Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2415: Chapter 2416: Secret Letter

"The Oath of the Blood Mist Moon."

At first glance, the title of this article seems quite legendary, leading Angel to believe the core of the article revolves around a significant event filled with blood, revenge, entanglement, and promises.

However, this is not the case.

The Blood Mist Moon is generally considered a fixed term, referring to a certain month. Just like the Southern Domain’s Resurrection Moon, Deep Slumber Moon, and Bloom Moon, it corresponds to the names of months.

The Oath of the Blood Mist Moon, however, is the superficial friendship entanglement between two witches during this month.

The entire article in "The Lost Poems" spans only two pages, yet it could incite lively discussions among witches at a tea party for three days and nights.

It is worth mentioning that neither the Blood Mist Moon from the story nor the two female protagonists, Witch Greely and Witch Xuela, are known to Angel.

But from the described atmosphere, it can be confirmed that the background is a large world with wizards.

Therefore, Angel speculates that "The Lost Poems" might be a magazine from one of the other three Wizards’ Realms outside the Southern Domain.

Of course, it might also originate from the Origin World.

No matter where it specifically comes from, these non-Southern Domain magazines, even if they are slightly gossipy and female-oriented, can provide Angel with a bright perspective and insight into foreign customs through their details.

Therefore, for Angel, it’s also a kind of gain, an increase in knowledge.

Besides "The Lost Poems," there are other magazines like "Port Chronicles," "Pink Rainbow," and "Sandy Shadow." Angel confirmed that none of these come from the Southern Domain.

Angel organized these non-Southern Domain publications.

He didn’t plan to take them directly, being an Illusionist Wizard, he could simulate entire books using illusions. If he used Nightmare Illusion, they could even remain as good as new for decades.

So, without special circumstances, he could completely use illusion capabilities to recreate books. He planned to find time to read them slowly later when he had free time.

However, even with illusions, a preliminary flip-through was necessary just to perform the action. Flipping through a book took about a second, and Angel had summoned five Hands of Magic, which made the process even faster.

In less than a minute, he had used illusions to recreate all the books.

During the recreation process, although Angel did not read them directly, he still developed a general understanding of the recreated books.

"Port Chronicles" is a journal published by a magazine from Victor Warmwind Port, issued once a year, describing various anecdotes from Victor Warmwind City. From some small details, it is evident that Victor Warmwind City should be a very large City of Wizards, estimated to be on par with the Sky Mechanical City.

"Pink Rainbow" has a suggestive name, similar to "The Lost Poems," and is a female-oriented gossip magazine published quarterly.

As for "Sandy Shadow," it sounds the most proper, but in truth, it is the least proper among all the magazines. If expanded, its name would surely be "Glamorous Figures on the Beach," a pictorial journal published monthly.

Among these three types of magazines, "Sandy Shadow" has the largest number, with hundreds of copies scattered in disarray on the ground. Angel recreated them all, not concerned with the textual content but with the people depicted in the images. These are extraordinary beings from outside the domain, and having basic knowledge could be vital if he ever encounters or confronts them.

After recreating the required books, Angel turned his gaze to the depths of the main hall, where there was a light and shadow corridor about twenty meters long.

This corridor, filled with geometric lights, had a kind of aesthetic appeal stemming from its structure, but it was a dangerous beauty. When Angel observed room number 02 from the master control node, he noticed something amiss with this corridor. It was connected to many devices related to the Magical Energy Array, and these devices were quite dangerous.

It’s worth mentioning that although these devices are structured on the Magical Energy Array, they do not fully rely on it for energy circulation. The trigger points are unrelated to the Magical Energy Array and are instead linked to the light and shadow. This setup might have been intentionally designed by number 02 to guard against numbers 01 or 03.

Wanting to break through was impossible just by suppressing the Magical Energy Array; only by unraveling the light and shadow mechanisms could one succeed.

Taking advantage of the master control node, Angel had gained some understanding of the light and shadow mechanisms, knowing how to calculate and break them. However, not being versed in shadow magic meant it would be a strenuous task to calculate, and traversing the corridor would consume a lot of time.

