Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3231: Chapter 3232: Deceitful Smile Shell

During the pause while Angel was flipping through the pages, Luigi voiced his discovery.

Angel’s hand stopped momentarily, hesitated, and then said, ”Actually, there is another possibility. The pronunciation of ’Nak’ perfectly fits the phonetic comfort zone of the Invention Mouse.”

The so-called ”phonetic comfort zone” refers to syllables that align with vocal cords, allowing easy and simple pronunciation in a well-fed environment.

For example, most humans, including the Wise Man, Carabits, Xis... etc., during infancy, the easiest syllables to produce are ”eh”, ”ma”, ”ah”, etc.

This might also explain why the pronunciation of ”mother” is similar in many languages on Earth.

Because these are the syllables that infants can easily produce, belonging to the phonetic comfort zone.

The same reasoning applies to the Invention Mouse, whose vocal cord structure is different from humans, and their phonetic comfort zone is certainly different as well.

If the pronunciation ”Nak” falls within the Invention Mouse’s comfort zone, it is possible that it named itself Nak.

Luigi thought for a moment: ”But the Invention Mouse learns the language first before naming itself. Isn’t that past the phonetic comfort zone stage?”

Angel continued flipping through the display booklet, casually replying: ”It’s possible that, having learned the complex and intricate language, they recognize the value of the phonetic comfort zone even more.”

Luigi: ”...”

He always felt that Angel was being sophistical, but when trying to refute, he didn’t know where to start.

Luigi remained silent for two seconds before saying, ”Let’s check the specific situation of that Nak Su later.”

Angel nodded indifferently. Compared to these discussions, he was more interested in the merchandise in the display booklet.

There were quite a few intriguing items. For instance, he was currently looking at one item.

”Special Gadget: Deceitful Smile Shell”

”Effect: When laughter occurs, it can trigger fear in the human heart, leading to a high probability of experiencing an illusion of being murdered.”

”Available for purchase.”

”Note 1: This gadget is provided by a distinguished guest from Resentful Women Town—the Red Lamp Demoness. To show respect, all records are made by Pirush, and purchases can be made at the Pirush station.”

”Note 2: All gadgets on this page have closed contact; for purchases, one can go to the Pirush station or consult at the Resentful Women Town station.”

”Note 3: This gadget is created using the Pi Luoxiu Clan’s Recording Shell, recording the laughter of the Mirror Ghost. As long as the Recording Shell is not damaged, the laughter will persist.”

Three notes, each containing unspoken implications.

The implicit message of the first note is: because Mirror Ghosts in Resentful Women Town mostly lack rationality, it’s difficult to communicate. Even the most rational Red Lamp Demoness clan is only awake a third of the day. To avoid trouble, just buy directly at the Pirush station.

The second note’s implicit message is: Pirush represented all Mirror Ghost gadgets from Resentful Women Town, acting as a point of sale. If you still wish to live, buy at the Pirush station; if you’re brave or seeking death, go to the Resentful Women Town station.

The third note indicates that the ”Deceitful Smile Shell” is a collaborative work between Pirush and the Mirror Ghost clan.

The reason Angel is interested in the ”Deceitful Smile Shell” is mainly due to the third note. Because this is using a special ”invention” to record ”spell”, and it can be repeatedly and continuously used, which is intriguing.

It’s somewhat like a collision between the traditional and reformist schools, resulting in a scientific version of spell casting!

This is the real highlight Angel sees!

The effect of the Deceitful Smile Shell is mediocre. But its brilliance lies in the collision of different concepts, ideas, and mediums.

Thinking further, if Pirush’s inventive gadget could record other types of ”spells” beyond the laughter of Mirror Ghosts, would it become a new genre?

—Mechanical Spellcasting?

—Or perhaps, Technology Exorcism?

In fact, there are many such brilliant gadgets on the display page, and Angel has recorded them all for future contact inquiries.

However, regarding the ”Deceitful Smile Shell,” Angel doesn’t need to record it, because it is already sold at the Pirush station.

And he is currently at the Pirush station.

Additionally, the core technique that Angel values in the Deceitful Smile Shell is provided by Pirush, so he can directly inquire with Pirush.

Isn’t there a Pirush right here?

Angel turned to Pixi, and in Pixi’s surprised and shocked expression, he inquired about the ”Recording Shell”.

