After listening to Abel’s words, Richard blinked his eyes and asked aloud, "Is the Blood Seal a cursed, ominous object? Why say so?"
"Last ti, during the exchange eting, Rees spoke to you about it. Since the Blood Seal was unearthed, dozens of wizards have died fighting over it, including so handlers." Abel spoke softly, glancing over with inquiry, "Do you rember these things?"
"I rember." Richard nodded, his mory still fresh with these details.
"Good to rember. However, he didn’t fully explain." Abel sighed and said, "From what I know, everyone who handled the Blood Seal has t an untily end. Apart from those killed by spells in the fights, so interdiary rchants or collectors often mysteriously die shortly after selling it.
As for... Wizard Rees, he is currently considered missing, but after days of no contact with him, we can almost confirm he t with misfortune, which is a significant loss for our Ancient Artifact Exchange eting."
Abel’s gaze turned serious as he looked at Richard sincerely, saying, "Wizard Richard, I know your background is more mysterious than you show, and your strength is greater than displayed during the exchange eting. I an no offense, but I still want to remind you to be careful, extra careful.
This is for your own good and for the good of the exchange eting, considering it is not easy to maintain it. We’ve already lost an active mber this week, and I don’t want to lose you by the next eting.
Here’s so advice: be cautious over the recent period, be alert to sudden incidents. Regarding the Blood Seal you bought, it’s best to find a proper way to dispose of it, keeping it on hand... sothing bad is bound to happen sooner or later."
Really that serious... Richard heard this, raised an eyebrow slightly, thought carefully, and responded politely, "Alright, thank you, Mr. Abel, for your kindness. I will certainly be cautious when I return."
"That’s good." Abel sighed lightly, temporarily letting the matter slide, as he rembered the primary purpose of the exchange eting, looking towards a wizard seated at the end, "Wizard Harrison, this ti, you begin the exchange, if you please."
"Alright, no problem." A male wizard in his forties or fifties nodded, even seated on the sofa, he was head and shoulders above the rest, quite conspicuous.
He smiled slightly and said, "Recently, I heard from a friend about sothing quite interesting, which I want to share with you. It’s about the military. Everyone should know that the relationship between the Suo n Alliance and the Sika Kingdom hasn’t been great lately, with frequent conflicts, trying to control on the surface, but a major war is bound to break out sooner or later.
And my friend told , at this critical mont, a large batch of Soma Alliance’s troops is secretly moving towards the Southern Free Federation’s border, with unclear intentions."
"Really?" soone asked.
"Of course."
"That is sowhat peculiar..."
The group began discussing this topic, as the exchange eting continued as usual.
Requests made, commissions given, and interests shared soon led to over an hour passing, approaching the eting’s end.
"Snap!"
Abel stood up, holding a silver Civilized Cane, habitually tapping the floor lightly, making a crisp sound as he announced to everyone, "If there’s no further business, then let’s conclude this exchange eting. Goodbye, everyone."
"Goodbye, Wizard Abel."
"Goodbye, Mr. Abel."
Upon hearing the words, everyone stood up, saying their farewells as they walked towards the exit.
Richard followed the crowd, heading outside, but after taking a few steps, he suddenly felt sothing as if soone was watching him.
Turning his head, he found it was Abel.
"Mr. Abel, do you have more to say?" Richard stopped and asked.
"Be sure to be careful, Wizard Richard." Abel solemnly reiterated.
"Uh... alright, I’ll keep it in mind." Despite Abel’s concern, Richard, out of politeness, still showed a grateful expression.
"It never hurts to be extra careful." Abel continued, walked to the side, patting shoulders before finally leaving.
Watching Abel leave, Richard slightly shook his head, with an odd expression as the last one to walk out of the theatre’s door.
This odd expression hadn’t completely faded even as he boarded the carriage for the return trip.
...
Inside the carriage on the way back, Richard reflected on Abel’s serious reminder, unable to help frowning.
Reaching into his arms, the next mont he took out the Blood Seal – ever since acquiring the Blood Seal, he carried it with him to suppress the Void Energy’s erosion on his body – although this couldn’t restore health, still relying on Repair Spirit Liquid, it alleviated discomfort greatly, sowhat akin to the effect of painkillers.
Carefully examining the Blood Seal, about the size of a finger, Richard murmured, "Ominous object? Bearing a terrible curse? Very dangerous? Must be careful?"
"If every handler has t an untily demise, it indeed poses so danger, but where does this danger stem from?" Richard mused, trying to analyze, "Either internally or externally.
Internally, it would an this Blood Seal contains so special energy, causing death. Yet during the research, this aspect wasn’t discerned. No toxins, radiation, or other harmful influences found at all. Currently, only its unique effect on the Extraordinary Blood Power Factor remains confird — beneficial, and harmless to ordinary people or wizards.
If externally, then it might be so unknown existence harboring ill intent towards the Blood Seal, thus killing each handler to achieve their aim. If true, then indeed caution is needed.
However... unless faced with a collective attack by several Level 4 Wizards, there’s no need to overly worry, completely manageable. Even facing a surprise from multiple Level 4 Wizards, using Void Magic will ensure a safe escape. After all, no aggressor could be stronger than the magic of the Colorful Rings, right? If that were the case, the Truth Society would’ve been destroyed long ago."
After considering these, Richard pursed his lips, talking to himself, "Just forget it, thinking this much isn’t helpful. Given my current state, as long as I don’t actively seek danger and focus solely on research, can’t foresee major threats. Even if trouble cos knocking, I can handle it. So, just focus on research, aiming to complete the Blood Power Extraordinary Factor’s analysis soon."
Finishing his musings, Richard put the Blood Seal away, quietly sitting in the carriage, closed his eyes to rest.
"Clatter..."
The carriage wheels rolled over the ground, and under the driver’s guidance, moved quickly towards the distant residential courtyard.
...
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