by Zhuang Bifan
This was the change from ally to comrade-in-arms. Just a different word, but it was a totally different relationship.
Allies were united due to benefits, but comrade-in-arms stuck together in life and death.
…
"Felic, you are finally back…" There were a few elderly Magic Shooters surrounding Lin Li inside the guild hall. All of them were telling him every single detail of what had happened to the Guild of Magic during this period at the same time.
Their accounts were rather messy, but much more detailed than Kevin's. From their mouths, Lin Li heard more details. For example, after Shadow's Nest invaded the Emerald Tower, they were even garrisoned here for a night. During that night, it was as if they turned the whole Emerald Tower inside out. It was only until after dawn broke before they set the Emerald Tower on fire. After that, they returned to the Demon Fall Valley while flaunting their prowess. When the members of Shadow's Nest left, they were somewhat dissatisfied. It might be because they did not find what they were looking for.
Lin Li was listening carefully. He even threw in some questions in the middle. This conversation lasted for almost half an hour. Everything that had happened to the Guild of Magic within the past two months started developing into a rough outline in Lin Li's mind.
Yet at the same time, a few of the younger apprentices that had joined the Guild of Magic in the last two months were inquiring with curiosity. Their hearts were filled with curiosity and doubt. Almost everyone was asking who was this young mage called Felic, and why was it that once he returned to the Emerald Tower, he received cheers from everyone? Could it be that his status was higher than the missing President Gerian's?
"He is the pride of Emerald Tower, Mage Felic," those that were asked had replied with a proud look. After that, they would patiently describe to the new apprentices the sky-high price of the potion auction, the shocking battle of Jarrosus, and at the end, they would even add, "Without Mage Felic, the Emerald Tower would not be what it is today!"
When these several older Magic Shooters were almost done conversing, Aaron-Mazi's carriage had also arrived at the gates of the Emerald Tower.
Aaron-Mazi brought Scarface; they walked with their heads buried. Once Aaron-Mazi thought about this incident, he could not help but want to give another slap to Scarface. It's all because of this damned idiot. If it wasn't because of him doing something stupid, I would be treated like a guest no matter what once I arrived at the Emerald Tower. Why would there be a need to be like this now? I can't even lift my head up, just like a thief…
But all was well. At least Mage Felic left some orders and said that he wanted to meet Aaron-Mazi. While walking in, there were obstacles being deliberately placed in his way, or at least it could be said so. The gazes from those Magic Shooters were already uncomfortable enough. Once he thought about this, Aaron-Mazi could not help but curse in his mind. F*ck, it's all because of that idiot Rosi. Once I return, I will definitely put him inside a gunny sack…
"Good morning, Mr Mazi." Lin Li saw the two of them enter the Emerald Tower from afar. After greeting them, he found a few chairs in a corner of the guild hall and invited Aaron-Mazi along with Scarface to take a seat. Honestly, this was a little rude. After all, Aaron-Mazi was the leader of the Blood Brotherhood. Based on status and position, he was no different from Gerian. When he came to visit, he should have been invited into the guest room.
However, it was a pity. Shadow's Nest had burned the Emerald Tower. Although there was not much damage as help came in time, the guest room could not be used. They could only be inconvenienced and sit in the guild hall.
"Morning, Mage Felic. When did you return to Jarrosus? Why didn't you say anything. If I knew you were returning today, I would definitely fetch you personally…" Aaron-Mazi was filled with anxiety. He did not even know what he was talking about, so why would he even still care about manners? At this time, even if he were asked to sit in the toilet, he would also do it without saying anything, not to mention sitting in the guild hall.
"Haha, I came back in the afternoon." Lin Li laughed. He did not point out Aaron-Mazi's faulty wording. He just said a sentence as though he was talking to himself. "I have been away for two months, yet Jarrosus seems to have changed a lot…"
"Yes, yes, the change is really a lot…" Aaron-Mazi mind was perturbed, and he did not know whether the other party's words had any hidden meanings. He could only follow the flow of the conversation.
