Translator: SumTLMan
The sudden change in atmosphere was evident without explanation; it was clearly due to the Black Count and Vai.
However, it wasn’t just the Black Count and Vai who were contributing to the heavy mood.
Daus and Kael were also involved. Even though they didn’t fear the stench, they weren’t keen on venturing into the sewers.
Who would want to mess around in the sewers if there’s a normal path to take?
Moreover, the situation inside the sewers was quite unclear. It was filled with the foul miasma that those Wizard Eye Ghosts had been absorbing, which had nourished countless monsters over millennia.
Furthermore, the ecosystem of the sewer’s monsters followed the law of the survival of the fittest.
Those weaker creatures, like mutated carrion squirrels, had to flee upward out of the sewers to avoid extinction.
Don’t be fooled by how easily they handled the mutated carrion squirrels before; that was thanks to the illusion. If they confronted them head-on, the overwhelming numbers would surely cause considerable trouble.
But in the sewers, the mutated carrion squirrels were lowly creatures that had been driven out.
In other words, going into the sewers meant not only overcoming the stench but also possibly facing many powerful monsters.
How strong were the monsters nourished by the “foul miasma” over the years? No one knew.
This was also why Daus and Kael remained silent.
“Does this path actually lead directly to the sewers?” As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, Daus was the first to break the silence: “I’ve been thinking that when Nightfall City began constructing the underground labyrinth, they spent a fortune. Given such a high cost, wouldn’t it be a bit extravagant to build only a path that leads straight to the sewers?”
Daus sighed lightly: “I always thought there must be a fork in the road here. I didn’t expect those who built it were extravagant to this extent.”
After Daus finished speaking, Vai quickly nodded: “I thought so too; there must be a fork here. But it turns out it’s a dead end.”
Angel, sensing the low mood, thought for a moment before saying: “First of all, you have a misunderstanding. The concept of a labyrinth was assigned by us, the later generations. Back then, this place was actually just an underground waterway. Dead ends and open paths are our subjective definitions of this underground waterway.”
“Furthermore, even if we consider this place as a labyrinth, it’s not a dead end right now. The path through the sewers may indeed be difficult, but it’s still a path. Also, the reason we now call it a sewer is simply because no one has cleaned it for millennia; but in the past, there must have been sewage treatment. In other words, back then, it was just an ordinary path.”
“So, if we think of this place as a labyrinth, that is also a path. It’s just that over the millennia, some ‘extras’ have been added to that road.”
What Angel said, they actually understood, but… times have changed.
After a moment of silence, the Black Count, who hadn’t spoken all along, finally said: “Angel is right; that is indeed a path. We’ve come this far; we can’t retreat over such a small matter.”
The Black Count had made his position clear, and his latter sentence was also a warning to Vai not to think about turning back.
The Black Count’s sudden support made Angel a bit flattered. By rights, as a nose, the Black Count should be the one who disliked the sewers the most, but he accepted it even before Vai did… Is this the magnanimity of a great wizard?
As Angel admired him, the Black Count continued: “Moreover, with Angel’s purification field, we don’t need to worry about filth. If we encounter monsters, with Daus the Red Sword’s ability, he should be able to open the way.”
Angel: … So the tasks have been assigned? I’m the purifier, and Daus is the pathfinder.
Previously, he called him “stinky brat” at every turn, and now when asking Daus to open the way, he even included his title.
Well, his magnanimity is acceptable; at least he can bend and stretch.
However, with such an arrangement, Daus’ expression clearly showed a trace of dissatisfaction.
At this moment, the Black Count added: “Also, I just used a little danger sense, cough, cough, not prophecy magic. I used up my stored prophecy spells earlier. I just activated something similar to Daus’ inspiration to conduct a comprehensive perception of the dangers ahead.”
“The final result is positive. I think at least this sewer shouldn’t be too dangerous.”
This remark from the Black Count was intended to appease Daus.
Whether the appeasement was successful or not is another matter, but the stone slab containing the Black Count’s nose had been hanging on Angel all along, and during this time, Angel didn’t feel any energy fluctuations.
What danger sense? Who would believe you?
It was definitely the stored prophecy spells; when the Black Count used prophecy spells before, there were no energy fluctuations. So when he said he used up his borrowed prophecy spells, he was outright lying.
No wonder the Black Count was the first to express his stance earlier. It wasn’t about magnanimity at all; he was certain there was no danger. He didn’t need to take action and could stay in the purification field, which wasn’t much different from the current situation.
Although Angel figured out the Black Count’s intentions, the Black Count had been staying on him and probably knew that Angel would deduce the ins and outs. But even so, the Black Count still spoke up. This clearly showed that he knew Angel wouldn’t expose him.
And indeed, Angel had no need to expose the Black Count. The most important thing now was to coax everyone into entering the sewers.
Once they truly entered the sewers, it would be too late to talk about turning back.
Therefore, Angel remained silent, just quietly looking at Daus and Kael.
As for Vai, there was no need to consider; since the Black Count had expressed his stance, Vai couldn’t and wouldn’t dare to oppose.
Although Daus didn’t really want to enter the sewers, as the saying goes, since we’re here, we might as well.
