Chapter 2588 Transfer Station <TOC> Chapter 2590 Retained Colors
Translator: SumTLMan
Finding the true name mark in a pile of rubble wasn’t difficult for them. A quick scan with mental power could reveal much of it.
The only difficulty lay in distinguishing whether they were runes or the true name mark.
For Daus, Kael, and Vai, it was a time-consuming task, but for Angel and the Black Count, it was still no challenge.
Less than two minutes later, Angel and the Black Count had finished turning over a large pile of altar stones.
The result was… nothing!
Apart from shattered runes that were beyond recognition, there were no other marks.
“This is interesting, could this Demon God of Mirrors be a Great Demon God, or perhaps a Supreme Demon God not yet discovered by the Wizarding World?” Daus raised his eyebrows upon hearing the result.
Daus’ question was also the question of everyone else, including Angel.
Angel turned to look at the Black Count, if there was an answer to this question, the Black Count would be the one able to answer it.
After a few seconds of thought, the Black Count still shook his nose: “No, at least in my memory, there has never been anything like the Demon God of Mirrors.”
“From seeing the Demon God of Mirrors mentioned in the Uisus language to now, I don’t know how much time has passed, Lord Black Count should have thought it through by now. Why do you still need a few seconds to think before answering, are you putting on airs, or do you know something you don’t want to say?” Only Daus would dare to disrespect the Black Count this way.
Although Daus’ words seemed somewhat nitpicky, upon closer thought, there seemed to be some truth to it.
These were the thoughts of Kael and Vai.
Angel didn’t think so much; the Black Count had clearly stated in the contract light barrier that he didn’t know about the Demon God of Mirrors, so Angel believed the Black Count’s words. As for what Daus said about the Black Count possibly remembering something along the way, that was even more unlikely. Given the Black Count’s current realm, forgetting something and then recalling it a moment later wasn’t something a pinnacle third level wizard would do. Unless there was a being more powerful than the Black Count affecting his memory.
As for Daus’ obviously nitpicky words, the Black Count snorted coldly: “Sophistry.”
That was all the Black Count said, showing an attitude of utter disdain for Daus.
“That’s it? No punishment for Daus? No anger?” This was what everyone present was thinking.
Originally, Angel felt there was nothing wrong with the Black Count, but The Black Count’s Odd Behaviour was indeed a bit strange. Unlike others, Angel found it strange not why the Black Count didn’t get angry at Daus’ provocation, but rather, the Black Count’s emotional fluctuations were quite flat.
Even when rebutting Daus, his emotions remained flat.
There was no fluctuation, nor any ripple. His emotions seemed more like contemplation, and the content of his thoughts appeared more significant than external matters, so he didn’t bother responding to Daus’ provocation.
Angel pondered for a few seconds and then spoke: “Could it be that the name ‘Demon God of Mirrors’ was known thousands of years ago and has been changed now? Or maybe it has fallen?”
“It’s impossible for the true name of a Demon God to be changed at will. As for falling, I have never heard of a Demon God with this true name having fallen.” The Black Count replied without hesitation.
Angel nodded, muttering softly: “That’s strange, then. Why is there no true name mark?”
It seemed that Angel was in deep thought, but in reality, he was more concerned about the Black Count’s reaction. The question he had asked was promptly answered by the Black Count, which signaled something: the Black Count was indeed deeply contemplating something, but it was probably not about the Demon God of Mirrors.
Angel glanced at Daus, who happened to look over at the same moment, allowing their gazes to meet briefly.
The exchange of looks was short, but Angel still read in Daus’ eyes what he wanted to say: there is something wrong with the Black Count.
“There is something wrong with the Black Count,” this was a very broad expression. To say that there was something wrong could apply to anyone who harbored ulterior motives in exploring ruins, just like Angel himself could be said to have issues.
However, the extent of the issue, whether it was significant or minor, was the critical point.
Angel thought for a moment and then turned to look at the Black Count: “Lord, what is your opinion?”
“What opinion do you want to know?”
Logically, Angel should have been asking about the true name mark, but the Black Count’s reply was a direct counter-question. It was as if he knew that Angel’s main concern was not really about the true name mark.
“Any opinion will do, like about the Demon God of Mirrors, or why the true name mark is missing, and… whether your arrival in this underground labyrinth evokes any familiarity, or a calling?”
Angel’s question started off normally but became strange towards the end. Kael and Vai felt the atmosphere turn awkward and kept moving back, standing by the door. Only Daus remained still, squatting on a pile of rubble, watching the strange atmosphere between Angel and the Black Count, his eyes gleaming.
