After staring at the glove for a solid minute Silvio was able to break out of his reverie. He silently circulated his divine power to calm his state of mind.
'Can't let greed blind me. Why the hell are they giving me something so valuable basically for free?'
Others might've happily accepted such a valuable tool without a second thought. But Silvio had spent too many years on the streets and seen too many scams to do something so foolish. He bit his lip as he thoroughly went through all the possibilities. His first thought was that the pair of magicians were simply rich. Silvio had met many nobles who simply liked to flaunt their wealth to stroke their egos.
But after some thought, he dismissed the theory. The girl's reluctance to part with the glove was genuine so he doubted she would give it away without good reason. Reminded about magicians Silvio remembered a tidbit of information he read about magicians and their apprentices.
When he was young Silvio had read quite a few canons about magicians although they held no magical knowledge they described mage culture quite well. The canons described how magicians would often put their students through various trials to see whether they were worthy of their knowledge. Cutthroat competition among fellow student magicians in the race for knowledge was quite common.
Realization dawned on his face and he steeled himself as he tested his theory.
"Although presumptuous I require one more condition for our cooperation." he spoke while directly looking into Marika's eyes.
The air became hot as Marika became enraged at Silvio's request.
"You greedy prick we don't have time for this! If that bastard gets here we'll-"
Before she could continue though Larissa flicked her hand silencing her.
'Bingo. They're on some type of mission or competition among apprentices. From what it seems their competition is hot on their trails as well.' Silvio inwardly smiled at how easy to read the magician girl was.
"Forgive Marika, originally those gloves would've been hers but the situation with the vampire makes things complicated. Still, neophyte Morell isn't your church's goal to destroy monsters like vampires? We aren't asking you to do this for free, I believe we've already given you quite the compensation." The words sounded nice but Larissa's tone sounded anything but.
Silvio inwardly scoffed 'Compensation my ass, you're just arming me so I don't get slaughtered against the vampire the second we start fighting. You need me alive so I can help you win your hefty award. I bet they'd just pressure me and take the glove the second the battle ends.'
Of course in reality he gave a big smile as his eyes glinted and stared back at Larissa. He spoke with a sincere smile "Of course you're right, that is the sacred duty the three goddesses have given us. To ensure that I commit fully to their mission, I believe we should make an oath to seal our cooperation."
Larissa flinched at the mention of the oath, there were only one oath followers of the Three Goddesses would swear too. Idona's oath of Law, Order, and Truth was a nearly fool-proof contract. Although Silvio couldn't use all its features the contract's punishment for violation was more than enough insurance. Violation of an oath to the goddess would lead to a mark of heresy appearing on the violator. The mark would forever mark the user as an enemy of the church also doubling as a tracking marker forcing them into an endless hunt.
Mumbling a few words Silvio created a silver sheet of paper and wrote the terms for their cooperation and placed a few conditions to ensure they kept their word. Marika's face immediately began to distort at the sight of the contract. Larissa just kept a stone face and stared at the contract.
Larissa spoke through gritted teeth "With my authority do you think I can't charge you with treason and have you executed."
Silvio gave a big grin and chuckled as he replied " Of course you can, but do you have the time? I'm the only clergymen in town that can fight. To use magic tools as a deposit means this investigation must be pretty important for you girls. You could easily lop my head off but that would mean compromising this mission of yours. Also don't even think about relying on the deacon, the old man can barely move plus he's as cowardly as they come."
"Is he telling the truth? Can the deacon really not fight?" Marika had turned around towards Mag who was quietly sitting in the corner.
Surprised he replied "Yeah the Old Deacon Zac can only use the divine healing arts so he won't be of much help in killing it. Plus you've seen the guy you think a body like that can fight?"
Larissa and Marika both recalled the chunky old man sitting in robes by the podium. Having to choose between Silvio and that fatty it was no question who was more suited. Larissa pressed out a deep sigh, silently picked up the silver sheet, and stamped her thumb on it. Her sister soon followed and once it was stamped the contract broke into three silver lights that flew towards their foreheads.
"Thank you for your cooperation respected magician, I look forward to restoring order with your help." the slick grin on Silvio's face almost made Marika shoot a fireball at his face.
Larissa spoke up in her dominant tone once again "We move at dawn tomorrow, prepare your tools and supplies well Neophyte Morell."
The pair of 2 sisters walked out of his room and although their faces were hidden their anger was so thick it caused the air to shake.
---
The next day a group of seven was journeying deep into the forest. The team of seven of course being the patchwork vampire hunting team that had been formed by the 2 sisters. With Marika at the head of the group directing the team, they continued to wander deep into the woods. The team kept silent, afraid to interrupt Marika's tracking efforts. After a few hours of twisting and turning in the forest, Silvio's team came upon a cave entrance hidden in the undergrowth.
Marika took out a jade compass, mumbled a few chants, and pointed at the cave. The compass lit up bright green confirming the vampire's presence.
"He's here, my jade seeker has pinpointed him around 300 meters away from the entrance"
Once Marika voiced out the vampire's location the team began to tense up. Despite Larissa's assurance of their success the rest of the team was still afraid of the undead. Noticing the team's fear, Larissa quickly took out a deep blue marble. With a snap of her finger, the blue marble began to change and shapeshift into a humanoid man with deep blue skin and a cold aura coming off him.
"This is a frost golem refined by my teacher, I'll have it keep the vampire tied down. Mag, your team needs to protect me and my sister until we kill the vampire. Neophyte Morell, I want you to support and protect us using divine arts. Now go, the longer we wait the bigger the risk there is.''
With Larissa's swift orders and the reassurance of the golem the team quickly reassembled themselves and prepared for battle. Slowly the group began to creep into the cave while the frost golem took the lead. A minute passed and the team soon walked into a large cave expanse.
Marika flicked her hand summoning a few small fireballs and spread them out. The darkness receded and the team quickly looked around but failed to see anything.
Silvio was about to speak but a terrifying chill spread down his back. Without even turning around he immediately summoned his barrier and whipped his chain behind him.
"KIAAAAAAA"
The pain caused by the chain caused an inhuman scream to come out of it. The team immediately turned back to see a pale blur dashing away from them. His back drenched with sweat Silvio immediately retreated next to Larissa. He was a moment away from death, if he was one second late on his chain he would've been slashed in half.
With the appearance of the monster the ragtag team immediately went into battle mode. The two sisters began their respective chants. While Mag and his team raised their weapons and guarded the backlines.
The ice golem finally finding his opponent, dashed towards him at inhuman speeds. The vampire and golem finally began their clash. Shards of ice were constantly scattered as the two slashed and punched at each other as if they were beasts. The vampire with a pale face and blood-red eyes snarled and roared enraged that its claws couldn't cut his enemy into pieces.
"YOU CATTLE DARE TO-"
Before the vampire could even finish his sentence three waves of attacks smashed into his face. Marika shot a dozen flaming arrows, Larissa summoned a storm of ice swords, and Silvio whipped his chain once more. Smashed in the face by a literal storm of attacks the vampire was forced to his knees.
The ice golem didn't waste this chance charging straight at the vampire and tackling him into the wall. Once it was pinned, the golem endlessly pounded it, curses and screams could be heard but they got quieter and quieter. Until all that was left was a human-shaped bloodstain and a pair of ownerless legs.