Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3351: Chapter 3352: Temporary Farewell

After a while.

Seeing he couldn’t change Angel’s mind, Oleg finally gave up the argument, letting out a soft sigh.

After sighing, Oleg remained silent, seemingly contemplating something.

Angel noticed Oleg’s change as well, understanding that the real discussion was probably about to begin; previously, it was merely superficial back and forth, as doing the groundwork couldn’t achieve the essence.

To get to the essence, one must tear off the disguise.

This means the upcoming conversation might not be so peaceful...

As expected, when Oleg looked up again, the restraint in his previous expression had vanished, replaced by a coldness... an exceptionally deep coldness.

Earlier, he regarded Angel with some "courtesy," either out of consideration for Sipolov or Laplace, offering at least some face.

But now, he looked at Angel like a stranger... or even an annoying stranger, with no difference.

At the same time, a certain bloodthirstiness he had deliberately suppressed erupted forth.

Now, facing Oleg, Angel saw not only the burly figure amid the flickering lights and shadows but also the invisible and inaudible, yet immensely oppressive roaring bloodlust lurking in the dark.

Despised.

Angel could clearly perceive the "feeling of being despised," perhaps deliberately shown by Oleg, or maybe it was a calculated measure. Regardless of the reason, it wasn’t crucial to Angel. What mattered now was, since Oleg presented this attitude, how did he plan to "talk," and how would he "end" it?

While Angel pondered this, the invisible bloodlust, combined with the might from years on the battlefield, soared manically, not quite overwhelming but even more formidable than that.

Even Angel, in the face of this might, felt insignificantly small; once again confronting Oleg, a sense of powerlessness akin to an ant trying to shake a tree slowly grew within him.

However, this might couldn’t inflict physical harm; it was more about oppressing your emotions, breaking down your mental defenses.

This, perhaps, was Oleg’s true intention.

He didn’t want to tear faces but could use mental breakdown to make Angel realize the disparity and avoid unrealistic ambitions.

Angel indeed felt some pressure, but it wasn’t overwhelming enough to affect his thinking: "What does Senior General Oleg mean?"

Angel raised an eyebrow and asked.

Oleg wasn’t surprised that Angel would ask. He assumed this stance precisely to make Angel ask: "Since we’ve reached this point, I’ll speak frankly. If someone else came to me with such unreasonable requests, I wouldn’t even see them!"

"But today, considering this lady..." Oleg glanced at Laplace briefly, then withdrew his gaze, "and Sipolov’s plea, I agreed to meet you."

"However, this is only out of respect for them, not that I hold you in high regard."

Angel listened silently, agreeing with Oleg’s words. If he were in Oleg’s shoes and suddenly heard a stranger requesting entry into the core site Heartfire Hall, he would likely react the same way.

Seeing that Angel didn’t refute, Oleg continued: "In this world, there’s no such thing as ’you want it, so I must help you.’ Sipolov owes you a favor, but that doesn’t mean I owe you one."

"Of course, you could use favors to have Sipolov plead with his grandfather, but I can tell you clearly, even if his grandfather knew of your request, his attitude would be the same as mine, with no difference."

"Heartfire Hall belongs to the Yingji Clan alone, and is not something outsiders can meddle with!"

After making this resounding statement, Oleg remained silent for a long time, as if adjusting his emotions.

After several seconds, Oleg spoke again, his voice now softened but still cold: "You mentioned before that other outsiders had also entered Heartfire Hall and that you wanted to enter, regardless of gaining the Heartfire’s recognition."

"But do you know the identities of those outsiders who entered?"

Oleg raised his fingers and cited three examples.

The first example was the legendary being who took the Heartfire.

"Being a Legend was their backing. Faced with a legendary being, we had no choice but to open Heartfire Hall," Oleg spoke with a sense of humiliation, but reality was harsh. Although the Yingji Clan isn’t weak, facing Legends, they are as insignificant as dust; with a mere gesture, you could be annihilated. Is it really wise to resist?"

The second example was a Gray Mirror Priest from the Everstanding King City.

Typically, a Gray Mirror Priest doesn’t occupy a high-level position in the Everstanding King City, but this particular one was different. His mother was among the rare few Black Mirror Priests, and she had some connection with the highest spiritual leader, the Red Mirror Priest, in the Everstanding King City.

