Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2765: Chapter 2766: Method of Handling

The Gray Merchant also knew why they had such an attitude now, and he regretted it. After the official wizard duel, the apprenticeship duel should have been abandoned, which would not have resulted in this mess.

The White Merchant was right; the other side showed no malice. Although they benefited from it, the Ish Wife, out of selfishness, pushed the Earl Mi and others to the opposite side, and this could be seen as repaying kindness with vengeance.

Therefore, in the face of Angel and others’ mocking expressions, the Gray Merchant could only pretend not to see.

No one on Angel’s side spoke. They gazed coldly at the Gray Merchant, waiting for him to speak first.

The Gray Merchant sighed lightly in his heart, then took out a Spatial Capsule from his bosom and handed it to Vay.

Vay did not take it but looked at the Gray Merchant with confusion: "This is..."

"A gesture of apology." The Gray Merchant’s expression was earnest, full of remorse: "For victory, the Magic Elephant resorted to using the Ancient Gaze unscrupulously. As his Mentor, it’s my failure in guidance. I’m truly embarrassed and can only offer a humble gift."

"I understand a single apology is not enough. Thus, I specifically brought the Magic Elephant here to admit his mistake. Whatever it takes to eliminate resentment, even if it means him burying his bones here, we will accept it openly."

After speaking, the Gray Merchant dragged the Magic Elephant from behind, pressed his head, signaling for him to apologize to Vay.

The Magic Elephant obediently apologized. Although his reaction was a bit sluggish, it was noticeably better compared to before.

Seeing the demeanor of the Gray Merchant and the Magic Elephant, Vay furrowed his brow, unsure of how to handle the current situation. He wanted to seek advice from the Black Earl instinctively, but upon turning around, found that neither the Black Earl nor Angel were beside him; they seemed to be whispering something beside the Wise Sovereign, not paying attention to the situation here.

Dox, on the other hand, kept giving Vay eye signals, looking eager to act.

Vay understood Dox too well; from the look in Dox’s eyes, he knew he was hinting to him to first take the One-time Spatial Capsule and see if it contained anything good.

Dox’s personality was just like that, not to the extent of sacrificing principles for profit, but he often turned a blind eye to money.

Vay ignored Dox’s hints. He was more concerned about how to handle the current situation than these so-called benefits.

His own adult and Chaowei were not nearby, and Dox was an unreliable fellow...

As Vay hesitated, Kaier’s voice came through the Mind Ribbon.

"Earlier, when the adult left, he said, make your own decisions. Whatever decision you make, they will support it."

Vay was a bit stunned: "My adult said that?"

Kaier: "No, the Black Earl didn’t say anything before leaving."

Then, it was likely Chaowei who said it. The Black Earl did not deny it in the Mind Ribbon, which could basically be seen as the Black Earl’s intent.

So now he had to decide what to do with the Magic Elephant?

Thinking of this, Vay felt a slight anomaly and confusion in his heart.

Although the Gray Merchant said, even if he let the Magic Elephant bury his bones here, they had no complaints. But who knows how much sincerity was in these words? A slightly overdone handling might lead to a complete falling out with the Merchant Organization.

Although falling out was not a big deal, the Noah Family was not afraid of the Merchant Organization, nor the Birlos Family behind them. However, this was after all Vay’s first time handling such "external" relationship matters; he hoped to find a balance.

Vay’s musing did not last long because the Gray Merchant’s hand had been extended for a while, and in a few more seconds, it would be awkward.

The Gray Merchant, after all, was still an Official Wizard, and Vay did not think he had the qualifications to be pretentious in front of him.

Ultimately, Vay took the Spatial Capsule handed over by the Gray Merchant.

Seeing this, the Gray Merchant relaxed slightly, but before he could relax for long, he saw Vay immediately hand the Spatial Capsule to Dox without even looking at it.

Instead, Dox played with the Spatial Capsule on the side.

Was this a transfer to the Red Sword Wizard on the spot? Or did he let the Red Sword Wizard help him see what was inside the Spatial Capsule?

If it was the former, handing it to Dox in front of the Gray Merchant was somewhat impolite, even rude. The latter... reluctantly acceptable.

