12dz Prelude to Chapter 80
Prelude to Chapter 80
Looking at the nearly ten thousand mages below the stage, the high-level mage Harvey knew that if he didn't do something soon, there might only be a few of these mages left by tomorrow.
"Everyone, there is no need to panic. The merfolk broke the pact first in this war, so they cannot provide support."
"Furthermore, the contracts signed by the Merfolk are far more stringent than those signed by the Fish-Men. Unless they are willing to break the treaty at the cost of the lives of two legends, otherwise..."
Harvey didn't say anything more, but the mages present lit up.
The merfolk are vassals of the mermaids. Logically, if the merfolk get involved in a war, the mermaids, in order to maintain their prestige as overlords, must intervene in the war.
However, now, because the penalties for breaching the contract between the Mage Alliance and the Murlocs are extremely low, the Murlocs have chosen to break the contract.
This rendered the vassal alliance between the merfolk and the mermaids ineffective, or rather, the cost was too high, making it highly likely that the mermaids would not support the merfolk.
In that case, the Mage Alliance is very likely to be able to take over the Stormy Sea in one fell swoop.
The low-level resources in the outer sea of Stormy Seas are famously abundant, and there are also quite a few mid-level resources. The only pity is that high-level resources are extremely scarce. However, if the quality is lacking, quantity can make up for it. In any case, this war has suddenly become profitable.
At this moment, many mages were calculating the benefits they could gain. After calculating, many of them changed from indifference to fervent enthusiasm.
The wages of avarice is death.
The previous indifference was simply because the benefits were insufficient, or the sacrifices were too great. Now, without the support of the merfolk, the merfolk's fighting strength is nothing to fear.
Some low-level mages didn't really feel anything; there wasn't much of the pie left for them anyway, and they certainly weren't going to fight to the death for that little bit of profit.
Even among the merfolk, there are quite a few low-level combatants. The advantage of high-level combatants is useless against these low-level mages, and they don't want to be cannon fodder.
With a mental scan, Harvey already knew the mages' attitudes. The high-level mages like him had long expressed their support, and most of the mid-level mages present were eager to try. However, the low-level mages were still not very interested. They were only thinking about waiting for the war to end and for the price of low-level resources to plummet before coming over.
It's alright. Although they weren't very interested at the moment, Harvey didn't expect the mages to be particularly loyal. After all, the Mage Alliance and the mages were mutually beneficial, more like a company and its employees. Expecting employees to be particularly loyal was impossible.
Unless he can use the rights he gained when he made a pact with the mages in the Mage Alliance.
The right to perform a mandatory mission is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege. Once this right is used, all mages must participate in the mission. Of course, the mission cannot be a death mission, and the difficulty level cannot be too high; otherwise, this right will be invalidated.
Harvey is not qualified to use this right; the Mage Alliance can only exercise this right with the consent of the Supreme Council.
Now, they are indifferent, even opposed, but I will change their attitude with a single sentence.
"Finally, on behalf of the Stormsea branch of the Mage Alliance, I solemnly promise that participation in this war is entirely voluntary!"
In an instant, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
The mages were extremely excited, and they applauded to show their support for the war. The low-level mages who had previously opposed the war had become the most supportive of it.
The surroundings returned to their usual noisy state, which lingered for a long time.
Are these mages chameleons? Their expressions change so quickly?
Jiang Shuzhou had already planned how to escape, but Harvey's sincerity moved him, and after much deliberation, he decided to postpone the plan.
That's how mages are; as long as the benefits are enough, no one cares about war or peace, as long as it doesn't affect their pursuit of truth.
War is about to break out, but it has little to do with Jiang Shuzhou.
He couldn't directly participate in this war; after all, low-level mages were simply too weak and powerless.
Only mid-level mages can survive this level of war safely; low-level mages are merely slightly stronger cannon fodder.
"Sir, here is your ticket."
As Jiang Shuzhou returned to the ground by airship, his sense of urgency grew stronger.
