Chapter 2637 Blood Flower Seal <TOC> Chapter 2639 Fair Question and Answer
Translator: SumTLMan
Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Angel walked up to the alchemy puppet.
Angel’s intentions were already obvious: he intended to test the Box of Cecia. Yet no one understood what method he planned to use.
More magic crystals? Some other magic materials, or possibly an alchemy item?
However, Angel’s choice left them a bit speechless.
They saw Angel take out two gold coins from his bracelet.
Yes, the very currency everyone was familiar with under the gold standard system.
In the mortal world, any gold coin, regardless of shape, is very expensive. But in the extraordinary world, gold coins are basically useless. They’re even considered too soft for decoration, much less comparable to Vai’s magic crystals.
Why did Angel pull out two gold coins? Was it to probe the bottom line of what the Box of Cecia would accept?
Earlier, even Vai’s magic crystals were rejected and tossed back. Would it take gold coins?
While everyone was secretly questioning this, the Black Count suddenly chuckled: “Interesting.”
Daus asked: “What’s so interesting about it? If two gold coins were enough to succeed in a test, I have plenty of those. I can just use mine. But is that possible? I’m guessing Angel’s going to fail this time.”
Daus clearly didn’t think much of Angel’s move. In fact, he didn’t even understand what Angel was trying to do.
The Black Count said: “Those two gold coins are more valuable than Vai’s magic crystals as a test. Take a close look at them.”
Gold coins that are more suitable than magic crystals to serve as a test? Everyone frowned but turned their attention to the two gold coins in Angel’s hands.
Because they were in a blind spot of vision, and it wasn’t a good time to release mental power to probe, they could only glimpse part of the coins’ engravings.
However, Vai was standing outside the illusion, having already exposed himself, so he could freely observe the two gold coins with his mental power.
As Vai observed them, he described what he saw to everyone else through the mental connection.
He said that the first gold coin appeared to be a very standard coin of uniform size, though Vai didn’t recognize the pattern on it. He could confirm that as long as the gold content was correct, it could be used in any country that adhered to the gold standard.
“What’s the specific design?” Daus asked.
Vai thought for a moment and answered: “One side shows a bird in flight, but the other…has quite a few scratches and is badly worn.”
“Still, I can confirm it’s just an ordinary gold coin.”
After a pause, Vai went on to describe the second gold coin: “As for the other gold coin…”
Vai suddenly stopped, silent for a long while. Only when Daus urged him did he speak hesitantly: “This gold coin is also a standard-size gold coin, but the designs on both sides are somewhat odd.”
“One side depicts a crown, but the crown is rather misshapen. Its points are tilted, and at the tip of each point there’s a round orb with lines carved on it. If it were colored, it would look like a clown’s juggling ball… In fact, the entire crown looks vaguely like a jester’s cap.”
Daus said: “A jester’s cap? Maybe it’s just a gold coin from some traveling circus, serving both as a ticket and a commemorative token.”
In the mortal kingdoms, privately minting a gold coin as a ticket isn’t technically illegal if it’s not meant to pass for real currency. A quick heft in the hand would show it’s a fake coin. Circuses, which specialize in surprising people, use these so-called ‘circus gold coins’ as gimmicks.
But Vai shook his head: “It’s probably not a circus coin, because the other side’s design is…well…”
Vai trailed off, unsure how or whether to describe it.
He couldn’t help but glance at the Black Count.
The Black Count sighed: “Say it plainly. We’re only speaking within the mental connection. There’s nothing to worry about.”
After the Black Count’s permission, Vai finally revealed through the mental connection: “The design on the other side is…the true name mark of the Crowned Clown.”
No one present was ignorant. Although they typically didn’t dare speak much about the Crowned Clown, they still remembered who that was. After all, that being was one of the few Supreme Demon Gods standing atop the Abyss Plane’s pyramid.
Surprise was followed by a brief silence.
A moment later, Daus broke that silence first: “I heard some alchemists engrave the Crowned Clown’s true name mark onto their works to make them more exceptional. Could it be Angel also…?” Partway through, Daus was stifled by a calm glance from Angel off in the distance.
Because they were speaking in the mental connection, Angel could hear them. Daus had assumed Angel had blocked the mental connection, but from Angel’s expression just now, he must have been listening in the whole time.
Daus coughed, quickly changing the subject: “Actually, I do quite admire the Crowned Clown’s perspective. I also know some wizards who really admire the Crowned Clown…”
Angel said coldly: “I hope you can state such sentiments frankly in front of people from the Extreme Sect.”