While the Gray Merchant was pondering Vay’s intention, Vay spoke: "Actually, I don’t want to accept a so-called apology, not to slight the Gray Merchant, but because I don’t feel the Magic Elephant’s actions were that wrong. At least, during the duel, he did not violate the rules."

"You didn’t even feel it was against the rules, yet you still..." came the voice of Fen Mo beside, but Fen Mo was silenced by the Gray Merchant’s cold face before she could finish her sentence.

If it were other occasions, Fen Mo’s few more words would be fine, but the current situation was clearly their fault. Duel rules were duel rules, but the tacit understanding and morality during the duel were another matter. In this regard, it was clear that they were in the wrong.

The Ish Wife did not speak, indicating she herself knew she was at fault; Fen Mo muttering on the side was also why the Gray Merchant would suddenly turn cold-faced.

"Miss Fen Mo’s unfinished words, I naturally understand." Vay: "I accept this apology gift, and I will explain later. Before that, I wonder if the Gray Merchant could answer a question for me?"

Gray Merchant: "Please speak."

Vay’s expression became solemn at this moment: "During the previous duel, the question I cared about most was... Why specifically the Ancient Gaze?"

Angel also lent Kaier some Out of Discussion handouts, but those were controllable and defensive nature. This kind of strategy was more for winning the match, rather than aiming to kill.

Yet, the Ancient Gaze was quite the opposite; the Magic Elephant could not control it at all, and its damage was extremely terrifying. Was it aimed for victory or for killing?

It’s known that during Vay’s Sacrificial Talent, he forcibly operated the Bloodline to the extreme, and at this point, his defense could at least resist a full-force strike from an Official Wizard. However, Vay still could not resist the deadly ray of the Ancient Gaze and barely salvaged his life.

Such a terrifying attack strategy handed to the Magic Elephant, if explained as "purely for victory," who would believe it?

After Vay asked this question, the Gray Merchant and others looked at each other, falling into silence.

After quite a while, the Gray Merchant’s side remained quiet, with no one giving an answer.

At this point, Vay spoke again, this time his gaze focused on Fen Mo: "The reason I accepted this apology gift is because I know you have no way and are embarrassed to explain the truth of this matter. Hence, there’s no need to explain; this so-called apology gift will be regarded as ’hush money.’

Pausing slightly, under the complex gaze of Gray Merchant, Vay continued: "I accepted the hush money, meaning I won’t pursue this question further... but it doesn’t mean I’ll forget this matter."

Vay looked at the Magic Elephant: "We will certainly meet again, next time, I hope we can duel openly and fairly."

Vay knew this matter had little to do with the Magic Elephant, but after all, it was the Magic Elephant who performed the Ancient Gaze. Even if he had to regain the face, he’d start with the Magic Elephant.

Then, Vay looked towards... The Ish Wife.

"As for the true owner of the Ancient Gaze, they must give me an explanation. If not now, I will personally seek one in the future."

Even though Vay did not name anyone, it was clear from his constant stare at the Wicked Woman that he had already determined her as the true owner of the Ancient Gaze.

The Wicked Woman wanted to say something, but a glance from the Grey Merchant silenced her. In the end, she merely glared at Vay with a provocative look, as if silently conveying: "I’m ready any time."

Vay let out a cold laugh, saying no more.

This matter was thus temporarily put to rest.

From Dox’s perspective, Vay’s handling of the situation seemed a bit "rash."

The Black Earl and Angel were both present and expressed support for all the decisions Vay made, implying that even if they started a fight with the Grey Merchant and his group now, completely stopping them there, the Black Earl and Angel would support it.

Vay was aware of this but chose a more roundabout method—

He accepted the gifts but refused the apology. He would use his own means to seek "justice" from the Magic Elephant and the Wicked Woman.

This was somewhat akin to a popular play in the Laksum Principality — a plot in "The Princess’s Revenge," summed up as: "Do not bully the young."

The youth are a group prone to holding grudges and acting impulsively; if you bully them now, relying on adult advantages, they will grow, and time will age you. Then, the seeds you once planted might become your fatal disaster.

