Amir spent the next ten minutes getting a thorough verbal thrashing from the team, leaving his ears ringing and his patience frayed. They had made it clear he wouldn't be making the same mistake again anytime soon. He had to address their curiosity about his connection with one of the six great figures.
Feigning ignorance about the more sensitive details, he claimed that a friend from one of the powerful families was his link, brushing off any mention of the master. Amir decided it was best to keep Valerie's name out of it, not wanting to drag her into his troubles.
At present, the war had reached a stalemate. Marquis Aron's undead forces had swelled to six thousand, stretching their reach even further. Although Amir wasn't sure of his limit in raising undead, he suspected he could summon more than that.
It was evident that to command such a vast army single-handedly spoke volumes about a necromancer's strength. It made Amir realize how formidable a city lord with a personal, undying army could be. He pondered the possibility of raising his own army one day, given his deep bond with the darkness element.
Necromancers we're a special class of mage that had the ability to raise the dead and not many existed in the world. Marquis Aron being a necromancer made him by default a valuable person in the world but Amir knew the Marquis ability had to be extraordinary. His aura was just strong.
Amir could still feel the unsettling, creeping sensation crawling along his spine. Shaking it off, he exited the tent and made his way toward the private one he had requested from Tabbatha. The camp was still buzzing with activity, but he preferred solitude, especially with the recent company he'd kept. The group had certainly left an impression on him—a mix of wariness and intrigue—but that didn't mean he was ready to let his guard down. Not yet.
He needed time to observe them further, to test the limits of their trustworthiness. Trust was a dangerous commodity, and Amir knew firsthand what it felt like to be betrayed. He couldn't afford to misjudge them, not when one mistake could mean a knife in the back.
His thoughts drifted to the city, the looming weight of returning hanging over him. Going back meant facing the gang that prowled the streets, and he knew they'd be waiting for him. They were always looking for someone to pounce on, and now, he was firmly on their radar. Avoiding them wouldn't be easy. These weren't just reckless thugs; there was a structure to their chaos, a system that kept them dangerous.
The gang member he'd stabbed had been loud and sloppy, but there was more to them than met the eye. From the stories that girl in the woods had shared, Amir knew they weren't just a bunch of aimless criminals—they had organization, tactics. He'd need to find a way to deal with them, but for now, that was a problem for later.
One thing was clear: nothing would be as simple as it seemed.
Amir sighed, his mind preoccupied with the looming threat of the gang. Dealing with them was a hassle, but even that was better than bowing his head to anyone. He'd much rather face them head-on than be another pawn in the hands of the powerful. But as much as he wanted to get the city business over with, his true focus was elsewhere—on the battles ahead.
The fight for the monster cores had escalated. No more easy pickings. He had seen firsthand the number of heroic-class beasts lurking on the battlefield, and he could practically feel the power radiating from them. If he could get his hands on just one of their cores, his strength would soar to unimaginable levels. It was a tantalizing prospect, one that had him itching to return to the fight. But first, he had to survive the city.
As night fell, Amir slipped into the streets of Divitas. The air buzzed with rumors of an unusually large beast tide, and unrest spread like wildfire among the citizens. In Amir's eyes, it was impressive how well the city had kept the truth about the war hidden. What they called a "beast tide" was nothing less than a full-blown war with an unstoppable horde. The people had no idea just how dire things were, and that suited Amir just fine.
The City of Divitas itself was massive, the largest place Amir had ever set foot in. With over a million citizens, it was a sprawling hub of trade and commerce, far more advanced than the simple villages he had once known. Yet despite its size, it didn't impress him much. The grandeur was lost on him. What did catch his attention, though, was the reason the city had its name.
Beneath Divitas lay a vast reserve of mana stones, pure, crystallized mana that made the city a goldmine for alchemists and blacksmiths alike. These stones were the foundation of countless powerful creations, making Divitas one of the empire's most valuable assets. Naturally, that meant the city's control was highly coveted. Amir wondered how Marquis Aron, of all people, managed to secure such a prize when so many powerful nobles wanted it. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.
As Amir wandered through the bustling streets, taking in the sights, his thoughts shifted back to his mission. The city was filled with traders, merchants, and nobles, all eager to capitalize on the mana reserves. But amidst the noise and clamor, Amir caught sight of something familiar. His eyes narrowed.
"Well, I guess I found them before they found me," he muttered under his breath.
Two men stood just ahead, black hair and snake tattoos snaking up their arms—members of the Sainthood gang. He recognized them immediately. They weren't particularly strong, likely D-rank at best, but their presence was troubling. The Sainthood was supposed to be a hidden gang, operating in the shadows. So why were they out in the open?
Amir's mind raced. If the Sainthood was making such a public appearance, something was brewing. Maybe the rumors of the beast tide and the growing unrest in the city were connected to a larger plot. He would need to find out just how deep the gang's ties ran.
The war outside the city might be raging, but inside Divitas, another kind of battle was about to unfold. And Amir would need more than just brute strength to survive it. If he played his cards right, this city could hold the key to more than just his survival—it could be the first step toward real power.
'Okay lets see what the sainthood gang is all about.'
Amir had a sinister smile as he watched the two gang members. It was time to unravel what was going on in the city.