Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3243: Chapter 3244: Page Creation

”Indeed, you are worthy of being the most revered Sage by the Pi Luoxiu Clan, you understood instantly.” Glaipnir nodded, ”That’s correct, the doomsday scenario that the Daylight Mirror Domain is about to face is caused by the Gesen Mirror Domain.”

”Now, do you understand why Angel said the invasion by the Singer and the Feather Forest Clan is a trivial matter?”

Pika Sage, although still unaware of what the so-called ’collapse’ and ’doomsday’ means exactly, is not foolish. Once the main reason is understood, many previously unclear logics suddenly become clear.

The war initiated by the Singer and the Feather Forest Clan in the Mirror Domain is because their own living environment is facing challenges and they had to turn to other Mirror Domains.

But now the Daylight Mirror Domain is likewise affected by the Gesen Mirror Domain, on the verge of collapse, evidently no longer suitable for their survival. In such circumstances, naturally, they will not continue to start a Mirror Domain war.

Without war, it naturally becomes a trivial matter.

Pika Sage now acknowledges that this is a trivial matter. But this trivial matter was caused by a major collapse... For a moment, he even thinks that starting a Mirror Domain war is at least better than the impending doomsday.

Pika Sage took a deep breath, raised his head to look at Glaipnir, asked in a slightly hoarse voice: ”Is the doomsday unavoidable?”

Glaipnir: ”There is nothing unavoidable in this world, but the price to be paid is currently unknown.”

Pika Sage hurriedly asked: ”What do you mean? We can prevent the doomsday, can’t we?”

Glaipnir lowered her eyebrows, said flatly: ”I cannot confirm whether we can prevent it. But even if it can be stopped, it is very difficult.”

Glaipnir did not conceal anything, unfolding the origin of doomsday calmly.

A disordered Mysterious Object... an unfulfilled promise... the Transmutation of the Treasure Hunting Puppet Guadura into the Calamity Puppet Shuli-fa...

Infinitely expanding Confinement Space... randomly arising tests...

And Shuli-fa who has already arrived at the Ghost Phantom.

After Glaipnir explained the situation, Pika Sage felt somewhat lost. He had imagined various doomsday scenarios but never expected the doomsday disaster to originate from a disordered Mysterious Object!

Even more unexpected, the source of everything was merely because a life from the Gesen Mirror Domain made a wish into the boundless Void.

The Wishing Puppet Boyisha responded to his wish, but he failed to complete the Treasure Hunting Puppet Guadura’s test, thus leading to the appearance of the Calamity Puppet Shuli-fa.

A seemingly insignificant statement triggered the doomsday disaster in two Mirror Domains.

And this is the terror of disordered objects.

Glaipnir said calmly: ”In order to stop the arrival of doomsday, the only way is to complete Shuli-fa’s test. Once the test is completed, not only will there be no doomsday, but the Confinement Space already appearing in the Gesen Mirror Domain will disappear.”

”Everything will return to Origin Point.”

”However, it is very difficult.”

Pika Sage also understood why Glaipnir would say ’difficult.’ Although they do not presently know what Shuli-fa’s test is, one can imagine that even the two strongest races of the Gesen Mirror Domain failed the test and were left scattered, can they pass the test?

Very likely difficult.

Pika Sage fell into silence... After a long while, he raised his head, ”Even if it’s hard, we have to try.”

If he were to give up entirely without trying, he would be unwilling.

Moreover, the Gesen Mirror Domain can still flee outward, where can they escape to? Even if they can escape, it’s only the top races leaving, it won’t even be the turn of the Pi Luoxiu Clan.

Therefore, the only way to break the dilemma is to attempt to undergo the test.

But what exactly is this test?

Only by knowing Shuli-fa’s test can they make preparations.

”Do the members of the Singer and Feather Forest Clan who came this time know what the test is?” Pika Sage asked. If they know, then even if they have to capture and interrogate them all, they must force it out.

However, Glaipnir shook her head: ”According to the information I obtained, they do not know.”

It’s actually not difficult to understand, those who know what the test is must have faced Shuli-fa as the testee. As none have passed the test, it means all testees were imprisoned in the Confinement Space.

Since all are detained, how could test information be transmitted?

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that the higher-ups of the Singer and Feather Forest may acquire the test content through other means. However, the members from the Singer and Feather Forest Clan who came this time are merely precursors blowing the autumn breeze, none of them are core members.

Therefore, expecting to get useful information from them is basically impossible.

”Without the test content, we cannot prepare in advance... When Shuli-fa enters the Daylight Mirror Domain and starts randomly pulling people for tests, we are completely unprepared.” Pika Sage’s face showed bitterness: ”In this situation, we are even less likely to pass the test.”

