"As for the true owner of the Ancient Gaze, they must give me an explanation. If not now, I will personally seek one in the future."
Even though Vay did not name anyone, it was clear from his constant stare at the Wicked Woman that he had already determined her as the true owner of the Ancient Gaze.
The Wicked Woman wanted to say something, but a glance from the Grey Merchant silenced her. In the end, she merely glared at Vay with a provocative look, as if silently conveying: "I’m ready any time."
Vay let out a cold laugh, saying no more.
This matter was thus temporarily put to rest.
From Dox’s perspective, Vay’s handling of the situation seemed a bit "rash."
The Black Earl and Angel were both present and expressed support for all the decisions Vay made, implying that even if they started a fight with the Grey Merchant and his group now, completely stopping them there, the Black Earl and Angel would support it.
Vay was aware of this but chose a more roundabout method—
He accepted the gifts but refused the apology. He would use his own means to seek "justice" from the Magic Elephant and the Wicked Woman.
This was somewhat akin to a popular play in the Laksum Principality — a plot in "The Princess’s Revenge," summed up as: "Do not bully the young."
The youth are a group prone to holding grudges and acting impulsively; if you bully them now, relying on adult advantages, they will grow, and time will age you. Then, the seeds you once planted might become your fatal disaster.
This plot is a classic revenge growth scenario in the play, one that audiences particularly enjoy.
However, there is a disparity between reality and theatrical performances.
Especially in the Wizards’ Realm, where reality diverges greatly from the plots in artistic creations.
In plays, the princess can seek revenge on the aging king after a decade; in the Wizards’ Realm, a decade passes in an instant, making it hard to bridge the gap.
Of course, Angel’s case of becoming a wizard in just a few years is an exception.
Setting aside digressions, purely from Vay’s handling, Dox personally felt it was a bit naive. However, Dox did not dislike this handling method.
Because in Vay, he saw the long-missed "thriving dawn."
For the past few decades, Vay was clearly young yet behaved like a dying old man, lethargic in spring, reclusive in summer, listless in autumn, and hiding away in winter. Dox had said many times, but it all fell on deaf ears.
Now, Dox finally saw the sunset descend and the dawn rise anew, even if Vay’s methods were impulsive and rash, so what?
Isn’t youth always associated with impulsiveness?
...
After expressing his stance, Vay stopped speaking and ignored the Grey Merchant and others, instead conversing with Dox in the Psychic Branch about the contents of the Spatial Capsule.
The Grey Merchant, however, sighed lightly, knowing that continuing to negotiate was difficult, so... let it be.
At least, on the surface, Vay seemed not to want to use the influence of the Noah Family to oppress others.
If Vay truly chose to reclaim justice his own way... then let the future take care of itself.
The Grey Merchant shook his head and turned to leave.
Because of the Wicked Woman’s self-assertive actions during the duel, the Grey Merchant felt too embarrassed to bring up the lens and memory again. Now that Vay showed obvious hostility and opposition, asking further would likely be self-humiliation, so he chose to leave.
At worst, let that memory go.
However, just as the Grey Merchant was about to leave through the passage opened by the Wise Sovereign, the voice of the Wizard Earl Mi suddenly sounded in his ear.
"What, are you not planning to retrieve your memory?"
The Grey Merchant’s steps halted, his eyes lit up slightly, but soon dimmed again, saying bitterly, "I really don’t have the face to discuss a deal with you again."
Angel slowly approached, standing in front of the Grey Merchant.
"A deal is a deal, unrelated to personal feelings. Even if you were my enemy, as long as the transaction is agreed upon, I will proceed. Moreover, you are not even my enemy."
Angel’s words reignited the vibrant shine in the Grey Merchant’s once-gloomy expression.
"I wonder how Mr. Earl Mi intends to trade?" The Grey Merchant paused, then added, "The favor I mentioned before is my additional contribution, and also an apology for my irrational behavior in our duel. This favor is not part of this trade."
Angel: "We can discuss the specifics of the trade later."
"Later?" the Grey Merchant asked, puzzled.
Angel: "Due to some special reasons, I cannot currently extract your memory from the lens. However, once we leave the Underground Aqueduct, the timing should be right for it. Therefore, the transaction can only be completed once we leave."
Angel wasn’t trying to delay intentionally.
To retrieve the memory from the lens, the internal passing and external connection principle must be followed. Angel had achieved the external connection condition; only the internal passing remained.
According to the Wise Sovereign, the one-eyed giant could help deliver the Grey Merchant’s memory, but everything must wait until they overcome the You Nu hurdle, after which the giant would assist.
This was also a small plot by the giant to remind Angel and his group of You Nu’s importance, advising not to harm it.
Thus, even if Angel wanted to extract the memory, he must wait until after overcoming You Nu. And since the Grey Merchant and others must leave now, the only time and place for the trade would be after Angel left the Underground Aqueduct.
The Grey Merchant, though unaware of the reasons, saw no difference between now or later, so he agreed without further thought.
Just as he agreed, Angel heard a vexed female voice.
"Would you trade anything?"
Angel turned towards the voice’s source and saw it was the Wicked Woman speaking.
Angel’s eyes turned indifferent: "What do you want to trade?"
The Wicked Woman: "I just saw... the Traveler give you clothes made from the skin of Simos. Is that yours? I wonder if you could trade it with me?"