Chapter 1669: 559. Professor Malcolm, what exactly have you taught it?! – Extra update [1/30]
(Adding more for my brother “Hog is Awesome” [1/20])
In the eerie wind-filled “guard of honor” by a group of Baphomet heretics, Murphy and the “Slate Expedition Team” safely left the Baphomet Underground Palace. Although it may not be appropriate, this scene truly resembled a generous big boss leaving a bathhouse, with the technicians bidding farewell.
The only thing missing was the shout of “Welcome back again!”
Upon reaching the middle-level tunnel, the entrance leading down to the labyrinth was sealed with some peculiar Psychic spell.
Clearly, these Baphomet heretics who feigned superiority were not fools.
Murphy was busy dealing with the Black Disaster, having no time for these fringe criminal forces. Meanwhile, those lacking strength were equally worried about similar incidents happening in their own Underground Palace. Both sides understood that today’s farewell was just a prelude to tomorrow’s “meet again”.
To be honest, this Underground Palace is huge.
If not for Triss and Hog finding Civilization Slate here and fighting the Twilight believers, those heretics might not have realized they were nearly disrupted by the Priest calling shadows from the subspace.
Though they all worshiped an Evil God, considering that the Evil Gods they worshiped were not the same, it’s akin to mixing in gangs but following different halls.
This clash between evil forces was indeed terrifying. Their relationships were more “pure”, untainted by hypocritical justice reasons. One false step could lead to conflict, and judging by their current action of sealing the Underground Palace, these guys might hide away until external affairs calm down.
“Winnie, ask your Minotaur if there are still paths to the middle and lower levels.”
Supported by Triss, Murphy softly asked in the tunnel. Having just witnessed the true “big scene”, Miss Winnie, still feeling the fear, froze for a moment before immediately following Murphy’s instructions to inquire with her Minotaur.
The wild Minotaur, injured but not severely, snorted while leaning on the Brass Axe, standing in place and “sensing” for a while before bellowing out.
“The Bull said there are still paths! At least three hidden paths lead underground, although one’s a dog hole.”
Winnie responded:
“Actually, Sir Murphy, I suspect those Baphomet heretics might not know much more about this Underground Palace than we do. There might be secret paths and chambers here that even they haven’t discovered.
The area of this Underground Palace is indeed vast, with too many forks. Just that number of people in the Baphomet Sect might not necessarily be able to figure out all the paths.”
“Hmm, very useful information, note it down.”
Murphy pondered for a moment, reviewing the matter with a “development team mindset”, quickly coming up with four or five good ideas, then nodded and said:
“Work hard for a few days and stay at Mrs. Bonis’s camp. Take your Minotaur for a spin around the Underground Palace every day, aim to map out the upper level, then sell them to adventurers or outsiders who will come in the future.
After finding the entrance to the lower levels, there’s no need to delve deeper. It remains dangerous for you, but you can issue tasks for those fearless folks to help perfect the map.
If you’re interested, I will appoint you as the ‘Blood Vulture Clan’s Maze Exploration Officer’, and if you can complete the map of the Baphomet Underground Palace by yourself, I’ll agree to a condition you set.”
“Ah? Condition? Sounds like a wicked trick of a bad uncle tempting a little girl.”
Dressed and acting entirely like a grown woman, Winnie tilted her head and blinked asking:
“But I know you’re the most trustworthy person in Transylvania, so, can it really be any condition?”
Murphy shrugged and said:
“You don’t need to test me, young Winnie. We both clearly understand what you desire in your heart. By saying this, I’m indicating my willingness to help you realize your wish in the future, but that’s after you contribute to Transylvania.
During this time, many warriors will come here, and they will systematically clear the Goat Man marauders in the Underground Palace.
We’ll use this place as an option for ‘battlefield’. Should the Blackflame Mountain Pass and Wasteland Mountain positions fall during a Black Disaster outbreak, I’ll leave some warriors near Baphomet Canyon to engage in guerrilla warfare.
You’ve learned how to interact with warriors in the Red Devil Hall. I’ll provide some funds from the family treasury to support your venture, so, are you willing to accept this appointment?”
“I am willing, Sir Murphy. Staying in Transylvania all day is quite dull. Helping you manage this Underground Palace and scout out Baphomet Cult sounds quite interesting.”
Winnie enthusiastically accepted the task.
Compared to her sister Melia Corando, Winnie Corando’s personality is clearly more lively. She seems to have completely adapted to her new life in the Blood Vulture Clan, never mentioning that her father died in Crimson Castle.
However, Murphy learned through Adel’s monitoring that, unlike the steady Melia, Winnie has been trying to engage with those Grey Claw Gladiators in the fighting clubs. This girl seems unworldly but indeed has plans in mind.