Chapter 2383: Chapter 2384: Lacey Association
"The language and script of the Quest World are indeed difficult to remember and express. But from what I see, you seem to know them inside out. How did you bypass the rules?" Nis asked.
Number 03 said plainly: "Iâve mentioned before, there is a Mark set inside my soul by them. Itâs both a barrier and a prison, and furthermore, a kind of oath. Through this Mark, I can bypass the rules there and memorize all the information."
"But I know, and only I know; I cannot speak it out."
To put it bluntly, Number 03 is like a secret keeper; she can know the secrets of Stewartâs Soul Safe Areaâs force, but cannot tell others.
After a pause, Number 03 continued: "Just like this base, its real name is not Snook Base, but rather..."
Number 03 paused for a moment, extended her finger to gather some water power, and lightly sketched in the air.
The light blue water glow formed a bizarre symbol.
This symbol felt quite familiar to both Angel and Nis, as it was the same as the one on the slab Nis was researching â a strange and twisted tadpole-like symbol in the middle.
"This is the true name of the base... Targon Mechanical 4th Laboratory."
Ferro subconsciously repeated Number 03âs words: "Targon Mechanical 4th Laboratory?"
Number 03 nodded, then gently wiped away the symbol, causing the water glow in mid-air to disappear. With the disappearance of the water glow, the words "Targon Mechanical 4th Laboratory," that had been lingering in Ferroâs mind, were erased as if by a rubber eraser.
The only thing he remembered was "4th Laboratory."
Looking at Ferroâs frustrated appearance trying hard but failing to recall, Number 03âs mouth curled up slightly: "Now you should understand, what I said is not a lie. I cannot divulge their information, and even if I told you, you wouldnât remember."
Ferroâs expression was unpleasant, but it seemed he had some Enlightenment.
Nis furrowed his brows, speaking softly: "Since you can illustrate this symbol, you can inscribe their information onto the slab. Even if we forget it in an instant, we could use the slab as a reminder to recall it again."
Number 03 sneered: "I mentioned before, I donât understand their language nor their script. This symbol is one of the few I can exhibit because itâs inscribed on the baseâs Door, a symbol outside of secrecy."
As for other texts related to Stewartâs force, Number 03 doesnât understand them at all, so Nisâs proposal canât be implemented.
After speaking, Number 03 looked at Sanders, who had been silent: "Illusion Demon Your Excellency, youâve seen it too. Regarding their matters, thereâs not much I can explain, restricted by oath, what I just said was already the limit."
Sanders nodded without commenting further on those mentioned by Number 03, but thought for a moment and said: "Since this is the 4th Laboratory, logically, there should be a 3rd Laboratory, 2nd Laboratory..."
Number 03 nodded: "Yes, there are indeed laboratories with other numbers. However, those laboratories are not in the Southern Domain, but in other three Wizardsâ Realm territories, and I do not have intel on them. I only know the lab in the Southern Domain is the final sequence among all base laboratories, with the lowest comprehensive strength."
Number 03 was both explaining and subtly hinting that the force behind her spans various Wizardsâ Realms and belongs to a powerful organization. If Sanders really acted against the base, the organization would surely bear a grudge. Even if itâs impossible to act in the Southern Domain, once Sanders ventures into the other Wizardsâ Realms, he will undoubtedly face retaliation.
Angel caught Number 03âs suggestion, but he didnât mind. Her hints seemed less a threat and more a plea, lacking any real strength. Even if it came to the point where action was necessary, the Mentorâs suggestion could completely be adopted, allowing the Extreme Sect to take the blame.
Angel: "Only established laboratories in the four Wizardsâ Realms? None in the Origin World?"
Number 03 hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Yes."
Angel: "Considering your fondness for numbers, the Origin Worldâs laboratory should also be named by sequence number, right? Whatâs its number... 0 perhaps?"
Number 03: "...Yes."
While speaking, Angel kept an eye on Number 03âs eyes. When mentioning number 0, Number 03âs pupils clearly contracted.
