Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2813: Chapter 2814: The Sage Dominator’s Secret

Upon hearing Angel’s decisive refusal, the Wise Sovereign felt a slight regret in his heart, but he also understood why Angel would reject.

Indeed, what Angel sought and what the Wise Sovereign aimed for were fundamentally imbalanced. Moreover, the Barbarian Cave was a colossal entity, not something Angel could decide upon alone. The Wise Sovereign initially planned to break through from Angel’s side first, then slowly persuade the forces behind him.

But since Angel directly refused, it could only be let go.

Although the Wise Sovereign felt a sense of disappointment, he didn’t mind too much... because his true target wasn’t Angel, but the Black Earl, who was currently engaged in conversation in another room with the Wise Sovereign.

...

”Cooperation?”

The Black Earl looked at the young man opposite him, his tone tinged with disdain: ”With the current state of the broken Naraku City, what value does it have for me to agree to cooperate?”

The Wise Sovereign sat cross-legged on the ground, his head buried low, staring at the twisted patterns on the floor.

As the Black Earl wondered, the ground suddenly emitted a faint light.

Seeing the light flash from the ground, the Black Earl remained unresponsive because he sensed neither malice nor intent to kill.

Two seconds later, the light condensed, ultimately forming a picture on the ground.

If Angel were here, he’d realize this artwork was the same mural in their previous room. The mural’s subject was a panorama of Naraku City.

Though described as a panorama, it merely depicted a few iconic buildings.

The picture wasn’t particularly special because the original surface image of Naraku City could be found externally if one tried. What was hard to find were the diagrams within the Underground Aqueduct.

The Black Earl gazed at the map, somewhat unsure of its meaning.

Then, the Wise Sovereign pointed to a white, spired building, asking, ”Do you know where this is?”

The Black Earl casually replied, ”Is the Wise Sovereign implying that since the Noah Clan once belonged to Naraku City, the current Noah Clan must cooperate with Naraku City?”

This white spired building was certainly not unfamiliar to the Black Earl. Within the Noah Clan’s treasury existed more detailed records of this structure.

Because this building once belonged to the Noah Clan.

”If I were to say yes, what would your answer be?”

The Black Earl: ”Not enough.”

Upon hearing the Black Earl’s reply, the Wise Sovereign smiled slightly.

The Black Earl didn’t outright refuse but said ”not enough,” implying he wasn’t opposed to acknowledging the fact that the Noah Clan once belonged to Naraku City. Moreover, it counted as an alternate form of ”bargaining.”

Cooperation isn’t impossible, but relying on disputes from millennia ago is insufficient.

The Wise Sovereign glanced at the Black Earl, then moved his finger slowly to a modest yet significantly large domed hall adjacent to the white spired building.

The Black Earl anticipated further inquiry from the Wise Sovereign about the hall, yet no queries arose.

The Wise Sovereign: ”I won’t ask you for information on this structure; even if you know it, it wouldn’t be complete.”

The Black Earl snorted from his nose, saying nothing, waiting for the Wise Sovereign’s discourse.

”This building, in the external world, is referred to as the Pluru Library.”

”Pluru Library?” muttered the Black Earl, somewhat puzzled by the name.

”A curious name, right?” continued the Wise Sovereign. ”It was named by the City Lord, because before I became the Sovereign, the name I reported to him was Pluru.”

The Black Earl was momentarily stunned: ”Is this the Wise Sovereign’s real name?”

The Wise Sovereign shook his head: ”When I first encountered Naraku, I was cautious and randomly provided a name. However, Naraku, knowing well it wasn’t my true name, still named the library Pluru.”

The Black Earl: ”Does the Wise Sovereign have a deeper meaning by saying this?”

The Wise Sovereign: ”Not really, just wanted to tell you that the Pluru Library is actually my domain. Before I relocated to the Hanging Jail Stairway, my residence was the Pluru Library. The surrounding area was under my jurisdiction, including the Noah Clan’s territory.”

”My connection to the Noah Clan isn’t solely through Augustine. I know many from your Noah Clan and have witnessed their journeys.”

The Black Earl: ”Is the Wise Sovereign aiming to play the emotional card again? If so, my answer remains ’not enough.’

As a descendant of the Noah Clan, the Black Earl holds respect for his predecessors. Yet, ten thousand years is a long stretch, long enough that his impressions of his ancestors are merely names on paper.

Strange and cold.

The Wise Sovereign: ”Even Angel couldn’t sit still compared to you... Young man, why don’t you hear me out?”

The Black Earl was taken aback, silent for a moment before saying, ”I was rude.”

The Wise Sovereign chuckled, unconcerned: ”The reason I mentioned what I did is that I am actually not indifferent towards your Noah Clan.”

The Wise Sovereign paused: ”I have a secret here, one which even Adanis doesn’t know, concerning your Noah Clan. Would you like to hear it?”

The Black Earl: ”Is this part of a deal? Or a part of cooperation?”

