Chapter 856: No One Can Stop Me
If it were anyone else, Seer Droy would never dare to act this way. But after a few encounters, he'd come to understand Leon Merlin's temperament—he absolutely wouldn't yield to force, but with a softer approach, there was a chance to make progress.
Sure enough, Seer Droy dispersed his magic and put away his staff, adopting a completely unguarded posture. Leon Merlin's brows immediately furrowed.
"Seer Droy, please step aside. This fool has provoked me again and again—today, I'll send him to meet your King Wagram."
Seer Droy's face went a little pale, and he forced a bitter smile as he tried to appease Leon Merlin.
"Archmage Leon, please calm down. Let's talk this out. Daryl really is a fool—he even disobeyed my orders. Rest assured, once we return, I will personally escort him to Thunderstrike Peak, seal his magic, and chain him with cold iron to endure three years of Thunderstrike Punishment...
But you are nothing like him. His intelligence is barely that of a groundhog from the Caucasus, while you are not only a powerful Title Archmage, but your rune reserves alone prove your intellect is among the very best. I've also heard you're a formidable Worldshaper.
But you are nothing like him. His wisdom is at best on par with an ugly Caucasian groundhog, while you are a mighty Title Archmage. Just from your rune reserves, it's clear your intellect is among the finest of all Title Archmages. I've also heard you're a powerful Worldshaper.
With your wisdom, you can't possibly be compared to Daryl, that foolish groundhog. Please, calm yourself and think it over—you'll see I'm telling the truth.
I've already reported to our King Wagram. The King gave strict orders to treat Archmage Leon with utmost friendliness. There are so many ways we can cooperate—the Caucasus Battlemages and you could forge a great friendship.
Please don't stoop to Daryl's level—he's just a foolish groundhog. Killing him outright would be too merciful. He violated the King's orders, my orders, and what awaits him is a terrifying punishment. With your vast knowledge, you surely know how dreadful the Caucasus penalties are; many would rather die than face them.
Let him pay for his stupidity. But as the future pillar of the Merlin Family, it's not worth it for you to make things easier for that idiot and suffer for it—why create conflict with the Caucasus Battlemages over someone like him? It's really not worth it...
Seer Droy rattled off his words at lightning speed, painting Daryl—the Caucasus Battlemage Legion Commander—as nothing more than a groundhog with a brain the size of a fingernail.
Daryl had just recovered from his stupor and was looking at Droy, but before he could say a word, Droy slapped him across the face without hesitation. In that instant, a barely perceptible bolt of lightning shot into Daryl's body.
With that slap, the wounded Daryl was knocked completely unconscious.
Leon Merlin stared coldly at Seer Droy.
"Seer Droy, are you threatening me?"
Seer Droy gave a bitter smile.
"Misunderstanding, Archmage Leon, please don't take it that way. How could I possibly threaten you? I'm speaking from your perspective. You see, I know Daryl is outrageous—I even want to strike him down with lightning myself. But if you kill Daryl, no matter how foolish or wrong he is, he's still the Caucasus Battlemage Legion Commander.
If you do, the Caucasus Battlemages will have no choice but to become your enemies, whether they want to or not. That won't benefit either side.
Besides, killing Daryl so quickly would be far too merciful. A simple death can't possibly atone for his mistakes. He must experience the terrifying punishments of the Caucasus—only those penalties that make every Battlemage tremble with fear can truly make up for what he's done.
With your vast learning and exceptional wisdom, you surely know how dreadful those punishments are. Honestly, I've always advocated abolishing them, but this time, I'll personally report to the king and let this fool experience them.
Endless days and nights of punishment and torment—that's what Daryl truly deserves.
And this way, it will help quell your anger, won't it? Plus, the friendship between you and the Caucasus Battlemages won't be harmed in the slightest. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"
Droy acted as if he was considering everything from Leon's perspective, but Leon's expression remained cold, and his magic did not dissipate.
Droy's submissive posture and complete lack of defense was like handing his life over to Leon—Leon really couldn't bring himself to strike.