"But I did not imagine that the change would be so huge. I remember that the old Jarrosus would not have anyone daring to block the front gate of Emerald Tower…" Lin Li's face had a forced smile, but his gaze fixed on Aaron-Mazi suddenly became stern.
"Mage Felic…" Aaron-Mazi's head immediately tightened, and when he looked at Lin Li again, his voice was stuttering even when he spoke. "Mage Felic, let… let me explain…"
"Haha, there's nothing to explain. If I am not mistaken, you will definitely tell me that all of it has nothing to do with you. It was this Brother Scarface's idea. How is it, Mr Mazi, am I right?"
"This…"
"It's ok, Mr Mazi. Let's forget about this issue. You don't have to explain, and I will not investigate. Let's pretend that it never happened. After all, the Blood Brotherhood is our ally. We, the Guild of Magic, still have this much magnanimity."
"Huh?" Aaron-Mazi was in a daze. Before coming to the Emerald Tower, he was thinking a lot. There were all sorts of possible results, be it good or bad, but the best result would still be being extorted. After all, the current Guild of Magic had a lot of things to be done. They needed a lot of funds to rebuild the Emerald Tower, and Aaron-Mazi had already prepared himself to agree to it as long as the terms were not too demanding.
As for this, Aaron-Mazi had not reacted to it when he heard Lin Li say "I will not investigate." It was only when the words had been spoken that Aaron-Mazi become stunned.
T-t-that's… how is that possible?
Aaron-Mazi was very clear about the personality of this young mage. Back then, Cromwell had been killed by him with a single Icicle when he'd caught two of his friends. What kind of luck was Aaron-Mazi enjoying? His subordinate had blocked the main gate of the Emerald Tower and announced that the Emerald Tower needed to hand over Guild of Magic, yet it could all be treated as if nothing had happened. Could it be that this young mage had suffered from some tragedy during these two months at Alanna, and his personality had changed so much?
"Don't be so nervous, Mr Mazi. Emerald Tower is one of the eighteen forces of Jarrosus. Maintaining the peace and harmony in Jarrosus is just a small issue. Please don't take it heart. But I have something else more important to discuss with you."
"Please speak your mind, Mage Felic. As long as it's something that the Blood Brotherhood can do, I, Aaron-Mazi, will definitely not reject it!" Such a big issue was not to be investigated, so Aaron-Mazi did not dare to make any excuses. Before Lin Li could even say what it was, he had already pounded his c.h.e.s.t and agreed.
"It's like this, Mr Mazi. I heard that around Jarrosus, there is placed called Demon Fall Valley. The scenery is beautiful, just like in a fairy tale. I've always wanted to take a look…" After reaching this point, Lin Li took a pause before continuing, "But it's a pity. I heard that recently, the people of Shadow's Nest had occupied Demon Fall Valley and laid all sorts of traps. I've been cowardly, afraid something might happen while I'm enjoying the scenery. So, I was thinking of asking Mr Mazi for help. Help me get a map of the Demon Fall Valley. It's best that those dirty traps can be found, lest something happens to me while I'm enjoying the scenery…"
"…" Aaron-Mazi was dumbfounded. He had seen his fair share of shameless people, but this was the first time for him to see someone so shameless. F*ck, Alanna has indeed changed this young mage's personality, but it was just that he has become even more shameless…
Chapter 282 - The Horn for Counterattack
This time, Aaron-Mazi really thought he was going to die. Even if the bandi
ts of the Blood Brotherhood were second to none among the large forces of Jarrosus, they would not be able to take such suffering. The current Demon Fall Valley was not the same as the Demon Fall Valley before. Ever since it was invaded, it had been managed as a core area by the Shadow's Nest. It was heavily guarded, and there were all sorts of traps and portals. The Shadow's Nest managed the Demon Fall Valley like a metal barrel. Based on Aaron-Mazi's estimation, at least eighty percent of Shadow's Nest's forces were garrisoned there…
This young mage had spoken about it too lightly, demanding the map of the Demon Fall Valley the moment he spoke. Aaron-Mazi really felt like telling him "Master Felic, that is something that our brothers have to use their lives to obtain…"
Of course, he only dared to complain to himself. He did not have the guts to say it out loud.
