Of course, if they continued to be pig-headed and refuse to surrender, then Erza would kill them without hesitation. After all, there was a chance that they had seen the change in her eyes during her fight with Abraham.
Seeing the seven men in front of her were in deep thoughts, Erza knew that her plan was already halfway there. For now, she only had to see what the seven would decide on.
Erza understood the 'Strike while the iron is hot' ideology, so immediately, she said, "I know you are all influential figures of Mirage City with a large amount of power and face. Do not think that I am trying to humiliate you by trying to have you submit to me."
"It's actually the opposite. If you submit to me, then I will guarantee that your achievements in the future will be far better than your current ones. Your achievements will even soar to a previously unattainable height instead of being limited to such a small place like Mirage City. Do not doubt my abilities."
All the men suddenly looked up as if they all felt a mutual feeling between them. Although they all thought Erza to be too young, her strength was so strong that they felt as if they had been left behind in the dust.
Her display of strength had really proved that Erza's identity was not simple at all. Of course, there were even a few people within their group that were convinced that Erza belonged to an extremely powerful clan.
With that, the seven men could not help but think that being allied with Erza would not be a bad thing. In fact, it would be a tremendously big opportunity for them to go along with her since they practically had reached their limits in Mirage City. Most of them were eager to prove themselves in a bigger stage.
"Fine, I am Gareth, the representative of the Bell Clan. The Bell Clan agrees to follow you. From today on out, my men are yours to supervise." The first elder who had spoken previously, pledged.
Erza could not help but have a happy smile on her face.
"I am Kay Mole of the Mole Clan. From today on, my clan is yours to dispatch." The second elder spoke.
Erza's smile grew even wider. She had not thought that these two elders were the representatives of the Bell and Mole Clan. These two clans were quite powerful. Although they were not on the same level as the Collin Clan or Naga Clan in Mirage City, Erza had heard their names before.
"What about you five?" Erza turned to the five middle aged men.
Mid King Realm Experts could be considered to be a decent levelled warrior on the Northern Continent. So when it came to these type of people, she did not wish to kill them if possible, since aside from Ling Tian and her, her guild had no one else. If she wanted the guild to expand, then she would need to gather as many strong people as possible.
"Fine, I am willing to follow you, but I cannot guarantee if my fellow brothers will do the same."
After that, the remaining five men all consented to follow Erza as their leader.
From far away, the hundred guards and members of the Naga Clan looked at Erza with wide eyes as they could not believe what they were seeing. Every man had gone silent with shock as they watched seven of Mirage City's famous figures who had initially been invited by their patriarch to fight Erza all follow her. They could never believe that these seven would be subservient to the girl who had just killed their patriarch.
Knowing that number was useless in front of Erza, the Naga Patriarch had earlier ordered his men to stand down and leave everything to himself and the seven Mid Kings. In return, Erza had promised to spare his clan if he lost. In the end, it was proven to be one of the best decisions the Naga Clan's Patriarch had done in his life. Otherwise, Naga Clan would be a history, just like the Collin Clan.
Erza's eyes swept across the seven King Realm Experts in front of her with a great big smile. At this moment, her heart was filled with joy since with the introduction of these seven Mid King Realm Experts, she had essentially built a solid foundation for her guild.
However, Erza understood that these seven men were not truly obeying her and would most likely try to betray her once opportunity rose. Yet this was not extremely important to Erza since she believed that she would be able to change their minds later on. After all, loyalty was not something that could be earned in an instant.
"Why don't you five introduce yourselves." Erza asked the five.
With some hesitation, the five men looked at each other before a black robed man spoke out, "I am Tristan, the leader of the Cold Blooded Mercenaries."
"I am Daniel, the captain of the Blue Dragon Mercenaries."
"I am Elyan of the Saint Mercenaries."
"I am called Lucan, the leader of the Dark Mercenaries."
"I am called Degore of the Zephyr Mercenaries."
The five men called out their names and affiliation one after another, but with each introduction Erza had heard, the more she was shocked. She did not think that these five would be the captains of mercenary groups. If it was like this, then she had just gained control of five mercenary groups and two influential clans of Mirage City. That was more than half of the total power of the city.
With this revelation, Erza was very satisfied with the profit she had earned today. She did not think that she would accomplish her goal this quickly.
At the same time, she was painfully aware that while this was a strong amount of power within Mirage City, within the Northern Continent, this was nothing major. She needed more power if she wanted to fight for the throne.
Slowly moving away from the seven men, Erza looked at the other group of Naga clan members, "Your patriarch has died. So whatever enmity I have with your clan is also gone. As I have promised earlier, I will let you all go. However, if in the future any of you try to take revenge on me, then don't blame me for being merciless."
"This one thanks Young Lady for your kindness…"
"This one thanks Young Lady for not killing us…"
...
Many more people began to cry out their thanks to Erza. After that was done, no one had any reason to stay behind and immediately left. Some decided to go back to their own rooms, some went to pick up repairing tools, while some simply left the clan.
Quickly, the hundred guards and clan members left the Naga Clan's courtyard, leaving behind twenty people that refused to leave.
Erza looked at those few people with some confusion, "Why haven't you left yet?" She wondered if they were here to show her the way out. After all, she was a 'guest'.
Some of the men hesitated for a second before a sturdy looking man stepped forward and looked at Erza's young face, "Young Lady, I wish to go with you, will you accept me?"
"Follow me?" Erza had a surprised look on her face. Looking at this man, she guessed him to be around thirty years old with a good build of around two meters. His muscles were rather pronounced and judging from the air he carried around, Erza could estimate that this man was at the peak of Knight Realm.
Erza nodded her head, "If you truly wish to join me, then I'll add you to my guild."
The man revealed a look of pure joy as he hurriedly said, "This one will listen to Young Lady's words!"
"Young Lady, I too wish to join your group."
"Young Lady, please accept me into your guild as well…"
Soon after that, a few others began to cry out with their pleas for Erza to notice and accept them.
Although Erza had killed Naga Clan's patriarch, many of these men were merely hired by the Naga Clan and had no other affiliation. They were not friendly with the patriarch either and so they did not have any hard feelings over his death nor would they attempt at getting revenge on Erza.
Erza did not know what their true aim was or if they had loyalties to someone else, but right now this would not serve as a hindrance to her plan. At this moment, the guild desperately needed members. When things stabilized, only then would Erza clean the group of its tumours.
"By the way, Young Lady, what is the name of your guild?" Degore asked curiously.
Erza was silent for a moment before answering his question with a smile.
"Blaze of the Heroes."