Angel pondered for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts. Finally, when Angel lifted his head again and the Wise Sovereign thought he was about to explain, Angel said, "How about we talk about it after we get out? Isn’t finding the Wood Spirit more important right now?"
The Wise Sovereign: "..."
When Angel previously said to the Wise Sovereign, "How can I trade with you?" he actually wasn’t thinking about exchanging any conditions at all. It was purely a way to pass on a message to the Black Earl.
The Black Earl did not respond, indicating he had received Angel’s hint.
So, Angel saw no need to continue this topic.
Another key reason was that Angel found the Wise Sovereign’s inquiries structured in a very peculiar logic. First, he asked Angel how he discovered this place, and only later did he ask how Angel found the Wood Spirit.
The Wise Sovereign seemed to imply that there was some secret about the fork in the road.
But what this secret was, Angel had no clue.
However, the Wise Sovereign seemed more convinced that Angel had discovered the secret first and then the Wood Spirit.
Although Angel could correct this now, he thought it might be more advantageous to let the Wise Sovereign misunderstand for a while longer.
Sometimes correcting someone’s mistake too quickly, only allows them to preset more premises when speaking, providing a safety net for explanations. In other words, if they have a pre-established number in mind, they won’t state it directly during conversation but will circle around it, testing until nearly satisfied, with the number as a conversational bottom line.
On the contrary, when they are making an error in judgment, even if they have a pre-established number, it is still wrong. Information disclosed may far exceed what would be shared with corrected understanding.
Just as before, the Wise Sovereign and the Black Earl misjudged Angel’s desire for the relic site.
Because of this, the Wise Sovereign disclosed unexpected information: that only descendants of Noah could possibly gain benefits from the relic.
This information made the Black Earl worry that Angel might withdraw and prompted him to suggest there were benefits offered.
This was the benefit brought to Angel by their misjudgment of the situation.
Imagine, if from the beginning Angel had declared that he absolutely wanted to go to the relic site, wouldn’t accept anything else, would the current benefits from both sides still exist?
Clearly not.
Therefore, even for this reason alone, Angel decided not to reveal all the information right now. This would only lower the other party’s psychological expectations and increase the difficulty of obtaining information.
The Wise Sovereign wasn’t aware of Angel’s thoughts and merely thought Angel was playing hard to get. The fact lay before him that Angel had indeed found the fork and brought out the Wood Spirit, so he did not know Angel was also in the dark.
As for Angel’s "playing hard to get," the Wise Sovereign didn’t mind, estimating it was just a means to gain more benefits.
If Angel could indeed reveal the truth, he wouldn’t mind giving Angel some benefits. — After all, the secret of the fork was the doing of the Goddess. Even if he let Angel and others go to the relic site, it was really to probe the Goddess’s secret.
So, if Angel truly divulged the "Goddess’s secret," he would grant Angel his desires, whether treasures or knowledge.
...
Angel saying he wanted to find the Wood Spirit first was also genuine.
Angel walked to the spot where the Wood Spirit had disappeared, observed carefully for a moment, and muttered to himself, "Hidden again, huh?"
At this moment, Kaier also approached cautiously and asked, "Sir, will the Wood Spirit come out again?"
Angel spread his hands and said, "You ask me, who do I ask?"
"It won’t come out again." Suddenly, the Wise Sovereign spoke up from the side, "With its temperament, once frightened, it will immediately distance itself from here and won’t return."
"I see." Angel pondered for a moment, showing a look of regret.
After sighing, he said, "Since even the Wise Sovereign says it won’t return, it probably really won’t. Let’s leave then."
Hearing Angel’s words, Kaier felt a bit regretful, thinking they seemed to have been full of hope.
"Sir, are we really not looking?"
Angel: "Of course. I said before that I would respect its choice. Whatever it chooses, it’s free to do so."
When Angel spoke of "respecting its choice, respecting freedom," he was back in character.
He certainly wasn’t going to look anymore. Since the Wise Sovereign was under a misjudgment, searching would just reveal his own ignorance of the situation here.
Besides, Angel truly couldn’t find it. Up until now, he hadn’t figured out how the Wood Spirit had tracked them or escaped his sight.
Even though Angel had kept the Nightmare Illusion active the whole time, both for maintaining the broadcast and for detecting any anomalies as soon as possible, the Wood Spirit had followed Angel for a long stretch without raising any suspicion, demonstrating its incredible concealment skills.
Given the Wood Spirit’s concealment power, Angel didn’t believe he could certainly find it.
However, being sure he wouldn’t search didn’t mean he had given up looking.
Since the Wood Spirit had already appeared once, it indicated that it was motivated, potentially wanting to leave here.
Many times, people who hesitate just before a crucial moment due to personal traits aren’t unwilling to change but simply need a catalyst. For instance, a pusher.
The Wood Spirit showing interest indicated it had considered changing, considered leaving. Thus, Angel was willing to act as that pusher.
Though the Wise Sovereign stated the Wood Spirit had fled, Angel thought the Wood Spirit, even if it had retreated, surely had other means of monitoring the situation here.
As long as the Wood Spirit was observing him from the shadows, he could continue to try and persuade it.
And he would utilize the same strategy: the art of persuasion through retreat.
It had been proven effective on the Wood Spirit before. Why not try once more? Besides, there were no other tricks at his disposal.
As for deeply moving speeches, sincere invitations, or heartfelt revelations, Angel had no intention, even fakely, of performing such melancholy drama. After all, the Wood Spirit was a student of the Wise Sovereign, who had been watching Angel through the Mana Array. If Angel truly started his persuasion, even if the Wood Spirit was swayed, the Wise Sovereign would likely intervene; moreover, Angel doubted the Wood Spirit even understood empathy.
So, he would use the old tactic and see if he could take away a new Wood Spirit.
If it failed, Angel would just accept it.