Chapter 2596: Chapter 2597: Flue

After Angel entered the room, the first thing he saw was the Black Earl floating not far away.

Energy constantly surged around the Black Earl, while Kaier and Vay stood trembling in a nearby corner.

Just as Angel was puzzled about what was happening, he noticed that the energy surrounding the Black Earl swept towards him. This was a probing kind of energy, and even before it touched Angel, he already felt as if he was being scrutinized all over.

Angel didn’t make any movements, allowing the energy to approach him.

However, the probing energy did not actually touch Angel but actively avoided him.

Dox, who entered later, experienced the same; the energy bypassed him and went elsewhere.

Apparently, everything was under the control of the Black Earl.

But even if the Black Earl did not actively use energy to spy on everyone, the pressure carried by the energy itself still made those within it feel uncomfortable.

Angel felt this discomfort as well, so Kaier and Vay must have felt it even more intensely. Their ability to stand there trembling was actually quite remarkable.

The Black Earl might have also realized that such extensive and deep probing would make everyone feel uneasy, so he quickly withdrew the energy.

Once the tense atmosphere in the air dissipated, Kaier and Vay let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Angel walked towards the Black Earl: "Sir, have you discovered anything?"

Angel did not know why the Black Earl suddenly used such deep probing energy; perhaps it was to save time, or perhaps he intended to redeem himself after finding no anomaly in the spires of the Underground Church.

Regardless of the reason, the person most familiar with the building’s interior was undoubtedly the Black Earl.

Therefore, Angel did not go exploring further but instead directly asked the Black Earl for results.

The Black Earl glanced at Angel and said flatly, "If you’re hoping for a windfall, it probably won’t happen."

Upon hearing the word "windfall," Angel immediately understood that the Black Earl must have overheard his conversation with Dox outside. However, since they weren’t discussing any secrets, Angel didn’t mind and said, "There are three situations where there’s no windfall: either time has passed and good things have decayed, or the homeowner took all the treasures when they left, or they were plundered. Which situation are you referring to, Sir?"

Black Earl: "We can rule out the first situation; the second is possible, but the third definitely happened."

In truth, the second situation didn’t need analysis; when the homeowner decides to leave here, unless they leave unexpectedly, they will certainly take all the valuables.

The primary focus is on the third situation, which means that over the millennia, besides them, others have entered this room and left traces of plunder.

Angel glanced around; the surroundings were clean, except for the tables and chairs directly connected to the ground, there was nothing else.

Moreover, the drawer on the table showed signs of damage, including a lock cylinder that fell to the floor, clearly indicating it was forcibly opened by someone later.

Seeing this, Angel chuckled softly and turned to Dox beside him: "Looks like your frustration is about to increase."

Dox wasn’t stupid; when the Black Earl mentioned the third situation, his face started turning dark.

Having a third situation implied that within these millennia, others had entered this room. But the door outside was locked and connected to a Magical Energy Array; even if Angel wanted to enter, he would have to interrupt the energy supply to the door and attach an Array Plate to enter.

This means others were even less likely to open that door.

Later plunderers did not come through the door they used, so there could be only one possibility.

There is more than one exit in this building.

At the fork, it seemed as though taking the right path was a dead end, but now the dead end has become a living path.

If this living path is truly a route leading to the target point, Dox’s frustration is certain, because in his eyes, they’ve now become the pathfinders for the Merchant Organization.

Looking at Dox’s frustrated expression, Angel couldn’t help but want to laugh. Previously, he thought Dox was a carefree person, but unexpectedly, Dox was so particular about small matters, suggesting he wasn’t as easygoing as he seemed.

"Has Sir found the exit?" Angel forced himself not to ridicule Dox and turned to look at the Black Earl.

The Black Earl hesitated and said, "You can check the fireplace on the second floor; there are traces of tampering in the chimney."

The Black Earl had already pointed out the location, so Angel didn’t bother searching elsewhere and headed straight to the second floor.

Everyone followed suit.

Upon reaching the second floor, Angel observed the chaotic traces of plundering on the ground, and even the Star Color Stones hanging on the walls were shattered into pieces on the floor, indicating how ruthless the plunderers were.

"These people are like a pack of insatiable hungry wolves, abandoning their usual elegance and style just for that bit of stuff. It’s truly disgraceful to associate with them," Dox said, but the bitterness in his tone was unmistakable.

After hearing Dox’s words, the Black Earl snorted, "If you said this outside, at least half of the old monsters from various Witcher Organizations would come looking for you."

Keep in mind, The Garden Labyrinth is an open relic, so Dox’s remarks were essentially an insult to everyone who had explored it.

Dox seemed to realize his mistake and added, "I’m not talking about everyone; I mean those who have been to this room."

Despite the clarification, who has been to these rooms and whether they’re still alive remains unknown. If these words spread, Dox might still face resentment from certain old monsters.

Hence, Dox thought about it again and then clasped his hands in supplication, bowing to everyone, asking them not to spread his remarks.

Nobody intended to spread it; the Black Earl was merely trying to scare him, so when he saw Dox’s gesture, he snorted and accepted it. With that, the matter was resolved.

Dox was actually a bit surprised; he initially thought the Black Earl might use this to extort something from him. But this peaceful resolution made Dox quite happy.

Dox’s guess wasn’t wrong; the Black Earl did have such thoughts, but considering Dox’s guidance along the way, he let it go.

Why trouble a fool who has given so much yet remains unaware?

Meanwhile, Angel had already crawled into the fireplace while the others were talking. Earlier, when he asked the Black Earl about the exit, the Black Earl hesitated before mentioning the fireplace, possibly indicating he wasn’t entirely certain if it was the exit. He only suggested it because there were tampering marks in the chimney.

