Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2696: Chapter 2697: On the Spot

The Wise Sovereign realized it was his own carelessness, and couldn’t help but reflect on it. Having spent years in the Underground Aqueduct, isolated from outsiders and lacking the stimulation of intellectual exchange, he hadn’t noticed how stagnant his thoughts had become.

This time was no different. Although the main reason for his oversight was the information gap between him and Angel, his own lack of caution was also a contributing factor.

Just like Angel, he too had a gap in his information, yet Angel’s performance was seamless. The information he disclosed was minimal, and the Wise Sovereign even suspected that, even the information disclosed might have been intentionally or unintentionally leaked by Angel himself.

When intelligent people cross swords, they are never stingy about revealing their cards. They compete to see who can manage their hand the best, whose hidden cards are most surprising, and sometimes revealing cards can be a trap itself.

Currently, the understanding between him and Angel was limited, hence, they couldn’t quite engage in open card strategies for attack and defense. However, it must be said that Angel, as a newcomer, performed remarkably well.

Even the Wise Sovereign couldn’t help but secretly praise in his heart.

"The person you want to ask about, hidden in the mirror, it can enter my dwelling, but dares not enter my main dwelling." The Wise Sovereign spoke paradoxically, leaving others confused.

But Angel, upon hearing this, was moved: "Do you mean, it can enter through the mirror, but its main body cannot?"

The Wise Sovereign nodded: "Exactly."

The Wise Sovereign had already begun to adapt to Angel’s superb reaction speed and unpredictable logic. To put it bluntly, as long as you don’t treat Angel as a fledgling cub, communication flows smoothly. In fact, even with his habit of speaking half-truths, it posed no issue for Angel, who didn’t even need an explanation to understand the underlying meaning of his words.

This effortless exchange was not something the Wise Sovereign disliked.

Contender of equals, waste not breath on fools. This was perhaps the Sage’s mentality at the moment.

Angel: "What kind of help would it give those Trackers?"

Angel bypassed the question of whether the Mirror Entity bypassed Cicia to let the Merchant Organization through Other-dimensional Space by directly asking about the kind of help the Mirror Entity would give to the Merchant Organization. From this, it can be seen that Angel was already convinced that the Mirror Entity was behind this series of events.

The Wise Sovereign didn’t mind whether Angel was using it to test him or had actually guessed correctly, he didn’t argue.

Because if they decided to stay here, eventually they would meet that entity. Denying now that it’s the work of the Mirror Entity might bring about ridicule later.

So, the Wise Sovereign didn’t hide anything and followed Angel’s words: "Hiding in the mirror, besides being able to influence the Magical Energy Array to a limited extent, it has no other means. Therefore, it won’t give the Merchant Organization much help."

Dox, who was actually listening to their conversation, was a bit confused, feeling his thoughts lagging behind.

However, at this moment, he understood.

"Even if it can’t help the Merchant Organization’s Trackers, if it can influence the Magical Energy Array, it’s still disadvantageous to us," Dox frowned and said.

Dox’s words didn’t cause even the slightest ripple in the Wise Sovereign, who didn’t even bother to look towards him.

Instead, Angel, as the leader, dutifully explained: "If its influence on the Magical Energy Array were significant, why would it need to lure the Merchant Organization to deal with us? It could just directly use the Magical Energy Array against us."

"Moreover, all it can do is influence the Magical Energy Array, while here there is someone who can directly control it."

After Angel spoke, he gestured towards the Wise Sovereign.

Dox thought about it and agreed. The Wise Sovereign had complete control of all the Magical Energy Arrays in the Underground Labyrinth, while the so-called Mirror Entity could only influence them to a limited extent. In comparison, it seemed quite lacking.

Dox: "If that’s the case, then the Wise Sovereign can completely change it back every time it modifies the Magical Energy Array. Wouldn’t that save trouble?"

Angel actually thought Dox’s suggestion was feasible, but he believed the Wise Sovereign must have his reasons for not taking action.

Just like when they first met the Wise Sovereign, he made it clear that he was reluctant to stop them.

This implied that there was someone behind the Wise Sovereign. And that person was almost certainly the Mirror Entity.

