Chapter 1302
Unfortunately, he still died. His soul was sliced cleanly in two. His soul was nowhere near strong enough to withstand that—while such a wound to the body might feel like a mere needle prick, to the soul it was an indescribable agony. Sliced in half, the soul perished instantly...
A Sky Rank mage had fallen, his soul torn asunder. The earth element gathered around John erupted in chaos, and limitless magical power burst from his body, a violent plume of mana shooting skyward.
It took more than ten seconds for the magic on John's body to finally dissipate, and only then did his corpse begin to tumble toward the ground.
Leon conjured a Mage's Hand, more than two meters across, and seized John's corpse. He stripped off John's spatial equipment, especially the silver-white metal, which Leon promptly pocketed.
In the distant village, two Title Magi, drenched in cold sweat, watched John get obliterated in an instant. Instead of anger, they both exhaled in relief.
"Good thing that idiot John got taken out..."
"Yeah, lucky he was killed before he could cast the Ironclad Spell. Otherwise, things would've gotten messy..."
"Right, it's better he was killed. At least he died as a Scythe Raider, so it has nothing to do with our Rodney Family..."
Overhead, Andefa drifted closer, staring at John's corpse—his three faces all grave.
"Leon, why did you kill him? He was obviously a direct descendant of the Rodney Family—you saw him pull out the casting medium, right? That was a special metal, unique to the Rodney Family's Ironclad Spell. He was about to cast it.
I wanted to see it for myself. Besides, if he had cast the Ironclad Spell, it would've exposed him as a Rodney Family heir, directly linking the Scythe Raiders to the Rodney Family. That would have been solid evidence.
A direct descendant of the Rodney Family, personally controlling the Scythe Raiders—how could the Rodney Family ever show their face in Odin Kingdom again?"
Andefa grumbled a bit, but Leon just smiled.
"I made sure he couldn't cast the Ironclad Spell. If he had, it would've been much harder for me to kill him.
If I'd managed to capture him alive before he cast the Ironclad Spell, I'd have a living Scythe Raider—especially a Sky Rank one. That's worth a lot. But a living Sky Rank heir of the Rodney Family? That's worth nothing...
If he'd cast the Ironclad Spell, killing him would've been tricky. If I took him out, the Rodney Family would bite back, claiming I snuck into their territory and killed their Sky Rank mage who was fighting the Scythe Raiders..."
As Leon finished, Andefa's three faces suddenly lit up with understanding, each one smiling at Leon.
"I have to admit, Leon, you're getting more and more devious. But you're right—now you've just killed a Scythe Raider, and the Rodney Family will have to swallow their pride, thank you, and even smile after losing one of their own...
You really are getting more and more wicked..."
Leon smiled.
"That's exactly it. If he cast the Ironclad Spell, there'd be no way to negotiate with the Rodney Family. But now? Heh..."
Leon landed with John's corpse and simply waited. In the distance, the two Title Magi hurriedly sent a magical message to their family, giving a brief report of what had happened.
In less than half an hour, the Rodney Family arrived. After hearing the full story from the two Title Magi, they all breathed a subtle sigh of relief.
Rules are rules, after all. Without solid evidence, the Rodney Family could deny anything—and no one could do a thing. But if ironclad proof was exposed in broad daylight, things would get messy. The Rodney Family's reputation and honor would be utterly destroyed.
The negotiator from the Rodney Family was a Sky Rank Level 3 mage, who brought the two Ninth-Rank Title Magi to where Leon waited.
"Ah, so it's Archmage Leon Merlin. I truly didn't expect Archmage Merlin himself to personally wipe out those damned bandits.
Our family just voted to cooperate with the Gilded Rose in eradicating these damned vermin. The message has already been sent to the Gilded Rose, but I didn't expect Archmage Merlin to show up in person."
The Rodney Family's Sky Rank mage seemed very enthusiastic, but when he saw John's corpse, his eyelid twitched and a flash of anger crossed his eyes.
Leon smiled, casually glancing at the two Ninth-Rank Title Magi, then replied offhandedly.
"Oh, is that so? I wasn't around before, but I heard the news—those bastards attacked the Gilded Rose caravans several times. Now that they've been found, it's best these resource-wasting scum are dead. Saves people from thinking the Gilded Rose is easy prey.
Anyone with ideas should be ready to lose the hand they try to lay on the Gilded Rose.