Daus’ face instantly froze.
Although what he said wasn’t wrong, out of all the Demon Gods in the Abyss, the Crowned Clown’s worldview was closest to that of wizards. The Crowned Clown demanded ‘absolute balance,’ meaning whatever you desire to attain, you must pay a corresponding price. Compared to a wizard’s principle of equivalent exchange, that ‘absolute’ aspect was more exacting, yet also more fair.
Even when dealing with humans, the Crowned Clown would seek balance. Many wizards appreciate that, so indeed, there are some in the Wizarding World who harbor no dislike or even some approval of the Crowned Clown.
Nevertheless, unless one is a devout Demon God believer, they would never openly show this approval, especially since the Abyss and the Wizarding World oppose each other. This opposition isn’t just a human decision; the Will of the entire world is in conflict with the Demon Gods. Otherwise, the Extreme Sect wouldn’t so zealously slaughter the Demon Gods’ followers without listening to any explanations.
They bear the banner of the World Will and absolutely cannot act against that banner. He who wears the crown must bear its weight.
“Just pretend I said nothing, nothing at all…” Daus shrank back. Even a wandering wizard who fears neither heaven nor earth, who dares to criticize powerful wizard organizations, would cower before the Extreme Sect. They are lunatics, sometimes even crazier than some Demon God devotees.
Angel ignored Daus and continued to idly stroke the two gold coins in his hand.
Truth be told, if he didn’t need them to test the Box of Cecia, he would never have considered putting these coins inside. They each held important commemorative value for him.
He had been rubbing these two gold coins for quite some time, as if preparing for a final farewell ceremony.
Meanwhile, Daus fell silent, and the Black Count spoke slowly: “Anyone who knows a little about the Research Institute should realize that none of its members could ever use a Demon God’s true name mark to bolster their works. Rather, it’s the Demon God believers who continually urge alchemists to incorporate those marks.”
“For that reason, Sky Mechanical City hides a lot of Demon God followers. Rumor has it they’ve even organized a secret group dedicated mainly to alchemy exchanges.”
Naturally, those talented enough to become alchemists also possess extremely high aptitude. Drawing such geniuses into the grand vortex of the World Will’s conflict is a sure win for the Demon Gods.
Hence, the more gifted you are, the more likely you’ll be noticed by a Demon God.
Angel must have been noticed, too, but since Muse allowed him to enter the Research Institute, that proves Angel is entirely trustworthy.
Members of the Research Institute must sign a pledge. For most things, it’s quite lenient, even being absent from the Research Institute for long periods isn’t an issue. But with regard to Demon God-related matters, the pledge is extraordinarily strict. Even Midora, who’s curious about everything, dares not violate that oath by dabbling with a Demon God mark.
So Daus’ earlier remarks merely revealed his own ignorance.
And his ignorance went further:
“As a formal wizard, you don’t even recognize a demon coin. It appears your supposed love of freedom is more akin to laziness and sloth.”
The Black Count made no effort to soften his words. Even Daus, with his thick skin, looked somewhat embarrassed.
Still, the Black Count knew when to stop and didn’t continue down that path. First, there was no need to fall out with Daus. Second, apart from Daus’ provocation, the Black Count actually appreciated him.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given Daus so many hints along the journey.
Even these scolding words, harsh though they sounded, were a reminder: Daus needed self-improvement.
Wizards fear nothing more than gaps in their knowledge. Daus’ knowledge was lush in some areas but an absolute wasteland in others, truly a desert of ignorance.
Since the Black Count wasn’t pressing the point, Daus also remained silent, so the mental connection fell into a long hush.
Only when Angel finished toying with the two gold coins, apparently ready to drop them into the Box of Cecia, did the mental connection come alive again.
“My lord…what exactly is a demon coin?” Kael asked carefully, glancing at the Black Count.
Everyone else perked up, waiting for his answer. None had heard of a demon coin before.
This time, Angel himself responded rather than the Black Count. Angel, who stood in front of the alchemy puppet, spoke:
“A demon coin is standard currency in the Demon City. The Crowned Clown’s emblem is engraved upon it, guaranteeing the demon coin’s absolute fairness.”
By the Crowned Clown’s power alone, the demon coin became the accepted currency in the Abyss.
That is a kind of ‘god-based’ financial system, perhaps?
From Angel’s perspective, it had plenty of flaws. But as long as the Crowned Clown exists, the demon coin’s value will never depreciate.