The Wise Sovereign shook his head: ”Neither, consider it a free secret I’m giving you.”

Since it was offered freely, the Black Earl naturally wouldn’t refuse.

The Wise Sovereign: ”This secret pertains to your Noah Clan ancestors. However, it’s not about Augustine nor those old friends from a thousand years ago.”

”It concerns those clan members deemed missing by your Noah Clan.”

The Black Earl immediately understood: ”You mean those members Adanis cast into the Sea of Void Mirror, whose memories were wiped clean?”

The Wise Sovereign nodded: ”Exactly, those who were exiled as Empty-hearted People.”

”Although constrained by a contract with Adanis, I can’t directly assist them. But arrangements for their lives after leaving the Mirror Domain have been made by me.”

”Originally, both their exile to the Sea of Void Mirror and subsequent arrangements were meant for You Nu to handle. But I convinced You Nu to let Big Treasure and Little Treasure manage their posts.

”Teaching them the principles of life, new values, and guiding them to reclaim their past capabilities were tasks I assigned to others.”

The Wise Sovereign raised his eyes to the Black Earl, speaking slowly: ”Each and every one of them.”

When reaching this point, the Black Earl was genuinely startled.

Regardless of whether the Wise Sovereign genuinely favored Noah and thus cared for these people, or had ulterior motives, neither seemed to matter anymore.

Because the Wise Sovereign’s words conveyed one meaning: he knew the whereabouts of all Empty-hearted People and was fully aware of their current circumstances.

Even these Empty-hearted People held gratitude towards the Wise Sovereign. After all, it was the Wise Sovereign who taught them to reintegrate into society.

The Black Earl could ignore those Noah ancestors from ten thousand years ago and disregard those Noah descendants who’ve left the Southern Domain, but he could not remain indifferent to these ”Empty-hearted People”.

Ever since discovering the existence of this group of clansmen, the Black Earl has never let it rest in his mind, even though outwardly he’s shown no inclination nor has he made any comments.

Furthermore, the Black Earl had already decided that after visiting the Qingkong Poetry Room, he must inquire Adanis about this matter.

As for the reason, it is simple.

Everything is for the Noah Bloodline.

The Noah Bloodline is an Extraordinary Bloodline, naturally endowed with special talents, which is a pride of the Noah Clan. They hardly need to merge with other bloodlines to refine, forge, and polish their own bloodline... Though it cannot compare to some demons or higher-level life’s bloodline, it is already quite good. And if it’s not comparable to a demon’s bloodline, then why not supplement it, since there’s no restriction on merging with new bloodlines.

Therefore, the Noah Bloodline is a potential-rich foundation. It can enhance itself and won’t cause rejection when merging with other bloodlines.

However, the Noah Bloodline has strengths naturally as well as weaknesses. But its weakness is not intrinsic to the bloodline, rather... it is a matter of envy borne from possession.

The bloodline that Wizards merge with generally belong to non-human Extraordinary Creatures, it’s not that they cannot merge with human bloodlines, but human bloodlines typically lack distinctive features.

But the Noah Bloodline is different, it is inherently remarkable, and since it is also of human origin, integration barely causes rejection, acting as a foundational bloodline for Low-level Apprentices. For those walking the transformative path of Bloodline Wizards, merging with the Noah Bloodline is absolutely manageable, which broadens their scope of capability.

However, since the Noah Clan is under the protection of the Black Earl and basically every descendant is accompanied by the organ avatar of the Black Earl, no Wizard could dare take such a risk to target the Noah descendants. Thus, incidences of forceful seizure of the Noah Bloodline are rare.

And now, a group of Empty-hearted People have emerged. Lacking the Noah Clan’s memory, yet possessing the Noah Clan’s bloodline.

If discovered, the Noah Bloodline is highly likely to be seized.

Moreover, many Empty-hearted People have been missing for many years, and even over these years, they might have offspring. Should there be Talented Ones among their offspring, the Noah Bloodline will be activated, exposing them to seizure risks.

To the Black Earl, this poses a significant concern.

The uniqueness of the Noah Bloodline propelled the Noah Clan to its current pinnacle. Should someone also possess the Noah Bloodline and decidedly know both its strengths and shortcomings, wouldn’t dealing with the Noah Clan be exceedingly simple?

Furthermore, if individuals possessing the Noah Bloodline fall into the hands of some curse-specializing Wizards... the consequences could be dire.

Of course, for the Black Earl, the bloodline is of utmost importance; yet he also hopes to reclaim the Empty-hearted People and those living Noah clan members... this is a bond unique to the Noah Family’s emotions.

Hence, when the Wise Sovereign mentioned the follow-up on the Empty-hearted People, the Black Earl truly could not keep calm.

”Where are they now?” The Black Earl asked seemingly casually, devoid of urgent emotions in his voice.

Wise Sovereign: ”Which one are you asking about?”

The Black Earl was silent for a moment, as though pondering which of the Noah ancestors had disappeared.

