Published at 13th of February 2026 7:14 am

Chapter 2552: The Black Earl’s Secret

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Rhein: "There are only two possibilities for his objective."

"Things that can interest the Black Earl are either bizarre and mysterious, or matters he cannot fathom."

"The Black Earl is a very curious person, filled with interest in mystery and the unknown. Most importantly, the existence of ’He Consciousness’ allows the Black Earl to venture without his real body, so he doesn’t worry about danger. Even if he dies during exploration, ’He Consciousness’ can return to his original consciousness, satisfying his curiosity."

"Because of this, the Black Earl often lets his descendants take reckless actions."

"By the way, when you were in the Abyss, the Black Earl also sent someone to Sleepless City in the Eternal Night Country, covered by the dome. As for the outcome... you can probably guess."

"Earlier, when I met with his ’Right Hand,’ he heard about the Star Pond Ruins and wanted to send the descendant with the ’Right Hand’ to venture there. However, I didn’t agree."

"That guy gains a lot of secret information by relying on ’He Consciousness’ returning. Sometimes I have to ask him for information, but I can’t stand his secretive expression, as if he’s in control of everything. It always makes me want to punch him."

Perhaps because everyone present was not an outsider, Rhein didn’t hold back as much as usual and spoke more casually. Because of this casualness, Angel could tell from Rhein’s tone that his relationship with the Black Earl was indeed good; being able to joke and tease him proved this point.

However, Rhein was speaking from the perspective of a friend about the Black Earl, so the Black Earl seemed like a curious person who casts the net wide using ’He Consciousness.’

But beneath this filter, the Black Earl remained ruthless. He didn’t care about the lives of his descendants as long as he was curious and found the unknown and mysterious. Such a person, Angel at least didn’t care for.

Angel: "Since the Black Earl is so full of curiosity, he could completely send an Alchemy Golem instead of his own descendants, right?"

Rhein: "I’ve asked him this question before. He answered that every adventure is a training exercise, one that can temper his descendants and make them grow faster."

"Perhaps the Black Earl indeed means this, but the real answer is probably not so."

Rhein was silent for a moment: "I can tell you my guess, but don’t spread it around. Even if you do, don’t say it came from me."

Angel nodded: "Of course."

Rhein: "My personal guess is that the Black Earl’s ’He Consciousness’ might need the bloodline of the Noah Clan to fully exert its function. Although this is just a guess, you mentioned earlier that the Noah clansman named Vay inherited the Black Earl’s ’Death Sense’ talent, and talent inheritance is definitely something the Black Earl manipulates. So, this also proves my point."

"Only the Noah Clan’s bloodline can bear ’He Consciousness,’ converse with ’He Consciousness,’ and ’He Consciousness’ can see, hear, and perceive through the senses of the bloodline descendants. Otherwise, with just Vay’s nose, he wouldn’t be able to explore ruins."

After saying this, Rhein added: "Of course, the above is just my speculation. Determine the truth of it yourself."

Compared to letting descendants gain training, Angel believed Rhein’s speculations more. Alchemy Golems are not expensive; if they don’t choose an Alchemy Golem to carry his organs for exploration, there must be limitations, and bloodline limitations are the most likely.

"After hearing what you said, I seem to understand something." At this moment, Ironclad Granny, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.

"What?"

Ironclad Granny: "I haven’t been to many large Tea Parties, but at the Tea Parties I have attended, I absolutely haven’t seen the shadow of the Noah Clan. Previously, I just thought that the witches of the Noah Clan didn’t like attending Tea Parties. But now, if what Rhein said is true, the answer is quite clear."

Tea Parties might be just about drinking tea and chatting, but the intensity of information exchange at them is absolutely unparalleled in the Southern Domain.

Once the witches of the Noah Clan attend and hear some news that intrigues the Black Earl, they might be ordered to explore. By then, their fate would be uncertain.

So, Ironclad Granny didn’t see anyone from the Noah Clan at the Tea Parties.

Angel: "I think the Noah Clan’s reclusive nature is probably not innate but rather forced."

