Quadruple split.

Chapter 2516 Water

At Merlin's silent urging, Gaheres hurriedly took off the 'plague doctor suit' consisting of the [Death Bird] and [Obituary], and while quickly catching up with his mentor, he nervously tidied his appearance.

He couldn't help but be nervous. After all, the 'Mo kid' mentioned by his mentor, who was also the 'King of Sin' that he often heard about after arriving in Onik City, was a very, very, very mysterious big man. Putting aside other things, his identity as a sponsor of Merlin alone was enough to make Gaheres respect him.

You know, not everyone can afford to hire a scientific researcher of Merlin's level, let alone get any sponsorship. At this moment, Gahres, who has already had a preliminary glimpse of the true level of his mentor, is very clear about the difficulty involved.

Take himself as an example. If the threshold for joining the Merlin research project as an 'apprentice' is C, then the difficulty of reaching a cooperation with him as a 'sponsor' must at least start at A+.

The reason is simple. In this project, the essence of an "apprentice" is ultimately just an assistant, a trainee, or even a voluntary laborer. Regardless of their identity, status, or voice, they will be completely crushed by an absolute core like Merlin. In other words, they are undoubtedly the weaker party in this relationship. Under this premise, the threshold will inevitably be relatively low.

To give an inappropriate example, the relationship between Merlin and Gajeres is like that between a business tycoon and his direct driver. Although being a driver for such a big shot certainly requires some ability, it does not require that this person be proficient in all kinds of arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and be able to speak, learn, entertain and sing... maybe?

All in all, the threshold for becoming a driver is, after all, the threshold for becoming a driver. Even for the best drivers, the threshold will not be as strict as for blind dates. It will always be relatively relaxed.

And on Merlin's side, what exactly does the so-called "relatively loose" mean?

The answer is simple. As far as Gahres knows, in Merlin's more than 20 years as an academician, he has taught hundreds of students, if not a thousand. However, he is the only one who has been able to have some contact with some core projects.

This standard is loose.

What really needs to be strictly screened and controlled are the partners.

Because students, assistants, lackeys and the like are of low status, but partners have an equal relationship with Merlin. If investment-related matters are added, they can even have a greater say on an objective level, and influence Merlin's decisions to a certain extent.

It is no exaggeration to say that, at least in terms of sheer 'difficulty', choosing a partner for such a large-scale, long-term project is more difficult than most 'blind dates'.

You know, this is not a small business where you pay and I do the work, but a collaboration that is insane in terms of cost and difficulty, in order to implement the brilliant ideas in the mind of a top and very unique scientific research talent like Merlin.

In other words, if the person is not like-minded or even recognized to a certain extent by Merlin, based on the latter's life experience over the years, no matter how rich the other party is, it is impossible to reach an open, transparent and mutually respectful cooperative relationship with him, whether in reality or in the game.

Gawen had tried several times. Miss Bai, who had risen strongly in real life because of her brother's imprisonment, had already occupied a place in the family group and began to gradually eliminate dissidents. She really wanted to have a good relationship with Academician Mu. The support and trust she could provide to the old man were something that most investors could not give.

However, although Merlin was quite friendly to Gawen when he interacted with her as a colleague, elder or friend (at least Gaheres felt very friendly), he never considered establishing an equal cooperative relationship with her, which made Gawen feel very hurt and she even complained to Gaheres twice.

[So what kind of person is Mr. Mo...]

With an uneasy mood, Gaheras, who became Merlin's assistant and also joined the Crime King Group, followed Merlin nervously and came to the city lord's residence in the central administrative district.

"?"

Because he had been here before to help Merlin find two lists, Gaheres still had an impression of the former mayor's residence of Onik City. However, at this moment, he found it difficult to connect the building in front of him with the place he had visited before.

If the memory of the last time he came here was not still vivid in his mind, and if the appearance of this former city lord's mansion had not changed much, except for a slight cleaning of some flashy decorations, Gahres might even swear that he had never been here.

"tutor……"

Gaheres swallowed with some difficulty, and subconsciously took a half step back because of the long-lost "sense of horror". He looked down at Merlin with a stiff expression and said in a dry voice: "This place... was it like this before?"

“It’s very interesting.”

Merlin, who had been here before, chuckled and looked up at the [Sin King's Residence] in front of him and sighed: "There is no change in the visual level and architectural structure, but it can give people the illusion that 'this is not the same place at all'. Haha... This is probably the power of mysticism."

Perhaps because Merlin's words were too light and casual, Gaheres finally managed to get rid of the panic that was like a maggot on his tarsal bone after listening to them. He pondered and said, "I remember that you once said that mysticism is not just about elements, magic, curses and other concrete things, but a broader concept."

"Ah."

Merlin did not praise Gaheres for his attentiveness and memory. He just observed the [Sin King's Residence] in front of him with interest and said casually: "Mysticism is something that is so broad that it is not even limited to the [Realm of Innocence]."

Gaheres was stunned: "Not limited to the [Boundary of Innocence]... What does that mean?"

"literal meaning."

Merlin frowned, turned his head and glanced at Gaheres, and explained: "You can understand that not only is there mysticism in the environment you are in now, but even after you exit the game, the world you are familiar with also has 'mystery'."

Gaherez was stunned and asked stupidly, "Are you talking about gods or something like that?"

"are you an idiot?"

Merlin rolled his eyes and emphasized, "Do you think the terms gods, fairies, demons, monsters, ghosts, and monsters are broad?"

Gajeres immediately fell silent: "..."

Merlin knew very well that the boy was not lacking in ability but in experience, so he did not continue to scold him. He just said as concisely as possible: "Do you know poison milk? It is actually a kind of mysticism."

"……what?"

