Considering Laplace’s personality, Angel was also understanding; she’s essentially a recluse who dwells in the Sea of Void Mirror, even though she’s seen countless memories, "etiquette" is something that can’t truly be grasped by merely observing memories floating in the Sea of Void Mirror.
Besides, the memories drifting in the Sea of Void Mirror might not necessarily be "courteous," and chaotic ones might outnumber orderly ones.
Angel also did not speak, just quietly gazed at Laplace.
After a long while, Laplace finally opened her eyes. There were slight traces of blood in them, but overall she didn’t seem to have suffered much backlash.
However, Laplace also demonstrated with her actions that the Blood Night Shelter indeed has a strong defensive effect against probing.
Even though Laplace was only a mirror image and not her true self, utilizing the abilities of three Temporal Bodies, along with the innate probing enhancement of mirror species creatures, her probing ability at least reached the level of the Wise Sovereign.
Yet, it was still blocked by that seemingly inconspicuous cloak.
From this, it seems Angel was not lying. If not for the ability granted by the Thief of Time, how could an alchemy tool that wasn’t even of High Order withstand her probing?
And Angel, upon seeing Laplace open her eyes, finally spoke: "I wonder if Laplace is satisfied with this answer?"
Laplace pondered for a moment before letting out a long breath: "It’s acceptable."
Not satisfied, but acceptable.
This means Laplace still had doubts in her mind, but after comprehensively considering, she acknowledged Angel’s answer.
Angel also detected the reluctance in Laplace’s tone, but their conversation this time was essentially a transaction, and it’s hard to achieve absolute fairness in any trade. As long as both parties agree, he considers this deal completed.
"Since the transaction has been completed, my task is also over... Though not perfect, at least there’s an account for The Sage." As Laplace spoke, the long hair surrounding her body began to float slowly, gradually enveloping her body bit by bit.
Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, Laplace’s figure began to blur, and the prisms around her, filled with geometric beauty, also gradually dissipated.
Seeing this, Angel hurriedly called out, "Wait a moment."
Half of Laplace’s face was already wrapped in hair, only her indifferent eyes still showed, glancing faintly at Angel.
She didn’t speak, just used her eyes to ask Angel what he meant.
Angel: "Are you interested in having a private conversation with me about the Thief of Time?"
Angel specifically emphasized "private," meaning just the two of them.
Considering various investigations before, Angel still felt Laplace was suitable to go to the Wilderness of Dreams, so if Laplace agreed to a private chat, he intended to give her the log-in device. As for the Thief of Time, it didn’t matter if they talked about it or not.
Hearing Angel’s invitation, Laplace did not stop her disappearing figure, just looked deeply at Angel, leaving a sentence: "I said, I will not leave the Sea of Void Mirror, nor will my Temporal Body go to reality for pointless reasons. So if you really want to talk, come to the Mirror Domain. I will be waiting for you there."
With those words, Laplace’s figure completely vanished.
The atmosphere, slightly heavy before, now returned to a relaxed vibe.
"Oh, the young man is in love, yet got rejected. Are you angry? Furious? Need to vent?" Dox’s careless voice chimed in from the side, "Why don’t I book a spot for you at Elysium Pavillion? Hmm... You like porcelain doll types, and Elysium Pavillion has them too."
Angel gave Dox an oblique glance, casually saying: "Unfortunately, the Barbarian Cave doesn’t have an Elysium Pavillion. Among the two Wizard Markets close to Barbarian Cave, one disintegrated in the blood melting incident, and the Elysium Pavillion at the other market, Duskdeep Well, also got closed. Mm... my mentor did that."
"So, you might not be able to reserve a spot."
Dox was initially unaware, but when Angel uttered the last sentence, he immediately understood.
This was arranging his "afterlife"—what comes afterward!
Dox’s chest heaved repeatedly, feeling stifled but having no way to retort. If he defiantly said, "I won’t go," Angel would surely mention the debts; if he stayed silent, wouldn’t it mean agreeing to follow Angel?
After taking several deep breaths, Dox finally chose "silence."
The inclination of inspiration, combined with recent thrashings in debates on free theory by the Black Earl in various ways, also made him reflect on "freedom," so agreement it is.
Wherever he goes, he can always find ways to eat well and live well!
Seeing Dox not retort, Angel wasn’t bothered and instead turned to look at the Black Earl: "What does Your Excellency think the deep meaning of the Wise Sovereign sending Laplace might be?"
Black Earl: "Deep meaning? Nothing more than using surprise as a pretext, further probing for intelligence."
"Clearly signed the True Words Tome already, still doing all this, isn’t it a bit unnecessary?" Vay said from the side.
Dox: "That’s the result of overthinking, just like you. If you had figured it out earlier, it wouldn’t have dragged on for so many years..."
As Dox spoke, he clicked his tongue while staring at Vay’s completely flat face... The absence of a curve was because his "nose" was flying by the side, leaving a black-red-black-red pit where his nose had been.
Dox: "Why not let me use my bloodline to give you a nose first?"
As Dox spoke, he extended his hand. The skin on his palm rolled, eventually revealing an organ in the shape of a nose.
Vay wrinkled his face in disgust: "I don’t want that."
Dox clenched his palm, making the nose disappear: "It’s for your own good; you look so unappealing this way."
Dox turned to Angel: "How about you create an illusion for him so at least he won’t scare the little ones?"
Vay: "...Where would there be little ones?!"
Dox: "What if some One-eyed Big Treasures, One-eyed Second Treasures, or One-eyed Little Treasures show up later, aren’t they little ones?"
Vay was about to retort when he saw Angel looking over: "How about making it like your previous nose?"
Vay’s previously high-spirited demeanor deflated quickly, shyly saying: "Then I’ll trouble you, my lord."
Angel chuckled, flicking his fingers casually, and an illusion of Vay’s nose, identical to before, appeared on his face.
If the Black Earl wants to return to it, it won’t disrupt the illusion; it can be said to be tailor-made.
This form of illusion isn’t complicated; Sanders uses it to cover his Phantom Mantis hands.
Once cast, it can last several years, and even if the time is up, as long as Vay occasionally channels a little magic power, he can continue to sustain it.
A simple yet practical illusion technique.
After concealing Vay’s nose, Angel’s gaze slowly shifted downward to the silent shadow on the ground.