Chapter 2576 Magic Craftsman <TOC> Chapter 2578 Destroyed the Podium’s Top
Translator: SumTLMan
“Of course, only the Bylron family has the capacity to establish a formally scaled and regulated merchant organization in the Garden Labyrinth,” Daus mused in the mental connection while waiting for the Magic Craftsman to arrive.
There are wizard families stronger than the Bylron family, but only the Bylrons have the advantage of both location and harmonious relations.
Daus paused, then continued thoughtfully: “However, it is somewhat peculiar that the Bylron family would secretly establish the Traveling Merchants organization.”
Angel had not been particularly attentive to Daus’ words, but perked up at the phrase “somewhat peculiar.” When others spoke, he might only listen passively, but Daus’ words hinted at possible ulterior motives.
“Is that your guess, or inspiration?” Angel asked through the mental connection.
Daus: “A guess. Think about it, the Garden Labyrinth has been known to be depleted by wizards for years, a fact acknowledged by all; hardly any transcendents venture there anymore. Hence, the Labyrinth is assumed to fall under the domain of Bylron Tree Court, effectively under Bylron control, a point on which no one in the Wizarding World objects.”
“But the Bylron family’s actions regarding the Garden Labyrinth are odd. On the surface, they completely ignore it, even allowing ordinary adventurers to enter. But behind the scenes, they have created the Traveling Merchants organization, funding adventure groups and seeking treasures. Don’t you find that strange?”
After speaking through the mental connection, Daus looked around at everyone.
Two seconds later, Kael, somewhat puzzled, asked: “Isn’t it just another source of income? The Bylron Tree Court is full of Bylron properties, so it’s not strange to me that they’d add another artifact output.”
Daus: “That’s true, but if you consider the details of their divisions of labor, death oaths, and regular transactions, it’s clear that this organization is not just dabbling; they are seriously invested, and it’s no small operation.”
“And can ordinary groups of adventurers really sustain such an organization with the gains from the Garden Labyrinth?”
“Remember, even a single Wizard Eye Ghost can annihilate an entire group. With such risks, the Traveling Merchants organization is actually operating at a loss.”
“So, I think there’s something really odd about the establishment of this organization. What reason could they have for sustaining it at a loss?”
Not long after Daus posed his question, the Black Count said: “The only possibility is that they have discovered some artifacts within the ruins, artifacts that are recently discovered and extremely valuable.”
Angel nodded; if Daus’ speculation held true, the explanation provided by the Black Count was indeed the only plausible one.
“Fate does not favor only one person. If Kael can find clues from —Travels of Gaya—, why couldn’t others? This travelog is just one type of medium; there must be other mediums that record and point to the depths of the Garden Labyrinth.”
Vai: “So, it sounds like this Traveling Merchants organization is actually a Competitor of ours?”
Angel: “If Daus’ guess is correct, then yes, they are competitors. But the Traveling Merchants organization, or the Bylron family for that matter, isn’t aware of our presence yet, so this competitive relationship hasn’t been established.”
The Traveling Merchant from the Fire Adventure Group was a slick individual with a strong desire to survive. In order not to perish, he carried out his tasks very cleanly and clearly, without any hidden language or covert notifications to the Traveling Merchants organization.
Thus, unbeknownst to the other party, they were not yet competitors.
Of course, this was Angel’s assessment of the current situation, but who knows if there might be a slip-up that would allow the Bylron family to detect their purpose?
So, Angel looked towards Daus.
“What do you think?” Angel asked seemingly casually.
After thinking for a moment, Daus nodded: “That’s also true. Whether the Traveling Merchants organization and we have a common goal or not, as long as they are unaware of our existence, a competitive relationship cannot be established.”
Hearing this, Angel felt somewhat reassured. Even if Daus didn’t think it was an inspiration, his subconscious judgment was already influenced by inspiration. Since Daus said so, Angel naturally chose to believe it.
However, before Angel could fully relax, Daus added a “but.”
Daus said: “But, since the Traveling Merchants organization has been operating here for so long, is it possible that they could specifically have someone tailing us? If they discover the arrival of transcendents, they might report it?”
After Daus finished speaking, his gaze turned to the Black Count. Although the Black Count was only a nose, he had the strongest exploratory ability present. If there were anyone tailing them, it would most likely be detected by the Black Count.