The Black Count was silent for a long time, making the atmosphere increasingly tense, but Angel did not back down, maintaining eye contact with the Black Count——if staring at the other’s nostrils counted as such.
After a long while, the Black Count suddenly “sneered,” followed by a burst of laughter. The stiff atmosphere, like a burst balloon, instantly deflated: “This exploration of the ruins should have something belonging to our Noah family, don’t argue, you surely know it, otherwise, you wouldn’t have demanded that promise before, nor would you now ask about ‘a calling’.”
Listening to the laughter in the air, Angel suddenly felt like he might have been tricked.
The Black Count pretended to be in deep thought, but in fact, he was just trying to trick him.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt this possibility was real. When he had previously requested that promise from the Black Count, he probably became suspicious; but at the time, he did not ask, instead waiting for Angel to fall into the trap. And indeed, just when he acted slightly odd, Angel himself started speaking, mentioning things like “familiarity” and “a calling” that seemed to deeply understand the true nature of the ruins.
If that was the case, then this was a trap laid by a cunning old fox!
Angel grumbled to himself, but his face showed no expression.
“I’ve said from the beginning that I know about the ruins,” Angel considered carefully and made a non-committal statement.
The Black Count replied indifferently: “Let me guess what you’re thinking now… You must be wondering why I entered the labyrinth and acted so strangely, whether it was deliberate, whether I was trying to deceive you?”
Angel pursed his lips and remained silent. Not admitting it meant he didn’t think so——this was Angel’s stubbornness.
“I can tell you, I wasn’t trying to deceive you. When you asked for my promise, I already knew you had some knowledge of the truth within the ruins, so there was absolutely no need for me to put on an act,” said the Black Count: “I know what you and that red-haired brat want to know, and I can tell you. But I have one condition.”
Angel didn’t speak, and the “red-haired brat” chimed in: “What condition?”
“It’s none of your business,” the Black Count retorted.
With that, the Black Count looked at Angel: “I won’t directly ask you for the answer, I just need you to say one thing.”
“What is that?”
“Is this expedition to the ruins related to the Noah family?”
In essence, the Black Count was seeking a confirmation from Angel.
Hearing the Black Count’s words, Angel just smirked: “Is that all you want me to say? Are you not going to cast a truth spell? Aren’t you afraid I might lie?”
Before the Black Count could respond, a faint red glow emerged from the side; a truth spell was activated by… Daus.
If the Black Count had his true body at that moment, he probably would have clenched his fists already. He had no intention of activating any truth spells himself because there was no need; he was completely confident in his ability to discern whether Angel was telling the truth or not. The contract light barrier activated earlier outside was purely to dispel the doubts of these overly suspicious youngsters, not to verify the truth of their statements.
Now, with Daus activating the truth spell, the Black Count felt slightly stifled but said nothing.
Angel, seeing the truth spell had been activated, didn’t care whether it was by the Black Count or Daus, simply stated: “I regret to inform you that I cannot say that phrase. Because I am not sure whether the destination of the ruins is related to the Noah family or not.”
The truth spell showed no reaction, indicating that Angel spoke the truth.
The Black Count, upon seeing this result, likely understood that Angel had only superficial knowledge of the ruins but was unaware of the true situation.
He pondered for a moment and then said: “Do you think it’s likely related to the Noah family?”
This time, Angel nodded: “Yes, it’s likely related to the Noah family, but it’s just a probability, not a certainty.”
The truth spell still had no response.
The Black Count nodded: “I understand.”
Angel asked: “Could you please address the doubts in my and Daus’ minds?”
The Black Count replied: “Your doubts stem from why I behaved somewhat unusually after entering the underground labyrinth. I can tell you that you were half right earlier, it indeed involves a type of calling, but this calling was initiated by me.”
“Or rather, it is a fantasy summoning, born from a confluence of omens and inspirations.”
A calling is when a certain being calls you in some form; and a fantasy summoning is when you take initiative, stirred by your own excitement, to seek the presence of a certain being. But in fact, whether that being exists is questionable, it’s purely imaginary.
It’s like someone who knows nothing, after obtaining a few pages of incomplete information, performs a ritual to send a signal to an unknown being, hoping for a response.
This sounds somewhat magical, and a normal person would think it’s a madman’s idea. However, when it comes from the Black Count, it’s different.
Angel: “So, did you start actively calling because of that promise I asked for earlier, certain it was related to the Noah family?”
