"What do you think we should do next? Are we really going to cooperate with that vampire?"
After burying Dull, Agno wiped the dirt from his hands and turned to Joanna, who had been silently standing nearby. Their fates were now intertwined, and Agno trusted Joanna's judgment. She had garnered the support and respect of several influential elders within her family, and he found it hard to believe she lacked intelligence or cunning. Having always viewed her as a rival, Agno's relationship with her had been somewhat strained due to his own lack of social finesse. Now, he felt it was time to clarify their situation.
"Do you think we have any other options?" Joanna replied, her tone dismissive. It seemed that losing Master Perugino and Dull had not affected her much.
"It looks like you're ready to team up with that cunning vampire. But we can't let our family's secrets slip out. Right now, we can't do anything against him. If we cooperate and explore the magic tower together, he'll inevitably learn some things. Even if we manage to get our hands on the treasures, who will silence him?"
In the face of potential benefits, Agno was willing to set aside his grudge against Fars for the moment. He was not lacking in courage or decisiveness; his steady and cautious nature, much like his swordsmanship, earned him respect within his family. It was wise to consider the implications of their actions. As long as Joanna remained by his side, Fars would have no opportunity to strike.
Previously, Joanna had maintained an image of a spoiled young lady, but with the departure of two influential figures, she no longer felt the need to hide her true self. She adopted a cold demeanor, as if she had everything under control. Without further discussion, Joanna turned and walked toward the castle. The best way to deal with Fars was to keep him within her sight, preventing him from executing any schemes. If they chose not to cooperate, who could guarantee that he wouldn't simply walk away, only to follow them later?
Seeing Joanna's calm demeanor, Agno realized she wouldn't say much more. He decided not to press the issue and followed closely behind her. This woman had always kept her goals and thoughts to herself, and the more she obscured her intentions, the more reassured Agno felt.
Fars had grown impatient. These two were truly taking their time. The walk from the city gate to the site where Dull and the earth dragon had fallen should have taken just over ten minutes, yet they meandered for nearly half an hour. Whatever their motives were, Fars had plenty of time to spare, as long as he could ensure his own safety.
The ground was no place for him to linger. As Joanna and Agno approached within a few dozen meters of him, Fars prudently chose to take to the air.
"Have you made up your minds? Will you cooperate with me to explore this ruin, or shall we part ways and meet again another day?" Fars asked leisurely, his tone growing increasingly threatening by the end.
He noticed Joanna's change in attitude; even at this stage, she maintained an air of superiority, refusing to acknowledge him, which only fueled Fars's irritation.
Unexpectedly, it was Agno, who had hardly spoken before, who stepped forward to negotiate with Fars. Joanna's demeanor had shifted to that of an ice queen, but the stark contrast did not disrupt Fars's plans. Regardless of who expressed their stance, it represented both of them. It was unlikely they would leave one person to explore while the other went to fetch help. Moreover, if they separated, neither could guarantee their own safety. The dangers lurking in the Qihar Mountains made it impossible for either of them to claim they would emerge unscathed. The deaths of the mage and the knight were prime examples; they had perished at Fars's hands, but the real threats had been the powerful magical beasts—Fars had merely exploited the situation.
"Cooperation is possible, but we came here with a purpose. We must select three items first, and then we can divide the rest equally," Agno stated. Although he had not received explicit instructions from Joanna, her silence suggested agreement. He paused before continuing, "To ensure both parties' safety, a contract is essential. Master Perugino's belongings should include a magical contract scroll, right? Rest assured, it was created by the Magic Guild, so we can't tamper with it."
The magical contract scroll was a remarkable item that allowed parties unable to use contract magic to sign a high-level agreement typically reserved for powerful mages. This was far more binding than any oath sworn to the gods. Moreover, the Magic Guild prohibited individuals from creating their own contracts, as no one could guarantee that a self-made scroll wouldn't have loopholes. To ensure public trust in these contracts, the guild had sworn an oath to the highest deity, guaranteeing that each contract would be fair to both parties. They did not concern themselves with the fairness of the contents within the contracts.
Such a wondrous item was undoubtedly expensive. Wealthy merchants often hesitated to use a magical contract for large transactions, opting instead for secular legal documents. These contracts were primarily used between nations; it was said that the promises of an emperor were worth less than a thin piece of parchment, referring specifically to magical contract scrolls.
Fars had not yet examined Master Perugino's belongings, but he was surprised to find that he had brought such a valuable item with him. As a wealthy mage, it was no wonder he had it on hand. Having lived as a wealthy heir for nearly twenty years, Fars had never encountered such a rare item, but he had seen similar contracts in the past, as the Delong family had once been a prominent clan. However, those contracts were land deeds, symbolizing the inviolability of noble territories. Of course, with the family's decline, those contracts had become void, as the Delong family's title had been stripped. The land contracts clearly stated that if one party lost their noble status, their territorial rights would also be nullified.
Once a contract became void, it could only serve as a historical document. When the family fell, Fars's older brother, the last heir, had died during the coup, leaving Fars as the sole inheritor of the Delong legacy. He had preserved these remnants of his noble past, carrying them with him.
With this scroll in hand, Fars felt more secure about the cooperation. At least, until they parted ways, their safety would be assured. However, he found himself in an awkward position; he couldn't seem to erase Master Perugino's mental imprint from his spatial ring, which left him feeling somewhat embarrassed. Yet, despite Fars's formidable mental strength, he was still no match for a mage who had trained for countless years.
"Um... I apologize. My abilities are limited, and I haven't been able to break the mental imprint left by Master Perugino."
Before Fars could finish his sentence, Joanna tossed something up to him. Instinctively, he hesitated to catch it directly, instead using his magic to levitate the item. It appeared to be a magical contract scroll, but Fars was wary of Joanna's intentions.
He waved his hand, sending the item back down to Joanna. "You draft the terms. I'll sign if I find them acceptable."
Joanna was unreserved, knowing this was her precious item. It seemed she had no hidden agenda regarding the contract. She opened the scroll, and Agno held it at both ends while she retrieved a quill and dipped it in ink, writing several clauses in the common language of the continent. She then signed her name: Joanna Medici. Agno followed suit, adding his signature.
Fars no longer doubted the integrity of the contract. When Joanna tossed the scroll back to him, he verified the Magic Guild's seal and examined it closely before signing his name: Fars de Hill. This was the first time he had officially signed anything under this name since becoming a vampire. Although he had chosen this name himself, he could not use a pseudonym for the contract. When the magical array representing the contract formed in the air and landed on the bottom right corner of the scroll, transforming into a mysterious rune, it signified the contract's establishment. The contract was now recognized by the laws of this world, confirming that both Fars and Joanna's names were valid and that neither had used a false identity.
The contract contained no excessive clauses; it simply reflected Fars's earlier statements, with minor adjustments made to Agno's proposed distribution of the spoils. In essence, the three of them could now lower their guard until the exploration of the ruins was complete. At least for now, they could not act against one another, though they could still make preparations in secret.
With the assurance of safety, Fars finally descended to the ground. While hovering in the air had its appeal, there was something undeniably satisfying about being grounded.
Having collaborated for a while before the vengeful spirits attacked, their identities had shifted somewhat. Fars was no longer the oppressed party; he even held a degree of dominance over them.
As night fell, it was the best time for vampires. To accommodate Joanna and Agno, who had fought all day, Fars decided not to pressure them into storming the magic tower immediately. They deserved a night to recuperate after everything that had transpired. Fars also needed time to sort through his immense gains. The thought of the incredible wealth awaiting him filled Fars with excitement.