Nonetheless, before the Black Earl could think of an answer, the Wise Sovereign waved his hand: ”Never mind, even if you mention a name, I wouldn’t know who it is. They’ve had their memories erased, acquiring new names and identities. Everything from their past has vanished, including their original names.”

”Then, approximately how many remain alive?” asked the Black Earl.

Wise Sovereign: ”Quite a few, after all they are Transcendents, seeking survival is not very difficult.”

The Wise Sovereign appeared to respond to each query, yet hardly provided effective clues. Even if such clues were revealed, like saying ’many Empty-hearted People are still alive’, to the Black Earl, it seemed merely a bargaining chip of the Wise Sovereign.

The Black Earl closed his eyes, sinking into contemplation.

For a long time.

So long, that another Wise Sovereign entered from the outside, merging with the Wise Sovereign before the Black Earl.

This signifies that Angel has concluded his discussion with the Wise Sovereign, leaving only the Black Earl’s side.

Only then did the Black Earl speak slowly: ”I can represent the Noah Clan to cooperate with you, but there are three prerequisites for collaboration.”

Wise Sovereign: ”Go ahead.”

”The matters of cooperation are limited to what I can achieve, and do not harm the interests of the Noah Clan. Your desire to restore Naraku, I cannot accomplish.”

Rebuilding Naraku is not a task of a single day. Moreover, there is no benefit to be found within, and the reconstruction of Naraku is very likely to encounter the same collapse crisis as before.

Naraku City was targeted not merely by outsiders’ reasons, Naraku City’s own conduct was problematic. Thus, the city’s enemies are not few, and should the Black Earl aid the Wise Sovereign in reconstructing Naraku, it would impose unjust hostility onto the Noah Clan.

Wise Sovereign: ”Agreed, what I speak of cooperation parallels what the external Merchant Organization does. They merely cooperate inadvertently, unknowing of the Underground Aqueduct’s truth or my existence. What I need is a clearly defined partner.”

”I will not place the burden of rebuilding Naraku City on the Noah Clan’s shoulders either. Moreover, our aspiration to revive glory is inherently not merely a superficial Naraku Ruins.”

The Black Earl sneered indifferently, he grasped the Wise Sovereign’s meaning, it was the material aspect of Naraku City and the spiritual awareness of Naraku City. The material aspect of Naraku City pertains to so-called reconstruction; the spiritual aspect pertains to receiving the Southern Domain Wizard World’s recognition.

Both are challenging, especially the latter.

Black Earl: ”Secondly, I need to know all the information pertaining to the Underground Aqueduct.”

Wise Sovereign: ”I can only say that the extent of cooperation dictates the extent of information shared. All information will not be disclosed unless our cooperation objectives coincide absolutely. Are you willing?”

Entirely identical cooperation objectives equates to the Black Earl accepting the Wise Sovereign’s baton, imposing the burden of rebuilding Naraku City on him, something the Black Earl categorically refuses to undertake.

Collaboration is merely collaboration, and must remain merely collaboration.

”If you are unwilling to provide all the information, during this brief cooperation interval, my independence must be absolute. If agreeable to me, I will comply; what I don’t agree to, don’t insist.”

Wise Sovereign: ”Agreed. Nonetheless, these are favorable terms for you, if you don’t consent to anything, our collaboration bears no meaning. Hence, we need time for preliminary cooperation to establish both parties’ baselines.”

The Black Earl nodded, consenting to the Wise Sovereign’s proposal.

Soon thereafter, the Black Earl proposed his final requirement: ”I require all the information concerning those Empty-hearted People that you mentioned, including their current conditions, whereabouts, and information about their descendants.”

The Wise Sovereign smiled, aware that although the Black Earl only introduced the Empty-hearted People last, they were what the Black Earl truly cared most about—their kin once lost outside.

”It can be done; however, I must mention that those still in the Southern Domain, I can provide all information. But for those who have joined major Witcher Organizations, the information I can provide is limited, as my subordinates can’t infiltrate these organizations for intelligence. Also, some have left the Southern Domain, and I lack intelligence on these individuals as well, so what I can convey is quite limited.”

The Wise Sovereign pondered momentarily, yet nodded assent to the Wise Sovereign’s specification.

Those who’ve departed the Southern Domain are beyond the Wise Sovereign’s control, nor the Black Earl’s control.

But those who’ve joined major Witcher Organizations, as the most premier wizard of the Southern Domain, the Black Earl is capable of contacting them, hence obtaining information on their subsequent fate is not overly difficult.

After mutual agreement, the Wise Sovereign and the Black Earl merely affirmed a verbal covenant.

Neither party mentioned further contracts.

Because the Black Earl was merely an avatar, a more ceremonious and solemn contract necessitates the Black Earl’s main body to visit personally.

Constrained by the contract with Angel, it’s impossible for the Black Earl to notify his main body presently, so a definitive contract awaits the completion of their exploration undertaking.