Warlock Apprentice

Upon entering the inner chamber, Viking gestured for Angel to take the seat of honor and then lit the candles on the long table.

In the flickering candlelight, Viking slowly opened his mouth and said, ”My lord, before I explain the situation, may I presumptuously ask you a question first?”

Angel nodded indifferently.

”My lord, are you purchasing the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone for alchemy purposes, or perhaps... for other uses?” Viking seemed worried about being misunderstood and added hastily, ”I’m not trying to probe your intentions. If you prefer not to answer, that’s perfectly fine.”

Angel glanced at Viking. Although Viking’s question sounded milder, the essence of it was virtually identical to what Snow had asked earlier. In that case, the reason selling Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone had become a ”problem” in Snow’s words was likely tied to its usage?

The only difference between Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone and other Demon Bloodstones lies in its tendency to affect ”emotions and desires.” Could it be that someone—or rather, a certain group of people—needs the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone to manipulate desires?

Of course, the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone not only controls desires but can also be used inversely to amplify and release individual desires. However, the ability to amplify desires can be substituted by other demonic materials, so it wouldn’t be solely reliant on the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone.

Angel’s mind raced, processing the implications quickly, yet he promptly gave Viking an answer in reality.

”For alchemy purposes,” Angel replied without reservation. As an alchemist himself, buying demonic materials for alchemy was the most natural thing.

”Since it’s for alchemy, that’s good,” Viking seemed relieved, and under Angel’s watchful gaze, he began explaining, ”Actually, the prohibition on Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone sales only started in the past six months.”

”This matter has some relation to the alchemy world.” At Angel’s questioning glance, Viking softly remarked, ”My lord, you should be aware of... the Profound Alchemy Association, correct?”

The Profound Alchemy Association? When Viking mentioned this name, Angel showed no particular reaction. Instead, Onassis on the other side frowned slightly.

The Profound Alchemy Association, though outwardly appearing to be a guild named after alchemy, had in reality been thoroughly infiltrated by the Abyssal Demon God to its very core. In truth, the foundation of the Profound Alchemy Association lies in offering faithful devotion to the Unparalleled Great Demon God, leveraging the power from the Demon God’s mark to enhance alchemical abilities.

Anything tied to the Abyssal Demon God—especially the Unparalleled Great Demon God—was never simple. It was precisely for this reason that Onassis frowned, feeling a twinge of regret for agreeing to come hear this matter.

”I know,” Angel responded calmly. Not only did he know, but he had even ventured into the inner workings of the Profound Alchemy Association. Although the association’s background was deeply problematic, its internal exchanges were often a treasure trove for rare demonic materials. Many alchemists, even if they scorned the association’s philosophy, occasionally participated in its exchanges to obtain materials.

From what Angel knew, members of the Research and Development Institute frequently attended these exchanges, even including Midora the master alchemist.

However, despite their participation in exchanges to acquire unique materials, the Profound Alchemy Association itself was still generally viewed with disdain and even outright hostility.

Angel had previously learned some insider information from Nail Granny. City Lord Rosen had long intended to eradicate the Profound Alchemy Association completely, but due to its backing by the Unparalleled Great Demon God and its extensive internal trade network, he had yet to make a move.

Nonetheless, Rosen had never allowed the association’s development to go unchecked. Anyone openly joining the Profound Alchemy Association would be monitored by Rosen. Peripheral believers would be banished from Sky Mechanical City, permanently blacklisted from entering again; fanatical or devout followers might meet unpleasant ends.

Thanks to Rosen’s crackdown, the Profound Alchemy Association’s presence in Sky Mechanical City had significantly diminished. However, those who had lived in the city long enough would more or less pick up bits of insider information, though most preferred to stay silent to avoid trouble.

”This matter is actually connected to the Profound Alchemy Association,” Viking’s eyebrows drooped as the flickering candlelight cast an alternating brightness and shadow across his face, adding to the air of unease surrounding the topic.

When Viking brought up the Profound Alchemy Association, Angel had already anticipated this to be the answer. If the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone was indeed linked to the association, Angel could understand Snow’s earlier attitude as well.

After all, anything involving the Profound Alchemy Association was gravely serious.

”Why is the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stone connected to the Profound Alchemy Association? Because this material can control desires?” Angel inquired.

Viking neither denied nor confirmed, saying instead, ”We don’t fully understand the specifics, but your guess may well be correct. According to some intelligence we’ve heard, part of the Profound Alchemy Association’s followers experienced emotional instability for unknown reasons. To regain control, they began purchasing a large volume of Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones.”

”And throughout the entire Sky Mechanical City, only the Breeze Demonic Material Shop maintains a steady supply chain for Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones.”

Angel: ”So, you’ve been targeted?”

Viking nodded helplessly: ”Yes. Shopkeeper Flandy decided to return to the Valley of Breeze while I was attending the New Star Tournament. It was partly due to this issue. The Valley of Breeze is widely known as the largest production area for Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones in the Southern Domain. There’s a risk they might approach the Valley directly, so Shopkeeper Flandy needed to report to the higher-ups and seek solutions.”

”Until we ascertain why the Profound Alchemy Association is demanding Demon Flower Sprite Demon Blood Stones and to what extent their demand reaches, Shopkeeper Flandy decided to cease sales of the stones altogether. This severed any apparent ties with the association to avoid drawing attention from the Beast Emperor.”

Angel: ”Aren’t you concerned the Profound Alchemy Association might act covertly?”

”At least within Sky Mechanical City, they wouldn’t dare move too boldly. Of course, minor actions are inevitable, but the Breeze Demonic Material Shop isn’t the only one targeted. Over at Storm Gorge, Storm Shop has also faced trouble because Storm Rock is another demonic material heavily purchased by the Profound Alchemy Association.”

”Previously, the Profound Alchemy Association often sent people to cause disturbances. Recently, with the heightened security due to the New Star Tournament, there’s been a reprieve from harassment. But now that the tournament has concluded, I suspect their people will return.”

With that, Viking shook his head and sighed.

Regarding the Profound Alchemy Association, they were genuinely powerless to respond effectively for now. The Breeze Demonic Material Shop didn’t even count as a stationed entity, and the Valley of Breeze, despite its position as the largest production area, had limited reach and resources, unable to do much against the association.

With this revelation, Angel now understood why Snow might have mistaken him for being affiliated with the Profound Alchemy Association. After all, with the tournament over, the association’s people were bound to make their move.