Translator: SumTLMan
Rhine: “There are only two possible motives for his actions.”
“What interests the Black Count is either something strange, mysterious or something he cannot see through.”
“The Black Count is a curious individual, deeply fascinated by the mysterious and the unknown. Most importantly, the existence of ‘his consciousness’ allows the Black Count to explore without his physical presence, so he disregards danger. Even if he dies during an exploration, ‘his consciousness’ can return to his main self, satisfying his curiosity.”
“As a result, the Black Count has a history of sending his descendants on deadly missions.”
“By the way, when you were in the Abyss, the Black Count also sent someone to Sleepless City under the dome in the Eternal Night Kingdom. You can probably guess the outcome.”
“When I met with his ‘right hand’ before, he learned about the Star Pool Ruins and wanted to send the descendant who carries the ‘right hand’ to try their luck. However, I did not agree.”
“That guy, through ‘his consciousness,’ has gathered quite a few secrets, and sometimes I have no choice but to consult him for information. However, I can hardly stand his mysterious demeanor, as if everything is under his control; it always makes me want to punch him.”
Perhaps because those present were no strangers, Rhine spoke more casually than usual. This casual tone allowed Angel to discern that Rhine indeed had a good relationship with the Black Count, as he spoke of him with a mix of jest and criticism.
However, from Rhine’s perspective as a friend, it seemed as though the Black Count was a curious enthusiast who broadly cast his net through “his consciousness.”
But beneath this filter, the Black Count remained ruthless. His curiosity for discovering the unknown and mysterious trumped the lives of his descendants, a trait Angel found objectionable.
Angel: “Since the Black Count’s curiosity is so intense, why not send alchemy puppets instead of his own descendants?”
Rhine: “I once asked him that question. His response was that each adventure serves as a training experience, helping his descendants grow up faster.”
“Perhaps the Black Count genuinely believes that, but the real answer might be different.”
Rhine paused momentarily: “I can share my theory, but let’s keep this conversation between us. Even if you mention it, don’t say it came from me.”
Angel nodded: “Of course.”
Rhine: “My personal theory is that the Black Count’s ‘consciousness’ may require the bloodline of the Noah family to function fully. This is just a theory, but you mentioned before that a Noah named Vai inherited the Black Count’s ‘Death Scent’ ability. The inheritance of such abilities is definitely orchestrated by the Black Count himself. So, this supports my view.”
“Only the blood of the Noah family can carry ‘his consciousness,’ communicate with it, and ‘his consciousness’ can also utilize their sensory body parts, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, to see, hear, and perceive. Otherwise, with just Vai’s nose, he wouldn’t be able to see anything, let alone explore the ruins.”
After saying this, Rhine added: “Of course, this is just my speculation. Whether it’s true or not is for you to decide.”
Rather than allowing his descendants to train, Angel believed more in Rhine’s speculation. Alchemy puppets aren’t expensive, and since they choose not to use alchemy puppets to carry his body parts for exploration, there must be a restriction, and the most likely one is a bloodline restriction.
“Having heard what you said, I think I’ve realized something,” Iron Armor Granny suddenly spoke up, who had been silent by the side.
“What is it?”
Iron Armor Granny: “I haven’t been to many large tea parties, but at the ones I’ve attended, you definitely don’t see anyone from the Noah family. Previously, I just thought the witches of the Noah family didn’t like attending tea parties. Now, if what Rhine said is true, the answer is quite clear.”
Although a tea party is just drinking tea and chatting, the exchange of information at each tea party is absolutely unparalleled in the Southern Region.
Once a witch of the Noah family goes there and hears a piece of news that piques the Black Count’s curiosity, it could be possible that they are ordered to explore. At that time, their life or death would be uncertain.
So, at the tea parties, that’s why you don’t see people from the Noah family.
Angel: “It seems, the reclusive nature of the Noah family isn’t innate but probably forced.”
