Chapter 230: House Mireth’s Patronage

Lord Cassian sat down in his seat and slowly calmed himself from his intense emotions.

When he finally cooled his head, he levitated the demon core and returned it to Max.

He beamed a smile at Max.

"With this, Arlen will finally rest in peace."

Max nodded.

He then received a notification from the System.

[You have been rewarded with 1,000,000 EXP Points.]

[You have leveled up seven times.]

[You are now Level 228.]

[You have received seven Free Stat Points.]

Max smiled.

He had leveled up seven times just like that.

It was worth noting that once a player reached B-rank, some would need a month or more to level up even once. Yet he had leveled up seven times in a single moment.

He was deeply elated.

While he was lost in thought, he didn’t notice that the patriarch had taken out a document from his drawer.

Lord Cassian leaned closer to his table and woke Max from his stupor.

"Sit down, Max."

Max hurriedly sat down. Glancing at the document, he recalled Kai’s words.

Indeed, he was right.

The mystery gift turned out to be a contract.

Lord Cassian placed the document on the table and pushed it toward Max.

"You know, ever since I entrusted you with such a heavy mission, I’ve been pondering what reward to give you."

Lord Cassian paused for a moment.

"Of course, I didn’t worry myself over it that much. I simply needed some time to decide."

He then looked at Max.

"But when I came to learn that you had established a Guild—the Demon Hunters Guild—an idea popped into my mind."

Lord Cassian stared at Max with eyes filled with gratitude.

"You have avenged my son, Max."

"You have fulfilled your words."

"Now, it’s time to fulfill mine."

A System panel popped up beside the document, and the System finally announced in Max’s mind.

[The Mystery Gift has been revealed.]

[You have received the Mystery Gift, House Mireth’s Patronage.]

"From this day onward, the Demon Hunters Guild shall have the patronage of House Mireth."

As Max accepted the document, he was already reading the text displayed beside the System panel, which summarized the entire contract.

[Mystery Gift—House Mireth’s Patronage.]

A formal patronage contract issued by the Patriarch of House Mireth.

By accepting this contract, the Demon Hunters Guild enters into a formal patronage relationship with House Mireth.

This agreement was granted in recognition of the Guild’s role in avenging the death of Arlen Mireth.

House Mireth has pledged to support the Demon Hunters Guild through the contribution of personnel, magical expertise, resources, and other forms of assistance deemed appropriate by the House.

Type: Contract

Rank: Special

Effects:

House Mireth Patronage:House Mireth recognizes the Demon Hunters Guild as a trusted ally and official beneficiary of its patronage. The House will provide continued support to the Guild in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Mireth Mage Recruitment:Qualified mages of House Mireth who are willing to serve the Demon Hunters Guild may be recommended and permitted to join the Guild. These individuals may be assigned to the Demon Research Division, Demon Hunters Academy, Arcane Combat Division, Expeditionary Corps, or other appropriate Guild divisions.

Magical Research Support:House Mireth will provide mages, magical expertise, and selected resources to assist the Demon Hunters Guild with the research and analysis of demons, demonic materials, magical phenomena, and elemental interactions.

Expeditionary Support:House Mireth may dispatch willing combat mages to participate in Demon Hunters Guild expeditions and operations, subject to their availability and the approval of the House.

Magical Resources:House Mireth will periodically provide selected magical materials, catalysts, spell components, and other resources required for Guild research and operations.

Mireth Family Expertise:The Demon Hunters Guild may consult House Mireth’s elemental specialists regarding matters requiring advanced magical or elemental knowledge.

Duration:Indefinite.

Max broke into a smile.

Although he was slightly disappointed that the reward was not a personal one, he couldn’t deny how enormous a benefit House Mireth’s patronage would be to the Demon Hunters Guild.

As its Guild Master, he would be able to make full use of the support House Mireth had offered.

Since Lord Cassian couldn’t decide on a suitable personal gift for me, it probably means I’m already fully equipped.

Max couldn’t help but feel amused by the thought.

Without hesitation, he signed his name on the document, officially accepting House Mireth’s patronage.

[You have accepted House Mireth’s Patronage.]

[The contract has been bound to the Demon Hunters Guild.]

[Personal Quest—Kill the Greater Demon and his Legion Behind Arlen’s Death.]

[Quest Completed.]

[Rewards have been distributed.]

[100 Gold Coins (Advanced) have been obtained.]

[1,000,000 EXP Points have been obtained.]

[Mystery Gift—House Mireth’s Patronage has been obtained.]

[The Demon Hunters Guild has established a Patronage Agreement with House Mireth.]

Max hadn’t simply signed the document immediately.

He had carefully read through the entire contract, and its contents were indeed exactly as the System had summarized.

Compared to the sponsorship contracts offered by the other nobles, House Mireth’s patronage was undoubtedly the most generous.

The other nobles seemed to view their sponsorship as an investment, expecting greater rewards in return for their support.

House Mireth, however, was genuinely willing to contribute to the Guild’s development.

That alone made the patronage extremely valuable.

Max was also relieved that he had accepted it without hesitation.

He had been slightly concerned that, after finally avenging Arlen, Lord Cassian might reconsider his decision and conclude that continuing to support the Demon Hunters Guild was disadvantageous to House Mireth.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

When Max finished signing the document, the enchantment inscribed upon it suddenly activated.

A complex rune manifested in the air above the document before shooting upward and dissipating.

Max immediately sensed the change.

The contract had been recognized by an unknown force.

It was no longer merely a written agreement between House Mireth and the Demon Hunters Guild.

It had become a magically enforced contract.

If either party deliberately violated its terms, the contract would impose severe consequences upon the offender.

Max didn’t know what force governed the contract, but he could tell that its authority was far beyond that of an ordinary magical oath...