Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2436: Chapter 2437: Compensation Principle

The Observer looked at the hand Angel extended and the monocle shimmering with metallic luster in his palm, suddenly falling into silence.

As a Legendary Wizard, he could clearly discern that Angel’s words carried sincerity.

Moreover, the style of this monocle was very similar to the one Nis used before he fell asleep.

These details indicated that Angel was not deceiving him.

Using this seemingly unremarkable monocle, indeed, one might be able to glimpse the so-called ”Wilderness of Dreams, Mother Tree Network” truth.

However, he was still hesitant about whether to accept it.

As an Observer, upon arriving in the Southern Domain, he had sworn to the will of the Southern Domain according to the rules of the Orderly Guild: unless disorderly turmoil arose, he would absolutely not intervene in any events in the Southern Domain.

This also meant that, under the framework of the oath, even establishing contact with the wizards of the Southern Domain was against the rules.

Of course, the oath rules drafted by the Orderly Guild couldn’t be that harsh, after all, Observers were tasked with completing missions worldwide, not exiled as prisoners.

As an Observer, there was always some leeway; otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to shop around the Sky Mechanical City.

To utilize the leeway intentionally left in the oath, generally speaking, two principles could be followed:

First, find an overtly legitimate reason and apply free moral judgment to intervene in the Southern Domain’s affairs to some extent. Previously, the Observer meeting with Ferro and Angel in the laboratory was essentially utilizing this condition.

Second, a doubly compensatory exchange.

Whether in the Southern Domain or the Origin World, the principle of ”equivalent exchange” was widely accepted by most wizards: what you gain must be matched by what you give. This principle was also inscribed into the oath by the Orderly Guild, allowing Observers to make some interventions in the worlds they observe, but they must make compensatory exchanges, doubled; whatever benefit is obtained must be paralleled by ”double” returns to offset the cost of intervention.

For example, if he became involved in a turmoil in the Southern Domain, he must offer a doubly beneficial repayment to the World Will to offset the cost of intervention. As for how to return to the World Will? Generally speaking, it involves contacting Extreme Sects to expel Outer Gods.

Of course, the Observer generally wouldn’t get involved in the Southern Domain’s affairs; if he did, he’d opt for free moral judgment over compensatory exchange.

In cases where there are no clear targets, the return is directed at the World Will, benefiting the Extreme Sect.

If there’s a specific target, as there is now, with his target being Angel, accepting Angel’s gift means he must doubly compensate Angel to adhere to the principles.

Because of this, the Observer hesitated about taking up the monocle offered by Angel.

Receiving the monocle equates to accepting the truth of the ”long-distance dream message.” Even without deep ”knowledge,” its value is quite high.

He might have to offer significant compensation to Angel to make up for this exchange.

The Observer couldn’t determine the value of this exchange, making him reluctant to act recklessly.

He actually regretted it now; had he known, he wouldn’t have asked, choosing instead to observe secretly and explore quietly, even if it meant violating the oath, seeking a legitimate reason to explain his actions.

But now, Angel presented the truth to him with such sincerity, instead placing him in a bind.

The Observer felt bitter but was unable to express it. He couldn’t very well tell Angel to retract his earlier question, could he?

After a moment of silence, the Observer softly said, ”If you think the answer is very important, you actually don’t have to answer or explain it to me.”

Angel thought for a moment and said, ”It’s not important. Since you know Lord Frost, you should know that I am an Alchemist. The truth is quite simple; it’s just a little thing I refined.”

”A little thing refined?”

If that’s the case, he could afford the cost!

The Observer meticulously observed the monocle, attempting to see through its essence to understand the truth. However, the monocle carried Nightmare Illusion Breath and contained a hint of the Nightmare Realm’s energy, though very thin, he couldn’t comprehend...

But in the Observer’s view, the monocle indeed didn’t seem to be something formidable.

So, he decided to accept it. The cost shouldn’t be too much... right?

Thinking this, the Observer finally extended his hand and took the monocle from Angel’s palm.

”The Wilderness of Dreams, correct? When I have the time, I’ll take a look.” After receiving the monocle, the Observer didn’t use it immediately but instead stored it in a twisted space.

He decided to resolve the current matter first before delving into the monocle. As for the ”compensatory exchange” for Angel, he would decide after visiting the Wilderness of Dreams. After all, he wasn’t going to leave the Southern Domain anytime soon, and he could always find Angel to offer compensation.

