The unexpected offer that came out of the mouth of a noble youth in front of them had made the eight people dressed in black look at each other, trying to look for lies or traps from the strange situation they were currently experiencing.
The fireballs hovering above their heads still radiated life-threatening heat, but the offer was too sudden to be immediately believed by a group of assassins like them.
The well-built man who was their leader finally mustered the courage to speak up again.
"What is your reason for wanting to recruit us under your family's command?" he asked full of vigilance.
"To protect my family, my people and the Vedegra territory!" answered Arvin straightforwardly. His gaze was very serious, looking right into the eyes of the man who had just asked him. "And besides that, I want you to join your former comrades there!"
"Our former comrades?" the man repeated in confusion, his forehead furrowing deeply.
"Yes, your former comrades, Red Sand!"
As soon as he clearly mentioned the name of that group, the eight people jolted in shock. The vigilance in their eyes was instantly replaced by disbelief.
"Are Mr. Rayand and the others there?" asked another member standing behind the leader, his voice trembling slightly, breaking the silence.
"Yes, they are all there along with their respective family members!" answered Arvin quickly without hesitation. "They were willing to become a force under the command of the Vedegra Family after I successfully cured the illness suffered by Melisa, Gaile's daughter!"
Fact after fact spoken by Arvin made the Silent Killers group fall completely silent. They knew the Red Sand group very well, and the fact that Gaile's daughter's illness was successfully overcome by the youth was truly beyond their comprehension.
Arvin then looked at their faces one by one alternately.
"So, is the Silent Killers group also willing to follow them and become a shadow force under my father's command?"
The leader swallowed hard, there was still a glimmer of doubt in his heart as someone who lived from the harshness of the underground world.
"Are you not lying that they have joined the Vedegra family?" he asked, trying to confirm one more time.
Arvin snorted softly, his expression turning colder.
"If I'm lying, just meet me in the capital of the Astoria Kingdom and kill me there! I will not fight back!" Arvin answered firmly, his voice echoing in that narrow alley. "But if it turns out they are really there and living decently, are you ready to die by my hands today just because you doubt my words?"
The threat was spoken without a high pitch, but its firmness seemed to freeze the air around them. The leader looked straight into Arvin's eyes. He looked for even the slightest doubt or lie there, but all he found was an absolute gaze full of certainty.
Seeing that gaze without any lies, the leader took one step forward, then lowered his body. One by one, the other members also began to follow him, kneeling on one knee on the dusty ground, giving their deepest respect to Arvin. All of them had acknowledged the Vedegra Family as their new masters.
"I, Darken, and all my members swear loyalty to the Vedegra Family!" the leader said with a loud voice full of conviction.
"I accept your oath of loyalty." Arvin said, stepping forward to approach them. "And in return, I swear I will never betray you like what you have experienced in the past!"
After the bond of loyalty was forged, Arvin swung his hand, taking out a roll of cloth and some jewelry.
By using his alchemy magic, a bluish light enveloped the cloth and jewelry. In a matter of seconds, the structure of the materials decomposed and fused, forming eight highly practical small-sized magic bags.
As soon as it was finished, Arvin immediately gave those bags to them. Added with the 2,000 Gold he gave to each of them.
Even though they did not know the exact amount of money given for free, Darken and his members still accepted the money and immediately stored it into their new magic bags.
On the other hand, Davin who had just stood silently witnessing all of that all this time, could not hide his sense of admiration.
Arvin's greatness in manipulating magic, coupled with his charisma when being a leader, had made the youth truly amazed.
"Do you have families living here?" Arvin asked to confirm, breaking Davin's reverie.
"We don't have families, Young Master!" Darken answered firmly representing his group. "So, when can we depart to the Vedegra territory?"
"This very day. Immediately pack your belongings that might be important!" Arvin ordered. "I will wait for all of you here!"
Hearing that instruction, Darken and his seven members immediately bowed their heads giving their respect once again, before finally turning around and dispersing back to their respective hideouts to pack.
While waiting for their arrival, Arvin decided not to waste time. He stomped his foot softly onto the ground. Instantly, a mound of earth in front of him rose and hardened, forming a sturdy stone table and chair.
Arvin sat on the chair, took out a sheet of parchment paper and a quill from his storage dimension space, then started writing a letter of introduction for his father in the Vedegra territory.
Davin, who had been holding himself back all this time, could no longer contain his curiosity. He walked closer to the stone table.
"Arvin, exactly how many elements do you master?" Davin asked, looking straight at the youth who was focused on writing.
"Nine!" Arvin answered quickly and casually, his hand keeping moving writing the letter without shifting his gaze from the paper in the slightest. "Why do you ask?"
Hearing an answer that sounded so nonsensical, Davin's forehead furrowed deeply.
"Are you joking with me? You should-"
Before Davin could finish his words to argue, Arvin cut him off first by channeling his mana into the empty air above the table.
At that exact moment, eight basic magic elements appeared simultaneously. A blazing small flame, a calmly swirling vortex of wind, a floating water bubble, hardening pebbles of earth, an ice crystal radiating coldness, a softly striking spark of lightning, a thick clump of dark mist, and a brightly shining orb of light.
The eight magic elements he brought out formed and floated stably right in front of Davin's eyes. His eyes widened greatly to the point of almost popping out seeing the magical anomaly in front of him.
Terrifying! Davin said in his heart, his body turning rigid feeling an immense mix of amazement and horror. Only this time have I seen firsthand and known that there is someone who can use all the elements which should be completely impossible to be possessed by a single person.
Davin's gaze slowly shifted from the floating elements toward Arvin's face who was still writing with a calm expression.
If in that era he fought Allen seriously, I am sure, he would definitely win easily. Having four elements like Allen alone is already considered very strong in this world. And this Arvin Vedegra... he is already like a walking disaster who can destroy the world anytime he wants.