The Mirror Entity could even influence the Wise Sovereign’s decisions. There must be some kind of connection between them. Under such circumstances, the Wise Sovereign probably wouldn’t openly oppose the Mirror Entity.

That’s why he said earlier: "If you choose to stay here, there may be a little incident, and you will need to resolve this little incident yourselves."

From this sentence, it can be hinted that the Wise Sovereign has his own stance and is not in a position to resolve this "little incident." He could only let these outsiders handle it.

This was indeed the case; the Wise Sovereign responded: "Firstly, I won’t be hostile to it, at least not before achieving my goals, I can’t be hostile to it."

"Secondly, I’m not a good person, but I won’t kill those who have made contributions. The Merchant Organization has made great contributions to maintaining the energy balance of the Underground Aqueduct. In view of this, I won’t take action against them either."

"Thirdly, I have limited knowledge of the Magical Energy Array. Although I control it, if there’s a real problem, I would need it to fix it."

Pausing for a moment, the Wise Sovereign added: "I can give you an extra piece of information; its understanding of the Magical Energy Array is far superior to mine."

Dox: "In that case, why hasn’t it taken control of the Magical Energy Array?"

Wise Sovereign: "It’s a secret."

While Dox furrowed his brow, the Wise Sovereign glanced at Angel, contemplated, and said: "It might be a secret to you, but to him, he might have already guessed the answer."

Dox was stunned for a moment, followed Dox’s pointing hand, and looked at Angel.

Angel: "..."

"The Wise Sovereign using this method to sow discord is a bit childish," Angel looked speechlessly.

Wise Sovereign: "Sow discord? No. He doesn’t seem to have systematically studied the Magical Energy Array, not knowing the inside story is understandable. But your understanding of the Magical Energy Array should be quite good; you deciphered the murals it left in the Hanging Jail Stairway; also, you found the outpost it left on the second level of the Hanging Jail Stairway. All this implies your proficiency in the Magical Energy Array, so I assume you might have guessed the answer."

Angel wasn’t sure whether the Wise Sovereign was speaking the truth or lying, but he roughly guessed why the Mirror Entity hadn’t taken control of the Magical Energy Array: "The core area of the Magical Energy Array, only you can enter?"

The Wise Sovereign nodded: "Precisely, but that is not the only answer."

Angel pondered for a moment, probing as he spoke: "Its true form cannot enter the Magical Energy Array?"

When Angel finished speaking, the Wise Sovereign fell silent. After a long time, he spoke softly: "It seems I have more and more questions to ask you."

The Wise Sovereign’s reaction indicated that Angel... was right again.

Although Angel acted as if it was a coincidence and a guess, the Wise Sovereign just couldn’t convince himself that everything along the way was purely coincidental.

The Wise Sovereign believed Angel must know something. His reason for coming here was definitely not simple.

There was one more thing that puzzled the Sage the most: Wood Spirit! You are my student! You’re not his accessory!

— If everyone looked down at this moment, they would discover that the Wood Spirit had already transformed from a tall, upright bamboo-like figure into a slim, dragon-like vine.

Turning into a vine is one thing, but why do you have to coil around Angel’s staff like a snake, so tightly?!

Previously, Angel’s staff looked quite simple from afar, just a long, slender black stick. Even the somewhat ornate head was intricately carved, hard to see from a distance, and further obscured by a sleeve.

But now, the vine-like dragon form of the Wood Spirit wound tightly around the black staff, with luminous tendrils faintly glowing, complementing the dark ochre shaft, making it look like a staff carved with a coiled dragon, the glowing green tendrils as exquisite as gemstones.

From an unremarkable black staff, it had quickly transformed into a magnificent gemstone staff.

To the Wise Sovereign’s eyes, this all appeared as the Wood Spirit willingly degrading itself, turning from a noble spirit into merely an accessory!

The Wise Sovereign restrained his emotions, forcing himself not to open his third eye, but his gaze couldn’t help drifting towards the Wood Spirit.

Under the stare of the Wise Sovereign, the Wood Spirit couldn’t help but shrink back, tightening its coils around the staff.

The Wise Sovereign took a deep breath and diverted his gaze from the Wood Spirit to look at the innocent-faced Angel: "Since you already know it’s the pusher behind the scenes, are you sure you still want to talk here?"