Seeing the Observer put away the Log-in Device without inquiring immediately, Angel breathed a sigh of relief. Explaining it all would take too much time, and now wasn’t the time for that.

Angel turned his head toward Sanders.

After greeting the Observer, Sanders stepped away slightly, observing the surroundings. He noticed the alluring fruit in the distance and the twilight sky floating above.

Angel swiftly moved to Sanders’ side and relayed the situation in brief. He skipped what was unnecessary and went straight to the key points.

Sanders asked: ”Not saving you, but Kanter? Is that fruit in the distance the potentially ascending object of disorder?”

Angel nodded, pointing to Kanter, whose figure flickered in the night: ”Nis and I discussed it, and there are currently two methods that might help Lord Kanter...”

After listening to Angel’s proposed plan, Sanders pondered, ”I’m not adept at spatial pathways, and finding a Space Wizard immediately is also difficult, so the first method is out. The second method, intervening in reality through the Interlayer Space, could be attempted.”

Sanders also thought about whether there were other ways to help Kanter. Certainly, there were. However, in terms of practicality, Nis’s suggestion of intervening in reality through the Interlayer Space suited him better.

”Can you perform a spatial ritual?” Angel inquired.

Interfering with reality through the Interlayer Space was something Sanders was definitely capable of. However, to implement the second method, one must also perform a spatial ritual to stabilize Kanter’s space.

”I can.” Sanders nodded, providing a straightforward and powerful answer.

Angel’s face briefly showed delight: ”Then we can try it now. As long as Mentor stabilizes Lord Kanter’s space, I will immediately open the Gate of Void, bringing back Lord Kanter!”

Sanders also understood the urgency of the situation, not allowing any delay, and nodded in agreement.

However, before starting the procedure, Sanders glanced at Nis: ”By the way, the consumables for opening the spatial crevice and the materials needed for the spatial ritual, I will ask you for them after returning, so be sure to prepare them.”

Nis was momentarily stunned, only coming back to his senses after Sanders entered the spatial crevice, and jumped up exclaiming: ”Why do I have to cover the expenses? It’s none of my business!”

But Sanders had already entered the spatial crevice by then and couldn’t hear him.

Nis quickly turned to Angel: ”Angel, tell me, isn’t he being irrational, asking me to cover the expenses?”

However, Angel was also ignoring Nis; he was currently sensing space fluctuations, ready to open the Gate of Void at any moment.

After a tense wait, a few minutes later, Angel finally saw something unusual appear in the sky.

The projections of some items appeared near Kanter.

These projections were indeed the materials needed for the spatial ritual. Sanders had traversed through the Interlayer Space and directly projected the materials for the ritual into reality!

The ceremonial materials were arranged in a highly ritualistic display, encircling Kanter completely.

However, Kanter did not react much, perhaps because he could sense that the projection of the ceremonial track around him did not intend to harm him.

At the moment when the spatial ceremonial track was completed, Angel clearly felt that there were signs of easing at Kanter’s location, and the surging nightfall also became calm.

The spatial fluctuations reached an unprecedented stability at this moment.

The ceremony succeeded!

Without hesitation, Angel opened the Gate of Void, pinpointing mid-air!

After the Gate of Void formed, there was no sign of it shattering, which indicated that space was indeed stable. Angel eagerly stepped forward and pushed open the door.

After the door opened, Angel immediately saw Kanter not far away.

Kanter’s expression was evidently grim at this moment, his eyes faintly red, staring intently at the fruit about to mature atop the waves below.

From Kanter’s demeanor, it was clear that he had indeed been influenced by the fruit, unable to extricate himself.

However, the Observer was right; Kanter retained a shred of sanity. Otherwise, he would not have remained indifferent when the Gate of Void appeared.

The remaining sliver of sanity allowed Kanter to understand that the Gate of Void was not an enemy.

Next, they needed to pull Kanter into the Gate of Void.

Kanter’s strength far exceeded Angel’s; directly forcing would certainly not work. The only way was to let that undiminished sanity of Kanter’s slightly gain the upper hand and not resist too much.

As for the method, it was simple. Angel directly allowed the green patterned domain field passing through the Gate of Void to gradually cover Kanter.

At the moment Kanter was enveloped by the domain field, the red in his eyes noticeably receded a bit, and there was a hint of confusion in his expression.

”Now!” Angel shouted, quickly constructing three Hands of Magic in mid-air.