Although Mayor Harvey made a promise, and Jiang Shuzhou believed that he would most likely keep it.
But what if the battle turns against you?
Will the Alliance of Saints also participate in the war between the Mage Alliance and the Storm Sea Fishmen?
After all, the Mage Alliance and the Saints Alliance are sworn enemies, so it's quite possible that they might secretly intervene in this war.
In any case, becoming stronger is the ultimate goal.
It's impossible for Jiang Shuzhou to break through to the intermediate level mage in a short time, but it's still very possible to break through to the second level. When Jiang Shuzhou obtained the Blood and Flesh Gospel spell data, he could vaguely feel that his soul and spirit had improved a lot.
His soul and spirit attributes have both reached 15. Now he only lacks willpower. Once his willpower attribute also reaches 15, Jiang Shuzhou will be able to quickly advance to become a second-tier mage.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shuzhou prepared to study alchemy, become an alchemist, and use this to improve his status, so that even if he were conscripted to the front lines, he would only be responsible for logistics.
Moreover, Jiang Shuzhou also possesses the talent of an alchemy master that he hasn't really put to use yet.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Three hours later, in Velisco's prison.
Hayes walked ahead, leading the way for Jiang Shuzhou.
"My lord, he's right here."
"Okay, release them. Here's the handover form."
He handed a form to the deputy warden beside him. After reading it, the serious-looking bald man gave a rather amiable smile and then said with a smile.
"Sir, there's no need for you to come personally. Just hand the order to the Hayes brothers. Thank you for your trouble."
"What's going on? We're all doing this for the Mage Alliance, right? Hayes, where are your things?"
To put it politely, Jiang Shuzhou didn't want to play games. He directly instructed Hayes to deliver the gift and get the formalities done quickly. He didn't have time to waste on this nonsense.
Upon hearing this, Hayes immediately took out a bag from his pocket. A clinking sound came from inside the bag, the sound of gold coins clinking together.
"My lord, this..."
Unexpectedly, the deputy warden hesitated at this moment.
"This is just a small token of my appreciation, and it has nothing to do with the Venerable Master."
It must be said that Hayes really knows how to get things done; he dispelled the deputy warden's doubts with just one sentence.
"Brother, since you've already said that, what else am I supposed to say?"
Taking the bag, he casually shook it, and listening to the clinking of the gold coins inside, the deputy warden returned to his stern expression, but his gaze toward Jiang Shuzhou and Hayes was unusually kind.
"Men, open the prison cell doors!"
Soon, Jiang Shuzhou met Dr. Weasley and the little girl.
They're locked up together?
Their complexions looked alright; they didn't appear as weak as one might expect from someone who had been in prison.
He nodded in satisfaction. This was the source of all his conscience; the conscience he had exhausted because of the sneak attack had now been fully restored.
"Let's go. When the time comes, I hope you can reform yourselves properly when you go in, and not waste all my hard work."
"Master, we will never forget."
Nodding in response, Jiang Shuzhou led the way, taking Hayes, Dr. Weasley, and the little girl out of the prison; they were heading to the refugee camp.
Ironically, the refugee camp was right across from the prison, which may have been a deliberate arrangement for the convenience of suppression.
Within minutes, Jiang Shuzhou and his group arrived at the entrance of the refugee camp.
Several soldiers stood at the entrance, and it seemed they had been waiting for a long time.
"Sir, this is the handover form. Please take a look."
After reviewing the contents of the handover form and confirming that everything was correct, Jiang Shuzhou stamped his unique mage seal as proof.
Several soldiers led Weasley and his companions into the refugee camp, where their new life began.
Hayes stared blankly at the refugee camp, lost in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something.
If, at that time...
"Here, take this."
Jiang Shuzhou casually pulled out a dozen or so gold coins and tossed them to Hayes. He didn't have the habit of having his subordinates pay for gifts.
"Alright, it's time to go."
Yes, it's time to go, Hayes thought.