A Wizard's Secret

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the secret chamber, Hert the Ursus King glanced at Merlin. For some reason, Merlin had always felt that his glance seemed to hold other meanings.

"Deputy Team Leader Leon, I believe Iza has briefly explained to you the mission this time?"

Hert asked calmly.

"She has but there are still many areas I'm unclear about. For instance, what is it about the White Rajah that leaves us no choice but to kill him?"

Merlin questioned. He believed that even if he did not ask, Hert would tell him anyway.

"It's simple. The White Rajah has taken something he shouldn't have. He has killed a descendant of the royal family who possessed a key that was cast in gold. It's very eye-catching. You just have to retrieve that key from the White Rajah. You can pick four team members - how's that?"

"Key?"

Merlin saw that Hert was unwilling to explain further. This was linked to the royal family's secrets.

There were many descendants of the royal family but the important ones were all in Holy Dragon City. The descendant killed by the White Rajah was someone the royal family did not care much about but he had possessed something important. There was something fishy about the key's origins but it was vital to the royal family, so they hatched this assassination plot.

"No problem, Team Leader."

Merlin agreed breezily. This mission was not something he could easily turn down. Moreover, five hundred contribution points was not a small amount. If he was cautious, he should be able to kill the White Rajah.

"If and I'm saying if, Doomsday is alerted, then destroy the gold key. Don't let it fall into Doomsday's hands, got it? Otherwise, not just you but even I'll be punished!"

Hert's tone was very solemn. His voice revealed a trace of fear toward the royal family's punishment. The royal family was not as simple as they appeared. Otherwise, why would such a powerful existence, a lofty mid-tier almighty beast shifter like Hert be afraid of the royal family's punishment?

"I can pick any member from the Combat Team?"

Merlin posed another question.

"That's right, you may pick four members."

Merlin nodded. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible."

Following that, Merlin left the secret chamber. Outside, Iza wore an anticipated look.

"How was it? Is the Team Leader letting you pick your members? If so, you must take me along. Three hundred contribution points - who knows how long it'll take to earn that."

It looked like Iza would treasure the three hundred contribution points. Not just Iza but also the other members of the Combat Team would value three hundred contribution points. In ordinary missions, even dangerous ones, at best there would be a few dozen contribution points. Those with more than a hundred contribution points were rare, let alone three hundred contribution points at once.

Merlin looked at Iza. He knew Iza's ability was to recover quickly. Even he would have to first locate her weakness to kill her. Otherwise, Iza would recover swiftly as she had a robust life force. A member with such an ability would be advantageous as well, acting as a human shield at critical moments.

"Alright, you're one. I'm not familiar with the Combat Team. This time, the Team Leader only allowed me to bring four members. Who do you think I should pick?"

In the Combat Team, Merlin seemed only more familiar with Iza. He did not know who to choose at all. If he were to get to know them one by one, it would be too troublesome and waste too much time.

"Haha, Deputy Team Leader, leave this to me. If you trust me, I'll surely satisfy your requirements."

Iza thumped her chest as she spoke. Although she was small in stature, she had a ravishing figure. The two mounds before her chest were ridiculously magnificent in particular.

As if she had noticed Merlin's gaze, Iza purposefully puffed up her chest, looking self-satisfied.

Merlin simply shook his head, then said, "You'd better bring me along to pick them. This way, I can learn about the Combat Team as well."

Merlin expressed great interest in the Combat Team. After all, he was entrusted by the Princess Royal with the heavy task of establishing a faction within Phantom. If he was gone all day and was cut off from the rest of the Combat Team, how would he do that?

This mission was an opportunity. If they succeeded, the bonds forged under the trials and tribulations between life and death would be more reliable than any relationship. They could become his first batch of reliable subordinates, forming a part of the faction.

This was one of the most significant reasons Merlin did not hesitate in agreeing to accept this mission from Hert.

"Heh heh, that's good as well. Deputy Team Leader, we'll go and look for the first member then. We can miss out on anyone but not her."

"Oh? Who could be so important?"

Merlin became more interested. In the Combat Team, other than him and Hert, no one was a full-shifter. Iza said that this person was indispensable - this was rare indeed.

"Deputy Team Leader, you'll know when we're there."

With a mysterious look, Iza turned to leave. Merlin could only follow behind her helplessly.

They passed through layers of dusky corridors. Phantom Headquarters was immense. The underground passages were like a dense spider web. Not even Merlin could figure out how many passages there were, let alone an outsider.