The Black Count: “I would have done it anyway, but your promise accelerated the process.”
Angel thought for a moment: “Did your active calling receive any response?”
The Black Count was silent for a long time: “There was no clear feedback, but I faintly sensed that my bloodline was resonating with a certain place.”
“However, whether this is real or just a response I imagined, I can’t tell right now, it’s a side effect of using fantasy summoning.”
Unbeknownst to Daus or intentionally, his truth spell was never canceled. The Black Count didn’t care about the spell at all and just spoke openly.
The truth spell showed no change and no deliberate defensive fluctuation, meaning the Black Count’s words were true.
“Whether the bloodline resonance mentioned by the lord is real or imagined, we can initially take it as true.”
After all, the underground labyrinth is vast, and it’s not easy for Angel to find a familiar place. Since the Black Count senses a bloodline call, they might as well follow the direction of the Black Count’s summoning, right or wrong, wandering through the labyrinth, Angel believes they will eventually encounter a familiar place.
Additionally, Angel speculated that the followers of the Demon God of Mirrors might have originally intended to attack an official institution, which he believed could be the Hanging Prison Stairs.
If it really was the Hanging Prison Stairs, then he should be able to find a familiar section soon enough.
“No matter what, thank you, lord, for clarifying this for us.” Angel bowed to the Black Count.
The Black Count snorted through his nose: “You little ones are always so suspicious. I’ve told you, I won’t kill you; I will protect you, yet you still guard yourselves rigorously.”
Angel just smiled and didn’t respond, while Daus muttered softly: “Life and death are different from interests.”
Daus’ meaning was straightforward, if they really discovered the treasure of the Noah family at the target site, perhaps the Black Count might keep his promise not to kill them, but the treasures would definitely not be shared with them.
Therefore, they still needed to guard and be wary. If he were to betray them midway, even if they didn’t die, their interests would be lost, making the expedition a wasted effort.
“Can we now return to the main topic, lord? Does this Demon God truly really exist in the Abyss, hidden and undiscovered?”
The Black Count responded: “Demon Gods spread faith; generally, they wouldn’t remain hidden and undiscovered. However, it’s also possible that in the Deep Abyss, there are some creatures that have lived for a very long time, some of which are even stronger than demons. They have their own true names, but calling them demons is also inappropriate… after all, they are native creatures of the Abyss.”
“Are you referring to the Elders, lord?”
The Black Count’s nose in the stone slab suddenly paused, then slowly turned to face Angel with his nostrils: “You seem to know quite a bit. The term ‘Elders’ is probably something even your mentor hasn’t heard of.”
This statement undoubtedly piqued the interest of everyone present, it was a secret!
“I just have some friends from the Abyss who told me about it.”
The Black Count said indifferently: “The Abyss is not like the Wizarding World; I can discuss the Elders with you in the Wizarding World. But in the Abyss, not many dare to speak of the Elders. Your friends must be quite extraordinary.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Angel, clearly wanting to know more about these powerful individuals Angel knew.
At that moment, several names flashed through Angel’s mind: Odeklaes, Balalaika, Fafnir, Lord Night… but he couldn’t mention any of them.
Because… Daus’ truth spell was still in effect!
The one who had actually informed Angel about the Elders was Greaves, a descendant of a Lord of Fire. If he were to mention Greaves, the trouble that might arise would be even greater.
Angel cursed Daus internally, but outwardly, he maintained his composure: “It’s alright, I’ve only met a subordinate of an Elder.”
This statement is true; he had met Garm and Kurland, both of whom were minions of that Elder who mastered the laws of death.
Upon hearing Angel’s words, the Black Count was even more astonished.
Generally, the minions of an Elder are few, and all are those who have survived from the ancient times alongside the Elder. Even if not equal to a Great Demon God, they at least possess legendary realm strength.
Yet Angel had met the other, had even conversed with them, and the other had not even killed Angel?
This was truly miraculous.
One must know, most Elders are even more unreasonable than Demon Gods.
Angel saw that the Black Count seemed to have many more questions to ask, he quickly said: “My past is not the topic of today, let us stop here.”
Angel changed the topic: “Does the lord imply that the Demon God of Mirrors could be the Elder in disguise?”
The Black Count: “If the Demon God of Mirrors is confirmed to come from the Abyss, rather than being the Elder in disguise, I am more inclined to think that… It is one of the minions of the Elder in disguise.”
Chapter 2588 Transfer Station <TOC> Chapter 2590 Retained Colors