Nis, having understood the intention, conjured a pure white skeletal chain.

The Hands of Magic and the skeletal chain entered the Gate of Void simultaneously, with the Hands of Magic grasping Kanter’s arm and the skeletal chain binding Kanter’s waist.

The crucial moment arrived: would Kanter resist?

Kanter slowly turned his head, his eyes confused but without any intention to resist.

Angel and Nis were delighted and, without hesitation, exerted force, causing Kanter to fall out of the Gate of Void, appearing beside them.

After completing all this, Angel heaved a big sigh of relief.

Turning to look at Kanter, his eyes still showed a bit of confusion, the redness in their depths not completely faded, indicating some remaining influence from the fruit. However, with the suppression of the domain field and Kanter being far from the fruit’s influence range, Angel believed it wouldn’t be long before Kanter returned to normal.

As Angel exhaled in relief, Sanders also emerged from the crack in space.

Angel exchanged a glance with Sanders, a silent sharing of the good news.

Nis, upon seeing Sanders, immediately prepared to discuss reimbursement issues. But Sanders ignored him, directly approaching Kanter’s side.

As a longtime close friend, Sanders was genuinely concerned about Kanter’s condition.

Under Sanders’ treatment, Kanter’s gaze began to gradually clear, and soon, the red glow in Kanter’s eyes finally faded away.

”I’m fine now, thank you,” Kanter did not question Sanders’ sudden appearance, as he had no time to focus on such particulars right now, because the control over the nightfall above had been lost, with signs of backlash already present.

Kanter closed his eyes, slightly smoothing out the flow of spell technique to avoid the backlash.

Nonetheless, Kanter’s condition was much more weakened than initially, mainly due to his significant mental exertion while resisting the fruit’s allure.

”You all...”

Kanter opened his eyes, intending to say something. However, at that moment, Nis suddenly interjected, ”Number 03 is coming!”

Everyone looked over, and indeed, amidst the rolling waves in the distant mist, a towering wave approached.

And Number 03 stood atop one of those towering waves.

...

Previously, Number 03 had been in a standoff with Kanter, essentially staying still. Now that Kanter had broken away from the stalemate, Number 03 naturally regained freedom.

”Let’s leave quickly. Number 03 is not hard to deal with, but that fruit—it’s too eerie! We absolutely cannot get close!” Kanter spoke, remarkably revealing a hint of fear in his tone when mentioning the fruit.

This was something Angel had never seen before. It clearly showed how much shock that fruit had given Kanter.

Angel and Nis naturally both agreed with Kanter’s words. Sanders, having just arrived, did not have enough judgment about the fruit but showed some interest in it. However, Sanders was not reckless; his old friend was so afraid of that fruit, there must be a reason for his judgment. Hence, Sanders did not refuse.

”I’ll contact Ferro and let him and X3 stop controlling the Sea Beasts,” Nis said. ”We’ll withdraw too.”

With Number 03 free to move, she was no longer confined by the area’s restrictions and could roam freely, using the fruit’s allure to disrupt X3’s repulsion of the Sea Beasts. Thus, X3’s ability was no longer significant.

As for the Sea Beasts’ rampage causing the fruit to become unstable... perhaps they would have cared before, but now with the Observer here, they wouldn’t have to worry about the consequences with the Observer taking action.

Everyone began preparing to move away from this turbulent surge area.

But before they could retreat, an astonishing scene unfolded before them.

The sky suddenly changed color, the heavily fogged firmament veiling beneath a blanket of nightfall. Simultaneously, the surrounding mist began to rapidly dissipate at a speed visible to the naked eye, with their visible range continuously extending, from hundreds of meters to several kilometers, even tens of nautical miles.

As the mist vanished, the stars in the night sky became particularly dazzling, densely covering the sky, reminiscent of a clear summer night.

”Master Nightfall, did you... did you manipulate the night again?” Nis looked at the suddenly transformed sky, hesitantly asking.

Kanter: ”I’m right beside you; can’t you tell if I’m using spell techniques?”

It wasn’t Kanter who changed the sky, so what was going on?

Even the old and seemingly endless mist dissipated in an instant; who could achieve this?

Could it be that the Tzitzit young form had fallen, and the sky and sea were mourning?

Angel turned to the Observer not far away: ”My lord, this is...”

The Observer did not look at Angel, quietly gazing at the sky for a long time before slowly saying:

”It has arrived.”