Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 591: Three Conditions

Brighamʼs expression instantly darkened upon receiving this piece of intel. He glanced at the smirking dwarf and asked in a grave tone, ”When did you get your hands on this information?”

”Just this morning,” Krummor replied succinctly.

A million thoughts swirled inside the old patriarchʼs mind. The amount of information he had received, as well as the value of it, far exceeded his expectations.

He had learned of the machinations of an evil cult who planned to harm the city. Moreover, he also realized that the Umbra Thieves had hastened up trying to destroy him and everything he held dear.

The old manʼs fists involuntarily clenched as a name emerged in his mind.

Kissinger!

He knew this was retribution for what he did to him all those years ago. By all rights, he knew that he deserved it. However, it still pinched him that the man would go after the businesses that he had worked so hard for over the decades.

Whatʼs more, this was just the beginning. Brigham couldnʼt even begin to imagine what lengths Kissinger would go to in order to exact revenge upon him. He had to be ready. He had to protect the people he held dear.

Now that Krummor had presented him with a valuable piece of intel, it was his turn to reciprocate. Favor begets favors and whatnot.

”Alright, what do you want from me?” He asked after gathering his thoughts.

”The Twilight Brotherhood can operate where your name and station cannot—concealed, swift, and surgical. However, we lack the resources and the influence you wield in these lands,” Krummor had a solemn expression on his face as he explained.

”Together, we can root out the Umbra Thieves and hopefully thwart the Cult of the Bonesʼ plans,” he concluded.

”But what if youʼre wrong?” Brigham countered. ”What if this cult that you speak of has no connection to the Umbra Thieves whatsoever? What then?”

Krummor chuckled coldly, a dangerous light flashing in his eyes. ”The Umbra Thieves are no pretty criminals. Their corruption runs deep as youʼve already learned by now. Smugglers, slavers, extortionists, and murderers, all under the guise of their pursuit of power.

”So what if this guild of thieves isnʼt related to the cult weʼre after? Our organizationʼs goal has always been to maintain peace. We strive to eliminate tyranny across Tron! Any Magus who uses the gift of magic for evil deeds is our enemy!

”In helping you deal with the Umbra Thieves, we would only be protecting the innocent. So even if theyʼre not related to our mission here at Ravenfell, we would still help you nonetheless. After all, this is the right thing to do!”

Hearing such passionate words from the dwarf sitting across from him, Brigham couldnʼt deny that he was touched. However, deep down he knew that once he received their help in dealing with Kissinger and his guild, he would owe them a favor. A very big one at that.

He didnʼt know for sure if Krummor meant the words he had just spoken, however, this was an offer he simply couldnʼt refuse. He knew that he wouldnʼt be able to deal with the Umbra Thieves alone. He would need allies—strong allies.

But herein lay the problem - what if the Twilight Brotherhood asked him to offer something in return that he simply wouldnʼt be able to? What if the price for their help was too steep Thinking of this, Brigham couldnʼt help but become concerned.

Krummor had been in far too many situations where he had to negotiate on behalf of the Brotherhood with a third party. Over time, he had learned what to say and what not to say in order to pluck at the emotional strings of the other person.

What he also learned was to read the other personʼs facial expressions no matter how hard they tried to hide it.

The dwarfʼs expression turned gentle and friendly as he spoke, ”Magus Flynn, the Twilight Brotherhood has allied with several prominent aristocratic households spanning dozens of kingdoms in the Europa and Indus Continents.

”I can assure you that not once has the Brotherhood sought to impose their will on those nobles. No, that is not how we operate. What we value is independence above all.

”Our allies have greatly benefited from our network of spies, informants, and most importantly magical resources. Of course, for said resources, they would have to provide help of equal value.”

”Magical resources?” Brighamʼs ears perked up. ”What kind?”

Krummorʼs lips curled up into a faint smile. ”Iʼm afraid I canʼt divulge that information to you. Not yet anyway.”

He paused for a moment before adding, ”But know that our vaults run deep. Deeper than even the Acadian Empire.”

Brigham couldnʼt help but involuntarily scoff upon hearing the dwarfʼs last remark. An organization that is wealthier than the Acadian Empire? That was simply too much. Did this dwarf not have any shame to claim such bold things?

He would have believed it if it was another empire across the Galestine Ocean. But a clandestine organization? He couldnʼt believe it at all.

Krummor, on the other hand, didnʼt mind Brighamʼs reaction. He simply smiled in response. It was justifiable. After all, how would a frog in a well know anything about the vast sea?

Brigham studied Krummorʼs expression. Seeing how calm the dwarf appeared to be, he couldnʼt help but wonder, They canʼt really be wealthier than the Empire, can they? Is he bluffing?

”What would our alliance entail? Please be as detailed as you can be, Magus Grimriver,” he said after a few moments.

Krummor raised his hand, displaying three fingers. ”We would ask for your support in three ways. First, we need access to your trade network—both inside and outside the city—to monitor the movements of the Umbra Thieves and hopefully the Cult of Bones.

”Second, your voice among the city council would be invaluable in steering policy to weaken the cultʼs grip—without drawing suspicion, of course. We also need to find out why no one has decided to investigate the slums despite the situation there having escalated so much.”

Brigham deeply looked at him and asked in a grim tone, ”And what about the final condition?”