Chapter 551: An Idea
It was precisely because of this that Mark Watson had never paid any real attention to Councilor Weiss, dismissing him as a trivial nobody.
But...
Yet this so-called nobody in his eyes was now radiating the oppressive aura that only a high-ranking Title Archmage could muster.
At this moment, he knew full well that staying here any longer would be anything but wise—he was dealing with a high-ranking Title Archmage whom he had just completely infuriated...
Though his legs felt so weak he could barely walk, and a sheen of cold sweat covered his brow, he still forced himself to inch toward the exit of the reception room.
Just as he was about to leave the reception room, he turned to Leon: "Archmage Merlin, the garrison at the Horn of Plenty is down to just one-third of its strength and has been that way for half a month. I hope you’ll seriously consider our cooperation—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Merlin Family. Oh, and you only have three days to decide..."
"And you!"
With that, Mark Watson jerked his head up, glared at Councilor Weiss with a sinister expression, and spat out a threat: "Just you wait... The Watson Family will make you pay for this!"
No sooner had he finished his empty threats than Mark Watson hurriedly turned to leave—but just then, a cold, mocking laugh echoed from behind him.
"No problem. I'll be waiting for the Watson Family at the Black Tower anytime. Remember, I'm Councilor Weiss of the Black Tower. Tell your patriarch Carl Watson my exact words—I believe he knows who I am..."
"Councilor Weiss of the Black Tower, is it? Heh, our Watson Family will definitely..." Mark Watson paused mid-step, replying reflexively, but his expression froze and he stammered, "Wait... Wei... Weiss?"
Mark Watson had spent most of his life in the Watson Family’s ancestral home and rarely showed up in Auckland, but that didn’t mean he was ignorant. He’d at least heard of some truly famous figures. Now, it finally dawned on him who this so-called Weiss from the Black Tower really was...
This was a Councilor of the Sevenfold Council, one of the two greatest mage powers in the kingdom—the Black Tower. He stood at the very summit of Black Tower authority, and his own strength was that of a high-ranking Title Archmage. In all of Auckland, there were few whose status could compare to Weiss. Even Carl Watson, the patriarch whom Mark himself had to look up to, would have to show due respect and tread carefully around this Black Tower Councilor...
No matter how arrogant Mark Watson was, he now realized he’d just done something monumentally stupid...
More importantly, his actions just now could very well bring trouble upon the Watson Family.
What should I do... What now?
For a moment, Mark Watson was paralyzed with panic, standing there in silence, hardly daring to breathe. Even without turning around, he knew the Black Tower Councilor behind him must look absolutely livid...
"Councilor Weiss, I didn’t know it was you. I’m sorry, truly sor—" At last, Mark Watson managed to muster the courage to turn around, mumbling apologies, his head bowed, not daring to meet Weiss’s eyes.
But before he could finish, Weiss raised a hand to cut him off.
"Shut up!"
"Councilor Weiss, I was wrong, I know I was wrong, please, you must accept my apology..."
At the sound of Weiss’s furious voice, Mark Watson nearly jumped out of his skin. He realized he’d really made a mess of things—this was no joke. He’d only said a few words, but every one of them was merciless, even calling Weiss an old man. That was practically a direct challenge to a Title Archmage’s dignity. If Weiss killed him on the spot, the Watson Family would probably just turn a blind eye, not daring to interfere...
He’d brought this on himself—if he died, he’d have no one to blame but himself...
All he could do now was offer a sincere apology, hoping Councilor Weiss would be generous enough not to stoop to the level of a nobody like him.
"An apology?" Weiss sneered, spitting out the words. He said nothing more, but the aura radiating from him made it hard for Mark Watson to even breathe.
He was truly furious now. To be called an old man as a Black Tower Councilor was bad enough, but what really got to him was that this Mark Watson kid kept threatening him with the Watson Family, as if he didn’t matter at all...
Still, Mark Watson’s ignorance was almost laughable...
"When you’ve made a serious mistake, do you really think a few words of apology mean anything? They’re utterly meaningless..." Weiss flashed a chilling smile, his gaze locked on Mark Watson.
"I... I..."
Feeling Weiss’s gaze, Mark Watson tensed up so much he was nearly in tears, stammering a few words before falling silent.