We’ve come this far; there’s no point in retreating.
Moreover, Daus wasn’t too afraid of filth and stench; he just didn’t want to get involved if he could avoid it.
Daus said: “Indeed, we’ve reached this point; it’s unrealistic to turn back now. Let’s go; if we don’t hurry, those following us might catch up soon.”
The Black Count: “No need to estimate; they are indeed close. They’ve already passed the second narrow passage and are not far from where Day is located.”
After reaching the narrow passage where Day was located, passing through a smooth road would directly lead to the living area where the Wizard Eye Ghosts were previously.
The Black Count: “By the way, the smell on this group approaching is quite compatible with the underground labyrinth, and there’s even a faint old sewer odor. They should be a team that often operates in the underground labyrinth and are probably good at solving the difficult problems there.”
The ones chasing them this time were Grey Merchant and his subordinates. They were indeed adept at handling various issues in the underground labyrinth. Therefore, when Daus learned of this, he was even less willing to wait.
The Wizard Eye Ghosts might be able to stop them for a while, but probably not for long.
Thinking of this, Daus immediately took a step forward.
None of the others had any objections. Kael naturally followed suit without a word, directly following Daus forward.
With Daus leading the way, the group’s speed increased by a few degrees. After a few seconds, they reached the end of the labyrinth and saw the pitch-black tunnel connecting to the sewer.
They had never been so close to the sewers before, so they always thought the tunnel was a sinkhole.
But in fact, although the tunnel leading to the sewer was dark, it wasn’t as primitive as a sinkhole. It still had very complete stairs built, and the materials used were not skimped on at all.
From this, it could be simply inferred that what Angel had said before was correct. The sewers of the past must have been entirely different from now. Perhaps there was even a residential area in the sewers back then.
Because within the purification field, everyone couldn’t feel the outside smell, so they didn’t have too much fear of the sewers. Daus still took the initiative to walk at the front, stepping down the stairs first, with the others following closely behind.
As they continued downward, the surrounding smell became noticeably stronger, and the filthy dark aura floated around, leaving no space for it to flow and avoid. Even Speedling returned to the moving illusion realm at this time.
From Speedling’s return, one could see how bad the external situation was.
Without Speedling’s wind perception, it was difficult to determine the specific situation ahead. And the others clearly didn’t want to extend their mental power beyond the purification field at this time.
Angel thought for a moment and tried to let Eremy extend its shadow to explore the outside.
Eremy accepted the order without hesitation, and after the shadow extended out of the illusion realm, there was no abnormal feedback. Only then did Angel breathe a sigh of relief.
It had to be said that the Black Count’s previous words had made Angel a bit wary of Eremy. Now, confirming that the mental connection was still intact and that he could observe the outside through Eremy’s perspective, Angel felt much more at ease.
Mental connection is not just a literal meaning; it also means that Eremy has no privacy before Angel. All emotions and thoughts can be perceived by Angel.
Even the information that Eremy had plundered from other Wizard Eye Ghosts before could be reviewed by Angel if he wished.
This is absolute control. The power of the Seed of Distortion is also reflected here.
Through the mental connection, Angel confirmed that Eremy was fine and didn’t have too many emotional fluctuations. It was just that there was a bit too much floating miscellaneous information in the shadow, but it didn’t affect much for the time being. After leaving, a thorough check and cleaning would suffice.
In the blink of an eye, they had walked down a staircase about twenty meters high.
The surroundings remained enveloped in a swirling miasma of darkness. Without the probing tendrils of mental power, the group had no idea where to proceed.
Fortunately, they still had Eremy.
Through Eremy’s perspective, Angel could see the general situation here——
At first glance, the sewer looked much the same as the labyrinth above: towering walls and sheer cliffs, with magic formations still present. The only two differences lay in the pervasive foul miasma, and the damp, mottled ground, where long, dirty puddles occasionally appeared.
Due to the excessive humidity here, coupled with the infestation of the foul miasma, the walls and floor showed signs of corrosion. Some of the embedded magic formations were even exposed, and some had outright failed.
Angel projected the scenes he observed through Eremy’s eyes using illusions, directly simulating them. The illusions resolved the group’s visibility issues, preventing them from stumbling around blindly.
“This is the general situation. Currently, there are two paths, one ahead and one behind. I suggest we continue forward. The path behind is more dilapidated than here, and the damage to the magic formations is relatively severe. If the Hanging Prison Stairs was indeed built in the sewer, they would certainly have provided the best protection…”
After Angel finished speaking, he looked at everyone, wanting to hear their opinions.
“Let’s go the way you suggest,” Daus said: “Anyway, there are only two paths, front and back. The Hanging Prison Stairs shouldn’t be too far away. If we don’t find it ahead, we can just come back; it’s no trouble.”
The Black Count had no objections, so the group set off again, heading toward the path ahead.
As they proceeded, Angel continuously updated them on the external situation, which gradually deepened everyone’s understanding of the sewer. For any matter, as long as the veil of the “unknown” was lifted, no matter how difficult, it would give everyone some confidence.
