Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2382: Chapter 2383: Bluffing

"You old lecher, it’s all your fault. Swallowing saliva like you can’t hold it in."

"How can you blame me? She took her clothes off without any warning, I was shocked too."

"You were shocked! Next time someone battles with you, they could just throw a few beauties your way, and you’d surrender immediately?"

One voice carried a tone of complaint, while the other tried to clear their name, feigning innocence.

To No. 03, these voices sounded unbelievably familiar.

Isn’t this the voice of Ferro and Nis?

Could they be here?

Aren’t they outside, raging incompetently?

No. 03 couldn’t help but look at the water mirror she had summoned earlier. Inside, Ferro was still wildly burning the Surge Alchemist’s head, while Nis summoned countless undead flames to vent his anger through their blaze.

At first glance, everything seemed normal.

But soon, No. 03 noticed something wrong, as when she tried to retract the water mirror, she found that it wasn’t under her control at all. It was as if she hadn’t summoned it.

No. 03’s face contorted in shock, and she couldn’t help but take a step back.

Meanwhile, the image in the water mirror began to ripple, and the previously furious Ferro and Nis suddenly froze, like puppets on strings, gradually turning their heads to meet No. 03’s gaze through the mirror.

The two in the water mirror simultaneously wore strange smiles.

No. 03’s face turned pale in an instant.

Like a startled beast, she leaped up, frantically smashing everything around her, whether it was the golden pool or the chairs and sofas in the crystal area. But after she wrecked them, these objects only turned to smoke and quickly reformed, as good as new.

"Illusion!" she snarled, the word hissing out through her clenched teeth.

By now, how could No. 03 not understand? Everything that felt strange or wrong, it was all due to an illusion. Not only was the golden pool fake, but everything around was fake, even this Watermark Space was fake.

Everything around was an illusionary realm.

Such a realistic and intricate illusion, capable of deceiving even her, few in the Southern Domain Wizards’ Realm could achieve this.

At any rate, it was definitely not Nis and Ferro.

This means someone is hiding behind these two.

Recalling Nis and Ferro’s background, No. 03’s face darkened abruptly, a name slipping out, "Illusion Master?"

In the Barbarian Cave, only Sanders and Sumishe could perform an illusion to deceive her senses. She knew of Nis’ good relations with Sanders, so her first thought was Sanders.

As for Angel... Although the base had received intelligence that Angel advanced to wizard, No. 03 didn’t think that a newly advanced wizard, likely having learned only a few spell techniques, could deceive her with illusions. Moreover, No. 03 hadn’t realized that Angel was an illusionist wizard; in her understanding, Angel was a remarkably talented alchemist.

Thus, No. 03 almost concluded that it must be Sanders who came.

With a Second Level True Knowledge Wizard personally present, how could No. 03 not look grim?

However, No. 03, too shocked at the time, hadn’t noticed some overlooked details, such as: if Sanders really came in person, there’d be no need to hide, nor to stage such a scene before.

Having already made a decision on a cognitive level, preconceived notions obscured No. 03’s subconscious call.

"To think a wizard from the Outer Domain has heard of my name, should I consider it an honor?" a deep, hoarse voice sounded inside the Watermark.

"So it really is you, I didn’t expect even the Illusion Master would be sent to deal with our base." No. 03 almost gritted her teeth as she spoke.

"Hehe..." A chuckle from deep in the throat echoed in her ears.

The more persistent the laughter, the worse No. 03’s expression became.

In her preconceived notion, the acknowledgment of Sanders’ identity by the other party could only mean it truly was Sanders, without a doubt.

"Ma’am, are you sure you want to talk to me in this posture? I certainly don’t mind, but it does give my old friend an advantage."

No. 03 glanced down, and her face, already ashen, grew even more so.

Had it not been for Sanders’ reminder, she would have forgotten that she was still stark naked.

With a wave, the blue-scaled dress that had fallen to the ground draped over her again.

Once she had dressed, the space in front of her flickered, and three figures appeared before her simultaneously.

