Chapter 2582 A Promise <TOC> Chapter 2584 The Team Leader
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel pondered the simplest method to resolve the three-dimensional rune, which entailed locating one of the energy nodes and attaching a formation inscribed with energy direction at this node, thereby swapping day for night.
The essence of this technique is not to solve but to deceive. It prevents the rune from functioning momentarily, allowing either a forceful breakthrough of the magic formation or a stealthy entry into it after a brief pause.
However, this method was clearly unsuitable for the current situation.
That’s because Angel was not facing a physical object but an illusion he had created.
Therefore, the method of deception followed by solving was not viable, leaving only the option of a forceful solution, which significantly increased the difficulty. Even now, Daus and the Black Count, with their profound understanding, did not believe Angel could solve it.
Initially, Angel’s claim inside the contract barrier: “I have a way, just give me some time,” wasn’t a truly assured response. As long as Angel believed he had a way, the power of the contract would recognize it as truth, preventing backlash; however, whether Angel’s believed method was actually effective was another matter.
Because there was still this possibility, even if they hoped Angel could solve it, they harbored some doubts.
Finding some three-dimensional runes in this underground structure might be more useful than solving the runes on the illusion. After all, if they really found three-dimensional runes, they would have a physical object, not just runes Angel had to solve abstractly.
However, both Daus and the Black Count still lacked sufficient understanding of Angel. Since he said: “I have a way,” it naturally meant it was “a useful way.” Regarding methods full of variables, he wouldn’t directly say: “I have a way,” but rather would use “it’s worth a try,” a type of answer that truly exists in a gray area.
The reason Angel had a way was actually quite simple.
He had only shown the others the podium top illusion seen from the Magic Craftsman, but in reality, the Magic Craftsman had dismantled the podium top completely. As the podium top was dismantled, some runes hidden beneath it emerged. There were several critically important rune bearing corners cut out, and following these bearing corners, solving them was no longer hopeless.
Angel had not shown these memories, not out of an intention to conceal, but because it was unnecessary. Given the current team configuration, it would ultimately be up to him to solve the runes; since he would be solving them, it should be done his way. If shown, it might just provoke a slew of questions from “curious babies,” which would be a pure waste of time.
An hour quietly passed.
The scent of smoke slowly dissipated in the underground church, and after having their meal, the logistics personnel of the Hero Squad were taken by Old Tireless to wait in the corridors outside the underground church to avoid disturbing the transcendents.
With no disturbances, they had greater freedom to use various tricks and spells.
Yet, even with the assistance of various spells, they still hadn’t found any suspected three-dimensional runes.
“Is it hidden too deeply?” Daus murmured in the mental connection: “It’s a pity we dare not penetrate the walls with mental power, otherwise it wouldn’t be so troublesome.”
This was not the first time Daus had grumbled in the mental connection; he did so every time they searched a new area.
Kael hesitated to answer, the Black Count had no desire to respond, and Angel, who was cracking the rune directly blocking the mental connection, thus could manage a few words with Daus.
However, Vai’s patience was also limited. Initially, he was willing to respond sympathetically a few times, but Daus’ frequent complaints, despite empathy, became annoying, resulting in Vai’s reluctance to entertain Daus anymore.
Yet, Daus didn’t mind and continued his litany of complaints wherever he went.
With previous experiences in mind, after this round of complaints, Daus didn’t expect any replies, so he prepared to move to the next location.
But just then, Angel, who had been blocking the mental connection, suddenly spoke up and answered his question: “It’s not hidden too deeply; it’s the absence of the master control rune and the lack of continuous energy supply that causes these inactive runes to slowly fade into obscurity.”
“This concealment isn’t of an extraordinary nature; it’s the obscurity brought by time and the years.”
Long stretches of time tarnished the once-new marks. Endless years caused the concealed runes to lose their last traces of extraordinary properties.
The combination of both made discovering their existence challenging.
