Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2451: Chapter 2452: Stopping

The appearance of the serpent sea demon was just the beginning. Not long after, another group, not sea beasts, entered everyone’s sight.

It was a group of mermaids with exquisite appearances, possessing dark skin, golden eyes, and milky-white tails.

”Those are the Prussian Mermaids of the Phantom Sea Shore!” Someone recognized the newcomers.

Although the mermaid clan is humanoid, and like the serpent sea demon, the low-level mermaids also feast on humans, it is merely due to their lack of intellect; the nobility or royal family among the mermaids have much stronger self-control. They not only refrain from consuming humans but also maintain good relations with many human nations, with trade never ceasing.

For this reason, humans feel relatively closer to the mermaid clan compared to other humanoids. This is evident in their terms of address; humans never refer to mermaids as ”it,” a term used for non-humans, but instead use ”he” or ”she,” which are pronouns for humans.

Although many humans still look down upon mermaids, they will admit that in terms of Blood Origin, mermaids are closest to humans compared to other bizarre humanoid creatures.

Now, even the mermaids cannot ward off the allure of the Mysterious Fruit, so is it the humans’ turn next?

There are now many wizards entertaining this thought.

But this remains speculation, as the Mysterious Power has veiled the wizards’ sense of danger. The wizards present are still holding onto a glimmer of hope. Apart from those wizards known as ”survivalists” who stepped back a little, the others remained unfazed.

”Sir, should we persuade them to leave?” Looking at the massive and unmoving crowd of wizards behind them, Angel spoke to the Observer.

Angel’s intention in speaking was more to test the Observer’s attitude.

In the Wizards’ Realm, there’s a small group of wizards who hold expectations for the younger generation. Initially, it might be just about taking care of juniors within the same organization; but the stronger they become, the heavier this sense of responsibility grows, and its influence could potentially spread to an entire community.

This type of wizard takes community as the core drive, honors as the goal, and the glory of humans as the motivation. They are the kind of characters who could appear in epic chronicles.

Though such individuals are extremely rare, they do exist.

If the Observer is also one of them, seeing so many young wizards suddenly dead due to the Mysterious Fruit, they might also feel regret.

Angel’s words might thus earn the Observer’s favor.

Even if the Observer is not a ”benevolent” type of wizard, these words wouldn’t provoke their displeasure either.

That’s why Angel spoke up.

As for what Angel personally thought, that’s another matter entirely.

The Observer calmly said, ”Do you think these people would heed the warning?”

Angel glanced back at the mass of wizards, who, although they identified a potential crisis, still had persistence... or perhaps, stubbornness in their eyes.

When stubbornness arises, the answer becomes quite apparent.

Angel shook his head: ”No, they won’t.”

Their psychological activities are actually quite easy to guess. Among the many wizards present, they are not in the front row. If the Mysterious Fruit’s transmutation at the front happens, they can see it and withdraw at the first moment.

Moreover, humans might not necessarily be influenced by the Mysterious Fruit.

Even if it does have an effect, judging by the fruit’s pulsating frequency, it’s already close to maturity. Perhaps before it affects them, it will have already matured, offering them an unearned advantage.

”Expecting to persuade them to leave with mere words is almost impossible. Perhaps only when they experience it firsthand will they remember the pain,” Angel said softly.

Observer: ”Not necessarily. Maybe someone can persuade them with words.”

As the Observer’s words fell, they cast a faint glance at the nearby Zhuguang Speaker.

Seeing this scene, Angel understood the Observer’s implication. These wizards might not heed a warning, but if the words come from the City Lord of the City of Truth?

The City of Truth represents authority in the Southern Domain; this is acknowledged. Words spoken by the Zhuguang Speaker are naturally more convincing.

And if the Zhuguang Speaker adds that these words are actually Vila’s prophecy, then the credibility rises further.

Of course, whether the Zhuguang Speaker is willing to speak is another consideration.

Angel personally thought that the Zhuguang Speaker would likely speak because it’s also a great opportunity to demonstrate the transcendence, fairness, and authority of the City of Truth.

With this thought, Angel paid more attention to the conversation on Zhuguang Speaker’s side.

...

After dozens of Prussian Mermaids sacrificed themselves one after another, turning into blood mist to offer to the Mysterious Fruit, there was a long period with no more humanoid creatures appearing.

This allowed the surrounding humans to breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Perhaps the Prussian Mermaids were just an accident and wouldn’t affect humans?

The obsession with obtaining the Mysterious Object made them more inclined to believe the outcome they preferred in their hearts. But reality often works in the opposite way; the more you don’t want something to come, the more likely it is to arrive as expected.

After waiting for about half an hour, the Zhuguang Speaker finally received a reply from Vila.

After listening to Vila’s prophecy on the matter, Zhuguang Speaker’s expression changed slightly.