On the contrary, he had no choice but to smile. "It is the Blood Brotherhood's honor to be of help to Mage Felic…"
There was no choice. Who asked this Rosi to do something stupid. F*ck, is the main gate of the Emerald Tower something you can block? Furthermore, of all days to block it, you had to choose this damned day, bumping into Mage Felic when he was returning to Jarrosus. Isn't this f*cking pushing the whole Blood Brotherhood into the furnace?
F*ck, wait for me to return and settle the score with you slowly… Thinking about this, Aaron-Mazi really felt like killing somebody. He fiercely glared at Scarface, who was beside him. He had made up his mind long ago. When he returned, he would definitely let these idiots have a taste of his power.
"Then, I would have to thank Mr Mazi." Lin Li only gave a delighted smile at this point.
"You're welcome. Mage Felic is too courteous…"
The two of them were unctuously chatting when there was another sound of carriages coming from outside of the door. Lin Li turned around and looked outside of the Emerald Tower's gates with uncertainty. He saw that there were tens of luxurious carriages parked outside the gate, and there were acquaintances walking out of these carriages one by one. Ysera from the Mannes Family, Reuben from the Saruman Family, Anthony from the Rolin Family, Daphne the Thief, the boss of the black market Old Odin, and so on… With just a glance, the leaders of all the notable forces in Jarrosus had arrived—with the exception of the Merlin Family. All of them had brought gifts, and their faces were filled with smiles, asking the apprentices on duty to let them in.
"…" The two young apprentices on duty at the door were terrified. Both of them had just joined the Emerald Tower in the past month. What they experienced was the toughest time for the Emerald Tower. Although they heard from some senior mages how powerful and glorious the Emerald Tower was in the old days, after being used to cold shoulders, both of their minds had already thought otherwise. They even reckoned that the so-called powerful and glorious past was just a fantasy that those senior mages came up with.
At this point, with tens of carriages parked outside the Emerald Tower, the these two young apprentices finally believed that what the senior mages said was true. The Emerald Tower of old days had once united the whole Jarrosus.
Looking at the names this group of people gave, all of them were like thunder piercing the ears. Tsk, tsk, tsk. The Mannes Family, the Saruman Family, and the Rolin Family. All of them were people that could shake Jarrosus with just a single tap of their feet. When they stood in front of the apprentices and respectfully informed them of their visit's goal, the two apprentices immediately had a floaty feeling.
"Mage Felic, do you want to see them?" The two young apprentices respectfully stood there. Their gaze towards Lin Li was filled with fanaticism and worship. That was respect and admiration from the bottom of their hearts. There was no sham or deception. To them, this young mage that was almost the same age as them and had single-handedly restored the Emerald Tower to its former glory was a living legend.
"Of course."
Lin Li personally invited the crowd into the guild hall. Looking at this damaged Emerald Tower suddenly having so many guests, naturally it was a long exchange of greetings. It took about half an hour before the crowd were seated as guests. The sincere and passionate exchange of regards and polite conversations made the atmosphere incomparably harmonious.
It was just that in the midst of this harmonious atmosphere, some of the leaders with better judgment started to frown…
For example, Ysera…
Long ago, while walking into the guild hall, Ysera had already felt that something was wrong. All the while, he had always been the sharpest leader out of the tens of forces within Jarrosus. It was as if this wealthiest man in Jarrosus in his twenties was born with a talent that could see what others could not see in a person that he had just laid his eyes on. Most probably it was because of this reason that he was the first to be friendly with the Guild of Magic back then, and he was also the first to form an alliance with the Guild of Magic.
It was just that today, Ysera suddenly felt that his sharp eyes had suddenly lost their ability.
What the hell… Ysera cursed in his mind while chatting away with a face full of smiles. It was because he suddenly realized that already impossibly strong young mage had actually undergone a terrifying change in two months. If one were to say that the old Felic could make people feel that they could not go against him, then the current Felic had already reached another realm. It was like everyone was living in a different time; they could see him and hear him, but they could not touch him.