Iron Armor Granny nodded deeply in agreement: “Before, I didn’t know much about the Black Count, but he rarely causes trouble and is a friend of Rhine, so I had a good impression of him. But now, sigh…”
Iron Armor Granny sighed and shook her head, at a loss for words.
Rhine: “Actually, the Black Count doesn’t necessarily want to kill his own descendants. When his body part dies, even if ‘his consciousness’ returns, it would still cause some damage to the Black Count’s main body. So, in explorations, the Black Count’s body part would go all out to protect his descendants. That’s certain.”
“And exploring ruins is inherently a risky business. Having a power of the true knowledge level to protect oneself is actually quite good for his descendants. The safety is assured, and the benefits gained, the Black Count generally won’t ask for them.”
Since the Black Count is Rhine’s good friend, seeing Iron Armor Granny looking disgusted with the Black Count, Rhine quickly spoke a few good words for his friend.
He also said to Angel: “So, don’t worry about your exploration this time. If there’s danger, the Black Count’s nose might even take the initiative to protect you. And all he needs is to satisfy his curiosity.”
Angel nodded in understanding, if it’s as Rhine says, then letting Vai join in, even if it’s not a good thing, it’s not a disaster either.
“I’ve said all I need to say, do you have any more questions? If you ask about what abilities the Black Count’s nose has, I don’t know, but I guess it’s probably something like controlling the earth.”
Angel: “The Black Count is an earth wizard?”
Rhine nodded: “Not just the Black Count, the norm of the Noah family are all earth wizards, just with some differences in their branches.”
Rhine finished speaking and looked at Angel with an expression that said: “If you’re done, I’m about to leave.”
Angel pondered for two seconds and asked: “How did the Black Count know that this expedition might encounter something mysterious? Did he smell something odd?”
Rhine replied: “That, I can guess. I believe that the Black Count’s nose didn’t detect anything unusual, just like Vai.”
“Because he didn’t smell anything, that’s what piqued his curiosity.”
If there had actually been a scent, whether of life or death, the Black Count wouldn’t have bothered. It’s only when he smells nothing that he is surprised.
You see, the Black Count’s death scent and Vai’s are two different concepts. The scent his nose releases is practically akin to the Black Count casting a spell himself.
This means that if a top wizard smells nothing, then there must be something unusual.
Curiosity piqued by the abnormal, indeed.
“Now I see,” Angel finally understood the whole situation. He initially thought the Black Count also knew about the “wall’s” secret, but it turned out to be just failed magic driven by curiosity.
Rhine added: “But then again, even the Black Count thinks it’s an abnormal site. Do you really want to explore it?”
Angel nodded without hesitation, eager to see it for himself.
Rhine could see Angel’s determination and didn’t try to dissuade him further, knowing that Angel had many life-saving tools with him and shouldn’t face too much danger.
Moreover…
Iron Armor Granny took a sip of tea and said: “I’m basically always online; come find me if you need anything.”
Her words meant that if there was any real danger, he should seek help immediately.
Angel understood and expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Granny. However, there shouldn’t be much danger this time, since the site isn’t known to be particularly hazardous.”
Just as Rhine was preparing to log off, he paused: “Oh, by the way, I never asked, which site are you planning to explore?”
Angel answered: “The Garden Labyrinth.”
Rhine and Iron Armor Granny: “……”
Countless wizards had already explored this site, and it was well known to them… No wonder Angel said it wasn’t dangerous.
However, Rhine didn’t want to dampen Angel’s enthusiasm for exploring, so he cleared his throat and said: “That site is actually quite nice. Sanders also explored the Garden Labyrinth on his first outing; it could become a routine venture for your lineage from Phantom Island.”
With that, Rhine concluded: “I have other matters, so I’ll be logging off now.”
Rhine vanished from view, and Angel glanced at Iron Armor Granny, whose expression remained as before: “Rhine forgot one thing, the Garden Labyrinth is Nightfall City itself.”
