The subsequent discussions about collaboration proceeded in a congenial atmosphere, with Richard and the dark-faced elder reaching a considerable amount of common ground.
Finally, as the conversation neared its end, the elder reached into his bosom and pulled out a small cloth bag, placing it on the table.
"What’s this?" Richard asked.
"Open it and see," the dark-faced elder replied.
Richard didn’t hesitate. He picked up the cloth bag, opened it, and took out the contents. Inside, he saw a piece of paper and a small glass tube filled with ink.
Both the paper and the ink were anything but ordinary.
First was the paper. It wasn’t your typical papyrus or parchment; it was more like white silk. It was snow-white in color, smooth and soft to the touch, with a certain elasticity that almost made one suspect it was human skin. But the peculiar patterns on the surface clearly proved that it was not human skin but some more mysterious creation.
The ink was a deep gray, with colorful sparkles interspersed throughout it, irresistibly reminiscent of the endless night sky studded with stars.
The dark-faced elder elaborated, "The paper you have is called Star Pattern Paper, and the ink is known as Starry Sky Ink. They are both extremely precious magic tools, and together, they can serve a special purpose.
To put it simply, if you write with the Starry Sky Ink on the Star Pattern Paper, I will be able to see what you’ve written on a corresponding piece of Star Pattern Paper in my possession—exactly the same, without any errors.
If I write on my Star Pattern Paper, it will likewise appear on yours. Furthermore, the writing will vanish after a while. As long as there’s enough Starry Sky Ink, we can write repeatedly. We’ll use this method to communicate from now on."
Upon hearing the dark-faced elder’s explanation, Richard’s eyes lit up. He couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly: Isn’t this just a fax machine, wizard world style?
This was much better than the communication method used by the Undead Wizard, Sande; after all, Sande’s method required the use of a fingertip as a price. By that account, Sande could only communicate in the same way ten times.
Well, if toes are also acceptable, then the number could double to twenty times.
But no matter how you sliced it, the Star Pattern Paper communication method was far superior to Sande’s Finger Bone.
Seeing Richard silent for a long while, the dark-faced elder asked, "What is it? What are you thinking about?"
Richard came back to his senses and said, "Nothing much. I was just pondering the working principle of this Star Pattern Paper you’ve given me. According to what you said, when I write on one piece of paper, you’ll see the same text on another piece shortly after—this clearly involves a process of information transfer.
And if there’s a transfer, it means it’s possible to intercept and decrypt the message. So, if the right method is applied, it’s possible that others could see what I write at the same time as you."
The dark-faced elder’s eyebrows twitched, he thought seriously for a moment, then said, "You have a unique perspective on the problem. No one before you has considered this possibility. I won’t deny your point, but cracking the Star Pattern Paper isn’t easy; otherwise, the Star Pattern Paper and the Starry Sky Ink wouldn’t be so valuable. At least for now, you shouldn’t worry too much about leaks."
"Alright," Richard conceded, saying as much aloud, but he was quietly making a mental note: I need to add a new entry for Communication Magic to my spell decoding progress map. I’ll try to analyze it in my spare time; there might be a significant discovery.
At this point, the dark-faced elder said, "Well, that concludes our business here. Everything has been agreed upon; it’s just a matter of execution now.
You’ll have the forged identity you asked for adjusted according to the information you’ve currently provided. In a few days, we’ll send the documents over to you. I guarantee that as long as you don’t expose yourself, no one will be able to uncover your background.
That way, you can infiltrate the Truth Society smoothly, learn their information, and report back to me using the Star Pattern Paper. Let’s plan on working together for the long term."
"Very well, then I shall take my leave," Richard said.
"Take care. I won’t see you out," the dark-faced elder replied.
Richard nodded his farewell and turned to leave, exiting the door with Bobbobovic.
Watching Richard and Bobbobovic depart, the dark-faced elder lowered his head to eat the bread that had become very soft, using a fork missing one tine.
As he ate, the door creaked open, and a person entered. It was the dark-faced elder’s guard.
A guard with the terrifying strength of a Level 4 Wizard at his disposal had been on standby outside the cottage the entire time, just in case Richard harbored any ill intentions towards the elder. However, in the end, nothing happened, which was a relief.
Now the guard entered the cottage, glanced at the elder, and asked, "My lord, how did it go with those two?"
"Very smoothly, quite well," the elder replied. "They were more capable than I expected. Although I didn’t regard them as a significant part of my plans, they might well give me a few pleasant surprises."
Hearing this, the guard, concerned, inquired, "In that case, if all is settled, shall we return to the North?"
"Almost," the elder nodded, continuing to eat his soggy bread as he spoke. "According to what was agreed in our conversation, we still need to provide those two with their disguises. But I won’t have to do it myself; let others take over, they’ll do a better job, and we can head back. Oh, by the way, on our way back, I’m thinking of making a detour to Volcano City. No problem with that, right?"
The guard’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He asked tentatively, "My lord, are you referring to that small town named ’Pompeii’?"
"Yes, ’Pompeii’," the dark-faced elder confirmed with a nod. "I’ve heard that’s the core of the Truth Society in the Southern Free Federation. I want to see what it’s really like."
At this, the guard’s expression grew stern, and he said seriously to the dark-faced elder, "My lord, indeed it is their core. I’m not afraid, but I am responsible for your safety. Thus, I must say that going there is too dangerous, and I hope you will reconsider and head straight North."
"Is it that serious?" the dark-faced elder frowned, conceding, "Then how about I don’t enter the city and just take a distant look from the outside as we pass by?"
"This..." Hesitating, the guard looked at the elder for a while before replying, "Fine then, I will accompany you just this once as we pass by ’Pompeii.’ No incident would be for the best. But if something unexpected happens, I hope you will follow my directives."
"Rest assured, I’m not a foolish old man," the dark-faced elder chuckled and returned to his bread. After eating for a while, he invited the guard, "By the way, have you not eaten yet? Would you like some?"
Startled, the guard glanced at the overly mushy bread and instinctively shook his head, "I’ll pass, my lord."
"Alright then," the elder said with a hint of disappointment. "I almost forgot that with your level of power, you don’t need to eat anymore."