“Eh…?”
The mercenaries felt the most bewildered moment they’d experienced all day.
It wasn’t that they had any problem joining the hunt.
With the city watch, the adventurers, and the nearby guilds coming as vigilante contingents, the port was bound to be crowded.
A few suspicious-looking ruffians wouldn’t stand out.
But…
“Could they be trying to approach the Einlogard mages again?”
“If they poke the hive for no reason…”
No sane mage from Einlogard would take part in a city hunt purely out of goodwill.
There was no way Ianop had come just to help the city.
His intention to get close to the Einlogard magi was obvious.
Sssshk!
With a chilling, flesh-searing sound, strange patterned ropes appeared around the throats of the mercenaries who were standing there.
Their necks tightened suddenly and the mercenaries choked and wheezed.
“Ma… mage… sir—”
“Mage, please spare us! We’ve been loyal!”
“You should have been. I naturally trust you.”
Ianop swung his staff and looped ropes around the mercenaries’ necks.
Right now they had to be careful; in a situation where the mercenaries might bolt in any direction, they needed to keep them under control.
“Kugh… I’m sorry for not recognizing your great dark magic… please spare us!”