It’s hard for the naked eye to see, and these hidden runes also lack any extraordinary reactions; it’s like fishing in the dark.
“Since time and years have obscured their existence, can they still be Recreated?” asked the Black Count. As soon as Angel spoke, everyone immediately paid attention, and naturally, the Black Count was curious too.
Angel: “It’s just concealment and obscuration, not completely worn away. As long as the master control rune is there, using magical power to activate the energy channels should allow them to regain their extraordinary properties.”
“Where is the master control rune?” Daus interjected.
Although the Black Count disliked being interrupted during a conversation, Daus’ interjection echoed his own curiosity, so he didn’t pursue it but remained silent, waiting for Angel’s response.
Angel didn’t answer immediately but sighed softly.
Hearing this sigh, Daus had a bad premonition: “Don’t tell me, the master control rune is inscribed on the podium top?”
Angel didn’t answer directly but implied: “Your intuition is once again spot on.”
Understanding Angel’s implication, Daus, realizing the dramatically ironic turn of events, couldn’t help but swear, tilting his head back with his hands covering his face: “This isn’t intuition.”
“I also hope this isn’t your intuition, but you just had to be right. Yes, the master control rune is indeed this podium top.”
At this moment, Vai also muttered quietly: “I believe it’s not your intuition; it’s just your curse.”
At this point, Daus had no desire to argue with Vai, still immersed in his helpless emotions.
Daus had been busily bustling about for most of the day, only to find out that it had all been in vain, a realization that he found difficult to accept. There were two particular aspects of this situation that upset him the most. First, the podium that had been perfectly placed was mishandled by Raven’s master, who was clueless about its value, and worse, Raven himself had dismantled and sold it. Second, the self-titled Magic Craftsman was nothing more than a scammer, ignorant and incompetent, carelessly crafting the podium top into a staff.
These issues were deeply frustrating for Daus.
However, while Daus was wallowing in his frustration, Angel was quietly observing him.
It was Daus who had initially discovered the dent near the podium area, suggesting it might be a clue, and it was ultimately confirmed to be the master control rune, a testament to Daus’ profound insight.
“What are you looking at?” At that moment, the question came not through the mental connection but whispered into his ear.
It was a sound transmission spell.
Turning around, Angel saw the Black Count, maneuvering the stone slab to his side through the air.
“I’m pondering over Daus’ insight,” replied Angel: “considering whether it’s tied to the River of Destiny or merely favored by the World Will, similar to the ancient Laudsourcians.”
“I thought you were contemplating how to find the entrance, but it seems you’re more curious about Daus’ inspiration. Do you, perhaps, have another method?”
Angel chuckled: “No method yet, but one can be created. Right now, I’m more curious about Daus’ inspiration than finding that entrance.”
“You want to study him?” The Black Count’s tone rose, as if he were arching an eyebrow in person.
“I’m curious about everything, not just that. I’m also interested in studying your avatar technique,” Angel dodged with a veiled comment.
His actual interest in studying Daus wasn’t substantial; his curiosity stemmed purely from wondering if Totoro and Daus were similar, both favored by Destiny. If Totoro could analyze Daus’ inspiration, it might enhance his own abilities.
Daus was an outsider; Totoro was one of his own. Strengthening Totoro would benefit Angel as well.
“Interested in studying my avatar technique, eh? No problem, as long as you wish… However, just a heads up, if you truly want to study it, you might want to consult Rhine, that cranky old geezer. I’m sure he’ll try his best to dissuade you,” said the Black Count, followed by a sinister chuckle.
From his words, Angel could guess that the Black Count’s avatar technique might involve an exceedingly unconventional and possibly inscrutable path.
Even so, if there were a chance to study it, he wouldn’t refuse. Knowledge acquired doesn’t necessarily need immediate application but can inspire solutions when needed.
“If you want to study Daus, after this is all over, I can help you, send him directly to the Savage Grottoes.”
