Clovis didn't immediately agree to let him in. But at the same time, he didn't push him too far as well. He had even attached several links to ensure that he remained loyal to this group.
They were planning to fight a lot of people, so it would be wise if he got used to it first.
Clovis continued, "And you are probably wondering what those two powerful men did earlier?"
Ragna nodded his head furiously. He didn't expect that there were two such men waiting on the bottom of the hill. If they were normal people, they would probably try to help since it wouldn't be too much for them.
So, they might have some special identities.
"I don't know much about them either. The only thing I know is that they're here to kill me indirectly. I'm sure you've gotten a grasp of the situation as well."
"They can't kill you directly…" Ragna muttered, remembering the time the assassin was forced to change the trajectory of his dagger to avoid Clovis. However, there was one more thing he remembered. "Wait a minute. Were they the ones who set up the ambush?"
Clovis confirmed it with a nod. "Most likely. I was outplayed by them. To think that they would be able to move all those beasts at the same time. We were supposed to die there, but they didn't put two variables." Clovis pointed at Ragna and continued, "You and those items."
Ragna widened his eyes. He understood why Clovis said it this way. He wanted to use him and the magical abilities of these two items to be something that those guys couldn't predict.
This way, Clovis would be able to escape again and again. Once they became strong enough, they would take them down.
In fact, their group should be able to take down two Tier 3 beasts at the same time. What if all of them increased one tier? They might be able to take down Tier 4 beasts.
That was why this was just a matter of time. As long as they played it carefully, their group could survive.
While they were in danger, Clovis calculated the risk and did all this. It could be said he had failed and succeeded as a captain at the same time. He failed because he endangered the group with his existence. He succeeded in making the group stronger much faster because of the pressure from the outside.
Ragna asked, "Then, are we going to make a countermeasure against them?"
"No. I'm assuming they won't be making any move in the near future. They should have gotten some new information from the clash earlier and report it. I don't know what kind of trouble they will bring next… so we have to become much stronger from this."
"Are you going to use the Rising Star Competition to get a backer?" Ragna asked. Clovis said his parents and grandfather would chase him if he revealed the existence of these items. However, if he could do that, he wouldn't have to worry against the two assassins.
So he realized that his family couldn't interfere directly either. Hence, this competition would be very useful.
It was the biggest competition in the city and a lot of people would see him.
However, Clovis shook his head. "No. We already have our own group and won't be affiliated with any other groups."
"Then, are you participating in the Rising Star Competition just to challenge yourself?"
"Well, I do need to prove myself a bit to get some money." Clovis shrugged. "Besides, there is another intention. I have to change my plan a little bit because we have engaged the two assassins in a fight."
Clovis glanced at Kanaria, causing the other party to tilt her head.
"What? Why are you looking at me?"
"I'm assuming that Ivan will be joining the lower tier competition. Since the assassins might be coming even stronger and more prepared, I think he won't have much time left."
"!!!" Kanaria widened her eyes in shock. "Are you saying…"
"Yes. If possible, I'd like to produce a result… so big that it completely overshadows Ivan's achievement in that competition. It's time for him to be cut off from the Drake Group."
Kanaria's expression turned grim. "In that case, I'll tell my mother about it. The Drake Group and the Rusth family are going to be annoying because of it."
"Yes. Please make some preparations." Clovis nodded before turning back to Ragna. "You can ask Melody the current problems that the group is facing right now."
"Eh. You're going to give that annoying task to me?" Melody looked annoyed.
"After this expedition, we are having three days off, not just two." Melody pouted after making her demands.
"Sure. I and Kanaria will go back as well. Jay and Ragna…"
"I'll remain in the city for now. It won't be good if I go with you guys all of a sudden," Ragna hurriedly answered.
"I'll remain as well. It's not like I have a lot of things to do back home." Jay shrugged. "So, we're still going to continue to the third destination after this? How is our supply?"
Kanaria shrugged. "It's enough if we use them sparingly. Killing two Tier 3 beasts should be easy enough, especially since Ragna is strong enough to act as a true guardian."
"Yes. I'll definitely not let them touch you. No, I will even provide you a chance to finish them." Ragna nodded furiously.
"Good. We've gone through a lot today. Although we can't retrieve the corpses that we've killed today, let's work hard at the third destination. Please get some rest today, and we'll head to our next destination tomorrow morning."
The group agreed with the arrangement.
As Clovis predicted, the assassins chose to retreat completely. There were a lot of other things they needed to do other than try to kill them.
Clovis took advantage of this peaceful period to kill as many beasts as possible, increasing the entire group's strength and money.