Oh, sir, do you have any other business? If not, I'm heading back. As for the Scythe Raiders, don't thank me—I only destroyed them for the Gilded Rose."
With that, Leon turned and prepared to leave with John's corpse.
Instantly, the Rodney Family members panicked.
The two Title Magi kept their heads down, afraid to speak. Leon's earlier glance seemed loaded with meaning, as if he'd already seen through them. The newly arrived Sky Rank Level 3 mage from the Rodney Family grew anxious and agitated.
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Damn it, John was a member of our Rodney Family—a Sky Rank Level 2 mage who knew the Ironclad Spell. Too many people on the outside know him.
Ordinary mages and minor factions might not recognize John, but the major powers—anyone with a bit of intel on our family—would know he's a Sky Rank heir of the Rodney Family. If his corpse gets taken away, that's trouble...
We have to make Archmage Merlin hand over the body. Damn it, are the people handling this all idiots? Archmage Merlin isn't just Sky Rank Level 1 or 2—he's clearly a Level 3, and according to those two idiot spectators, he might be even stronger than most Level 3s...
Are those idiots really only capable of finding out that Archmage Merlin owns the Gilded Rose? Couldn't they dig up anything useful...
He thought this, but still forced a friendly smile.
"Archmage Merlin, my name is Pax Rodney. Just call me Pax. There's something I'd like to discuss with you first.
It's about the corpse of that damned bandit..."
As Pax spoke, he paused, his eyes brimming with confidence.
Can't let Archmage Merlin think I care too much about John's body. Gotta use some negotiation tricks—act casual, make it seem unimportant. That should make the talks easier.
Leon casually cast a Freeze Spell, sealing John's body in a block of ice, then stuffed it into a spatial ring.
"Oh, Lord Pax, is there a problem with this bandit's corpse? If there is, it doesn't matter. I'll freeze him and hang him at the Gilded Rose's gate, so every bandit group knows what happens if they raid our caravans.
I'll use Blackgold Ice—even if he's carrying a deadly plague, it won't spread. Thanks for the reminder, Lord Pax. Goodbye."
Seeing Leon's actions, Pax was left dumbfounded.
Damn it, is this guy a barbarian? This is a negotiation—doesn't he understand the first thing about it? Is he not even trying to negotiate, just planning to leave?
Damn bastard, who does things like this? Not even willing to talk?
What a joke—letting you take John's corpse, freezing it in Blackgold Ice, and hanging it at the Gilded Rose's gate. Do you just have too much money to burn?
A fist-sized chunk of Blackgold Ice is worth over a thousand purple gold coins. The bigger it gets, the more expensive it becomes—exponentially so. To freeze an entire corpse, you'd need at least ten million purple gold coins' worth.
Is this guy insane? Is he planning to display John's corpse for a thousand years?
Forget a thousand years—even after ten thousand, a corpse frozen in Blackgold Ice would look exactly the same...
Seeing Leon turn to fly off, Pax finally panicked.
"Archmage Merlin, please wait! Hear me out before you decide!"
Leon frowned at Pax.
"Lord Pax, my time is precious. I don't have much to waste..."
Pax forced a bitter smile, completely deflated.
"Archmage Merlin, this guy's name is Dais—the Scythe Raiders' leader, Sky Rank Level 2. A truly evil bastard. The damage he's done to the Rodney Family could fill a tragic memoir.
I've lost track of how much destruction the Scythe Raiders have brought to our lands. In the Rodney Family's territory, they're synonymous with death itself. Dais's name alone is enough to scare crying children into silence.
There was a village nearby that refused to submit to Dais. He hung every man, woman, and child at the entrance...
He even kidnapped the granddaughter of one of our ancestors, tortured her to death, and dumped her corpse at our family gate as an insult...
She was my cousin..."
At this, Pax choked up, teeth clenched, genuinely looking heartbroken...
Andefa hovered beside Leon, all three faces solemn and horrified, full of admiration for this Oscar-worthy act.
We've attacked the Scythe Raiders' fortress several times, but these damned rats dug countless tunnels in the mountains. Whenever our strong mages arrived, they'd escape underground.
Once our mages left, they'd come back out and take brutal revenge on us. They even massacred a small city belonging to our family and stole everything of value.
We can't station a Sky Rank Level 3 mage here all the time. So things dragged on, a constant stalemate.
This time, the family resolved to cooperate with the Gilded Rose and wipe out this depraved, monstrous bandit group for good!
We never expected Archmage Merlin to personally step in, and that rat Dais would die by your hand.