Luigi, standing aside, spoke up at this moment: ”That’s precisely the situation... So there’s no salvation, instead, run away.”

Pika Sage shook his head helplessly: ”There’s no way to escape...”

Even if they flee, where can they go?

The Material Realm? Without any Energy foundation, they would only be waiting for death if they went there. Other Mirror Domains? They have no avenues.

For a moment, Pika Sage suddenly felt that the path ahead was bleak, a prevailing darkness and despair emerged.

The atmosphere gradually turned silent.

Although the room is filled with warmth, a stiff and cold atmosphere kept spreading.

Watching as Pika Sage’s brows furrowed ever tighter and his expression worsened, finally, when Glaipnir felt it was ’about time,’ she slowly spoke: ”In fact, knowing the test content isn’t totally impossible.”

Pika Sage abruptly raised his head: ”What method?”

Glaipnir softly uttered a term: ”Domain-wide surveillance.”

Although called domain-wide, in reality, it is merely within the ’Psychological boundary’ for surveillance.

At intervals along the way, personnel are deployed for surveillance. The moment the Calamity Puppet Shuli-fa emerges from the Ghost Phantom and randomly selects individuals for tests, they may obtain test content through communication.

Pika Sage pondered for a moment: ”The method you’re talking about requires very high execution capabilities. Also, once the surveilling personnel are caught by Shuli-fa, it basically equals being nullified.”

Glaipnir: ”There are no absolutely perfect solutions in this world, and facing doomsday, don’t expect everyone to survive fortunately. Given the current circumstances, only by piling up lives to seek verification can the desired answer be obtained.”

”And this inevitably requires sacrificing some people.”

”Moreover, those confined within the Confinement Space may not necessarily be sacrificed. As long as we can break the dilemma and pass Shuli-fa’s test, they still have a chance to survive.”

Pika Sage frowned: ”That’s easier said than done, but this methodology has a major challenge: how to ensure communication? Moreover, it must be real-time communication before the test ends.”

”If this surveillance were in the same Mirror Inner Space, it might still be feasible. But to extend the surveillance range to the entire Daylight Mirror Domain, I can’t imagine how to achieve real-time communication?”

Glaipnir smiled slightly, refrained from speaking, instead casting a glance towards Luigi next to her.

Luigi immediately understood, approached Pika Sage, and said in a mysterious tone: ”Since we proposed the surveillance method, naturally there is a solution.”

Pika Sage’s eyes lit up: ”What method?”

Luigi smiled mysteriously: ”I can’t say just yet.”

Pika Sage: ”Why can’t you say now, does the method have time limitations?”

Luigi shook his head: ”No time limitations, merely, this method is classified. After we meet with the Mirror Dragon Clan later and confirm the method is correct, then we can talk about it.”

In other words, it’s not that the method can’t be mentioned, but it requires certain qualifications and thresholds.

The Mirror Dragon clan is powerful, and all other races obey them. It is natural to tell them anything. However, the Pi Luoxiu clan, aside from their inventions, doesn’t have much uniqueness.

Delegating this task might not be suitable given the slippery nature of the Pi Luoxiu clan.

No need to elaborate.

This is the implied meaning expressed by Luigi.

Luigi understands the Pika Sage well. This person cannot stand being provoked, especially when curiosity arises without getting answers; it makes him incredibly anxious.

Under such circumstances, the Pika Sage definitely cannot resist.

As expected, after hesitating for a while, the Pika Sage finally spoke: ”Alright, what do you want?”

Just as Luigi understood the Pika Sage, the Pika Sage also knew Luigi. Upon hearing Luigi’s tone, he knew what Luigi was after.

Intentionally playing coy, there must be something to gain.

Luigi smiled and pointed at the display booklet beside Angel.

The meaning was obvious without needing words.

”To increase pages?” asked the Pika Sage softly.

Luigi did not answer directly but murmured with a thoughtful air: ”Nowadays, with the apocalypse approaching, nobody knows what the future holds. Those rules that are heavily valued might turn into a heap of waste paper someday.”

”Often, when you view things from another time-space context, you’ll find that the pursuits often don’t hold value.”

”The neglected ones, perhaps, might bring opportunities.”

Pika Sage pondered: ”...Is it about increasing pages? Just say it directly.”

Luigi nodded without hesitation: ”Yes.”

Pika Sage thought for a moment, then nodded: ”Fine, I can help with increasing pages.”

As Luigi said, now that the apocalypse is near, no one knows what tomorrow will bring... Being slightly willful isn’t a big deal.

