Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2766: Chapter 2767: What the Shrew Desires

The wicked woman has taken a fancy to Simos’ skin?

Angel squinted his eyes, a guess slowly rising in his mind.

Could it be that the wicked woman handed over the Ancient Gaze to the Magic Elephant just to snatch Simos’ skin during the duel?

This was initially just a casual guess by Angel, but whether it was due to a guilty conscience or something else, the wicked woman never made eye contact with Angel, seemingly intentionally avoiding him.

This deepened Angel’s suspicion.

Could it be... he guessed right?

Angel further pondered the possibility of this inference, the more he thought, the more it seemed reasonable.

According to their previous judgment, the Ancient Gaze was most likely the wicked woman’s. After all, she was the only wizard present who belonged to the transformation branch.

Since the rules of the duel do not limit out-of-discussion means, it was fine for both wizards to give the apprentices some "help." However, taking out such a devastating weapon as the Ancient Gaze, which could severely harm even Official Wizards, was too blatant.

This seemed like a killing intent.

Though it was not against the rules of the ring, it was tantamount to declaring war outside the ring.

The wicked woman knew that Black Earl’s avatar was here, yet she still made such a decision, which was really baffling. Wasn’t she afraid of offending the Black Earl?

Previously, Angel couldn’t figure out this question, but now, combined with the wicked woman’s intent, he seemed to understand a bit.

The target of the wicked woman wasn’t Vay, but rather Kaier. To be precise, it was Simos’ skin on Kaier.

According to the situation during the previous duel, Kaier was very likely to continue fighting. If the Magic Elephant, with the help of the Ancient Gaze, defeated or killed Kaier, then following Angel’s earlier proposed "winner takes the spoils," the wicked woman had every reason to take Simos’ skin from the defeated Kaier naturally.

In this way, she would obtain Simos’ skin without offending the Black Earl.

After all, Kaier had contacted the mirror earlier, and there was no reaction, confirming he was not from the Noah Clan. Also, Kaier’s behavior, upon careful observation, showed he seemed more like an Academy Faction apprentice or a wandering apprentice.

Whether it was the Academy Faction or wandering apprentices, in the wicked woman’s eyes, they were seen as easy targets, and even if she killed Kaier, it likely wouldn’t cause much of a stir.

This led to the situation of the Magic Elephant appearing with the Ancient Gaze.

However, the wicked woman did not expect that Kaier didn’t go on stage, and instead, it was Vay, who was previously severely injured by fungal invasion, who returned to the ring fully restored.

Meanwhile, there was also an issue on the Magic Elephant’s side. Distracted by holding the Ancient Gaze, he was seized upon by Vay, who proceeded to suppress him continuously.

To avoid defeat in this battle, he had no choice but to activate the Ancient Gaze.

And then all sorts of subsequent situations unfolded.

The above was a review angel conducted in his mind. Although just a hypothesis, Angel felt a mysterious intuition that this might be the truth.

As Angel was contemplating, Dox’s voice sounded in the Mind Ribbon.

"Could the wicked woman have handed over the Ancient Gaze to the Magic Elephant just for Simos’ skin?"

Apparently, Dox and Angel were thinking the same thing.

Angel didn’t reply, and Dox just mentioned it briefly without further comment, but everyone looked at the wicked woman, falling into contemplation.

Previously, they hadn’t overthought, but now, with Vay’s guess, and the "tacit approval" from Angel and the Black Earl, it was like "drawing the target first, then shooting the arrow." With known results, finding the trace along the way became much simpler.

As everyone gradually "woke up," they looked at the wicked woman more and more repulsively.

The wicked woman seemed a bit unnerved by everyone staring at her, and couldn’t help but ask again: "May I ask if Mr. Earl Mi is willing to make this deal with me? As long as the price is reasonable..."

Angel: "No."

"Ah?" the wicked woman asked, confused: "What do you mean, sir?"

Angel: "No. I still need Simos’ skin, I won’t transfer it."

Disappointment flashed in the wicked woman’s eyes, but she didn’t give up: "If you agree, sir, I can even find you a Half-step Mystic object."