”Since the Recording Shell can record the Mirror Ghost’s laughter and retain the mental attack within it, could a similar method be used to retain other spell techniques?”

Pixi originally thought Angel wanted to purchase the Deceitful Smile Shell, but didn’t expect he was inquiring about the Recording Shell...

After thinking for a moment, Pixi said: ”Sir may be mistaken; this isn’t retention.”

”Rather than saying the Recording Shell retained the mental attack of the deceitful smile, it’s better regarded as perfectly recording the laughter of the Mirror Ghost.”

”The deceitful laughter of the Mirror Ghost itself is through sound frequency to stir up the energy wave. Many similar imaging and sound-recording tools do not record the sound frequency entirely. Even though it sounds alike, many sound frequencies were not recorded, making it impossible to stir the energy wave.”

”But the Recording Shell is an invention made by Pirush scholar by integrating various sound-recording tools, customizing materials, autonomously illustrating sound patterns, employing all methods. It can capture sounds far surpassing other sound-recording tools.”

”Thus, it can record all sound frequencies within the Mirror Ghost laughter, manually adjusted by Pirush scholar, perfectly replicating the deceiving laughter sound, stirring the energy wave, leading to the birth of the Deceitful Smile Shell.”

”This isn’t a spell technique retention, just a more comprehensive recording.”

Pixi, not being a scholar, speaks in a straightforward manner, but precisely because of its simplicity, it’s easier to understand.

Summarized, the reason why the Recording Shell can reproduce the effect of the deceitful smile, is due to the strong ”sound card”. Simply put, it’s the functional result of numerous scholars behind it.

Even though there’s a bit of difference from Angel’s concept, this might be regarded as ”technological spellcasting”?

Yet, this technological spellcasting can only record sound, requiring many scholars to personally adjust it. Each gadget is difficult to produce.

Angel: ”Besides sound recording, are there similar gadgets to fully record images?”

Pixi: ”Image? Sir means pictures, right? Unfortunately, no such gadget has been invented yet.”

Though Pixi’s answer disappointed Angel slightly, the advent of the Recording Shell already brought significant insights to Angel.

He thought for a moment, then said, ”I have an unreasonable request. Can I communicate with the scholar Pirush, who is tuning the Recording Shell?”

Pixi hesitated, and after a while, he said, ”If sir wants to purchase a Recording Shell or Deceitful Smile Shell, I can help you contact them. But the scholars from Pirush are not under my jurisdiction... I can’t help with that.”

Pixi is in charge of economic affairs, while academic matters are beyond his control.

Moreover, the status of the Pirush scholars in Pipi Castle is very high. Especially those scholars with significant inventions tend to have their own temperaments, and even if Pixi himself were to intervene, he might not gain their favor.

Angel’s face showed disappointment, but he still nodded: ”If there is no way, then forget it. However, I am indeed interested in the Recording Shell and Deceitful Smile Shell, but I don’t need them right now. I hope you can reserve some for me, and I will come to buy them later.”

The phrase ”don’t need them now” is just an excuse; the truth is... he doesn’t have Crystalline.

Angel had just borrowed thirty thousand Magic Crystals from Pixi to acquire the Golden Silk Stomach Bag, and he was too embarrassed to borrow again...

Moreover, the Golden Silk Stomach Bag is a Pirush invention, so borrowing for that was easier to justify. But the Deceitful Smile Shell, being a co-branded product of Pirush and Resentful Women Town, requires Red Lamp Demoness to be compensated... Borrowing from Pirush is one thing, but further borrowing from Resentful Women Town doesn’t make much sense.

Even if the Red Lamp Demoness of Resentful Women Town doesn’t necessarily know he borrowed, he still couldn’t reconcile this in his psychology.

So, for now, he would hold off and come back to purchase once he had Crystalline later.

After reaching an agreement with Pixi, Angel was preparing to continue flipping through the display pages when Luigi, standing nearby, remarked, ”If you want to communicate with those Pirush scholars, I have a way.”

Angel lifted his head to look at Luigi, asking with his eyes: What way?

”Are you too lazy to even speak now?” Luigi silently mocked him, but still resignedly explained the method, ”Two ways: First, rely on Baba Ragon. Baba Ragon is quite famous among the Pirush scholars, and I can ask him to speak on your behalf, allowing you to communicate with Pirush’s scholars; Second, inquire with Pika Sage.”

If Pixiu governs the polity and Pixi governs economics, then Pika is in charge of academics.