With the relationship he has with the Mirror Sea Scholar and Crystal Eye Clan, actively requesting page positions shouldn’t stir any controversy either.

Besides, as far as he knows, someone in the Mirror Sea Scholar group knows Luigi’s identity and what’s backing him. With this connection, the Mirror Sea Scholars surely wouldn’t oppose.

However, the only thing Pika Sage can do is increase pages: ”Whether others want to come to increase pages, I cannot enforce it.”

Luigi gestured with an ”it’s okay” sign: ”That’s fine.”

He never planned to force other races to increase pages. Moreover, coercion is unattractive; only those who voluntarily take the bait are good buyers.

Just like the Singer and Yusen increasing pages—out of curiosity for other Mirror Domains, all races willingly queued up for page increases.

Nevertheless, although there’s no need to compel anyone, a little excitement can be leveraged.

Currently, inside and outside the Pi Luoxiu station, many are queuing for page increases initiated by the Singer and the Feather Forest Clan. If they could increase pages now, they might catch some of the attention.

After all, two pages or three pages—it’s still an increase.

Luigi shared his thoughts with the Pika Sage, who hesitated for a moment, then nodded: ”It’s possible. But crafting the pages takes time; by the time it’s made, there may not be many left queueing outside.”

”No worries, one is better than none.” Luigi was unconcerned, as eventually, with the control plan in place, those unwilling to increase pages would still have to come.

Pika Sage: ”When do you plan to craft the pages?”

Luigi: ”We can start now.”

Seeing the decision was made, Pika Sage didn’t hesitate further. He went to the door to call Pilly over.

After giving some instructions, Pika Sage turned to everyone and said: ”For page crafting, we need a lead person—the one responsible for the single page. Who do you intend to be this leader?”

After discussion among the group, Glaipnir was pushed forward to take on the responsibility.

First, the leader needs to follow Pilly to the factory to craft pages, which takes time, likely missing the appearance of the ’Calamity Puppet’s Eye.’

Since Glaipnir has witnessed the effect of the Calamity Puppet’s Eye and isn’t interested in it, whereas Luigi and Angel are very curious about it, Glaipnir volunteered.

Secondly, Glaipnir’s prestige is the highest among everyone present. With her being solely responsible for a page, even if others don’t understand, few would question... In simple terms, her influence is strong enough.

Pika Sage was not surprised by their choice. Overall, Glaipnir was indeed most suitable as the leader for page increases.

Soon, Pilly led Glaipnir out of the row house.

After Glaipnir left, the group returned to sit beside the hearth.

Pika Sage looked at Luigi: ”The request has been fulfilled for you, can you tell us now?”

Luigi glanced back at Angel, seeing Angel nod, he then said to Pika Sage: ”Yes.”

Immediately, Luigi retrieved a small pouch from within space right in front of Pika Sage.

Pika Sage could see the pouch was bulging, filled with unknown items.

Luigi reached into the pouch, rummaging for quite a while before stowing it away again.

Meanwhile, a bright red trumpet flower hair clip appeared in his hand.

With a skeptical look, Pika Sage took the clip from Luigi: ”The answer is within here.”

Though unsure of any secret this clip held, seeing Luigi’s serious demeanor, Pika Sage accepted it nonetheless.

Once in hand, he examined it carefully.

The craftsmanship of the clip was exquisite, evidently molded as one piece. The material was low-magic metal, adorned with elemental gemstones and crushed diamonds—quite stunning.

Between the gems, a simple energy circuit was formed.

The circuit’s function was straightforward—once energy is detected nearby, the gemstones start to glow.

”Is it just an accessory?” Pika Sage scrutinized, unable to detect any peculiarities, asking Luigi: ”Where’s the answer?”

Luigi replied with layered nuance: ”You’ll know once you wear it.”

Pika Sage: ???

Wear it? Not to mention the clip’s style—is my hair dense enough to secure it?

Luigi seemed to have spotted Pika Sage’s ”shortcoming”, coughing as he added: ”No need to secure it in your hair; you could attach it to other kinds of hair, like... your beard.”

Though Pika Sage did have a long white beard, attaching a clip there seemed odd.

”The clip’s appearance is ephemeral; don’t focus on its shell, but its core,” Luigi encouraged as Pika Sage hesitated, ”since you want to know the answer, wearing it will reveal it.”

Pika Sage considered the impending apocalypse, glanced at the ”external object” in his hand, and finally clipped it to his beard.

Luigi’s smile widened as Pika Sage fixed the clip onto himself.

However, just as Pika Sage secured the clip, sudden footsteps echoed from the staircase...