But to let Daryl off so easily? Absolutely impossible.
Droy keenly noticed the flicker of intent in Leon's eyes; clearly, his persuasion was starting to work.
"Archmage Leon, simply subjecting him to the harshest Caucasus punishment is nowhere near enough. What he's done has not only wasted your precious time, but also drained so much of your magic and caused serious consequences. There's no way he can be let off so easily.
On the Blazeforge Plane, Daryl owns thirteen mining sites—seven of them are major rich veins, containing Meteoric Iron, Star Gold, and Gilded Mithril. As a Creator, you surely know these are the most precious magical metals, perfect for forging True Spirit Artifacts.
The remaining six sites are medium-sized magical veins. While the minerals aren't quite as rare, the variety is unmatched.
All sorts of valuable minerals and rare companion gems can be found there. Just last month, a chicken-blood stone the size of an egg was discovered—it's a top-tier catalyst material.
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Leaving these treasures in Daryl's hands is a complete waste. Only a powerful Creator like Archmage Leon could ensure their true value isn't buried.
Besides those thirteen veins, some rare companion gems previously mined are stored at our camp. I'll personally deliver them to you shortly..."
Droy was making a serious offer—thirteen magical metal veins, almost enough to supply an alchemist with most of the rare materials they could ever need, and all of them highly valuable.
Those magical veins with abundant companion gems are even rarer—their value in the hands of a Creator far surpasses that of a single rich vein.
Meteoric Iron and Gilded Mithril—both are exactly what Leon desperately needs. The demand for these two materials is huge for certain alchemical puppet components.
And then there's that chicken-blood gem—ground into powder, it's the finest catalyst. Leon has many potions he can't complete even with all the ingredients, simply because he's missing this crucial catalyst.
Low-grade catalysts simply can't be used to create those top-tier potions.
Droy rattled off a list of materials at lightning speed, and Leon's eyes couldn't help but light up. Glancing at Daryl, whose flesh was torn and bloodied, still bleeding on the ground, Leon thought—maybe this wasn't such a bad deal after all.
With these veins, there was a chance to restore the alchemical puppet's power to surpass Title Archmage level, though still below Sky Rank.
The gap between Title Archmage and Sky Rank is almost as vast as that between mortals and gods. If the puppet could reach beyond Title Archmage strength—even if not quite Sky Rank—it could sweep aside any Title Archmage. Not even Heron or the Star Sage could stand against it.
And with those companion gems, especially the chicken-blood gem, a truly potent potion could be brewed—one that would offer a real safeguard for life. There was no way Leon could pass that up.
By comparison, Daryl's life didn't seem all that important.
Leon was tempted; his killing intent had faded considerably.
Droy seized the moment, striking while the iron was hot.
"Archmage Leon, you understand—killing Daryl really isn't worth it, and it's far too merciful. Why not do as I suggest? If you have any objections, just say the word—I won't haggle over anything..."
A hint of hesitation appeared on Leon's face.
Droy immediately put on a pleading expression.
"Archmage Leon, all right, I'll be honest—please spare Daryl. His intelligence may be no better than a groundhog's, but he's still the Legion Commander of the Caucasus Battlemages. I can't just stand by and watch him die. I'm begging you, let him live, let him pay for his life with suffering and a heavy price..."
Droy looked utterly pleading.
Only then did Leon snort coldly.
"Enough. From today on, I don't want to see that idiot in front of me again. If he ever shows up, don't blame me for what happens—no one will be able to stop me from killing him!"
A flash of delight appeared on Droy's face, and he nodded quickly.
"Archmage Leon, rest assured—from today, he won't appear before you again. Everything I promised is true. I'll have him sent back for punishment immediately. The thirteen magical metal veins under his name will be handed over to you right away, and all the companion gems we've mined will be delivered to you as well..."
Impatiently, Leon waved his hand. Only then did Droy pick up the unconscious Daryl and, without bothering to heal or stop his bleeding, apologized to Leon and hurried away.