence.

Cicia hadn’t gone offline! Hadn’t gone offline!

Since Cicia logged into the Wilderness of Dreams again, she hasn’t been offline. It makes sense; as a "person" confined in the dark box for millennia, having finally embraced the "beautiful scenery of the outside world," how could she easily return to Cicia’s Box?

Although Angel doesn’t know what Cicia is specifically doing now, judging by her frequent movements, she likely won’t be offline anytime soon.

Since Cicia won’t be offline, even if the Merchant Organization arrives at that platform, they won’t be able to obtain a "pass."

Without a pass, attempting to force entry would only serve as meaty nourishment for Void creatures.

Therefore, all the above assurances mean they don’t concern themselves with the Merchant Organization. Should the Merchant Organization truly appear with ill intent, then they’ll just "communicate, communicate."

Even though strong dragons don’t suppress local tyrants, when it comes to powerful dragons like the Noah Family, the local tyrants still have to bow. The Merchant Organization is secretly controlled by the Birlos Family, but even if the Birlos Family inflated tenfold, it wouldn’t match the Noah Family. After all, the Black Earl is a true wizard standing atop the Southern Domain.

Thus, while they may not prefer to meet the Merchant Organization, they aren’t afraid of engaging them.

In a real confrontation, it is the Merchant Organization that would suffer.

The Wise Sovereign also saw the indifference on everyone’s faces, secretly shaking his head. If it truly were a situation akin to "subduing the enemy without fighting," he wouldn’t deliberately bring it up.

Even if he mentions a "small" episode, that’s based on his perspective of what appears to be a "small" episode.

In their hands, it’s not necessarily easy to handle. Moreover, this episode itself is... not ordinary.

"The Merchant Organization itself comes for us, so handing it over for us to handle seems reasonable. However, we’ve been wandering around this nearby area; the Wise Sovereign insists on having us fulfill bonus conditions and necessary conditions. They’re coming and going nearby, so doesn’t it speak to this being the Wise Sovereign’s territory? Shouldn’t the Wise Sovereign take full responsibility?"

The familiar Dox’s sophistry emerges.

Wise Sovereign: "If you choose to abandon the legacy land now, you may do as you wish. Since you don’t want to abandon it, then complete the conditions I’ve proposed."

To extend it further, the Merchant Organization’s people merely come to pursue them, while they seek the Wise Sovereign’s passage to reach the legacy land. The former is unintentional; the latter intentional. Regardless, the Wise Sovereign will trouble the latter first.

Undoubtedly, Dox’s sophistry fails once again.

"If we choose to follow the Wise Sovereign back to your residence, would this small episode then not occur?" Angel asked once more.

Wise Sovereign: "It would still occur. However, as long as you’re at my residence, you’d be considered my guests, and any intruders would be my responsibility to clear out."

As the Wise Sovereign spoke, he shot Angel a deep look: "So, you’re still planning to handle this small episode personally?"

"I have no malice towards you. If I wanted to kill you, I would have acted before. Moreover, if you truly wish to go to the legacy land, you’d ultimately have to pass through my residence. Would you still prefer to stay here and talk with me?"

While everyone felt that what the Wise Sovereign said made some sense, no one spoke up. This was because the Black Earl had already set the tone for Angel to make the decision.

Angel initially chose to stay here to talk, mainly for their safety. Therefore, rather than the Wise Sovereign’s rhetoric, they trust Angel’s judgment more.

However, at this time, Angel’s thoughts differed entirely from the others. He wasn’t making any judgments, nor was he concerned about any small episode; his concern was the Wise Sovereign’s answer.

Angel seemed to casually ask if, by going to the Hall of Wisdom, the small episode would cease. But on a deeper level, he wanted to know: Is the arrival of the Merchant Organization inevitable?

Since the Wise Sovereign was unaware that Cicia had gone to the Wilderness of Dreams, obtaining a pass in the short term would be difficult. In such a situation, if the Merchant Organization could still arrive as scheduled, then that’s worth scrutinizing.

The Wise Sovereign’s answer confirmed Angel’s suspicions.

There’s a high chance that the Merchant Organization will indeed appear and can track all the way to the Hall of Wisdom!

Angel: "May I inquire another question of the Wise Sovereign?"

Wise Sovereign: "Go ahead."

Angel: "Is that ’person’ hidden in the mirror unwilling to enter the Hall of Wisdom?"

The Wise Sovereign’s smile froze and gradually eased. He expected Angel to ask further about the "small episode," but surprisingly, Angel directly asked about that "person," even mentioning the name "Mirror Person."

Wise Sovereign: "How did you know?"

Angel shrugged: "I definitely don’t know. If I knew, why would I seek confirmation from the Wise Sovereign?"

Seeing the Wise Sovereign full of disbelief, Angel continued: "I merely pieced together some information to deduce it."

"Pieced together information? What information?"

Not just the Wise Sovereign, but others were curious about what Angel did, why the question leap was so significant.

Angel didn’t intend to conceal: "After we left, I left a small maneuver. This maneuver temporarily prevents Miss Cicia from handling subsequent passes for others."

Angel only shared this one piece of information, and the Wise Sovereign quickly understood its significance.

If Angel truly managed to stall Cicia, then ensuing situations will certainly change dramatically. Yet the Wise Sovereign was unaware of Cicia’s condition, assuming she was still diligently collecting treasures and allowing passage, which led the Wise Sovereign to unintentionally reveal: the Merchant Organization is bound to appear before everyone.

Since the Merchant Organization is bound to appear, if it’s not the Wise Sovereign pulling strings, then it can only be someone else.

The fact that the opponent dares to bypass the Wise Sovereign to do this indicates total disregard for the Wise Sovereign’s opinion.

The opponent bypassing Cicia directly, allowing entry, implies familiarity with the Mana Array of the Other-dimensional Space.

Combining these two pieces of information, Angel’s thoughts went to the person behind the Wise Sovereign, namely the "Mirror Person."

Thus, to truthfully say how Angel figured it out:

It was actually the Wise Sovereign who inadvertently leaked the information.

The Wise Sovereign observes them through various means, while conversely, they are indeed observing the Wise Sovereign too.