Seeing this, although Dox kept muttering, he was convinced internally.
Angel: "As to how I can reach inside... I once asked advice from a senior and researched similar spell techniques."
As for the "predecessor" mentioned by Angel, he didn’t say, but a name immediately popped into Dox’s mind.
The most famous predecessor in the Barbarian Cave isn’t a Wizard, but that encyclopedia-like Book Elder. Alongside Book Elder, in the Barbarian Cave, there are two others of equal fame: Tree Spirit and Mirror Lady.
The predecessor that Angel mentioned, especially someone who would use such an extremely esoteric spell technique, is likely "Mirror Lady".
Thinking of it this way, the logic aligns.
Angel: "Besides, I didn’t secretly incite you. I openly suggested you scout ahead. If there’s confirmed danger, I’d naturally give up."
Dox had rolled his eyes countless times internally: "The way you say it doesn’t make it any more pleasant."
After speaking, Dox crossed his arms, sulking quietly at the side, and in the mind ribbon, he preached to Vay, recounting Angel’s dark history to persuade him to change his idol.
Angel also heard the slander in the mind ribbon, but seeing Dox’s pale face, he decided to let it pass.
After all, Dox still owes him a big favor. Eventually, ’good karma’ will find its way to him.
...
As soon as they finished speaking, the Gray Merchant approached from the other side.
"Mr. Earl Mi can send people into the mirror? If so, could he send me in?"
It was obvious what the Gray Merchant wanted—to enter the mirror world and retrieve his sealed memories.
Angel: "You also heard the Red Sword Wizard earlier; entering might mean never coming out."
The Gray Merchant was eager to express fearlessness, but Angel interrupted, "I know what you’re going to say: even if it’s dangerous, you’re willing to try... It’s a testament to your confidence in your abilities, and I won’t deny that."
"But if I tell you that once you go in, you’re certain to die, would you still choose to enter?"
Would you still go in if you were certain to die? Faced with this question, the Gray Merchant fell silent.
Even though he didn’t speak, the answer was clear. Compared to a death warrant, what significance do sealed memories hold?
After a long pause, the Gray Merchant spoke again, "Mr. Earl Mi, would you be willing to trade with me?"
The Gray Merchant didn’t want to die, yet he didn’t want to give up either.
Angel: "Regarding the trade... Are you certain that once you retrieve this shard, you’ll have a way to recover your memories?"
Faced with Angel’s repeated inquiry, the Gray Merchant’s response was the same—silence.
Not only the Gray Merchant but also the Wicked Woman and several apprentices from the Merchant Organization looked uneasy.
They had considered this issue.
The Mirror Bearer had only assigned a task, claiming that as long as it was completed, the Gray Merchant’s memory would be restored. However, there was no contract or constraint ensuring the Bearer’s words would hold true.
It’s not that they didn’t want to sign a contract, but the Mirror Bearer’s immense power and mysterious yet intangible ability left them no time to sign a contract or room to resist. They had no choice but to accept the terms.
Throughout their journey, they tacitly avoided discussing this topic, unwilling to consider the worst outcome.
They could only pray for the Mirror Bearer’s good faith.
After all, given the Bearer’s formidable strength, as a powerful predecessor, he wouldn’t deceive newcomers like them, right?
Besides, the sealed memories were only useful to the Gray Merchant. Even if others obtained it, they’d likely find it distressing rather than beneficial.
So, surely, it would be returned? Surely...right?
Holding onto this unfounded hope, they had reached this point.
Angel’s revelation was like tearing away this veil of false hope, forcing the Gray Merchant and his group to face this all-too-possible scenario.
Seeing the evident unease among the Gray Merchant and his group, Angel understood that they truly hadn’t prepared any escape, fully betting their fate on Adanis’s credibility.
But would Adanis keep her promise? Angel personally thought... it unlikely.
Clearly, Adanis had been observing Angel up close in the mirror earlier, and the Gray Merchant’s memories must have been nearby then. Yet, until Adanis departed, she never released the Gray Merchant’s memories.
Moreover, the male voice Angel later heard explicitly instructed Angel to take the mirror shard but not to enter the mirror.
In essence, it was clearly stated that Adanis wouldn’t return for this shard.
Since she wouldn’t return, how would the Gray Merchant’s memory seal be lifted? Was he supposed to find her in her hideaway?
Therefore, dreaming of Adanis coming to unseal the memory was very likely a fragmented dream.
"I cannot guarantee that obtaining the shard will definitely unseal my memories. But without it, I certainly can’t unseal them." The Gray Merchant’s voice, initially resolute, grew more somber, almost muttering at the end, "Even if she doesn’t fulfill her promise, I can seek others..."
Angel: "Seeking others is one way. But who would you find?"
The Gray Merchant stayed silent.
From the birdcage, the Wicked Woman spoke: "No matter who you find, there’s a chance. But staying with you leaves no chance at all."
The silenced Pink Moth also nodded vigorously, showing an "I agree too" expression.
Angel didn’t respond, but Dox, ever the professional at chiming in, voiced a contrary opinion from the side: "Who knows, if you take it outside to find someone, maybe there’s even less of a chance."
In other words, remaining with Angel might mean a slightly better chance.
Dox’s words didn’t stir much of a reaction; neither side took it seriously. But the Wise Sovereign in the high sky, with a cloak that hinted at amusement, found it intriguing.
Angel: "I can tell you clearly, our desires for the mirror shard differ. You’re only after the memories, while I want the shard itself. So, to some extent, we could have our own needs met."
The Gray Merchant replied bitterly, "However, without the shard, there’s no way to retrieve the memories."
Angel pondered for a moment: "I understand that, but upon further thought, it’s not entirely impossible to retrieve your memories."