Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1908 Negotiation

"Are you crazy!"

Michael couldn't help but blurt out in frustration.

Hand over all weapons and artifacts? They might as well stretch their necks on the chopping block.

Genevieve also had a dark frown on her face, though she said nothing. Handing over her artifacts and material components was tantamount to surrendering herself.

Sure, there were a handful of spells that did not require material components, such as [Magic Missile] and [Mana Bolt]. But still, that reduced her utility considerably.

The elf on the other side raised her hands slightly and shrugged.

"We don't trust you," she said casually. "It's only right that you hand over all dangerous items to us."

"And we trust you??" Michael was dumbfounded.

Adam remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking.

"I'm assuming you'll return everything to us after you've properly vetted us," he said.

"Naturally," said the elf.

"Take a leap of faith, friend," she continued.

"You should know there are many adventurers in the city, and we take our security very seriously. All newcomers must go through rigorous screening. And once they've been deemed safe, they can join us."

"And if they're not?" Adam asked.

"Not our problem," the elf said. "They will not be granted permission to enter the City Hall. They could live out the rest of their lives in the woods. Or die. We don't care."

Adam's eyes narrowed.

There were a few things of note in what the elf had just stated.

First, City Hall seemed to be the only suitable place inside the city.

Makes sense, considering all those monsters are freely moving in and out through the gates, he thought.

If I had to guess, the monsters have infested that vast majority of the space within the city.

Second, and the more troubling observation that he made was:

Live out the rest of their lives in the woods? He thought grimly.

Have these people not found a way out of this secret plane? Have they already resigned themselves to their fate?

"So what's it going to be?" the elf's voice echoed through the hard rain.

"Of course, you can still refuse our offer, and we can part ways here. No harm will be done to you," she added.

They don't seem to be desperate to recruit new adventurers into the city, Adam thought.

Have they really given up on escaping this nightmare?

"On one condition," Adam said at last.

The elf quirked an eyebrow in amusement. "Though you are not in a position to bargain, I'll still hear you out. Speak, Magus."

"Swear a Mana Oath," Adam said flatly. "In return for handing over our weapons, artifacts, and material components, you will grant us safe passage to your City Hall. And that you will not harm us directly or indirectly."

He paused, astutely observing the elf as well as the three Paladins behind her.

"Agree to this condition, and we'll do as you say."

The elf raised her hand and lightly stroked her chin.

"I can agree to this," she said. "But I'll need to add further stipulations. Wouldn't want you to take advantage of any loopholes now."

Adam scoffed.

"Very well."

After the initial agreement was made, Adam and the short elf vaulted to the tree right next to them, while the rest stayed where they were.

Adam had only given a primary statement, and even he knew that there were many loopholes he could exploit. The fact that the other party was willing to discuss further upon it, at the very least, suggested they were serious.

"I'll begin," said the elf. "After surrendering the items, you must remain peaceful. You must not intentionally provoke my team. You must not sabotage our journey. Naturally, when I mean you, it includes your party as well…"

Adam patiently listened to the elf go on.

Finally, it was his turn to speak.

"You must not imprison us once we reach the City Hall. You must promise to return our equipment. You must not destroy or lose our items while they're in your possession. 'Safe passage' is a little vague, so let's discuss that. And what is the time frame of said 'safe passage'?"

After a few more minutes of back and forth, the pair had finally come to an agreement and sworn a Mana Oath with one another.

The finer details of the negotiation allowed all equipment to be returned to Adam and his party, that they won't be imprisoned or handed over, and that the escorts actively protect them without any ill intent.

Furthermore, Adam and his party would surrender all dangerous items, commit no hostile acts, obey escort instructions during their journey to the City Hall, and make no attempt to sabotage them.

A balanced agreement was reached where neither side was placing all of the restrictions on the other.

At last, the rest of the party came together and introduced themselves. The atmosphere now was much more cordial.

"You're quite the cautious one, Adam." The elf smirked. "Caution is good. I like it."

Adam replied politely, "Caution is good indeed. We'll be in your care, Lady Daerona."

Then he turned to the Paladins behind her and added, "And yours. Thank you."

On the surface, the details of the Mana Oath were detailed and seemed fair to both parties. To an extent, they were fair, with no sign of deceit being employed.

Adam, however, was Adam.

Through careful wordings and half-truths, he managed to surrender everything the elf expected while quietly keeping both the Eternal Soul Lotus and Hannibal's Handwraps.

By the time he was finished, even the sharp-eyed elf found nothing suspicious about the exchange.

When the artifacts were handed over, he was quite surprised to see the sheer number of artifacts on Genevieve's person. He also noticed a few of Daerona's men exchange subtle glances with one another.

This might be troublesome, he thought.

If Genevieve was aggrieved with handing over all her equipment and material components, she didn't show. Adam and Michael were slightly better off since they still had more capital to defend themselves despite parting with their weapons.

After a thorough tally, Daerona smiled. "Thank you, everyone. Now, if you will follow us."

Adam and his team agreed. They leaped from branch to branch as they traveled alongside the elf's party.

True to the Mana Oath, she and her party diligently protected them. Strangely, however, they were moving further away from the city gates.

Adam's eyes narrowed. Even with the Mana Oath in play, he would still not fully trust the other party.

Now let's see how you plan to get us into the city…