Chapter 2636 Box of Cecia <TOC> Chapter 2638 So-Called Treasures
Translator: SumTLMan
Previously, when Daus worried that the “ticket” might be magic crystals, Angel had scoffed, for the energy here was incomparably stable, making any concern about energy issues superfluous. Besides, what use would an alchemy puppet lingering in these ruins have for magic crystals?
Furthermore, the Wood Spirit had previously come here without carrying any magic crystals. Precisely because of this, Angel had judged that the “ticket” would not be magic crystals.
Yet now, due to ignorance regarding the Box of Cecia’s effect, after deliberation, magic crystals instead appeared as the most fitting touchstone.
As for who would provide the magic crystals?
This time, Angel did not consult everyone. He took out a pouch of magic crystals on his own, intending to pay himself.
Firstly, Angel was not lacking in magic crystals; secondly, there was no guarantee that magic crystals would indeed serve as the currency for a passage ticket. Angel remained skeptical on this point.
Since he harbored doubts, better to test it personally. At worst, he would lose some crystals.
Moreover, if magic crystals could truly be exchanged for passage, further considerations would arise: either Angel could buy one ticket that would take everyone along, or each individual would have to purchase their own.
So, disputing who should supply magic crystals now would be a waste of time. For all they knew, everyone might need to pay in the end.
Angel taking the initiative to provide them actually saved time on pointless debate.
However, even as Angel readied himself for a personal loss, someone else acted first.
A figure shot forth from the moving illusion realm, swiftly planting himself before the alchemy puppet.
The puppet’s mechanical voice once again resounded:
“Facial features not recorded, non-researcher, non-warden, no criminal record.
Tentative Identity: Civilian.
Control Authority: None.”
While the puppet recited these mechanical lines, the person before it turned its head toward Angel, revealing a flattering smile:
“Lord, allow me to pay the magic crystals. I rarely venture out in Mesomiya; through Death Scent, I’ve saved plenty of magic crystals, all with nowhere to spend them. So, this time, let me handle it.”
The speaker was none other than Angel’s newly devoted admirer, Vai.
Once Vai finished speaking, before Angel could respond, Daus hollered: “You’ve got a stash of magic crystals? Then why did you say you had none when I tried to borrow some last time?”
Vai shot Daus a glare: “If I lend them to you, could you ever repay me? I’ve helped you divine countless times without charging a single crystal, what more do you want?”
Daus looked aggrieved: “Aren’t we good friends?”
“So being friends means limitless borrowing without returning? Then lend me your Cross Bar, and I’ll run it for you a few days,” Vai retorted, exasperated.
To Daus, the Cross Bar was his most treasured possession. Vai knew this perfectly well, and his words struck directly at Daus’ weak point.
Daus stammered for a long while but was unable to respond.
Ignoring Daus, Vai turned back, a hint of embarrassment on his face, gazing expectantly at Angel: “Lord, shall I begin?”
The atmosphere kept twisting, unexpected plot turns abounded. It took Angel a moment to regain his composure.
Facing Vai’s hopeful gaze, Angel initially intended to refuse outright. After all, “magic crystals” were just a trial, not necessarily guaranteeing a “ticket.” If the Box of Cecia demanded something more precious and unavoidable, if it enforced a forced trade, Vai, given his current strength, would surely suffer a loss.
Thus, Angel still wished to personally manage the first attempt.
Yet ultimately, Angel nodded, for he noticed the Black Count’s stone slab now resting upon Vai. If the Black Count was intervening, perhaps Vai acted under his directive. Maybe the Black Count had some hidden reasoning, or maybe he was simply being “generous.”
In any case, if the Black Count involved himself, even should complications arise, it was unlikely that the Box of Cecia could harm Vai.
Unbeknownst to Angel, however, Vai had not been prompted by the Black Count but had taken this initiative himself. In Vai’s eyes, Angel had continuously supported him along the way, and he, having offered little in return, wished at least to lighten Angel’s burden by spending some magic crystals.
Meanwhile, the Black Count was compelled to “step out” and be on guard, prepared to handle any potential fallout. He could guess what Angel surmised. Given that Vai carried the bloodline talent inherited from the Black Count’s own nose, letting Vai suffer serious harm would not be ideal. Previously resting comfortably in the moving illusion realm, the Black Count now emerged, ready to tackle possible repercussions.
…
With Angel’s approval, Vai turned to face the alchemy puppet… and promptly froze.
Moments ago, consumed by the desire to ease Angel’s worries, he hadn’t considered the specifics of “purchasing a ticket.” Now what was he supposed to do? Simply toss magic crystals into that dark, unfathomable box?
While Vai hesitated, a cold snort resonated in his mind.