When the wicked woman mentioned ’Half-step Mystic object,’ everyone except Angel paused for a moment. Mysterious objects are rare, even Half-step Mystic objects contain considerable energy, sometimes even more applicable than the official effect.

Just as everyone was speculating whether Angel would be tempted by this, Angel shook his head once more, refusing, and said even more directly than before: "Not agreeing."

"Why?" The wicked woman’s voice lowered, and the aura around her gradually began to become oppressive.

Angel said nothing, quietly watching the wicked woman. For now, her aura was not threatening, but if it continued... Angel didn’t mind dealing with her casually.

The wicked woman took Angel’s silence as a provocation, and her aura became even more oppressive. When oppression reached its peak, an explosion was sure to follow.

But Angel never waited for the wicked woman’s outburst. Before the wicked woman could lose her composure, the Grey Merchant pulled her back.

Casting an angry glare at the wicked woman, the Grey Merchant then bowed deeply to Angel: "I apologize on behalf of the wicked woman..."

The Grey Merchant hadn’t finished saying "apologize to sir" when Angel interrupted: "She hasn’t done anything yet, why bow to me? Why not wait until she acts out, then talk about what’s next?"

Angel spoke sincerely, but the provocation in his words was evident to anyone.

The wicked woman obviously heard it too, but perhaps due to the Grey Merchant’s prior intervention, she contained her emotions this time, and with her head down, pretended not to hear Angel’s provocation.

Angel set the stage, but the wicked woman didn’t perform, leaving Angel rather disappointed, losing even interest in superficial courtesies with the Grey Merchant.

Seeing Angel’s impatience, the Grey Merchant said softly: "I will await Mr. Earl Mi’s return outside."

With that, the Grey Merchant led everyone into the Spatial Passage on the side, disappearing completely.

This Spatial Passage was specially opened by the Wise Sovereign for the Grey Merchant and others, not leading directly outwards but to the former work area of the Hanging Jail Stairway, the region populated by the Ghosteye Witches.

The reason the Wise Sovereign didn’t transport them out directly was mainly because some Merchant Organization members in the work area were still dealing with the two Wizard-level Ghosteye Witches. Through monitoring by the Magical Energy Array, the Wise Sovereign noticed the situation over there was not good.

If the Grey Merchant and others didn’t go over soon, those who stayed behind might suffer heavy casualties too.

The Wise Sovereign had some goodwill towards the Traveling Merchant Organization, especially the Grey Merchant and his subordinates. Over the years, they’ve helped recycle, sediment, and reuse the Dark Energy in the Underground Aqueduct, saving a great deal of the Wise Sovereign’s effort. This time, it was a kind of reciprocation by the Wise Sovereign.

After the group of grey merchants disappeared, Dox finally spoke: "My inspiration tells me, I guessed it right just now."

Angel: "So?"

Seeing Angel’s indifferent expression, Dox couldn’t help but ask: "Aren’t you angry? She was planning to forcibly take Simos’s skin!"

Angel: "But she didn’t succeed."

Dox wanted to say more, but Angel added: "Besides, even if the nasty woman planned to forcibly take Simos’s skin, what’s the problem? Some people also wanted to freeload Simos’s skin, right?"

As soon as Angel finished speaking, Vay covered his mouth and chuckled beside him. The "some people" here obviously referred to Dox.

Dox also caught Angel’s insinuation, but he didn’t feel embarrassed at all. He even cheekily said: "Our relationship is different."

Angel raised an eyebrow: "I don’t have any relationship with you."

Dox leaned forward, looking flattering: "Not to mention the present; in the future, won’t you be my employer?"

Dox’s words surprised both Vay and Angel.

Previously, Angel had indeed hinted at Dox, but at that time, Dox was clearly resistant, and even if he accepted it in the end, he blamed it on "the inspiration’s antics." But now, Dox seemed to have completely transformed, not only not resisting but actively expressing his attitude.

This surprised Angel.

However, regardless of Dox’s stance, Angel actually didn’t care much. The difference, at most, was whether Dox chose to work for him at the Cross Tavern or at the Barbarian Cave in the future.

Dox: "Besides, our relationship is at least considered as close friends, right?"

