Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1304: Section 1305: The Bloodstained Parchment

The effect of “Contained Fire” was exactly as they had speculated before; once stability of the Magic Pattern was disrupted, it would instantly cause an intense flame incineration, not only self-destructing but also exploding.

Because it left no trace, it was extremely covert. The usual use for it was as bait.

However, this leather case was buried by Flint under the tree, and if not for Flint himself to dig it out, no one would have ever discovered this case; hence, the notion of bait was irrelevant.

Since it was not bait, then “Contained Fire” must have been meant to protect the secrets inside.

“Is there a way to bypass the Contained Fire and open this leather case?” Suise asked urgently, his heart burning with anxiety as long as Eulica was in distress.

“Bypassing the Contained Fire is impossible, but as long as the part of the high-level Incineration Rune related to self-destruction within this Mana Energy Array is destroyed, and several medium Pattern paths are modified to maintain a relative balance between the Spirit-inhibiting and Mana-inhibiting runes, the case should be able to be opened smoothly.”

...
Angel stretched out his finger and traced a red light mark on the case; the light scar was crooked, not a flat Magic Pattern. Most of it was three-dimensional and overlapped with the high-level Incineration Rune, yet it was completely alienated from the other two runes.

“Release destructive energy along this red light scar to directly destroy the insides in an instant, and the self-destruction of the high-level Incineration Rune will be completely severed,” Angel paused, “At the same time, I will need to modify the Pattern paths to maintain the balance between the other two runes.”

In other words, this required two people to operate simultaneously.

It sounded simple, but actually required exceedingly precise and subtle manipulation.

Of course, the most difficult part was maintaining the balance between the Mana-inhibiting and Spirit-inhibiting runes, which Angel took great responsibility for. Although destroying the high-level Incineration Rune also required minute manipulation, generally speaking, anyone who had reached the level of an Official Wizard could do it with some care.

Naturally, if there were Energy Filtration Devices invented by Sky Mechanical City, Angel could perform the operation alone, but it was not possible to go there and buy one now.

“I’ll handle the destruction of the high-level Incineration Rune,” Suise volunteered.

Angel nodded. Among those present, only Suise and Sanders were up to the task. This matter did not really concern Sanders, and if the destruction of the high-level Incineration Rune failed, it would be Suise’s own responsibility.

Angel began to instruct Suise on the tricks of destruction; after Suise clandestinely practiced several times and confirmed there were no mistakes, both men turned their gaze simultaneously to the main subject—the leather case on the table.

“Let’s get started,” Angel said, rubbing his fingertips, a steady stream of energy emanating from them.

Suise also showed a solemn expression and nodded firmly.

Without using commands or deliberately cultivating a tacit understanding, as soon as the energy Suise controlled shone on the red light scar of the case, Angel’s hand shot out rapidly, linking the damaged medium Pattern paths through a thin outer layer.

As soon as the Pattern paths were damaged, Angel followed instantly, directly connecting the damaged paths to other medium patterns. Angel’s fingers became like shadows, their movements completely unseen.

Just one second.

Suise withdrew his external energy, and Angel also stepped back. It appeared very simple, nearly simultaneous completion, but within that second, Angel manipulated so many Pattern paths that no one could see clearly, not even Suise, who was responsible for the destruction, and he felt notably ashamed.

This was the first time Suise had such a clear insight into the terror of Angel’s alchemical talent.

It was a shock that was impossible to describe in words!

In the end, Suise only looked deeply at Angel and then let out a long breath.

As for White Bear and Lyon, they were utterly confused now, not knowing the intricate manipulations involved. With their understanding, they could not comprehend. They just looked at the leather case on the table, which seemed to faintly ripple with energy, and asked, “Is it safe to open the case now?”

Suise did not answer but turned to Angel to ask, “Is this a new kind of Mana Energy Array?”

Now, there were no longer any high-level Incineration Runes inside the case, only the Spirit-inhibiting and Mana-inhibiting runes remained, yet they still maintained a state of relative balance. This made Suise wonder if a new Mana Energy Array could form.

“The Spirit-inhibiting and Mana-inhibiting runes can be combined into a ‘Concealment Box’ Mana Energy Array,” Angel paused, “However, although the composite Magic Patterns inside the case now temporarily have some of the functions of a ‘Concealment Box,’ these two runes are only relatively balanced. This balance would be broken by external Primordial Magic. Given the current concentration of Magic Power at Pat Manor, I estimate it can only last for three hours.”

“After three hours, the Spirit-inhibiting and Mana-inhibiting runes will self-destruct. So, it cannot be called a new Mana Energy Array.”

