The following day, Jonn resumed focusing on the most pressing issue of the moment as he entered the Village Council chamber, where the group of mages from the Dayflare Family awaited him.

  The day’s discussion was more of an introductory session, having already been carefully arranged by the Councilors over the past few days. Naturally, most Councilors wouldn’t be required for this morning’s meeting, which was scheduled to begin shortly after Jonn, accompanied by Elia and Petyr, formally met the newcomers, along with Hank and William.

  Once everyone settled into the council hall and took their seats, Jonn and his two companions began their presentation. They addressed the critical challenges facing agriculture and the overall sustainability. Starting with the most pressing concern, Jonn and his companions explained the situation to the west of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow.

  At first, the newly arrived mages maintained their calm and good-humored demeanor as they prepared to discuss and implement their plans for the area that day. They’d expected hearing about difficulties, perhaps challenges related to the Aether Tears, or even rumors of competition. However, the tone of the meeting shifted dramatically. When Jonn broached the topic of Arcanis beasts—a far more delicate and complex issue—their composure broke.

  The atmosphere grew tense as they realized the situation was significantly more dire than they’d presumed. What they had thought would be a manageable set of problems had escalated to a crisis, at least three levels more critical than predicted.

  Isabelle’s expression of satisfaction faded, replaced by a grimace that clashed with her striking red-haired beauty. “Are you serious?” she asked, her tone marked by a mix of disbelief and concern. Her first instinct was to question the validity of what she had just heard. “Is this truly serious? Dinosaur Mystics?”

  Her party included three Mystics, but even with their combined power—alongside the Acolytes in her group and those from the Eternal Village—Isabelle doubted they could hold their own against even a handful of dinosaurs with similar levels of magical strength.

  Her advisor and primary bodyguard mulled over the statements made by Jonn, Elia, and Petyr, carefully weighing the shifting balance of risks and advantages. They understood all too well that the circumstances in the Barren Hills of Deepshadow were evolving into something far more precarious.

  Jonn nodded solemnly, his expression grave. “Both the village’s scouts and our mages have observed these creatures moving near to here. I personally tracked the movements of level 2 dinosaurs and gathered reports from my allies regarding these foes and their intentions for the territories beyond Arcanis.”

  The initial explanation provided by the village members regarding the threat to the west included not only the Tyrannosaurus Rexes sighted by Eliot and Veris but also the arrangement with the Triceratops horde.

  Armed with this information, Isabelle relied on her sharp critical mind and cast a glance at her advisors. She didn’t need to voice her thoughts to know that their opinions aligned with her own.

  #’Complicated… But given the value of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow combined with the farming methods of the Eternal Village, there are still significant advantages here for us,’# she reflected.

  The village currently occupied only a negligible fraction of the region. With the right investments and luck on their side, her family could secure a strong foothold on the area and transform their fortunes far beyond this place, potentially bringing lasting change to their standing in Eldoria. This realization was clear not only to Isabelle but also to Beth and Nel.

  #‘The food produced by this community holds unique potential—it possesses the ability to sustain and nourish mages. If we master this method, we’ll have a greater opportunity to awaken new mages and strengthen those who have already received their awakening,’# thought the warrior standing to Isabelle’s right.

  Jonn’s revelations, while alarming, did nothing to diminish the man’s interest in the region or its possibilities.

  After a brief, thoughtful silence, Isabelle finally spoke. “That’s troubling to hear,” she said, her voice steady. “But if that’s the reality of the situation, then we must fight to ensure these beasts neither reach us nor even become aware of us.”

  Jonn nodded, recognizing that securing their support would not be difficult. There was a slight risk that the family might attempt to evade the problem, but logically, that seemed unlikely. Hiding would have no lasting effect and could jeopardize their chances in any future war of conquest.

  “In that case, we must combine our numbers and knowledge to reduce the threats posed by these beasts. I sense that this won’t be a quick problem to solve. A significant part of the bestial community of Arcanis is determined to dominate Valorian.”

  Jonn’s words did not surprise the Dayflare Family envoys. For the key players in the power dynamics of Eldoria, this was common knowledge.

  Isabelle could easily imagine that Jonn already had plans and ideas ready to share. She asked, “What exactly do you expect from us? We came here to expand your fields and generate profits for the family. Obviously, we won’t shy away from fighting, but don’t forget our primary objectives.”

  Jonn nodded in agreement and replied, “As I mentioned earlier, your numbers alone won’t be enough to cultivate the crops—unless you’re willing to invest more than a ton of Green Aether Tears.” He smiled, casting a questioning glance at the group.

  Every member of the Dayflare Family entourage looked at him with narrowed eyes, recognizing the absurdity of such a figure to invest in the Barren Hills of Deepshadow.

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  Did the family possess that many Green Aether Tears? The question crossed the minds of several of them.

  Jonn continued, “If your group is to be useful at all, it will be by bolstering our defenses—whether through barriers around the village and its surrounding territory, traps, or by directly confronting our enemies. Our greatest challenges today are the threats to our place. As long as we have the freedom to grow, we will do so, even without you focusing on construction and agriculture.”

  Elia added, pointing to Petyr, “Help us prepare for war by training our men and sharing your battle knowledge. Be ready to fight against both human and non-human adversaries. Your help will buy us the time we need to expand our fields without requiring the full amount of mana crystals Jonn mentioned.”

  Beth turned to the two youths and asked, “You want us to assume the role of village protectors? To focus solely on that and leave everything else to you?”

  That was precisely their request, which, to the newcomers, didn’t seem particularly appealing.