Black Count said: “I don’t know, at least near the ruins I haven’t detected any fluctuating energy from transcendents.”
The Black Count was not always observing the surroundings, and moreover, some transcendents had strong concealment abilities, so it couldn’t inexplicably just enhance its observational strength. Thus, it indeed didn’t know about this matter.
Daus then added: “Perhaps not only transcendents, ordinary people could actually become tailers too.”
Following Daus’ remarks, there was a moment of silence.
Seeing this, Daus hurriedly joked: “I’m just saying, the possibility is still very small.”
Angel replied silently: “……” By saying that, you’ve made the possibility seem even larger.
Angel then “looked” at the Black Count’s nostrils again, already beginning their private communication.
Previously, they were merely exploring the ruins, but now they needed to consider the variable of the Traveling Merchants organization, so perhaps their previous casual approach needed to be tightened a bit.
However, although Daus’ jinx was already on the table, the secret communication between Angel and the Black Count still did not have much tension.
Angel had Eremy and the Wilderness of Dreams as his confidence; the Black Count, on the other hand, had his own strength. If his true body came, he could destroy the Bylron Tree Court with a flip of his hand; even with just a nose, his strength should not be underestimated.
With strength as their foundation, even if a real change occurred, they were not afraid.
After Angel and the Black Count finished their communication, they essentially confirmed the next course of action. In simple terms, it was about comprehensively enhancing reconnaissance, as well as laying dark chess pieces at any time, such as magic formation and illusion traps.
Their purpose here, after all, was not to fight. After the exploration, it could be considered a side show, but during the exploration, neither Angel nor the Black Count would allow anyone to disturb them.
While Angel and the Black Count communicated secretly, Daus began to put his suspicions to the test. He gathered the shivering Traveling Merchant, the oblivious Miss Red, and Marsha. He inquired if the Traveling Merchants organization had asked them to act as secret sentinels, specifically watching over the movements of transcendents.
The answer… was affirmative.
“It’s not exactly an order from the Traveling Merchants organization, just a reminder. After all, the transcendents and we are not on the same level, to avoid being slaughtered by them, so when you see or encounter a transcendent, notify other adventure groups to avoid heading in the direction of the transcendent,” Miss Red replied.
It seemed like there was no problem, but it was actually a result of the Traveling Merchants organization’s covert guidance. Ordinary people, indeed, were being used as their eyes.
As for the Traveling Merchant’s response, it was even more straightforward: “I have a death oath, so I cannot say.”
The Traveling Merchant spoke frankly and without fear, because he believed Daus understood what he meant.
Cannot say meant that the Traveling Merchants organization truly had manipulations in this matter.
Daus relayed the information he had gathered to everyone, and by now, Angel was no longer as surprised, merely commenting lightly: “Since Daus wasn’t wrong, then there might be some variables along the way. However, since we already know about this, being more cautious shouldn’t affect the overall situation.”
This time, Daus didn’t contradict him, nodding instead: “After all, with Lord Black Count and me here, nobody can make a difference.”
Angel didn’t take up this topic as he clearly understood that Daus was deliberately not mentioning him, probably just bored and wanting to spar verbally.
However, Daus wasn’t entirely wrong. Just considering Angel’s own strength, he might not necessarily be able to beat Daus. After all, it’s an undeniable fact that the bloodline branch crushes other peers.
But if you consider other enhancements, such as Speedling and Eremy, and the strength of the green rune, then the outcome would be different.
If Toby were brought along this time, then neither Speedling nor Eremy would need to take action. Just his and Toby’s coordination alone would defeat Daus.
“Daus is right, you two don’t need to worry too much,” Angel reassured Kael and Vai, whose expressions were clearly uneasy, probably confused by Daus’ series of maneuvers.
Hearing Angel’s words, Kael and Vai visibly calmed down quite a bit.
On the other side, Daus was rather sulky. Angel hadn’t picked up his provocative words, leaving him bored to the extent of wanting to spar verbally but having no opportunity.
Waiting was boring, so Daus could only reminisce about the past with his old friend Vai.
Time flew by, and about half an hour later, a figure as huge as a mountain of iron emerged from the swirling winds and sands.
“Lords, the Magic Craftsman has arrived,” the Traveling Merchant hurriedly informed Daus and Angel.
Daus remarked, watching the obviously man-made sandstorm: “Those who make a flashy entrance are usually the weakest.”