But at the end of this corridor lies the study, archive, and laboratory of number 02, and Angel certainly wanted to explore these areas.

Thus, Angel decided to take another shortcut.

Since it was impossible to suppress the effects related to the light and shadow devices within the Magical Energy Array, Angel opted to suppress another effect of the array: space isolation.

Angel naturally couldn’t suppress the space isolation of the entire floor, but just restricting the space isolation of this single corridor was quite manageable.

Standing before the light and shadow corridor, Angel briefly confirmed the spatial stability, then directly opened The Gate of Void.

The other end of the door led precisely to the end of the light and shadow corridor.

Without any obstructions, Angel easily bypassed the meticulously set light and shadow devices of number 02.

In front of him, three branching paths appeared, leading to three different places, namely the study and bedroom, laboratory, and archive.

After mulling it over, Angel headed to number 02’s private laboratory first.

After a while, Angel emerged; number 02’s laboratory truly held nothing noteworthy. It was a special laboratory set up by number 02 for researching shadow spell techniques. There were some research reports on shadow magic but they were locked in a special device and couldn’t be retrieved. Besides that, there were some consumables needed for shadow magic which Angel didn’t touch, as these special consumables required shadow techniques for handling, and random interaction could trigger backlash.

Next, Angel went to the study, where he discovered many books related to shadow systems, but they were of little use to him. He casually recreated a few uncommon ones and exited.

His final destination was the archive.

In the archive, Angel spent the most time, even experiencing a fluctuation of law during his stay.

The reason for his prolonged stay was that the archive indeed contained materials relevant to the base’s laboratory. Whether it was the core material for Soul Arms or not, Angel couldn’t determine, so he opted to recreate it first.

Apart from Soul Arms materials, Angel also found a very intriguing series of publications.

This publication was called "Metal Dance."

The specific origin of it was unknown to Angel, but it definitely wasn’t from the Southern Domain.

"Metal Dance" is an annual publication, with number 02 collecting thirty-six issues. It falls into the category of entertainment-type publications that number 02 favored, albeit differing from gossip magazines as it combines alchemy with home entertainment.

The founder’s mission statement is inscribed on the front page of each issue: "To make life more convenient."

Inside, it teaches some simple alchemy creations to make the nuances of life more comfortable, such as how to eliminate radiation from metals and turn them into a toaster; or how to refine metal pipes and design household layout for easy sewage disposal... and even how to arrange home decor to enhance charm when guests visit.

Angel guessed that turning the main hall into a light and shadow style was likely inspired by "Dance of Metals."

Overall, although this "Dance of Metals" doesn’t contain particularly valuable alchemy blueprints, the ingenuity inside is quite interesting. Furthermore, it offers insights into how other Wizards’ Realm is developing alchemy, which is enlightening for Angel.

After replicating Dance of Metals, Angel returned the same way, leaving Room 02.

The harvest from Room 02 was still quite satisfactory. The spectral demon and series of documents and books, though not large in number, knowledge itself is a cumulative process.

After leaving the side room of Room 02, now what lies before Angel are two other rooms, namely Room 01 and Room 03.

Among them, Room 01 is a bit special; it contains a hidden room. The main control node can’t observe the interior, only the entrance is identified.

As for Room 03, it also has a hidden area, but it differs from Room 01 as it’s a five-layer sub-control node.

Angel thought for a moment and decided to check Room 03 first.

First, take control of the sub-control node, and try to find traces of the mist shadows. Even if not directly confronting it, knowing its trajectory is better than the unknown.

Entering Room 03 requires certain authorization.

For Angel, this isn’t a problem. He’s already solved it back at the main control node.

Through the Authority Eye’s validation, Angel directly pushed open the door to Room 03.

Compared to the shadow-filled space of Room 02, Room 03 is significantly brighter, with jellyfish-like floater ghosts everywhere above, emitting azure water light.

Walking among them feels like stepping into an underwater sunlight reflection.

