Ragna's heart sank the moment he heard that name. "Hacfield? Which Hacfield are you talking about? Are you talking about THE HACFIELD?"
Ragna suddenly fell silent, noticing that it was a foolish question. It was pretty much clear from Clovis's strength and talent that he was not ordinary. In addition, he was accompanied by great people and had such a mysterious thing.
It should be pretty obvious that Clovis was telling the truth about his name.
Ragna was blown away. He had never thought that the heir of one of the Tier 9 humans was actually standing next to him this whole time.
"You can consider this a threat, so I won't bear around the bushes. You have two options." Clovis raised two fingers. "You either join our group or promise not to tell anyone about my identity."
Ragna was surprised for the second time. A threat? What kind of threat was this? Being able to join the group of someone related to a Tier 9 human was a very rare opportunity that most people could only dream of.
In addition, it was clear that joining his group would also mean he could get those items. He could solve his problems and become a great guardian.
Ragna had been doing anything he could think of to solve his weakness, but none of it was effective. The ability he got after reaching Tier 3 or Tier 4 might be able to solve that problem, but there was no guarantee since he only heard about the rumor.
Compared to the items that had been proven to be effective, it was simply an offer instead of a threat.
On the other hand, what about the second option? He seemed to be able to walk away as long as he promised not to say anything about it.
Why would Clovis even allow such a thing? There was a high chance that this was just a trap. If he chose the second option, he might have to eliminate him. An item that could boost one's strength was basically unheard of in this world. Once it was revealed, it would definitely shock the whole world.
However, some people might choose this option, especially after seeing the strength of those two assassins. They fought them briefly, but it could be said that they were too weak against them. If not for them launching a surprise attack, the two assassins could easily kill them all.
Still, as a guardian, he was quite perceptive. He noticed that the assassins seemed to be able to kill them except for Clovis.
He didn't understand the reason behind it, but some people would be afraid of them… except for insane people or those who had nothing to lose… Yes, just like him.
Ragna only took a moment to consider that option. He actually turned around and fell on one knee, causing a small bumping sound on the ground.
"!!!" The others looked surprised.
'Kneeling?' Melody blinked her eyes a few times, not expecting to see it .
'What is this? A knight ceremony or something? We have stopped doing that for centuries, you know.' Kanaria furrowed her eyebrows.
Ragna ignored people's gazes. He simply declared his answer out loud, "If it means I can solve my weakness, I wish to serve you for the rest of my life. As long as you don't think I'm too useless, I will become your shield. I will protect you or your family with my life."
Clovis looked at Ragna, who lowered his head after his declaration. Even he didn't expect this much reaction from Ragna.
He thought that Ragna would accept the offer normally and gradually become their 'true' companion.
However, he didn't feel any trace of hesitation in Ragna's words as though he was indeed prepared to do it for the rest of his life. It was a heavy commitment over some items.
Ragna didn't even know whether it would be effective in the future.
Clovis fell silent for a moment and sat on Ragna's seat earlier.
"I can't understand." Clovis's voice was deep and filled with confusion. "Trying to search for your parents, was it? By serving me, you won't be able to do it, you know? Is your dream so easy to give up?"
Ragna shook his head. "From my perspective, my choice will lead to a higher possibility of me being able to find my parents."
"You can do it in another way instead of selling yourself to servitude." Clovis's expression turned grim.
Ragna gulped down. "Servitude, huh? I have two simple stories that I'd like you to listen to. In the first story, an honest man works hard his entire life but is unable to overcome his limit and eventually becomes an embarrassment. In the second story, the man sells his soul to the devil.
He can only live for a few years, but he is able to achieve much more than the honest man in his entire life and even give back to the people. I believe that the second man is wiser."
Clovis fell silent for a moment.
Ragna closed his eyes before saying helplessly, "Besides, this weakness has been plaguing me for a long time. I don't know what kind of things can solve my weakness. If I can solve it as quickly as possible, I will gladly do anything."
"You're acting as if you're able to kill me as long as you can get that solution," said Clovis with a cold tone.
"I am nothing but a Guardian. My power is to protect, not to kill."
"You're merely making an excuse. Didn't you say that you were thinking that becoming a Tier 3 would solve that problem? Why don't you just wait? You might not need my help in the end."
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Ragna shouted, his hands clenching his chest and his face distorted.
Clovis didn't expect Ragna to show such a reaction. But it seemed that there was something more than what he originally knew. It must also be the reason why Ragna chose this option.