Pika is a sage recognized by all Pirush scholars and is the most renowned Great Scholar.

Subsequently, Angel will need to meet with Pika Sage, and thus can engage with Pirush scholars through him.

Given Luigi’s relationship with Pika Sage, he can indeed be of help.

On the other side, hearing Luigi and Angel’s conversation, Pixi also chimed in, ”The Sage indeed governs all scholars. Furthermore, if sir wants to inquire about the Recording Shell, you can ask the Sage directly... Because if one were to speak about scholars most familiar with the Recording Shell, no one would dare to claim first unless the Sage claims second.”

Angel’s eyes lit up: ”Could it be that Pika Sage invented the Recording Shell?”

Pixi: ”That’s not the case. The Recording Shell was invented by a large group of scholars collectively, but the Sage is one of its advocates.”

”Furthermore, among academic papers related to the Recording Shell in the academic library, the Sage’s papers rank number one.”

At this point, Pixi’s eyes showed admiration.

”To be precise, not only the Recording Shell, but the vast majority of inventions have papers written by the Sage. He understands almost all inventions; he is truly the spiritual successor of Pika Xiu the Great Sage!”

Listening to both Pixi and Luigi praise Pika Sage, Angel pondered for a moment and felt this was indeed a good opportunity.

Earlier, he wasn’t too focused on Pirush’s inventions, but now it seems Pirush indeed has talent for inventions.

The exchange over the Recording Shell is just the beginning; perhaps he can engage more deeply with Pika Sage to enrich the foundation of Alchemy.

Thinking of this, Angel nodded to Luigi: ”Then I’ll rely on you when the time comes.”

Luigi naturally wouldn’t refuse: ”Alright, leave it to me then!”

Having made this agreement, Angel continued browsing the display book.

However, Angel didn’t look for long. He had just finished looking at the page on Resentful Women Town when he heard the panting voice of Pierdan, ”Everyone, huff huff huff... I... I’ve returned...”

Angel looked up and saw Pierdan running briskly towards them. Beside him was a Pirush wearing a cloak, whose height might not even reach Angel’s thigh.

This Pirush was completely covered by a black cloak, making it difficult to see his appearance, but judging by the color of his exposed hands and neck, he should be a Green Pippi Lu.

Pierdan approached the group, took a deep breath, and then said, ”Everyone, I went to find that merchant earlier, and found he had already distributed the Invention Mouse to lower-level merchants. Nak Su is no longer in his hands. I spent quite some time before finding the lower-level merchant who acquired Nak Su.”

Pierdan pointed to the black-cloaked Pirush beside him: ”That’s him. Nak Su is in his possession... His name is Zigua.”

Perhaps due to Pixi’s presence, Zigua didn’t dare to be negligent and proactively uncovered his cloak.

Beneath the cloak was a face with thieving eyebrows and mouse-like eyes.

Zigua: ”Everyone, my name is Zigua. I am the owner of Guagua Shop...”

Zigua spoke while giving a fawning smile.

This smile made him look even more cunning.

”So the merchant Pierdan mentioned before is you, huh.” Pixi suddenly interjected.

Pierdan was taken aback, glancing towards Pixi: ”Ser, do you know Zigua?”

Zigua was equally surprised. He naturally knew Pixi, had attended mobilization conferences and seen Pixi, but had never had private dealings with him.

Can Pixi remember him?

Pixi smiled: ”Of course I remember you; my assistant has mentioned your nickname, ’Shy Melon.’”

Zigua suddenly heard his familiar nickname, and his cheeks turned a deep red, muttering quietly without daring to speak.

Pixi turned to Luigi and Angel, introducing with a smile: ”Among the Pirush merchants, many are willing to do business, but not many are willing to do it properly.”

The phrase ”willing to do business” refers to most Pirush merchants conducting business and adhering to trade rules, yet always seeking bargains, eager for cheap deals, which irritates many buyers.

This primarily stems from certain Pirush personality traits that are hard to change.

While ”willing to do business properly” entails not seeking dishonest gains or eager desires, following rules, and possessing professional ethics.

”Zigua belongs to those willing to do business properly.”

”The nickname ’Shy Melon’ speaks to his appearance being a bit... not so kind-hearted. He worries others will judge him based on first impressions due to his looks, so while doing business, he wears a cloak to prevent others from seeing him.”

Hence, he earned the nickname Shy Melon.