”I just received a prophecy from Vila,” the Zhuguang Speaker softly said, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

”What did Vila say?” Adelaide asked, while stroking the skull-topped cane in her hand.

”It’s not very good,” the Zhuguang Speaker sighed. ”Vila couldn’t predict the matters of the Mist Belt; the Mysterious Aura here obscures her observation of fate. However, she used other methods to indirectly make a prophecy.”

”In the possible futures seen by Councilor Vila, the Wizards who come here... those with names and reputations, in many futures will soon fall silent, never to shine again.”

This means that they will either become secluded, leave the Southern Domain, or... perish.

The probability of so many humans simultaneously hiding or leaving at the same time is very small, so the answer is likely: In the near future, they will be dead. Therefore, there will be no news of them spreading in the Southern Domain.

And what will likely lead to their deaths is this very incident.

Hearing this result, everyone’s expressions turned somewhat grim. However, the acceptance of this result was swift as it was within their expectations.

”Should we tell them?” After a silence, Rivetta was the first to speak.

”Since they’ve made their choice, they should be prepared for the possibility of death.” Adelaide said coldly.

Zhuguang Chairman: ”Black Duke, they haven’t been marked by the Thief of Time, and their other choices haven’t been stolen. They still have the chance to regret.”

Adelaide: ”So what? Even if they don’t die this time, greed, being the original sin, will erupt in the next similar event.”

Zhuguang Chairman: ”That’s their own business for the future. We don’t necessarily have to choose for them, but telling them the situation doesn’t take much effort.”

It requires very little effort to earn a favor debt, which is very worthwhile. Even if some Wizards do not acknowledge this favor debt, it doesn’t matter; while not acknowledging the favor, they will undoubtedly deepen their trust in the absolute neutrality of the City of Truth.

The City of Truth has not achieved its reputation in the Southern Domain overnight; it comes from a steady accumulation over time.

Adelaide snorted coldly, ”If the Chairman insists, then do as you wish, but I definitely won’t persuade.”

At this time, Diescher suddenly spoke up, ”I can do it on behalf of Lord Zhuguang.”

Zhuguang Chairman looked deeply at Diescher, ”I was originally planning to send a projection over, but since Wizard Diescher is also willing to go, then let’s go together.”

Diescher: ”Thank you.”

The reason for gratitude is that Diescher knows very well that the Zhuguang Chairman must have seen his intention.

Just as Zhuguang Chairman considers the unwavering reputation of the City of Truth, Diescher is also considering how to deepen the influence of Glowing City Night Talk in the Wizards’ Realm, and this is clearly a great opportunity, which he naturally doesn’t want to miss.

”Wizard Diescher, let’s go. The longer the time is delayed, the greater the variables.”

Though they say ’go’, their projections remain in place, as projections cannot move once they descend. To inform others, they have to create projections anew.

Not long after, they created two new projections in reality.

The new two projections descended among the crowd in the rear.

...

Upon hearing the astounded uproar from the crowd in the rear, Angel understood that Zhuguang Chairman and Diescher had already conveyed Vila’s prophecy.

”How many do you think will choose to leave?” Then, the Observer suddenly spoke, asking Angel.

Angel glanced back and saw many Wizards retreating, seeming to be a considerable number.

”Councilor Vila is one of the eighteen Observers of the Crown Star Church, and her words should carry significant weight. Perhaps, seven or eight out of ten might leave?” Angel speculated.

The Observer laughed slightly, ”Even one or two out of ten leaving would be quite a lot.”

”One or two out of ten? That’s unlikely, isn’t it?” Angel was doubtful, as nearly nine out of ten Wizards appeared to be retreating.

”Just wait and see.”

The truth blooms as a flower once the dust settles. Before this flower blooms, if you tell others it will have square petals or a blue pistil, no matter how experienced a gardener you are, they may not believe you.

”Self-assumption” and ”I think” are drivers for humans exploring the unknown, but they are also a high wall built from a sense of superiority within one’s own territory.

Humans are both naive and foolish, easily influenced, and stubbornly inflexible.

Thus, trying to influence everyone’s decision with a few words is evidently impossible.

On humanity’s stubborn root nature lies—conflict of interest, further reducing those willing to believe Zhuguang Chairman.

Then how many will leave as a result of this reduction?

Time slowly passed.

Zhuguang Chairman and Diescher’s projections disappeared from the rear, and after a while.

Angel looked back suddenly silent.

Maguston hadn’t moved, which was normal. Maguston was resolute; his choice was indicated by the Thief of Time, for the road ahead he could not leave.

But the others...

Angel had seen earlier that nine-tenths indeed retreated upon learning the prophecy, but it was just a retreat. They seemed to harbor luck, thinking staying further away would suffice.

The Wizards who truly left the Mist Belt were less than one-tenth.

The Observer’s judgment was accurate to the point.