Vicente saw no problem in joining a group like Kohen's. In some situations, someone in his position could gain a lot by joining such a group.
The problem for Vicente, which made him hesitate to join a group, was the autonomy he would definitely have to give up by joining someone or some force stronger than himself.
Could he still get his revenge if he joined Kohen's group? What about his business? Would the temple allow him to explore the possibilities of the underworld?
Vicente currently ran a brothel, a casino, bars and offered protection to civilians and merchants in Millfall. He was also interested in getting involved in loans and other services offered by the underworld.
Would a group like this man's accept a guest with such connections?
That was the problem that made Vicente uncomfortable with Kohen's proposal, no matter how good it seemed at first glance.
He was a criminal and knew how to grow up as a person who followed the mafia's models. But what path would he take if he were just another member of the Congregation of Revelation? An ordinary path?
He could do that, give up his business, and still grow with the support of such a group. But he wouldn't be in control of his own destiny, and he would be just another in a crowd of talented people following basically the same paths.
Would that satisfy Vicente in his second life? A path controlled by others?
"Your suggestion is tempting, Senior Reeves. But what would happen to my Mazzanti family? What would happen to my desire for vengeance?" Vicente said in a neutral tone, but one that Kohen immediately noticed was full of determination.
This young man before him wasn't just anyone who would give up everything for guaranteed support and a peaceful future. It wouldn't be easy to convince him!
"The temple is not against personal retribution. As long as it doesn't affect the functioning and continuity of the temple itself, you could get permission for your vendettas after a while". Kohen said, not knowing what kind of feud and adversary Cesar had but knowing that every magician had their own story. "As for your family, there's not much that can be done. Members of the temple have to be totally dedicated to it.
So until you become a full member of our faith, you would have to separate yourself from the Mazzanti family... However, this is not immediate. You could continue to lead your family until you become a High-level Mage. Only then would you have to disassociate yourself from the family completely."
"I see... That's a problem for me, Senior Reeves. As small as my family is, I don't know if I'd be willing to give it up when I'm stronger." Vicente said, indicating to Kohen that he had no intention of accepting the invitation.
Kohen became more serious. "Why don't you think about this for a while? You've come a long way recently, and if you try to absorb a green pentagram when you reach the 3rd-stage, you'll have some problems.
We'll be able to help you solve them, so don't give a definitive answer now. You may regret it in a few years."
The Ironcrest Awakening Temple Mages believed Cesar would try to continue the strange journey that had accidentally begun in the Alpine Woodpecker Forest. Since his second pentagram had a yellow rating, he would probably go in search of a green pentagram when he became a Mage.
When he realized how difficult it would be to hunt down a pentagram from a late 3rd or early 4th-stage creature, he would realize that he would not be able to continue this incredible path alone!
That was Kohen's thought as he said his words and got up from where he was sitting.
Vicente smiled from under his mask. "Thank you for your understanding. I'll think about my options and give you an answer by the time I become a Mage."
Kohen didn't like that very much, but with the 3rd-stage basilisk and the local situation in Millfall, Cesar had a good chance to continue to progress rapidly, even in this simple area of the kingdom.
Not only that, he wasn't sure he could end Vicente's life on his own now, so he would have to retreat for now anyway.
"I will be in town for a few days. If you haven't decided by the time I leave, look for the Mages of the Ironcrest Temple. Someone will negotiate with you then." He said before leaving.
Alone in his office, Vicente took off his mask, feeling a bit tired after dealing with this problem after his return from The Rocky Gorge.
"Sigh... There's no time to stand still. My problems aren't getting any smaller. I must keep moving." He muttered as he prepared to leave.
'I need to increase my family's strength as soon as possible...' He looked at his spatial ring, where the herb he had collected earlier was.
'To do that, I need to develop my partnership with Shelby and get an alchemist.'
With that in mind, he would soon put many of his resources in the safe on his property for his men to use while he prepared to return to his identity as Vicente Fuller.
After giving orders for Bart to stay in position and protect the estate from any possible enemies, he made his way to the exit, intending to travel alone through town to change his identity and meet up with Shelby and Liam.
But just as he was leaving the house, a blue-haired beauty arrived at his estate.
'Nova? What is she doing here?' He wondered as he stopped and looked into his partner's beautiful eyes.
"Cesar... I'm glad you're here!" Nova said with a serious look on her face, looking at him, but from her position, she could see the basilisk above the house's roof.
"You really conquered it. How did you do that? Weeks ago, you ran from it with your life on the line." She said as she approached Cesar, not feeling threatened despite Bart's presence.
Vicente smiled with the mask on his face. "Captain, this is not your business. Unless you are willing to become my wife, there are few things about me that you will understand."