“You want to explore the secrets of Nightfall City, don’t you?”
Angel responded: “I don’t even know if there are any secrets there, or if it’s just a meaningless wall.”
“Go then, since the Black Count is interested, perhaps you really will uncover the secrets of Nightfall City.” Iron Armor Granny sipped her rose tea and continued: “If you come across any interesting stories, feel free to share them with me. In old age, one enjoys hearing amusing tales.”
“I’ll definitely tell you the stories, Granny,” Angel replied: “But you are not old.”
“How am I not old?” Iron Armor Granny curiously looked at Angel, wondering what answer his emotional intelligence would produce.
Without any hesitation, Angel promptly said: “Why not wait until Mirror Lady awakens? Granny can go to her and claim to be old to see what she says.”
Iron Armor Granny: “……”
Angel continued: “My answer certainly won’t be as elegant as what Mirror Lady might offer, so I think it’s better for her to speak to you, Granny.”
Without waiting for Iron Armor Granny to respond, Angel quickly said: “Daus and the others are waiting for my reply, so I must leave now. Goodbye, Granny.”
He bowed to Iron Armor Granny, and his figure also slowly disappeared.
Iron Armor Granny first ‘tch’ed disdainfully, then, thinking of something, chuckled to herself.
Although the folks from Phantom Island generally have lower emotional intelligence, Angel proved to be quite an amusing person. Calling him low in emotional intelligence, yet his responses were rather clever.
It was rare for someone interesting to emerge from Phantom Island; hopefully, he wouldn’t become as dull as Sanders.
…
After returning to the cave, Angel didn’t immediately go to meet Daus but continued to work with Dangros on forging the dagger embryo.
He decided to finish this task first before discussing other matters.
Half a day later, with only the final rune of “transformation” left, several hats spontaneously appeared in Angel’s mind.
A white hat… a black hat… a mad hat…
Angel shook his head abruptly, dispelling all thoughts of the hats from his mind.
The Mad Hatter’s Coronation, while it could be applied to this dagger, who knew if it could still serve as a “key”? After all, if a black hat appeared, its effect would be completely overturned.
So, it was better not to think about hats.
Silently, he inscribed the last stroke.
As the magic formation completed, the dagger was finally finished as well. The moment it was completed, it began to shine brightly with golden light and levitated into mid-air.
The next second, Angel entered a wonderful vision.
Angel understood that this was an alchemy omen.
Having experienced several alchemy omens before, Angel was not panicked at all and began to look around.
It was a world enveloped in white, with clouds like cotton underfoot and pink light floating in the sky.
Above the clouds, a pink sky.
This omen had an inexplicably girlish feel to it.
After looking around, Angel’s gaze finally settled straight ahead. Surrounded by clouds, there was nothing else but a towering white statue in front of him.
The statue was unclear at first, so Angel decided to walk closer to it.
Upon approaching, Angel realized that it wasn’t a statue but a figure formed from white cloud vapors.
From its appearance, it was a young man.
The man was holding a palette and painting rapidly.
Angel did not disturb him but moved behind him to see the painting on the palette.
The painting was supposed to be a beautiful girl. It was “supposed” because everything was white, and only faint white outlines could be seen. From the strokes, it appeared to be a portrait of a young girl.
Soon after, the man finished the painting, admired it for a while, and then started to look troubled.
——Of course, Angel couldn’t see the trouble on his face, he merely sensed the troubled emotions.
Having experienced many alchemy omens, Angel had gained experience and knew that it was his cue to intervene.
“Do you have any troubles? Feel free to share; perhaps I can help you,” Angel said with a smile.
The man turned to look at Angel, didn’t ask about his identity, and directly shared his trouble: “I am finally going to confess my feelings to her, but simply giving her the painting seems insufficient to express my feelings. Could you help me think of some romantic poetry? I want to write it beside the painting to let her understand my feelings.”
Angel: “……”