Perhaps Black Earl is cultivating something using this method. However, Black Earl’s firm statement before, "I have never harmed Vay," should also be true.
It’s just unknown what exactly Black Earl is up to and how he’s managing this balance.
Angel also didn’t pursue the question because the Black Earl’s cryptic remark just now actually served as a warning to Angel that he’d stepped over the line.
If he truly wanted to know the answer, Angel could directly ask Lord Rhein.
Given the relationship between Lord Rhein and the Black Earl, he likely knows something about this affair. With Angel’s current standing in Rhein’s heart, unless there was a prior vow, Rhein probably wouldn’t refuse Angel’s inquiry about such gossip.
"What you said is very true; it is indeed a very correct reasoning." Angel casually praised and then fell silent.
The Black Earl didn’t dwell further on it, instead saying, "That damn fellow is still waiting for your answer. Are you really going to stay silent?"
Angel: "I’m afraid if I answer, it would be disrespectful to Lord Black Earl."
The Black Earl sneered: "No worries, I permit you to answer. I’m curious to see what you can come up with."
Angel, still calm and collected, replied, "Then I’ll say it."
"Speak directly."
Hearing the straightforward answer from the Black Earl, Angel couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly and quickly adjusted his demeanor, pretending to be deep in thought about Vay’s question.
After pondering for a few seconds, Angel slowly said, "Regarding your question..."
Vay’s eyes lit up, staring at Angel, his entire expression filled with anticipation.
"Ahem, I don’t know the answer either." In the next moment, Angel shrugged, letting out a breath that dissipated.
Black Earl: "..." That’s your answer?
Vay: "..." Was that all my idol could come up with after thinking for so long?
Angel, with a mischievous grin, patted Vay’s shoulder: "You have to remember, I’m not a Prophet Wizard, nor do I have Dox’s powerful inspiration. How could I know if he will ultimately succeed?"
"However, he’s already taken ninety-nine steps, just one final leap left. But this final step is fraught with risks and uncertainties. Think about it yourself, when you’re practicing tricks, doing experiments, or completing family tasks, aren’t you often stuck at the last step?"
Vay recalled, and it seemed indeed to be the case.
"So, the probability is fifty-fifty. Either success or failure."
Vay nodded unconsciously, agreeing with Angel’s perspective.
But the Black Earl was not amused: "And how is this different from saying nothing?"
Angel: "Of course there’s a difference. At least I explained why I don’t know, and provided the standard, unquestionable answer."
"Right, Vay?" Angel turned to look at Vay.
Vay was still in a daze, instinctively agreeing to Angel’s statement: "Yes. The mentor’s words are always right."
Angel turned back to the Black Earl: "See, Vay is quite satisfied with my answer."
Black Earl: "Now there are two damn fools."
Angel: "I told you earlier why you didn’t consider Dox. He should’ve been hogging that position all along."
Seeing the enigmatic smile at the corner of Angel’s mouth, the Black Earl couldn’t help but feel a swell of frustration, unsure where to vent it.
"You’re starting to resemble your bratty mentor now." The Black Earl almost spat these words out through clenched teeth.
"I’ll take that as a compliment." Angel responded indifferently.
Utterly defeated, the Black Earl turned away, ignoring everyone.
...
Without interference from the Ghosteye Witch, they quickly crossed the plaza, where the direction of Gemini Towers could be seen from afar. However, they didn’t need to go to Gemini Towers; as long as they walked this last narrow path, they would reach the entrance deep inside.
While walking the narrow path, the group slowed down.
It wasn’t because of danger, but because Dox had slowed down his pace, forcing everyone to match his speed.
Fortunately, there wasn’t any danger in the narrow path, nor were there many Ghosteye Witches spotted.
The likely reason might be that the entrance is quite close, with the stench of the sewer already wafting towards them. Though not as sensitive as the Black Earl’s nose, Ghosteye Witches also dislike staying in smelly places.
Perhaps the reason the posing Ghosteye Witch was able to gather so many "fans" was due to a pleasant scent it carried.
Luckily, Angel layered several Purifying Fields, preventing the stench from permeating, otherwise, considering the Black Earl’s bad temper, he wouldn’t endure Dox’s turtle-paced walk at all.
Following Dox’s turtle speed progression, they slowly trudged forward.
When nearly twenty minutes had passed, Angel initially felt a bit guilty for spending time fetching something useless; now, that guilt was beginning to fade away.
Because he’d only spent about ten minutes, yet Dox had taken twice as long just to walk this narrow path.
Everyone was wasting the group’s time, so seeing Dox waste more made Angel feel naturally better.
Although this is a comparison of the worst, not a good behavior, Angel personally believes his feelings matter more than whether the action was good or bad.
Besides, all these thoughts occurred in his own mind, having not been voiced to anyone else. Whether he compares positively or negatively remains his own business, not affecting others’ perspectives.
Finally, after nearly half an hour, they emerged from the narrow path to find themselves before one of the two labyrinth channels in the entire working area.
Although they knew that just ahead lay the path to the Hanging Jail Stairway, standing at this channel and sensing the gust of sewer air blowing towards them, everyone looked somewhat sour.
The reason why they appeared pale, sweating cold under the Purifying Field was quite simple—
"Lord, is the path to the Hanging Jail Stairway really inside the sewer?" Vay, inheriting the Black Earl’s olfactory legacy, naturally disliked the stench, so he was the one to speak. His question was the reason everyone’s expressions were grim.
Indeed, the area was so smelly that saying it was directly within the sewer wouldn’t be inaccurate.
Do they really have to search within the sewer for the path to the Hanging Jail Stairway?