Angel: "There’s no ’besides’; your only close friend is Vay."

Dox: "Even if not close friends, we’re good friends. Otherwise, why didn’t you agree to the nasty woman’s deal, but agreed to trade with me?"

Dox wasn’t actually asking Angel but stating his thoughts, so Angel ignored him.

However, Dox did hit the mark. Not to mention the nasty woman, even if the Black Earl came to trade Simos’s skin, Angel would refuse.

The only exception was Dox, and the reason, as Dox already mentioned, was indeed due to "relationship closeness."

Angel’s willingness to part with it was because Dox still owed him, and Dox most likely could only offer his labor as collateral. This also aligned with Angel’s intention, as he originally planned to bring Dox into his circle. If the deal went through, trading with Dox was like trading within his own people, expanding the strength of his circle, and Angel was naturally willing.

But if the trade was with outsiders, Angel personally felt it was unnecessary.

Although he wasn’t too concerned about Simos’s skin because he could find Simos’s whereabouts through Wang Wang’s intelligence network, there was a problem—Angel alone couldn’t hunt Simos.

If they truly wanted to hunt Simos, they would certainly need help from others, perhaps even Sanders alone wouldn’t suffice; it would be best to bring along Lord Reine or Ironclad Granny.

Even if they wouldn’t refuse Angel’s request, Angel himself would feel embarrassed.

In cases where he couldn’t obtain good results, there was no need to specifically pursue it.

In short, Dox and any other person stood right at the "willing" and "unwilling" psychological crossroads in Angel’s mind.

Dox barely qualified, while others, whether it be the nasty woman or the Black Earl, were barely disqualified.

Even if Dox hit the mark, Angel had no intention of admitting it. He directly ignored Dox and walked towards where Wise Sovereign was.

The others immediately followed suit.

Even though Dox muttered a complaint, he didn’t fall behind.

The Black Earl had been talking to Wise Sovereign about the world within the mirror and the situations of You Nu and the Cyclops Family until everyone walked over; then he stopped.

"Congratulations on your victory," Wise Sovereign had already removed his hood by now, and his voice was no longer as cold and stern as when he had been a judge, returning to a relaxed tone.

Dox: "If your tone were a bit more sincere, Vay, Kaier, and I would definitely cooperate with Your Sovereign’s performance and show an overwhelmed expression."

Wise Sovereign already understood Dox’s character well, knowing he loved to argue and tease. However, Wise Sovereign was not Angel; Angel could ignore Dox’s teasing, but he wouldn’t tolerate it.

"One-half," Wise Sovereign smiled as he looked at Dox.

Dox was taken aback: "One-half, what do you mean?"

Wise Sovereign: "One-third."

Dox: "Huh?"

Wise Sovereign: "If you speak again, it’ll become one-fourth."

Upon hearing this, Dox’s pupils shrank suddenly: "It, it wouldn’t be talking about my reward, right?"

Wise Sovereign smiled and nodded: "That’s right, the reward you exchanged for the Sunlight Sanctuary. Now it’s one-fourth."

Dox looked shocked, wanting to argue, but seeing Wise Sovereign’s smiling expression, he held back.

He was afraid if he spoke again, his reward would only be one-fifth.

After Dox remained silent, Wise Sovereign then turned to the others and said: "The duel was exciting, but this is just the insignificant first trial. You still need to pass You Nu’s trial to be truly through."

"As for your next arrangements, I’ve already told Angel; you can ask him later."

"And I, due to my agreement with ’her,’ now need to return to my residence. However, I believe with your capabilities, you’ll find your way soon."

"I await our meeting again."

With those words, Wise Sovereign’s figure began to gradually blur, and only then did everyone realize that Wise Sovereign had already left, and this was merely an illusion of him.

Seeing Wise Sovereign about to disappear, Dox finally couldn’t hold back: "My..."

"One-fifth," Wise Sovereign replied without even turning his head, delivering a critical blow.

Dox held his "broken defense" chest, stumbling and staggering.

Before disappearing completely, Wise Sovereign left one last sentence: "By the way, I’ve arranged a little surprise for you on the way; I hope you’ll like it..."