Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2590: Chapter 2591: Mural

Dox didn’t refuse and walked directly to the Star Color Stone, starting to study how to pry it open most effectively. However, his mouth still didn’t stop babbling: ”Your bloodline, in terms of strength, is indeed a bit weak. Why not go to the Abyss with me next time, and I’ll choose a quality bloodline for you.”

Facing Dox’s teasing, Angel said indifferently: ”I’m not going. But, if you can really manage to get high-quality bloodline of Intermediate Rank or higher from the Abyss, I’ll pay to buy it.”

Angel himself doesn’t need it, but he can prepare it for his brother Lyon.

However, all of this is based on the premise that Dox can really hunt Abyssal Creatures of Intermediate Rank and above.

Seeing Dox suddenly silent in the distance, everyone already understood that the difficulty of this matter had exceeded Dox’s strength range.

Only, as for how terrifying Abyssal Creatures of Intermediate Rank and above can be, the two apprentices present were completely unaware.

Just as they were curious, a voice came from behind.

”I can find you high-quality bloodline of Intermediate Rank and above, are you willing to take it?” It was the Black Earl, who had just flown down from the stairs; although he was outside, his spiritual power had been focused on the situation in the hall.

Facing Black Earl’s question, Angel replied without hesitation: ”No.”

”What if it’s the bloodline of a High Order demon? This can be comparable to a Third Level True Knowledge Wizard, and you still don’t want it?”

”No.” Angel still showed no hint of tact, saying firmly.

The Black Earl chuckled, didn’t ask why Angel didn’t want it, but landed from the air, leaned against the corner of the desk, and leisurely watched Dox prying at the Star Color Stone.

This sudden conversation made the two apprentices roughly understand why Dox didn’t dare hunt for top bloodlines of Intermediate Rank, but another question arose. Why was the Black Earl willing to give Angel this top-ranked bloodline, whereas Angel refused?

Actually, the answer is simple, Angel couldn’t afford it.

The Black Earl directly said ”give,” rather than ”trade.” This doesn’t mean the Black Earl would give Angel the high-ranking bloodline as a gift, but that the terms of trade the Black Earl wanted to put forward weren’t easy to explain in just a sentence or two.

If Angel urgently needed the high-ranking demon’s bloodline, he might consider privately hearing what conditions the Black Earl would propose.

But he doesn’t need it urgently, as his brother Lyon is still an apprentice, far from being able to integrate the high-ranking demon bloodline.

Since there’s no urgent need, why seek trouble?

Moreover, judging by the Black Earl’s attitude of not questioning further, Angel is certain that if he agrees, the conditions the Black Earl would propose are definitely not simple.

It would definitely be a big hassle.

And Angel hates nothing more than getting involved in such troublesome matters, as he’s already burdened with enough troubles...

As for why he would agree if Dox went hunting, the answer is simple: Dox can’t beat the top Intermediate Rank creatures in the Abyss; even Sanders wouldn’t provoke such creatures, let alone Dox who hasn’t even reached True Knowledge yet.

Of course, if Dox really finds such bloodline and no one else is involved behind it, Angel would still trade with him as previously mentioned.

Even if Dox proposes some troublesome demands, Angel believes they couldn’t be as troublesome as the Black Earl’s demands.

Maybe because of the previous conversation, the atmosphere in the air slightly congealed.

But this didn’t last long, as Dox had already pried open four embedded spots of the Star Color Stone, and the loose Star Color Stone slowly settled into Dox’s hand.

Without any words, everyone’s gaze simultaneously focused on the backside of the Star Color Stone.

”A mural, there’s really a mural!” Kaier exclaimed, simultaneously tugging on Dox’s arm, looking excited.

”There’s a mural, so there’s a mural, why are you pulling me?” Dox muttered, turning the Star Color Stone to the back and re-embedding it into the wall for easier viewing.

Kaier pulled Dox because although he discovered the mural, it was Dox who gave him hope, urging him to examine the Star Color Stone so carefully.

Dox’s mouth truly worked like magic! Whatever he said, would indeed come true.

Just as Kaier was about to explain to Dox, Angel interrupted him with a glance, implying something simple that Kaier quickly understood.

—Enjoy quietly, once pointed out, it might no longer be available for free.

Kaier thought about it and agreed. Dox seemed to have not yet realized the pattern, so what he currently says are free ”inspirations”; if Dox realizes it, it might cost money.