Ironclad Granny nodded in agreement: "Previously, I didn’t know much about the Black Earl, but since he rarely stirs up trouble and is a friend of Rhein, I had a good impression of him. But now, sigh..."

Ironclad Granny sighed and shook her head, a difficult expression on her face.

Rhein: "Actually, the Black Earl doesn’t necessarily want to kill his own descendants. If his organs die, even if ’He Consciousness’ returns, it still causes some harm to the Black Earl’s original body. So during explorations, the Black Earl’s organs will do their utmost to protect his descendants. This is certain."

"And exploring ruins itself is an adventurous matter. Having a True Knowledge Level power to protect oneself is not bad for his descendants. Safety is guaranteed, and the benefits gained, the Black Earl usually won’t demand."

After all, since the Black Earl is Rhein’s friend, seeing Ironclad Granny’s disdainful expression towards him, Rhein hurried to say a few good words for his friend.

He also assured Angel: "Therefore, during your exploration, don’t worry. If there’s danger, the Black Earl’s nose might even come out to protect you. All he requires is that his curiosity is satisfied."

Angel nodded in understanding. If it was truly as Rhein said, involving Vay, even if it wasn’t a good thing, it wasn’t necessarily a disaster.

"I’ve said all I wanted to say. Do you have any other questions? If you’re wondering about the abilities of the Black Earl’s nose, I don’t know, but I guess it’s something like controlling the earth."

Angel: "Is the Black Earl an Earth Wizard?"

Rhein nodded: "Not only the Black Earl, but the basic members of the Noah Clan are all Earth Wizards, just with some differences in departments."

After Rhein finished, he looked at Angel with an expression of "if you have nothing else, I’m about to leave."

Angel thought for two seconds and asked: "How did the Black Earl know that this exploration might have something enigmatic? Did he smell something mysterious?"

Rhein: "That I can guess. I reckon the Black Earl’s nose, like Vay’s, didn’t smell anything."

"It is precisely because he didn’t smell anything that piqued his curiosity."

If he did catch a scent, the Black Earl wouldn’t bother, no matter whether it was alive or dead. Only when the Black Earl smells nothing does he become intrigued.

It’s known that the Black Earl’s Death Sense and Vay’s Death Sense are different concepts. The Death Sense cast by his nose is essentially equivalent to the Black Earl casting himself.

Therefore, if even a top-level Third Level wizard can’t smell anything, there must be something anomalous.

With anomalies, the Black Earl’s curiosity is piqued.

"I see." Angel finally understood the ins and outs of the whole story. Initially, he thought the Black Earl knew the secret of the ’wall,’ but it turned out to be pure spell-casting failure, driven by curiosity.

Rhein: "But speaking of which, even the Black Earl found the ruins abnormal, do you really intend to explore?"

Angel nodded without hesitation. He still wanted to take a look, no matter the circumstances.

Rhein could see Angel’s determination and didn’t persuade him further. Angel had many life-saving devices on him, so he should be fine.

Moreover...

Ironclad Granny took a sip of tea: "I rarely go offline, so if you need anything, just come find me."

Ironclad Granny meant that if there was real danger, seek help promptly.

Angel naturally understood Granny’s meaning. He showed gratitude and said, "Thank you, Granny. However, this time there shouldn’t be too much danger, after all, that ruin isn’t a particularly dangerous one."

Rhein, who was about to go offline, suddenly paused: "Oh, I haven’t asked you, which ruin are you exploring?"

Angel: "The Garden Labyrinth."

Rhein, Ironclad Granny: "..."

This ruin has been explored by countless Wizards before, it’s already been thoroughly investigated... No wonder Angel would say there’s no danger.

However, Rhein didn’t wish to dampen Angel’s mood for exploring ruins, so he coughed a couple of times and said, "That ruin is quite nice. Sanders’s first expedition was also to The Garden Labyrinth. Maybe this can become a routine project for your Illusion Demon Island clan."

After saying this, before Angel could respond, Rhein said, "I have matters to attend to, I’ll go offline now."

Rhein’s figure vanished, and Angel glanced at Ironclad Granny. Ironclad Granny’s expression remained unchanged: "Rhein forgot one thing, The Garden Labyrinth is Naraku City."

