A Wizard’s Secret

At last, Snake Elder had appeared, yet when he saw the empty castle before his eyes, he was slightly bewildered. He wore a complicated expression, and wanted to speak but hesitated to do so.

“Wizard Merlin, kill those Spell Casters if you like – a Spell Caster like Toblin should be killed off anyway, but as for Normies, especially Count Guinomi, His Royal Highness the eighth prince still needs them to oversee the affairs of Guinomi City. Now that he’s dead, I’m afraid that Guinomi City will descend into momentary chaos.”

Snake Elder did not think that Merlin would act so fast, alongside having such an appetite for murder. He did not even let a Normie like Count Guinomi get away.

“Snake Elder, you’re too late… As for Guinomi City, I believe that you’ll take care of it. This is the second gift. Following this, there’s still a third gift!”

With that, Merlin prepared to leave. Just then, the female guard who had been in a daze finally recovered from her shock and quickly stepped forward to kneel before Merlin. “Honorable Sir Wizard, please take me on.”

“Take you on? Aren’t you from Guinomi City? Why not go back to your clan?”

Merlin stared at the female guard and questioned doubtfully. He had overheard her words earlier and gained a vague understanding of the situation here, which was why he was intent on killing Count Guinomi.

A dismal look appeared on the female guard’s face as she said softly, “Honorable Sir Wizard, my name is Felinda. It’s true that I’m from Guinomi City but I can’t go back to my clan. What’s more, I’ll never want to come back to Guinomi City. Please take me on sir, I’m even willing serve as an ordinary servant!”

Felinda was not reluctant to leave Guinomi City at all. The most unfortunate part of her past happened here, and it was her desperation toward her reality that drove her to make an attempt on Count Guinomi’s life despite risking everything. Although she had failed, Merlin’s appearance had allowed her to live on. It was natural that she did not want to stay in Guinomi City.

Snake Elder carefully sized up Felinda. After a long moment, he spoke suddenly, “Wizard Merlin, you should take her on. Aren’t you planning to establish the Wilson clan as a Spell Caster clan? She has some Spell Caster Quality. Although it’s nothing to shout about, it shouldn’t be a problem for her to become an Entrance-level Spell Caster if you’re willing to nurture her. Moreover, Spell Casters who are brought up in this manner would be most loyal to the clan.”

Merlin felt a slight jolt in his heart. He had not paid close attention before this. Now, after Snake Elder’s reminder, he noticed upon a closer observation that Felinda had Spell Caster Quality.

People who had Spell Caster Quality were far too rare. Even Merlin’s children, Celia and Conxion, did not have Spell Caster Quality.

Just as Snake Elder had said, now was merely the beginning for the Wilson clan to become a Spell Caster clan. It was at this time that they would need a large number of Spell Casters. Spell Casters who were slowly cultivated by the clan would be the most loyal ones. In front of him, Felinda, who had no affection left for Guinomi City, was a suitable candidate.

Perhaps he would need to spend some resources on Felinda to turn her into an Entrance-level Spell Caster, but Merlin had spent the past few days killing countless Spell Casters and had obtained endless resources. Spending a little of that to cultivate Felinda was really nothing much.

“Felinda, I agree to take you on, but not as a servant. As for the specific details, I’ll find you and let you know after I’ve returned to Wilson Castle.”

After a pause, Merlin turned his gaze toward Snake Elder, and said in a low voice, “Snake Elder, if I could trouble you to arrange for someone to send Felinda back to Wilson Castle.”

“Haha, not a problem. I’ll do my best to find someone to send her back.”

Snake Elder promised lightheartedly. Merlin did not say much else and quickly flew away from Guinomi City with Wizard Bammou.

Besides Taran City and Guinomi City, Merlin had a third target – Fanya City, which was also the third gift that Merlin was about to present to His Royal Highness the eighth prince!

…

Fanya City was not far away from Guinomi City. Therefore, when Guinomi City fell under a single attack by Merlin, Fanya City soon received news of the incident.

Furthermore, they had heard that even Taran City, which was the strongest of them all, was successfully invaded by Merlin. Thus, the Spell Casters of Fanya City had no way of remaining calm. Even Count Fanya was burning with anxiety as he tried incessantly to formulate a countermeasure.

In the end, Fanya City decided to put up no resistance and go along with whatever Merlin asked of them. No matter how demanding his requests were, Fanya City would be willing to accept them.

At this point, Count Fanya was full of immeasurable regret. If only he had pledge allegiance to any one of Their Royal Highnesses the princes in the beginning, he would not end up like this today. One of the consequences of maintaining neutrality was that he would receive no powerful protection.

“Swish! Swish!”

Two figures quickly descended from above Fanya City. It was Merlin and Wizard Bammou.

“Wizard Merlin, I’ve been waiting here for a long time. These are all the Spell Casters of Fanya City who attacked Wilson Castle in the past. Other than Fourth-level Spell Caster Wizard Sternine, who had escaped and vanished without a trace the moment he heard of the rumors, the rest of these Spell Casters are under my control, and we’ll do whatever you say!”

