As everyone followed the newly reappeared Angel across the square, their expressions were somewhat dazed.
Especially when they passed by the "Pyramid" constructed by the Ghosteye Witch, looking at its high and mighty appearance, which, despite having already performed a Shadow Transformation, was still striking poses, they felt even more bewildered and absurd.
"You..." Dox hesitated for a moment but couldn’t help asking, "How did you do it?"
"Are you sure you want to know now? The exit is just ahead," Angel hinted.
Dox and his inspiration were still in a game of gambling, and only when they smoothly reached the exit would the final conclusion be made.
And they were not far from that exit now.
After hearing Angel’s words, Dox was dumbfounded for a few seconds, then murmured softly, "Indeed, the observers are always the clearest."
"Even those involved are not necessarily confused," Angel replied casually. It wasn’t flattery; Dox indeed regained clarity quicker than Angel had expected, so much so that Angel didn’t even know when Dox became clear. If not for Black Earl’s subtle hints, Angel would have thought Dox was being led by inspiration all along.
It’s undeniable that Angel underestimated Dox at first. Or rather, he relied on the Witcher Organization as a backing, looking down on Dox with a superior attitude, thinking he could scrutinize everything. In reality, the one being fooled by their own hubris was himself.
No wonder, previously, Black Earl frequently mentioned the headquarters of the Wandering Wizards, suggesting Angel could visit the Cross Headquarters if he had time. This was no longer a hint but a clear indication.
The Wandering Wizards have their weaknesses, but they are not entirely inferior to Witcher Organizations or Wizard Families; they must have their advantages. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many fake Wandering Wizards mingling at the Cross Headquarters.
Dox smiled, "Alright, I won’t ask about anything else for now, but there is one question I must ask."
At this moment, Dox’s expression turned serious, "I want to know, is there truly a hidden threat on that special Ghosteye Witch?"
Undoubtedly, Dox needed a definitive answer for the final evidence in his game with inspiration.
"Yes," Angel affirmed, "There is a transcendent object on it, a product of Enchantment Alchemy, exceptionally exquisite. I didn’t look closely, but from the limited details, I can infer that this alchemy tool has the function of manipulating the mind and transmitting sound over distance. The former is crucial, while the latter is just a minor technique added by the refiner."
"You should be able to guess, although the former is critical, what could truly pose a future threat to us is that minor added technique."
Dox pondered, "The transmission, to whom would it be sent?"
Angel said, "In this place, there aren’t many targets for transmission."
Dox looked at Angel and nodded solemnly, "I understand, thanks, this information is important to me."
Angel nodded nonchalantly. If Dox could conquer his own inspiration, it would be a joyous event for them, so Angel didn’t mind helping Dox complete this last piece of the puzzle.
As they got closer to the exit of this office area, Dox became increasingly silent.
Outwardly, he seemed fine, but without doubt, inside his mind, in his spirit, in his Mind Space, he was making his final declaration with his inspiration.
Yes, a declaration, rather than a final gamble. After all, inspiration isn’t Dox’s enemy. To put it bluntly, the inspiration’s previous misguidance was actually Dox’s subconscious at work.
Playing a game with one’s own subconscious is both interesting and challenging. The game had ended the moment Angel returned, and what was left was no longer a fierce confrontation but a reconciliation with oneself.
Because Dox had already entered the final stage, Black Earl proactively canceled the Mind Ribbon connected to Dox and then used the Mind Ribbon to tell the others, "Do not disturb him before he awakes."
"I understand," Kaier and Vay nodded in agreement. Previously, they had vaguely sensed something, and after hearing Angel and Dox’s conversation, although it wasn’t spelled out, with their understanding of Dox, they essentially knew Dox’s current state.
"Sir, do you think Dox will succeed?" Vay walked up to Angel and asked through the Mind Ribbon.
Angel didn’t answer, but instead glanced at Black Earl.
Then Black Earl’s exclusive "private chat" channel opened, "Vay, that kid, for some reason, suddenly started idolizing you. What a useless guy, wasted all these years following me!"
Even though the Mind Ribbon couldn’t directly transmit sound, Angel could still feel Black Earl’s annoyance from the fluctuating flow of information in the private chat channel.
It’s understandable... Vay’s question was clearly something he could ask Black Earl about, yet he chose to ask Angel, which put Black Earl on the spot.
But does Vay really idolize him? Angel was puzzled; he hadn’t done anything worthy of admiration, had he?
Or is it that Vay isn’t really idolizing him but rather wants to use him to challenge Black Earl?
The reason Angel entertained this thought was because Dox once mentioned Black Earl’s avatar "conspiracy theory"; perhaps Vay was also a proponent of this theory, respecting his own lord yet feeling wary, staying at Mesomyia without going out, becoming a full-fledged homebody.
However, even homebodies have their little schemes. Vay wanting to challenge Black Earl through Angel seemed quite normal in his mind.
Angel personally leaned toward the idea that Vay wasn’t really idolizing him.
After all, Angel himself was also someone who enjoyed "conspiracy theories."
"Why be angry, sir? Perhaps it’s because they’re too close that asking is awkward," Angel replied.
Black Earl said, "I know exactly what’s going on in his mind."
After a pause, Black Earl added, "I know exactly which direction your mind will guess too."
Angel: "..."
Black Earl snorted coldly, "I just disdain to explain. He really should think, if it weren’t for me, he’d have died countless times by now. If I truly wanted to harm him, would I agree to let him stay in Mesomyia?"
"As for you, don’t overthink it, this fool really does idolize you out of nowhere."
At this moment, Angel was full of questions. Does Vay genuinely idolize him? What had he done to earn Vay’s admiration?
"Your avatar has always been spread among various descendants; it’s not simply for protection, is it?" Since Black Earl had brought up this topic, Angel was curious about the conspiracy theories circulating outside.
But Black Earl didn’t answer directly, only saying meaningfully, "To gain something, one must give something; that’s the way of the world."
Although Black Earl didn’t say much, Angel understood that: Black Earl protected his descendants and continuously imparted various knowledge, even considering the "family affection" variable, the output far exceeded the gains. So, he must get something from his descendants.
But what that might be, Angel did not know.
So, conspiracy theories aren’t entirely incorrect. Black Earl clearly has a planned scheme.
Vay inherited the Death Sense, and Black Earl follows him with his nose; if others inherited a corresponding talent, Black Earl would follow them with a corresponding part, so there’s surely some relationship to this.