“Setting aside the foul miasma, this place is actually similar to above. Who knows, maybe in another hundred or thousand years, the upper levels will become like this, more of a ruin,” Daus sighed, glancing around: “Come to think of it, we really haven’t seen any traces of magical creatures.”
Previously, Daus had thought that the Black Count’s remark, that this place wasn’t very dangerous, was just a comfort. But now, it seemed the Black Count was indeed right.
Angel knew that the Black Count had obtained the answer through divination, but the Black Count only provided the answer; as for why the answer was such, he didn’t say.
Angel privately asked the Black Count, whose reply was as elusive as clouds and mist, sounding like a mystic charlatan.
But after spending much time with White Bear, he was all too familiar with this kind of cryptic speech.
In other words, the Black Count himself didn’t know why the answer was such. But as long as he spouted some vague notions, pulling destiny as a shield, his aura of mystique would immediately rise.
Although the Black Count hadn’t provided any constructive opinions, Angel himself considered several possibilities.
After all, the Hanging Prison Stairs wasn’t far from here. Could it be that the builders had long considered that the foul miasma would affect the staircase, so they made protective measures in advance?
Or perhaps this place was actually the territory of some great magical creature, and other creatures didn’t dare to intrude?
Between these two possibilities, Angel leaned more toward the first. Because if there really was a great magical creature here, how did that Wood Spirit escape into the Hanging Prison Stairs from outside back then?
Generally speaking, a newborn Wood Spirit was only slightly faster than a Stone Spirit. If even the Wood Spirit could escape into the Hanging Prison Stairs, it showed that this place wasn’t very dangerous.
Continuing forward for about three hundred meters, the path began to widen, and the surrounding black miasma grew denser.
Because, as the path widened, the “sewer” finally appeared.
Literally, the sewer.
Also known as the sewage drainage system of the former Nightfall City.
As for what exactly was in that long gutter, Angel didn’t let Eremy investigate. Mainly because the viscous liquid inside was pitch-black; just looking at its color seemed to make one smell that overpowering stench.
After all, Eremy was hiding in Angel’s shadow. Even if he couldn’t smell it, the thought of Eremy having rolled around in that filthy ditch made Angel feel uncomfortable.
Although the real sewer had appeared, and signs of corrosion on the walls were becoming more severe, there were still no magical creatures around.
As everyone proceeded cautiously yet puzzled, a faint light suddenly appeared ahead.
When they approached the source of the light, they discovered that it came from a side path.
Yes, a fork in the road.
The first fork they had encountered since entering the sewer had appeared.
However, looking at the glowing side path, everyone felt a chill run down their spines, without the slightest intention of detouring.
Because that side path wasn’t on the ground but on the wall.
It was very similar to the small hole on the wall they had seen before; or rather, except for the light here, it was exactly the same.
If the Black Count hadn’t left a mark beside that small hole before, they might have always thought that dog hole was a path to some unknown place. Who would have thought that this hole on the wall could close by itself and would actively open when it sensed living people.
Although they didn’t know if this hole was the same as the previous one, they all didn’t want to take that path.
Moreover, the light was too much like bait.
As if it were actively luring people over.
Others who came here, seeing a pitch-black expanse, might be attracted by the light; but with the assistance of Eremy and Angel, their vision was unobstructed. Naturally, they were unwilling to rashly venture into a narrow path that might entail extreme risks.
They directly ignored the small path and quickly walked past.
It wasn’t until they turned a corner ahead and could no longer see the light that Daus spoke: “Lord Black Count, did you leave a olfactory positioning point near that dog hole? Has it closed now?”
The Black Count didn’t respond.
Angel sighed and said: “You could have left a Wizard’s Eye there to observe. You didn’t leave one; do you think Lord Black Count would?”
Daus was momentarily speechless: “Seems that’s true.”
“However, it’s easy to know whether that hole has closed,” Angel continued.
As he spoke, he displayed an illusion light screen in front of everyone.
At the edge of the screen, there was originally a light spot. But gradually, the light spot dimmed and vanished.
“I quietly placed a purely mechanical creation without any energy fluctuations, a Puppet Eye, at a distance from that light spot.”
“Through the Puppet Eye, we can see that the light has extinguished, meaning… it has closed.”
The other party used the light in the darkness to attract their attention, but Angel could use the same method to determine whether it had closed.
Now that the answer was clear, everyone was even more horrified by that side path.
Although they didn’t know whether that dog hole was a mechanism or something else, there was no doubt that if they had chosen that bright path, they would have paid a painful price.
“Could this hole be the same as the previous one?” Kael swallowed hard and asked.
After a long silence, the Black Count replied: “I don’t know. The previous hole has already closed, so it’s impossible to determine. But I feel it probably isn’t.”
“However, you don’t need to worry too much about this hole. Whether it’s alive or dead, as long as you don’t go in, there won’t be any trouble.”
Kael still looked worried: “That’s all well and good, but if that dog hole becomes several times larger and stands on the ground, similar in size to a normal side path, then it would be hard to judge.”
Kael’s concern was not without reason.
If such a situation really occurred, it would indeed be difficult to prevent.
The group, who had thought they had avoided a disaster, now felt a faint shadow cast over their hearts once again.