Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 390 Reencounter with the Grand Mage

"I never imagined that our reunion would be in such a sorry state."

Compared to his gentlemanly attire back then, Osrosi from the Dragon Kingdom looked quite disheveled when they met again.

The high-quality robes that served as part-time mage's attire were stripped away, and all his magical equipment was stripped off. The only magical device he had was the anti-magic ring around his neck. He stood barefoot on the platform, with only a robe made from a tattered burlap sack covering his upper body. Rean was very familiar with this outfit; the cheapest slaves in the slave market were dressed similarly.

The harsh conditions they encountered upon meeting again were indeed similar to those of a slave market.

If it weren't for the intelligence agents in my group who gave me this information, I would never have imagined that a powerful archmage like him would be put up for sale in a cage.

"Those damned dark elves, I will be eternally grateful to Lord Rean."

Osrosi has changed into a simple robe, which, although not even considered magical equipment, is much better than it was a few hours ago.

Both sides seemed to have simultaneously forgotten and overlooked why an archmage would end up in this situation. Osrosi didn't want to say it; the fewer people who know, the better. He merely implied that the dark elves were a group of shameful traitors, and that he had been betrayed by them.

But in reality, Rean knew very well what had happened to them, after all, he was also a spectator in a sense, but he really couldn't say it.

In that special situation, being relentlessly pursued by that mad dog-like sapphire dragon, the archmage became a target. Whether or not they could escape the dragon was not important; what mattered was escaping their comrades.

Obviously, this was an extremely shameful and disgraceful thing, but compared to what happened next, it probably didn't matter.

"Because of the chaotic ley lines, I encountered difficulties in casting spells, so I asked those dark elves to protect me and help me escape. We used to have a contract! But those bastards tore it up without hesitation."

A contract? A contract where you threaten to bombard the other party's city with meteors, forcing them to sign it?

Dude, wait a minute, you actually believe in the contract between the Dark Elves and the Dark Elf Divine Sign? Rean's expression was strange, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Perhaps in the Dragon Kingdom or the Mage Kingdom, the Dark Elves wouldn't dare to break their promises, because retaliation could come at any time, but here, who cares about you?

"I was also cheated by the dark elves. They are a bunch of untrustworthy bastards who use all their magical skills to break contracts."

Although everyone knew it was an excuse, Rean tried his best to put on a sympathetic expression, and even cursed the dark elves for being treacherous and insincere. Even though these adjectives were probably considered a compliment in dark elf society.

Rean had already anticipated what would happen next. Sensing the archmages' plight, the dark elves betrayed them without hesitation. Osrosi, captured by the dark elves, became a slave to the mercenaries and was sold on the spot.

If he hadn't been "bought off" by Rean's side at public expense, he would probably have become a mage slave and breeding boar for some dark elf family. Dark elves have a well-established system for this. Dark elves are average in other aspects, but their technique of taming slaves and torturing people has reached the level of art.

To avoid any further trouble, after confirming Osrosi's identity, Rean bought him and immediately took him back to Radiant City via the Great Mirror Demon's route. Only then, in Rean's own territory, could they easily talk to each other.

As for the subsequent conflicts between the Mage Kingdom and that Dark Elf city, and even the gods, Rean didn't know and was too lazy to care. He just needed to make Osrosi of the Dragon Kingdom owe him a favor.

What happened to the other archmages, and whether Osrosi planned to rescue them or cause trouble, was none of their business as outsiders.

According to certain unspoken rules, this favor can also be converted into benefits.
"My disciple has been well taken care of by you."

Sheena was also seen by her teacher, but the teacher had no intention of returning, which meant he wasn't stupid.

If an adventure team goes out with a group of people, but only one person returns, then what happened is naturally up to that person to make up whatever they want. Even if it's all the truth, they can still shift the blame, avoid their own mistakes, and portray themselves as the perfect victim.

Even if you have some tricks up your sleeve, the tricks you can use against a top-tier archmage from another country are limited.

If Rean wasn't mistaken, after Osrosi left, he would find a group of "good people" to give the dark elves a good surprise, grab a few colleagues, and settle the score.

But Rean knew that he couldn't hide it from Emma, ​​who had told him that there was a group of mages following behind, probably using their seniors as bait to collect various useful data.

Of course, Rean wouldn't warn the person in front of him that his future might be in trouble.

But in reality, it's not a huge stain. After all, escaping in such an environment was a rational choice. Even if word got out that she was captured by the dark elves and then auctioned off, it could become a stain on her record for life. "Oh, you mean my cousin Sheena? I didn't expect to meet a dragon relative in this situation. If it weren't for the bloodline resonance, she wouldn't have sought me out."

As he spoke, Rean released a slight amount of dragon might. This somewhat familiar feeling startled Osrosi, but his dragon instincts told him that this was probably not a lie; the other party was indeed related to Sina by blood.

"I happen to be short of a mage consultant, so I used the life-saving grace to invite this relative to work for me for a year. Heh, I won't let him eat and drink for free until the job is finished."

Rean swirled the Moro coffee in his cup, pretending to indulge in this dark elf specialty. To be honest, this slightly spicy specialty from the Underdark was actually quite delicious.

This also implies that the relative is protecting himself, will prevent him from speaking out of turn, and will not return to the Land of Truth for at least a year.

A year later? By then, Osrosi would probably know that some things can't be hidden, and there would be no need to care about this "experiment" called an apprentice.

"Really a relative?" Osrosi was taken aback. Considering that the apprentice was of almost no value, he decided to leave it at that. He was actually a little embarrassed, after all, he had been caught using someone else's relative as an experiment.

Since the other party has agreed to handle it, and considering the tacit understanding, it can be considered that there will be no future troubles. No one will take seriously what a junior apprentice says.

Osrosi wasn't a complete bastard either; he was quite grateful for Rean's rescue and had promised to repay him as soon as possible.

But some things attract his attention even more.
"That taste, that sapphire dragon..."

"Oh, I went to hunt dragons to advance my level. I just completed my evolution not long ago, so I might not have fully mastered it yet."

Looking at Rean, who was noticeably "bigger" than when they first met a few days ago, Osrosi smiled and nodded, but was inwardly quite shocked.

"How did that crazy dragon manage to do that?"

What he couldn't do, others accomplished easily, probably without much effort, which naturally shocked the usually arrogant Osrosi.

If it were a few days ago, he would probably have questioned or even pressed for answers, but this experience has taught him a good lesson. Defeat is nothing to be ashamed of; it was to be expected under those special circumstances.

His serious mistakes were twofold: suppressing the Dark Elves and incurring their resentment, and still believing in the betrayal of his contract with the Dark Elves despite being in poor condition.

"Looks like a low-cost wild sorcerer, but he turns out to be a powerful dragon vein user, a special dragon vein sorcerer?"

From that moment on, the archmage's gaze, which had previously regarded the "experimental subjects" and "potential juniors," became much clearer.

With confidence and strength, the conversation naturally went much more smoothly.

The Archmage thanked Rean for his help and remembered this kindness, while Rean gained connections and relationships to the land of mages.

At least, the other party indicated that they could write a letter of introduction for studying there now if needed.

This is quite a temptation for wild mages outside, but for Rean right now, the tangible rewards promised by the other party are probably more important.

He did not specify the quantity or type of reward, because giving too little would imply that the Grand Master considered his life worthless.

After seeing off the Archmage (who couldn't stay any longer and was eager to salvage the situation), Rean was greeted by another visitor.

A shivering, unlucky fellow.

“Cousin Sheena, tell me, I saved your life, what can you do to repay me?”

(End of this chapter)