Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2646: Chapter 2647: Forehead Chain

Angel took steps out of the dome formed by shadows.

As Angel left, the dome began to shrink continuously, transforming into a panther-like shadow. The panther shadow flicked its tail and changed from shrinking to ”melting,” finally sinking into Angel’s shadow.

Angel yawned while rubbing his shoulders and neck, which were a bit sore from sleeping in a sitting position, as he walked toward the center of the platform.

Angel’s unhidden footsteps immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Most of the gazes were lingering on Angel’s hands or his pockets. In their imagination, Angel should have refined something to trade with Cicia.

But it seemed he had nothing? Moreover, if it was alchemy, the efficiency was astonishing!

Angel noticed everyone’s eyes and curiously extended his hands, looking at his palms and the back of his hands. It seemed there was nothing unusual? His gloves seemed a bit crooked; was that the reason?

”Were you doing alchemy just now?” At this moment, Dox came over, placing his elbow on Angel’s shoulder, directly voicing the group’s doubts.

Alchemy? A flash of realization appeared in Angel’s eyes; he kind of understood the meaning of everyone’s gaze.

Come to think of it, alchemy was indeed a good excuse.

”Why, are you also interested in trading with Cicia?” Angel suddenly thought of something at this point. ”By the way, I haven’t seen the result of your transaction yet. Did Cicia accept your Holy Light Vine Staff?”

Dox opened his palm, and a symbol enveloped in red light rose up: ”Got my ticket; what do you think?”

Angel: ”Cicia commented a bit on everyone’s treasure. What about yours? What did Cicia say?”

Dox scratched his ear, saying, ”Anyway, she muttered a long string, fast and dense, and I didn’t understand. It’s like the symbols on this so-called clearance ticket; what exactly are they, and what do they mean, I have no idea. I’ve never even seen something similar.”

Angel looked closely at Dox. Judging from some subtle expressions, it seemed Dox wasn’t lying?

But this wasn’t of great importance, so he casually asked.

Compared to Dox, he was actually more interested in what the Black Earl had gained.

The Black Earl had already returned to Vay’s hand at this point. It seemed unchanged... wait, there was a change!

”Did the lord’s slate change?” Angel didn’t directly ask but entered a private ”chat room” with the Black Earl.

Black Earl: ”The original slate was exchanged for a ticket with that woman. This new slate was just made by Vay. However, the original slate was also made by Vay, so there’s no difference to me.”

Angel: ”Did the lord go inside Cicia’s box?”

This question from Angel essentially meant: Did the Black Earl have a Q&A session with Cicia?

Black Earl: ”I went and stayed for a few minutes.”

The Black Earl stopped there, clearly not wanting to dwell on it. Angel originally wanted to ask what the Black Earl had asked, but now he tactfully kept silent.

At worst, he could ask Cicia later.

The Black Earl had also considered that Angel might ask Cicia about his questions, but after a brief exchange with that woman, the Black Earl knew she wasn’t easily impressed.

Emotions settled over thousands of years were as calm as an ancient well. Angel thought he was like him, a mere trader to her, so getting close and prying was challenging.

The Black Earl’s thought wasn’t wrong, and the result was likely true. However, Angel and Cicia didn’t have a purely transactional relationship; the Primeval Flame Angel held and the Baiyuanians under him were what Cicia craved.

Under such circumstances, Cicia’s attitude towards Angel naturally differed from others.

As seen from the fact that Angel asked something before, and Cicia answered it, it was a glimpse.

Of course, if Angel hadn’t shown Cicia the fellow Baiyuanians this time, the outcome would have been different.

Angel: ”I’m going to have the final transaction with Cicia. Once it’s finished, we’ll leave here.”

Angel nodded to everyone and then walked towards Cicia’s box.

Unlike others, as Angel approached Cicia’s box, a red light immediately began to spread. Once Angel touched Cicia’s box, his figure also disappeared.

”The lord entered the box again... I’d love to see what’s inside,” Vay looked eagerly at Cicia’s box in the distance.

