abcnovels
Chapter 496: Consortium
Chapter 496: Consortium
Chapter 496: Consortium
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The deafening roar echoed through the town, reverberating off the stone walls and sending a shockwave of fear through the guards stationed atop it.
The sheer force of the sound hit them like a physical blow, causing several of them to stagger back. Their eyes rolled back as they lost consciousness and slumped to the ground.
Inside the town, the roar caused windows to rattle and snow to fall from the rooftops. Townsfolk who had been going about their day froze in place, their faces pale with terror. Mothers pulled their children close, and men reached for whatever makeshift weapons they could find. For a moment, they thought they were again under the beast tide's attack.
In their panic, it took a while for them to realize that it wasn't the night of the full moons. Neither was it the sound of a wolf that had just emerged from outside the town walls.
Whispers of horror spread quickly, the townsfolk murmuring about the sudden appearance of the man and his terrifying beast.
From the town hall, a group of Magi emerged, their robes fluttering as they hurried to the gates. Along with the old mayor and the town council members, there were several hired Magi present in this group as well.
Their faces were a mix of determination and apprehension as they opened the gates of the town, nervously switching glances between the imposing man and its tiger.
Mayor Hobbs stepped forward and tried to project confidence. But the mana radiating from the man and the beast was palpable, and he couldn't help but tremble in fear.
He pressed his right hand against his chest and bowed. He then looked at the man and spoke with unease, "My Lord... are you perhaps from the Magus' Consortium?"
The Magus' Consortium was an organization, akin to a mercenary guild, that sent Magi to help people with supernatural matters.
Most of the hired Magi that were currently residing in the town were also from this organization which was quite famous in the region.
The man with the receding hairline dismounted from his tiger, his dark eyes boring into the old mayor's. "I've been traveling for seven days straight. Won't you at least invite me in?" He replied, his voice cold and commanding.
The white tiger's growl punctuated his words. It was a low and menacing sound that sent shivers down the spine of those who heard it.
Mayor Hobbs's back was drenched in a cold sweat. Despite the immense fear coursing through his veins, he held his ground.
"M-My Lord... please state your identity."
"Tsk." The man's eyes narrowed and he released a terrifying aura, causing the people in front of him to fall to the ground.
"Old fool," he said coldly. "You talk too much for someone who already has one foot in the grave. Shall I make it two?"
The tiger approached the old mayor, gazing at him with reckless bloodlust. The only thing stopping this beast from devouring the mayor was this man standing between them.
Tears started to well up in Mayor Hobbs's eyes and he was about to beg for forgiveness. But right at the moment, a Magus from behind him stepped forward to diffuse the situation.
It was none other than the Magus who had gathered the other mercenaries and Magi and tried to convince the mayor to request the help of a Rank 2 Magus.
He looked at the burly man with the receding hairline standing before him with his arms crossed, and couldn't help but nervously gulp.
Damn it! He cursed inwardly. To think they would send him out of all people...
He displayed a fawning smile and bowed deferentially. "Lord Darkmore, welcome to Stratford."
He then helped the mayor to his feet and patted his back, assuring him, "No need to be so alarmed, mayor. This esteemed person right here is Lord Gore Darkmore, a Mana Liquefaction Magus from the Consortium."
Gore's eyebrow rose as he asked, "Who the hell are you?"
The man's lips twitched as he introduced himself, "This humble one's name is Alan. I too am a member of the Consortium."
Gore nodded his head ever so slightly, not at all bothered. He then looked at Mayor Hobbs and coldly said, "Now that you've confirmed my identity, bring me to my living quarters. I will not repeat myself another time."
"R-Right away, my lord!" The old mayor bowed deeply.
However, inwardly he was vehemently cursing himself for having brought another outsider to his town. Especially one who was more powerful than the rest.
Damn it! This is why I didn't want to call a Rank 2 Magus... They're simply too overbearing. We could have dealt with the wolf tide if I just called a few more Rank 1 Magi, he thought.
Then why?! Why did I have to call a Rank 2 Magus?!
Mayor Hobbs still couldn't understand what led him to suddenly call this person. For as long as he could remember, he had always been adamant about not calling someone whose strength was more than he and the town council members could handle.
For if he did so, things would never be under his control. But for some baffling reason, he had ended up doing the very thing that he had never planned to do.
As he led Gore inside the town and toward a house that he had already prepared beforehand, the townsfolk gathered along the main street, curiously glancing at the newcomer.
For the past few days, there had been rumors circulating in the town about a powerful Magus arriving and helping them fight against the vicious wolves.
So when they saw this burly man and his tiger, they couldn't help but begin to wonder if this was the person who would lead them to salvation just like Magus Stratford had done all those centuries ago.
One by one, the townsfolk started bowing toward Gore, clutching their hands and praying desperately that he would lead them toward victory.
Seeing such a scene, Gore's lips curled up into a wide grin. He liked the attention that he was receiving. He glanced around, looking at the townsfolk condescendingly.
When his gaze landed on the young women standing in the crowd, his eyes flickered
lasciviously.
Suddenly, his gaze landed on a young man dressed in black robes and a black pointy hat who
was looking back at him with a friendly smile.
Gore's eyes narrowed ever so slightly and he thought to himself, A Rank 1 Magus?
He seems a little... strange.
But he didn't put more thought into this peculiarity and continued to walk by.
Meanwhile, Adam glanced at Gore's departing back, his lips curling up into a mischievous
smirk as he thought, Good!
He can't sense the energy flow around me at all!