Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2534: Chapter 2535: Secret Matters

Perhaps because Angel rarely starts to care about the future strategic topics of the Barbarian Cave, Ironclad Granny is much more talkative than usual, chatting with Angel about many of these secrets.

These secrets opened Angel’s eyes. Many seemingly normal personnel arrangements actually hide a lot of strategic deployment.

For example, the ’Cold Winter Royal Power’ Horus. He was sent to Sky Mechanical City, ostensibly because Angel became a member of the Research and Development Institute, giving the apprentices of the Barbarian Cave the opportunity to study Alchemy at Ashliea Comprehensive College.

Alchemy is a very vast and valuable system. If this system can stabilize in the Barbarian Cave, the continuous emergence of Alchemists will no longer be a mere wish. Therefore, for such a strategic matter concerning organizational development, a heavyweight Wizard is necessary to maintain and guard it, which resulted in Horus going to Sky Mechanical City.

However, this is only the situation on the surface. Horus stationed in Sky Mechanical City also has a more important task, which is to represent the Barbarian Cave in deep exchanges with Sky Mechanical City on various levels.

This deep exchange covers various aspects, including sharing information about the Gumman Kingdom and strategic planning.

Of course, before Horus, the Barbarian Cave also had other Wizards representing it in exchanges, but the level was relatively low. As time passed, both sides needed higher-level exchanges, but the situation in the Southern Domain is quite complicated. Sending a Second Level True Knowledge Wizard to reside in Sky Mechanical City would undoubtedly draw much attention.

Just then, Angel became a member of the Research and Development Institute, stirring up the public opinion pool of the Wizards’ Realm.

This also gave Horus legitimate grounds to advance into Sky Mechanical City, and Rhein took advantage of the situation, resulting in the current status.

Horus’s situation is not an isolated case. There are quite a few like him with both open and hidden mission lines.

Recently worth mentioning is the mentor of ’Fire-stepper’ Ferro, this Second Level True Knowledge Wizard, known as ’Heavenly Fire’ in the Southern Domain—Gallinaya.

Gallinaya had been retreating in the Source of Flow, but recently left the Barbarian Cave to head to the Abyss.

Gallinaya’s external statement was to travel to the Outer Domain, and along the way seek some demonic materials and opportunities for breakthrough.

But if spies from other organizations investigate this matter, they will eventually discover that Gallinaya’s true mission to the Abyss is not simply to seek breakthrough opportunities; he’s secretly preparing to rescue Madeline, captured by Dong La as foretold by Maya’s prophecy.

If the spies are even more resourceful and dig deeper, they will find that aside from rescuing Madeline, Gallinaya also plans to find an opportunity to kill Dong La while her physical body is weak.

If the plot to kill Dong La is exposed, it would undoubtedly trigger a frenzy in public opinion.

But in reality, the plot to assassinate Dong La is just a side mission. Gallinaya’s actual task is being sent by Rhein to the Abyss to search for secret ritual information related to the Gumman Kingdom’s desire for power.

Because the ritual set up by King Gumman must originate from the Abyss. To break this ritual, finding answers in the Abyss is the correct path.

The reason Gallinaya’s mission is so interwoven in light and dark lines, even hiding deeper dark lines in the dark line, is because breaking the ritual is something Lord Monty would absolutely not allow. If the search is blatant, it’s highly likely to be noticed by the Frostmoon Alliance as suspicious.

Thus, Gallinaya going to the Abyss is wrapped in multiple layers of reasoning as its outer hull.

After all, the largest human force currently in the Abyss region corresponding to the Southern Domain is the Frostmoon Alliance.

”So, the deployment of these personnel has such deep meaning.” After listening to Ironclad Granny’s explanation, Angel couldn’t help but marvel.

”The relationships among the major Witcher Organizations in the Southern Domain aren’t as peaceful as they appear on the surface. They constantly hover between mutual balance and undercurrents, which is the true normal state. Once someone within an organization reaches a level that can affect the balance of power, it will inevitably draw attention. This is why many True Knowledge Wizards are reluctant to go out, or use Plane Corridors when they do, because if they openly leave or perform any unusual act, they will be noticed by planted spies or intelligence agencies.”

Angel: ”Are spies so rampant in Witcher Organizations?”

Ironclad Granny: ”Rampant is an overstatement. Many spies’ identities are already clear, just that each organization maintains a tacit understanding not to expose them. But there are still some spies hidden in the dark, though they aren’t numerous.”

”While these spies pose certain dangers, their threat level isn’t significant.”

Undetected spies must be extremely cautious and wouldn’t actively harm the Barbarian Cave unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, they would be discovered promptly. This is why Granny says their threat level isn’t high.

”Additionally, the Task Hall frequently posts tasks occasionally, deliberately to lure out these hidden spies.”

”For example, the recent New City construction task actually lured out quite a few buzzing spies.”

Using tasks that seem important or special to entice those spies to expose themselves is typical baiting behavior.

