Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3144: Chapter 3145: Long-Distance Mission

The reason is quite simple.

Angel saw, in the vision of the Doomsday Eye, a red ribbon swirling above the blood-stained Sky Dome, a ribbon he had seen before on Frost’s companion.

Frost didn’t go to the Reincarnation Casket alone; with him went a mysterious hunter named Zorn.

And Zorn carries a mysterious object which is a red scarf, identical to the ribbon in the Doomsday Eye vision.

With this, Angel deduced that the location of the Doomsday Eye is indeed the small space-time of the Reincarnation Casket.

Although Angel determined that the Doomsday Eye occurred within the Reincarnation Casket, he couldn’t comprehend why the apprentices of the Nebula Tournament would be inside the Reincarnation Casket?

But now, he seems to understand.

It’s not that the apprentices of the Nebula Tournament fell into the Reincarnation Casket, but rather the expedition task released by the Sky Tower has summoned them into the Reincarnation Casket.

Upon thinking of this, Angel’s mood grew complex.

Back when City Lord Rosen and Dean Muse decided to send people to settle near the Ancient Asia World, Angel had seriously warned: Guarding near the Ancient Asia World is fine, but one must absolutely not enter the Reincarnation Casket, as even Legendary Wizards can easily perish there.

Looking at it now, it seems they heeded his advice. But their choice not to enter the Reincarnation Casket doesn’t mean they can’t send others in.

This time, those being conned are undoubtedly the group of apprentices accepting the expedition task.

"You seem to have different thoughts on the expedition task released by the Sky Tower?" Portia noticed that Angel had been frowning, especially upon hearing the content of the expedition task; his frown deepened and his expression grew increasingly odd.

Angel laughed somewhat derisively: "No particular thoughts, just feel like the Sky Mechanical City is addicted to conning the apprentices."

"Oh?" Portia raised an eyebrow and looked at Angel.

Angel said faintly: "Not enough apprentices were conned last time at the Purification Garden, now they’re preparing to lay new traps in the expedition task?"

Initially, Portia didn’t grasp Angel’s meaning, but now she somewhat understood.

She recalled that when Angel first came, he went to the Purification Garden. And at that time, indeed many apprentices were conned by the affairs in the Purification Garden. Considering this expedition task, although Portia wasn’t familiar with the specifics, she could deduce that these summoned apprentices are likely to enter the Reincarnation Casket.

Once inside the Reincarnation Casket, life and death become uncertain.

From Angel’s perspective, this indeed looks like a new trap orchestrated by the Sky Mechanical City, specifically targeting apprentices.

No wonder Angel would reveal a look of scorn.

Yet regarding this expedition task, Portia was aware of some internal matters. Though it was a trap, it wasn’t as massive a pit as the previous Purification Garden incident.

She pondered briefly but decided to chime in: "This task, in fact, has certain hidden aspects; it’s not entirely about conning the apprentices who took it. If you’re interested, you can ask Antonio later; he knows deeper insider information."

Angel nodded, choosing not to continue discussing this topic, and instead asked Dong Liz beside him: "Was it your sister who let you accept the expedition task?"

Dong Liz nodded.

Angel: "Why did your sister insist on accepting this expedition task?"

In other words, what exactly did Galatea "see"? Knowing the task carries an extremely high fatality rate, yet she still urged Dong Liz to take on this task.

Dong Liz: "Because there’s an opportunity for me there."

"Opportunity?" Angel and Portia both looked at Dong Liz puzzled.

"Yes, my sister told me that my chance for advancement lies there, so I must go." Dong Liz said, his expression faltering, his tone somewhat aggrieved: "However, my sister couldn’t explain specifically what the chance for advancement is... Perhaps it’s that I could gain many kills and hats there? I don’t know. I can only go there and take it step by step."

In essence, Dong Liz took on this task purely driven by interests.

Galatea "saw" the chance for advancement; hence, even knowing the expedition task posed extreme danger, she decided to let Dong Liz accept it.

As for Galatea not clearly seeing what the "chance for advancement" entailed, it’s normal. The Reincarnation Casket is a mysterious object, moreover, a chaotic one, under the cloak of mysterious aura, sensing the "chance for advancement" is itself quite significant; further foresight is generally unlikely.

