Warning

--- A week later, Ivory Tower ---

"You are leaving us, then?", Dorian spoke

Arthur nodded: "I have a contract, Dorian. I swore an oath to Count Elderwood that as soon as I broke through the Intermediate Acolyte Realm, then I would serve him for three whole years. I am someone who doesn't break oaths"

Dorian nodded: "I know you. I don't blame you. You have a duty to fulfill. However, I never expected you to reach it so soon...I have sent letters to my father, so he investigated Count Elderwood using his network of spies. The reason why he wants you to serve him is not as righteous as you think. He wants to use you to expand his territory, and solve a grudge with Baron Lark, an intermediate-rank fire-elemental acolyte"

Arthur nodded: "I know that already. He has been good, and honest with me, although he could have been more generous in the beginning of my studies. Still, three years is a short period. I will come back to the Ivory Tower before you know it. Oh, and a word of advice...Don't meddle with the Black Widow Brotherhood"

Dorian squinted: "The Black Widow Brotherhood? No...Don't tell me you suspect they are the culprits behind the fall of the Crimson Clan? Even the Arcane Faction has forbidden its members from getting out of the tower. The Orcs are conquering Naarth Island. The Porfield Kingdom cannot afford to send an army either. It would become vulnerable to foreign kingdom attacks"

Arthur nodded: "This is why the Law Enforcement Acolytes must not lose its members in meaningless skirmishes. There are priorities in our duty. The survival of the Porfield Kingdom comes first. It's not like I can tolerate their massacres, but I can bear with it, at least until the orcs are annihilated"

Dorian answered: "I thank you for the advice. This is good advice as always. Who will replace you while you are away? William, Evangeline and John will not submit to anyone besides you"

Arthur thought for a while and chose: "Helena Fireborn. She told me you knew her personally, even from before the Ivory Tower. She is reliable, high-born and strong. She allowed me to take a look to her research, and it is fascinating. At least, she won't back down to the likes of William and John. I am not so sure about Evangeline"

Dorian nodded: "Farewell, my friend. One last gift: take this map. On it, there are Wandering Acolyte Organizations marked down. It will help you gather magical ingredients and sell refined items. Who knows? You might even get ahold of a magical artefact"

Arthur smiled and bid farewell.

He had warned Dorian. If he listened, he would survive. If not, Arthur knew that the terrifying Black Widow Brotherhood members would come for him. At this point, there would be no saving him. In the end, the number of acolytes within a faction didn't matter. Their strength did.