Chapter 589: Pissing Contest
Chapter 589: Pissing Contest
Adam was walking right behind Elrick as the group entered the building through a series of underground tunnels.
"My Lord, our guests have arrived," said Elrick to the stout dwarf sitting behind a table by the fireplace.
Adam scanned the library and found three people-two dwarves and an elf. He first looked at his friend, Daneli, and gave him a slight nod. His gaze then shifted to the young dwarf standing beside the seated dwarf.
Hmm, Mana Foundation Magus, he thought. Should be an Acolyte.
Finally, his gaze landed on the seated dwarf. It was a middle-aged man with long, spiky brown hair and a thick beard tied into twin, braided ponytails.
The man's face was rough and haggard, and a small scar ran over his left eye, giving him a daunting appearance. The powerful aura radiating from him made Adam immediately realize that this was a mighty Warden of the Brotherhood.
Just as he was observing the Rank 3 - Mana Vortex Magus, the latter was also doing the same. Realizing this, Adam hurriedly stepped forward and approached the man.
He placed his right hand over his chest and deeply bowed, "Greetings, Lord Krummor. It is an honor to meet you."
Elrick had already informed him about the identity of the Warden who would visit Ravenfell and speak to the Flynn Family about the possible alliance. Although Adam didn't personally know the dwarf, it didn't stop him from showing due respect.
After all, not only was the man a Warden of the Brotherhood, a position directly superior to his rank as an Agent, but he was also a powerful Mana Vortex Magus.
Seeing the youth courteously standing before him, Krummor nodded ever so slightly, praising inwardly, Considering all the merits he's garnered at such a young age, I figured he would act slightly arrogant around me, but it seems that he's genuinely respectful.
"Magus Constantine," he began, "your reputation precedes you."
Before Adam had a chance to reply, Krummor continued, "We shall talk later." He stepped down from the chair, walked around the table, and stood beside the youth.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
He clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at the two hooded figures who were standing behind Elrick. He could figure out that one was a man and the other was a woman. "So these are the Flynns, eh?" He said, his tone neither arrogant nor servile.
This was a meeting to talk about the prospective alliance between the two parties, thus the dwarf had to be careful, diplomatic, and of course, subtly calculative.
On cue, Adam stepped forward and introduced the two from the Flynn Family. "My Lord, this gentleman is the patriarch of the illustrious Flynn Family, Magus Brigham Flynn."
He then politely pointed toward the cloaked figure standing at the back. "This is the eldest daughter of the patriarch, Magus Elysande Flynn."
Finally, Adam gazed at the Flynns and gestured to the dwarf standing beside him, and continued, "This is my superior, Magus Krummor Grimriver."
Upon their introduction, the father and daughter duo removed their hoods. Elysande placed her right hand over her chest and respectfully bowed, "Greetings, Lord Magus." Krummor hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze never leaving the old patriarch. Brigham walked forward and stood right before the dwarf. He then extended his hand with a polite smile, "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Magus Grimriver."
The dwarf shook the man's hand and chuckled. "Thank you, Magus Flynn, for granting me an audience. I trust my request didn't disrupt your evening."
"Hoho, not at all." Brigham waved his hand. "Although Adam had already informed me about this meeting, I was still very curious nonetheless. After all, it's not every day one attends a meeting so discreetly."
As the two Mana Vortex Magi spoke, they walked to the table and sat across from each other. Elysande stood behind her father. Meanwhile, Adam, Daneli, and the other dwarf stood behind Krummor.
As for Elrick, he stood at the side adjacent to the two Rank 3 Magi, ready to provide aid at any given moment in the upcoming discussion.
Gradually, a tense atmosphere descended in the private library as Brigham and Krummor began to subtly pressure the other with their mana. Of course, this wasn't in any way a means of displaying hostility towards one another.
'The pissing contest has begun,' Adam mentally transmitted to Daneli and Elysande through Mind Whisper. The two resisted the urge to roll their eyes at him as they began paying attention to the discussion.
Krummor's face turned very solemn as he looked into the old patriarch's eyes and began, "You honor me with your hospitality, Magus Flynn. I'll cut straight to the point."
Brigham glanced at the dwarf with a plain look on his face. However, inwardly he was very curious as to the identity of this organization that was able to foster a Magus such as Adam. He held the raven-haired youth in very high regard. After all, he had personally witnessed how powerful of a Magus he was. Moreover, the youth was also an exceptional Herbalist. Not just that, but the fact that Daneli, the heir to one of the Four Clans of Baja Jigh Forest was also a member of this organization spoke great volumes.
If he played his cards right, he'd be able to gain a lot of benefits from this alliance. However,
it all depended on just what kind of organization this was and what they wanted from him in
return.
As the patriarch of the Flynn Family, one of the seven families that made Ravenfell's city council, he had to prudently weigh all the pros and cons.
"I come as a representative of a group deeply invested in the welfare of this city-though our actions are often unseen," said the dwarf.
"We call ourselves the Twilight Brotherhood."
Brigham leaned back into the chair, his eyebrows slowly knitting together. "The Twilight Brotherhood," he murmured. After a few moments of pondering, he shook his head.
"I don't think I've heard of you."
Hearing those last words, Krummor's lips curled up into a smirk. "We wouldn't be doing a great job at cloaking ourselves if you did."