Becoming a god starts with enhancing fire arrows.

"First," Cassandra explained slowly, her voice filled with confidence, "the signing of the contract must be entirely voluntary."

"If we really adopt the kind of contract you mentioned, we need to consider the possibility that you'll forcefully take action here and end up dying, which is not what I want to see."

"That's why I gave you hope in the contract."

"There is one thing about the human race that I greatly admire: as long as they see a glimmer of hope, no matter how small it may be, they will rush towards it like moths to a flame."

"I believe you are no exception, Rhodes."

"second."

"The attack on Phil was also part of my original plan, so that I could gain your loyalty without having to do anything extra."

"third."

"The contents of the contract have no negative impact on me. Even if there is such a small chance that you create a miracle, it would just be a waste of two insignificant contracts for me."

"And you, without hesitation, will seize this tiny glimmer of hope and struggle."

"I don't believe it." Avira stepped forward, greatsword in hand, her face bearing a resolute expression of facing death. "I don't believe you dare to kill me."

Lightning flashed across her greatsword; the dignity of an elf would not allow her to be manipulated by a drow.

"Of course I'm wary of your status." Cassandra didn't look at her. "So, besides letting Rhodes understand his future work, there's another purpose in showing you around here: I'm forcing myself to make up my mind."

"This factory is my life's work, and the matter of upgrading the crystal must never be exposed. If you make any decision other than signing the contract, I will erase your bodies and souls together."

"Perhaps I will be killed by the Elf King himself, but that will be several years from now."

"Before that, I will definitely complete my miraculous work."

They've been manipulated.

Rhodes' forehead was covered in beads of sweat.

The moment Cassandra revealed her true power, he knew he had no room for negotiation.

What's more, the contents of this Drow contract actually gave him a glimmer of hope.

Like a thorn in front of a drowning person, even knowing that you will be covered in blood, you will still grab it without hesitation.

Actually, what we're facing now is just a simple choice between two options.

A gamble between life and death.

"Since the contract applies to both parties, you'll sign it too, right?" Rhodes asked.

"certainly."

Upon hearing Cassandra's reply, he promptly signed his name.

The crimson letters glowed, and the contract flew back to Cassandra.

Her name was signed below Rhodes.

The parchment began to burn fiercely, and Rhodes felt as if a chain was tightly binding him inside his body.

The contract is now in effect.

In an instant, he felt the constraints of the contract, such as the inability to mention this place to outsiders during the period when the betting was in effect.

"Rhodes..." A look of pain crossed Avira's eyes.

She couldn't relinquish her elven dignity, even if death lay on the other side.

"We might not lose." Rhodes' voice carried an unwavering conviction that made people want to believe.

Avira looked into Rhodes' eyes and saw the same confidence in him as Cassandra.

Why?

Avira disliked scheming, but she was acutely aware of the disparity in combat strength between the two sides.

The alien coalition outnumbered the town's guards several times over, not to mention that the lizardman guards in the Sunrise District might not even participate in the battle.

Their high-level combat strength is far inferior to that of the opponent, not to mention that with Cassandra's resources, hiring a few more skilled mercenaries would not be difficult at all.

Why does Rhodes have this kind of confidence?

"We might not necessarily lose." Rhodes repeated his words, this time in a calm tone.

"I've already figured out all the fun things to do after enslaving the elf princess," Cassandra casually interjected.

Ivy bit her lip and resolutely signed her name on the contract.

She chose to believe Rhodes.

I trust this seemingly weak but always reliable half-baked mage in crucial moments.

"very good."

Cassandra signed, and the covenant burned out once more.

"I won't see you off. From now on, no one will stop you from moving around in the 'Black Hand' underground network."

She slowly walked down the metal bridge and came to Nathan to discuss something.

"Let's go," Rhodes said.

This time, it was Avira's turn to follow quietly behind.

Instead of leaving through the entrance they came in through, they randomly chose the nearest exit.

Upon arriving on the ground, we found ourselves in a secluded cemetery in the Sunset District.

The moment he stepped out, Rhodes felt that strange sense of being watched from behind him again, and a smile crept onto his lips.

The afternoon sun was obscured by clouds, appearing somewhat grayish-white, and the autumn wind gradually carried a hint of winter chill.

"Rhodes," Avira's voice sounded from behind, "If we fail on the battlefield in ten days, I will commit suicide."

Rhodes wanted to lighten the mood, but suddenly felt a lump in his throat, and couldn't utter a single witty remark:

"We will win..."

He had already begun to think about how to make the most of these ten days.

They were calculating how much life essence they could harvest if they spared no expense over these ten days.

Avira took a few deep breaths, as if she had suddenly realized something, and raised her head high: "Yes, we will win."

"It's just a low-tier drow; how do we know we'll lose if we don't even fight it?"

Rhodes seemed to be caught up in the moment, telling Avira about his plan: "I'm going to the Adventurers' Guild. You'll probably have to stay with me outside of town for the next few days."

"Are you planning to ask for help?"

Rhodes shook his head: "Just going to fight."

"Aren't true adventurers all forged in battle and exploration?"

Avira pondered for a moment: "Was that said by the first guild master who founded the Adventurers' Guild?"

"Roland Doyle," Rhodes said, uttering his name.

"He was also a human being with a legendary history, and his reputation was almost comparable to that of a king."

"Unfortunately, he is no longer alive."

Avira shook her head: "Human life is too short. In the world of elves, it's rare for a human name to be deeply etched in our memories."

After she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something: "I didn't expect you to be the son of a human marquis. Why don't you go back and inherit the title?"

Rhodes gave a wry smile.

Inheriting a family title is not so easy.

According to the original owner's memories, the title of marquis was inherited by the first heir, that is, the father's eldest son.

If the eldest son dies unexpectedly, the eldest son of the eldest son will inherit.

Only if the eldest son and his entire family lose their inheritance rights will the marquis's second son inherit the title.

Rhodes ranked fourteenth...

That was probably one of the reasons he chose to run away from home back then.

"Because I am a person who has transcended base desires, I will find the true meaning of life in my adventurous life."

"Heh." Avira sneered.

"Then why don't you just stay and be an elf princess? Why do you have to go out and gain experience?" Rhodes asked in return.

"I'll tell you everything once I win this bet."

Don't make such a bold statement at a time like this...

"Perhaps you do have a story, but I won't pry if you don't want to talk about it." Rhodes shrugged.

"Everyone has a few secrets."