The Magician was overthinking, for Angel never intended for his demise, with no genuine enmity, no breached boundaries, and full disclosure of facts. Aside from a penchant for boasting, there was no other reason to kill him.
Of course, this is a judgment based on Angel’s personal values.
As for the others, whether Dox or the Black Earl, they had no intention of killing the Magic Craftsman. Firstly, Angel was leading the team this time, and his decision was the final one, including the life and death of the Magic Craftsman; secondly, it’s just a minor apprentice, killing him isn’t interesting.
The massive gap between Official Wizards and Wizard Apprentices meant they didn’t consider the Magic Craftsman important at all; his life or death was irrelevant.
As for why Angel hadn’t spoken for a long time, it was because he was discussing the next steps with everyone else in the Mind Ribbon.
Although the Magic Craftsman had completely destroyed the tabletop, the fact that he could refine it showed that the tabletop itself had no secrets.
The real secrets might lie in the patterns and characters on the tabletop.
If this assumption is correct, they have no need to find the tabletop; they only need to probe the memory of someone who has seen it to determine what was depicted on it.
Many people have seen the tabletop, but most are ordinary people, and forcibly probing their memories would greatly harm them.
However, the Magic Craftsman is different; he is a Transcendent, with his Psychic Model partly constructed. Even if his memories are probed, with the stability of his model, it won’t hurt much.
Besides, didn’t the Magic Craftsman and the Traveling Merchant both voluntarily ask to wipe their memories? This means they don’t even need a reason; they can simply pretend to alter the memory to probe the Magic Craftsman’s memories of the tabletop.
As for why not just ask the Magic Craftsman what’s engraved on the tabletop, he had already answered before; he can’t remember.
Memory is a mysterious thing. You think you can’t remember because the redundant and irrelevant memory fragments have sunk into the depths of your mind. If you really dig deep, even your infant memories can be unearthed, let alone the marks on the tabletop.
Wizard Apprentices can’t piece together those memory fragments due to their weak Spirit Seas, but Official Wizards are different.
This is why Official Wizards are usually memory masters, like Sanders, who seem to have hyperthymesia, capable of retrieving memories spanning centuries at any time.
Once the method was confirmed, amidst the anxious wait for the "life-death verdict," Angel slowly spoke;
"Alright, now that the tabletop is destroyed, let’s drop it. However, I don’t want others knowing we were here, so go call in the Traveling Merchant. I’ll make some adjustments to your memories today, and then you can both go on your way."
Though his memory would be altered, the Magic Craftsman wasn’t unhappy at all. Memory alteration was fine; after all, today’s memories were a nightmare anyway, and surviving was enough.
However...
"Master, before the memory is altered, may I make a request?"
Angel: "If it’s about a death vow, I won’t touch it."
The Magic Craftsman quickly shook his head, "It’s not about that, just a small personal matter..."
After a while, the Magic Craftsman finished speaking and went out to find the Traveling Merchant.
Angel rubbed his temples, looking speechless. Not just Angel, everyone except the Black Earl had the same expression.
It all stemmed from the Magic Craftsman’s request.
They thought the Magic Craftsman’s request might be significant, but it was indeed... significant.
The Magic Craftsman wanted to find the ordinary people who had witnessed his disgrace before altering his memory and make them forget through a special Oblivion Oath the embarrassing scene from today.
The value of an Oblivion Contract is quite hefty, and since it’s based on an oath, it wouldn’t affect ordinary people even if they forget a day’s memories.
In short, the Magic Craftsman’s request had one purpose: nothing else mattered, but dignity could not be compromised. Especially in front of ordinary people, it mustn’t!
This request wasn’t a big deal and didn’t affect ordinary people’s lives. Angel, although endlessly ridiculing the Magic Craftsman’s obsession with dignity in his heart, still agreed to the request.
"Such a person is really rare..." Vay held back for a long time but couldn’t help commenting.
Others said nothing but silently agreed in their hearts.
However, the Black Earl, with an old, calm demeanor, said, "What’s the big deal? There are plenty of weirdos in this world. Just like an old fellow called the Silent Sorcerer, doesn’t the nickname make him seem silent and introverted? But in reality..."
"Ahem, Black Earl, you’d better not talk about irrelevant topics," Angel interrupted.
Although Angel knew Rhein’s personality didn’t match his nickname, it was a private matter within the Barbarian Cave and shouldn’t be gossiped about.
"I was illustrating, how is that irrelevant?" the Black Earl snorted discontentedly.
Angel pondered for a moment: "Actually, before coming, I had a conversation with Lord Rhein, and he spoke very highly of you, Black Earl."
Spoke very highly, Angel emphasized the words.
The Black Earl understood Angel’s implication: "What, does that old fellow intend to expose me? Let me tell you, I’m not afraid; if he really wants to fall out, I’ll write for ’Forest of Time’ and expose all his deeds."
The Black Earl ranted for a while, but in the end, he didn’t bring up Rhein again, showing Angel’s threat had some effect.
However, there’s always someone who enjoys watching and stirring up drama.
After the Black Earl stopped cursing, Dox immediately chimed in: "’Forest of Time’ probably doesn’t accept such exposé articles. Would you consider submitting to ’Glowing City Night Talk’? Oh, by the way, I know a witch in the Forest of Night Whisper. Why not write it up, and I’ll help you send it; it’ll definitely be a hit in the next issue."
Dox’s "I’m doing it for you" look left the Black Earl speechless.
He talked about exposing just for the thrill; if he really did that, he and Rhein would probably end up in an all-out war.
Seeing Dox’s encouraging expression left the Black Earl feeling a bit trapped. If he refused, it meant he was backing down, which would also amuse Dox; but if he didn’t refuse, the consequences would be worse.
While the Black Earl was figuring out how to deal with it, footsteps were heard outside the door.
Angel: "The Magic Craftsman and the Traveling Merchant are here; let’s focus on the task. Also, let’s stop chatting about unrelated matters, or someone might want to experience being engulfed by shadows."
After speaking, Angel glared at Dox.
This guy loves stirring up trouble and watching the fun. He even dares to stir things up with the Black Earl and Lord Rhein. If not deterred in time, he’ll suffer eventually.
Dox, however, laughed heartily, having forgotten about the previous uproar, and thought to himself: Angel is starting to care for him, perhaps their goodwill is sufficient now.
Are they friends now?