It’s better not to say anything.

Kaier weighed this and immediately shut up.

However, although Kaier kept silent, a question still arose in his mind: Everyone had noticed that Dox’s mouth seemed like magic, why hadn’t Dox himself noticed?

This is just like in a chess game, where someone inside the game never sees the situation as clearly as someone outside it.

Dox came to explore the ruin because he had a hunch that his inspiration seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough. And this inspiration was correct.

Dox is now within the chess game, with inspiration about to breakthrough into a talent skill. Perhaps it’s the inspiration influencing intentionally, or maybe some sort of rules restriction; Dox is normal in other ways, except he’s slightly inattentive to inspiration. This is also why he remains unaware of being a chess piece.

To unravel this mystery, only Dox himself can discover the blooming of the inspiration flower, then detach from the chess piece identity and let the inspiration flower fully bear fruit, this would be the perfect solution.

Sure, others can remind him, but once reminded, whether Dox can have his inspiration breakthrough again would depend on his luck.

That is to say, at this moment, anyone who reminds Dox thinks they’re doing him a favor, but once Dox realizes it, they’re bound to end up on his hatred list.

Vay has Black Earl’s caution, and now Kaier was fooled by Angel.

Now that all external disturbances have been removed, whether Dox can breakthrough depends solely on himself.

It must be said, Dox is quite lucky. The Black Earl actually has no obligation to help Dox, especially since Dox has repeatedly provoked him along this journey; but precisely when Dox is in the ”chess” state, his inspiration is overflowing, what he says happens to exist, it’s an extremely special burst of inspiration.

This is very useful for their exploration.

Once Dox is reminded, this burst of inspiration will cease. The Black Earl doesn’t want this to happen, after all, this exploration also concerns the Noah Clan, and Dox’s inspiration burst can give clues, helping them discover traces that are usually hard to find.

Just like this Star Color Stone, without Dox’s confidence, Kaier might not have noticed the anomaly. Others also wouldn’t think to flip over a faded Star Color Stone.

Returning to the backside of the Star Color Stone.

The mural on this back is preserved excellently well; both color and patterns appear as new. The reason is simple, this piece of Star Color Stone is of high quality, and it’s on the backside, with two energy channels of a Magical Energy Array, meaning it constantly receives energy maintenance.

This resulted in such a vivid and unfaded mural.

The mural is well preserved, making the contents of the mural easier to comprehend.

Roughly speaking, the layout of the mural is divided into inner and outer circles, with the outer circle depicting worshippers kneeling on the ground, forming a ring that encloses the innermost circle.

The worshippers on the outermost edge are small and blurry, but those closer to the inner circle grow larger in size, their clothes become more elaborate, and even the faces under the hoods are quite detailed.

This difference in size is not due to ethnic variations, but rather the perspective of the painter, and an exaggeration to emphasize the central figures.

Those closer to the inner circle must be the core worshippers.

For now, let’s not discuss these worshippers further, as even those in the inner circle have half of their faces hidden by hoods, making it hard to identify them.

What is most central and most important is the inner circle itself.

Because the inner circle depicts the ”god” they worship, and is also the object of the worshippers’ devotion.

”These should be worshippers of the Mirror Demon God, right? And in the center, this is the Mirror Demon God?” Dox stared at the deity in the middle, his eyes showing an odd expression: ”The style of this painting feels a bit strange.”

Not only Dox felt this oddity, everyone had a feeling of disjointedness in the painting style.

The outer circle of kneeling worshippers follows a common religious mural style, with the atmosphere set well, almost reaching an epic feeling.

But the style of the inner circle... is completely different. Even the Black Earl couldn’t identify what style it is, only saying it felt like a noble emblem.

To call it a noble emblem might even be too high a praise, because many noble clan emblems are designed with the stories of their family, lacking an epic feel but having a certain weight.

In Angel’s view, the style in front of him actually resembles circus Joker graffiti.

Overall, it’s a hollow black circle, but a diagonal line divides the circle evenly into two halves.

The left half, upon closer inspection, appears to be a male wearing a high hat wrapped with black and white flowers, and a mask with a grotesque smile.

The right half is the side profile of a woman, with long golden hair blown apart, masking her beautiful outline.

One circle, two people with different styles, both with exaggerated painting styles.

