A Wizard's Secret

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

"Alpine Snake People…"

Merlin whispered in a low voice and took a close look at the Snake Elder. It was not surprising that he had transformed into this appearance. He even suspected that the two ugly Wizards outside were different from ordinary people too.

Merlin used to be exposed to a part of the relevant general knowledge in the Dark Magic Region. He knew that there were some very special people in this world - among them were "alpine Critters."

The alpine Snake People were obviously a branch of the alpine Critters. These people were half-human and half-beast or all kinds of unique, strange creatures that were different from ordinary people. Rumors had it that in the most glorious era of Spell Casters, those cruel Spell Casters used ordinary people to conduct various experiments, attempting to create a person who could combine the advantages of various living things.

It was a pity that most of them had failed. Some people became inexplicably ugly, and they had gradually continued their race. They could only live in the most treacherous mountains and swamps, with groups of wild beasts as their company.

However, Snake Elder in front of him was not only an alpine Snake People but also a powerful Spell Caster. Although Merlin did not know his specific strength, he should be at least a Fourth-level Spell Caster.

Such a Spell Caster would for sure hold a very strong position among the alpine Snake People. After all, Fourth-level Spell Casters were powerful Wizards who could single-handedly build a tower in the Dark Magic Region.

Snake Elder's eyes glimpsed a little, then whispered, "Wizard Merlin seems to know something about the alpine Snake People, so I believe a further explanation isn't necessary. I'm now a tribe leader of the alpine Snake People. As to why I'm here, it's natural as His Royal Highness the eighth prince had graced my tribe. Therefore, my alpine Snake People tribe are the most loyal fighters of His Royal Highness the eighth prince!"

The Snake Elder's tone seemed serious. Merlin's mind was filled with all kinds of thoughts as well.

This eighth prince seemed to be the key to all things, including Snake Elder, who was also sent by the eighth prince to Wilson Castle.

Merlin knew that he and the eighth prince had never met each other before, but the other party seemed to be interested in the Wilson family that he sent Snake Elder here. Merlin thought that he must have a request. Hence, Merlin pondered for a short moment and then whispered, "Snake Elder, tell me, why does His Royal Highness the eighth prince desire to see me?"

To Merlin's surprise, Snake Elder shook his head instead and said, "Exactly what matter this is about, the eighth prince did not say specifically. Nevertheless, he only sent me and two subordinates to Wilson Castle to protect Wizard Merlin's family, and not let Wizard Merlin's family suffer any unexpected complications. When Wizard Merlin returns to Wilson Castle, and when the eighth prince catches wind of it, he'll naturally invite Wizard Merlin to the Imperial City!"

"To the Imperial City?"

This mysterious His Royal Highness the eighth prince had also piqued Merlin's interest. Regardless of the other party's motives, the kind gesture of sending people to protect Wilson Castle in return of nothing was to Merlin's liking.

The prince of the Kingdom of Blackmoon was no more than the prince of the Kingdom of Light. In the Kingdom of Blackmoon, the royal family represented the strongest power. There were also countless masterful Spell Casters. Every prince would establish a powerful faction. This Snake Elder that the eighth prince had sent was obviously affiliated with one of his secret factions.

Moreover, the fact that he had even recruited the alpine Beast People could only mean that the prince's ambition was not ordinary.

"Hold on, the eighth prince… Wasn't Count Longardi whom Count Selin had defeated last time sworn to His Royal Highness the eighth prince?"

Merlin raised an eyebrow. He had finally figured out why the name "eighth prince" seemed familiar. When he first returned to Prakash City from the Dark Magic Region, he had helped Count Selin settled a war threat from Lebis City.

Besides, he also helped Count Selin conquer Lebis City. Count Longardi of Lebis City fought under the name of the eighth prince, exuding a faint shadow of the eighth prince's influence.

At that time, Merlin did not care as everything thereafter was the activities of Count Selin. Perhaps Count Selin had decided to swear allegiance to the eighth prince after the annexation of Lebis City.

Thinking of this, Merlin could not help but sigh. "Snake Elder, has Count Selin already pledge his loyalty to the eighth prince?"

Snake Elder was slightly stunned but he quickly responded with a hint of a smile. "Wizard Merlin, you're a Spell Caster from the Dark Magic Region, so naturally, you may not know the influence of His Royal Highness the eighth prince in the Kingdom of Blackmoon. Back then, Count Longardi of Lebis City took the initiative to swear allegiance to the eighth prince. Count Selin had annexed Lebis City, and if he didn't show his sincerity, will he still be able to continue being a Count?"

Merlin understood it all when he gave it a thought. He was always in the Dark Magic Region, and was also a Spell Caster of the Dark Magic Region, so the eighth prince would not actually do anything to him. In contrast, things were different for Count Selin. He was only a little noble of the Kingdom of Blackmoon. His position was indeed too insignificant compared to the Kingdom of Blackmoon's royal family.

If Count Selin did not pledge loyalty to the eighth prince, the entire Prakash City may very well be toppled easily.

"Alright, I've known all I need to know. I'm grateful for the help of His Royal Highness the eighth prince, I'll remember it to heart! Now, let's talk about what troubles Wilson Castle has encountered. Otherwise, His Royal Highness the eighth prince would not have sent you, Snake Elder, to Wilson Castle. Since a certain someone dared to attack Wilson Castle, then some things are better if I handle it personally!"

Merlin took a deep breath and sharpened his gaze.

The appearance of the Snake Elder and others was not by chance. To make the eighth prince offer a favor as huge as this, his request for Merlin would certainly not be small.