"What you want to explore is the secret of Naraku City, isn’t it?"

Angel: "I don’t even know if there’s a secret there. Maybe there’s nothing there, just a meaningless wall."

"Go ahead. Since Black Earl is interested, you might really find the secret of Naraku City." Ironclad Granny took a sip of rose tea and continued, "If you encounter any interesting stories, feel free to share them with me. People grow old and love to hear some amusing tales."

"If there’s a story to tell, I’ll certainly share it with Granny." Angel said, "But Granny isn’t old at all."

"How am I not old?" Ironclad Granny curiously looked at Angel, wondering what answer he would give given his emotional intelligence.

Without any hesitation, Angel said directly: "Why not go to Lady Mirror after she awakens and say you’re old then?"

Ironclad Granny: "..."

Angel continued, "My response surely isn’t as eloquent as what Lady Mirror would say, so I think it’s better that Lady Mirror tells Granny."

After saying this, before Ironclad Granny could speak, Angel promptly said, "Dox and the others are still waiting for my answer, I’ll go offline now. Goodbye, Granny."

After bowing to Ironclad Granny, Angel’s figure gradually faded away.

Ironclad Granny first gave a disgruntled "humph," but afterwards, for some reason, she began to smile.

Though the people of the Illusion Demon Island clan have slightly lower emotional intelligence, Angel is indeed a funny person. Despite his alleged low emotional intelligence, his answer was rather clever.

It’s rare to have someone interesting from the Illusion Demon Island. Hopefully, he won’t become as uninteresting as Sanders.

...

After returning to the Earth Cavern, Angel didn’t immediately meet with Dox but instead continued collaborating with Dangross on refining the sword embryo.

He planned to finish this first before addressing other matters.

Half a day later, only the final stroke of the magic pattern was left. Looking at the familiar "transmutation" magic tattoo horn, Angel’s mind unconsciously conjured various hats.

A white hat... a black hat... a mad hat...

Angel swiftly shook his head, dispelling the thoughts of various hats from his mind.

The coronation of the Mad Hat, although usable on this short sword, who knows if it can still become a "key", as if a black hat emerges, the effect would be completely overturned.

So, it’s better not to think about hats anymore.

Silently engraving the final stroke.

With the completion of the Magical Energy Array, the short sword was considered completely finished. At the moment of its completion, it began to emit golden light, simultaneously floating up into the air.

In the next moment, Angel was enveloped by a fantastical vision.

Angel understood, this was the arrival of the Alchemy Omen.

Having experienced multiple Alchemy Omens, Angel remained unflustered and began to observe his surroundings.

This was a world of whiteness, with the ground being cloud-like white, and pink lights floating in the sky.

White clouds below, pink sky above.

This time, the omen inexplicably felt girlish.

After scanning around, Angel finally focused on a spot directly ahead. Surrounding him were only misty clouds, nothing else, except a towering white statue in front.

The statue was unclear for the moment, so Angel simply approached it.

Upon getting closer, Angel discovered it wasn’t a statue, but a silhouette formed from condensed white cloud.

Judging by the features, it was a young man.

The man was quickly painting with a drawing board in hand.

Angel didn’t interrupt his painting, instead opting to circle around behind him to view the picture on the board.

The painting appeared to be of a beautiful girl. The reason it was "appeared" was because everything was white, and only a faint outline could be discerned through the strokes, indicative of a young girl’s portrait.

Soon after, the man finished his painting, admired it briefly, and then began displaying a troubled expression.

— Of course, Angel couldn’t see the trouble on his face, he purely sensed the troubled emotion.

After experiencing many Alchemy Omens, Angel had become adept; he knew this was when he was supposed to step in.

"Do you have any troubles? Feel free to share, maybe I can help you." Angel offered with a smile.

The man glanced at Angel without questioning his identity and directly expressed his trouble: "I’m finally going to confess to her, but simply gifting her the painting seems inadequate to express my affection. Could you help me think of some love poems? I’d like to write them beside the painting, letting her understand my feelings."

Angel: "..."

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