If that’s truly the case, Angel thinks... maybe the Wise Sovereign has miscalculated.
The high-levels of the Barbarian Cave are overwhelmed with their own affairs; why would they have spare time to become interested in Naraku City? Even if they knew there was some secret in Naraku City, they might just send out missions in the Task Hall, letting those available try their luck. Besides that, there wouldn’t be any big moves.
But although Angel knows the thoughts of the high-levels of the Barbarian Cave, he certainly wouldn’t tell the Wise Sovereign.
It is obvious that among the three covenant clauses of the Wise Sovereign, the last one is the most stringent.
To truly make the Wise Sovereign willingly offer benefits to seal the deal, it depends on this clause.
...
As for what Angel thinks about this covenant, no one knows; however, from the perspective of an outsider like the Black Earl, this clause is quite broad.
The intentions of the Wise Sovereign are clearly revealed.
He doesn’t aim to force Angel to protect the Wood Spirit through the terms, but rather wants to use emotional bonds to make Angel willingly protect the Wood Spirit.
If such a covenant were to be signed with the Black Earl, it would certainly not succeed. Making the Black Earl form emotional bonds is exceedingly difficult.
Having lived so long and seen so much, the defenses of the heart become increasingly strong.
Without experiencing life and death together or extreme joy and sorrow, breaking down this mental defense is very, very challenging.
But young people are different.
The younger they are, the more easily they are moved. This kind of emotional stirring is not limited to love but includes various emotions. Once these emotions are connected and as long as there is no betrayal, they will endure and grow stronger over time.
Just like Vay and Dox, they met in their youth, had some minor shared experiences, and became close friends.
Their personalities are actually two extremes. Vay is a homebody, while Dox is carefree. If they didn’t meet when they were young, forming a close bond would be very difficult.
Once a bond is formed, many of the rules of reality are erased. For example, even if Dox progresses to an Official Wizard, Vay still does not show him respect, acting casually and ordering him around. Dox might tell Vay to address him formally, but Vay tires of it after one or two times, and Dox never takes it to heart.
Therefore, bonds are unique and rare for everyone.
Angel is in his prime youth, the time when it’s easiest to form emotional bonds, which is why the Wise Sovereign approaches Angel in this way.
It is both a clear plan and an offer of goodwill.
Thus, when the Black Earl sees this covenant, he thinks the Wise Sovereign is a wise person.
Of course, the Black Earl also notices the severe punishments and blank rewards. Unlike Angel, who analyzes everything, he almost instantly realizes that the Wise Sovereign must have other considerations.
Otherwise, the Wise Sovereign wouldn’t need to write "rewards" in this section.
However, not all parts of the covenant are clear to the Black Earl. The last term leaves him puzzled.
"Do not mention anything related to Naraku City, except for the situation of the Wood Spirit." This is quite confusing, as discussing the emotions related to the Wood Spirit requires talking about many things in the underground aqueduct.
The Wise Sovereign must have considered this, but why didn’t he explicitly write it?
A supplementary clause?
While the Black Earl is puzzled by the third clause, Angel also feels a subtle nuance in the third clause.
He doesn’t care about the situation of the Wood Spirit or talking about Naraku City; he is concerned because he has already revealed various things about Naraku City in the Wilderness of Dreams. If this counts under the clause, wouldn’t signing the covenant immediately trigger a backlash from the covenant?
This is not good.
"Do you have any doubts about this covenant?" The Wise Sovereign noticed Angel withdrew his gaze and knew he had finished reading the covenant, so he asked.
Angel showed no emotion, yet the Wise Sovereign asked if he had doubts, indicating a presupposed premise: you must have doubts.
Infected by Dox’s spirit of stubbornness, Angel was tempted to say the opposite to the Wise Sovereign, claiming he had no doubts. But... the words were swallowed back.
The reward section was still blank. If he said he had no doubts, wouldn’t that mean accepting the blank?
Angel: "Indeed, I have some doubts."
The Wise Sovereign did not speak but gestured for Angel to continue.
Angel pointed to the third covenant clause: "The first two parts, I can do my best to comply with. But this one, I find slightly inappropriate."
"What exactly is inappropriate?"
Angel: "When I came to the Garden Labyrinth, I had already reported my whereabouts to my mentor. If this counts as revealing, then I have already revealed it."
Regarding Angel’s words, whatever the Wise Sovereign’s reaction was was not addressed, but Dox and others were surprised and looked at Angel.
When did Angel report his whereabouts to Sanders? How come they didn’t know?
Although Dox and others were only confused for a moment, the Wise Sovereign captured it.
However, before the Wise Sovereign could inquire, Angel proactively said: "Mini Signal Tower, I have it."
The Mini Signal Tower seemed familiar to the Wise Sovereign; he had heard of the Signal Tower but didn’t know what a Mini Signal Tower was.
At this moment, the Black Earl provided an explanation.
The Black Earl briefly recounted the invention history of the Signal Tower and mentioned that not everyone has a Mini Signal Tower, including many Controllers of Witcher Organizations.
The reason Angel has one is because he is a member of the Research and Development Institute.
Which means, another aspect of Angel’s identity was exposed.
However, Angel himself didn’t mind. The more weighty his background, the safer he is.
The Wise Sovereign always had channels to communicate with the outside world and naturally understood the significance of the Research and Development Institute.
Although he displayed no expression on the surface, internally, as Angel assumed, he took Angel more seriously. But his old habit of being suspicious arose again... mainly because Angel’s capabilities and age didn’t match at all.
Nevertheless, the Wise Sovereign hadn’t lost his mind; the Wood Spirit still needed to rely on Angel. Moreover, the more important Angel’s identity, the safer the Wood Spirit is.
The Wise Sovereign was glad he chose the path to form a bond between the Wood Spirit and Angel rather than mutual use.
If it truly succeeds, the Wood Spirit would find solid backing. For the Wood Spirit, this can only be beneficial.
The Wise Sovereign’s mind quickly processed these thoughts, but he still kept a calm facade: "No need to worry, previously disclosed whereabouts are not within the covenant scope, with the moment the covenant is formed as the standard."