This time, Merlin indeed owed the eighth prince a huge favor. Wilson Castle must have encountered a big danger. If his own departure had put the castle and his family in danger, Merlin would not allow, in any case, for this kind of thing to happen.

Therefore, Merlin's body had inadvertently exuded a cold murderous aura at this point, and it seemed that even Snake Elder felt the chill in his heart.

"This matter is indeed a bit of a hassle. The eighth prince just told us to protect Wilson Castle. With us here, those people won't dare to do anything… However, Wizard Merlin, you've left Prakash City for too long, and have always been in the Dark Magic Region. Some of the roaming Wizards were indeed a little moved."

The Snake Elder responded wisely. It seemed that Wilson Castle really had encountered a crisis, and it sounded like it was not a small one.

"Tell me, who are they?"

Merlin gave the Snake Elder a strong stare, but his tone seemed very calm.

"Taran City, Guinomi City, Fanya City…"

The Snake Elder closed his eyes and slowly said the names of these city-states.

"They've nothing to do with His Royal Highness the eighth prince, right?"

Merlin gently stroked his Dark Magic ring as he said calmly. Anyone familiar with Merlin would know that every time he touched the Dark Magic ring, it was the moment where he had the most intense murderous intent in his heart.

Snake Elder nodded and said, "These city-states all had their certain strengths. They were temporarily neutral, not swearing allegiance to anyone. This time, it was only the intentions of some Wizards in these city-states. Regarding their purpose, I believe that Wizard Merlin should also have some understanding."

"Pandora Demon Ability?"

Merlin smiled and looked indelibly cold. How could he not manage to guess it? Whether it was Weiss or Bluebird that he had killed, they were all geniuses in Ozmu, and they all had Pandora Demon Abilities.

Merlin himself had many Pandora Demon Abilities. With regards to the value of Pandora Demon Abilities' power, Merlin was very clear himself. Even if it was Snake Elder in front of him, the tribe leader of the alpine Snake People, Pandora Demon Ability would be the only thing that he lacked.

Even if it was His Highness the eighth prince, holding the many resources of the royal family of Kingdom of Blackmoon, it would not be impossible for him to have more Pandora Demon Abilities. Even if it was the Dark Magic Region, even a Spell Caster who was as highly prioritized for training like Merlin, the process of obtaining Pandora Demon Abilities would still be full of challenges.

Therefore, Pandora Demon Abilities can be very tempting for roaming Wizards, especially the more powerful roaming Wizards. This was a fact that Merlin was very clear of.

Putting everything on the line for Pandora Demon Abilities was not really a big deal. It was just that Merlin did not think thoroughly at first. He did not know that the nature of the problem was already so severe, which was why he could stay in the Dark Magic Region. However, he had put his family in Prakash City in danger instead.

"Alright, thank you, Snake Elder! Since these city-states have nothing to do with His Royal Highness the eighth prince, I'll give His Royal Highness the eighth prince some gifts then."

Merlin stood up and prepared to leave.

Snake Elder smiled and stared at Merlin's figure, then nodded and watched as Merlin left.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

As Merlin left, and the two ugly Wizards outside entered the shack, standing in front of Snake Elder respectfully.

"Snake Elder, this Merlin really dares to do it? The Spell Casters in those city-states may be roaming Wizards, but they are not easy to deal with and are all Fourth-level Spell Casters with great influence. If we don't deter them with the fearsome name of His Royal Highness the eighth prince, I'm afraid that they're really willing to go their own way and act upon Wilson Castle."

The ugly male Wizard voiced out rather doubtfully while looking at the back of Merlin's figure.

Snake Elder did not look at the ugly male Wizard, but asked the female Wizard instead, "What do you think about the strength of this Wizard Merlin?"

"Strength? The strength of Wizard Merlin should be very strong. His self-confidence was emitted from the inside out as though he wasn't afraid of any kind of danger. I've only felt such aura from those extremely powerful Spell Casters around the eighth prince… Can it be that the eighth prince precisely values this? The Dark Magic Region is only a small spell casters' organization, a far cry away from those medium or large spell casters' organization. Even if he's a genius, how strong can he really be?"

Snake Elder shook his head slightly, and said with a seemingly smile, "His Royal Highness the eighth prince doesn't value Merlin, but instead, he values the Dark Magic Region backing Merlin instead! You can also say that even the Dark Magic Region isn't of value to the eighth prince. The actual target that he wants to recruit is Merlin's mentor in the Dark Magic Region, he who even killed a Seventh-level Spell Caster from Ozmu - Wizard Leo!"

"Wizard Leo…"

Upon hearing the name, the two ugly Wizards could not help but feel a shiver in their hearts.

"Very well, tomorrow, you'll follow Wizard Merlin there but don't act. Only in the most dangerous time can you give those people a warning, and then save Merlin in the name of His Royal Highness the eighth prince. I believe that with this experience, Merlin will be more grateful to His Royal Highness the eighth prince, and it'll be easier for His Royal Highness to gain a friendship with Wizard Leo…"

When Snake Elder had finished, he waved his hand and let the two ugly Wizards leave the shack.

Meanwhile, the few of them seemed to not realize that a mysterious Mind Power had shrouded the entire shack this whole time, watching every move in the shack.

"So stupid, how could they have underestimated Master…"

This mysterious Mind Power exuded a hint of vague fluctuation and then disappeared silently. The entire Wilson Castle seemed to have returned to its previous calmness.