Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2637: Chapter 2638: So-Called Treasures

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Angel walked up to the Alchemy Golem.

Angel’s intention was already clear: he was going to test the Cicia’s Box, but the crowd was still puzzled about what method Angel would use to test it?

More Magic Crystals? Or other Demonic Materials, or perhaps Alchemy Tools?

However, Angel’s choice left them somewhat speechless.

Angel took out two Gold Coins from his bracelet.

Yes, it was the familiar currency used under the gold standard system.

In the Mortal Kingdom, as long as it is a Gold Coin, no matter its form, it is very valuable. But in the Extraordinary World, Gold Coins basically have no use, not even for decoration due to their softness; they are far less comparable to Vay’s Magic Crystals.

Why did Angel take out two Gold Coins? Was he trying to test the acceptance limit of Cicia’s Box?

But earlier Vay was rejected despite using Magic Crystals, and would Cicia’s Box accept Gold Coins?

While everyone was secretly doubting, the Black Earl suddenly chuckled softly: ”Interesting.”

Dox: ”What’s interesting? If you can succeed with just two Gold Coins, I have plenty of them and can use mine. But is it possible? Angel might be crashing this time.”

Dox did not think highly of Angel’s behavior, or rather, he did not understand at all what Angel was trying to do.

Black Earl: ”Those two Gold Coins, used as Testing Stones, are much more valuable than Vay’s Magic Crystals. Take a closer look at the style of those two Gold Coins.”

Two Gold Coins more suitable as Testing Stones than Magic Crystals? With suspicion, the crowd began observing the two Gold Coins in Angel’s hand.

Due to a blind spot in their perspective, and it being inappropriate to use spiritual power for probing, they could only see part of the pattern on the Gold Coins.

However, Vay was outside the Moving Mirage at this moment, and since he revealed himself, he could use his spiritual power freely to observe those two Gold Coins.

While observing, Vay also described the images he saw to others in the Mind Ribbon.

One Gold Coin, looking at its specifications, was a very standard format, though Vay had never seen the patterns on it before, it could be determined that as long as the gold content was right, it could be used in countries under the gold standard system.

”What exactly is the pattern?” Dox asked.

Vay thought for a moment and said, ”One side depicts a bird sparrow soaring with wings spread, while the other side... isn’t quite clear, a lot of scratches, rather severely worn.”

”But it’s certain that it’s just a regular Gold Coin.”

After a pause, Vay continued describing the other Gold Coin: ”As for the other Gold Coin...”

Vay suddenly stopped, staying silent for a long time and, under Dox’s urging, hesitated to speak: ”This Gold Coin is also a standard format, but the patterns on both sides of this Gold Coin are somewhat peculiar.”

”One side shows the pattern of a Crown, but this Crown seems a bit odd, its angles are crooked, and at the top of each corner of the Crown, there is a rounded ball, engraved with numerous bends, if not colored, it very much resembles a Joker ball... Even, this Crown somewhat feels like a Joker hat.”

Dox: ”Feeling like a Joker? Then it might be Circus Coin, also serving as circus admission, with some commemorative value.”

In the Mortal Kingdom, using ”privately made coins” as circus admission is usually not against the law, since these coins, besides looking like real ones, aren’t genuinely coins. Holding it to feel, it’s known to be a fake coin.

The essence of circus, other than entertaining the public, requires expertise in creating surprises. Thus, Circus Coins were born.

After hearing Dox’s explanation, Vay shook his head: ”It shouldn’t be the Circus Coin you mentioned, as the other side of its pattern is, is...”

Vay suddenly didn’t know how to describe it, or whether he should describe it.

Vay couldn’t help directing his gaze towards the Black Earl.

The Black Earl sighed: ”Just say it straight, talking in the Mind Ribbon carries no consequence.”

With the Black Earl’s approval, Vay finally said in the Mind Ribbon: ”The other side’s pattern is...the true name mark of the Crown Joker.”

Those present were not ignorant, even if they usually dared not discuss much about the ”Crown Joker,” they kept his identity firmly in mind.

After all, he was one of the few in the Abyss who stood at the pinnacle of the Pyramid as The Unparalleled Great Demon God!

After surprise, came silence.

After a moment of contemplation, Dox was the first to break the quietness.

”I’ve heard some Alchemists engrave the true name mark of the Crown Joker on their creations, thereby making their works more outstanding. Could Angel also...” Dox’s words were interrupted halfway with a casual glance from Angel from afar.

After all, they had been speaking in the Mind Ribbon, and Angel could hear it too. Previously, Angel hadn’t responded, so Dox thought he had blocked the Mind Ribbon, but from Angel’s gaze just now, it was evident he was listening all along.