That's... truly wonderful..."
Leon watched Pax's performance, full of admiration. To an experienced Sky Rank Level 3 mage like himself, this act was flawless—emotion, mana fluctuations, even speech tempo—utterly perfect...
He really did hate that unlucky bastard just now. To act at this level, you can't help but be impressed.
"Lord Pax, my condolences. Rest assured, I'll hang this guy's corpse at the Gilded Rose's gate for a thousand years—no, at Neverwinter City's gate for a thousand years. Everyone who passes can spit on him, and anyone who spits gets a discount at the Gilded Rose: not just 1% off, but 2%!
You know, alchemical goods aren't cheap. Even a small discount can save dozens of purple gold coins. At 2% off, the most expensive item in the Gilded Rose would be nearly ten thousand purple gold coins cheaper...
If you buy a lot, the savings add up...
And all it costs is spitting on the corpse of a notorious bandit chief as you enter the city...
I doubt anyone would mind spitting on him.
Hearing this, Pax's face turned green. He couldn't keep up the act anymore and hurried to stop Leon.
"Archmage Merlin, Dais caused immeasurable harm to the people of our Rodney Family lands. I hope you can hand his corpse over to us.
We'll hang his body at the city gate, so everyone he hurt can spit on him..."
Leon's brow arched, and Pax's heart skipped a beat, terrified Leon would refuse. He abandoned all negotiation tactics and offered the best terms he could.
"Of course, Archmage Merlin, Dais was killed by your own hand. You should take him back and display him at your city gate, to warn the other bandit groups.
It's a bit improper for us to ask, so please name your price. As a gesture of goodwill, the Rodney Family will compensate you. After all, you fought hard here and our family benefited as well..."
Leon smiled faintly and nodded.
"Alright, if you want him, I don't mind handing him over."
Pax quickly seized the opportunity.
"Just name your price. We'll make sure you're satisfied."
Leon smiled, took out a list, and handed it to Pax.
"I haven't decided on compensation yet, but I happen to have a list of materials the Gilded Rose needs to purchase. As you know, our caravans have been attacked by those damned Scythe Raiders several times, so we're running low on supplies.
Just make up for the materials. Besides, all the wealth in the Scythe Raiders' lair will go to the Rodney Family. The fortune they've plundered over the years is huge—though it's buried under the mountain, it's yours if you dig for it.
Pax breathed a subtle sigh of relief.
Just some materials? I thought he'd ask for much more. Maybe the rumors about Archmage Merlin's greed aren't true—he's supposed to be greedier than a dragon, but he's only asking for materials.
And he doesn't even want the wealth in the Scythe Raiders' lair—probably just doesn't want the hassle of digging it up.
He has no idea there's no wealth in the Scythe Raiders' lair. It was all moved to the Rodney Family long ago. Those bandits were just a blade in Rodney's hand...
Looks like the Gilded Rose really is struggling lately, having to buy materials from outside. Archmage Merlin asking us for compensation makes sense...
Pax speculated to himself as he opened the list Leon handed over.
When Pax opened the list, his face went pale, then flushed red, unable to catch his breath—he nearly choked.
His hands trembled as he looked over the list.
Eternal Adamantite, five hundred kilograms...
Stellar Mithril, six hundred kilograms...
Enchanted Quicksilver, one thousand kilograms...
Dragonblood Ink...
Damn it, when did these precious materials start being measured in kilograms? Hundreds at a time! Most alchemy devices only use a few grams—making a True Spirit Magic Item rarely needs even a kilogram...
All these rare materials, hundreds of kilograms each, and the common ones start at thousands. Things like Mage Iron are tens of thousands of kilograms minimum.
Is this guy feeding a Sky Rank Gold-Eater? Even with the Gilded Rose's current scale, it would take three years to use all these materials...
He's insane. Truly insane, asking for this much.
Pax's face turned crimson, his hands shaking as he stared at the list, eyes bulging. He roared out loud.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Archmage Merlin, I came with full sincerity, but this—this is far too much. No, it's absolutely insincere!"
Leon didn't get angry, just smiled faintly at Pax.
Pax ranted for half a minute, but Leon just kept smiling, ignoring him. Soon, Pax began to feel uneasy.
Damn it, did Archmage Merlin figure something out? No, he can't have—John didn't even cast the Ironclad Spell before Merlin killed him. Merlin couldn't have discovered anything.
Then why does his smile make my skin crawl...?