At this mont, in the Underground Labyrinth.
Leading the way, Angel suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking back thoughtfully at the dark narrow path.
"What’s the matter? Still thinking about that breathing sound earlier?" Dox approached Angel mysteriously and said, "Just between us, you were actually right before. That breathing sound was made by a Magical Creature."
Angel looked at Dox with a puzzled expression.
Dox raised his head proudly and said, "Inspiration, inspiration, this ti it truly was inspiration. What, you don’t believe ?"
Angel shook his head, "It’s not that I don’t believe you. I just don’t understand why your inspiration always applies to such aningless things."
Dox widened his eyes, "What do you an aningless? This is quite aningful. Didn’t I just help you resolve your puzzle?"
After saying this, Dox couldn’t help but complain, "I saw you looking serious, so I helped you decipher things. Otherwise, why should I bother saying more? Inspiration is sothing I rarely share with others."
Indeed, Dox seldom shares his inspiration with others. However, here, Dox unwittingly disclosed much of his inspiration.
If he knew, given his personality, he would probably feel he suffered a great loss, unable to shake off his gloom for days.
"I wasn’t thinking about the breathing sound earlier. For , whether it’s a person or a Magical Creature, it makes no difference." Angel looked past Dox’s shoulder into the deep void, "I only discovered that the Illusion Technique I left on Majuza has been triggered. Also, the guidance outside the Magical Energy Array has been activated."
Dox froze, "You an the rchant Organization people really chased after us?"
Angel: "Why the surprise? It would be strange if they didn’t co. I just wonder, after they see the guidance, when they’ll dare to co in."
While Angel said this, he was unaware that a rebellious and mischievous black rchant from the rchant Organization had already arrived at the building they previously explored...
Angel deliberately set up that guidance to see if the rchant Organization would first inspect the Magical Energy Array before following. If it turns out that way, Angel would hold the rchant Organization in higher regard, as they could easily use human lives to test it.
Yet, the world is unpredictable, and things may not turn out as expected. Variables are omnipresent, and the black rchant is such a variable.
"Let’s move on, I feel cold wind blowing ahead; maybe there’s an exit." Angel didn’t continue to dwell on the rchant Organization issue. For them, the most the rchant Organization could bring is minor trouble. Breaking their operations would require the Birlos Family’s full deploynt.
Angel and the others are not afraid, but Kaier and Vay are still sowhat concerned. They couldn’t help but move closer to the familiar Wizards, so even if caught off guard, there’s soone to lend a hand.
Though sowhat unexpectedly, Kaier chose to approach Dox, while Vay chose to approach... Angel.
Kaier’s choice is quite normal, as he is already acquainted with Dox. Vay, logically, would best choose his own ancestor, the Black Earl, but perhaps he’s afraid of being scolded, so he didn’t dare approach. But the second choice should be Dox. They are long-ti friends, even closer than Kaier and Dox’s relationship, yet Vay didn’t choose Dox, but instead ca to Angel’s side, showing a flattering and shy expression.
Angel didn’t ponder Kaier and Vay’s intentions, just found it odd why Vay suddenly ca to his side. But since he was there, Angel didn’t mind Vay, or rather, Angel generally doesn’t dislike hobody Transcendents. What ill intentions could hobodies have?
Angel smiled and nodded at Vay, then continued walking forward.
Seeing this, Vay thought Angel agreed with him staying close, so he followed with big strides.
Behind them, Dox noticed his friend Vay’s actions and felt sothing was off. Since when did Vay beco so close with Angel?
While everyone harbored their own thoughts and doubts, they eventually arrived at an unusual path.
It was still a high-walled alleyway with no branches, but the overall direction of this alley was downward, a large slope.
The wind Angel felt earlier was blowing up from below.
Standing at the entrance of the slope now, the cold wind was even more apparent, and the whole alley reverberated with a rustling echo.
"Sir, this wind..." Angel initially wanted to discuss it with the Black Earl, but upon turning back, he realized the Black Earl had already flown to the very back.
