Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3304: Chapter 3305: The Black Outer Circumference Zone

Very soon, Wang Wang gave a response. Unfortunately, the answer was negative.

Angel thought for a moment and continued to ask: ”Did it speak to you about the scenes I transmitted before?”

Wang Wang once again gave a negative answer: ”It didn’t mention it.”

Did it not talk about anything? Angel scratched his temple: ”Did it mention me?”

This time, Wang Wang finally gave a different answer: ”It has mentioned you.”

Not only mentioned, but the mention was quite frequent. However...

Wang Wang: ”Don’t ask me what the master said. Without the master’s permission, I won’t say anything.”

Although Wang Wang had long noticed that Dalmatian always referred to Angel with respect, there was a high possibility that Angel’s status was far above Dalmatian’s; but even so, Wang Wang never thought of opening a backdoor for Angel.

What it respects and admires is Dalmatian, not other people with a higher status than Dalmatian.

Besides, it could be heard from some details that there are many entities in the Nightmare Realm with status higher than Dalmatian... it can’t possibly obey everyone.

Therefore, the relationship among Wang Wang and Dalmatian, Dalmatian and Angel, Wang Wang and Angel is entirely based on different arguments.

Upon hearing Wang Wang’s words, Angel: ”...”

He hadn’t even spoken yet, and Wang Wang had already blocked his follow-up words.

Wang Wang seemed to feel that what it said was too heartless and added: ”However, although I cannot tell you what the master said, I can assure you that the master has never spoken ill of you.”

Angel: ”You don’t need to tell me that, I already know.”

Regarding Dalmatian not speaking ill of him, Angel was somewhat confident about it.

It’s just that, whether or not it speaks ill doesn’t really matter.

He was more curious about what Dalmatian would say when it mentioned him?

Angel also knew Wang Wang’s principles; it didn’t want to speak, no matter how much he pressured, he wouldn’t get an answer. Moreover, it’s very likely that Dalmatian instructed Wang Wang not to speak.

Therefore, Angel didn’t plan to continue questioning and prepared to change the topic.

However, before he could find a new topic, Wang Wang suddenly said: ”By the way, I just remembered there is actually something I can tell you.”

Angel was momentarily stunned; hadn’t it just declared that it couldn’t say anything?

Although Angel did not send word over, Wang Wang clearly guessed Angel’s thoughts and proactively explained: ”I consulted the master about this matter.”

Angel: ”???” When did you consult? Or are you saying Dalmatian has been secretly eavesdropping?

Wang Wang: ”It’s not what you think; I proactively asked the master whether I could tell you about this because you had asked me this question before.”

I asked Wang Wang before? Angel carefully recalled his past conversations with Wang Wang and hesitated for a long time before speaking softly: ”Are you talking about... Time Tribute?”

Angel asked Wang Wang a lot of questions, but they basically pertained to the construction of the void network and intelligence gathering. These questions were related to the abilities of a Void Traveler, which Wang Wang could decide itself, without needing to consult Dalmatian.

The only thing related to Dalmatian was... Time Tribute.

Dalmatian transmitted a strange message through a ”scene,” which mentioned ”Time Tribute.”

At that time, Angel had asked Dalmatian what Time Tribute meant; but Dalmatian disconnected the communication under the pretense of searching for Minister Kings.

Angel didn’t know whether Dalmatian really needed to find Minister Kings or if it had reservations and did not want to talk about it.

In any case, he did not get an answer from Dalmatian.

Angel also asked many people, including Sanders, Rhein, Ironclad Granny... even the Observer, but they all did not understand Time Tribute.

The only clue, slightly related, was provided by Wang Wang in the end.

Wang Wang didn’t know the exact definition of ”Time Tribute,” but Wang Wang was very sure that the drop of golden blood from the Thief of Time hidden in ”high altitude” by it was indeed a Time Tribute.

Because, that’s what Dalmatian said.

The drop of golden blood itself was gifted to Angel by Dalmatian, but Angel currently has no use for this drop of blood and might even be tracked by the Thief of Time. So eventually this drop of blood was temporarily entrusted to Wang Wang for safekeeping.

And when entrusting Wang Wang with the safekeeping, Dalmatian clearly stated that this was a Time Tribute.

This is the only clue, and in Angel’s exchanges with Wang Wang, it’s rare for Wang Wang to mention anything related to Dalmatian.

At that time, Wang Wang also said if there was any news about Time Tribute in the future, it would inform Angel.