One wore a calm expression, seemingly deep in thought, this was Ferro; another one had a look of regret, wiping saliva, this was Nis. As for the last person, sitting on a sofa, dressed in a black gentleman’s suit with a felt hat, holding a short cane, exuding the aura of traditional nobility – that was Sanders.

No. 03 had seen pictures of Sanders, so she recognized at once that this was the undefeated War God of the Southern Domain, Sanders.

However, compared to Nis and Ferro, Sanders’ figure appeared somewhat illusory, seemingly just an illusion.

"The Illusion Master comes in person but is unwilling to show his True Body?" No. 03 knew escape was nearly impossible, thus she seemed calmer than before.

"I am here, it’s just that you can’t see," Sanders responded blandly.

Sanders’ words darkened No. 03’s eyes further; she understood the implicit meaning of his statement. — Not only now, but even during her battle with Ferro and Nis, Sanders had been watching, unbeknownst to her.

Sanders was pointing out an insurmountable gulf between them.

It was a gap of status, as well as strength.

Of course, this was No. 03’s overthinking. Angel, suddenly inspired and roleplaying his mentor, did not intend that much when he said those words... He was merely pondering how to behave like a strongman mentor, ensuring No. 03 couldn’t discern the reality, so he chose a strategy: deliberate mystification.

As for how to mystify deliberately, it was to not share the same context as the opponent, to transcend, to overlook, to be vague.

Angel’s words indeed had some effect. No. 03’s own assumptions led her to believe Sanders didn’t reveal his True Body because she was too weak, not because of the opponent.

With that in mind, No. 03 didn’t pursue further why Sanders chose to present as an illusion.

"Illusion Master, I don’t know why you must oppose the base, but since you’re neither from Deadwell nor Flente, I believe we can reconcile and have a discussion." At this point, No. 03’s attitude was much more sincere than when facing Ferro and Nis, for Sanders’ strength was evident, and even if No. 01 and No. 02 returned, it would make no difference.

Thus, at this moment, No. 03 genuinely hoped for negotiations. At least to muddle through these days; once the ultimate goal was in hand, they could immediately withdraw from the Southern Domain.

Nis and Ferro also noticed 03’s attitude. Outwardly, they appeared calm, but inwardly they were thinking about how to converse with 03 in this situation to maximize the information.

Angel impersonated Sanders on a whim; could he really handle 03?

Nis and Ferro did not speak, because with "Sanders" present, speaking up might let 03 see through them.

"Care to talk?" Sanders sneered, his slender index finger gently tapping the short staff. Each sound seemed to strike at 03’s heart, sharply increasing her psychological pressure.

After a bit of psychological suggestion, Angel stopped, then continued in Sanders’ voice: "Rather than talking with you, I’d prefer to have the Extreme Sect talk to you."

"After all, I’m not interested in what you do, but they probably are."

Angel’s words indeed had a bit of bluffing, but he wasn’t lying. If Sanders himself were here, he might say the same thing because Angel had discussed the Underground Altar with Sanders before. Sanders’s attitude was exactly as Angel expressed: indifferent, uninterested.

Sanders even suggested to Angel to give the information to the Extreme Sect, let them fight among themselves.

Previously, Angel was only slightly interested in the Underground Altar, but it wasn’t something he cared much about. If it hadn’t suddenly involved Nausicaa, he wouldn’t be here.

That’s why Angel had no burden saying these words.

Previously, Ferro had mentioned the Extreme Sect in front of 03, and she immediately lost her temper because she knew if the base got involved with the Extreme Sect, those lunatics would never be reasonable, so she had to keep Ferro from leaving to report.

But now that Sanders mentioned the Extreme Sect, 03 dared not lose her temper because the base might stop Ferro, but they couldn’t stop Sanders.

"The Extreme Sect in the Southern Domain harass the major Witcher Organizations as well. I believe Illusion Demon Your Excellency understands that contacting the Extreme Sect is definitely not the best solution," 03 said calmly.

