Chapter 588: Secret Meeting
Chapter 588: Secret Meeting
Ambermind Manor, Uptown Quarter.
Inside Daneli's private library, a secret meeting was about to be held between the Flynn Family and a representative of the Twilight Brotherhood.
Brigham Flynn, who held one of the seven positions in the city council, couldn't be openly seen having a formal discussion with another Rank 3 Magus who also happened to be an outsider.
That would give rise to rumors that may very well threaten the power balance in Ravenfell. Furthermore, it had to be noted that the Brotherhood was a clandestine organization that preferred to be hidden especially when forming an alliance with a third party.
The representative of the Brotherhood, the dwarf who Elrick had earlier escorted into the city, put down the long scroll he was reading on the table. He then glanced at Daneli who was respectfully standing before him and smiled in acknowledgement.
"I'm impressed that you boys have managed to establish a healthy relationship with the Flynn Family," he said.
"Considering the fact that they wield tremendous influence in Ravenfell, it is definitely not a bad idea for the Brotherhood to come into an alliance with them."
The scroll he was reading contained the history of the Flynn Family as well as the vast network that they had accumulated in the city since their founding.
Even the information that the Flynn Family wanted to stay hidden was mentioned in this scroll gathered by the Magi of the Brotherhood.
Of course, for an organization as powerful as the Twilight Brotherhood, it was an easy task to unearth such information. Before coming into an alliance with the Flynn Family, it was only normal for such an ancient secret organization to do their due diligence.
However, the information regarding the relationship between Brigham Flynn and Kissinger, one of the three leaders of the Umbra Thieves wasn't mentioned anywhere in the documents. Firstly, that was the Flynn Family's most closely guarded secret. Secondly, Adam, who was the only outsider privy to this knowledge, hadn't disclosed it to anyone.
"Thank you for the praise, Lord Krummor." Daneli placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "But I didn't have anything to do with it. It was all Adam's efforts."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Not taking the credit for yourself, eh? The dwarf, Krummor Grimriver, thought in amusement.
But he respected the young elf's behavior nonetheless. Camaraderie was a trait highly valued in the Twilight Brotherhood.
"What are your thoughts on this?" Krummor asked as he leaned back into the leather chair, gazing at the elf in scrutiny.
Daneli involuntarily straightened his back and answered, "My Lord, although the Flynn Family isn't the wealthiest family in Ravenfell, they are undoubtedly one of the, if not the most prestigious family in the city.
"They were one of the first settlers in the city. Over the years many noble families have risen and fallen but they have remained. Perhaps this is because of the just and honorable standards that the family members have shown over the years.
"It is safe to say their influence runs very deep within the city and they are greatly looked up to by the general populace. If we ally ourselves with them, I'm sure it will be of great help to us."
"Just and honorable, eh?" Krummor scoffed. He knew very well that for a family to amass such influence in Ravenfell, they had to have had their hands bloody.
Just because such details weren't mentioned in the intel report, Krummor didn't think that the Flynn Family were a bunch of saints. He was sure that if the Brotherhood dug deeper, they were sure to find some dirt.
After all, in this world ruled by Magi, there was no glorified soul with exemplary virtue.
However, from what he knew of the Flynn Family's background, it was enough for the Brotherhood to come into a formal alliance with them. Moreover, the other Wardens had also agreed to this alliance, deeming it mutually beneficial.
Krummor's expression turned extremely solemn and he asked, "How's the progress on your mission?"
Daneli lowered his head ever so slightly. "Forgive me, my lord, there hasn't been much progress." He paused for a moment and added, "But we do believe the Cult of Bones to have a connection with a local gang known as Red Fists."
"Anything else?" Krummor asked with narrowed eyes.
Facing such pressure from a Mana Vortex Magus, Daneli couldn't help but involuntarily gulp. "They might have a connection with the Umbra Thieves as well, but at this point, it's just mere speculations."
A few moments of silence ensued as Krummor continued to stare at Daneli, trying to glean any information from the elf's face and body language.
Just when Daneli thought that the Warden would admonish him for the lack of progress in his mission, he heard the dwarf speak nonchalantly, "That is understandable. If it were so easy to keep tabs on the Cult of Bones, we would have already rooted them out decades ago." Hearing his words, Daneli's shoulders loosened. He looked at the Warden sitting before him and assured, "My Lord, we will have something conclusive soon enough." Krummor stroked his thick, brown beard as he muttered. "You boys better come up with something sooner rather than later. Those cultists are a ruthless bunch, I tell ya."
He thought for a moment before adding, "I'll speak to the other Wardens and see if I can dispatch a few more Agents and Acolytes to Ravenfell. The situation hasn't reached a point that it would require the involvement of a Warden. Not yet, anyway."
Daneli was glad that they'd be getting some help from the Brotherhood in their mission. After all, for the past several years it had only been him and Adam who were doing the brunt of the
work.
Considering that they were graduate students of Saratoga Castle, they couldn't divert all their attention to the mission at hand. After all, they had to study and further their knowledge in the arcane arts as well.
The elf hoped that the Brotherhood would have sent more capable Magi earlier but he knew the reason behind this. His teacher, Elrod, mentioned this to him when he had arrived at Saratoga all those years ago.
Apparently, the vast majority of the Brotherhood's forces are active in the Europa and Indus Continents, he thought to himself.
Looks like the ongoing secret war with the Cult of the Bones and other minor evil secret societies is more intense than I'd imagined.
"Now tell me about Magus Constantine," said Krummor. "You've worked with him for the past seven years in this city, and Elrod tells me that you both are childhood friends."
Daneli wasn't surprised that the dwarf knew his teacher, but he was surprised about his interest in Adam.
Seeing his expression, Krummor guessed what he was thinking. He chuckled as he spoke, "Your friend was quite the topic of discussion in the Brotherhood several years ago.
"I mean, becoming a Mana Liquesfaction Magus at the age of twenty, then later on killing a Mana Vortex Magus while being one complete rank below him are all things that are unheard
of.
"So, as someone who spends a lot of time with the young man, I'd like to directly hear from you about how he is as a person, as a Magus."
Hearing his words, Daneli found it very strange why Krummor would like to know so much about Adam. However, he replied nonetheless. He answered everything truthfully. Of course, he didn't mention things that could be considered personal to his friend. Krummor listened with great interest. Meanwhile, the other dwarf who had arrived at Ravenfell with him was also listening with stars shining in his beady eyes.
It would appear that the young dwarf greatly admired Adam-just like the many young Magi
in the Brotherhood.
Just as Daneli had finished speaking, all three people in the library simultaneously looked in the direction of a certain bookshelf.
A moment later, the bookshelf trembled very slightly, and following that, it slowly parted from the middle, revealing a secret tunnel that led somewhere underground.
"Looks like they're here," said Daneli.
Right at that moment, four shadowy figures wearing hooded black robes emerged from the secret door behind the bookshelf. The one leading them was none other than Elrick.
Upon entering the library, he first looked at Krummor and respectfully bowed. "My Lord, our
guests have arrived."
"About time," Krummor replied flatly.