After walking for around seven minutes, the path ahead began to widen. There emerged an underground pool from which bubbling water spilled out. It was somewhat surprising that Phantom Headquarters would have such a place.

"What kind of person lives here? It's rather elegant."

Merlin mumbled softly.

As soon as they passed a wooden bridge, they heard a voice from the cabin. "That's Iza, right? Oh, and the new Deputy Team Leader, Sir Leon. Please come in."

"Huh? They know who we are at such a great distance?"

Merlin was rather astonished. This voice from a cabin was far ahead, which meant the other party had noticed Iza and Merlin from such a distance.

If Merlin had Mind Power, this bit of distance was nothing special but he knew that this world had no Mind Power. Everything was based on one's acute senses.

If this was a sensory power, the owner of the cabin had terrifying perceptivity.

"Deputy Team Leader, don't be so surprised. This is Sister Shiya's unique skill."

Iza led Merlin directly into the cabin in front.

In the cabin, there was a fragrance that rejuvenated one's spirits. Nonetheless, Merlin instantly noticed the woman in the room. She wore a veil and was dressed in black mesh, projecting a dreamy beauty.

"Sister Shiya, this time, Deputy Team Leader and I have come to invite you to join a mission where you can earn three hundred contribution points."

"Three hundred contribution points? Who is the target this time?"

Shiya's voice sounded very calm.

"The White Rajah!"

"Doomsday's subordinate. It's not surprising that they offered so many contribution points. Still, the White Rajah isn't difficult to kill. Alright, I'll join this mission!"

Three hundred contribution points were something this woman called Shiya could not refuse.

Still, Merlin frowned and stared at Shiya. He did not discern anything special about her. Why would Iza revere her so much?

"Hehe, Deputy Team Leader, Sister Shiya's almighty beast bloodline is the rarely seen Wisteria Beast! Therefore, Sister Shiya's perceptivity is astounding. She can foresee danger. Even with just this ability, would you still think that she's not suitable?"

"Wisteria Beast?"

Merlin was somewhat taken aback. This was a rare almighty beast bloodline of the legends. It had such a strange name because the Wisteria Beast had no fighting abilities yet it could control plants, using them as its eyes and ears to foresee danger and gather information. The Wisteria Beast was very suitable.

With Shiya joining, the risks of this mission were greatly reduced.

"That's right. Welcome to the team!"

Merlin's mouth stretched into a smirk. Next, they had to look for two more members. At this point, Shiya suggested, "For the remaining two, go for Monty and Cerberus."

Iza knitted her brow. "Cerberus? Sister Shiya, I loathe that guy. Cerberus is too treacherous. Sometimes, he even sold out his teammates. A person like that as our teammate? I won't dare turn my back on him."

"Cerberus' tracking abilities are topnotch. With him, it doesn't matter where the White Rajah flees to. As for his treachery, with the honorable Deputy Team Leader around, I believe he won't dare to misbehave. Isn't that right, Deputy Team Leader?"

Shiya wore a black veil, so her appearance was unknown but in Merlin's impression, she must be gorgeous.

"I'll deal with Cerberus. As for Monty, is he the big fella with incredible strength?"

"Haha, that's right. Monty has the White Rajah bloodline too, so he understands the White Rajah's weakness."

Merlin nodded. All four of them were very unique. This time, the four he had picked to form the team were an elite squad that was very valiant.

A squad like this was not common in the Combat Team unless there were many contribution points like this time. Otherwise, the four of them would not form a team so easily.

"Alright. Let's look for Monty and Cerberus then."

Merlin was about to leave when he turned around abruptly, staring at Shiya with shining eyes. "Miss Shiya, I'm very curious about the face you hide behind the veil. I wonder if you can satisfy my curiosity?"

Shiya was silent for a moment. "You're the Deputy Team Leader. In the Combat Team, the words of the stronger member are a command. Still, I think you'll be disappointed."

With that, Shiya lifted her veil. Instantly, Merlin's eyes trembled as his pupils shrank. He, who was so worldly, could not help but draw in a breath.

This was not because she was too beautiful but because she was too ugly. That face crisscrossed with lines was like old tree bark, one which had been scarred viciously and repeatedly by someone.

If an ordinary person saw this face, they would truly have nightmares.

"I'm sorry."

Merlin apologized softly and did not turn back, leading them two swiftly toward Monty's residence. He did not know why a woman like Shiya who had such a svelte figure would grow such an ugly face but he did not incline to inquire further.