Angel believed what Dong Liz said because subjective initiative is founded on profit potential. And the chance for advancement is currently Dong Liz’s greatest interest motivator.

"The next question, I need you to relay your sister’s answer: why does she believe that the hats I refine can reduce the mortality rate?" Angel continued to inquire.

Dong Liz looked towards the air beside him, muttering for quite a while before turning to the light screen: "My sister doesn’t know either. But she is sure that Lord Pat and Nail Granny’s refined hats will definitely enhance my survival rate... My sister said, for the lord, you might understand it as a prophecy."

Dong Liz was not lying; indeed, Galatea could not predict, but she could borrow the opportunity to ask questions from the "Big Ben."

Galatea posed many questions to the Big Ben, but received no answers.

It wasn’t that the Big Ben’s foresight capability was lacking, but rather that the location of the expedition task was unique, making illuminating the future quite difficult.

Ultimately, the Big Ben only answered two questions.

The first question was: the difficulty of this expedition task.

The answer given by the Big Ben was: nine deaths and one life.

The second question was: how to enhance Dong Liz’s survival rate?

The answer given by the Big Ben was to seek hats refined by Angel and Nail Granny... or not necessarily hats; as long as it carries their aura, it could enhance survival rate to an extent.

As for the exact reason, the Big Ben might know but was unwilling to elaborate.

Though, being able to obtain this answer satisfied Galatea; as long as she followed the Big Ben’s instructions, Dong Liz most likely would not experience misfortune. Dong Liz would remain unharmed; thus, she would also remain safe.

On the other side, Angel wasn’t aware of the information Dong Liz kept hidden, though he instinctively sensed why it had to be hats refined by him and Nail Granny?

The target of the expedition task is the Reincarnation Casket.

What common point do he and Nail Granny share when the Reincarnation Casket is the focal point?

The only common point Angel can think of is: Ivor Schubert.

Angel had once entered the small space-time within the Reincarnation Casket via the Gate of Void, where he encountered Alex trapped in the cage. And Alex is actually Ivor, who had lost his memory.

Within that cage, Angel witnessed Alex’s transformation.

In a sense, Angel is the only friend Alex made after losing his memory.

As for the relationship between Nail Granny and Ivor, it’s not something that "friend" can define; it is subtler, also more intimate.

Angel and Nail Granny both share some connection with Ivor.

And Ivor is the true creator of the Reincarnation Casket.

Although he currently has no way of controlling the out-of-control Reincarnation Casket, considering his "chosen one" status, perhaps after Dong Liz enters the Reincarnation Casket, staying by his side might increase her survival rate?

The answer to this question is obviously unverifiable. But this is the only common point Angel can think of between him and Nail Granny regarding the Reincarnation Casket.

Angel did not voice this speculation, just contemplated for a moment, then continued to ask: "The last question, what requirements does your sister have for the hat I’m going to refine?"

At this point, they already understood that as long as Galatea’s requirements are not too excessive, Angel is likely to agree.

This is undoubtedly good news for both Dong Liz and Portia.

Not to mention Dong Liz for the moment, Portia genuinely hopes to obtain the material treasured by Witch Shall. For her, this is no less than an opportunity for Dong Liz’s advancement.

Thinking of this, Portia couldn’t help but glance at Dong Liz’s side. Although she couldn’t see Galatea, she knew that Galatea should be conversing with Dong Liz at this moment.

About two minutes later, Dong Liz spoke: "The requirement from my sister is a modified Sinon Hat, not pointed but rounded, with a wider brim, preferably larger than my skirt hem."

Dong Liz is wearing a princess dress, and inside it has hoop skirts made of wire, larger than the skirt hem itself... Angel really can’t imagine the aesthetic of this kind of hat.

Is this really a hat, not a table?

And, if the Sinon Hat changes its pointed top, isn’t it just a bowler hat?

Dong Liz: "The inside of the hat should ideally have a droppable veil, my sister doesn’t like her face being seen."

Angel: ... Even without a veil, no one can see your sister’s face!

Dong Liz: "The color of the hat should preferably be dark, vermilion or charcoal gray."