  “Exactly,” Jonn confirmed with a nod. “I understand that you’re here for more than just this, and we’ll help you grasp what to expect from the territory if we manage to develop this cooperation. We will certainly share the profits from the peace you help establish, providing you with resources to trade on your own.

  But for now, there isn’t room for all of us to focus on managing the village and expanding the fields. Leave that to us, who have the expertise and the necessary manpower, and focus on what you excel at more than we do—magical warfare.”

  Isabelle felt a headache coming on, a rare sensation of uncertainty washing over her. She understood the village members’ reasoning. To a certain extent, it made sense. It was even logical to follow this strategic division. But on the other hand, her loyalty to her family’s interests and the aim of exploring this territory made her feel insecure. Following the village’s plan would force her to abandon her initial plans for this territory.

  In this moment of doubt and silence, Petyr added something. “consider the strategy you want to follow. The beasts of Arcanis are our most pressing concern, but we also have human enemies to contend with. In particular, we’ve already faced issues with the Lost Treasures forces between Sir William and Sir Hank’s arrival in the village and now.”

  “Lost Treasures?”

  “Those deceitful slave traders??”

  Elia interjected, “It’s only a matter of time before news of our village spreads among the great powers. We must prepare for a major dispute over the region.”

  Isabelle felt the weight of the village’s problems, seeing the grandiose vision of the Barren Hills of Deepshadow becoming her family’s agricultural granary slipping away from reality.

  She finally made up her mind. “All right, we’ll go along with what you suggest. We’ll focus on strengthening the village’s defenses and allow you to develop your expansion plans prior to our arrival.”

  Jonn and Elia smiled upon hearing this, seeing their plans were taking another step in the direction they believed would be best for their community.

  “However,” Isabelle added, not agreeing to everything exactly as the locals wanted, “I will stay in the village and monitor your actions to understand the efforts and possible sacrifices my people will be making in the meantime. Of course, I expect to have access to the Council meetings and the day-to-day management of the village’s planted areas.”

  Petyr and Elia looked at Jonn, aware that this decision rested solely with him.

  Allowing Isabelle such access would provide her with critical information and insights into the village’s technologies and plans. Jonn had expected something like this. While a partnership with this family would certainly be risky, he saw no better alternative at the moment and accepted Isabelle’s demand.

  “Very well, we can go on as you suggested,” Jonn agreed, before also stating his own conditions. “In return, we will stand by to our initial agreement. The village will remain independent, and you will have your own space and land, separate from ours. Currently, you have nothing, so we will assist you in developing your site as long as you help us. We will expand our buildings and planted areas equally in both our territories.

  Temporarily, because of the many issues we need to address, we will live together in the village, and our territories will intermingle. But as soon as we have the resources, manpower, and time, we will separate our forces as defined in the initial agreement I made with Sir William and Sir Hank.”

  Isabelle’s group murmured their opinions on these terms, while the village members watched them in silence.

  Jonn, in particular, couldn’t help but observe the Mystics in Isabelle’s group, contemplating the future. #The best outcome for the village would be if you all fell to our enemies… but I can’t ignore the possibility that our relationship might last longer than I’d like. In that case, I need to ensure the village secures its position.

  After considering her companions’ opinions, Isabelle said, “All right. Let’s make a pact and confirm these terms.” She stood up, followed by all the other mages in her group, while Petyr and Elia looked at Jonn, already aware of what the pact entailed.

  Jonn rose from his seat and walked towards Isabelle until they were facing each other. His eyes fell on the small artifact in her hands, the size of a human heart, shaped like a triangular pyramid. The item had smooth, ivory-colored sides that pulsed with mana and elements.

  Jonn’s eyes scanned the artifact, easily identifying it as one of the tools described by William and Hank earlier.

  #This is what mages use to make pacts official… A tool capable of marking souls and creating mechanisms to punish and prevent the breaking of agreements.

  Jonn studied the object closely, noting the superficial runes inside, though he couldn’t discern its entire structure. [Arcane Sight] wouldn’t provide all the answers, but he didn’t overestimate his capabilities. Not even the Celestial Magnifying Glass could fully read the item at his current level.

  Jonn extended one of his hands to Isabelle as she did the same, while Sir Nel took the pyramid-shaped artifact, acting as the pact’s intermediary.

  The pact of equals, like the one they were about to confirm, was simple. An intermediary, equipped with an enchanted tool or special powers capable of validating the agreement, would connect the parties involved. By releasing their aura and lowering their guard, the participants would allow themselves to be marked by the intermediary’s power or the tool’s special capability while making their promises.

  Jonn stated his conditions, and Isabelle reiterated hers. Both then said “I accept” to each other’s terms, while the intermediary made the oath official.

  Once the agreement was sealed and Jonn resumed protecting his soul as usual, he felt a new mark on his essence, immediately recognizing the properties of such a magical agreement.

  #Interesting. That’s a weaker deal than I imagined.

  He concealed his satisfaction, aware that the mark on his soul was at a level that neither Isabelle nor the other mages—neither experts nor scholars—could perceive.

  As this realization settled in, Jonn felt a click in his core, marking the moment he had been expecting for months.

  His expression changed, and the surrounding mages noticed the shift for the same reason.

  “Oh? Did that get you over your bottleneck?” Isabelle asked, sensing the mana around Jonn gather in an unnatural proportion, realizing that their partnership had already spurred an advance in her ally’s cultivation.

  Jonn didn’t respond to her or the group’s curious glances. Instead, he quickly left the village core, heading away from the non-mage community towards an area suitable for his advancement.