Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1285: Section 1286 Another Master

Fusing a certain type of apparatus with flesh is a special state of control.

First, it allows for a deeper understanding of the significance of the device, hence unleashing greater power; second, this flesh fusion to some extent equates to claiming ownership, making it difficult to lose. Even if it were lost, one could find its location through the flesh connections.

“Does that mean that Crimson Authority has acknowledged its master? That’s not right, Angel said that ‘Blood Origin Tracing’ is inscribed on the Crimson Authority and the Magical Energy Array is still operational, so how could it have recognized a master?”

“I’m also puzzled, but after observing these past days, Crimson Authority indeed has already integrated into Eulica’s body,” Suise replied with some confusion.

“When did she start to fuse Crimson Authority into her body?” Sanders asked.

“At least before she went mad, I never saw her take out Crimson Authority from her body,” Suise said.

...
Which is to say, it’s very likely that Eulica only recently started the flesh fusion.

But hasn’t she already gone mad?

The deeper this matter is probed, the more strange it feels. One always senses something amiss in the background, yet upon careful deliberation, no clear thread can be identified.

While Sanders was feeling perplexed, Angel suddenly spoke up:

“The effect of Crimson Authority is to bewilder the mind, or in other words, it’s like turning others into loyal puppets. That leads me to a question, those servants affected by the Crimson Authority before, could Eulica truly control them?”

The question posed by Angel caused Sanders’ gaze to flicker, as if he had thought of something.

Suise furrowed his brows: “I remember that the servants influenced by Crimson Authority all seemed eager to follow Eulica.”

“Following Eulica doesn’t mean she controlled the servants, it’s also possible—” Angel paused, then slowly continued, “that Crimson Authority was controlling them.”

The words of Angel actually pointed out a question: Is Eulica truly the master of Crimson Authority?

Angel personally leans towards no. If Eulica were the master of Crimson Authority, then why would she be affected by its capabilities? And if she’s not, then who caused all of this?

“Are you suggesting that Crimson Authority has developed a spirit and it influenced and controlled Eulica?” Sanders looked toward Angel.

Angel: “Before I left the Old Earth Continent, I actually had close contact with Crimson Authority for a period of time, and at that moment, I didn’t sense a ‘Spirit.’ Of course, it’s also possible that it had already birthed Spirit Intelligence but stayed lurking.”

Sanders furrowed his brow: “You’ve had contact with it too? Was it alone?”

Angel nodded: “In Suise’s Exile Space, in order to study the Magical Energy Array of Crimson Authority.”

Sanders: “If it really had birthed Spirit Intelligence, how could you possibly have dealt with Crimson Authority with your strength back then? Its power is to muddle the mind, and if it had a Spirit, you might have been bewitched by it at that time. Moreover, as you were alone, it would be hard for others to realize if you were ensnared.”

Meaning that, at least at that time, Crimson Authority didn’t have a so-called “Spirit.”

“So, did it develop a spirit only recently?” Suise asked.

“The possibility of birthing a spirit does exist, even though I’ve never witnessed a Mysterious Object giving birth to one,” Angel paused, then continued, “But what I mean isn’t just about birthing a spirit. Maybe, Crimson Authority doesn’t have a ‘Spirit’ at all?”

Perhaps being too involved, Angel’s words left Suise even more bewildered.

On the other hand, an observer was the first to regain his composure.

White Bear had been listening to their conversation for quite some time. He had been eager to interject with questions about Eulica’s situation, but given Angel’s previous outrage towards Eulica and the grave nature of their discussion, which was related to the secret treasures of King Gumman, he couldn’t voice any opinions and had to listen attentively to catch up on details about Eulica.

As the conversation unfolded, White Bear essentially grasped the core issue, although he still didn’t know some of the finer points; at least he understood what they were discussing.

At this moment, when Angel suggested “Crimson Authority might not have a Spirit,” he seemed to realize something:

“Earlier, Angel mentioned ‘Blood Origin Tracing’ on Crimson Authority, meaning it already has a master, right? Could it be that this master is behind all these troubles?” White Bear finally spoke.

Suise was taken aback for a moment before realization dawned on him!

Indeed, this was a possibility and might even be a significant one! Like not seeing the wood for the trees, Suise was in the dark because King Gumman had not sent anyone, and they had initially planned to stealthily search for this ‘master’ in the Gumman Kingdom. Influenced by the psychological factor, he saw himself as the hunter and the other party as the prey. This cognitive bias had made him overlook this possibility.

“So it’s possible that Eulica’s changes were also caused by this person?!” Suise suddenly clenched his fist.

Angel: “That’s just a speculation.”