”By the way, it was mentioned earlier that once someone appears who can affect the balance of power, they immediately attract attention from various organizations.” Ironclad Granny glanced at Angel: ”You should also be under scrutiny. Even though your power hasn’t reached a highly threatening level, your identity as a Research and Development Institute member is a prominent symbol, and nearly every member experiences this.”

”However, since you haven’t released any work in the Research and Development Institute yet, there shouldn’t be any spies specifically targeting you. But once the Wilderness of Dreams is publicized, that will change. Then you’ll need to pay more attention to those around you.”

Angel nodded.

The emergence of the Wilderness of Dreams will undoubtedly cause a huge stir, and he has already prepared for that without Granny’s reminder.

However, despite his preparations, listening to Granny’s various admonitions made him reflect a bit.

He now somewhat understands why Red Sword Docks emphasizes that joining a Witcher Organization leads to a loss of freedom. For Docks, this situation of having to mutually adhere to tacit understandings, and being restrained in actions is likely something he least wants to experience.

After discussing these secrets, the water in Ironclad Granny’s teapot was no longer scalding, and their conversation gradually drew to a close.

”By the way, how is Mandhela doing now?”

Angel: ”Her soul body isn’t injured, but the negative energy inside her is showing signs of gradually boiling.”

”Why don’t you pull her into the Wilderness of Dreams first?” Ironclad Granny asked, puzzled.

She had seen Mandhela before and was aware of Mandhela’s situation. Once the negative energy goes out of control, Mandhela’s soul body is likely to revert to undead thinking.

Angel: ”She is actively calming the undead energy. I also left her a one-time Dream Entering Technique. When she feels it’s appropriate, she’ll return to the Wilderness of Dreams on her own.”

Actively calming? Returning on her own?

Ironclad Granny was a bit puzzled. As far as she knew, Mandhela herself seemed to want to return to reality and regain semi-undead abilities. Why would she actively calm the negative energy inside her? Moreover, for Mandhela, the Wilderness of Dreams is actually her cage; would she be willing to return to this cage?

Faced with Ironclad Granny’s confusion, Angel smiled gently: ”Perhaps it’s because of some bonds.”

Angel didn’t explain what bonds meant, but he believed Ironclad Granny could understand.

”Overall, Mandhela hasn’t been hurt much. Instead, it’s the Princess’s daughter who, if injured outside the castle, would probably have been done for.”

Ironclad Granny: ”What do you mean?”

Angel briefly explained the situation at the time.

After Mandhela infiltrated the Princess Castle, she discovered that the magical energy array inside the castle, just as Angel had guessed, could discern her soul, allowing her to control part of the magical energy array, and she was no longer restrained by it.

Without restraints, Mandhela began her vengeance against Modia.

Modia’s strength was completely outclassed by Mandhela. Even when the Gray Crow joined, Mandhela could control the magical energy array’s power to keep him from approaching easily.

But curiously, no matter how Mandhela outmatched Modia, she couldn’t thoroughly kill her. Even when torn apart, Modia could restore herself in her room.

And it just so happened that the part of the magical energy array in Modia’s room was beyond Mandhela’s control.

Mandhela didn’t know the specifics of the situation either.

However, Mandhela remembered Angel’s words before departure. Seeing that Modia couldn’t be killed, she didn’t force it but instead burned her own negative energy to taint Modia’s soul.

After doing this, Mandhela left the castle.

Because Modia’s soul was tainted, and compounded by the special potion Angel brought from the Mushroom Witch, mushrooms sprouted all over her body. Faced with such blows, Modia passed out immediately.

It’s unclear whether Modia can awaken under such intense stimuli. Even if she does wake up, given that her soul is tainted, it’s likely she will go completely mad. Unless a method for soul purification can be found.

Angel personally even hopes that Modia’s soul can be purified.

Because, for Modia, going mad is not a terrible punishment. Living, especially living without hope, is the greatest punishment. And if a permanent mushroom skin could be added to this punishment, it would be even better.

”I thought you let Mandhela kill the Princess.”

”She can’t be killed?”

Ironclad Granny shook her head: ”She can be killed. She’s just insignificant, whether she lives or dies is inconsequential, as long as there’s a suitable reason, it won’t affect the overall situation.”

”However, not dead is better than dead.” Ironclad Granny sipped her tea and said slowly, ”If she’s not dead, we could make much use of this.”

Death is just a momentary relief. King Gumman could completely place the blame of Lady Melo’s capture on a dead person.

But if she’s not dead, an explanation is required.

It could even be used as a reason to intervene in the chaos of Gumman.

”If you don’t want to get involved in Gumman matters, just leave it alone. Later, when the wizards sent to handle this matter arrive, they will take care of it.”

Angel nodded. He hadn’t intended to meddle in Gumman affairs from the beginning, and after learning the chaos behind the Gumman Kingdom, he was even more resolved in this belief.

Such troublesome matters that wouldn’t yield much profit didn’t pique his interest in the slightest.