Angel did not immediately turn around; he glanced at the Black Earl. The Black Earl gently said through the Mind Ribbon: "You decide."

After pondering for a moment, Angel said, "Let’s talk here then."

Since entering the Underground Aqueduct, Angel’s strategy had been to avoid interaction with the Merchant Organization as much as possible. Because the mindset of local tyrants often carries certain obsessions. They explore on their own, and leave once they’re finished.

Even when the Merchant Organization tracked them, Angel left a message by the Magical Energy Array he cracked, warning them of the danger; although Dox referred to this as a psychological tactic, betting on whether they dared to come in, Angel personally felt that the Merchant Organization seemed pretty decent overall. Some individuals were flawed, but in general, they ensured a decent life for mortal adventure groups, neither enslaving, nor killing wantonly, nor restricting their freedom, simply managing—which already made Angel hold them in high regard. Therefore, his message was genuinely out of consideration for those who came after them.

If they really wanted to deal with the Merchant Organization’s people, they would have acted already. Since they hadn’t, there were natural reasons for it.

But now, there’s no other way. No matter what, they will eventually confront the people from the Merchant Organization. Since battle is unavoidable, then let it come.

They did not choose to go to the Hall of Wisdom to let the Wise Sovereign exercise his rights as the master to expel the people from the Merchant Organization. Angel considered the mirror person behind the Merchant Organization.

The current identity of the mirror person is unknown. If the Wise Sovereign expelled the people from the Merchant Organization, it would be like directly slapping the mirror person in the face.

While that might feel satisfying, it would be Angel and his party who would have to pay the price.

After all, the Merchant Organization targets them, not the Wise Sovereign. If the Wise Sovereign helped them resolve the issue, they would instantly owe two favors: one for the eviction, and another for the potential consequences of the Wise Sovereign defying the mirror person, which would also fall upon them.

They didn’t even know what the Wise Sovereign wanted them to do yet, but they’d be indebted to him, which would make them guilty when refusing, possibly even directly losing the right to refuse.

So, taking everything into consideration, Angel leaned towards having the discussion here. If they met people from the Merchant Organization, they’d resolve it here.

Since the Wise Sovereign stated clearly that the mirror person couldn’t offer much help to the Merchant Organization, dealing with the tracked party with their group shouldn’t be too challenging.

The Wise Sovereign didn’t disagree with Angel’s choice; he understood that this discussion here was only superficial. For a deeper conversation, they’d likely resolve the "minor interlude" first and have a more in-depth discussion once they reached his dwelling.

But even for a shallow discussion, the Wise Sovereign had many questions: "You want to talk now?"

Angel looked around at the desolate surroundings, realizing it was hard to find a place suitable for a conversation, let alone a flat surface. Angel thought for a moment and asked, "Wise Sovereign, do you mind entering my illusionary realm?"

The Wise Sovereign: "I don’t mind."

He had already entered previous illusionary realms, so why be afraid of others?

Since the Wise Sovereign agreed, Angel immediately opened the luxury and magnificent Nightmare Realm. Moreover, this Nightmare Realm enclosed the surrounding Earth Ring Wall as well.

This allowed others inside the Earth Ring Wall to see and hear their conversation.

The thoroughness of Angel’s attention was evident.

As soon as the Luxury Nightmare Realm emerged, the Wise Sovereign’s brows furrowed deeply. He had vaguely sensed before that Angel’s illusionary realm was quite ordinary, but now, this realm was even more peculiar.

It resembled the grand hall of a traditional noble’s castle but was even more exquisite and magnificent.

The chandelier was made of various bright gemstones, shining brilliantly everywhere. The piano played on its own, and the beautiful melodies flowed like water through the hall.

Like firefly lights flitting around, it added a dreamy beauty to the scene.

Everything seemed lavishly beautiful, but the Wise Sovereign sensed a deep-seated crisis beneath this magnificence. Especially the firefly lights floating around, which he couldn’t see through, and the more he observed, the more alarmed he felt.

The whole illusionary realm... no, it couldn’t just be called an illusionary realm; it was almost like a real noble hall.

It even exuded a strange, mysterious aura.

This was the first time the Wise Sovereign had encountered such an illusionary realm. Was it created by the illusionist wizards of this era? Or was it unique to Angel himself?