"Young people nowadays don't even know about poisonous milk?"

"No, no, no, I know. It's like saying 'I'm going to get 100 points on the test this time' and then failing or something."

"What kind of preschool example of cuteness is this?"

"But that's probably it. To make an originally low-probability event into a 'necessity' through some means, this kind of toxic milk is the most down-to-earth concept in mysticism in my opinion."

"But mentor, this... this should just be a joke."

"why?"

“Because it’s impossible to prove.”

"What can't be proved?"

"It cannot be proven by science or logic."

"What are we discussing?"

"The occult... eh?" "So, what kind of idiot would try to prove the occult with science?"

Merlin was not angry at Gaheres's rebuttal, because he was the one who told the young man not to be submissive, to learn to think independently and to speak his mind. So after the young man was speechless, he continued to ask calmly as a teacher: "It's like, if you put aside those fancy and useless decorations, there is no difference between this [Sin King's Residence] and the [City Lord's Residence] you entered not long ago, but at this moment, you still feel that they are not the same thing, right?"

Gajeres nodded honestly: "Yes."

“This is what is called metaphysics.”

Merlin shrugged and said briskly, "After all, your feelings at this moment completely go against your so-called science and logic."

Gahres did not pretend to understand, but frowned as he tried to understand and digest Merlin's words. Merlin was not in a hurry either, and just stood opposite the destination waiting for his apprentice to calm down.

……

Time flies, time flies

Two minutes later, Gajeres took a deep breath and said seriously: "I still don't understand."

"It's normal."

Merlin nodded without any surprise and said calmly, "I don't understand either."

Gajeres: “Huh?”

"Don't be surprised."

Merlin turned to look at the stunned Gaherez and said calmly, "Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, although your current value is not even as important as one of my fingernails, it does not prevent you from easily getting things from the cabinet on the first floor of the laboratory without the help of any tools, which I cannot do."

Gaherez's face froze, and he said awkwardly, "Um... Teacher, Senior Sister didn't intentionally put the things where you couldn't reach them. She just..."

"She's just stupid."

Merlin gave the correct answer without hesitation, and then walked forward without looking back, saying, "But you have to remember, Gaheres, whether it's the science that you and I have some talent for, or the so-called mysticism or metaphysics, they are all different paths to the same destination, and no one is nobler than the other."

"Yes, mentor."

“No matter how humble you think you are, there is no need to kowtow to the ladder leading to truth, because the ladder is there, and the ladder is just a ladder.”

"Yes, mentor."

"let's go."

So, the two of them entered the "Residence of the King of Sin", which, although the name was a bit vulgar, was indeed the residence of the King of Sin.

The meeting place was the banquet hall located in the middle of the first floor as far as Gajeres could remember.

Except that the originally gorgeous red carpet had turned black and the dazzling golden lighting emblem above the head was replaced by the butler with a crystal chandelier that was the same color as someone's hair and emitted a cool silver glow, this place was no different from the banquet hall in Gahrez's memory.

What was incredible to him was that a certain kind of extremely heavy depression, which made even breathing feel exhausting, was quietly flowing away from his body, and was replaced by a long-lost ease and calmness.

It was not because he took out the magic crystal board and continued his search for the "truth" in another place.

It was not because of the kind and friendly smile that Ms. Gawen chose to appear as a fox half-orc girl today.

Yintian did not hesitate to walk up to him with big strides, took out a tape measure that seemed to be a product of alchemy, and measured his body size with a friendly attitude.

It wasn't because he was happily chatting with someone else, but because he had a good relationship with Mr. Osiris, who often came to the workshop to help.

It was not because he was frustrated by the chatterbox Osiris, but because Marshal Galahad, who was as tall as an old lion and had an intimidating presence, could do nothing to his friend.

It was not because Mr. Arthur was leaning against the window, looking towards the direction of the Griffin Empire. He was rarely as quiet as he was now.

It was not because Wen Qiu was jogging in front of him, her pretty face full of innocence and radiance, with her arms outstretched and standing on tiptoe to ask for a hug.

It's not because of butler Liev Astol who stands elegantly in the corner with his hands behind his back most of the time and always captures everyone's needs in time.

It was not because of the knight Dora Shika, who had dazzling white hair, wore a slim and light armor, but was full of solemnity, and stood behind the main seat like a statue.

It was not because of the dark elf Lady Silent Prayer, who was inseparable from the King of Sin and possessed the highest authority second only to the former, but was regarded by her mentor as unsuitable for this place.

Not... the King of Sin.

The next moment after his eyes met that person's, Gahres had subconsciously lowered his eyes, forgetting that at that moment some strong emotion had been forcibly awakened and then instantly suppressed in the depths of his consciousness.

Gahres didn't understand why he felt calm and relaxed in such an occasion. Although he was missing something, it didn't mean that he had lost common sense. Common sense told him that the occasion he was in was not normal, at least not a place where small people like Gahres or He Lei could feel relaxed.

However, common sense seems so pale, absurd and out of place in this situation.

Gajeres took the highball glass of non-alcoholic drink handed to him by Li Fu and couldn't help but smile easily.

As the saying goes, alcohol makes cowards brave.

Although the drink had nothing to do with so-called 'alcohol', Gajares was still a little drunk at this moment.

Because of this, he did not notice the hint of fear in Li Fu's eyes before he leaned forward and retreated.

As the innocent person who has the most contact with the King of Crime in the world, Liv Astol, who is more perceptive than ordinary people in some aspects, at this moment -

As silent as a cicada.

Chapter 2507: End

Yesterday's chapter seemed to have some SAN loss content that made the review department feel uncomfortable. If 2506 has not recovered when you see this chapter, I will go to the editor later to act cute and coquettish -