Opportunity


    With the answers from Ghoul and Blood Axe, Cmity nodded and pulled her aura inwards, “You can join the mission. We’ll divide the bounty equally, but it counts as mine.”


    The two other assassins were astonished at this concession. Cmity alone could take care of this mission easily, and there was no need to bring them at all. For her to split the bounty was even more generous; normally, the legendary assassin in this situation would take half the profits while the two sky saints split the rest. Cmity wasn’t even a normal legend; it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for her to get a full two-thirds of the pot.


    All in all, this decision would give Ghoul and Blood Axe a lot of money for no reason. Things would have been different if there were some extra goals to hit, but Richard hadn’t mentioned any other rewards for this specific bounty.


    While Blood Axe looked like a brute, a knowing glint shed in his eyes as he spoke up, “If the idea is to get closer to His Excellency Richard, then this much truly is a paltry sum.”


    Cmity locked gazes with the man, “You really are as sly as the rumours say. Yes, I want this to count as mine so I can get closer to him. If possible, my organisation is prepared to join the Archerons entirely.”


    Blood Axe was taken aback at this news that could shock maind Nond, “Join the Archerons now? Even if we ignore the reapers, I heard that the Sacred Tree Empire justunched an attack on the Azan Penins. They’ve erupted into war!”


    Excitement shed across Wells’s face as he heard this. Richard wasn’tpletely invincible, and he definitely couldn’t stand up to the entire Sacred Tree Empire. Once the Archerons were destroyed, he would have a chance to free himself.


    However, Cmity seemed to be deliberately wooing the two, exining with patience, “Do you think there will be another opportunity? The Archerons are weak right now, and those that help will be regarded as core followers.”


    “But the Empire...”


    “The Empire’s been blocked at ckrose Castle. Earl Alice has less than a tenth of their number, but they can’t break her defences.”


    Despite this news, Ghoul and Blood Axe continued to hesitate. It was surprising enough for the Archerons to be able to block the army of the Sacred Tree Empire in their current circumstances, but being able to hold on for one day didn’t mean they wouldst longer. The fall of ckrose Castle would decimate the Archerons; even if Richard was powerful himself, the Empire had people who could go toe to toe with him.


    She continued, “Another piece of news is that Prince Greyhawk of the Millennial Empire and the former Grand Warrior of ndor Asa have arrived at Faust and registered themselves into the reward point system.”


    This was staggering news! Asa was well known as the person who had crushed the Millennial Empire’s attempt to im ndor, as well as the person who had single-handedly forced back the legends of Daxdus in the Land of Dusk. This was an epic being of great renown, and her husband Greyhawk was one of the four most outstanding individuals in the Millennial Empire during his time. His other three siblings were all legends, and there was no reason to believe he would be any worse.


    And yet, this impressive individual might wasn’t even the end of it. Asa was backed by the Azuresnow Shrine while Greyhawk was a prince of the Millennial Empire. Neither would simply join the Archerons simply for some items, but without any confirmation it was impossible to tell just what their true intentions were. Even if Asa only half-counted as supporting the Archerons, and the same was considered of the Celestial Sage, that still effectively meant that was the same number of epics as any of the major empires had in total. That kind of power was also likely to seed against the reapers!


    Richard himself could not be underestimated. If the situation turned dire, he would have to give up on Faelor and return to Azan to deal with his enemies. Not even the three imperial families of the ne could withstand his wrath.


    Blood Axe finally spoke up, “Great! If Cmity is joining the Archerons, count me in too.”


    “Sure,” she nodded and looked towards Ghoul.


    “I don’t have a choice, now, do I?” Ghoul shrugged helplessly, “But why would we have to join ranks?”


    Cmity smiled coldly, “Because the way back will be rough as well. I’m not the only person after this rascal, and I need help. This is the most important mission the Archerons have issued in recent times, and many others will be aware of the opportunity to gain Master Richard’s favour. His prospects aren’t limited to the Sacred Alliance.”


    The two others finally understood. The underworld was also far more pragmatic than upper ss society, respecting power over anything else. So long as Richard stood a chance to reverse the situation, their loyalty was confirmed. In many ways, this was simr to the broodmother’s stated allegiance.


    Their next task was to take care of Wells. The guards were all killed in mere moments, and pained cries rang out as all four of the youth’s limbs were torn open and forced shut with secret potions within. He would bepletely crippled in a matter of minutes, with the only recourse being to cut everything off and regrow it with legendary divine magic. Blood Axe wrapped him in canvas and hoisted him up, setting off for ckrose Castle.


    ...


    It was only a few minutes before a number of blurry silhouettes appeared at the scene of the crime, their expressions turning grim at the sight of the mess. An old man carefully investigated the site and looked up at the three others who had arrived with in, “Ghoul and Blood Axe. It looks like they’ve formed an alliance; the only way to join Master Richard’s side is one of our own. What do you say?”


    ““Agreed.”” Two assassins made their stances clear immediately, while another middle-aged man hesitated, “Has Cmity not shown itself? This should be a mission they can’t afford to ignore.”


    The old man responded solemnly, “My contacts tell me their three strongest members are not in Nond at present; they shouldn’t have been able to arrive in time. As for the woman herself, her whereabouts are unclear. She shouldn’t be interested in a mission so easy, however.”


    “Who knows? Things change once we consider the favour of Master Richard,” thest man was still apprehensive.


    This prompted a sneer, “Shouldn’t there be some risk involved for such a huge reward?”


    This logic was something most assassins agreed with. Nothing was more suspicious than a mission that was too easy for its reward. The middle-aged man’s hesitation stemmed from his fear of Cmity, but such an opportunity was hard toe by. There were rumours from the Archeron ranks that Richard Archeron himself was prepared to take in more followers, regardless of their background or past. Such an opportunity was irresistible.


    Even the strongest of beings harboured two near-invariant goals; eternal life and to break through one’s limits. There were times where these goals ovepped as well— bing an epic being would allow thousands upon thousands of years of life. Richard was the only divine runemaster of Nond, and the number of legends he had built up along his way was mind-numbing. Joining his side was certain to boost one’s chances of breaking into the legendary realm, a deadly temptation to these sub-legendary assassins who had been bottlenecked for a long time.


    The biggest bottleneck to the legendary realm came not in energy levels but inws. In this regard, the sheer number of saint runes Richard could craft was proof enough of his diversity. In addition, Midren’s creation meant that he was even starting to controlws of other primary nes. If he managed to advance further in the future and could decipher the foundationalws of other nes, he was likely to be the premier powerhouse of Nond and unify the entire ne under his control.


    With numerous thoughts shing across his mind, the middle-aged man eventually came to a decision, “I agree to the alliance.”


    “Very well,” the old man nodded coldly, “Let us chase after them; I have my ways to track their movements. Even Cmity herself wouldn’t be able to escape my pursuity!”


    The four assassins and their subordinates merged into onerge pack that quickly set out in one direction.