F*ck, he's at least an Archmage…
Ysera instinctively swallowed his saliva. An Archmage before his twenties. Just thinking about it gave Ysera goosebumps. When he looked at Lin Li again, his eyes were filled with fear.
Ysera's expression was complicated, but Lin Li was right there, talking in a jovial mood. In reality, even he did not realize that ever since he'd returned to Jarrosus, he had slowly grown accustomed to this role that Gerian had. He was used to leading the Emerald Tower and jockeying for power with a crowd of leaders.
The crowd sat in the somewhat damaged guild hall and spoke glowingly about the changes that Jarrosus had in these two months. In this time frame, naturally some of the loyal leaders were indignantly condemning the Merlin Family for taking sides with the enemy as well as Shadow's Nest's pillaging. When these leaders spoke, the rest of the crowd was in agreement. In a moment, the guild hall had a subtle atmosphere that was a shared bitter hatred for the enemy.
Lin Li had always maintained a smile since the beginning. It looked like he really did not know that these indignant leaders did not help at all when Shadow's Nest had attacked.
The tens of leaders of the forces stayed at the guildhall till sunset before leaving unwillingly.
Honestly, they really wanted to stay for a few more hours if they could. This young mage's attitude was too weird. He did not mention things from the past, and he did not even state clearly his stand on future relationsh.i.p.s. This made the tens of leaders confused within their hearts.
They had some sort of understanding about this young mage's personality. His methods were terrifyingly merciless. He was smiling today, but he could make moves tomorrow. Nobody knew if he would turn his back on them, and nobody knew if they could continue living in Jarrosus. The only thing they could do was to desperately repent since they did not extend their assistance earlier, when Emerald Tower was in trouble. If they had thought about the eventual outcome, wouldn't they have been receiving the same treatment as Ysera and Reuben?
When the tens of leaders of the forces had left unwillingly, Lin Li then gave a signal to Ysera and Reuben, asking them to stay.
Ysera's mind immediately became joyful. Haha, my hardwork in these two months did not go to waste. Mage Felic has finally acknowledged my status as a comrade-in-arms!
"Take a seat, both of you." The reception this time was of much higher standards. Lin Li had personally invited both of them to the second floor, and sat down in the room that he used to stay at. It might seem casual, but there was an unspeakable intimacy.
"I will not say too many words of gratitude, you two. I, Felic, am not somebody that is ungrateful. In the past two months, I will forever remember what you two have done for the Emerald Tower…"
"Felic, you are too courteous…"
"No, no, no, this is not being courteous…" Lin Li shook his head, and his expression started to become serious. "Ok. Both of you, the friendship between us has gone past the test of battle. As long as I, Felic, am here for a day, it also means that the Emerald Tower will be the closest comrade-in-arms for the both of you. Between comrade-in-arms, there should not be any secrets. I currently have a plan, please listen and see if you can give me any suggestions."
"What plan?" When they heard this, both pricked their ears. They had known this young mage for a few months, but from the auction at the Emerald Tower to the duel in the Daylight Square, they had never seen him so serious before.
"If I can, I hope that before tomorrow's evening, I can make the Emerald Tower's Warlock's Eyes cover the entire Demon Fall Valley again!"
"…" Ysera drew in a breath of cold air.
This young family head that was in his twenties was in control of the Mannes Family, and spread the Gilded Rose's influence to the whole of the Felan Kingdom, yet even he thought that he'd misheard this sentence. The only thing that appeared in his head was a question: how was this possible? To regain the Demon Fall Valley before tomorrow evening was more inconceivable than Gerian losing weight. Ysera had seen the strength of the Shadow's Nest before. Well-trained warriors and incomparably superior equipment. For any force that grew perceptibly from mage, it was the most lethal enemy. Back then, with the strength of the Guild of Magic, the Shadow's Nest only needed one attack, and they managed to seize control of the Demon Fall Valley. Now, they managed the whole Demon Fall Valley like a metal barrel, so how could it be taken back just because somebody wanted to?