“Lost your nerve now? Weren’t you bold enough when you rushed out just then?”
There was no doubt that the speaker, communicating mentally without spiritual items, was the Black Count.
Hearing the Black Count’s voice, Vai bowed inwardly, chagrined: “I-I just wanted to share the team’s burden. After all, I’ve hardly been of any help before this. At least I can afford to contribute some magic crystals…”
The Black Count sneered coldly: “Don’t think to deceive me. Eight parts truth, two parts pretense. Are you truly lifting the team’s burden, or are you trying to look good in front of Angel? Did you think I wouldn’t see through that?”
Vai’s real intentions laid bare, he lowered his head even more, thoroughly embarrassed.
“I truly question the workings of your mind. You were safe and sound in that illusion realm, yet you rushed out, not only exposing yourself but possibly ending up paying for two tickets,” the Black Count sighed heavily, restraining the urge to continue scolding. Everyone waited on Vai to proceed with “purchasing,” and further rebuke would waste precious time.
“Unsure of the procedure? Just ask!” the Black Count prompted.
Vai: “A-ask Lord Super Dimensional?”
The Black Count: “He’s never done this either. What use is asking him? Ask the alchemy puppet directly!”
Taking a deep breath, under everyone’s scrutiny, Vai addressed the puppet: “I am willing to offer treasures as the passage fee. How should I proceed?”
After speaking, Vai worried that the puppet might remain silent. But this was an elementary query. The puppet’s eyes glowed with a dim red light, and its frosty mechanical voice answered: “Place your treasures into the Box of Cecia. Once they meet the required standard, the Box of Cecia shall naturally open a passage.”
The Black Count’s voice rang again in Vai’s mind: “Ask it how to know if you’ve reached the standard.”
Vai repeated the question verbatim.
The alchemy puppet replied: “Place your hand upon the Box of Cecia, and it will inform you.”
Angel, observing Vai’s questioning, silently nodded. As expected, the Black Count was guiding Vai behind the scenes.
Having received an answer, Vai began his first test.
Following the Black Count’s incremental approach, he would start low and gauge how many magic crystals satisfied the Box of Cecia’s demands.
Too many would be wasteful; too few would yield no result.
After considering carefully, Vai drew out ten pristine magic crystals and dropped them into the box’s pitch-black opening.
The crystals disappeared, and Vai waited for several seconds, yet the Box of Cecia provided no response.
“Does this mean it is not sufficient?” At this moment, Vai could not fathom the situation either, yet he remembered that the alchemy puppet had once mentioned that placing one’s hand upon the Box of Cecia would yield an answer.
With this thought, Vai cautiously extended his hand, gingerly touching the Box of Cecia.
In the very instant his fingertips brushed against the Box of Cecia, Vai abruptly felt as though some adhesive substance had clung to his hand. Startled, he attempted to pull free, yet the more he struggled, the more firmly he was ensnared.
Vai wanted to call for help from the others, but when he turned his head, he was greeted by utter darkness. Not only were his companions nowhere to be found, but even the Black Count’s stone slab had vanished without a trace.
What was happening here? Why had everyone else disappeared?
Just as Vai’s heart quivered with dread, a crisp, feminine voice resounded beside his ear: “Ten magic crystals of highly impure energy purity, do you think you can appease me with such paltry scraps? Do you comprehend the meaning of ‘treasure’? Do you truly understand? Begone!”
With a burst of scorn, Vai suddenly felt a sharp pain at his forehead. A dizziness overtook him, and when it subsided, Vai discovered that the previously vanished companions were now all gazing at him intently.
Before Vai could voice his bewilderment, his field of vision was abruptly bathed in crimson. It was not that the surroundings had turned red, but rather that blood now veiled his eyes.
Vai hesitated for a moment before cautiously touching his forehead. Amid pain, he felt a sticky, viscous sensation. There was no doubt, he was bleeding.
“What is going on?” Vai asked in a daze.
“We wanted to ask you the same thing! Why did you suddenly freeze?” Daus’ voice traveled through the mental connection.
Vai, still not fully recovered from the shock, instinctively looked toward the Black Count at his side.
The Black Count sighed softly, then spoke privately to Vai: “Behold, this is the outcome of insisting on going first. Alas…”
After delivering this remark privately, the Black Count switched back to the mental connection and addressed Vai: “It appears your personal experience differed from what we witnessed. You will have your turn to explain in a moment. As for what we saw…”
The Black Count paused: “All we saw was you touching the Box of Cecia, then leaning your head over its opening. Five magic crystals soared out of the box and struck your forehead. Those five magic crystals likely belonged to the set of ten you originally placed inside.”
