Chapter 12: The Arcane Priory

In the tense atmosphere, Cassius finally said:
"I see that you have a unique character and are extremely smart. You are a talent, no, a demonic talent. Are you willing to become my follower?"

Rumple felt relieved and stopped constructing the fireball.

He replied in a rather flattering manner: "From the perspective of submitting to the strong, I am of course willing to become your follower. After all, you are a powerful red dragon."

But before the Red Dragon could reply, he raised his head again tentatively and whispered:
"But I also want to know, what benefits will becoming your dependent bring to me and my tribe?"

"This ogre is really hard to fool. He is very smart. If it were an original red dragon, it would have been blasted into ashes by a breath of fire. Only I have a keen eye for talent."

Cassius couldn't help but complain to himself.

However, given the scarcity of spellcasters, the red dragon decided to be courteous to the ogre. He spoke with the same attitude as a leader in his previous life and slowly began to speak:
"I can see that you are different from ordinary ogres. You are very smart and pursue knowledge and wisdom."

Trump nodded with some satisfaction.

Who can understand the bitterness of being among a group of ogres who only know how to eat?

"But are you willing to spend the rest of your life eating and sleeping in this narrow valley?"

"Are you willing to only associate with these people of your own kind, and be turned into bounty by adventurers who break into the valley one day in the future?"

Seeing that the ogre was somewhat moved, Cassius continued to increase his strength, bewitching the ogre like a devil from hell:
"Don't you want to control more powerful forces, see a wider world, and have your name sung by poets?"

"Submit to me, and I can provide you with endless food, unimaginable strength, and knowledge as vast as the stars. I will allow your talents to truly play a role, and I will build a great empire."

The red dragon paused and said, "Imagine that you will become part of my grand blueprint."

Cassius's pie is getting bigger and bigger. After all, it's just bragging, so the more the better.

"me……"

The ogre was so excited that he was speechless.

Lang Pu was in deep thought, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

These words had a profound impact on him. As an ogre, he began to think for the first time whether there was any other meaning in life besides eating.

His ogre tribesmen had already gathered around him, but they were afraid that their boss would get angry, so they didn't dare to disturb him. However, when they heard the word "food", they couldn't help but cheer:
"Submit! Submit!"

"food!"

Although they can't understand anything else, they can hear food.
"Now, I need an answer."

"Would you like to become my dependent?"

Cassius' tone was passionate.

Finally, Rump's eyes became firm. He raised his head, half-knelt down with his fat body, and said solemnly:
"Gods bear witness, I, Lump, the Lord of the Ogres of the Gluttonous Valley, the smartest ogre in the world, am willing to become your follower and conquer the world for you."

The Red Dragon was not moved by this rather "grand" scene of loyalty, he just felt a little dry in the mouth.

He thought to himself that this clever guy must have stayed in the mountains for too long and had not experienced the beatings of human society. Even with an IQ of 17 points, he was still fooled.

"Casius, your master, remember this name well."

"Yes, my noble master, I am willing to be the sword in your hand, the shield in front of you, and charge into battle."

The ogre spoke passionately, trying to continue his line, as if he had fallen into a fantasy of the "grand blueprint".

"Don't talk like that."

Cassius interrupted Trump's improvisation.
It sounded strange that an ogre who was three meters tall and weighed one ton spoke in such a bardic tone.

"Yes, Master."

The ogre mage wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Oh oh oh oh!"

The ogres cheered again, waving their assorted maces, mallets, and large bone clubs. In fact, they didn't know what was happening, but they vaguely knew that there seemed to be a new boss on top.

And according to Big Head, the second smartest ogre in the tribe, they can eat more, which makes these greedy guys very happy.

We have a new boss!"

The "smart guy" in the ogre team cheered.

Lang Pu corrected him seriously: "It's not the new leader, it's the master, or your majesty."

"All right, old boss."

Trump couldn't bear it anymore and raised the big stick in his hand again.

"Old boss, why are you hitting me?"

"Ouch!"

……

Leading the ogres to move into the territory, the red dragon asked the ogre magician curiously:

"Where did you learn the spells and those books?"

Lang Pu touched his head and recalled for a moment before answering:
"A few months ago, I ate a wizard who was riding in a carriage. He had tender skin and meat, and was very delicious. There were many books in his carriage."

As he recalled the past, the ogre couldn't help licking his lips. An intoxicated look appeared on his ugly face. It seemed that even wisdom could not change the nature of these ogres' gluttonous incarnations.

"It's best not to eat humanoids when you're under my command."

"Yes, Master."

Lump looked a little disappointed. Those tender and delicate mages were obviously delicious, but for the "great blueprint" in his heart, he had to accept this harsh request for an ogre.

But for Cassius, this was a necessary request. It was not out of pity, but because he planned to recruit a large number of players in the future. If his followers still retained the bad habit of cannibalism, they would definitely be killed by the players.

"By the way, take me to see that carriage."

The Red Dragon looked a little strange. He had already guessed what had happened.

Following Rump to a secluded place in the valley, Cassius saw the ruined carriage.

Although it has been unused for a long time, the exquisite gilded pattern decoration still exudes a luxurious atmosphere, and a gilded medal is inlaid on the inner wall of the carriage - the pattern is an eye representing true knowledge and two crossed staffs.

"It is indeed the Arcane Hermitage, and a senior member medal."

"Tsk tsk, what a waste."

Cassius secretly sighed.

The Arcane Priory is a well-known wizard organization in later generations, founded by the famous legendary wizard Trafranallo.

Members of the association will meet regularly to share magical knowledge, exchange research results, and sometimes take the opportunity to seek help to eradicate evil. Its branches are all over Erezega, and there seems to be one in Anzeta.

Cassius lamented that the goddess of fate was unpredictable.

An apprentice of a noble mage who was highly expected, a designated member of the Arcane Hermitage, and the responsibility of countless people. However, he did not have many magical skills and suffered from the arrogance of a mage.

He disobeyed orders, refused his family's help, and went out on his own to take risks. He might have said something like, "My fate is in my own hands."

He wants to gain a foothold in the wilderness, kill monsters, rescue the princess, seize treasures, gain merit, and create his own legendary adventure story.

As a result, the poor apprentice was knocked unconscious by the ogre who was collecting money everywhere and was swallowed up in one gulp before he could walk far.

In the end, not only the box of precious books he carried with him, but also the expensive magic equipment inherited from his family were sold to others at a lower price.

In the end, it was a strange combination of circumstances that turned his murderer, a crude and ugly ogre - Rump, into a rare ogre magician.

(End of this chapter)