The fact that number 0 could cause such a strong emotional response in Number 03 suggests that this sequence number represents secrecy or a higher hierarchy within the base laboratories.
That being said, Reynaudâs previous mention that the laboratory has an 00 number might very well be true.
Angel exchanged a glance with Nis, who nodded lightly and, taking advantage of Number 03âs distraction, whispered a sound across.
Nis: "Be cautious and guard, speed up."
Angel understood Nisâs meaning; based on the arrangement where lower sequence numbers have stronger capabilities, if the 00 number truly exists, it would inevitably possess top-tier combat strength surpassing them all.
The other party hasnât shown up yet, possibly having followed numbers 01 and 02 away, hence the need to quicken the pace to bluff Number 03, extracting more information. They must resolve everything before the base personnel return.
Angel didnât respond to Nis but instead turned to Number 03: "Since you canât talk about âthem,â then tell us about yourself."
Number 03: "Regarding the internal situation of the organization, there are still oath restrictions; I can say very little."
Nis pursed his lips: "You canât talk about this or that, then tell us your name. Which Wizardsâ Realm are you from? Why are you serving the force of the Quest World?"
Number 03 glanced at Sanders, seeing no objection to Nisâs questioning, she spoke: "My name is Number 03, you can call me that."
Nis: "What kind of name is that? No formal name?"
"The names I could say are all fake. Number 03 is my formal name. However, I can divulge a fake name I used for a long time, âWateroâ Giselle. This is the name I used in the Northern Territory Wizard World."
According to the feedback from the spell of truth, Number 03 was indeed truthful. She indeed regarded Number 03 as her formal name, while others were pseudonyms.
Judging from Number 03âs emotional feedback, she clearly prefers the pseudonym âWateroâ Giselle over using a numerical code as a name.
"Giselle, is it? Iâve memorized it; keep talking." Angel didnât refer to Number 03 but chose her pseudonym instead.
Number 03: "Our backing force is not in the four Wizardsâ Realm, but in the Origin World. The name we use externally is the Lacey Association. We arenât serving the forces of the Quest World; we merely cooperate, but the cooperation level involves too many secrets, necessitating oaths to restrain."
Number 03 still did not speak falsely, although when mentioning the force behind her as "Lacey Association," she used the term "external name," subtly indicating that Lacey Association isnât the true name.
Angel: "Lacey Association? Seems like Iâve never heard of it."
"I didnât expect that you, Illusion Demon, also know about the forces in the Origin World?" Number 03 complimented with a smile, but internally she was quickly going over the information. According to the intelligence collected by the base, there seemed to be no record of Sanders ever going to the Origin World.
Angel: "I know a few Wizards from the Orderly Guild."
Number 03 was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously asked: "Who might they be?"
After asking, Number 03 suddenly realized the difference in their statuses between them, making such a question seem not only abrupt but also rude.
If Sanders took advantage of this and retaliated, it was possible she could be killed.
Thinking of this, Number 03 quickly added: "Our Lacey Association and the Orderly Guild are in a cooperative relationship, with no enmity between us. Moreover, someone from Lacey Association has joined the Orderly Guild, so I think, if the person you know happens to be from our Lacey Association, perhaps it might help in resolving any misunderstandings."
After she finished speaking, Number 03 finally looked up, and sneaked a glance at Sanders across the room.
But she saw that Sandersâ expression was obviously more serious than before. Although his gaze towards her remained calm, this kind of calm was even more intimidating than before.
The air was tense for several seconds before Sanders coldly snorted: "Only this once. If there is a next time, you wonât need to speak anymore."
Number 03 lowered her head: "I understand."
After a moment of silence, Sanders spoke again, his tone laced with sarcasm: "You say that Lacey Association and the Orderly Guild are cooperative. It seems that your Lacey Association must be quite powerful to be on par with the Orderly Guild."