Even though it was not a new Mana Energy Array, Suise was still very moved. If Angel had truly converted one Mana Energy Array into another in a short amount of time, that would definitely be on the level of an Alchemy Master.

Even if not, Angel’s ability to take it this far was still terrifying. At least of those Suise knew… even those he had only heard of, the Enchantment Alchemists probably couldn’t accomplish this.

Suise felt grateful once again, fortunate to have Angel. Not only did he discover “Contained Fire,” but he even managed to destroy and alter it.

Otherwise, if this case truly belonged to Rolando, it might have ended as he had planned—either the case would not be found, or even if found, it would be useless.

Thinking this, Suise couldn’t help but glance at Sanders on the other side.

Having such a disciple was indeed a sign of Illusion Demon Island’s prosperity.

Although Sanders did not show it, the dark light flickering in his eyes and the slight upturn at the corner of his mouth revealed that he was very satisfied with Angel’s actions.

Suise sighed inwardly, suppressing the jealousy in his heart. Regardless, with Angel’s skills, it was indeed essential to win him over. Although the incident at Pat Manor had caused some distance between them, they still had other points of connection, such as favors and the likes of Lyon.

“It should be fine now, we can open it and see what’s inside,” Angel replied to White Bear’s confusion at that time.

Suise also set aside his complex thoughts and stepped forward, unzipping the case in front of everyone.

Before the zipper was opened, the effect of the faux “Concealment Box” had not yet dissipated, so Suise actually did not know what was inside.

Everyone was anticipating that the leather case would contain important clues.

When the case was unfolded, everyone was first startled by the dense array of magic patterns on the inner walls of the case, and then their gaze shifted to the only item inside the case.

That was a piece of parchment.

An old piece of sheepskin parchment.

At first glance, it seemed to be nothing unusual, but as the parchment was spread out, a strong smell of blood emanated from it.

“This is…” White Bear exclaimed in surprise, eyes round with shock.

“A trigger magic pattern drawn with fresh blood,” Angel said softly.

As the parchment was revealed, Suise frowned, “This is bad! Eulica suddenly started going mad in the Exile Space, and this is the first time it’s happening during the day!”

No sooner had he spoken than a profuse sweat broke out on Suise’s forehead. The next second, Eulica tore through the Exile Space and instantly stepped beyond its boundary, appearing in the hall.

Her crimson eyes flickered with a sinister light, slowly turning her head as her cold gaze swept over everyone. There was a noticeable pause in her gaze as it passed Suise and White Bear, but it quickly vanished, finally settling on the sheepskin parchment on the table.

An eerie laugh emerged from Eulica’s mouth as she reached out to touch the parchment.

But before she could act, a tall shadow appeared behind her.

Thud—

A huge noise sounded, and before anyone could react, Eulica lay flat on the ground, surrounded by numerous Illusion Nodes, seemingly trapped in a dream, unable to move.

The one who had knocked her down was naturally Sanders. He casually lifted Eulica by the collar and flicked her aside, tossing her next to Suise.

Suise hurriedly returned Eulica to the Exile Space.

Eulica’s madness was but a minor incident, yet it sowed intense doubts within everyone: Eulica’s fits of madness were typically cyclical, mostly occurring at night, which was likely due to her own consciousness battling with the mad consciousness.

However, it being daytime and such a situation arising clearly indicated a new variable had been introduced in this cyclical pattern.

And unanimously, everyone’s gaze turned back to the parchment.

“It seems that this parchment really is the cause of Eulica’s madness,” White Bear whispered, “which means, the origin of this parchment and leather case indeed comes from Rolando!”

Angel also nodded, “The trigger magic pattern drawn with fresh blood on the parchment can control the same-origin Blood Origin to backtrack over a certain distance. Moreover, the closer the distance, the better the control.”

This also explained why Rolando had repeatedly implied that it would be better for Fulinton to bury the case closer to Gru Town—the effect would be quicker.

Fulinton, perhaps out of guilt and fear, buried the case on the high ground of Mount Fear waterfall. Although Gru Town was still visible from there, it was, after all, quite distant.

This led to the effect of the triggering magic pattern being discounted. Initially, Eulica only occasionally seemed a bit off, but recently, due to long-term accumulation, it resulted in a concentrated outbreak.

In a way, this was due to Fulinton’s anxiety at the time; otherwise, Eulica might have exploded much earlier.

After listening to Angel’s explanation of the “trigger magic pattern,” something seemed to dawn on Suise, his eyes flashing with excitement, “You mean…”

Angel nodded.

“Exactly, the fresh blood on this parchment must come from the master of the Crimson Authority!”