"Indeed, only the Birlos Family has the capability to form a merchant caravan of such scale and order within The Garden Labyrinth," Dox remarked in the Mind Ribbon while waiting for the magical craftsman to arrive.
There are wizard families stronger than the Birlos Family, but in terms of geographic advantage and public support, only the Birlos Family remains.
Dox paused for a moment, then mused, "However, it’s somewhat odd that the Birlos Family secretly stirred up such a merchant organization."
Angel hadn’t been paying much attention to what Dox was saying, but upon hearing the keyword "somewhat odd," his ears perked up immediately. When others say this, it can be taken with a grain of salt, but if Dox says so, there might truly be something fishy involved.
"Is it your conjecture or a premonition?" Angel asked in the Mind Ribbon.
Dox replied, "It’s conjecture. Think carefully—The Garden Labyrinth was hollowed out by wizards many years ago, which is a well-acknowledged fact, and hardly any Transcendent would travel here anymore. Thus, The Garden Labyrinth is tacitly accepted as part of Bilun Tree Court, effectively under the Birlos Family’s control, and no one in the Wizards’ Realm has objections to this."
"Yet, the Birlos Family’s operations around The Garden Labyrinth are very peculiar. On the surface, they completely ignore The Garden Labyrinth, even allowing ordinary adventurers to enter. Yet, secretly, they’ve developed a merchant organization, funded adventure groups, and hunted for treasures. Don’t you find that strange?"
After Dox finished speaking in the Mind Ribbon, he looked at everyone.
Two seconds later, Kaier asked somewhat confusedly, "Isn’t it just another source of income? The Bilun Tree Court is filled with the Birlos Family’s industries; I don’t find it strange to have an additional source like a relic."
Dox responded, "That’s true, but from certain details like division of labor, oaths, and regular trade, you can see the merchant organization isn’t small-scale; they’re seriously engaged in this, and it’s quite substantial."
"But can the gains from ordinary adventurer groups in The Garden Labyrinth really support such a sizable organization?"
"Keep in mind, a single Ghosteye Witch can wipe out an entire adventure group. In terms of losses and gains, the merchant organization is actually only losing, not earning."
"Therefore, I find the establishment of the merchant organization itself very strange. What could be their reason for maintaining the operation even at a loss?"
Moments after Dox posed his question, the Black Earl said, "The only possibility is that they’ve discovered some highly valuable treasures still unearthed among the relics."
Angel nodded. If Dox’s speculation holds, the Black Earl’s answer is indeed the only plausible explanation.
"Fate does not favor only one person. If Kaier can gain fate’s favor by noticing clues in the ’Travel Chronicles of Gaia,’ why can’t others discover it? The travel chronicles are just one type of medium; there surely exist other media recording and pointing to the depths of The Garden Labyrinth."
Vay said, "So, in that case, the merchant organization is actually in a competitive relationship with us?"
Angel replied, "If Dox’s speculation is correct, then indeed they are competitors. However, the merchant organization, or rather, the Birlos Family, is not yet aware of our existence, so this competitive relationship hasn’t been established yet."
The traveling merchant from the Fierce Flame Adventure Group is quite slick, with a strong survival instinct; he acts very clearly and directly to avoid death, using no hidden codes nor secretly notifying the merchant organization.
Therefore, in the scenario where the opposite side remains unaware, they are not yet competitors.
Of course, this is Angel’s judgment of the current situation, but who knows if any mistakes might occur, prompting the Birlos Family to perceive their true purpose?
Thus, Angel glanced toward Dox.
"What do you think?" Angel asked, feigning nonchalance.
Dox considered for a moment, then nodded, "That’s indeed right. As long as they don’t know about us, a competitor’s relationship can’t be established, whether or not they share our objectives."
Hearing this, Angel felt somewhat reassured. Even if Dox felt it was not an inspiration, his subconscious judgment was already influenced by inspiration. Since Dox said so, Angel was naturally inclined to trust him.
However, just as Angel was starting to relax, Dox threw in a "but."
Dox said, "Nonetheless, the merchant organization has been operating here for such a long time; is it possible they’ve specifically assigned someone to monitor and report the arrival of Transcendents?"
After Dox said this, his gaze shifted to the Black Earl. Although the Black Earl only retained a nose, its probing abilities were unmatched among those present. If there were people monitoring them, it could only be discovered by the Black Earl.
The Black Earl replied, "I don’t know. At least near the relics, I haven’t detected any fluctuation in energy waves indicating a Transcendent."
The Black Earl wasn’t constantly observing and surveying the surroundings, and some Transcendents possess strong concealment abilities, making it improbable for the Black Earl to deepen its observation intensity without reason. Hence, in this matter, he truly was unaware.
Dox continued, "Perhaps it’s not just Transcendents; ordinary people could also serve as lookouts."
As Dox finished speaking, the group fell into silence.
Seeing this, Dox quickly added, "I’m just saying it casually; the possibility is still quite small."
Angel thought, "..." Does that make it seem even more likely?
Angel exchanged a glance with the Black Earl’s nostrils, secretly beginning a communication link.
They had previously been purely exploring the relics; now, they needed to take into account the variables imposed by the merchant organization, necessitating a slight tightening of their prior lax approach.
However, despite Dox’s jinx being laid on the table, Angel and the Black Earl’s clandestine communication was devoid of significant tension.
Angel had Earl Mi and the Wilderness of Dreams as backing; as for the Black Earl, his inherent strength was undeniable—if his True Body descended, he could obliterate the Bilun Tree Court in an instant, and even just with his nose, his power shouldn’t be underestimated.
With strength as their foundation, even if trouble did arise, they wouldn’t be afraid.
After Angel finished coordinating with the Black Earl, they settled on the strategy for the upcoming plan. Simply put, they decided to comprehensively enhance surveillance and lay down covert moves, such as traps with the Magical Energy Array and inducements with Illusionary Realms.
Their purpose here wasn’t combat, after all. Once the exploration ended, that might be treated as an after-party event. But during the exploration, be it Angel or the Black Earl, they wouldn’t allow any disturbance.
During Angel and the Black Earl’s secret communication, Dox decided to test his hypothesis. He summoned the trembling traveling merchant, the clueless Miss Red, and Machusa, interrogating them about whether the merchant organization had assigned them as secret sentinels to specifically watch Transcendents.
The answer... was affirmative.
As Red answered, "It’s not really an order from the merchant organization; they simply advised us. Transcendents aren’t on the same level as us. To prevent being slain by them, if encountered, it’s best to inform other adventure groups and avoid heading in the same direction as the Transcendents."
This seemingly innocuous advice was, in truth, a result of the merchant organization’s covert guidance. Ordinary people were indeed being used as their eyes.
As for the traveling merchant’s responses, they were even more straightforward: "There’s an oath binding me; I can’t say anything."
The traveling merchant spoke with unyielding confidence, without fear, for he knew Dox would comprehend the implication.
If it’s unspeakable, it means the merchant organization was indeed maneuvering behind the scenes.
Dox shared his findings with the others, and Angel was no longer as surprised as before; he merely remarked calmly, "Since Dox wasn’t mistaken, there could be some variables along the way. However, given that we already know this in advance, paying more attention should prevent it from affecting the overall situation."
This time, Dox didn’t dispute it. He nodded, "After all, with the great Black Earl here, and with me present, no one else stands a chance."