Chapter 128 - The Prelude
"So yea, I'd recommend against opening your mouth," even though they couldn't see his face, courtesy of his mask, everyone felt that he was smiling.
Denial of existence was a magic in a realm that only a handful had reached.
But for some reason, everyone felt that the man would follow through his words.
There was a certain aura around him which made him incomprehensible.
No, the aura itself was incomprehensible, which made it impossible to determine anything about him.
In fact Jennifer wasn't even sure the man on the stage was actually a man; for all she knew, he could be a woman, or someone who sexually identified themselves as an Apache attack helicopter.
She wasn't sure if that existence was even human.
And strangely enough, this made her want to trust his words.
This… being was using pretty high-grade camouflage magic. In other words, he was likely very strong.
The fact that he was handling an event organised by the Royal Family meant that he must have some considerable authority as well.
"If you agree to those terms, please sign the contract. If not, please leave," the being on the stage declared.
Several of those present gulped; the idea of having their existence itself being denied and their mark completely erased from the world was pretty scary.
They had to determine if the thing that was going to be introduced today was worth potentially risking their lives.
Many of them thus turned to their respective leaders; the Players looked at Jennifer while the natives looked at a certain figure sitting at the edge of the front row.
By the way, none of the seats had been reserved for anyone, nor was there any priority order; the members had simply seated themselves while considering the social hierarchy they had in their mind.
"Hmm, it seems many of you are on the edge about this contract," the being cupped his chin.
He looked around at the venue again.
"It would have been fine if it was one or two, but it would be pretty awkward if everyone left. The Princess would make me personally go to the house of everyone present here and show them this item, and let's just say that I have plans this Sunday evening."
"Heh," Jennifer smiled.
"So I'll let you in on a secret. Don't tell anyone though, especially not the Royal Family. They will dock my pay."
His words elicited a few chuckles from Player factions, while the Natives nervously looked at the figure they had turned to before.
"After this Seminar, we will make this discovery public."
"What?" Jennifer raised her eyebrows. "Then what's the point of signing this agreement?"
"That's because some things will be kept a secret from the general public. Those things will be revealed to you upon signing this contract. The other benefit is that you'll get the early access version of this item."
"Early access?"
Why did this term sound familiar to Jennifer?
"The so-called discovery of the millennium is a tangible, usable item. The general public will not have access to it for some time, but you, the attendees, will get them free of cost."
"Hmm…"
"So keeping all this in mind, I will change the contract a bit. All of you will be required to keep every detail a secret until the public announcement is made. After that, anything not included within that announcement will have to be kept a secret."
After making his declaration, the man snapped his fingers again. The contracts in the hands of everyone glowed. The words etched on them exuded a strange azure hue and danced around, until they formed new sentences.
And thus, the clauses within the non-disclosure agreement changed to match his words.
"Please sign if you agree, and leave if you don't."
The man then went behind the stage, brought a chair with him and seated himself on it. With his legs crossed and his face resting on his palms, he turned his gaze in the general direction of the audience.
There was not even a shred of worry or nervousness in his gaze. He sat with the absolute confidence of an alpha.
It was as if he knew that everyone was going to sign the contract, or maybe it didn't matter to him even if they didn't.
'He trusts this discovery,' Jennifer noted.
'He's doing well,' Azell smiled in his heart.
The man's performance was beyond what Azell expected.
As the participants began to discuss within themselves, Jennifer asked Azell, "What do you think we should do?"
"I'm still thinking," he replied while looking at the contract.
By which he meant that he was wondering which of his signatures he should use.
In fact, Azell had a hard time suppressing his smile. Things were going well; too well, in fact.
It was almost as if the Ancient Gods themselves were guiding his fate.
"What do you think, Ms. Jennifer?" Azell decided to ask the strongest human of this continent.
After all, she was the one who held the most sway within the Player faction. If she decided to disagree with this contract and leave, so would most of the Guild Masters and people related to them.
He could not let that happen.
"I'm considering signing it," she replied as she turned to him.
"I see," Azell did his absolute best to prevent himself from being read under her probing gaze.
She continued looking at him for some moments, perhaps hoping to get something, then turned her gaze away.
"I'm also of the same mind as you," Azell said. "It's just that… the punishment is a bit harsh."
This wasn't an act; Azell genuinely believed that.
"That's the only problem."
"What do you think? Should we sign it?" Azell asked Noelle.
"We'll follow your decision, Guild Master," his trusty secretary replied.
The rest of the members also nodded.
"Hmm," Azell stroked his chin, as if in deep thought (though in reality he was wondering how he should celebrate). "Let's sign it."
"Are you agreeing to the terms?"Jennifer looked at him in surprise.
She didn't expect him to arrive at a conclusion so soon.
"The terms are rather fair, I'd say. And let's just say that I'm interested in seeing what's behind that man's confidence."
"Huh, I didn't know you had this side to you," Jennifer sneered.
"As they say, secrets make a man, man."
"Are you trying to make me fall for you?" Jennifer giggled, but Azell could clearly see the gears of her mind turning through her eyes.
"I'm not worthy of you," Azell chuckled as he took a pen out of his coat and signed the contract.
The paper glowed in an azure hue the moment he completed his sign, turned into particles of light and dissipated.
"As expected of the New Dawn Guild Master," the man clapped. "As they say, progress takes courage."
True to their words, Noelle, Neia, Arteria and Vafferan signed their contracts as well.
"Well," Jennifer smiled, took the pen from Azell and signed her contract. "How can I refuse when the Guild Master of the guild with the highest potential has agreed?"
"Bravo!" The man exclaimed.
"You just hope that whatever you are presenting is enough to impress me."
"You're free to take my head if it doesn't," the man chuckled.
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