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Chapter 486: Dissatisfaction

The cobblestone streets were bustling with activity. The townsfolk and Magi alike worked tirelessly to repair the damage, their combined efforts allowing the town to already be ready for the next tide.

Despite the apparent return to order, the tension still persisted. Especially considering that there had been significantly more casualties in the most recent wolf tide compared to the ones before.

The mayor\'s office was a tense and somber place. This room which was normally filled with the ordinary bustle of civic duties, now had an atmosphere that was a mixture of fear and frustration.

Mayor Hobbs, with his weathered face and piercing blue eyes, sat behind the oak table, flanked by a group of Magi and hired mercenaries whose expressions ranged from anxious to downright angry.

The lead Magus, a tall middle-aged man draped in cyan robes, stepped forward and urged, "Mayor, the casualties in the last battle have been significant. Our defenses are clearly insufficient. You must call for stronger reinforcements before it\'s too late!"

Mayor Hobbs\'s eyes flickered with a mix of emotions, but his expression remained stern. There was a hint of unease on his old face, but this went unnoticed by everyone gathered. He took a deep breath and began to speak, "I understand your concerns, I truly do." He paused for a moment before adding, "But hiring more Magi, especially a Rank 2 Magus, is not as simple as it sounds."

At once there was dissent amongst the mercenaries and Magi gathered in the room. In the last wolf tide, they had lost several of their comrades.

And if the next wolf tide were to be as intense as the last one, they couldn\'t begin to imagine just how many more men they would lose. Perhaps, they would be the ones to die as well.

They couldn\'t accept this. Mortal or Magi, they placed the highest priority on their own lives. If the mayor wasn\'t going to call for stronger reinforcements, then these people saw no point in staying in this town.

Regardless of the large number of benefits that they received after each battle, what good would it be if they weren\'t even alive to enjoy said benefits?

However, people who shared this sentiment were few and far between. The vast majority of the people would rather risk their lives for the promise of riches.

Such was the way of the world. People chased after riches, just as moths were drawn to a flame.

Noticing the growing impatience of the people that had gathered, Mayor Hobbs spoke up, "You must already be aware of this, but our budget is already stretched thin. The cost of hiring more Magi will cripple our town\'s finances."

"But the wolf horde seems endless!" Said a burly mercenary. "I\'m sure the additional Magi can be paid with the materials and beast cores harvested from these wolves! And who knows what other treasures we might find in the depths of the Weeping Woods!"

Mayor Hobbs harrumphed, "Eighty percent of all the loot is already being distributed to you people, while we retain only a measly twenty percent. If more Magi show up, are you willing to divide your loot with them?"

The man who had earlier spoken up now found himself unable to retort. But it seemed like he was about to come up with another excuse, however, before that could happen, the old mayor started speaking again.

"Secondly, the presence of more armed forces could incite panic among the townsfolk. We need to create order and stability, not an environment of fear and suspicion," he said.

A wave of dissatisfaction rippled through the crowd. Mayor Hobbs was aware of this, but there was no chance that he would call for a Rank 2 Magus to help them against the wolf tide. If he were to do so, the entire power balance in the town would be disrupted!

At the moment, there were only Rank 1 Magi amongst the people that he had hired to help with their problem. If any conflict were to arise, he and the town council members were confident to deal with it.

However, if a Rank 2 Magus showed up, the mayor and the council members wouldn\'t be able to do anything about it. They would be powerless.

Mayor Hobbs feared that the Rank 2 Magus would hog all the benefits for himself. But what he feared most was that this Magus would be tempted by the legacy of Morven the Malevolent just like the Patriarch of the Howlett Family had been in the past.

In short, no matter what happened, Mayor Hobbs would never get the help of a Magus who was more powerful than him. Or rather, more powerful than the combined strength of the local Magi of Stratford.

The lead Magus in cyan robes saw that the Mayor had no intention of explaining further, and couldn\'t help but deeply frown. He could sense that something was amiss.

His eyes narrowed as suspicion flickered across his face. "And what of the rumors?"

"What rumors?" The mayor asked flatly.

"Don\'t pretend to be ignorant!" The lead Magus roared. "We know that a group of mercenaries and Magi had entered the Weeping Woods a long time back. Only a single person returned and he said that the entire party was killed by a werewolf!"

The mayor\'s jaws tightened, but the next moment he waved his hand with a scoff. "Rumors are just that-rumors. Do you really believe the word of one man? Tell me, have you seen the werewolf with your own eyes?"

He knew that if these mercenaries and hired Magi were to know about the involvement of not just one, but half a dozen werewolves, they were sure to abandon this town and run for their

lives.

But the mayor couldn\'t have that happen on his watch. He needed to do everything he could to fulfill his objective.

This is what I owe to my ancestor! I must fulfill my filial duties no matter what! He roared in his heart, but on the outside, he displayed a flat expression.

"We will make a thorough review of our defenses and make necessary adjustments," he said. "Panic and rash decisions will only lead to further chaos."

The lead Magus gritted his teeth and spoke with frustration, "Please, mayor, I urge you! What are you going to do if there are even more casualties in the next wolf tide?

"You must invite a Rank 2 Magus to lead us into the depths of the Weeping Woods and resolve this problem at the core. If not, the wolves will continue to attack this town, and we will continue to lose men!"

Mayor Hobbs\'s eyes turned cold and he was about to angrily refuse the man, but the next moment, his pupils dilated and he went into a momentary daze.

A mysterious and bewitching voice sounded from behind and entered his ears.

"Listen to what the man is saying.

"Invite a Mana Liquefaction Magus to this town.

"Save your people. Save your loved ones.

"Become the leader you were always meant to be."

The old mayor\'s eyes regained their focus and he sighed deeply. He looked at the lead Magus

in cyan robes and nodded.

"You\'re right, I will request the help of a Rank 2 Magus."