Unexpectedly, he had already given up on researching it, yet he unexpectedly obtained other remaining pages.
And according to the hypnotized Felix, this was a secret family treasure map from his ancestors. The one he held was a master page capable of sensing the other pages.
"Lucky indeed."
Gauss collected the three maps.
Then he continued to inquire about the treasure map and Felix’s family information.
The encrypted text on the treasure map, after Felix provided a translation book, was quickly learned by Gauss through a Fluent in Language spell.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t an ordinary map, but a special magic item, and it seemed only by assembling all the remaining pages could it reveal its true appearance.
"Where to find the remaining two maps?"
Felix’s ancestors were said to be from an Earl’s family. Back then, most of the land in the Cold Jade Province was the fief of his family.
But that was a long time ago; meaning the map could appear anywhere across the entire province, or even in a broader surrounding area.
His piece of the map was obtained from a goblin nest isolated in the sea.
If unlucky, one might never gather them all in a lifetime.
He could only trust Felix’s claim that this master page held the power to guide its owner in collecting the remaining pages.
However, Gauss still had doubts in his heart.
Is this thing really a treasure map?
A family that once thrived, prepared in advance by burying a large amount of treasure somewhere, waiting for descendants to excavate and rejuvenate the family.
Why does this sound so suspicious?
As the saying goes, children and grandchildren have their own fate; don’t burden them with your legacy. Shouldn’t a normal person focus on the present? After all, who cares what happens after death?
He temporarily put away the three leather pages.
Anyway, he hadn’t gathered them all yet, and whether there’s a trick involved, or it truly is an unknown treasure, he’d find out once he gathered them all.
He decided not to overthink for now.
After lifting the Hypnosis Spell, the Wanderer squad slowly woke up.
They were initially confused, but upon seeing Gauss’s figure, they seemed to suddenly understand something.
Damn it, I was hypnotized! Felix held his dizzy head.
How could this person be so sneaky, not even leaving a chance for a defense, suddenly using a spell on him?
He felt the empty inside pocket of his clothes, his mood sinking to a low.
It’s over!
He looked at Gauss, whose face no longer showed any curiosity, knowing he must have told everything under the other’s hypnosis.
His plot against Levin, his family’s secret treasures, and even those things where he committed murder for recruitment funds—all exposed...
Thinking of this, he looked at Gauss.
Took a deep breath.
"Gauss, you took my family treasure map, right?"
"Yes, it’s my treasure map now."
Although Gauss didn’t have a strong craving for treasure hunting, knowing well that only strength is truly reliable in this world, and everything else comes second, he naturally wouldn’t return the treasure map to them, especially since they conspired against his former teammates.
Hearing Gauss admit it with a straight face, Felix swallowed hard, his face turning a few shades paler.
This was his family heirloom.
And around him, a few subordinates looked at him, bewildered.
They only thought this plot against the adventure group was just like before, a means to get money—such things they had done frequently, kill people and get rich.
Otherwise, how could a group with no family backing, manage to shortcut their way to gaining resources for advancing to professionals, if not through such means?
But this treasure map business, the boss had never mentioned to them before.
Gauss raised his magic staff.
Detecting his action, Felix’s mind raced as he hurriedly spoke up.
"You... you... you can’t kill me!"
"Killing is illegal, right."
Felix’s face turned white with fear, his words incoherent.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to resist Gauss; it’s just the moment he remembered how easily they had been hypnotized and lost consciousness, it was evident that Gauss taking their lives would be incredibly simple.
"But you guys haven’t killed any less, have you?"
Gauss shook his head; that reason couldn’t convince him.
He didn’t consider himself a villain, but neither was he so pedantic as to obey all rules.
In the two or three years as an adventurer, quite a few people had died by his hands.
Those who wanted to harm him—adventurers, bandits, and other criminals...
"Moreover, only descendants of our bloodline can use bloodline power to unlock our family treasure at the treasure site. Otherwise, even if you gather all the treasure maps, you wouldn’t be able to acquire the treasure you want," Felix claimed confidently.
"So you can’t kill me."
"I’m willing to join your adventure group."
"When you, Leader, gather all the treasure maps, I’m willing to go with you to the treasure site."
Felix spoke quickly, afraid his delay might lead Gauss’s spell to target him.
The reason he gave wasn’t entirely fabricated for survival. At least, that’s what he read from the treasure map—it was necessary to use the bloodline power of a family descendant to possibly unlock the treasure at the site.
Additionally, his ability to comprehend the encrypted text surfaced in his mind the moment he saw the treasure map.
It seemed to be a power derived from the bloodline, as the descendants who touched the map naturally grasped those lost family cryptic texts.