Chapter 15: The Dark Angel Mercenaries

A sharp cry came from the assassin who had fallen to the ground. Two green vines, like living ropes, slid smoothly along his body as they tightened around him. Small thorns gradually grew on the vines, and with just a few movements, they torn the mage’s robes to shreds, revealing the tight undergarments beneath.

The two warriors who had launched their desperate attacks seemed to realize their recklessness at that moment. They stopped awkwardly, looking at Komer and the others in confusion. The two opponents before them did not seem like the pursuers they had been fleeing from. One moved with calm confidence, while the other, though visibly displeased, exuded an elegance and grace that made it hard to believe she was the same mage who had cast the Shield of Light just moments earlier. At least one thing was certain: these two opponents, both mages, were not their enemies. It was unclear why they had ordered their group to stop, which only served to intensify the tension among the three already on edge.

Lomei glared unhappily as the Archmage stared intently at the assassin struggling on the ground. The assassin’s mage robes had been torn to rags by his struggles and the movement of the magical vines, revealing his exquisite assassin attire. His long, well-proportioned legs and firm, round buttocks were covered by leather pants made from a special type of animal skin, outlining his graceful figure. It was clear that such a fit physique had been achieved through intense physical training. Around his slender waist was a wide belt fastened in reverse, characteristic of the northernwestern regions of the continent. A series of small ornaments on the belt appeared to be decorations, but Komer knew they likely had some hidden purpose, though he couldn’t figure it out yet. Above his narrow waist were full breasts, covered tightly by two large green breastplates that concealed them completely, yet even so, their shape could be discerned from the outside.

The mage hat covering his head had fallen off, revealing short hair that resembled flames. His delicate round face was filled with anger, his cheeks flushed red and slightly sweaty. His small nostrils flared as he struggled desperately to break free from the humiliating magical vines that bound him to the ground. He gritted his silver teeth, refusing to make a sound, and kept fighting to escape the increasingly tight vines.

Lome could clearly sense the Great Sage’s interest in the female assassin lying on the ground. She wanted to wave her hand to dispel the wood magic cast by Komer, but feared going against his intentions. She could only suppress her displeasure and stand calmly aside.

“There’s no need to struggle anymore. This is magic vine—wood magic that grows from the ground. Force alone won’t free you, unless your combat energy reaches the level of martial mastery.” With a gentle smile, and despite facing the enemy’s fierce attacks, Komer seemed unfazed as he said casually, “If you promise not to attack me or my companions anymore, I’ll immediately lift this restraint. I think there might be some misunderstanding between us. Well, it seems your companion has already understood.”

He casually pointed at the ground, and two dark vines, as if alive, slithered off the tightly bound female assassin with a soft sound before disappearing into the ground instantly, leaving no trace of where they came from. The two warriors standing nearby, still gripping their weapons, stared at Komer with undisguised envy.

For warriors, such magic that appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as quickly was the ultimate talisman. A mercenary group with even one mage would instantly rise in status, while one sorcerer would undoubtedly make it a leader in the mercenary world. Unfortunately, sorcerers were highly sought after across the continent. Apart from large-scale mercenary groups, smaller ones simply couldn’t afford them. Even mages rarely entered the mercenary world, as they could find far better opportunities elsewhere—except for those who intended to use mercenary missions to hone their magical skills.

Magi brought countless benefits to a mercenary group. They could cast offensive spells in battle, use supportive spells to enhance warriors’ attack power and defense, and heal the wounded. Depending on their specialized skills, magi could provide significant assistance in various areas. Of course, in combat, their close-quarters combat skills were quite poor, usually requiring protection from dedicated warriors, but the advantages they brought far outweighed this limitation.

As the two magical vines retracted, the freed female assassin leaped lightly off the ground. Her disheveled mage robes looked rather comical in contrast to the sleek, form-fitting assassin attire beneath them. Seeing her flushed cheeks and fierce expression, Komer found it especially amusing. Such a stubborn assassin who refused to give up was rare—assassins aimed for a one-shot kill; if the odds were too steep or they couldn’t overcome their opponent, they would simply leave and seek another chance, rarely exposing themselves openly. This girl was probably a newcomer, acting as a leader among this somewhat peculiar group of mercenaries. Even if she failed, she wouldn’t dare leave, especially since it was just a misunderstanding with no real danger.

“Gentlemen, I think you now realize that the two of us aren’t your targets, right? Acting impulsively and recklessly as mercenaries is a serious mistake. Next time you encounter others, you might not be so lucky.” Komer’s tone was gentle, but his words were merciless.

“Hmph, who gave you the right to talk to us?! Who asked you to bother us? We don’t even know you!” The female assassin adjusted her robes. Seeing how tattered her mage robes were, she tore them off right in front of everyone and discarded them, revealing her graceful and athletic figure. Even her two companions felt embarrassed by her bold action—such a carefree behavior from a girl, especially in front of men, was quite inappropriate.

“Uh, gentlemen, indeed we just met by chance. I happened to overhear someone mention that you were robbed—by an elf thief, I believe. I happened to spot an elf thief passing by me just before that, so…” Before Komer could finish, the three of them shouted in unison, “Where is he?”

“I’m sorry, he was here just now. He probably hasn’t gone far. But with you all delaying us, he’s likely already left this garden,” Komer said, shrugging innocently.

Hearing this, the three deflated, and the girl was furious, feeling insulted. “Why are you talking so hesitantly? You drag out every sentence, wasting all our time. Let’s go! Stop wasting words on this guy!”

“Ah, Miss Bukharin, please be less impatient, would you? I have a proposal—I’m not sure if you’ll accept it. I was also robbed by that thief just now. I’m not very familiar with Prag, so I’d like to join you in searching for that thief. I wonder if you’d accept my proposal?” Komer said calmly with a slight smile.

They exchanged surprised glances; even the female assassin was almost overjoyed. This was an incredible opportunity. The magic skills displayed by these two were on par with those of masters. If they could join their group, their mercenary company’s value would skyrocket. However, there seemed to be some hesitation in their words—they only wanted to help find the lost items and it was unclear whether they’d be willing to join their mercenary group. Would mages like them even consider their company?

Mixed feelings of joy and concern filled the three of them. It was the assassin-dressed girl who reacted fastest. She blinked rapidly, seemingly thinking about how to lure these two inexperienced newcomers into her trap. She then said, “Sure, but you two must become full members of our mercenary group before you can join us in our efforts. Well, we do have a few vacant spots for mages. If you’re interested in joining, I can represent the group in accepting your applications.”

“Join your mercenary group? I don’t seem to know the name of your group, nor do I know if it’s famous. My teacher said that only famous mercenary groups need mages to ensure our safety. I wonder about your group…?” Komer blinked, pretending to be confused.

“Ha! Haven’t you heard of the fame of our Dark Angel Mercenary Group? Our Black Rose Mercenary Group is extremely renowned in the northern part of the continent. Even the orcs in the Mogan Wasteland dare not provoke us easily. Judging by your appearance, you must have just left your apprenticeship. How is it that you’ve never heard of our group? You’re really ignorant!” The girl’s voice sharpened suddenly, as if trying to boost her own confidence by raising her voice. If she could deceive these two, the strength and reputation of her mercenary group could increase exponentially. Even in the south, they could stand out.