NOVGO.NET Chapter 1524: Trust The Dark Guild? (Part 1)
Chapter 1524: Trust The Dark Guild? (Part 1)
Raze knew this was a difficult request. Alen had already done more than enough, and the only reason he was caught up in all of this was because of his unshakable moral compass. Very few men in Alterian carried such a thing anymore, and even fewer acted upon it. Of course, part of the reason Alen had thrown in his lot with him was because Raze had saved his sister, but even then, Alen had long since repaid that debt. In truth, he had gone far past what anyone else would have considered necessary.
Yet Raze also knew that this wasn’t something Alen, or even the handful of allies who followed him, could accomplish alone. To strike at a Grand Magus required more than courage or integrity; it required strength, coordination, and numbers. That was why Alen had agreed to Raze’s request. He was willing to take the next step, willing to meet the others who would be drawn into this conflict.
For the time being, the group remained at Alen’s manor. While they rested, Alen himself had been gone, traveling across Alterian to meet certain people face-to-face. These were not ordinary men. They were individuals Alen trusted with his life, people he believed would stand firm when forced to choose between what was right and what was easy.
Hours later, the sound of engines broke the stillness around the manor. Several magical flying crafts descended one after another, the kind used by high-ranking military officers. The sleek vessels hovered briefly before landing in formation across the front courtyard. From each transport, groups of uniformed men disembarked.
In total, there were around thirty individuals who had chosen to follow Alen here. On the surface, that might have seemed like a small number, certainly nothing compared to the ever-growing ranks of the Dark Guild, but the quality of these men could not be dismissed. Their uniforms bore insignias that spoke of rank and authority. They were seasoned, not recruits. They carried themselves with the kind of discipline and weight that came from years of command.
“If the Grand Magus truly hold absolute power over this world,” Beatrix asked quietly, watching the groups line up outside the manor, “are we certain we can trust the military to act against them?”
“To a degree,” Raze replied. His expression remained calm, but his tone was firm. “Alterian wasn’t always united. In fact, it used to be far more divided than Pagna ever was. The landmasses were once scattered across different planes of water, each territory ruled by its own military and government. Each was a country in its own right.
“It was only through magic that the lands were eventually connected, transformed into a single, continuous continent. Even now, great rivers mark the scars where those divides once existed. What you see today as Alterian is the result of that unification. But understand this, three powers hold sway here. The Alterian government, filled with politicians. The military force, bound by law and order. And the Grand Magus, who stand above them all.
“In theory, these three are supposed to act in harmony. In practice, the Grand Magus overshadow the other two. Their absolute strength means their word carries the most weight, even when placed against the will of government and military combined. The people believe in them. They believe the Grand Magus to be righteous, and because of that belief, they allow them to rule without question. That is why Alterian has remained stable and why the conflicts of the past are forgotten.”
Beatrix folded her arms, her sharp gaze fixed on him. “So the military is independent, but limited. They can pass judgment, they can act against injustice, but whether they succeed depends not only on their strength but on whether the people will stand behind them.”
“Correct,” another voice said.
Alen had returned, stepping into the manor’s reception hall with two men walking at his side. Both wore dark grey military uniforms that distinguished them from the others who had arrived. They were younger than expected, men in their thirties, their expressions sharp and controlled, as if carved from stone. They gave off the impression of men who were used to being obeyed, used to command.
“These two,” Alen said, resting a hand briefly on each man’s shoulder, “are War-Magus. They are not only seasoned officers, but each commands a hundred men loyal to them. These soldiers have fought under their leadership, and their loyalty is to their commander, not to the Grand Magus. That makes them rare and valuable.”
He gestured to the man on his left, a stern figure with dirty blond hair parted neatly down the middle. “This is Varkos Draven.”
Varkos bowed slightly, his voice measured. “It is an honor.”
The other, standing tall with cropped brown hair and a jaw set like iron, followed suit. “Mordain Tharros. I stand ready.”
“Both of them know who you are,” Alen continued. “I’ve explained everything to them in full detail. If this alliance is to work, it must be built on honesty. No secrets, no half-truths. That is the only way trust will survive what’s coming.”
“I agree,” Raze said, rising to his feet. His presence alone filled the room. “The allies gathered here today are the strongest people I know. Each of them will play a role in what comes next, and I ask that you treat them with the same respect you would give me. They may look young, but do not be deceived. Every one of them has faced battles against the principals of prestigious academies, and won.”
There was no hesitation in his words, and those who had witnessed the reports from the Magical Exchange could confirm it. Varkos Draven himself had been present during the Exchange. He had seen firsthand what the Dark Magus and his companions were capable of, and it was not something one could easily dismiss.
“Alen has told us of your intentions,” Varkos said, his voice even but laced with curiosity. “He says your next target is Gizin. If that is the case, then we are prepared to follow your lead. But I do have a question before we proceed any further. The Dark Guild, this force that now moves in your shadow, are they a creation of yours? Are they completely under your control?”
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