Chapter 1833: Compromise

"Not to join the expedition, seriously?" Emery asked Zach, his disbelief evident in his tone.

Zach, now a commander responsible for the security of the ruins, maintained his solemn demeanor as he explained the situation to Emery. "Your presence in the expedition would significantly increase the risk of a factional conflict within the group."

Emery's response was laced with annoyance. "If by 'faction' you mean the elves, and by 'clash' you mean us having to eliminate them, then is that such a bad thing?"

Zach was taken aback by Emery's unyielding stance. "I see... 8 years have changed you."

As the tension between the two men threatened to escalate, Jinkan stepped forward to mediate. "Commander, Emery has a crucial task to fulfill on behalf of our faction. Please don't make things more difficult for us."

Jinkan's words subtly invoked the power of the factions, a factor Zach had little patience for. "I'm merely carrying out my duties, and my decision is final. This isn't a request."

Emery couldn't resist a snide remark, his words laden with sarcasm. "Huh, you haven't changed one bit! Always so high and mighty; the job suits you perfectly."

In the midst of this heated exchange, Eeshoo took a step forward, approaching Jinkan with a calming demeanor. He gently spoke up, addressing the concerns of both parties. "Calm down," he began, "the commander does have a point."

Eeshoo emphasized that the two factions he had brought with them, Proxima and Alabaster, were already quite uneasy about the situation, worried about a potential confrontation with the dark elves. He continued, "I'm certain the dark elves are just waiting to ambush us as soon as we enter the gate, to find their target."

Jinkan, her frustration evident, let out a deep sigh. "You're right," she conceded, "this will only complicate things."

Zach, seemingly willing to reach a compromise, offered a solution that had strategic implications. "He can accompany me," Zach suggested. "I'll ensure he arrives at each guardian battle. Would that be a satisfactory compromise?"

The notion of Emery participating in the guardian battles held significant importance, as these battles were the primary source of points in the expedition. By agreeing to this compromise, Jinkan could still work towards achieving the target points she needed to secure for their faction.

Emery, however, wasn't entirely content with the proposed solution. He wanted to negotiate for terms that would favor him more, but before he could voice his objections, Jinkan decisively made up her mind. "We can't deal with the elves right now," she declared. "All right, we'll meet again in 24 hours."

With those words, Jinkan took the lead, leading their group into the gate. Emery was left behind, his annoyance simmering beneath the surface.

Emery fixed his gaze upon Zach, his expression marked by irritation. "You happy now?" he asked, his voice laced with frustration.

The Dragon prince responded with his usual calm, "Why would I be happy?"

Emery scanned the enforcers positioned in front of him. Despite the presence of a dozen intimidating half-blood magus, the majority were merely crescent moon level enforcers. He casually remarked, "If I wanted to escape, I don't think any of you could stop me."

Zach remained composed as he retorted, "You're right; we don't have a way to counter your space magic. However, once the ruins expedition is finished, prison time and fines will be waiting for you."

Emery's frustration boiled over as he exclaimed, "Dammit, Zach, this is not funny at all! I need to collect more shards."

Zach's demeanor remained cold and stern as he responded, "Don't make trouble anymore. We already have enough problems right now."

However, Emery, ever resourceful, gleaned an idea from Zach's words. The notion of contributing constructively rather than causing disruption emerged as a potential solution. Emery decided to extend an offer that came with a threat "You can either turn me into your biggest problem, or I can help be a part of your solution," he suggested, implying that their mutual interests might align.

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[Water vault - 322]

A small party of ten magus, belonging to a third-grade faction within the Magus Alliance, had just emerged victorious from their endeavor in clearing out a celestial temple. Their weariness was palpable, their bodies marked by wounds from the recent battle. This vulnerability made them easy targets for the looming threat that was about to befall them.

Out of the shadows emerged two dozen rouge magus, intent on robbing and harming the beleaguered group.

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The tense stand-off had compelled the faction magus to reluctantly surrender their newly acquired celestial shards, albeit with a defiant shout from one of them, "Now go away, you bandits! We, the Ashborn, will not forget this!"

Hearing this, the leader of the rouge magus decided to turn back at them and say, "You shouldn't have said that. Now, to ensure you all forget, I'm forced to kill you."

However, before the confrontation could escalate, a spatial portal shimmered into existence, and a lone figure clad in dark attire emerged. He gazed upon the group of rouge magus and sternly declared, "White Spider Bandit, you were warned by the enforcers yesterday, and yet you persist in causing trouble." The man's expression, however shifted from sternness to a wry smile. "This is good..."

Before the White Spider Bandit leader could even formulate a reply, the enigmatic figure raised his hand and began an incantation. Dark energy enveloped the area, shrouding it in a thick mist that played tricks on the senses of those present. 

Within this sinister mist, all magus presence found themselves disoriented, unable to see or sense clearly. It was a simple spell, but it was able to trick the mind of the magus. Whispers of unseen horrors seemed to echo through the haze, creating an atmosphere of dread.

Moments later, the sound of bones cracking and anguished cries filled the air. It was a horrifying ordeal, and when the mist eventually dissipated, they were met with a gruesome sight.

Two dozen rogue magus lay unconscious on the ground, their forms contorted in agony. Only their leader remained standing, but his composure had crumbled, and his body trembled with fear.

To think that a mere half-moon magus could unleash such devastation was beyond expectations. The lone magus gazed upon the trembling bandit leader, his voice oozing with authority. "Your crimes can no longer be overlooked, and I am here to deliver judgment."

Desperation etched on the bandit leader's face, he approached the Ashborn magus, extending the medium shard as a gesture of appeasement. 

However, the mysterious figure, still shrouded in his dark attire, reached out and took the medium shard instead. His voice, though laced with regret, was firm as he addressed the Ashborn magus, "I'm sorry, but this has become evidence... for their crimes. I must keep this"

Reluctantly, the Ashborn magus departed, carrying with them a mixture of relief and bewilderment, as well as the unsettling memory of the figure who had intervened on their behalf.

"We are sorry... We will not do this again," the bandit leader pleaded, his voice quivering with fear.

The mysterious figure remained unfazed, and his response was chilling. "Of course you won't, because your punishment is death." His words carried an eerie weight, laced with a terrifying spirit aura that penetrated the man's mental defenses.

Desperation drove the bandit leader to his knees as he begged for mercy. "Please, let me live. You can take my shards... please."

The enigmatic figure, who had moments ago seemed unyielding, suddenly paused. His voice softened as he responded, "Now, that's a nice word to hear." With a surprising change in demeanor, the bandit leader produced two medium water shards and even offered his storage rings, filled with a fortune worth three million in value. It was a desperate plea for his life.

The mysterious figure, however, remained unsatisfied. He forced the bandit leader to consume pill and delivered a chilling ultimatum. "I will return in three days to collect more, If you fail, you will wish for death."

Trembling with fear, the bandit leader couldn't help but ask, "Who... who are you? Are you really an enforcer?"

The enigmatic man's response with a smile "Not really... You could say I was outsourced by the enforcers."

Unbeknownst to the bandit leader, this was the deal Emery had struck with Zach. Emery had agreed not to enter the light vaults, refrain from causing trouble with the dark elves, and, given the shortage of enforcers in the Magus Alliance, to assist Zach with handling some of the rogue magus problems.

With Emery's unique space magic and exceptional strength, he had effectively transformed into the Magus Alliance's freelance enforcer. In this role, he not only helped maintain order but also gathered additional celestial shards. It was a mutually beneficial compromise for both Zach and Emery.

"Now," Emery said with a hint of excitement, "let me find a few more of these bandits!"

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