The next day arrived, and the message from Reno was sent out to everyone quite clearly about what was going on.
A lot of people had questions, but most thought it was because Raze was working on an item of sorts and didn't want his concentration to be broken in any way, shape, or form.
His threat was dead serious. After the members of the Crimson Crane were informed about what was going on, they all decided to meet up in one of the inns.
In front of them, they had glasses that were just filled with water and nothing else.
"This place sucks!" Kizer said, lifting the glass and slamming it back on the table. "Can't even get alcohol in this town."
"We did so much to build up our reputation and now we're practically at the bottom of the food chain."
"Hey, don't complain," Tilon said with his arms folded. "At least you have got something out of the Dark Magus…I'm still waiting, and I can feel it, it's close, soon I'm about to get a mighty shield that will put everything to shame!"
The smirk was getting larger and larger on Tilon's face, thinking about it. These days, he had been quite bipolar, because at times his patience had worn thin, to the point he would regularly get into fights with the other members and it would become quite physical as well.
"I can't believe it though, Elvlin… she's gone, and Raze was the one behind it," Lily said. "How… are we just ignoring this fact and even in the city because of him, at this rate, it doesn't even feel like you're the leader anymore, why are you following him so much!"
"Hey!" Reno called out. "We know who our leader is, and remember the Dark Magus is now a part of our group like family. If this happened to any one of us, we would all do the same."
"But I wouldn't have killed a member of our family," Lily replied back.
Everyone felt like they were treading on eggshells, apart from Lily, who was speaking her mind at this point. They looked at Alba, wondering if she would have a fierce reaction, but instead, she was far calmer than they expected.
"I explained to you all what happened with Elvlin, I even managed to confirm it with the Wanderers in the area as well. It seems she let greed affect her first."
"And I think you're missing a big part in all of this, Lily. I allow you to speak freely and say as you wish when you're in front of me, but be careful when you're in front of Raze."
Lily scoffed and turned her head to the side. Why would she be careful of a member that had just joined?
"You haven't met him recently, have you?" Reno asked. "For those who have, they would understand Alba's words. Currently, he's already a middle stage warrior."
Several of those at the table, their eyes widened, learning of the fact. Someone was able to become a middle-stage warrior so quickly, from the last time they had met Raze.
Not only that, but they knew he had great power already, combining his strange powers with his Pagna skills, so just how strong was he now?
"There may come a point in time, where it's better for us to be on his good side than on his bad side, and I think it's too late to back down from our relationship now… it will only do us worse."
After finishing their conversation, they thought it was best that they got up. The Crimson Crane were heading to the dried-out lake, where they were training the new guards of the town.
There were around a hundred people that were willing to fight. The young men of the town that had been looking after their families by taking physical jobs in other cities.
These were the ones that had been handed the shields that Raze had managed to create, of course, there wasn't enough to go around to everyone just yet.
As for why the Crimson Crane members were there, it was to train them. They were training them how to fight, as well as how to use Qi.
Not everyone could become talented in learning Qi, and not everyone could become a Pagna warrior. However, many of those in the town didn't even have a chance to learn.
Maybe because the clan only selected the talented students or the ones with the most money. Either way, now the clan was teaching them for free.
They wouldn't become members of the clan, but would become protectors of the town.
On the way there, they also walked past the new building that was being used by Raze, and just outside, they could see a woman covered up in long tattered clothing walking towards the door.
"Wait!" Alba shouted. "You're not allowed to go in there."
"Did you forget to tell everyone?" Froma asked.
"I told the Mayor as well as Rayna, and they said they informed everyone in the town. No one would dare enter," Reno thought.
The woman looked at them, staring them blankly in the face for a moment, and then proceeded to walk toward the door again.
"I said stop!" Alba shouted again. She could only imagine how angry Raze would be after his stern warning. All of the Crimson Crane could only imagine.
When coming close to put her hands on the woman though, Alba was grabbed by the wrist and soon she could see the sky.
She was heading toward the floor but managed to place her legs on the floor, saving herself from being humiliated and thrown into the ground.
"Who are you? Why do you want to go in to see Raze so badly?" Alba asked, and was more curious about this person's strength.
"Who am I?" Anna replied. "You don't need to know that, just know you are in the way, so move."
The rest of the Crimson Crane members were quick to surround Anna, ready for a fight, but they were all worried because it was right outside where Raze was working away.