Dox pretended to cough twice and stubbornly changed the topic: ”Actually, I quite admire the philosophy of the Crown Joker, and I know several Wizards who also appreciate the Crown Joker greatly...”

Angel coldly replied: ”I hope you can also express such opinions openly before the Extreme Sect.”

Dox’s expression instantly froze.

His words weren’t wrong. Among all Demon Gods in the Abyss, the one whose concepts most closely align with Wizards is the Crown Joker. He pursues ”absolute balance,” where one must pay an equivalent price to obtain something. Compared to the Wizard’s equivalent exchange, this ”absolute” nature is stricter yet fairer.

Even confronting humans, he would pursue balance. This point is admired by many Wizards, so there indeed exists a faction within the Wizards’ Realm that doesn’t resent, and even appreciates, the Crown Joker.

However, unless they are genuine Demon God believers, they wouldn’t openly express their admiration, as the Abyss and Wizards’ Realm are opposed, and this opposition isn’t determined by humans but by the World’s Will. Otherwise, the Extreme Sect wouldn’t relentlessly hunt Demon God believers without listening to their explanations.

Bear the banner of the World Will and absolutely cannot do anything that goes against the banner. To wear the crown, one must bear its weight.

”Just pretend I haven’t said anything, haven’t said anything...” Dox became meek, even the Wandering Wizard, who fears nothing, dares to criticize strong Witcher Organizations. But against the Extreme Sect, even a Wandering Wizard must be meek; they are a group of lunatics, even crazier than some Demon God believers.

Angel ignored Dox and continued to feel the two Gold Coins in his hand.

Honestly, if it weren’t for testing Cicia’s Box, he really wouldn’t want to put these two Gold Coins inside. Because, to him, they both hold different commemorative values.

Angel had been rubbing these two Gold Coins for a long time, as if conducting a final ceremony before a farewell.

On the other side, after Dox shut up, the Black Earl slowly spoke: ”Just a little inquiry should reveal: members of the Research and Development Institute absolutely wouldn’t use the true name mark of a Demon God to enhance their creations. On the contrary, some Demon God believers continually entice Alchemists to use true name marks.”

”Therefore, there are many Demon God believers hidden in the Sky Mechanical City; it is rumored they even formed a secret organization mainly focused on Alchemy exchanges.”

To become an Alchemist, one naturally must be a prodigious genius. If such a genius can be pulled into the vortex against the World Will, it is profitable for the Demon God.

Thus, the more talented one is, the more they are noticed by the Demon God.

Angel surely was noticed by the Demon God, but since Muse agreed to let Angel enter the Research and Development Institute, it proves Angel is absolutely trustworthy.

Those who join the Research and Development Institute sign an oath, allowing great freedom in other matters, even if one seldom visits the institute. However, in matters related to Demon Gods, the oath imposes strict limitations. Even Dong La, full of curiosity for everything, wouldn’t dare violate the oath to touch the Demon God’s mark.

So, Dox’s previous words only exposed his ignorance.

And even more ignorant...

”As an Official Wizard, you don’t even recognize Demon Gold Coins. It seems your pursuit of so-called freedom is more about laziness and neglect.”

The Black Earl spoke bluntly, making Dox’s thick skin turn awkward.

However, the Black Earl knew when to stop and did not continue to extend the conversation. Firstly, there’s no need to break ties with Dox; secondly, apart from Dox’s provocative behavior, the Black Earl actually quite admired Dox.

Otherwise, the Black Earl wouldn’t have guided Dox multiple times along the way.

Including this time, even though the words were harsh, it was also a reminder to Dox... It’s time to improve himself.

Wizards most fear appearing in a knowledge wasteland, and Dox, as an Official Wizard, has some areas where his breadth of knowledge is lush and thriving, but in more areas, it’s even more barren than a wasteland, one could say it’s a desert of knowledge.

The Black Earl didn’t delve deeper, and Dox also remained silent, with the Mind Ribbon falling into a prolonged silence.

It wasn’t until Angel stopped his stroking, seemingly preparing to throw a gold coin into the Cicia Box, that the Mind Ribbon resumed communication.

”Master... what are the Demon Gold Coins?” asked Kaier, cautiously looking at the Black Earl.

The others also pricked up their ears, awaiting a response from the Black Earl, as they hadn’t heard of Demon Gold Coins either.

But this time it wasn’t the Black Earl who answered them, instead, it was Angel standing in front of the Alchemy Golem.

”Demon Gold Coins are the universal currency in the Demon City. The insignia of the Crown Joker is engraved on the coins, also ensuring the absolute fairness of the Demon Gold Coins.”

With the strength of the Crown Joker alone, the Demon Gold Coins became the circulating currency of the Abyss.

Perhaps this is a ”divine standard” financial system?

Although in Angel’s view, this system contains many flaws, as long as the Crown Joker exists for even one more day, the value of Demon Gold Coins will never depreciate.

