Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3150: Chapter 3151: Surprise

However, regardless of what kind of surprise it is, even if Lady Baoxiya really has the soul of a fun person and intentionally sent the Honey Badger far away for the second kind of surprise, Angel doesn’t really care.

After all, what happened at Barbie Restaurant back then wasn’t such a big deal.

There were more than one person present. Several members from the Witcher Organization witnessed the scene in the restaurant.

If someone genuinely wanted to look into it, this piece of black history of his would have been dug up long ago, so Angel doesn’t care anymore. He doesn’t even bother to explain when Olao looks over.

Besides, it wasn’t like he was completely naked at the time...

Angel ignored the curious glances from the crowd and asked the Honey Badger, ”Since you’re an employee at Barbie Restaurant, did you go looking for Greya after the incident?”

The Honey Badger’s expression stiffened at Angel’s inquiry, and his eyes began darting around. He ”uhm”ed for a long time, unable to say a word.

Angel seemed to see through the Honey Badger’s emotions and directly said, ”You didn’t go looking for Greya.”

The affirmative tone offered Honey Badger no choice.

The Honey Badger was silent for a couple of seconds and nodded, ”Yes.”

Angel: ”Did you return to the Candy House?”

The Honey Badger thought about it and shook his head, ”No.”

Neither returning to the Candy House nor going to find Greya... this left Angel confused.

”Was it because you were held back by something else, or were there other reasons that prevented you from going back to the Candy House? Or perhaps you just didn’t want to go looking for Greya?”

This time, the Honey Badger didn’t immediately respond; instead, he bowed his head and remained silent for a long time.

Angel, after all, wasn’t someone from the Candy House; he had already slightly overstepped with his questions. But he still chose to inquire, not for the sake of gossip, but because Greya had once asked him if he had the spare time, to help look for employees scattered from Barbie Restaurant.

Moreover, Toby has deep feelings for the employees of Barbie Restaurant, so even if not for Greya, Angel hoped for an answer for Toby.

”It’s because...” the Honey Badger hesitated for a long while before stammering, ”Lady Baoxiya saved me. I-I need to repay her...”

The moment the Honey Badger finished speaking, Shariel grumbled, ”The lady said long ago your debt was repaid, told you to leave quickly. She drove you away multiple times, but you stubbornly refused to go.”

”Oh?” Angel curiously looked towards Shariel.

Even after the previous minor obstacles, Shariel spoke more smoothly, without stuttering, when facing Angel, quickly explaining the situation.

As Shariel explained, Angel roughly understood the situation.

Lady Baoxiya encountered the Honey Badger in Loren Bill on Lujima Island. At that time, the Honey Badger was in dire straits. As a culinary apprentice with no attack skills, he was captured by apprentices from the Wizard Family, who wanted to control him and turn him into a money-making tool.

Although Lady Baoxiya wasn’t particularly familiar with Greya, she had visited Barbie Restaurant and knew the Honey Badger. After discovering him, she saved him.

Of course, Lady Baoxiya didn’t save the Honey Badger unconditionally; her reason for saving him was that she needed specially concocted essential oils for several fragrances she was refining. Although she could make these oils, each time it took way too much time... At the time, Lady Baoxiya was very busy, causing these fragrances to be delayed.

Upon meeting the Honey Badger, she thought of his talents and wanted him to try. If he succeeded, she could save a lot of time.

Even if the Honey Badger couldn’t make the oils, handing him to Greya would bring many benefits.

Thus, Lady Baoxiya saved the Honey Badger.

And it proved that the Honey Badger was exceptionally talented in using ’oil.’ Not only did he quickly learn the methods for special essential oils, but he also created many new oils.

This greatly benefited Lady Baoxiya.

In over half a year, the wealth the Honey Badger helped Lady Baoxiya create exceeded seven figures.

Therefore, when Lady Baoxiya said the Honey Badger had repaid his debt, it was undeniable.

Nevertheless, even though Lady Baoxiya said so, the Honey Badger showed no sign of leaving, continuing diligently producing essential oils every day. — Although Lady Baoxiya has now shifted from scent refining to focusing on Life Alchemy, the Honey Badger continues to provide essential oils to Shariel daily.

