Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2781: Chapter 2782: Origins of the Fiends and Demons

Angel thought for a moment and decided to voice his doubts.

Perhaps due to the previous continual failures, Laplace, who used to be taciturn, now spoke calmly: "Humans always pride themselves on being smart, but in reality, when prejudice is deeply rooted, they often remain unaware."

Angel: "What do you mean?"

Angel couldn’t understand why Laplace suddenly mentioned "human prejudice." Could it be that the Awakening of the Demon People could actually occur twice, and it was merely human prejudice to believe that awakening once was the limit?

Laplace answered with a question instead: "Why don’t you share your understanding of the Panic Realm and the Demon People?"

Though puzzled, Angel narrated what he knew.

After listening to Angel, Laplace made no comment but continued: "This is just your own opinion. Can your opinion represent everyone? Why not ask your companions if they have anything to add?"

Angel was unsure of the implication, but instinctively glanced at the others.

Dox, having come to his senses, noticed Angel’s gaze and thought for a moment: "What I know, you’ve basically covered. However, I remember overhearing a conversation in a tavern where someone mentioned three theories about the origins of the Panic Realm’s demons..."

"But I didn’t catch the specifics of the three theories," Dox mentioned, unable to resist critiquing, "Those chatters looked like a caravan, yet they spoke mysteriously as if they were hiding something."

Vay retorted: "Before you criticize others, don’t forget what you were doing. You were eavesdropping!"

Dox: "I was openly eavesdropping!"

"Whether it’s open or sneaky, eavesdropping is eavesdropping, isn’t it?"

Just as Dox was about to argue back, Angel coughed, interrupting their dispute first.

While their focus shifted, Angel quickly looked at Black Earl, seeking any additional information.

Black Earl: "What was mentioned about the demon origins, I’ve heard of it. It’s recorded in the Prosperous Monthly’s century-old ’Winterfall Secrets.’"

"’Winterfall Secrets’?" Angel appeared puzzled, for he had no memory of such a publication.

Not only Angel, but everyone else also seemed unfamiliar with it.

Black Earl: "It’s an internal journal at the Winter Academy, accessible only to its professors."

Angel frowned, curious why Black Earl had read it if only Winter Academy professors could access it.

Black Earl, seemingly reading Angel’s thoughts, calmly explained: "Though it’s meant for Winter Academy’s professors, that particular issue was indeed intended for outsiders from the start."

Amid everyone’s perplexed expressions, Black Earl recounted the circumstances of those times.

The reason why ’Winterfall Secrets’ published messages on demon origins dates back several months before, during a minor conflict between the Frostmoon Alliance and the Extremist Faction.

Yes, the Frostmoon Alliance and the Extremist Faction. These two... hegemonic organizations in the Southern Domain Wizards’ Realm.

Back then, a small squad from the Frostmoon Alliance secretly transported a batch of demon carcasses from the Abyss back to the Southern Domain. However, while teleporting back to the Realm Island of the Begal Long Sea from the Abyss, they were ambushed by the Extremist Faction.

Originally, the Frostmoon Alliance and the Extremist Faction maintained a tacit mutual non-interference on these "smuggling" matters. Occasionally, the Frostmoon Alliance would even sell the smugglers’ information to them to avoid embarrassment.

However, this time, the smuggling was an entirely unilateral action by the Extremist Faction, without informing the Frostmoon Alliance.

It’s said that a gray-robed Bishop within the Extremist Faction acted on his own initiative. The reason, quite simple... some absolute extremists within the faction are only loyal to the ’World Will,’ not the Archbishop.

This faction’s style is extreme to the extreme, tolerating no flaws.

Coincidentally, a gray-robed Bishop from this faction was guarding the Realm Island, and "accidentally" someone leaked information about the Frostmoon Alliance’s smuggling squad, leading to this minor conflict.

In the end, the Extremist Faction seized all the demon carcasses, and a few apprentices from the Frostmoon Alliance were killed.

After this conflict, neither side openly tore down relations.

After all, the Extremist Faction represented "justice," wielding the banner of the World Will; resisting them equals opposing the world.

Nonetheless, while everyone remained silent on the surface, the Frostmoon Alliance still had some minor actions behind the scenes.

With Monty, the Southern Domain’s most potent wizard, backing them, accepting this "insulting incident" quietly wasn’t an option for them.