To offend a Black Tower Councilor—calling it a death wish wouldn’t be an exaggeration...
Yet just as he was about to lose all hope, Weiss’s voice rang out again: "You may leave now..."
"Wh-what?" Mark Watson couldn’t believe it, staring at Weiss in bewilderment. His mind felt like it had short-circuited. Councilor Weiss hadn’t accepted his apology, which should mean punishment, but those words were clearly letting him go.
What was going on?
But he didn’t have time to dwell on it. He quickly bowed to Weiss: "Thank you... thank you... I’m grateful for your generosity..."
"You shouldn’t be thanking me, but Archmage Merlin. He’s the one who saved you..." Weiss shot Mark Watson a cold, openly disgusted look, then gestured to Leon standing beside him.
"Archmage Merlin, thank you... thank you..." At this point, Mark Watson couldn’t care less. He’d thank anyone—even everyone at the Blazeforge Fortress—if it meant keeping his life.
"Enough..." Leon frowned, glancing impatiently at Mark Watson. "As for the cooperation, I’ll think about it. If I agree, someone from the Merlin Family will notify you at the Watson Family..."
"Good, good, good..." Mark Watson nodded repeatedly, barely hearing Leon’s words—he was just glad to be alive.
The moment he finished speaking, he didn’t dare linger for even a second, dragging his trembling legs out of the reception room.
"Archmage Merlin, the fly is gone. I think we can finally talk about something important..." Weiss watched Mark Watson leave, not looking away until his figure disappeared. He hadn’t been wrong—Leon really had saved Mark Watson’s life just now...
Truth be told, he’d only joined the Sevenfold Council in recent years and could still be considered a newcomer. But his standing in the council was not to be underestimated, especially with how neatly he’d handled the Fireblade Tribe’s recent troubles—he had Chairman Heron’s full trust.
Honestly, a young genius from the Watson Family was nothing to him—not even qualified to speak on equal terms, let alone challenge his authority. That was basically suicide...
After being repeatedly threatened by Mark Watson, he’d seriously considered killing him. But then he remembered this was Blazeforge Fortress—Archmage Merlin’s turf. If he upset Leon over a minor pest like Mark Watson, it just wasn’t worth it...
So, saying Archmage Merlin saved Mark Watson’s life wasn’t an exaggeration at all...
"Councilor Weiss, weren’t you here for the totem? Or is there something else..." Leon gave Weiss a curious look.
"Heh, I overheard just now..." Weiss replied, a little embarrassed.
"Huh?"
"It’s like this—I happened to overhear that young man from the Watson Family say the garrison at the Horn of Plenty is down to one-third and has been for half a month. Is that true?" Weiss asked cautiously, watching Leon closely. When he heard that, his mind started racing with possibilities...
For the Black Tower, this was absolutely an opportunity. If they could successfully take the Horn of Plenty and establish a foothold in that resource-rich region, their power would inevitably expand, devouring the surrounding fortresses. Soon, the Black Tower’s influence in the Blazeforge Realm would explode, far surpassing that of the rival Cloudspire Tower.
This was just too important...
To the Black Tower, the Horn of Plenty wasn’t just a source of resources. Most importantly, capturing it would tear open a breach—a springboard for further expansion...
All along, the Horn of Plenty had been the gateway for attacks on the Fireblade Tribe, and the tribe took its control seriously, stationing their elite forces there. Ever since the major powers of Auckland first set foot in the Blazeforge Realm a millennium ago, those troops had never been withdrawn...
But this time, something unexpected had happened. The troops stationed at the Horn of Plenty had been reduced to just one-third for half a month. Weiss couldn’t help but suspect that something had gone wrong within the Fireblade Tribe, forcing them to divert most of their forces elsewhere.
"Honestly, I’m not sure if the news is true, but judging by the Watson Family’s attitude, it probably isn’t fake..." Leon said, looking thoughtful as he touched his nose and glanced at Weiss. He figured Mark Watson was likely telling the truth...
Otherwise, why would the Watson Family send a young genius so formally to discuss cooperation with him?
"Archmage Merlin, I have an idea. Would you be willing to hear me out?"
"Hmm?"
Seeing Weiss’s serious expression, Leon was taken aback. "Go ahead..."