The ten-meter corridor, besides jellyfish decorations, holds no traps. Effortlessly arrived at the main hall, which is quite large, even accommodating hundreds without seeming cramped.

The main hall also follows an ocean theme, various water-colored gems emit charming brilliance through mana array energy cycling; luxurious blue furniture, uniquely styled statues, and mist sprinkling through the air create the hall’s mini-scenery.

The main hall appears devoid of traps, but it’s not the case; mist in the air and drifting water lines can trigger the guards of Room 03’s water system wizard.

However, at this moment, Room 03 is trapped in the flame spell zone, unable to sense the mist even if they are activated.

Compared to Room 02’s casually placed books, the main hall of Room 03 is clean and tidy; although many precious items exist, most are involved in mana array energy cycling, with no need for specific extraction.

After a round of exploration, Angel abandoned further inquiry into the main hall and went to other rooms through the corridor.

There’s mist in the corridor too, but can be ignored.

Room 03 has more corridor branches, besides the laboratory, study, data room, there are bedrooms, changing rooms, washrooms, garden, and a place unknown whether it’s a pool or swim area.

Angel explored each room, starting with Bedrooms, Little Garden, Washroom, and Changing Room, yielding no results. In the Little Garden, there’s some strange flora, but require specific water system environment to thrive, even if seized by Angel, it’ll only wither.

The laboratory, similar to Room 02, specialized for water system spell technique research, with no significant gains.

Data room yielded substantial gains, finding much soul armament data, too hastily detailed, replicated for future reference.

Then, Angel headed to the study.

Initially having low expectations for the study, but upon arrival, it gave Angel a pleasant surprise.

There are numerous research projects, foundational data on water systems, even those used by apprentices; Angel estimates that Room 03 has apprentices. These contents are quite useful for Angel, offering some references.

However, these data pale in comparison to the stack of letters on the desk that brought Angel excitement.

There are 13 letters in total, all inserted onto a metal rack, though leading to a hole in the center of each letter, it doesn’t affect reading.

These letters are all from a Void trade caravan named "Shining Spirit."

From the date intervals, it has been ongoing for over forty years. Meaning, when the base laboratory was first established, Room 03 was already maintaining close contact with the Shining Spirit caravan.

Angel distinctly recalls Room 03 saying that the laboratory received news from the Lacey Association through a Void trade caravan. Presumably, the Void trade caravan entrusted by the Lacey Association includes the Shining Spirit caravan.

However, Angel speculates there might be other Void trade caravans, besides Shining Spirit, in contact with Room 01 and 02.

This stems from these 13 letters, with remarks of the recipient not being the base laboratory or Room 01 and 02, but clearly stating "Received by Giselle."

And Giselle is Room 03’s alias.

...

Angel opened the earliest letter, the content wasn’t much, but confirmed one of Angel’s speculations.

The Shining Spirit caravan is indeed one of the Void trade caravans appointed by the Lacey Association, but also independently commissioned by Room 03, namely Giselle.

Room 03, unknown what cost paid, has had the Shining Spirit caravan deliver information from major Wizards’ Realms, including Origin World intelligence, to them over the decades.

The contents of this intelligence are not under the jurisdiction of the Lacey Association, but obtained by Room 03 through private transactions.

Upon seeing this letter’s content, Angel eagerly opened the second letter, curious about the extent of the "Shining Spirit" caravan’s capabilities, and what intelligence they sought.

However, the second letter’s contents did not mention intelligence from other Wizards’ Realms but described a caravan called "Night Aster" that was commissioned by the Lacey Association, including the Lacey Association person they interfaced with, and a rough outline of their task.

Initially, Angel thought perhaps Room 03 belonged to a traitor within the Lacey Association, otherwise why investigate the Lacey Association’s commission; but further reading revealed Room 03’s primary intent was knowing other Wizards’ Realm laboratory tasks and their progress.

Estimated the Lacey Association might operate on some competitive nature while distributing tasks across various Wizards’ Realms?