Suise: “But the likelihood is high. I’ve always been puzzled, Eulica once told me that the effect of Crimson Authority is to ensnare the mind. While ensnaring the mind can indeed drive people mad, it usually requires the manipulator’s subsequent control to make it happen, not causing immediate madness and bloodlust.”

“Now the truth lies before our eyes: all those touched by the blood light have gone mad, which means the nature of the Crimson Authority has been altered! And the one capable of this must be the true master of the Crimson Authority! If we can find him, perhaps we can lift the effects of the Crimson Authority!”

If this speculation was possible, another question presented itself: how could they find this so-called ‘master’?

For a Transcendent, concealing oneself is actually very simple. Moreover, it is possible to operate the Crimson Authority from a great distance, as long as that distance is within a certain range.

“If we could get our hands on the Crimson Authority and observe the activation status of the Magical Energy Array on it, we could deduce his location,” Angel said. However, this was not very likely; since Eulica had fused the Crimson Authority into her body, the possibility of obtaining it was essentially ruled out.

If that path was impassable, what other methods were there?

At this moment, Angel added, “When I studied the Crimson Authority, it was to deduce the true master’s blood information through the ‘Blood Origin Tracking’ Magical Energy Array. If we have that blood information, we could find out whether this so-called master is in the Old Earth Continent. This way, we can also confirm whether it’s him causing the mischief.”

If they had the blood information, it would be more convenient and quicker than deducing through the Magical Energy Array. Everyone looked at Suise, who awkwardly lowered his head: “I had previously entrusted that blood information to Eulica for safekeeping, so…”

Thus, they were back at a deadlock, at a loss for what to do.

In fact, there was another method, which was to kill Eulica. But without a doubt, Suise wouldn’t do such a thing, and although Sanders could, the benefits of doing so were not as high as one might imagine.

Sanders was not involved in this matter to help Suise catch the owner of the treasure, nor was this Sanders’s main goal.

If it weren’t for Angel’s involvement, Sanders might not even bother with it.

“If we really can’t find a way, then we should just go talk to Eulica herself,” Sanders said, drawing everyone’s eyes to him.

Eulica had gone mad; would talking to her have any effect?

“Whether Eulica has completely lost her self-awareness is still under question. But at least one thing can be certain: she probably hasn’t completely forgotten some things,” Sanders said, glancing at White Bear, his implication clear.

Suise seemed to understand as well. After all, he had managed to confine Eulica in the Exile Space because Eulica had not released any strong malevolence towards him, which meant that Eulica probably still retained some memory of him.

As for White Bear, he was the person Eulica cared about the most. If he were to go, perhaps he could indeed stimulate Eulica’s crazed memory, allowing her to regain clarity.

Even if she could become lucid just for a moment, as long as they obtained the “blood information” of that person, that would suffice.

“At night, Eulica starts to wreak havoc, and not even the Exile Space can contain her. Come to think of it, last night was the only night Eulica stayed quiet in the Exile Space,” Suise glanced at White Bear: “It must be due to Hobson. He might truly be able to affect Eulica.”

White Bear puzzledly pointed at himself: “Me? No, how do you know my name?”

“You don’t know?” Suise asked with a puzzled look at White Bear, “Then how did you come here?”

White Bear looked towards Angel.

Suise looked suspiciously at Angel: “Did you bring him here? I don’t recall Eulica ever mentioning Hobson to you.”

“Prophecy.” Angel said, “When you all came to Pat Manor and turned my home upside down, I was drawn into the core of this Prophecy. Though I did not wish for it, I had no other choice.”

Angel’s tone was calm, but Suise clearly understood the underlying sarcasm.

Suise didn’t say much in response but turned his gaze back to White Bear.

White Bear himself was a Prophecy Apprentice, which Eulica had told him. He also knew that White Bear had always been searching for his past through prophecy, but Eulica had blocked his prophecies with her shielding ability.

Because they had come to Pat Manor, and White Bear had connected with Angel, who was from Pat Manor, it was indeed possible that he had found his way here through that connection.

Thinking this, Suise said to White Bear, “I know your name because Eulica told me.”

“Does that mean ‘Tainted Blood Shadow Stab’ Eulica is truly my kin?” White Bear asked eagerly.

Suise responded, “That… When Eulica wakes up, let her tell you herself.”

Although Suise did not spell it out, the answer had become quite apparent.

“We must not delay. It’s daytime now, and Eulica’s madness is somewhat alleviated. I’ll take you to see her immediately,” Suise said, preparing to take White Bear into the Exile Space.

However, at that moment, Angel suddenly said, “Wait.”

“You’ve said nearly everything about your problem. But our problem also needs an answer.”

“Can the ordinary people affected by the Crimson Authority be released from its effects?”