This plot is a classic revenge growth scenario in the play, one that audiences particularly enjoy.

However, there is a disparity between reality and theatrical performances.

Especially in the Wizards’ Realm, where reality diverges greatly from the plots in artistic creations.

In plays, the princess can seek revenge on the aging king after a decade; in the Wizards’ Realm, a decade passes in an instant, making it hard to bridge the gap.

Of course, Angel’s case of becoming a wizard in just a few years is an exception.

Setting aside digressions, purely from Vay’s handling, Dox personally felt it was a bit naive. However, Dox did not dislike this handling method.

Because in Vay, he saw the long-missed "thriving dawn."

For the past few decades, Vay was clearly young yet behaved like a dying old man, lethargic in spring, reclusive in summer, listless in autumn, and hiding away in winter. Dox had said many times, but it all fell on deaf ears.

Now, Dox finally saw the sunset descend and the dawn rise anew, even if Vay’s methods were impulsive and rash, so what?

Isn’t youth always associated with impulsiveness?

...

After expressing his stance, Vay stopped speaking and ignored the Grey Merchant and others, instead conversing with Dox in the Psychic Branch about the contents of the Spatial Capsule.

The Grey Merchant, however, sighed lightly, knowing that continuing to negotiate was difficult, so... let it be.

At least, on the surface, Vay seemed not to want to use the influence of the Noah Family to oppress others.

If Vay truly chose to reclaim justice his own way... then let the future take care of itself.

The Grey Merchant shook his head and turned to leave.

Because of the Wicked Woman’s self-assertive actions during the duel, the Grey Merchant felt too embarrassed to bring up the lens and memory again. Now that Vay showed obvious hostility and opposition, asking further would likely be self-humiliation, so he chose to leave.

At worst, let that memory go.

However, just as the Grey Merchant was about to leave through the passage opened by the Wise Sovereign, the voice of the Wizard Earl Mi suddenly sounded in his ear.

"What, are you not planning to retrieve your memory?"

The Grey Merchant’s steps halted, his eyes lit up slightly, but soon dimmed again, saying bitterly, "I really don’t have the face to discuss a deal with you again."

Angel slowly approached, standing in front of the Grey Merchant.

"A deal is a deal, unrelated to personal feelings. Even if you were my enemy, as long as the transaction is agreed upon, I will proceed. Moreover, you are not even my enemy."

Angel’s words reignited the vibrant shine in the Grey Merchant’s once-gloomy expression.

"I wonder how Mr. Earl Mi intends to trade?" The Grey Merchant paused, then added, "The favor I mentioned before is my additional contribution, and also an apology for my irrational behavior in our duel. This favor is not part of this trade."

Angel: "We can discuss the specifics of the trade later."

"Later?" the Grey Merchant asked, puzzled.

Angel: "Due to some special reasons, I cannot currently extract your memory from the lens. However, once we leave the Underground Aqueduct, the timing should be right for it. Therefore, the transaction can only be completed once we leave."

Angel wasn’t trying to delay intentionally.

To retrieve the memory from the lens, the internal passing and external connection principle must be followed. Angel had achieved the external connection condition; only the internal passing remained.

According to the Wise Sovereign, the one-eyed giant could help deliver the Grey Merchant’s memory, but everything must wait until they overcome the You Nu hurdle, after which the giant would assist.

This was also a small plot by the giant to remind Angel and his group of You Nu’s importance, advising not to harm it.

Thus, even if Angel wanted to extract the memory, he must wait until after overcoming You Nu. And since the Grey Merchant and others must leave now, the only time and place for the trade would be after Angel left the Underground Aqueduct.

The Grey Merchant, though unaware of the reasons, saw no difference between now or later, so he agreed without further thought.

Just as he agreed, Angel heard a vexed female voice.

"Would you trade anything?"

Angel turned towards the voice’s source and saw it was the Wicked Woman speaking.

Angel’s eyes turned indifferent: "What do you want to trade?"

The Wicked Woman: "I just saw... the Traveler give you clothes made from the skin of Simos. Is that yours? I wonder if you could trade it with me?"