After a pause, Angel continued, ”This Demon Gold Coin is the first one I earned when I opened a shop in Lassudral.”

Angel’s words carried a touch of lament.

After all, this Demon Gold Coin not only represents ”value,” but it also holds the ”significance” Angel’s life experience has bestowed upon it.

After Angel’s sigh, with a flick of his fingers, he sent the Demon Gold Coin flying, forming a parabolic arc in the air, eventually landing in the Cicia Box.

After throwing the Demon Gold Coin into the Cicia Box, Angel took out a second coin.

As Angel looked at this coin, his gaze clearly carried a sense of nostalgia.

At this point, everyone somewhat understood Angel’s intentions. From the ”attached significance” of the first coin, this coin might also have corresponding significance.

The addition of these ”significances” makes an ordinary coin precious.

--Of course, Demon Gold Coins are not ordinary by any means.

”This coin is the currency of my homeland, the Goldfinch Empire. The front shows a goldfinch spreading its wings; the back originally had the insignia of the Shannon Royal Family, but I gradually scratched it off...” Angel said softly.

”Why scratch off the Shannon Royal Family’s insignia? Do you have a grudge against them?” Dox finally asked after hesitating for a long time.

Angel shook his head: ”No grudge. The reason for scratching it off is purely because I think the goldfinch side looks prettier, while the other side doesn’t.”

Everyone: ”...” This reason is indeed very sufficient.

Seeing everyone showing strange expressions, Angel chuckled: ”This coin, you see, was one of a bag of coins given to me by my Mentor when I left the Old Earth Continent with the Guide.”

Dox recalled the ”significance” attached to the Demon Gold Coin earlier and suddenly understood: ”So, this is a relic left by your Mentor?”

In Dox’s mind, for Angel to treat it so seriously, it seemed his Mentor must have passed away. And this coin bore Angel’s nostalgia for his Mentor, adding that layer of attached significance to an ordinary coin.

However, upon hearing Dox’s words, Angel’s gaze immediately turned cold: ”Sorry to disappoint you, my Mentor is very much alive.”

Realizing that he had made a wrong judgment and being met with Angel’s cold stare, Dox’s expression turned somewhat awkward.

”I, I...” Dox lowered his head: ”It’s my fault, I spoke carelessly, without thinking.”

Angel didn’t actually blame Dox too much, he could understand Dox’s logic. The significance attached to the coin was indeed what Angel intended to use to test the Cicia Box’s ”precious” standards.

This coin does indeed have its significance, only Dox thought in the wrong direction.

”From the Old Earth Continent to the Flourish Continent, to me at the time, it was a very distant journey. The passage of time was both fast and slow, and unknowingly, I somewhat lost track of time. So, to reclaim the concept of time, I took out a coin and scratched a mark on it every day, eventually turning the back of this coin into its current appearance.”

”It not only represents the gift given by my Mentor; the number of scratches also signifies the days I drifted on the Devil’s Sea. At the same time, it witnesses my journey from ordinary to Transcendent.”

When Angel finished speaking, he flicked it lightly again, sending this coin into the Cicia Box.

A Demon Gold Coin represented Angel’s sentiments and experiences.

An ordinary coin witnessed Angel’s growth and remembrance.

In terms of sheer value, one is precious, the other ordinary. But in terms of attached ”significance,” for Angel, they are both... treasures.

Angel brought out these two coins to see if the Cicia Box values intrinsic worth or the so-called ”significance,” or perhaps both.

Everyone now understood Angel’s intentions.

It must be said that, from the perspective of probing, Angel is far more thorough and comprehensive than Vay.

Aside from that, everyone greatly admired Angel’s willingness to let go of items bearing ”significance,” which requires significant decisiveness. Letting go, speaks simply, but is difficult.

If it were themselves, they might ponder for a very, very long time.

...

Sensitive emotions were temporarily set aside. Everyone’s attention returned to the present.

After the two coins were thrown into the Cicia Box, what changes would occur?

Would it accept them, or would it, just like with Vay, be immediately rejected?

While everyone was pondering, the Cicia Box showed changes for the first time.

The exquisite box began to emanate a faint red glow above it, with misty fog swirling within the glow, occasionally forming strange patterns.

But no one could comprehend the meaning of the patterns.

The whole process appeared both bizarre and somewhat eerie.

”Is this... the indication of acceptance?” the group wondered.

Unlike Vay’s previous situation, so naturally they speculated in the direction of ”acceptance.”

However, the red glow continued to linger, the patterns continuously flashing, yet no other information was revealed, and the Alchemy Golem didn’t utter any words of acceptance.

What is going on?

Angel himself was also bewildered, and after pondering for a moment, he reached his hand towards the Cicia Box.