Thus began a series of covert reprisals. Though termed "covert," given the need to save face, there was some acting involved, so the covert operations were more high-level whispers, known to the Southern Domain’s upper-echelon witches but unknown to regular wizards.

It aimed to assert the Frostmoon Alliance’s hegemony while also signaling they wouldn’t swallow such indignities quietly.

Within these chains of reprisal was the Winter Academy’s blast via ’Winterfall Secrets.’

Winter Academy is one of the thirteen Witcher Organizations under the Frostmoon Alliance, and their ’Winterfall Secrets’ was originally only for internal use. But somehow, a high-level witch "accidentally" left the journal at a small circle’s Tea Party, leading to its spread.

Even then, the knowledge remained limited to upper echelons, with ordinary wizards remaining oblivious.

Why did Winter Academy proceed this way? Because within ’Winterfall Secrets’ was an article subtly mocking the Extremist Faction.

And this article was the ’Origins of the Panic Realm’s Demons’.

According to the article, the form of existence of Panic Realm’s demons is peculiar. Based on research conjectures, there might be three origins.

Yes, it’s merely a "conjecture," essentially saying it’s speculation anyone could call nonsense if they wished.

The first theory is the Void Theory, suggesting that Panic Realm’s demons originally came from the Void.

The argument being— they are too powerful. Compared to the intelligent life forms of the Panic Realm, these demons are overwhelmingly superior. Common sense dictates such mighty beings could not be native to the realm. Given how barren the Panic Realm is, it couldn’t possibly nurture such powerful demons.

Therefore, they might originate from the Void.

The second possibility is the Overlap Theory, indicating that the Panic Realm is an overlap of multiple worlds, much like the Fairy Tale World, divided into Outer World and Inner World. Demons mainly come from the Inner World.

Again, due to Panic Realm’s impoverishment, it cannot sustain such power, indicating another source. An Outer and Inner World dynamic is one possibility.

The third possibility is the World Will Nurturing Theory.

The barrenness of the Panic Realm might result from consumption by otherworldly beings. It’s posited as a breeding ground for some powerful worlds.

To prevent further decline, the World Will elevated a type of life form to become dominant, embodied as demons.

Through mighty demons, otherworldly creatures are expelled, maintaining the Panic Realm’s balance.

As for the evidence, there is none. It’s utterly speculative, perhaps merely attributing the Panic Realm’s demons’ tolerance by its world will to their championing the "justice" banner.

Just like the Extreme Sect, holding up the banner of justice in the Southern Domain Wizard Realm.

The above are the three origins of Panic Realm Demons... all speculation, without actual evidence.

The first and second are basically written to fill the numbers, and the reason Winter Academy placed this article in "Winterfall Secrets" is because of the emphasis on the third possibility.

This third origin theory is entirely a subtle reference to the Extreme Sect.

Moreover, anyone who has some understanding of the Southern Domain Wizard Realm’s layout can see that this is essentially mocking and ridiculing the Extreme Sect.

Such an article, how could the Frostmoon Alliance let it spread internally only; it was compiled to be disseminated externally.

But they can’t openly claim it to be external dissemination, so they used "Winterfall Secrets" to stage this "accidental leak" drama.

Seeing it, the Extreme Sect would want trouble with the Frostmoon Alliance, but they don’t have any formal and reasonable grounds.

Because "Winterfall Secrets" can only be seen by people from Winter Academy, how did you Extreme Sect see it, was there a spy?

As for deliberate leaks? The Frostmoon Alliance naturally wouldn’t admit it.

This is clearly a scheme, using small tactics to disgust the Extreme Sect, as revenge for past grievances.

And this is just one of the less conspicuous acts of retaliation in a series. Besides this, there are some more blatant actions. Therefore, this article is actually not very important, having only a small circulation among the top echelons of the Southern Domain Wizards.

As the leader of the Noah Clan, one of the top wizards in the Southern Domain, the Frostmoon Alliance naturally wouldn’t forget Black Earl.

Even if Black Earl doesn’t want to see this article, the Frostmoon Alliance would find various ways to make him aware of it.

So, it may seem like a secret tale, but it’s only a matter of your power level; once you have influence, these secrets will naturally present themselves to you.

...

After listening to Black Earl’s narration, the crowd was not too surprised; such situations between organizations and alliances in the Southern Domain occurred far too often.