Count Fanya waved a hand, and five of six Spell Casters were pushed forward. They appeared to be under some sort of control so they could not cast any spells. An expression of dread hung over their faces.

Thereafter, Count Fanya said nothing else. He felt powerless as well. He had handed over these Spell Casters without resistance and lowered his own status only because he was afraid.

Merlin’s previous action in Guinomi City had made Count Fanya afraid. Countless Spell Casters, even Count Guinomi, were burned to ashes. It could be said that Guinomi City was completely done for.

What would happen next to the city-state had been determined. It would fall under the eighth prince and be firmly controlled by him. No longer would it be linked to the Guinomi clan.

Merlin’s violent ferocity throughout his journey had induced a chill in Count Fanya’s heart. He would not dare to resist, and could only lower his own status, allowing Merlin to do as he liked. Perhaps he had a chance of surviving in this manner.

Looking at Count Fanya standing before him, Merlin’s intent to kill diminished substantially. Throughout this whole process, he had slaughtered far too many people. Nonetheless, there was a reason for this, which was to establish the name of the Wilson clan, as well as Merlin’s position as a powerful Spell Caster, so he was not merely known as a prodigious Spell Caster from the Dark Magic Region.

Now, Fanya City had given up on resisting him even before he had arrived. This meant that Merlin’s objective of “establishing reputation” had been achieved. Merlin’s current reputation was terrifying and impressive. After this, anyone who bothered with the Wilson clan would have to carefully consider Merlin’s furious retaliation instead of the Dark Magic Region’s stance.

“Hiss… Hiss… Hiss…”

Merlin splayed his fingers, and streams of white flames flew out rapidly, turning the Spell Casters under Count Fanya’s control into ashes.

Merlin would not be merciful in the slightest toward these Spell Casters who had attacked Wilson Castle before.

Seeing that Merlin had burned these Spell Casters just like that, Count Fanya could not help but begin trembling all over. Merlin’s decision was still unclear, so he did not know what was in store for him.

“Swish!”

Another figure flew in from the distance. It was Snake Elder who had been following behind Merlin.

Upon seeing Count Fanya, Snake Elder nodded approvingly. Nevertheless, he did not say anything. Only Merlin could decide how this would be handled.

After a few rounds of close observation, Snake Elder now saw Merlin as a powerful Spell Caster who was on the same level as him. Therefore, there was naturally a shift in his attitude.

Perhaps Wizard Leo was the main target of the eighth prince’s enticement, but Merlin’s current capabilities meant that he was worthy of enticement as well, instead of merely being a means by which the eighth prince could approach Wizard Leo.

This was the most direct change in Snake Elder’s attitude toward Merlin!

After a long moment of consideration, Merlin gradually raised his head and said to Snake Elder, “Snake Elder, Fanya City is the third gift that I present to His Royal Highness the eighth prince! Count Fanya, what do you think?”

Seeing that Merlin was looking at him, Count Fanya felt a jolt in his heart and nodded hurriedly. “Wizard Merlin is right. From this day onward, the entire Fanya City will accept the orders and assignments of His Royal Highness the eighth prince!”

“Haha, Wizard Merlin, your third gift is not a small one. I shall report this faithfully to His Royal Highness the eighth prince. I believe that His Royal Highness the eighth prince would be very grateful toward Wizard Merlin.”

A burst of glee sprang up in Snake Elder’s heart. The eighth prince’s influence in the south was not that strong, but now he had obtained Taran City, Guinomi City, in addition to the undamaged Fanya City. These three city-states were closely linked to each other and could be combined into one along with Prakash City and Lebis City.

With this, His Royal Highness the eighth prince’s influence in the south would have swelled many times over in a short period of time. This was indeed a gargantuan gift!

“Snake Elder, the three gifts have been delivered. I’ll head back to Wilson Castle first.”

Merlin’s three main targets had been achieved, and his objective was accomplished as well. The name of Wilson Merlin would spread rapidly among the roaming Wizards, setting up a solid foundation for when he would develop the Wilson clan into a Spell Caster clan in the future.

Snake Elder nodded. “You might not have to wait much longer before news from His Royal Highness the eighth prince would arrive.”

Merlin understood Snake Elder’s implicit meaning. This was so that he would not be in a hurry to leave Wilson Castle, for the eighth prince still wanted to meet with Merlin regarding important matters.

“For at least half a year, I’ll be in Wilson Castle!”

After giving it some thought, Merlin replied softly. He needed to develop the Wilson clan into a Spell Caster clan. This effort would require a great amount of his time and energy. Even with Wizard Bammou’s assistance, Merlin’s presence was needed in Wilson Castle.

“Bammou, let’s go back to Wilson Castle!”

Merlin bid Snake Elder farewell and quickly hurried toward Wilson Castle along with Wizard Bammou.