Black Earl: "If there is prior information, I wouldn’t know what could tip you off. Mirror Demon God, I can be sure you know nothing about it. So what existing information can be used for inference?"
"Is it the mural discovered later, or... information from our Noah Clan?"
Angel had to praise Black Earl’s keen insight. It was from Augustine’s inference that it was suspected the cultists targeting the official institution might be the Hanging Jail Stairway.
However, he still didn’t wish to answer this question. After all, he couldn’t explain how he knew about Augustine’s affair with the daughter of the Dominator of the Hanging Jail Stairway.
Angel: "Sir, let’s not dig further. If every time I drop a hint you become suspicious, I might as well keep quiet."
"You just need to trust me; I have no ill intentions. There are just some matters I can’t speak of due to certain restrictions."
Angel opened his heart earnestly, showing a gesture as if they could freely use truth spells to probe him.
But no one did, because Angel had said similar things before the exploration commenced, and there was already an oath back then. That’s why Angel was trusted and appointed as the leader. Besides, even the key to the ruins was refined by Angel. If he had any ulterior motives, why go through the trouble of refining the key? He could have done it secretly and had Rhein arrange a few Wizards to explore it without moving himself.
Considering Angel’s importance in the Barbarian Cave, just sending a few people for the ruins exploration wouldn’t be an issue; even getting Rhein to personally do it, Rhein probably wouldn’t refuse.
"I believe in Chaowei!"
As silence filled the air, Vay suddenly spoke.
"Chaowei must have his reasons; he can’t have ill intentions."
Dox stepped forward, turning Vay to face him: "Hey, hey, hey, since when did Angel brainwash you? As an old friend, let me remind you, don’t be fooled by his dignified demeanor; he’s quite dark inside. He tried to trick me into getting poisoned by that mushroom; don’t trust him blindly."
Angel: "So, in your heart, I’m such an untrustworthy person."
Dox showed a different expression to Angel: "How could that be? I do trust you. I’m just speaking as a friend, deeply knowing you, understanding right from wrong, I only believe you after knowing your true self. Vay is just a follower; that’s why I’m warning him."
Angel: "Is Vay a follower? I feel like he’s an initiator, after all, he said he trusted me first."
Dox: "Trust doesn’t need to be expressed; knowing in your heart is enough. Expressing it means it’s not true trust."
Angel looked at Dox’s shameless demeanor, wanting to reason a bit more, but decided against it. No matter how much he argued, Dox would remain the same.
However, he was a bit surprised by Vay’s support.
Just as Dox said, when did Vay start trusting him so much? They hadn’t known each other long, could it be...
He’s seeking my favor?
After all, he’s an Alchemy Master and a member of the Research and Development Institute. Vay might want him to refine something, hence the eagerness.
Being a homebody, not knowing other ways to express, it’s simply this way of being overly eager.
Thinking of this, Angel felt both helpless and regretful towards Vay. Flattering won’t affect him; it’s better to be straightforward and engage in equal exchange.
Though Vay is just an apprentice, he possesses abilities that Angel covets, such as that intriguing Death Sense. If Vay were willing to exchange using Death Sense, Angel wouldn’t mind refining for him.
With this in mind, Angel patted Vay’s shoulder, giving him a hint with his eyes.
But Vay completely misunderstood Angel, as a new fan, his imagination led him to think... Angel affirmed him.
Vay’s heart swelled with excitement.
Indeed, only a star like Chaowei deserves his admiration!
Thus, two completely mismatched minds completed their first serious exchange of glances.
Angel then looked towards the distant Black Earl: "What do you think, sir?"
Black Earl: "Stop the useless talk, let’s keep moving."
Angel smiled; although Black Earl didn’t say it directly, his response showed he had conceded.
That’s good enough.
With a casual wave, Angel cast a Purifying Field over everyone.
"Let’s go. I’m sure there must be a fork ahead. If there’s only the sewage route... all I can say is, those cultists are truly patient."
...
Elsewhere, Black Merchant was leisurely strolling through the nearly abandoned building.
Under the mask, Black Merchant yawned: "So boring. I thought they set traps or other obstructions. Turns out, nothing at all."
"Is it overconfidence? Or are they a bunch of kind-hearted rabbits?"
Black Merchant squinted in thought for a moment, then laughed.
"Hope it’s the former..." Though he enjoys dealing with naive rabbits, his hot-tempered brother wouldn’t let him bully the weak.
With such an unspeakable brother around, what can he say? Except—lucky!
Thinking of his brother made Black Merchant strangely happy, surely at this moment, White Merchant was thinking of him. Because only when White Merchant thinks of him does he feel inexplicably joyful; such is the twins’ tacit understanding.
Humming a tune, Black Merchant reached the top floor.
He had no intention to check the surroundings; such bothersome tasks are left for people from Grey Merchant’s group.
His goal is singular!
Find the one casting Illusion Technique, then beat him up!
However, stepping out the top floor’s door, Black Merchant looked at the wide view ahead, confused and scratching his head.
Which way would those people go?