Dox approached the black-robed man and first gave a slight bow to the empty seat next to him: "Good evening, Your Excellency, Black Earl."
No one responded, but a nose embedded in the slab jumped onto the table and sniffed at Dox.
Then the black-robed man said, "You needn’t do that. I didn’t bring the Earl’s ear this time, so he can’t hear you."
Dox saw that it was a nose on the slab rather than an ear and breathed a small sigh of relief, complaining a bit, "You should have said so earlier. If I had known he couldn’t hear, I would have come straight to you."
"Are you really so afraid of my lord?" the black-robed man teased.
"Aren’t you?" Dox retorted.
The black-robed man chuckled softly but did not reply.
Dox continued, "Dividing the body into countless parts, each with its own consciousness—such a monster! Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. You actually dare to bring it with you every time you go out. Just tell me honestly, aren’t you terrified?"
The black-robed man took a sip of wine and said casually, "Though my lord came with a nose this time and can’t hear you speak, he can smell your malice."
Dox was startled and took several steps back.
"The nose can smell malice? Is that true, or are you just fooling me?" Dox asked cautiously.
The black-robed man replied, "You can think of it as me fooling you. But, do you believe it?"
Whether it was true or not, Dox dared not say more. He deliberately took a roundabout route and sat at the farthest place from the black-robed man and the nose.
Once Dox sat down, the black-robed man said quietly, "You just asked if I’m terrified. As an apprentice, having the esteemed Red Sword sit across from me, do you think I’m terrified or not?"
Whether the black-robed man was terrified or not, Dox no longer cared, but the other was right. Dox spoke to this apprentice as an equal and even sat on equal terms because he carried a part of Lord Black Earl’s body.
As long as the "nose" was there, no one dared disrespect the black-robed man.
This was also why the Noah Family was so renowned. There were few members of the Noah Clan, but when they walked outside, they always carried a part of the Black Earl’s body. It’s as if every member of the Noah Clan was under the protection of the Black Earl.
Of course, "protection" was merely an outsider’s interpretation, but based on previous conversations with this old friend, Dox vaguely sensed that the Black Earl had other undisclosed reasons for doing so. Dox did not know what this purpose was but felt a faint foreboding with his strong spiritual perception.
That’s why Dox asked earlier, "Aren’t you afraid, aren’t you terrified?"
Even though the black-robed man seemed to express he’s not terrified with a rhetorical question, was he really not terrified? He never actually answered directly.
"Let’s stop playing guessing games and get down to business." Dox glanced at the nose that was still sniffing around before focusing on the black-robed man: "Vay, can we find a place more convenient for talking?"
Vay Noah was the name of the black-robed man, an old friend of Dox’s for many years.
The black-robed man Vay didn’t move but closed his eyes for a few seconds. Shortly thereafter, the nose embedded in the slab took a deep breath and then exhaled sharply, creating an absolute barrier around Dox and Vay.
This was a second-level magic, and soundproofing was only its most trivial function. Its terrifying defensive power in battle was its primary use.
"Now we can talk," Vay said calmly.
Using second-level magic as a soundproof barrier, probably only the Noah Clan would do such a thing among apprentices.
Dox was silent for a moment, "Were you just communicating with the Black Earl’s nose? You weren’t badmouthing me, right?"
Vay rolled his eyes, too lazy to answer such stupid questions, "I was happily staying in Mesomyia, so why did you summon me? What do you really want?"
From Vay’s reaction, Dox could be sure he hadn’t spoken ill of him to the Black Earl. Feeling relieved, Dox replied, "I’m planning on going to explore some relics soon."
Vay looked resistant, "Don’t try to drag me along. I told you before, I hate desolate places. I only like bustling big cities. Even the Sandworm Market makes me feel suffocated."
Vay was a peculiar person. In fact, he wasn’t very sociable, typically a solitary type. Dox hadn’t heard of Vay having any other friends besides himself. But although Vay was reclusive, he particularly enjoyed crowded and lively places. Yet, once someone started talking to him, he’d act resistant; he was quite contradictory.
He seemed to just enjoy seeing others bustling around.
"I’m not asking you to join the adventure. It’s just that this time, my premonition seems to have failed. I can’t sense anything good or bad, so I wanted to ask you for insight." Dox’s face uncharacteristically showed a bit more seriousness.
Vay frowned slightly, "A failed premonition indicates a big problem. You shouldn’t go."
Dox replied, "But... I am unwilling."
Unwillingness was only an excuse. The real reason was the failure of his spiritual perception. He had a constant feeling that perhaps this exploration could truly transform his spiritual perception into a talent skill.
Vay gave Dox a long look, sighed, and said, "You’re hopeless. You just love courting death. I truly don’t see the point of these adventures."
"This is the essence of a wandering wizard. Gaining freedom means losing access to knowledge, and adventures are a way to make up for that."
Vay was silent for a moment and then took a transparent colored glaze cup from his robe.
"Remember, you owe me another favor." Vay said as he placed the cup on the table.
Dox nodded repeatedly, "I remember, which makes it five favors I owe you now."
Vay raised an eyebrow, "Six."
Dox generously waved a hand, "I’ll cover all your drinks today as a favor repayment. How about that?"
Vay was silent for a moment before replying, "Alright. Five favors."
Dox immediately leaned in happily, "Let’s get started then."
It was apparent that Dox and Vay had done this many times and were familiar with the process. Upon seeing the transparent colored glaze cup, Dox extended his hand.
In his heart, he silently chanted: I am about to explore the relics.
Then, as the Wind Blade lightly cut, a drop of fingertip blood fell into the glazed cup, a black-red color with a slight glow emanating from it.
Vay glanced at it, "Your bloodline purity has increased quite a bit since last time."
Dox replied, "I’m not as lazy as you, stuck at the peak of apprenticeship without advancing."