So, if later Wang Wang and Dalmatian had communicated, and on behalf of Angel consulted Dalmatian, the only possibility would be Time Tribute.

Sure enough, soon a new message from Wang Wang arrived in the void network: ”Yes, it’s about Time Tribute.”

”About three days ago, the master told me it sneaked away to check out the black outer loop...”

The black outer loop is a place name in the Nightmare Realm, and Wang Wang doesn’t know where it is, but while it was helping Angel communicate with Dalmatian, it also saw the scene Dalmatian transmitted to Angel.

In the scene, a floating female voice said: ”The Time Tribute appeared in the black outer loop.”

Another sharp female voice said: ”Keep an eye on it, make sure it doesn’t get involved.”

Here, ’it’ refers to Dalmatian.

Though it sounded like advice, it was prophetic.

Dalmatian, whether born rebellious or just liking to stir things up; now it secretly snuck to the black outer loop, judging by the destination, its target most likely is... the Time Tribute.

As a ”subordinate,” Wang Wang does not dare to overstep its bounds, nor can it judge Dalmatian’s sneaking action. But Wang Wang took advantage of this opportunity to inquire about the information on ”Time Tribute.”

Wang Wang’s inquiry about the Time Tribute isn’t just for Angel but also has its own little agenda.

The golden blood is also part of Time Tribute, and although its ownership does not belong to Wang Wang, it hopes to gather some benefits while it remains in ”high altitude.”

And to gather more benefits, it must first understand what Time Tribute is.

From the result, it coincided perfectly with Angel’s goal.

However, Dalmatian did not provide Wang Wang the definition of Time Tribute or its characteristics as Wang Wang had hoped. Instead, it merely said: ”Any Time Series demonic material that Minister Dim can use to forge belongs to Time Tribute.”

Wang Wang knows Minister Dim is Dalmatian’s ”master,” but other than that identity, it knows nothing more.

Dalmatian using ”Minister Dim’s forging standard” as an example gives Wang Wang an answer that cannot be defined.

Unable to understand, Wang Wang immediately followed up with a question: ”Is the master saying that so-called Time Tribute refers to Time Series demonic materials?”

Facing Wang Wang’s question, Dalmatian continued to play the role of the ’old riddle dog’ and did not give a direct answer, only ambiguously stating: ”Not all demonic materials are qualified to be forged by Minister Dim, and what can be forged is definitely a tribute.”

From then on, no matter how Wang Wang inquired, the Dalmatian no longer responded to topics related to the Time Tribute.

”The above is the explanation from the Lord about the Time Tribute.” Wang Wang: ”I have consulted the Lord, and the Lord agreed for me to share this information with you.”

After saying this, Wang Wang did not continue the communication, giving Angel time to ponder.

Angel indeed contemplated the response from the Dalmatian.

”Can be melted by Minister Dim...” Angel muttered to himself with a frown.

As far as he knew, Minister Dim was known as the Minister of Arms, skilled in smelting and forging. He could completely be considered a powerful Alchemist.

From the Dalmatian’s words, only two characteristics of the ”Time Tribute” could be confirmed:

First, it can be melted. This means it can be regarded as a kind of alchemy material.

Second, it must be something that catches the eye of Minister Dim. In other words, it must meet Minister Dim’s standards.

Although Angel did not know Minister Dim’s level of alchemy, the ability to create the Dalmatian, allow the black and white maids to be born as living forms, and nurture a powerful researcher like the Boiling Gentleman... it was enough to say that Minister Dim was standing on a level that Angel could hardly even glimpse upon.

At least, he was a Mysterious Level Alchemist.

And alchemy materials that could catch Minister Dim’s eye certainly wouldn’t be of low grade.

If interpreted in this direction, the Time Tribute could perhaps be defined as: ”a high-tier Time Series demonic material, or a material that could be used to refine a mysterious artifact.”

If this conjecture is correct, then the scenes the Dalmatian sent over at the time basically had nothing to do with him.

Because the two female voices in the scenes had said: ”The Time Tribute carries the breath of the Lord.”, ”The master believes it’s a tribute deliberately sacrificed by the Lord.”

Angel had thought at the time that ”the Lord” referred to himself.

But now it seems likely that the ”Lord” they spoke of referred to the real Shava, not his ”substitute”.

Because Angel had never sacrificed any tributes.

And now, through the definition of the Time Tribute, it’s known that it is a high-tier demonic material.