”That elusive woman, though her strength is unknown, has existed for thousands of years and can’t be underestimated. Moreover, earlier when I was in the box, I could feel immense threats in the darkness, somewhat like a... domain.” The Black Earl sneered coldly, ”If you went in, you’d be courting death.”

”Is it that dangerous?” Vay muttered softly. Previously, he didn’t feel anything inside, but he hadn’t expected such significant risks hidden in the dark.

The Black Earl remained silent, looking towards Cicia’s box with his ”nostrils,” quietly guessing the woman’s identity.

... Could it be her?

The woman called Cicia initially showed no reaction to the Black Earl’s proposal for a trade, so the Black Earl straightforwardly asked about his inner doubts, questions related to that ancestor.

Upon hearing the name of that Noah ancestor, Cicia finally responded, inquiring about the Black Earl’s relationship with the ancestor.

After learning the Black Earl was from the Noah Clan, Cicia softly murmured, ”So, you’re a descendant of an old friend.”

It was precisely because of the ”old friend’s descendant” status that Cicia limitedly answered a few questions related to the ancestor.

From the tone of Cicia when mentioning the ancestor, it’s clear she and the ancestor weren’t just ordinary friends but close acquaintances.

This reminded the Black Earl of something recorded in the clan’s ancient books: that rebellious son of Noah, who somehow had the good fortune to become an intimate friend with the illustrious creator of the ”Sia Codex,” the Saintess Sia.

Many characters from millennia ago have been buried in the dust of history, but some stars eternally illuminate the endless night.

The Black Earl knew many legendary stories from millennia ago. The architects of these stories, some have passed away, some are still active in the Wizards’ Realm, and some have vanished, but they share a common trait: they were pioneers who made the Wizard Civilization more splendid.

The Saintess Sia was such a pioneer, a dazzling star from millennia ago that illuminated eternity.

What made Sia famous was the ”Sia Codex.”

This is a masterpiece of prophecy, not lost to this day, though it’s profoundly esoteric, with very few in the prophecy system able to comprehend it. Yet, despite this, every generation of Crown Star Church’s controllers revered the ”Sia Codex” as a classic, recommending everyone in the prophecy system to read it. For this reason, the Crown Star Church bestowed the prefix ”Saint” on its author, Sia.

Thus came the name of the Saintess Sia.

Although there is very little information about the Saintess Sia herself, even the Black Earl couldn’t trace her origins, she undoubtedly advanced the prophecy system. She was a pioneer for the Wizard Civilization and a promoter.

But could this historically mysterious Saintess Sia be the woman called Cicia inside the box?

...

While the Black Earl pondered alone, Angel had returned to the space filled with darkness and mist in the box.

Unlike others, as soon as Angel arrived, the darkness and mist began to recede, revealing a corner of the magnificent palace.

Cicia still sat above the five-step throne, her left elbow on the throne’s armrest, the back of her hand resting on her forehead, seemingly in thought. Her smooth, flowing hair, combined with the shadow cast by her hair on her flawless profile, was quite pleasing to the eye.

”Nice pose, would you like me to capture it with the Photostone and have someone paint an oil painting for you?”

Angel’s sudden speech seemed to interrupt Cicia’s contemplation, causing her to slowly lift her head.

However, Angel knew very well that from the eager red light earlier, Cicia would have known he’d arrived, so there was no ”interrupting her thoughts” involved. Putting on such a pose, who knew if it was for atmosphere or something else, which is why Angel spoke directly, using a serious tone to say a teasing remark.

Cicia: ”Shouldn’t a normal person, upon seeing me frowning in contemplation, ask what I’m thinking?”

Angel: ”No, what you’re describing should be an abnormal person. A normal person, seeing the red light’s eagerness and the automatic dispersal of dark mist, would know the host here certainly wouldn’t be in thought.”

Cicia replied with feigned annoyance, ”With your personality, if it were millennia ago, I’d beat you to a pulp, or I wouldn’t be called Cicia.”