After Angel crawled behind the fireplace, he saw an upward smoke conduit, twisted in such a way that it was impossible to see where it led. But indeed, on both sides of the passageway, there were traces of handprints, and the handprints were very noticeably black. Angel used the Alchemy Eye to observe the black ash carefully and basically confirmed that the black material was probably blood.

In those days, some Transcendent must have descended the conduit with blood-stained hands.

This blood was from a Transcendent, thus it bore Extraordinary Power, allowing it to remain intact after so many years.

However, the Transcendent reaction on the handprints had almost disappeared; a few hundred more years and they would likely be erased with the passage of time.

Often, the difficulty of uncovering historical truths lies in the power of time that erases all traces of the past.

Angel decided not to crawl up the conduit but instead asked Speedy to sense whether there was airflow at the end of the conduit.

Speedy’s answer was clear—there was!

But the airflow was very thin, seemingly obscured by a solid object.

Speedy couldn’t describe precisely what the object was but could confirm that there had to be a path at the end of the conduit; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been able to sense the wind above.

"Sir, is there really an exit inside the conduit?" A somewhat bashful and stammering voice came from outside.

Without turning around, Angel already knew it was Vay.

Though puzzled by Vay’s shyness, Angel earnestly shared his findings.

This was not just to inform Vay, but also to let the "listeners" outside, especially Dox, know it was time to stop getting caught up in small details and start clearing the way.

Indeed, Angel intended for Dox to lead the way.

Since Speedy indicated that the obstruction above was a solid cover instead of an Energy block, it was likely another physical task.

Such physical tasks were naturally assigned to Dox, at least letting him feel included in the exploration—this was the guilty compassion of their leader who had concealed Dox’s inspiration effect.

Dox didn’t refuse; he even showed off his well-developed biceps as he walked past Angel.

Angel didn’t react to this, since his brother Lyon often did similar actions, so he’d seen them too often to notice. Instead, Vay couldn’t help but snicker, and under Kaier’s puzzled gaze, Vay whispered, "Dox often did such motions when he was still an Apprentice, but they were all directed toward beautiful women. This is the first time I’ve seen him do that for... someone else."

Kaier pondered for a moment and said in a researcher’s tone, "People grow up, and tastes change."

The conversation between the two Apprentices didn’t spark a response from Dox because he had already climbed into the conduit. As for Angel, he didn’t react either, as he could roughly guess Dox’s intentions.

Some people use any means necessary to make friends...

After a while, Dox’s voice came through the Mind Ribbon.

"Sealing the conduit is a special stone material, quite heavy, and can block spiritual power. I activated my Bloodline and can push it open." Dox paused before continuing, "Though I feel something is off outside; even though my spiritual power cannot reach out, I vaguely hear a lot of chaotic noises."

Angel: "You mean there are Magical Creatures outside?"

Dox: "I can’t confirm. But the noise outside is incredibly chaotic... What nonsense, the sound is increasing, seemingly gathering at the exit."

Upon hearing Dox’s words, Angel quickly asked Speedy if it detected any biological energy while sensing the external airflow.

Speedy provided a negative response.

Receiving this answer, Angel decisively said, "It should be some kind of Magical Creature that can sense living creatures’ presence and is communal. These Magical Creature individuals shouldn’t be too strong, or else we wouldn’t be able to push open the stone seal. But if they continue to gather, it becomes dangerous. I’ll send Earl Mi and Speedy to assist you; quickly push the stone seal aside and clear out the gathered Magical Creatures first."

Without hesitation, Angel sent both Earl Mi and Speedy into the conduit; they moved much faster than him, arriving by Dox’s side almost as soon as Angel finished speaking.

Dox also understood the communal Magical Creatures’ traits; the greater their number, the more intimidating they became.

Many ants can bite and even kill an elephant, not just a saying.

Upon realizing reinforcements had arrived, Dox activated his Bloodline without hesitation, causing his arms to swell visibly and metallize, then struck and flew the stone seal free from the exit.

With the stone seal removed, a large swarm of Magical Creatures with scarlet eyes rushed into the conduit.

Dox encased himself in Bloodline Energy, leapt out with the Blessing of the Wind from Speedy, and conjured a blood-red longsword in his hand while airborne.

Where the sword swung, Magical Creature heads rolled.

Witnessing Dox’s swordsmanship, Speedy, who initially planned to use a Wind Blade, swiftly altered its strategy, directly harnessing Wind’s Force to propel the swarm of Magical Creatures toward Dox.

Dox no longer needed to reposition, just swing his sword.

As for Earl Mi, it launched its own assault on the Magical Creatures without collaborating with Dox. It’s not a matter of unwillingness to cooperate; with Earl Mi’s prowess, it simply didn’t need Dox’s aid. Earl Mi could assume a wind form, mimicking Speedy by tossing creatures into the air for Dox to kill, but that would be entirely redundant.

Earl Mi’s strength... is comparable to the True Knowledge Level.

Not saying it far exceeds Dox, but definitely not weaker than Dox. Plus, Earl Mi’s range surpasses Dox’s, using a shadow to cover and kill a large swarm of diminutive creatures greatly.

The speed doesn’t fall behind, possibly surpassing a Swift-assisted Dox.

While the battle raged above, others didn’t idle, quickly climbing into the conduit.

Despite Earl Mi and Dox’s formidable power, they can only slay Magical Creatures. But with Angel or Black Earl joining in, they could use controlling measures to trap creatures within a restricted area.

Thus, compared to Speedy and Earl Mi, Angel and Black Earl are the true support.

The conduit was even longer than they expected, constantly twisting upwards rapidly, though they moved swiftly, especially as Vay employed the Power of Earth to create a "lift" pushing upwards, accelerating their ascent.

A crooked path nearly 100 meters high took only over ten seconds, carrying the two Apprentices to leap out of the exit.

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