One must understand that Time Series demonic materials are extremely rare, even the lowest grade is not something Angel would think of using as a sacrifice, let alone something that has reached the level of a tribute.

So, the ”Lord” they referred to certainly wasn’t himself.

But now there’s another confusion, if ”the Lord” isn’t himself but the real Shava, what was the intention of the Dalmatian sending this scene to him?

Angel firmly believed that the Dalmatian could distinguish between him and the real Shava.

Because every time the Dalmatian appeared, he was in quite a ”distressed” situation, and in a sense, the Dalmatian was there to help him out.

In the Sleepless City, he was trapped in the dome, and it was the Dalmatian who led him out.

In Xinnai Land, when facing the Boiling Gentleman, Black and White Maids, Davashia, and Minister Nuka, with Angel’s abilities, not to mention confronting them, he didn’t even have the qualification to withstand their pressure. It was also the Dalmatian’s appearance that eased the pressure, allowing Angel to continue ”acting”.

And the Devil’s Sea...

In short, the Dalmatian definitely knew his weak strength. Since it knows he is lacking in ability, it should be able to distinguish him from Shava.

After all, with Shava’s power to vanquish a Dream Realm Giant Beast with just a flick of a wrist, it’s impossible for her to be trapped in the quandaries of the Sleepless City or Xinnai Land.

If the Dalmatian could distinguish between him and Shava, then its sending of this scene to him might hold deeper meaning.

Was it reminding him of Shava’s location?

If so, what’s the point in reminding him of Shava’s location? Is it to hope he meets Shava or to hope he avoids meeting Shava?

Perhaps it hopes they meet? After all, the Dalmatian itself has now gone to the black outer ring...

But what’s the significance of them meeting?

One question after another arose and disappeared in Angel’s mind, but for now, Angel had no answers to all these questions.

Unless he could have an open-heart discussion with the Dalmatian.

But that’s difficult. Until now, the Dalmatian has always played the role of an innocent little dog in front of Angel, unable to communicate, just barking.

So, wanting to have an open-heart talk is basically impossible.

But Angel still tried to have Wang Wang go ask...

Since Wang Wang last contacted the Dalmatian three days ago, there hasn’t been further contact. It also really wanted to chat more with the lord, but dared not contact actively. Now, with Angel’s urging, Wang Wang unhesitatingly sent a ”pop-up” request to the Dalmatian.

However, this time the Dalmatian didn’t even acknowledge the most basic request.

Maybe the Dalmatian is currently in ”sneaking off” mode, not wanting to talk; or maybe it peeked into Angel’s thoughts while observing and didn’t want to converse with him.

Regardless of the reason, Angel currently had no way of obtaining answers.

”Or perhaps he was mistaken, and the key point in the scene sent by the Dalmatian wasn’t Shava’s location, but rather... the Time Tribute?”

Angel shook his head, pushing this final thought aside, since he couldn’t figure it out now, he decided not to think about it anymore.

...

Following that, Angel chatted about some trivial matters with Wang Wang.

While chatting, he was also waiting for feedback from the Void Travelers.

As time slowly passed by, Wang Wang still hadn’t received any valid feedback, and Angel even began to think it wouldn’t work. However, just as Angel was about to say goodbye, Wang Wang suddenly received what seemed like pertinent information.

”There’s still no information on Cross, but I received some info about the Goose Deacon.”

”In the North Cross District, there exists a winged humanoid group with similar turquoise eyes and blue pupils. They closely resemble the form of the Goose Deacon you sent over. Only the illusory feathers on their feet slightly differ.”

”I’ll send the footage to Heideland right now.”

After Heideland received Wang Wang’s footage, it channeled the visual information directly into Angel’s mind through tendrils probing Angel’s brow.

The images reflected indeed matched Wang Wang’s description, depicting a Humanoid Race with arm-wings.

Most significantly, this Humanoid Race had turquoise eyes with blue pupils, identical to those of the Goose Deacon.

Coupled with the Goose Deacon being a winged humanoid, based on these two traits alone, it could be concluded that the Goose Deacon likely originated from this group.

”What is this group?” Angel was curious and asked Wang Wang.

Wang Wang: ”I don’t know. You should be aware, the Void Travelers don’t proactively make contact with any intelligent life forms, and this footage is just a recording made by my companion from a distance.”

”However, coincidentally, this information was provided by the same Void Traveler who previously reported on the Void Blood Tree and eerie hollow...”