Angel: ”No need for millennia ago; Miss Cicia should be fully capable of doing so now, no need to feign weakness.”

Cicia squeezed her fist, remaining silent. Indeed, she could still easily overpower Angel now, yet with the Primeval Flame Angel held and the hope of the Baiyuan Clan, she wouldn’t take action against Angel at this moment regardless of how furious she was.

And Angel also knew the state of Cicia, so he put on an attitude of fearlessness.

In the end, it was Cicia herself who found a way out: ”I’m too lazy to talk to you more, let’s get to the point, have you made your preparations?”

Angel: ”Naturally, they are ready.”

Cicia: ”Then take them out, I really want to see if you’ve deceived me.”

Angel was a bit speechless: ”If I were deceiving you, why would I come in here?”

Is this woman’s intelligence offline again?

Cicia was momentarily choked and didn’t speak for a while.

Angel was also too lazy to say more, taking out a forehead chain from his bracelet.

The chain strip of the forehead chain is based on Mithril, connected with Arcane Platinum, and coated with a shell of Agate Stone, which is quite beautifully dazzling, and after Angel’s manufacturing, the chain itself has the functions of enhancing focus and amplifying energy.

The most important thing about the forehead chain is naturally the forehead ornament hanging at the middle of the forehead.

On the forehead ornament, Angel did a great job: a three-dimensional stamen made of Flowing Crystal, petals outlined with Enchanting Gem, exuding a Rainbow Colorful Mist. The embedded structure, along with the bold triangular design, made the forehead ornament quite large, extending directly from the center of the forehead to near the tip of the nose.

From the overall perspective, this forehead ornament is enough to captivate the hearts of thousands of young girls because it is extremely beautiful, with utmost luxury and glamour, but without any vulgarity.

Only those who match the beauty of this forehead ornament might be entities like an Empress wearing the same gorgeous robes.

However, this does not affect the beauty of the forehead chain, even if you can’t wear it, owning it can bring joy.

Even Cicia, upon seeing this forehead chain, was amazed by its uniquely designed appearance.

Cicia has lived for ten thousand years, how could she not have a few pieces of jewelry? But none of the jewelry, including her collection, could compare to this forehead ornament in terms of beauty.

Her most extravagant snake ring earrings couldn’t compare to this forehead ornament, making them seem dwarfed in comparison.

As Cicia marveled at the beauty of the forehead ornament, Angel snapped his fingers, summoning two Hands of Magic, each holding one end of the forehead chain, flying towards the throne where Cicia was seated.

When the forehead chain appeared close in front of Cicia, that dazzling feeling became even stronger, and if Cicia were the young girl she was ten thousand years ago, she’d probably be breathless from its beauty.

”Is this... your gift to bribe me?” Cicia asked, somewhat fascinated by the forehead chain before her.

”Bribe? Why would I bribe you?” Angel: ”There are so many rules here, and I can’t get anything from you, so what’s the point of bribing?”

Before Cicia could come back to her senses, Angel quickly added: ”This is the log-in device for you to meet Popota.”

”Popota? Log-in device?” Upon hearing new terms, Cicia immediately forgot Angel’s earlier jibe.

”Popota, from the name you can guess, right? He’s from the Baiyuanians, the one you’re going to meet in a bit. He’s from the Barbarian Cave, just like me.” Angel paused, then continued: ”As for the log-in device, it’s the forehead chain in your hand. Wear it later, activate the forehead ornament on your brow, don’t resist the pulling energy, and you’ll meet Popota.”

Angel concisely explained the situation.

Cicia still hadn’t reacted; this forehead ornament could actually allow her to meet her tribe members? What magical tool is this forehead ornament?

Cicia took the forehead ornament, carefully sensing, and found no traps or mechanisms.

After thinking for a moment, Cicia manipulated the surrounding mist, feeling the... emotions within the forehead ornament.

Unfortunately, this forehead ornament isn’t some ”treasure,” so Cicia couldn’t sense much, only feeling a bit of Spiritual Sense left by the creator of this forehead ornament, which felt familiar to her.

