The Sage was also amused by Dox’s abrupt interjection: "What he experienced in Cicia’s box, how would you know? Even if he told you, are you sure he told you the truth? Told you everything?"
Precisely because what Angel talked about were events within Cicia’s box, the Sage knew that Dox certainly didn’t have the full picture, so might as well not ask.
Dox: "I really don’t know, but I can always judge a bit, can’t I?"
Before anyone could respond, Dox continued to speak: "The Wise Sovereign said earlier that answering questions was a bonus condition, and now finding the Wood Spirit and bringing it out is also a bonus condition. These bonus conditions accumulated should be enough for the Wise Sovereign to help us in dangerous times, right?"
Hearing Dox’s question, Angel chuckled inwardly; he thought Dox intended to use the same trick as before, making the Wise Sovereign’s considerations even more complex.
Unexpectedly, this time Dox didn’t muddy the waters but directly jumped in with a question. Moreover, the question happened to supplement some details Angel wanted to ask.
The Wise Sovereign squinted at Dox, who quickly said: "I’m just casually asking; since you can engage in a Q&A with him, I’ve at least helped you out a few times, give me a chance too?"
What Dox said was essentially nudging the Wise Sovereign: You can exchange questions and answers with him; I’ve freely answered several times; it’s only fair to let me ask one back.
It’s worth mentioning that Dox chose his timing well. His previous comments were serious and honest, without tricks.
If Dox had lied, he wouldn’t have had the confidence to interrupt. But his consistent honesty left the Wise Sovereign embarrassed to take advantage without reciprocating.
The Wise Sovereign pondered for a moment and eventually answered Dox’s question: "I can’t intervene for you but can offer limited assistance."
This answer was similar to before, but this time, the Wise Sovereign explicitly stated he couldn’t intervene.
This gave Angel a significant hint. The Wise Sovereign was not unable to act but was unable to act for this purpose.
As to why, given the previously perceived details, he had a rough guess.
Angel silently gave Dox a thumbs-up in his heart. Unlike his usual nonchalant demeanor, Dox was quite reliable in urgent times.
After answering Dox’s question, the Wise Sovereign turned his head to look at Angel, signaling that he could ask his questions.
Angel, organizing his words slightly, said: "I’ve been wondering why there’s a distinction between necessary conditions and bonus conditions. Is it because the necessary conditions are the meanings conveyed by an intelligent being left in Augustine’s legacy site to the Wise Sovereign?"
The Wise Sovereign did not respond, indicating silence.
Angel wasn’t concerned and continued to ask: "If the Wise Sovereign truly wished to stop us, there would be no need to elaborate necessary and bonus conditions. So, are the necessary conditions his meaning, while the bonus conditions are your intention?"
The Wise Sovereign smiled but remained silent.
Angel: "The Wise Sovereign followed his motives to ’test’ us actively, which doesn’t align with his usual character. Plus, from Miss Cicia, I learned the Wise Sovereign wouldn’t willingly subordinate himself to others."
"So, I’m thinking, is there some subtle connection between the Wise Sovereign and him that motivated you to ’test’ us? And this subtle connection might be... a contract? Or does the Wise Sovereign need something from him?"
The Wise Sovereign remained silent, but his gaze towards Angel was much brighter than before.
"Let’s talk about the bonus conditions as mentioned by the Wise Sovereign. In essence, they conflict with the necessary conditions."
It’s like a killer ordered to kill someone tells that person, "I must kill you, but if you meet these bonus conditions, I could help you escape this fate."
Undoubtedly, necessary conditions and bonus conditions are at odds.
"So, perhaps the Wise Sovereign doesn’t share the same mind with him, and you might even want to use us to gather some intelligence from him?"
This time, the Wise Sovereign finally spoke, not to answer Angel’s question but laughingly said: "I underestimated you all; even without communication, you cooperated seamlessly."
The "you all" in the Wise Sovereign’s mouth naturally referred to Angel and Dox.
Even before Angel could comment, Dox, feeling satisfied, said: "Of course, he and I are bound to become close friends in the future."
"In the future? So you haven’t latched on yet," the Wise Sovereign said, casting a meaningful glance at Angel.
Dox protested quietly: "What do you mean by ’latched on’? I’m making friends!"
The Wise Sovereign’s sharp eyes discerned that while Dox called it making friends, there was indeed a hint of that, but the intention of clinging on was more apparent. In the Wise Sovereign’s view, the likelihood of Angel being part of the Noah Clan increased.
Given the intelligence the Wise Sovereign received, the Noah Clan was currently among the top wizard families in the Southern Domain. Noah descendants being courted by other wizards was unsurprising.
The Wise Sovereign’s gaze returned to Angel: "Whether I answer your questions or not doesn’t matter to you; you already have the answers, right?"
"Your ability to interpret ’the unexpected’ proves you’re impressive."
Angel: "Impressive? What do you mean."
The Wise Sovereign: "Literally, your adaptability in the face of ’unexpected’ situations."
Angel wanted to press further, but the Wise Sovereign waved his hand: "I can’t say more; if you have the capability, go see for yourselves."
Angel remained noncommittal: "Since the Wise Sovereign suggests we see for ourselves, can you tell me the ’necessary conditions’ now?"
The Wise Sovereign: "Are you sure you want to hear it now?"
Angel: "Can’t I hear it now? Or is there more than one answer?"
The Wise Sovereign: "I previously mentioned the necessary and bonus conditions; if you fulfill my bonus conditions, perhaps I could offer you a more detailed answer."
Angel looked at the Wise Sovereign’s smiling face, unable to hold back a mental curse of "cunning old fox," but outwardly maintained a smile: "So our exchange isn’t over yet? If it’s over, this counts as a bonus condition, right?"
The Wise Sovereign: "The exchange can end at any time, so I can add this bonus condition for you. But are you sure you don’t want a deeper answer?"
Angel: "Even deeper answers? Does that mean we have other bonus condition tasks to complete?"
The Wise Sovereign merely smiled without speaking.
Angel: "So, regarding the task of bringing out the Wood Spirit, you still want us to try? Previously, you said our chances of bringing out the Wood Spirit were extremely low."
The Wise Sovereign laughed: "I did say so, but you confidently responded; you have to try to find out."
After a pause, the Wise Sovereign continued: "Previously, I wasn’t optimistic about you. But now, maybe you really have a way to get my eccentric student out."
The Wise Sovereign’s words were meant as praise, but Angel felt the Wise Sovereign surely had other motives.
His earlier statement about the difficulty of bringing out the Wood Spirit was undoubtedly true.
But now, suddenly changing his tone might indicate he’s seen something, wanting to gather more information from them?