Published: March 12, 2025
CHAPTER 221: Joining the Alliance
Zhao Hai nodded; such conditions were indeed acceptable. If the dark mage alliance was really this lenient, then he had no problem joining.
Maru looked at Zhao Hai and smiled, "As long as you join the alliance, they can provide you with some common intelligence. If you want the alliance to help you investigate something special or a specific person, the alliance will charge a fee based on the difficulty of the investigation and the identity of the person. Of course, the alliance will also have some tasks to publish. For example, if some mages want to know about certain individuals, and you help investigate, the alliance can give you a commission. If mages need those magical beasts, and you help capture them, the alliance will also reward you with a commission."
Zhao Hai chuckled; the dark mage alliance was indeed interesting. It sounded a lot like the mercenary guilds commonly found in novels back on Earth. Their activities were quite similar to those of mercenary guilds, except their targets were all dark mages.
After laughing for a moment, Zhao Hai asked, "Is there any procedure to join the alliance?"
When Maru heard this, he realized that Zhao Hai was already tempted. He quickly said, "There’s no procedure. As long as you agree to join the alliance, that’s all. You just need to keep the alliance's matters confidential and not betray us. If you agree, take this; then you’ll be a formal member of the dark mage alliance."
As he spoke, he took out a small badge, about the size of a one-yuan coin from Earth. The front displayed a pattern of dark clouds obscuring the sun, while the back had a small pin-like item that could be attached to clothing.
Zhao Hai examined the simple badge closely and then looked up at Maru. "With such a simple badge, aren’t you afraid of forgery?"
Maru smiled, "No, this badge may seem unremarkable, but the metal used to make it was accidentally obtained by one of our elders during a magic experiment. This metal isn’t hard, but it has great plasticity. Once shaped, if it undergoes external force and deforms, it can slowly revert to its original shape. Moreover, this badge has a unique number, so others can't forge it."
Memory metal!
Zhao Hai felt that this thing resembled memory metal. He never expected such a thing could also exist in the Ark Continent.
He picked up the badge and scrutinized it, but he couldn't discern anything further, so he placed it back on the table and turned to Maru. "If the alliance really doesn’t have so many rules, I agree to join."
Maru couldn't help but feel delighted. He had some understanding of Zhao Hai and knew he was quite powerful. The last time Zhao Jia and the others tried to deal with Zhao Hai, they mysteriously vanished, and the undead mercenary group had also disappeared from the continent since being repelled by Zhao Hai after attacking Laura. This proved Zhao Hai's strength. With such a powerful mage joining the dark mage alliance, it added to their strength, which was what made Maru the happiest.
Clearly, the dark mage alliance was far more pure than the church of light. Their purpose was very simple, as Maru had told Zhao Hai: to help dark mages and ensure the continuation of dark magic, and to resist the church of light.
Compared to the church of light, the dark mage alliance was disorganized but lacked the utilitarian motives. This was precisely why Zhao Hai chose to join the dark mage alliance.
Seeing Zhao Hai put away the badge, Maru felt reassured and smiled at him. "Good, from now on, you are one of us in the dark mage alliance. Our main goal is to help dark mages and resist the church of light. During other times, everyone just focuses on their own affairs, so you don’t have to worry about being constrained."
Zhao Hai smiled, "Alright, enough of that. Since Mr. Maru has come, we should treat him well. Laura, make some preparations. In a while, I’ll invite Mr. Maru to dinner, and after the meal, I’ll also take him to see a show."