The Black Count continued to chuckle, louder than before, drawing the attention of others nearby.
“What’s so funny, Lord Black Count? What were you talking about just now?” Daus asked, looking puzzled.
The Black Count: “Angel and I are researching how to dismember you into pieces and send you off to the Savage Grottoes.”
Daus glanced at Angel and blurted out, somewhat rashly: “I understand your intentions, but as you know, I cherish freedom far more than being confined.”
To the uninformed, this statement might sound like a classic line from a cad.
However, Daus merely thought that Angel wanted to abduct him to the Savage Grottoes and turn him from a wandering wizard into an organized one. For Daus, who loves his freedom, this was utterly intolerable.
Angel understood what Daus meant. Regardless of whether Daus’ guess was right or not, simply evaluating his words, Angel actually just wanted to argue a bit. Freedom, freedom, he talks about freedom, yet he’s always hitting walls.
In Angel’s view, Daus was someone who fantasized about being confined. If wizard organizations were really so restraining, why would Sumesh have left and not returned for fifty years, and why would Madeline, who had just joined the Savage Grottoes, run off to the Abyss on her own?
Moreover, numerous predecessors had left the Southern Region, like “Enchanting Witch” Marisa, who left two thousand years ago without anyone managing her, and she never returned.
These were not isolated cases; the restraints of the wizard organizations boiled down to three things: a sense of belonging, a sense of honor, and equivalent exchange.
A sense of belonging and honor need no explanation. As for equivalent exchange, it’s quite fair: you get what you give. This is a tacit rule in the Wizarding World.
Of course, these are just Angel’s personal views. He knew they might be biased, so he just thought about it and didn’t try to change Daus’ mind.
Argue? Maybe in other areas, but ideologically, better not.
The ideological opposition in the Wizarding World was already severe, including academic, doctrinal, between extraordinary cities, even between genders and species. Each ideological opposition had a large following; to start arguing would be endless. It’s better to maintain “unity in diversity” verbally and keep your own counsel.
“I have no interest in binding your freedom, but it’s true that Lord Black Count wants to dismantle you into pieces.” Angel casually replied, then without waiting for Daus’ reaction, he continued: “But let’s get back to the main issue, even though the master control rune has disappeared. I just spoke with Lord Black Count, and though there is no way, we can still create one.”
“There was originally no magic formation here; it was inscribed by those who came later. If they could inscribe it, why can’t I reproduce it?”
Upon hearing Angel’s words, Daus intended to mention the phrase “dismantle you into pieces,” but discarded the thought and quickly inquired: “Do you mean… you can recreate the master control rune for the hidden magic formation here?”
Angel nodded: “Only after I have deciphered the rune on the podium top, did I know it was the master control rune. Why couldn’t I continue with a rune that I have fully deciphered?”
Angel’s statement was a bit of an overreach; not all deciphered magic formations can be reverse-engineered. A magic formation is not a mathematical answer laid out before you with a single solution; it is a technology that can be encrypted and concealed through various complex methods.
For example, the magic formation at the Snoke base in the Devil’s Sea Mist Belt Zone could be deciphered and even utilized by Angel, but replicating it? Impossible.
Angel knew he had overstated, but as the team leader, in such a demoralized atmosphere, his words acted as a potent morale booster.
Moreover, Angel left himself an out, stating only “fully deciphered runes” could he continue with.
Although somewhat pedantic, if in the future Daus or the Black Count approached him to replicate an impossible rune, he would have to rely on this detail to preemptively manage the situation.
“What do we need to do?” Learning there was still a way, Daus’ expression brightened.
Angel responded: “Just wait on the side, no need to look for those hidden runes anymore. Once the master control rune is inscribed, the answer will naturally reveal itself.”
With that, Angel moved aside, took out his materials, and began the crafting process according to the size of the podium.
If reproduction was needed, then naturally it had to be done completely.