Out of consideration for the Red Mirror Priest, the Gray Mirror Priest was allowed entry into Heartfire Hall.

"And even so, this Gray Mirror Priest didn’t enter Heartfire Hall for free. Before he entered, the Everstanding King City and Ice Country signed a treaty to establish mutual embassies, exempting all laws except the divine code within the embassy."

Oleg didn’t explicitly state it, but the implication was clear; the Everstanding King City paid a certain price, signing a treaty ensuring blessings for ages, allowing the Gray Mirror Priest to enter Heartfire Hall.

The third example, Oleg didn’t mention a specific name but instead sneered: "Experimental Subject."

"Give up freedom, give up dignity, give up life and personality to become an experimental subject, and then you can enter Heartfire Hall."

But even if an experimental subject managed to take the Heartfire from Heartfire Hall, they wouldn’t be allowed to leave Ice Country. Without freedom, to the scholars of Ice Country, they were no different from lab rats.

After recounting these three examples, Oleg looked at Angel: "See? Only in these three circumstances can one be permitted to enter Heartfire Hall."

"Which one do you fulfill? Do you possess Legendary Level strength? Do you have a powerful background or the ability to bring eternal prosperity? Or are you willing to give up your identity to become an enslaved being?"

After a pause, Oleg spoke deliberately: "What qualifications do you have to enter Heartfire Hall?"

These words, though harsh, carried no insult from Oleg; he was simply reminding Angel—if you seek entry into Heartfire Hall, first prove your qualifications.

If you lack the qualifications, no amount of maneuvering will succeed.

Sipolov’s favor isn’t enough to influence national policy.

Oleg: "I’ll give you some time to think. If you wish to enter Heartfire Hall and want me to help secure a spot, you must at least tell me—what qualifies you?"

Having said that, Oleg ceased speaking, fiddling with his wine glass instead.

Angel also remained silent but was communicating with Laplace through the Mind Ribbon.

"You don’t seem angry?" Laplace’s voice came from the other end of the Mind Ribbon.

Angel: "Though Senior General Oleg’s words are harsh, they’re not wrong. I didn’t expect Sipolov could directly get me the qualification for Heartfire Hall. Getting Oleg to meet me is already acceptable."

Laplace: "What’s your thought now?"

Angel thought for a moment, then said, "I don’t really have any thoughts because... there are many solutions."

The choices Oleg offered were essentially two: Do you have strength? Do you have background or the ability to bring blessings?

And Angel could happen to satisfy both.

As for strength, Angel may not possess it personally, but that doesn’t mean the entity behind him does not.

If he goes all out and invites the Observer to make an appearance in Ice Country, the Observer wouldn’t even need to lift a hand, and Ice Country would likely offer a position voluntarily.

Just like that Legendary Being back then, who smoothly entered Heartfire Hall.

Moreover, inviting the Observer is not difficult, as the Observer only refrains from intervening in the Southern Domain’s disputes, but Mirror Domain and Southern Domain are two separate matters.

Even without the Observer, isn’t there still Nami Midori? Although Nami Midori hasn’t reached the Legend level, their half-step Legend status is formidable.

If he resorts to certain "unconventional methods," Angel could even summon reinforcements from the Nightmare Realm, like the Dalmatian.

Therefore, Oleg’s question "Do you have the power?" has more than one solution in Angel’s perspective.

Apart from power, the second way to enter Heartfire Hall: Do you have the background and ability to bring benefits?

This is also not an unsolvable problem.

Speaking of background, could Laplace be inferior to Red Mirror Priest?

Furthermore, isn’t the reason Red Mirror Priest became Red Mirror Priest due to Lady Mirror?

What is the full name of Everstanding King City? — Lady Mirror’s Everstanding King City.

Who is the god worshiped by Red Mirror Priest? — Mirror Lady.

And what is Mirror Lady’s identity? — One of Barbarian Cave’s three Ancestral Spirits, and also a senior with good relations with Angel.

Thus, doesn’t Mirror Lady’s identity represent my background? Could this background be inferior to Red Mirror Priest?

The background issue can be easily resolved, and as for bringing major benefits to Ice Country, this can also be solved readily. As a member of Barbarian Cave, if he utilizes his authority and relations, with Barbarian Cave’s influence, couldn’t they tailor a benefit specifically for the Yingji Clan?