Angel knew very well that the Orderly Guild is a super star-level association with quite a high status in the Origin World. Even if Lacey Association is a secret organization, it couldnât possibly be compared to the Orderly Guild. However, based on the feedback from the True Words, it seemed that Number 03 was not lying, but certainly exaggerating.
Number 03âs expression was slightly awkward, "Itâs just a peripheral-level cooperation. We have information channels throughout the Four Wizardsâ Realms and can provide the Orderly Guild with intelligence on nearby worlds."
Angel made no further comment on it, and spoke again: "Have you heard of Culori?"
Number 03 was stunned for a long time before she replied: "Illusion Demon, are you referring to Culori DelaCor?"
Angel nodded.
"He... he is one of the directors of the Orderly Guild. Iâve certainly heard of him, but have never had any interactions." Number 03 really wanted to inquire if the Wizard from the Orderly Guild that Sanders knew was indeed Culori. But after what had happened before, she didnât dare to ask rashly.
Nevertheless, from the context and connection of the conversation, Number 03 felt that the Wizard from the Orderly Guild that Sanders knew was likely Director DelaCor...
Sanders actually knew a director of the Orderly Guild! The people from Lacey Association who were in the Orderly Guild were considered peripheral members, yet Sanders had a direct connection with a director.
This is big news!
However, Number 03 was still doubtful... Why would someone of Sandersâ rank be valued by Director DelaCor?
Or is it that Sanders isnât actually familiar with Director DelaCor?
Number 03 couldnât make a judgment and really wanted to ask, but didnât dare.
"Is Lacey Association just for an information channel?" Angel also didnât dare to speak much on the topic and changed the subject. After all, he didnât really know Culori; he only mentioned this as a bluff. As long as he created a sense of deterrence, it was enough.
"Selling information and consulting services is something Lacey Association does as a side business. We are more inclined to be a research organization, but the content of our research is vast. I canât disclose the core aspects, as they are explicitly stated in the oath not to be disclosed."
Nis: "Is setting up a laboratory in the Southern Domain part of your core research?"
Number 03: "Every numbered laboratory conducts some core research."
Nis: "So that means some parts are not core research. In that case, could you tell us about the projects in the Southern Domain that are not core research?"
Number 03 hesitated for a moment before she spoke: "Core and non-core research are intertwined. I can only tell you that it involves organ transplantation and soul concordance."
The name of this research project immediately reminded Ferro of the Night Butterfly Witchâs hand that was floating in a nutrient solution.
The already suppressed emotions surged again, and he couldnât help but speak out: "From the name, itâs clear itâs not a good project, filled with evil and bloodshed. Who knows how many people youâve killed for organs."
The moment Ferro finished speaking, Nis felt like facepalming... Although Number 03âs research topic didnât directly involve evil and bloodshed, they knew there was a dark side to it. But it shouldnât have been revealed now.
Ferroâs words exposed too much information.
This guy is really foolish. All this fuss for a Witch, and he had the nerve to mock me earlier. Nis couldnât help but shake his head secretly.
Number 03 naturally picked up the implied meaning in Ferroâs words. She wasnât stupid and immediately gained an understanding of why Ferro suddenly burst in.
Probably a sacrificial altar had been discovered.
Moreover, judging by Ferroâs intense emotions, it was likely that among the organs on the altar were those from someone he knew and was close to.
This was problematic... because obviously, anyone who had their organs removed was surely dead.
Involving dead people is not an easy issue to resolve.
However, Number 03 wasnât too flustered, as now she at least knew why the people from the Barbarian Cave had appeared here. Knowing the cause, there will be a way to unravel it.
Number 03 thought for a moment and said: "Evil and bloodshed are not the themes of our research. And compared to many of the published research topics in the Southern Domain Wizardsâ Realm, we are not too excessive either."
"Nevertheless, I also admit that some parts of the research do involve sensitive content. If this incident affects Wizard Ferro or the Barbarian Cave, we are willing to compensate for it."
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