Chapter 404
However, just at that moment, someone else walked in.
An orc with dark red skin, radiating a terrifying aura like a giant beast, led the way. Behind him followed three young mages, all around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, yet each had already reached the rank of Archmage...
"Yema!"
"Jasonde!"
"Hanks!"
Orson and Anley were both stunned—these three were the most outstanding genius Archmages of the Templar Knights Mercenary Company.
Why were they here?
"Archmage Merlin, since the Apocalypse Mercenary Company doesn't welcome you, why not join our Templar Knights Mercenary Company? And as for the so-called Auckland First Mercenary Company, they can't even uphold the most basic trust—what a disgrace to the mercenary profession..." Yema didn't even glance at Orson as he entered, but went straight to Lin Yun and extended the invitation.
"Heh..." Lin Yun chuckled, his gaze drifting lazily over Orson and Anley, but he didn't say anything more.
"That's right, Archmage Merlin. You're Lord Hubert's friend, and an honored guest of the Templar Knights Mercenary Company. How could we let you stay in a place like this..." Hank and Jason nodded in agreement, their faces earnest.
The three young mages from the Templar Knights Mercenary Company showed Leon Merlin such respect only because of the Dragonblood Orc. In their hearts, anyone befriended by Lord Hubert was a friend of the entire company.
To disrespect Lord Hubert's friend was to disrespect Lord Hubert himself...
Everyone in the Templar Knights Mercenary Company had witnessed the Dragonblood Orc's unstoppable might. In the eyes of mercenaries, strength was everything. The power Hubert displayed had utterly convinced them. Now, the entire company was caught up in fervent worship of the Dragonblood Orc.
Even Vice Captain Dean valued the Dragonblood Orc highly, never missing a single chance to win him over.
Damn!
Hubert nearly swore aloud, shooting Hank and Jason a fierce glare.
Lord Hubert?
Calling him that so intimately—did they have any idea they were putting Lord Hubert in danger?
If Archmage Merlin ever thought Lord Hubert was disloyal and let the Templar Knights poach him... well, then things would get messy, to say the least.
"Lord Merlin..." Hubert's hands, gripping his adamantine twin hammers, were slick with cold sweat. His gaze toward Leon Merlin brimmed with fear as he stammered out an explanation: "I—I—I’m not really close with them. They just insisted on tagging along!"
"It’s fine..." Leon Merlin smiled and shook his head.
Seeing that Lord Merlin showed no sign of displeasure, Hubert’s mind instantly grew lively; he flashed a toothy grin at Orson and Captain Anli, secretly gloating inside.
Those two are real idiots!
It’s easy for Lord Merlin to send someone away, but do you know how hard it is to bring them back...
Do you have any idea who turned the tide the night the three mercenary camps were attacked by the wyverns?
It was Lord Merlin!
If Lord Merlin hadn’t intervened, who knows how many of you in the Apocalypse Mercenary Company would have died? You might all have been wiped out. Hmph, the only reason you’re alive is because Lord Merlin was in a good mood and decided to show off a little...
If not for that, would someone as powerful as Lord Hubert be so fearful of Lord Merlin?
After packing up, and under Orson’s bewildered gaze, Leon and his group made their way to the Holy Knight Mercenary Company’s camp. All the while, Hubert was drenched in cold sweat.
Every mercenary that passed by greeted respectfully, "Lord Hubert."
Although Hubert secretly enjoyed the attention...
There’s a time and place for everything—even for feeling smug. Lord Merlin is still right beside me!
Hubert might be pleased, but if Lord Merlin isn’t...
"Is it really that hot for geniuses?"
Noticing the Dragonblood Orc’s odd behavior, Leon Merlin touched his nose. He could easily guess what the orc was thinking and cursed inwardly—damn, does this guy really see me as that dark-hearted?
The members of the Holy Knight Mercenary Company were all very hospitable, quickly arranging a place for Leon to stay. He took out the Book of Death and began studying its cryptic, obscure symbols.
It wasn’t until afternoon that a horde of magical beasts attacked not far from camp. There were at least a thousand of them, the lowest at level fifteen. From his quarters, Leon sensed the chaos and knew that among the swarm, there were dozens of high-tier beasts above level twenty...
Though their numbers were vast, without a Wyvern King or Frost Wolf King—creatures that could rival a titled Magus—the beast horde was a disorganized mess. Their strength couldn’t compare to the well-trained forces of the three mercenary companies.
But with so many beasts, it wasn’t something that could be cleaned up in a short time.
Over the next few days, the three mercenary companies set aside their differences and worked closely together. The previous hostility was gone, and this change allowed their members to cooperate when clearing out the beasts...
Though they’d had a few days to adjust, their teamwork was still a bit rough around the edges.
Leon Merlin pulled aside a corner of his tent and glanced out at the battlefield. The three companies had the numbers and the advantage; in a few hours, this chaotic fight would be over.
There was no need for him to intervene. Better to focus on the Book of Death. He shook his head and was about to close the tent flap when he suddenly caught sight of a fleeting shadow...
"A mutant black lizard..."
Leon’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly put away the Book of Death; compared to the mutant black lizard, research could wait...
He hadn’t expected his luck to be this good—running into a mutant black lizard.
Mutant black lizards were rare...
Their blood was invaluable for tempering magical artifacts, offering endless benefits.
A regular black lizard was just a level fifteen beast, pitch-black all over and not especially strong. But once mutated, its body turned reddish-brown, and its speed increased severalfold...