"There must be a path leading to the sewer below, this sll is too strong." The Black Earl’s nose on the stone slab was pinched into a "凸" shape.
As a nose, though capable of using regular Spell Techniques, its strongest point is undeniably the inherent sense of sll. The Black Earl’s nose directly faced the odor’s assault, no wonder it ran far away.
The so-called sewer is just a term used internally by Wizards, supposedly the accumulated sludge of the sewer.
The Underground Labyrinth, though terd a labyrinth, also has structures, resembling a city layout, but it also carries a more publicly familiar na: the Underground Aqueduct.
What’s inside the aqueduct? Just filth.
So occasionally encountering the sewer is quite normal, but after countless years, the sewer doesn’t function much for drainage anymore. It’s mostly nests for foul Magical Creatures.
Wizards rarely venture to the sewer because there’s no Treasure there, and getting covered in stench serves no purpose. Moreover, the Magical Creatures dwelling in the sewer aren’t to be underestimated, suddenly facing attacks by tens of thousands of creatures, even Official Wizards would struggle.
"Don’t tell our destination is in the sewer." Even without eyes, the Black Earl seed to be staring directly at Angel.
Angel recalled his travels in the Nightmare Realm, the alley near the Maneater Flower King’s place had no drainage channels, and Angel clearly rembered not far from exiting that alley, there’s a delicately arranged hall with an artistic vibe, sowhat contradictory to its decor as a giant green-skinned Magical Creature resides there.
After considering all the details, Angel shook his head at the Black Earl, "I can confirm, the destination is not in the sewer."
The Black Earl’s question was also on Dox’s mind, and hearing Angel’s response, he couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Dox: "That’s a relief, I don’t want to get covered in stench."
The Black Earl sneered, "Don’t get excited too soon. Angel only said the destination isn’t in the sewer; whether we’ll pass through it midway is another matter."
After saying this, the Black Earl’s nose turned to look at Vay, "If we end up in the sewer, I’ll go into your body. You have no right to refuse, otherwise stay away from Angel now, don’t think I can’t guess your intentions."
Vay nodded, obviously subservient, even without the Black Earl’s last part, he wouldn’t dare refuse. Those words on the contrary aroused Angel’s curiosity.
However, Angel rely glanced at Vay without much thought. As said, what ill intentions could a hobody have?
"Don’t worry sir, we probably won’t end up in the sewer. As soon as we locate the institution the Demon God faction intends to attack, the path should beco clearer."
Angel’s words revealed significant information.
Even the two apprentices were surprised; let alone Dox and the Black Earl.
"It seems you already know which institution the Demon God followers plan to attack?" The Black Earl spoke in a confirming tone.
"Figured out a bit. You needn’t be skeptical, just a synthesis of existing information and so things I know, having made so deductions." After finishing, Angel maintained his "don’t ask about my matters" deanor.
Black Earl: "If there is prior information, I wouldn’t know what could tip you off. Mirror Demon God, I can be sure you know nothing about it. So what existing information can be used for inference?"
"Is it the mural discovered later, or... information from our Noah Clan?"
Angel had to praise Black Earl’s keen insight. It was from Augustine’s inference that it was suspected the cultists targeting the official institution might be the Hanging Jail Stairway.
However, he still didn’t wish to answer this question. After all, he couldn’t explain how he knew about Augustine’s affair with the daughter of the Dominator of the Hanging Jail Stairway.
Angel: "Sir, let’s not dig further. If every ti I drop a hint you beco suspicious, I might as well keep quiet."
"You just need to trust ; I have no ill intentions. There are just so matters I can’t speak of due to certain restrictions."
Angel opened his heart earnestly, showing a gesture as if they could freely use truth spells to probe him.
But no one did, because Angel had said similar things before the exploration comnced, and there was already an oath back then. That’s why Angel was trusted and appointed as the leader. Besides, even the key to the ruins was refined by Angel. If he had any ulterior motives, why go through the trouble of refining the key? He could have done it secretly and had Rhein arrange a few Wizards to explore it without moving himself.
