"Just like always, you're still the last person to show your face, aren't you?" An old man laughed, approaching the Stein family Head.

He was the Patriarch of the second strongest family in the Northern World, the Skyler Family. He was also the one who was the most eager to get the Shadow Garden Legacy as he always wanted his family to become the strongest.

Unfortunately, it wasn't easy for him to achieve that since the Northern Dragon Clan was currently the strongest clan, and their strength was way above everyone else.

In fact, while every other clan paid so much importance to the Shadow Garden, the Northern Dragon Clan only sent one person to explore this place each time, as if they actually didn't have much intention of getting that legacy but just did it for formality.

It was said that the Northern Dragon Clan were the true descendants of the Dragons, being able to use the most unique magic of real dragons.

A young girl, in her late twenties stood in the distance, not even bothering to glance at the others. On her robe, the symbol of the Northern Dragon Clan was clearly visible. However, not a single person dared to approach her.

The Skyler Family Head didn't pay attention to her. He was more focused on Gabriel. From what he heard, the Stein Clan had too much faith in this young man, which also made him want to crush their hopes and use Gabriel to his advantage.

The Stein Family Head didn't reveal much hostility even though he was quite frustrated.

"Apologies. I didn't think that you all would be waiting for me. To think that you all still wait for us like you used to do in the old era when your family was nothing but a third rate family... It's touching..."

The Skyler Family Head frowned, sensing the mockery. However, he eventually laughed. "Yeah, the past was certainly good. Who would've thought that your family would fall to this extent that it's like dogs in front of us now. What a pity."

He didn't give the Stein Family Head the time to respond before glancing at Gabriel. "Is he the secret weapon you found this time?"

The Stein Family Head frowned, but he didn't comment. He just felt somewhat strange. Why was this guy talking in this manner? Something appeared amiss. He also looked at Gabriel.

"Wouldn't it be a pity if he were to leave you right now and join my team?" The Skyler Family Head asked, as his smirk widened.

"That won't be happening. He isn't on sale!" The Stein Family Head frowned. However, deep inside, he was already expecting that. If anything, he was pleased. Everything was going as Gabriel told him. Now the next part was more important.

"Heh, you still think that? There's no person who isn't on sale. It's just a matter of how much someone is willing to pay." The Skyler Family Head laughed, as he reached out his hand to give a small ring to Gabriel.

"There is the payment you asked for. You can switch teams now, according to our previous deal."

To everyone's surprise, Gabriel didn't hesitate either. He simply took the ring from the hand of the man that contained various treasures that would've been enough for a small clan to live their life comfortably.

"You..." The Stein Family Head was taken aback, as he looked at Gabriel in disbelief. However, within his heart, he was laughing. Gabriel wasn't a person who needed treasures. The only reason he took that offer was for something else... Something that they both knew about.

In the background, the young maid smiled. Everything had worked out. She knew she was also going to get rewarded for her success.

Even Ulesis couldn't believe her eyes. Did Gabriel really double cross them for money? But he didn't appear to be a person like that? Then what? Why would he take the treasures from their enemies?

She reached out her hand to pull his hand and ask. However, to her surprise, Gabriel didn't even look behind, as he started walking away from their group, surprising everyone else.

Ulesis and everyone else in the Stein Clan was stunned. Gabriel could even feel a lot of bloodlust coming in his direction from the Stein Family Members, as if they all wanted him dead!

They trusted him and he also betrayed them at the last moment.

Unfortunately, before they could do anything to Gabriel, the Skyler Family Head stepped in front of Gabriel, protecting him behind him.

"He's now a member of my team. Are you trying to go to war with my family?" The old man asked, asking the Stein Family Head, who was still standing blankly.

Eventually, he gestured for his clans to stop. They really couldn't do anything in this place.

"Let him go. We have no place for traitors," he spoke, frowning. However, his eyes never left Gabriel.

The Skyler Family Head laughed. "As I said, there's no absolute loyalty in this world. It's just a matter of the right price!"

With his hands behind his back, he started walking back to his group, but not before taunting, "Looks like you'll be the first to fail this time as well. You better leave right now and don't make things hard for yourself."

****

"We never should've trusted that bastard! What are we going to do now?! Do we really have no choice but to give up?" One of the Elders asked as an emergency meeting of the Stein Family Members was called.

"You're right! We brought that bastard here, only for him to be used by others! We really should've killed him while we had the chance!" Another Elder chimed in.

One after another, all the Elders kept speaking. If possible, they would've entered the Shadow Garden personally, but there was a limit of age, which prevented them from entering. Only youngsters could enter and explore Shadow Garden.

"Just because we lost one person, doesn't mean we lost the cause! We still have more people that we brought! We can still get the legacy if we give it our all! We can't act like cowards!"