”Is this the Mirror Demon God they worship?” Dox considers himself open-minded, ready to accept anything, but seeing this painting style, he still finds it hard to accept, as evident from his elongated tone at the end of his question.

Vay, who comes from a noble background and a Wizard family, having received good art education, felt a headache, even a slight throb in his temples. This painting style is just too wild, too flamboyant.

Yet, Angel accepted it well. Although he is also of noble origin, he’s seen many different paintings on the holographic tablet, including extremely exaggerated, anthropomorphic cartoon paintings, so he doesn’t mind this painting.

The only doubt is, is this really a Demon God? Can a Demon God accept such a painting style?

After a moment of silence, Kaier spoke first: ”It should be the Mirror Demon God. If you look closely, the man on the left with a top hat and mask, the white flower on his hat is actually a mirror flower, made with a mirror surface, reflecting white due to the surrounding white wrap.”

”And the woman on the right, the necklace around her neck, from the chain to the pendant, is made up of mirror pieces. Her earring is obscured by hair, but the painter intentionally painted a ray of light on the earring location. I guess the earring should also be mirror-like.”

After Kaier finished speaking, Dox let out a deep sigh: ”Has it come to the point where we identify the Mirror Demon God solely by mirrors?”

Kaier lowered his head in shame. Indeed, his explanation was far-fetched. It sounds fine upon first hearing, but upon deeper thought, it’s full of holes.

Yet Angel supported his explanation, saying to Dox: ”If not, what else could it be? Isn’t this the Mirror Demon God?”

Dox opened his mouth but eventually said nothing.

According to the traces left by the Mirror Demon God worshippers they encountered along the way, this Star Color Stone is undoubtedly something left by the worshippers. The deity they kneel before, who else could it be but the Mirror Demon God?

”Is the Mirror Demon God two people?” Vay silently asked.

No one responded for a moment.

”Perhaps this diagonal line is the mirror, outside the mirror is one person, while inside the mirror reflects another person.” Angel pointed to the diagonal line of the circle.

He had a similar experience, having seen a long-haired person in the mirror who was both himself and not himself.

Plus, he’s seen many modern Earth illustrations, where simple lines represent obscure and complex things, which is common.

Hence, this speculation arose.

”It’s possible, the Mirror Demon God might be just one, but presents two forms inside and outside the mirror.” The Black Earl finally spoke, not commenting on the painting, but on Angel’s speculation.

”Has sir ever heard of such a Demon God? Or perhaps, an Ancient One or wizard with similar Spell Techniques?” Angel asked.

The Black Earl pondered for a moment: ”Spells related to mirrors, though not many, still can be found if you look hard enough. Each organization likely has some similar spell collections, the most famous among them...”

The Black Earl paused here, slowly turning to Angel: ”Is the heritage of your Barbarian Cave.”

Everyone else also looked at Angel with peculiar expressions.

Angel himself was a bit dumbfounded; he hadn’t heard of this before, and among the existing wizards in Barbarian Cave, not one is involved with mirrors.

The Black Earl seemed to perceive Angel’s confusion, casually mentioning a name: ”Mirror Lady.”

Angel suddenly realized, of course, the Mirror Lady is involved with mirrors, the entire Barbarian Cave headquarters being her creation, the Mirror World, and she’s also an old monster who’s lived for who knows how long.

Just taking the Mirror Lady into account, she indeed overshadows other organizations with similar Spell Techniques.

”But, Lord Mirror Lady is a spirit, she cannot leave the Mirror World.” Angel said: ”So, she definitely isn’t the Mirror Demon God.”

Black Earl: ”I never said she is the Mirror Demon God. I am familiar with the Mirror Lady; she is not interested in worshippers, only interested in handsome men.”

After Black Earl finished speaking, the most reactive was Dox, who touched his face, murmuring: ”Looks like I better not go near the Barbarian Cave in the future.”

Everyone: ”...”

Angel: ”Lady Mirror never abducts people, and she’s only interested in handsome men.”

Dox: ”As long as she doesn’t abduct... Wait, what do you mean? Aren’t I a handsome man?”

Angel ignored Dox and continued to look at Black Earl.

”Apart from Lady Mirror, has there been another wizard or Abyssal creatures from ten thousand years ago who are fond of mirror spells?”

Black Earl: ”I don’t know. The only thing I know is that your Barbarian Cave holds the most comprehensive heritage of related spells, even that old man Rhein’s daughter is also involved with mirrors, isn’t she?”