”Is this your work?” Cicia curiously asked.

Angel: ”Sort of, the design wasn’t mine, I just handled the creation.”

”Are you an Alchemist?”

Angel didn’t deny it: ”Yes, I know a bit about Enchantment Alchemy.”

”You seem... very talented.” Cicia didn’t know Angel’s level of Alchemy, so she simply complimented him.

Cicia paused and asked again: ”Does it have a name?”

Angel replied expressionlessly: ”I told you before, it’s called the log-in device.”

”Besides, aren’t these topics unrelated to the main matter? Aren’t you eager to meet your tribesman?” Angel: ”Wear it, and don’t resist it.”

Cicia looked at the forehead chain in her hand, feeling a bit infatuated, yet somewhat conflicted; she was infatuated with its appearance, but conflicted about whether such a flamboyant forehead ornament suited her.

Cicia couldn’t help but ask Angel: ”Would I look good wearing this?”

Angel: ”Don’t you have any idea yourself?”

Although Angel didn’t give a direct answer, Cicia felt as though an arrow had struck her in the chest.

”Besides, who would you be wearing it for?” Angel: ”Friendly reminder, it’s just a medium for you to see Popota, he cannot see this forehead chain.”

”So Popota can’t see it, you could’ve said so earlier!” Cicia put on a ”I wouldn’t have asked if I knew” expression.

But Angel knew very well that Cicia wasn’t concerned about whether others could see it, but rather about whether it suited her as she had asked.

From Angel’s aesthetic perspective, Cicia doesn’t suit wearing this forehead chain. Or rather, almost no one suits wearing it.

The aura that can handle this forehead chain... Angel currently has only one candidate: Greya’s original form, that is the Great Demon King characterized by fiery red lips, heavy makeup, and a love for luxurious robes.

The forehead chain was something Angel prepared for Greya, but since Greya’s physical body hadn’t been recovered, Angel gave it to Cicia.

Of course, Angel had other log-in devices, like monocles, copper rings, plain silver earrings... but these always seemed somewhat shabby.

Although this forehead chain doesn’t suit Cicia, Cicia couldn’t find any flaws in it and certainly wouldn’t think Angel was being perfunctory.

This kind of ornament, which a witch would be willing to take even if it doesn’t suit her, is sufficiently ”collector’s grade”.

It’s not shabby, and wouldn’t seem overly deliberate for being too suitable.

This is why Angel gave this forehead chain to Cicia.

...

Cicia muttered ”since outsiders can’t see it, I’ll just wear it casually,” but when she was about to wear it on her head, she hesitated and finally took it off again.

”Why? Do you think I’m fooling you, or do you think there’s something wrong with the forehead chain?” Angel wondered, seeing Cicia go back and forth without wearing it.

Cicia shook her head, saying in a hesitant tone: ”No, it’s just... just wanting to rest before wearing it.”

Angel was puzzled: Rest??? Haven’t you rested enough for ten thousand years?

Cicia turned her head sideways, preventing Angel from seeing her expression: ”I was just sensing the treasures of your companion earlier, and felt a bit mentally exhausted, so resting... just resting.”

Angel sensed Cicia’s emotions, which bore a mix of expectation with nervous anxiety.

Angel thought for a moment and looked at Cicia: ”Are you afraid of meeting your tribesman?”

Cicia almost instantly replied: ”No!”

Looking at Cicia’s immediate defensive reply, Angel was already sure that Cicia was indeed afraid.

Why would she be scared to meet her tribesman?

Could it be something like the trepidation of returning home after a long time? But Cicia as an elder... or rather, as a predecessor, why would she have the reason for such trepidation? The one who should be anxious is Popota, isn’t it?

As Angel speculated internally, Cicia clenched her fist and put it in front of her mouth, clearing her throat twice: ”I really just feel a bit weary, why don’t we chat a bit more casually? Let me calm my nerves... If there’s anything you want to know, feel free to ask me.”