"No, it wasn't strange. It was just that, as a Legendary spellcaster, I had recently happened to take an interest in demons as a race. You know, the secrets of the Abyss always held a clear attraction for any mage who loved exploration. So, if possible, I hoped to have a chance to obtain the soul fragments of the Demon Lords you mentioned as research samples."
Faced with Mimibes's slightly suspicious question, Punk calmly responded in his usual monotonous, emotionless tone.
He knew that matters concerning the "gray energy" and the Mage Guild's conspiracy were absolutely confidential. Their connection to the Abyss was even less something others could be allowed to guess. Therefore, even when the Candy Merchant expressed doubt, the spellcaster merely made up an excuse as an answer.
With even the "President" having personally warned him, some intelligence was not something that could be casually disclosed or sold.
In any case, a Legendary Mage always spoke in this cold, unfeeling manner. No matter how experienced or perceptive the "merchant" might be, she could not detect any flaw from his tone alone. Mimibes's doubts were destined to yield no useful information.
Besides, did a Legendary Mage need a reason to study something out of pure curiosity?
In the end, having found no clue in Punk's hazy projection and knowing nothing beyond a few one-sided rumors she had merely "heard," Mimibes could only nod and temporarily set aside her suspicions.
Although Punk's sudden interest in Demon Lord souls was indeed a little abrupt... for a small merchant hoping to purchase Alchemy Potions over the long term, having a few more things that could serve as "currency" was always beneficial. The rest did not seem important. After all, rashly inquiring into a Legendary spellcaster's "top-secret research project" was an extremely rude