Warlock Apprentice

When the curtain was lifted, Butler No. 1 glided in from outside and finally stopped in front of Angel.

”Young Master Pat, there’s a letter here for you.” Butler No. 1 opened his mouth and pulled out a black envelope from his round, plump body.

Angel took the letter and noticed that only his name was written on it, without any indication of the sender.

It was a standard magical letter, with a clause contract printed in the lower-left corner. This clause, similar to a covenant, indicated the security level of the magical letter. Thus, Angel wasn’t concerned about any danger. He directly opened the envelope and retrieved the letter inside.

When he saw the letter, Angel’s eyes slightly narrowed, and Greya, who sat opposite him, straightened up. ”This is—”

On the pure black letter paper, there was an emblem resembling a halo, which at first glance looked like a ”solar eclipse.”

”The Mark of the Lord of the Deep Abyss,” Greya said slowly.

The Lord of the Deep Abyss was the Unparalleled Great Demon God of the Abyss. Because of Popota, Angel indeed had some connection with this Unparalleled Great Demon God, though not to the extent that the Demon God would personally send him a letter.

Hence, it was almost certain that this letter was delivered by one of the Lord of the Deep Abyss’s followers.

”The Profound Alchemy Association.” Angel softly uttered the name as he turned to Butler No. 1. ”Who specifically delivered this letter?”

Butler No. 1 shook his head. ”This is a magical letter with a tracking spell incorporated, so it flew directly to the manor’s gate.”

Angel: ”When did it arrive?”

”The night before last.”

Angel had been staying in the Wilderness of Dreams over the past few days, thus unaware of the letter’s existence. It wasn’t until Butler No. 1 saw him coming out of seclusion that he handed it over.

”Does Young Master have any connection to the Profound Alchemy Association?” Butler No. 1’s eyes carried concern. ”Young Master must know that, although invoking the Lord of the Deep Abyss’s true name mark can enhance alchemy, it could very well entrap one’s soul and deliver it to the Lord of the Deep Abyss.”

Butler No. 1 was clearly worried that Angel might have ties to the Lord of the Deep Abyss through alchemy.

Angel shook his head. ”If I truly had ties to the Lord of the Deep Abyss, I wouldn’t have joined the Research and Development Institute.”

”True. As long as you don’t join the Profound Alchemy Association, it should be fine.” Butler No. 1 let out a sigh of relief.

Greya chimed in from the other side: ”Now that you mention it, I’ve purchased ingredients from the Profound Alchemy Association before. Though they’re radical, as long as you don’t conflict with their faith, communication is still possible. You might as well take a look at why they’re reaching out.”

Angel unfolded the letter and activated it with a special energy. Rows of text appeared on the paper.

After reading through it, a look of contemplation crossed Angel’s eyes.

”Who sent it? What did they say?” Greya asked curiously.

”Misaro.”

Upon hearing the name, Greya furrowed her brows. ”I recall he’s one of the high priests of the Profound Alchemy Association? Why would he seek you out? What did he say?”

”Not much—merely a polite greeting and an invitation for me to attend a gathering. He also happened to mention the Shadow Box Theater, lamenting that he didn’t manage to acquire one.”

”Shadow Box Theater? That must be connected to the Breeze Demonic Material Shop.” Greya realized immediately, having heard Angel mention the origins of the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstone before. ”So... will you attend their gathering?”

Angel shook his head. ”The gathering is tonight. Even if I left now, I likely wouldn’t make it in time. So, I won’t attend.”

Besides, even without attending, he already knew their intentions.

Greya mused: ”Most likely, they’re testing whether or not you truly back the Breeze Demonic Material Shop... and how deeply you’re involved.”

The answers to all of these questions would likely represent the Profound Alchemy Association’s approach toward the Breeze Demonic Material Shop.

”However, by not attending, they might indeed conclude that you’ve firmly aligned yourself with the Breeze Demonic Material Shop and become its patron.” Greya pondered aloud. ”Are you certain you don’t want to go?”

Angel nodded. ”I won’t attend, but I will still send a reply.”

As Greya had pointed out, skipping the gathering would undoubtedly lead them to believe he was staunchly supporting the Breeze Demonic Material Shop. Angel didn’t mind truly becoming the shop’s patron—but only if he gained deeper understanding of it first.

Currently, his knowledge of the Breeze Demonic Material Shop was too sparse. Offering ”general” backing was already a repayment of goodwill.

Until he learned more about the shop’s specific circumstances, Angel wouldn’t commit entirely to one side.

The fact that he didn’t engrave his insignia on the Shadow Box Theater sold at the Breeze Demonic Material Shop was also due to this consideration—to leave himself some leeway between the shop and the Profound Alchemy Association.

Since the magical letter was two-way, Angel wrote his reply directly below the previous text and activated the energy embedded in the envelope.

The black letter seemed to grow wings, gliding leisurely out of the room, eventually transforming into specks of light and disappearing into the horizon. Ultimately, it would reach the sender’s hands.

”What did you reply?” After the letter floated away, Greya asked curiously.

Angel didn’t conceal anything and responded directly: ”I included my plans for the near future.”

”Your plans for the near future?”

”Within the next couple of days, I’ll be leaving the Sky Mechanical City,” Angel said calmly. That was the content he sent to the Profound Alchemy Association. It appeared to express a stance: that he would leave the Sky Mechanical City and hence remain uninvolved in the Breeze Demonic Material Shop’s conflict with the Profound Alchemy Association.

However, this stance was intentionally vague—he didn’t explicitly declare a lack of support for the Breeze Demonic Material Shop.

Thus, when the Profound Alchemy Association’s members read his reply, it would undoubtedly spark further speculation. Even if they went to the Breeze Demonic Material Shop, they would undoubtedly tread cautiously.

This approach effectively maintained a balance among the three parties, with Angel himself serving as the pivot point.

As long as Angel remained this balancing factor, the Profound Alchemy Association would likely refrain from acting recklessly against the Breeze Demonic Material Shop. Likewise, Angel hadn’t completely closed off their path—they could still seek out the shop to purchase materials. Whether they could succeed, however, depended on Viking and... City Lord Rosen’s willingness to permit it.

After listening to Angel’s reasoning, Greya nodded. ”That’s not a bad strategy—not overly involved but not completely withdrawn either.”

This approach might be difficult for others to pull off. Trying to appease both sides wasn’t easy. But Angel was different—he was a member of the Research and Development Institute. Neither the Breeze Demonic Material Shop nor the Profound Alchemy Association would dare to offend him lightly. His presence ensured mutual caution, thereby creating a relatively balanced dynamic.