After a brief pause, Angel continued: “I got this particular demon coin when I opened a shop in La Sutherland. It was the very first demon coin I earned.”
A certain melancholy colored Angel’s words.
Because beyond merely representing ‘value,’ that coin also contained all the meaning Angel’s experiences had invested into it.
After reflecting for a moment, Angel flicked the demon coin. It traced a parabola in the air before landing in the Box of Cecia.
Once that was done, Angel took out the second gold coin.
His expression clearly showed nostalgia.
At this moment, the others began to grasp Angel’s intention. Judging by the ‘meaning’ bound to the first coin, perhaps this second gold coin had a similar significance.
Such ‘meaning’ elevates an ordinary coin’s value into something precious.
Though strictly speaking, the demon coin wasn’t ordinary to begin with.
“This coin belongs to the Goldfinch Empire of my homeland. On the front is a spread-wing goldfinch, while the back originally bore the Shannon Royal Family’s crest, which I slowly scratched away…” Angel said softly.
“Why scratch away the Shannon Royal Family’s crest? Do you have a feud with them?” Daus asked, hesitating for a long while before speaking again.
Angel shook his head: “No grudge. I just thought the goldfinch side looked better. I didn’t like the other side.”
Everyone: “…That’s a perfectly good reason, I suppose.”
Noticing their odd expressions, Angel smiled: “This coin was one of a bagful given to me by my mentor when I departed the Old Land Continent with my guide. It’s a parting gift from my earliest teacher.”
Daus, recalling the significance of the demon coin, suddenly realized something: “So…this was left to you by your mentor after he passed away?”
In Daus’ mind, for Angel to handle it so solemnly, the mentor must be gone. The coin would then serve as a remembrance, adding ‘meaning’ to an otherwise ordinary coin.
Yet Angel’s eyes turned cold at Daus’ words: “Sorry to disappoint you, my mentor is doing quite well.”
Daus realized his mistake at once, seeing Angel’s chilling gaze. He looked embarrassed.
“I, I…” Daus lowered his head: “I was wrong. I spoke without thinking. I didn’t engage my brain.”
Angel didn’t truly blame him much; logically, Daus’ assumption was understandable. Angel was using personal ‘meaning’ as a barometer for what the Box of Cecia might accept. The gold coin did indeed carry meaning, but Daus’ guess was off-track.
“When I traveled from the Old Land Continent to the Vast Continent, at the time that distance felt unimaginably far. Time passed swiftly and slowly all at once. Before I knew it, I’d lost my sense of time, so to reclaim it, I pulled out a gold coin and scratched a notch into its back each day that passed. Eventually, the back ended up looking like this.”
“It represents the gift my mentor gave me, and the number of scratch marks represents the days I drifted on the Devil’s Sea. At the same time, it bears witness to my journey from the mundane to the extraordinary.”
When Angel finished, he flicked the gold coin lightly, sending it into the Box of Cecia.
One demon coin, carrying Angel’s memories and experiences.
One ordinary gold coin, witnessing Angel’s growth and his recollections.
From a purely material perspective, one is priceless, the other common. Yet in terms of additional ‘meaning,’ both were equally…treasures to Angel.
By choosing these two gold coins, Angel wanted to see whether the Box of Cecia valued tangible worth, intangible meaning, or perhaps both.
By now, everyone understood Angel’s intentions.
They had to admit: from the standpoint of experimentation, Angel’s approach was more thoughtful and complete than Vai’s.
They also deeply admired how decisively Angel could part with items of personal significance. ‘Letting go’ is easy to talk about but hard to do.
In their place, they might have hesitated for a very long time.
…
Putting aside such emotions for the moment, everyone’s gaze returned to the situation at hand.
After the two coins landed inside, how would the Box of Cecia react?
Would it accept them, or would it reject them like it did with Vai’s magic crystals?
As they pondered, for the first time they saw movement from the Box of Cecia.
Faint red light rose from its intricate surface, as though mist was churning within that glow. Occasionally, the mist contorted into bizarre shapes.
No one recognized what those shapes meant.
The entire scene was strange and eerie.
“Is this…a sign of acceptance?” Everyone wondered.
Unlike what happened to Vai, so maybe that meant ‘acceptance.’
Yet that red glow continued pulsating, those patterns flickering without forming any other signal, and the alchemy puppet said nothing to indicate success.
What was happening?
Angel was also somewhat baffled. After pondering a moment, he reached out toward the Box of Cecia.
Chapter 2637 Blood Flower Seal <TOC> Chapter 2639 Fair Question and Answer