Traveling Merchant: “Please excuse him, the Magic Craftsman just likes to create such scenes to fool the common folk.”
Walking through the sandstorm, a large, muscular man with a face weathered by the world, took steps toward the Traveling Merchant.
Every step he took seemed to slightly tremble the earth as if in sync with his footsteps.
Unable to hold back, Daus turned to Vai and said: “An alchemy apprentice dares to steal jobs from your great earth wizards, and you tolerate this?”
Vai… internally consented without protest.
Initially, he wasn’t prepared to do anything, but since Daus had spoken, he could only stamp his foot lightly. The power of the earth immediately covered a few hundred meters around them.
Now, when the Magic Craftsman took another step, he could no longer move the earth.
He paused, stamped a few more times, and when he realized it made no difference, he looked around with a puzzled expression.
Was it the Traveling Merchant’s doing?
The Magic Craftsman quickly surveyed the surroundings, assured that besides a few people near the Traveling Merchant, no one else was present, and he sighed in relief.
To him, anything could be lost, but not his prestige. Fortunately, not many saw this.
Even if there were few people, the Magic Craftsman still felt compelled to perform. He looked at the earth, his gaze filled with age and weariness, and he sighed softly.
It seemed that in his eyes, he could see the restless, uneasy stirring deep within the earth. His feet, measuring the earth, seemed to calm its deep unrest.
Watching the Magic Craftsman’s performance, the Traveling Merchant felt awkward and pretended not to recognize him.
Angel remained silent, and the Black Count said nothing, used to seeing all sorts of people.
But Daus, slightly older than Angel but still considered a “rookie” in the Wizarding World, took a deep breath: “I can’t take it anymore, come over here!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint aura of blood emanated from Daus, penetrating deep into the ground.
In less than a second, before the Magic Craftsman could react, the ground beneath him suddenly cracked open. A giant worm, glowing with golden light, opened its abyssal mouth and bit the Magic Craftsman at the waist.
Then, amidst the crumbling earth and stones, the worm carried the bewildered Magic Craftsman right up to Daus.
“Acting tough all the time, now you’ve met your match,” Daus hadn’t even started speaking when the Traveling Merchant chimed in with a taunt: “Always holding your head high like a mole, not seeing who’s beside me, just posing, you deserved it.”
Though the Traveling Merchant’s words were taunting, they also served to give the Magic Craftsman a way out.
Enduring the pain of nearly being bitten in half at the waist, the Magic Craftsman raised his head and opened his eyes.
His expression turned pale instantly.
How could he not recognize Daus’ face?
How did he end up encountering that rumored eccentric wandering wizard here?!
Moreover, this was a formal wizard of the bloodline branch, and even if the leader of the Traveling Merchants came by, it wouldn’t have ended well.
And yet, he had been putting on airs in front of Daus for almost five minutes.
It was really over for him now.
…
Just when the Magic Craftsman was about to despair, a voice like heavenly music echoed in his ears.
“Let him go, if you don’t, even if he isn’t bitten in half, he’ll bleed to death,” said Angel.
Daus snorted but followed Angel’s suggestion and released the Magic Craftsman from the sandworm’s jaws.
The upper half of the Magic Craftsman was still fine, but from the waist down, it was truly a horrific sight.
Angel was not wrong; if he hadn’t released him, the Magic Craftsman really would have died from blood loss, given the dozens of large and small holes below his waist.
These holes were all caused by the sandworm’s mouth, which could induce a severe fear of clusters with its ring-shaped sharp jagged teeth.
The Magic Craftsman had only been spat out onto the ground for a few seconds when a massive amount of blood gushed out like a spring, staining the ground red.
Looking at the dying Magic Craftsman, Angel sighed, stretched out his hand, and cast a purification field to prevent infection from bacteria, then he cast a healing spell.
Even so, the Magic Craftsman’s face was still pale, and he still seemed not far from death.
“For a second level apprentice, you actually used a sandworm bite, impressive,” Angel glanced at Daus: “I’ve done what I could, now it’s your turn.”
Angel could heal and purify, but replenishing life energy, a spell more specialized by those of the bloodline branch.
Although it was Daus who caused the injury, Daus couldn’t just watch the Magic Craftsman die in front of him, so he stepped forward.
Chapter 2576 Magic Craftsman <TOC> Chapter 2578 Destroyed the Podium’s Top