Open and covert struggles are unending, deceit and betrayal never cease. This is the Wizard Realm, a world where it’s either you scheming against me or me against you.

Instead, after hearing Laplace’s full story, he said with a slight mocking tone, "Heh, humans."

Laplace didn’t say anything further, but everyone could sense the disdain.

Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Angel proactively spoke to ease the tension: "This origin theory information, without solid evidence, is hard to say if it’s true, right?"

Black Earl: "That’s correct. However, the article rightly says at the beginning, the demonic nature of the Panic Realm is too bizarre. Power of a Legend exists among them; yet, the barrenness of the Panic Realm can’t support such powerful entities. So, the article doesn’t need deep probing, but can serve as a reference."

Angel nodded in understanding, continuing: "Does the lord have any other information about the Panic Realm to add?"

Black Earl thought a moment, then spoke: "An old friend of mine wanted to study demons in the Panic Realm but ultimately didn’t succeed."

Dox asked curiously, "Was he repelled by demons?"

Black Earl: "No. He didn’t even reach the Panic Realm, but on his way he was diverted by a path-mark into a void disaster area. According to him, the closest path to the Panic Realm goes through this disaster, yet the void’s calamity has cyclic fluctuations; without detailed data, it’s hard to find a way through the disaster."

"And if you take a detour, you’d enter a collapsing region, with an uncertain amount of time and space distance. Hundreds of years may pass in an instant."

"In the end, he chose to return."

After Black Earl’s narration, the crowd felt a bit puzzled, as there wasn’t much information. The connection to the Panic Realm was weak; if forced to say, it would be encountering disaster halfway to the Panic Realm, hence being forced to retreat.

"Didn’t even reach the Panic Realm, or get close to it, and this counts as information on the Panic Realm?" Dox voiced what everyone was thinking.

Black Earl: "Indeed not much relation. However, the path mark to the Panic Realm is recorded by the Frostmoon Alliance in "Plane Conquest Record." The Frostmoon Alliance didn’t mention encountering void disasters midway."

Angel: "You mean the Frostmoon Alliance uses this path mark to mislead?"

Black Earl shook his head: "I don’t know. I tell this story just to inform you that the Panic Realm is contradictory, full of mysteries; you should view it dialectically, not easily believe external information."

Angel pondered for a moment, then nodded.

Black Earl’s main point is that the Frostmoon Alliance’s records of the Panic Realm might not be accurate.

Meanwhile, the information Angel previously recounted regarding the Panic Realm and Demon People was almost entirely from "Plane Conquest Record" authored by the Frostmoon Alliance.

In this light, could the information be false?

While Angel was thinking this, Kaier suddenly raised his hand: "I once saw a message about the Panic Realm in a relic, though I don’t know if it’s true or not."

Angel: "Whether true or false, feel free to speak."

Kaier nodded and began to narrate his experience. From his fluent words, it was evident he was prepared; perhaps when Laplace asked Angel to inquire about the Panic Realm from companions, he was already drafting his thoughts.

This indicates on the side that Kaier is quite attached to this message, likely a lingering concern.

"This relic is actually near the Sandworm Market." Kaier said, "Lord Red Sword knows, I enjoy buying cipher maps; I once purchased a few from you."

Dox nodded; at first he thought Kaier had a penchant for decrypting maps, but later learned Kaier simply hoped ancient cipher maps might conceal some hidden information.

"Years ago, I acquired an old-looking cipher map at the Sandworm Market. Deciphering it led to a guide map resembling a treasure map."

Dox: "I recall you sharing that; you said it was a deliberately weathered false treasure map?"

Kaier nodded: "Indeed, it was a fake treasure map. I found the location on the map only to discover it was a deserted Earth Cavern with signs of recent human activity."

"I suspect the map maker had operated there before, hence crafted it into a cipher map to entice buyers."

Thus Kaier foolishly fell for the bait.

"Though it was an Earth Cavern with human activity, I searched the place. During the search, I indeed uncovered a concealed secret chamber."

"It was an unopened chamber; I thought someone had entered it too. So, upon deciphering the mechanism, I pushed the door and entered."

"As outside air entered the chamber, everything colored inside began to fade nearly instantly."

"The chamber was small, with only a mural inside. Due to my carelessness, the mural quickly vanished..."

"But before it disappeared, I managed to memorize part of the mural."