"Even if it’s not the best solution, isn’t it interesting to let you fight among yourselves?" Sanders raised an eyebrow, seemingly indifferent.

Though comparing them to "dogs" was somewhat harsh, 03 actually breathed a slight sigh of relief seeing Sanders’s nonchalant attitude.

Since he showed such indifference, at least it indicated that Sanders didn’t have a direct and profound enmity with them.

Although she didn’t know why Sanders was targeting the base, as long as there was no direct enmity, there was room for negotiation.

"No matter how interesting, it’s merely entertainment, without real benefit," 03: "There’s a misunderstanding between us that can actually be resolved. There are better ways; why choose a less effective option?"

Sanders gave 03 a deep look: "Profit is common, but fun is rare."

"Greater profit might outweigh your amusement," 03 quickly said, hearing the undertone in Sanders’s words.

Sanders smiled faintly, snapping his fingers to conjure a chair beside 03.

hesitated for a moment but sat down.

Once 03 was seated, Sanders spoke: "You alone can’t make the final decision."

"I believe 01 and 02 would make the same choice as me."

Sanders did not comment on 03’s statement and said nonchalantly: "Let’s start by talking casually, about you, for instance."

remained silent.

Sanders squinted: "It seems we cannot reach a consensus. And, indeed, having dared to sneak into the Southern Domain for so many years, your motives cannot be small."

03’s heart skipped a beat. While Sanders hadn’t mentioned anything directly, his previous mention of the Extreme Sect, and now clandestine motives, was clearly a threat.

The thought of possibly provoking the Extreme Sect sent a chill through 03.

She pondered for a long time before speaking: "There are oaths restraining me; there are many things I cannot say. Speaking would not only cause my soul to instantly dissolve but also alert Illusion Demon Your Excellency and others to their presence."

"Them?"

"I cannot answer that," 03 said, glancing at Nis: "Mr. Redemption of the Dead should know that his Hand of Soul Splitting reached my Land of the Soul and encountered barriers. It could be considered a soul barrier, but also a soul prison. If they wish, the souls imprisoned there can be slaughtered at will."

"They created it?"

nodded.

seemed open, even when Nis subtly used True Knowledge technique. She offered no resistance, proving her honesty at least on the surface.

"Does Philen and Deadwell hold grudges with those you mentioned?" The question was from Ferro. Since the True Knowledge technique was used, 03 approved of Angel’s portrayal of Sanders, so 03 should not detect anything now.

nodded: "Yes."

Ferro: "And what are Philen and Deadwell?"

looked at Ferro, her expression slightly mocking: "As I said before, those who are meant to know will know; those who aren’t never will."

Ferro: "If you don’t tell me, how will I know?"

03’s eyes were still filled with contempt: "No point. Even if I tell you, you still wouldn’t know."

Caught in 03’s rhetorical loop, Ferro felt irritation rise but couldn’t act. He could only subconsciously glance at Angel, who was portraying Sanders.

"Sanders" was the one holding the reins.

After a moment of silence, Sanders said: "...Is it related to Stewart?"

At that, 03 sharply lifted her head to look at Sanders, seemingly incredulous.

After a while, she nodded: "Truly worthy of being Illusion Demon Lord; to even know this... indeed, Philen and Deadwell are related to Stewart."

"Knowing it’s related to Stewart, I trust Illusion Demon Lord understands that their information is bound by rules. I can only express it in their language, which I can’t even utter."

spoke ambiguously, so Ferro didn’t understand at all.

However, Nis understood.

The so-called Stewart refers to the Stewart Soul Safe Zone, located in Quest World, as revealed by Ironclad Granny.

The symbol on that slab supposedly belonged to Stewart Soul Safe Zone.

If Philen and Deadwell were indeed major forces of Stewart Soul Safe Zone, then according to Nis’s understanding of Quest World, they might have set the soul restraints. To understand them, the language of Quest World must be used, but speaking it in the real world would likely cause you to forget immediately.

So, 03 wasn’t wrong when she previously said that those meant to know will know, and those who aren’t, even if told, will remain ignorant.