After the Black Count finished, Daus chimed in, struggling to suppress a laugh: “Those five crystals flew out with uncanny precision, seemingly calculated to perfection. They formed a neat five-petaled blossom right at the center of your brow.”
Daus’ voice quivered with barely restrained mirth as he spoke these words.
Hearing this, Vai immediately employed an earth trick to conjure a smooth crystalline prism. Under its reflection, Vai clearly beheld a “five-petaled flower” blooming upon his brow. Vivid and sanguine, its red droplets trickled down, painting his entire face in a gory sheen.
Daus said: “Managing to strike such a shape using five magic crystals displays truly formidable control. Was it done by the Box of Cecia?”
Vai did not respond. He slumped down, staring blankly, his face flushing hot with embarrassment. Perhaps to others it seemed trivial, but to one who rarely ventured from seclusion, becoming the center of attention, especially as a source of amusement, felt mortifying beyond measure.
Just then, a gentle breeze brushed across Vai’s face. Warm and moist, yet remarkably pleasant, it seemed to wash away the blood sullying his cheeks. Under its soothing caress, the wound forming the five-petaled blossom also began to heal.
When the warmth dispersed, Vai found himself largely restored. The mark at his brow had nearly faded, leaving only the faintest vestige of its presence.
Raising his gaze, Vai saw Angel withdrawing the magic he had channeled. Clearly, Angel was the one who had healed him and cleansed away the blood.
While a surge of gratitude rose in Vai’s heart, a hint of disappointment lingered as well.
“Are you all right?” Angel asked, his tone gentle.
“I—I’m fine,” Vai replied, lowering his head in dejection: “I intended to shoulder some burden on behalf of the lord, yet everything went awry.”
“Awry? Whoever claimed that?” Angel said: “Magic crystals are merely a test, and unexpected incidents are entirely possible. You have not ruined anything. Rather, you were…”
Angel paused to choose his words: “…collecting data?”
Though Angel’s words sounded comforting, they were genuine. Had he been in Vai’s position, he, too, would have tested the waters with magic crystals first, starting with a small number and adding more if needed.
He simply had not anticipated that the Box of Cecia would prove even more temperamental than imagined. Not only had it consumed half the crystals, it also employed some of Vai’s own offerings to ‘gift’ him a Blood Flower Seal upon his forehead.
After this reflection, seeing that Vai’s spirits had somewhat lifted, Angel continued: “Tell us of your experience. After you touched the box, what sensations did you feel?”
Vai held nothing back, recounting the odd phenomena in full detail.
Upon hearing his account, everyone lapsed into contemplative silence.
After a long pause, Angel spoke first: “This Box of Cecia is indeed intriguing. Based on Vai’s description, it seems less like a product of alchemy and more akin to a vessel hosting a bound spirit.”
In other words, the entity performing the appraisal might not be the Box of Cecia itself, but rather a soul confined within, proficient in the art of appraisal.
Angel hesitated, then added: “However, I cannot detect even the faintest hint of a soul’s presence.”
The Black Count nodded: “Nor can I detect the scent of any soul.”
Angel: “If this is truly a spirit-bound item, let me try. Once I engage with it, I should be able to discern the truth.”
This time, no one objected to Angel’s proposal. They had witnessed Vai’s ordeal firsthand. Though he survived without lethal harm, none wished to repeat his humiliating predicament.
The Black Count said: “Take care. I sensed a menacing omen within Vai’s blood. The Box of Cecia may be more enigmatic and perilous than we can fathom.”
Angel nodded. Considering Vai’s account, even if the Box of Cecia housed a bound spirit, it clearly possessed considerable might.
From Vai’s perspective, he had felt trapped for at least two or three full minutes. Yet to the eyes of the onlookers, Vai had performed only two actions: touching the box and then leaning his head into it.
The discrepancy in perceived time was glaring.
Certainly, a panicked mind can distort one’s sense of time, but transcendent beings hold a heightened cognitive equilibrium. Even an apprentice’s Mental Space provides partial resistance against such illusory manipulations. Thus, the distortion likely did not stem from Vai’s own perception, but from something unusual about the box or the voice within.
Though these mysteries, together with the ominous scent the Black Count had detected, cast shadows upon this “ticket purchase,” Angel remained determined to attempt it.
A mere Wood Spirit had passed without difficulty, offering nothing of noteworthy value. How, then, could they fail where the Wood Spirit had succeeded?
Surely some hidden factor influenced the Box of Cecia’s judgment.
Angel resolved to explore it himself. By what criterion did the Box of Cecia measure the worth of so-called “treasures”?
Chapter 2636 Box of Cecia <TOC> Chapter 2638 So-Called Treasures