The answer is definite.

However, Angel doesn’t need to cause such a spectacle for his minor issue.

Moreover, even without Barbarian Cave’s help, Angel can achieve this himself. For example, the allocation of Log-in Devices, verbal authority within Crystal Origin of Dreams, all these can offer benefits for generations... Of course, this is assuming Log-in Devices can be widely used in Ice Country in the future.

Angel is still confident in the widespread use of Log-in Devices, but considering the current situation, discussing Log-in Devices is too early...

Thinking about this, Angel and Laplace whispered in discussion.

Currently, Angel doesn’t plan to "pressurize with power," after all, wanting to pressurize with power requires seeking help from Observer or Nami Midori, which would inevitably result in an indebted favor.

Thus, all things considered, Angel still thinks it’s more convenient to center the negotiation around Log-in Devices.

Laplace also understood Angel’s intentions. Indeed, as per Angel’s thoughts, this is achievable.

"But, negotiating now definitely won’t be easy." Laplace: "The significance of the Log-in Devices hasn’t truly deepened in people’s minds."

Angel also nodded: "We should wait a bit more."

Although it’s about continuing to wait, this waiting won’t be long now. Mystic Book Dragon has already arrived, and it’s approaching the time for the public unveiling of the Calamity Puppet.

Laplace pondered: "We can keep this hanging for now, let’s first go to the Hundred-Dragon Divine Kingdom’s base, and after discussing with Mystic Book Dragon there, they’ll probably concede here."

Angel shared the same thought.

To make Oleg nod, Oleg first needs to understand the significant meaning of the Log-in Devices, and how to accomplish this? Only by waiting for Mystic Book Dragon to speak, its words are absolute authority.

And when will Mystic Book Dragon speak? After meeting Angel and Laplace, and negotiating with them.

Therefore, their simplest way to quickly win over Oleg is to keep this hanging and negotiate with Mystic Book Dragon first.

Thinking of this, Angel and Laplace exchanged a glance, having made up their minds.

Angel lifted his gaze towards Oleg.

Oleg sensed Angel’s gaze and looked over: "You’ve thought for so long, have you come to a decision? Are you deciding to give up?"

Angel chuckled softly and shook his head: "No, it’s too early to talk about giving up now."

"Not giving up? Seems you have your plans." Oleg cast a cold look at Angel: "Do you plan to intimidate us with your meager power; or do you think you have the ability to benefit Yingji’s citizens?"

"Or...do you want to become an experimental subject?"

Angel: "No, let’s set these aside for now. It’s too early to talk to General Oleg now, let’s wait a bit longer."

After speaking, Angel stood up from his seat.

Simultaneously, Laplace was lifted into the air by a head of silver hair.

Angel bowed slightly to General Oleg: "We shall take our leave for now, hope General Oleg doesn’t forget about Heartfire Hall’s matters."

Leaving already??

Oleg’s face filled with confusion, what’s this about? An advance through retreat, or is it a threat?

He tried to find answers in Angel’s eyes, but Angel’s gaze wasn’t on him at all, having already turned with Laplace towards the door.

Oleg quickly looked at Sipolov, who appeared confused, unsure of what was happening.

Seeing Sipolov’s perplexed expression, Oleg reluctantly gave up temporarily, signaling Sipolov to try to hold them back.

Sipolov dared not move. Stop them? How could he dare, one is his creditor, and the other is a "big shot" respected even by the Dog Deacon; he couldn’t act recklessly?

As Angel and Laplace were about to step out of the "barrier," a voice suddenly stopped them.

"Actually, if you want to enter Heartfire Hall, there’s still room for negotiation."

The speaker was Uncle Kuo, who looked towards the stopped Angel.

Angel wasn’t sure of Uncle Kuo’s identity, but his words now, without opposition from Oleg, indicated he was qualified to speak here.

Earlier, Angel might have continued negotiating with Uncle Kuo.

But now, he feels negotiations are still too early.

"Of course, negotiations will happen, but not right now." Angel said this, turned, and with Laplace’s guidance, stepped out of the barrier.

However, a wind sound echoed in Oleg and others’ ears as they left.

"Dream Mirror...until we meet again..."