”Moreover, the lady thought multiple times about contacting the Candy House or Greya to inform them of Tonga’s situation. But Tonga stopped her every time; who knows what he’s thinking...” Shariel looked at the Honey Badger with a ’can’t you just get it together’ expression.

In Shariel’s eyes, the Honey Badger stubbornly refused a clear path to freedom, insisting on being a ’laborer,’ was simply an incurable fool.

The Honey Badger, facing Shariel’s reproach, wasn’t the least bit resentful, scratching his head with an awkward smile.

The more he smiled, the angrier Shariel became, even secretly reaching out to pinch him hard on the thigh.

The Honey Badger shouted in pain, his eyes filled with grievance.

Shariel fiercely said, ”Stop laughing! Show respect before the lady!”

Angel: ...You know about respect, yet you dare pinch someone in my presence, does that count as respect?

Although Angel felt sarcastic inside, observing the interaction between the Honey Badger and Shariel, especially the ’exclusive’ atmosphere oozing with pink bubbles practically visible to the naked eye, under such circumstances, if he still didn’t get it, he’d be a real fool.

Even though the Honey Badger always hesitated to explain why he didn’t see Greya, Angel read a definitive answer from the looks he gave Shariel and the emotional cues perceived through Hyper Perception...

Moreover, despite Shariel continually chastising the Honey Badger, deep down she hopes the Honey Badger does well, hopes he can be free rather than living enslaved.

So, is this a mutual progression? Or perhaps, mutual admiration?

Angel rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If he recalls correctly, earlier Lady Baoxiya mentioned that Shariel’s second idol was him, so the first idol...

With Shariel constantly darting glances towards the Honey Badger, the answer is clear; it must be the Honey Badger.

Lady Baoxiya has brought a pair of love-hate rivals before him.

Is the surprise she mentioned perhaps to let him witness their bickering? Or let him be the villain, take the Honey Badger away, and separate them? Make them taste the bitterness of unattainable love?

Angel shuddered... better not.

Lady Baoxiya didn’t explicitly say to make him decide the Honey Badger’s departure, this matter should be left to the Honey Badger himself.

Still, the Honey Badger did do one thing wrong.

Even if he truly stayed because of feelings for Shariel.

At the very least, he should send a message to Greya for peace of mind.

Being a silent, devoted fool only moves oneself, who else would it move? Besides, based on what Angel knows of Greya, if Greya knew the Honey Badger’s situation, would she really hold him back?

Greya would definitely find a way to get Honey Badger to lure Shariel back to Barbie Restaurant. After all, Shariel is an Alchemist.

Alchemists hold high status no matter where they are.

...Hmm, wait.

As Angel thought about this, he suddenly had a suspicion. Could it be that Lady Portia intentionally sent Shariel and Honey Badger to him with this in mind?

According to the normal logic: Portia knows the relationship between Angel and Greya, and since Honey Badger appeared, Angel would definitely inform Greya about Honey Badger. Then if Greya appears, she could definitely discover the relationship between Honey Badger and Shariel, and with Greya’s personality, she might directly pack up Honey Badger and Shariel and take them away.

Once Greya does this, she would have a very difficult connection with Portia.

If we think further, Portia is currently pursuing the path of Life Alchemy.

And the difference between Life Alchemy and Biological Alchemy is that Biological Alchemy focuses on transformation, while Life Alchemy focuses on... creation. The creation of life is a dangerous forbidden zone, and the creation of intelligent life is an absolute forbidden zone.

But this absolute forbidden zone has been touched by someone in the Southern Domain.

This person is Greya.

Toby is a creation, and moreover, the only creation life with intelligence.

Although Angel is aware that Toby’s birth was coincidental and related to a legendary relic, Portia doesn’t know this.

If she wants to get involved in Life Alchemy, the person she most wants to collaborate with would definitely be Greya.

Throughout the Southern Domain Wizards’ Realm, the one who has gone the furthest on the path of creation is also Greya. Even though Greya’s creation is different from Life Alchemy, the similar results are enough.

The more Angel thought about it, the more he felt that this was the truth.

Originally, Angel had wanted to ask Honey Badger whether he wanted to meet Greya, but now he decided not to ask.

