Chapter 30: Lady Ordos, Who Commands Respect

He examined its status:

[Magic Wolf: Seise]
[HP: Greatly Increased]
[MP: Slightly Increased]
[Innate Skill: Magic Claws - The magic wolf's claws are imbued with a magical effect that intensifies muscle tearing and bleeding.]
[Innate Skill: Bloodlust - Enters a berserk state after taking damage.]
[Innate Skill: Blood Hunt - Keenly detects the lingering scent of blood in the air, allowing it to accurately pinpoint the aura of the weak and ensuring the injured have nowhere to hide.]
[Level: Tier 3, Enhanced]

Zohan had already witnessed the appearance of such magic wolves that morning near the camp, having used "His Majesty Edmund's Spacetime Fracture." Now that it was confirmed to be a Tier 3 magical beast, he felt slightly surprised. A Tier 3 magical beast is equivalent to a Tier 3 human mage, a level that serves as the ceiling for the vast majority of ordinary mages. According to his mentor’s travel logs and various anecdotal records, every adventurer party must have a Tier 3 mage as its core. Against a combat-oriented Tier 3 beast like a magic wolf, a Tier 3 mage essentially has no chance of winning.

Mahait seemed to command a platoon of these magic wolves, which, unlike typical ones, possessed discipline and organizational structure—a fact evident from their uniforms. It seemed Mahait was indeed a significant figure, and the rumors were not mere hearsay.

"Everyone, do not panic. This... this magic wolf named Seise has taken control of my wife and commanded me to gather you all," Mayor Barbarov said, his face etched with misery. He wondered if he would still be able to hold onto his position as mayor after this incident; after all, even Lady Ardos’s eyes were radiating dissatisfaction.

However, this was no time to dwell on such matters. Barbarov continued, "It says it represents the Magic Wolf Tribe and has come to sign a treaty with our town of Red Hazel. The matter is of great importance, and I dare not make a decision on my own." As he spoke, he glanced at Lady Ardos. This was a matter only the Ardos family could truly decide.

At the same time, he hoped that Lady Ardos, as a woman, would support and understand the compromises he had to make for the sake of his wife, as well as his cooperation with the magic wolf’s demands.

"I’ve never heard of signing a treaty with magical beasts!" muttered Master Merk, who controlled the waterway transport routes for Red Hazel.

"Indeed. What exactly is going on? Barbarov, open the door; I want to go back," complained Boss Kagit, the owner of the town’s only brothel and casino. His eyes darted around, searching for a chance to slip away.

The crowd murmured, yet no one lost their composure enough to try and bolt for the door. The powerful three-meter-tall creature before them was far too intimidating. It seemed their only hope lay with the mage, though rumors suggested that modern mages were merely scholars skilled in theoretical research, lacking the overwhelming combat prowess they once possessed when they ruled the continent.

"Heh-heh-heh—" Magic Wolf Seise emitted a harsh, grating laugh. "People of Red Hazel, I, the Magic Wolf Seise, represent the Dire Beast Magic Wolf Tribe that has settled nearby. I have come to sign a treaty with you all."

Having finished, it cast a glance at the mage, who remained motionless, neither panicked nor attempting to show resistance, appearing as if the matter did not concern him at all. Zohan simply mused to himself that he was learning something new. According to his mentor's records, even tribal-type magical beasts lacked clear social structures or scientific regulations, let alone the understanding of "signing a treaty" with humans. This was undoubtedly a new era of magical beasts, raised and taught to move toward civilization.

As for the people of Red Hazel, they did not seem to find this strange, likely because they had not seen a magical beast in decades and were inherently ignorant of them.

Magic Wolf Seise then stated the conditions of the Dire Beast Tribe:

[Red Hazel shall henceforth become the territory of the Dire Beast Tribe and be under its protection. The Dire Beast Tribe is obligated to protect Red Hazel from all external threats.]
[All resources of Red Hazel belong to the Dire Beast Tribe for distribution; nothing may be handled without the tribe's permission.]
[The Dire Beast Tribe shall distribute resources and transfer distribution rights without the need for consent from Red Hazel’s residents, government, families, or chambers of commerce.]
[Red Hazel is responsible for raising livestock for the Dire Beast Tribe, ensuring a sufficient quantity and variety of meat.]
[The Dire Beast Tribe will train warriors for Red Hazel, selecting a certain number of young men and women each year to enter the tribe for training and transformation.]

Once Magic Wolf Seise finished, the council chamber fell into a deathly silence. What was the difference between this and becoming slaves to the Dire Beast Tribe?

Although the residents of Red Hazel could be said to have always been slaves to the Ardos family, the treaty before them meant that even the masters themselves would become slaves. Perhaps they could negotiate for better treatment, but everything they had previously acquired would vanish into thin air!

"Impossible!" Just as everyone was stunned by these profoundly unfair terms, Lady Ardos flatly rejected them.

Except for Zohan, everyone gasped. The cruelty and brutality of magical beasts were deeply ingrained in their hearts, and furthermore, since Barbarov had left his seat, Lady Ardos was the person standing closest to Magic Wolf Seise.

"Heh-heh-heh—" Magic Wolf Seise laughed again. Its red eyes grew even more bloodshot, fixed firmly on Lady Ardos’s fair, full chest, and saliva began to drip from its jaws.

"My Lady, since this is a partnership, the treaty is of course open to negotiation. You don’t have to make a decision immediately," Barbarov quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"I support the Lady. Even if the other side were to concede, such terms are no different from sucking the blood of the residents of Red Hazel," said Old Dingdang, glancing around the room. In truth, the masters and bosses present had always been the ones sucking the blood of the residents; now that it was their turn to be bled, they certainly couldn't stomach it. Old Dingdang had been a man of great spirit in his youth, but after his son and daughter-in-law passed away, he had to become much more calculating to ensure his granddaughter could survive. Yet, at this moment, he had to stand up as a hardliner to protect the interests of these people.

Lady Ardos nodded at Old Dingdang in appreciation; he was worthy of being the first among them to have contact with Master Zohan—his foresight was indeed superior. She continued, "And another thing, why must you select our people to enter the tribe for training?"

To show that she had gained profound insight and was transformed through her frequent contact with the mage, Lady Ardos had a flash of inspiration: "And what is this 'transformation' you speak of? Tell me, does being transformed mean we will become like you? You were once human, weren't you!"

Lady Ardos’s words were like a thunderbolt, instantly sparking an uproar in the chamber. The crowd looked at Magic Wolf Seise with trembling hearts. Even Zohan looked at Lady Ardos with newfound respect.