Considering Angel’s importance in the Barbarian Cave, just sending a few people for the ruins exploration wouldn’t be an issue; even getting Rhein to personally do it, Rhein probably wouldn’t refuse.
"I believe in Chaowei!"
As silence filled the air, Vay suddenly spoke.
"Chaowei must have his reasons; he can’t have ill intentions."
Dox stepped forward, turning Vay to face him: "Hey, hey, hey, since when did Angel brainwash you? As an old friend, let remind you, don’t be fooled by his dignified deanor; he’s quite dark inside. He tried to trick into getting poisoned by that mushroom; don’t trust him blindly."
Angel: "So, in your heart, I’m such an untrustworthy person."
Dox showed a different expression to Angel: "How could that be? I do trust you. I’m just speaking as a friend, deeply knowing you, understanding right from wrong, I only believe you after knowing your true self. Vay is just a follower; that’s why I’m warning him."
Angel: "Is Vay a follower? I feel like he’s an initiator, after all, he said he trusted first."
Dox: "Trust doesn’t need to be expressed; knowing in your heart is enough. Expressing it ans it’s not true trust."
Angel looked at Dox’s shaless deanor, wanting to reason a bit more, but decided against it. No matter how much he argued, Dox would remain the sa.
However, he was a bit surprised by Vay’s support.
Just as Dox said, when did Vay start trusting him so much? They hadn’t known each other long, could it be...
He’s seeking my favor?
After all, he’s an Alchemy Master and a mber of the Research and Developnt Institute. Vay might want him to refine sothing, hence the eagerness.
Being a hobody, not knowing other ways to express, it’s simply this way of being overly eager.
Thinking of this, Angel felt both helpless and regretful towards Vay. Flattering won’t affect him; it’s better to be straightforward and engage in equal exchange.
Though Vay is just an apprentice, he possesses abilities that Angel covets, such as that intriguing Death Sense. If Vay were willing to exchange using Death Sense, Angel wouldn’t mind refining for him.
With this in mind, Angel patted Vay’s shoulder, giving him a hint with his eyes.
But Vay completely misunderstood Angel, as a new fan, his imagination led him to think... Angel affird him.
Vay’s heart swelled with excitent.
Indeed, only a star like Chaowei deserves his admiration!
Thus, two completely mismatched minds completed their first serious exchange of glances.
Angel then looked towards the distant Black Earl: "What do you think, sir?"
Black Earl: "Stop the useless talk, let’s keep moving."
Angel smiled; although Black Earl didn’t say it directly, his response showed he had conceded.
That’s good enough.
With a casual wave, Angel cast a Purifying Field over everyone.
"Let’s go. I’m sure there must be a fork ahead. If there’s only the sewage route... all I can say is, those cultists are truly patient."
...
Elsewhere, Black rchant was leisurely strolling through the nearly abandoned building.
Under the mask, Black rchant yawned: "So boring. I thought they set traps or other obstructions. Turns out, nothing at all."
"Is it overconfidence? Or are they a bunch of kind-hearted rabbits?"
Black rchant squinted in thought for a mont, then laughed.
"Hope it’s the forr..." Though he enjoys dealing with naive rabbits, his hot-tempered brother wouldn’t let him bully the weak.
With such an unspeakable brother around, what can he say? Except—lucky!
Thinking of his brother made Black rchant strangely happy, surely at this mont, White rchant was thinking of him. Because only when White rchant thinks of him does he feel inexplicably joyful; such is the twins’ tacit understanding.
Humming a tune, Black rchant reached the top floor.
He had no intention to check the surroundings; such botherso tasks are left for people from Grey rchant’s group.
His goal is singular!
Find the one casting Illusion Technique, then beat him up!
However, stepping out the top floor’s door, Black rchant looked at the wide view ahead, confused and scratching his head.
Which way would those people go?
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