Angel wouldn’t pursue Honey Badger further; but as for Greya, he must tell her.

After all, Honey Badger came openly and many people have seen him. If Greya finds out Angel had met Honey Badger but didn’t inform her, it could lead to unnecessary problems.

Therefore, he needs to tell Greya about Honey Badger, but Angel plans to also convey Portia’s involvement in Life Alchemy and his suspicions to Greya.

Greya isn’t foolish. Once she understands the situation, she will naturally make the appropriate decisions.

—Of course, it’s also possible that Portia’s goal is to have Angel convey a message, seeking this kind of scenario to directly collaborate with Greya.

However, that’s not something Angel can control.

Moreover, Angel is confident that Greya cannot possibly cooperate with Portia at the moment. For Greya, the most important thing right now is to retrieve her body. As for creation? She has already acquired the Authority of the Membrane of Rhythm, presenting a better creation template. Why would she still involve herself in the absolute forbidden zone with life-threatening risks?

...

While Angel was lost in thought, Shariel was next to him criticizing Honey Badger, urging him to seize the opportunity to contact Greya and stop following Portia all the time.

Shariel even threatened him: ”Are you coveting Lady Portia’s assistant role? I tell you, there’s no chance. Lady’s assistant is only me!”

Honey Badger chuckled and still didn’t respond.

But Angel could sense that Honey Badger’s inner thoughts were likely: he’s not coveting the assistant role but the assistant herself.

Angel: ”Did Lady Portia send you here to have me adjudicate who’s right and who’s wrong?”

Angel, speaking solemnly, immediately made Shariel and Honey Badger sit upright, appearing like innocent kittens.

”You should resolve your issues with each other in private,” Angel said, turning to Honey Badger. ”As for you...”

Mentioning himself made Honey Badger tense instantly.

Angel pondered and said, ”Your intention to repay a favor is correct, but completely disconnecting from Candy House is wrong. However, I’m not from Candy House, and I won’t dictate your actions. You can decide for yourself.”

Honey Badger had been worried about Angel scolding him, but Angel glossed over it lightly, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Shariel glanced helplessly at Honey Badger, thinking that this guy just knows how to act innocent, and wondered why Lady Portia and Master Pat fall for this act.

”Now, let’s talk about the main topic.”

Since Angel no longer mentioned Honey Badger’s matter, Shariel couldn’t continue discussing it either. Under Angel’s gaze, he took out a handbook from his pocket and presented it respectfully to Angel: ”Master, this records related information on the special Extraction Technique.”

Angel took it and glanced at it.

Portia did not set any transcendental concealment on the handbook, openly displaying all the content, even including experimental records on the Extraction Technique.

Most importantly, this handbook is the original manuscript.

The value of the special Extraction Technique itself is difficult to measure, and with the original manuscript plus experimental records, this handbook becomes even more valuable.

Angel specifically inquired, and Shariel stated clearly that this original manuscript was for Angel and there’s no need to transcribe or return it.

Truly... Portia is very willing to pay.

After flipping through it briefly, Angel closed the book. He didn’t have much research on the Extraction Technique itself and couldn’t discern what was ”special” about it, nor did he find it necessary to force an understanding.

The task of understanding is better left to the right person, Qi Li.

After putting the handbook aside, Angel looked at Shariel: ”Previously, Lady Portia told me to let you work as an assistant by my side for this period. Are you aware of this?”

Shariel’s eyes lit up, nodding hopefully: ”Yes.”

Angel smiled: ”Good that you know. Next, I have a task for you...”

”Is it related to refining a hat?” Shariel asked excitedly.

Angel nodded: ”Yes, it is very much related. I need to buy some leather and silk materials... According to my knowledge, there should be some at the Lujima Tea Party...”

After hearing Angel’s arrangement, a trace of confusion appeared in Shariel’s eyebrows.

Angel seemed correct; purchasing materials is indeed a critical step. But she assumed the role of an assistant involved helping with refining, controlling fire, temperature, sewing, and measuring, not being a buyer?

However, the only consolation is that not only she was assigned a task, but even Honey Badger, who followed along, was also given a task.

Except Honey Badger’s task is a bit strange...