Vermilion, gray-black, this seems more like a table’s color palette, maybe add a teapot and cups on the table... no, on the hat?

Angel listened while silently complaining in his mind.

Perhaps it’s because Dong Liz’s aesthetics are too avant-garde; anyway, Angel completely couldn’t understand this kind of hat.

However, although Dong Liz’s requirements are somewhat bizarre, the shape specifications are very clear, allowing Angel no need for creative play, which is a good thing.

"You’ve mentioned the shape, now let’s talk about the traits? What effect does your sister want the hat to achieve?" Angel asked.

Only by knowing the hat’s traits can Angel consider what materials to use for the refinement.

However, to Angel’s surprise, Dong Liz directly shook her head and said: "You can choose the materials to refine as you see fit, there are no restrictions on the effect... My sister’s only request is that it must be engraved with your Alchemy Emblem."

From Galatea’s request, it’s clear she values the exclusive Alchemy Emblem belonging to Angel rather than the hat’s effect.

This also further confirms for Angel that Galatea’s choice of him and Nail Granny is definitely related to Wizard Ivor.

Ivor... which is Alex, he has seen Angel’s Alchemy Emblem.

Angel once modified a dagger using the Power of Nightmare Illusion and left it for Alex, and on that dagger, Angel had engraved his own Alchemy Emblem.

So, if Ivor encountered Dong Liz in the Reincarnation Casket and saw her hat, he would most likely guess that it was something Angel refined.

However, even if Ivor did meet Dong Liz, how could he help her?

Ivor is now an amnesiac and has no energy remaining in his body, not much different from mortals.

Encountering Dong Liz, it’s uncertain who would be helping whom.

Angel sighed and stopped thinking deeper, the situation inside the Reincarnation Casket is too complex, he couldn’t go there, and thinking too much is useless.

"Any other requests?" Angel looked at Dong Liz.

Dong Liz shook her head: "No more."

Angel nodded and pondered: "I can help refine this hat for your sister, but I also have a request that both you and your sister must agree to."

Dong Liz turned to look at the "air," then turned back to nod at Angel: "Please, go ahead, My Lord."

Angel: "Anyone who recognizes the Alchemy Emblem on the hat, for any reason, you must not harm them."

This request not only puzzled Dong Liz, but Portia also looked at Angel with a strange gaze.

She had a vague feeling that Angel might already know the reason why Dong Liz and Galatea are having the hat refined?

Dong Liz glanced back at her sister Galatea, and once she confirmed her sister’s nod of consent, she nodded to Angel: "Okay."

...

Dong Liz left satisfied.

After Dong Liz left, Portia looked at Angel: "Do you have any thoughts now about Dong Liz’s sister Galatea?"

Angel shook his head.

He couldn’t see Galatea, nor hear her voice, so what could he think?

In fact, he even held a small suspicion about Galatea’s existence.

"In the end, I am separated by a light screen." Angel looked up at Portia: "What about you, Lady Portia, you were right beside Dong Liz, could you sense Galatea?"

Portia chuckled self-deprecatingly: "If I could sense her, why would I need to ask you?"

"However, that being said, this Galatea might indeed have some unimaginable abilities," Portia said. "Even Witch Shall is willing to pave the way for her, so you can imagine the importance of her abilities."

"Anyway, I can’t see her, so whatever abilities she has are none of my business." Before meeting Dong Liz, Angel was curious to see if Galatea would make any strange requests, but now he could roughly guess the story’s outline, and his curiosity naturally dissipated.

Seeing Angel was not interested in talking about Galatea, Portia also stopped on her own and changed the subject: "Earlier when you mentioned the Alchemy Emblem, I sensed something was off with you. Did you guess the reason Galatea sought your refinement?"

Angel shook his head: "I only have some scattered and unconnected guesses; it will take some time to organize these thoughts."

The implication was that even if he had guesses, he has no intention of saying them now.

Portia caught the implication in Angel’s words, and although a bit disappointed, she did not pursue it.

Angel: "Compared to Dong Liz’s situation, I am actually more curious about the expedition task... City Lord Rosen and Dean Muse, do they know what they are doing? Why did they issue this task?"

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