Chapter 101: Departure (Part 1)
Outside Sherlis's room, Merlin waited anxiously alongside Old Wilson, Lady Big Bosom, and May Snow.
Old Wilson stepped up, gently reassuring him, "Merlin, don't worry. Sherlis will be alright."
Merlin nodded, but he couldn't shake his tension.
Just then, a figure rushed in from outside—it was Benin, clad in armor and looking exhausted from travel.
"Baron, how is my sister?" he asked Merlin immediately.
"She's fine. Did you come straight from the city guard?" Merlin asked with a slight frown. Although Benin had matured somewhat, he still hadn't completely shaken his old habits from when he was a prince. Merlin had arranged for him to serve as a squad leader in Earl Selin's city guard, but Benin often caused trouble, which made Merlin rather displeased with him.
Benin, sensing Merlin's disapproval, quickly replied, "I explained the situation to the commander and got permission to come back."
"Alright, then wait here," Merlin replied coolly, redirecting his focus to Sherlis's room, where her painful groans could still be heard.
Hours passed, and finally, the sound of a newborn's cry filled the room. Merlin's spirits lifted, and he hurried to the door, feeling a rush of excitement.
The door opened, and two older maidservants stepped out, one carrying a tiny newborn.
"Congratulations, Baron. Lady Sherlis has given birth to a girl," one of the maids announced.
Merlin stepped forward and took the infant into his arms, an indescribable feeling welling up in his heart—a connection that could only be described as pure, familial love.
"Baron, please choose a name for the young lady," the maid said, smiling.
"A name?" Merlin thought for a moment, then turned to Old Wilson. "Father, I'll let you decide."
Old Wilson shook his head, his eyes slightly narrowed with a faint smile. "Merlin, you're a father now. The name is yours to choose."
Merlin mulled it over, but with his mind swirling with thoughts, he couldn't settle on the right name. He replied, "I'll decide once Avril gives birth, and we'll choose together."
Old Wilson nodded approvingly. "Good idea. Now, go to Sherlis and the child."
Merlin entered the room, carrying his newborn daughter to see Sherlis.
---
Half a month later, Avril gave birth to a boy. Merlin, after pondering for three days, decided on names: the girl would be Wilson Celia, and the boy, Wilson Betan. However, Old Wilson later decided that Betan was unsuitable and changed it to Wilson Consin, implying that this child would one day inherit the title of the Wilson lineage, based on the name of Merlin's territory, Consin.
Merlin naturally respected his father's decision. For three peaceful months, Merlin spent warm, family-centered days at the castle with his two wives and father.
Three months later, Merlin's third spell model had accumulated enough mana to cast "Earth's Protection" a dozen times in succession.
"It's time to go," he thought.
As comforting as his serene days were, they didn't satisfy Merlin's desire for growth. His heart burned with a longing to seek out Darklight Domain; after all, he'd already delayed this journey for a year.
But before he left, he had a few things to resolve, including saying farewell to Earl Selin and the old man in black robes.
He first went to Earl Selin's castle.
Upon hearing that Merlin held a token of Darklight Domain and might soon join its ranks, Earl Selin was thrilled. Merlin was now a baron in his fiefdom, fully tied to the Pagus City territory. Earl Selin was more than eager for Merlin to join a spellcaster's organization and grow in power.
The Earl even assured Merlin he would look after the Wilson family, which was precisely Merlin's intent. In Pagus City, to ensure the peace and development of the Wilson family, Earl Selin's backing would be essential.
After bidding the Earl goodbye, Merlin visited the old man in black.
The elder appeared to be in high spirits, with his magical energy more balanced than ever. It seemed his unstable spell model had been somewhat stabilized.
"Master Seer, I'm leaving," Merlin stated without preamble.
The old man looked up sharply, a complex emotion crossing his face. He chuckled hoarsely, "It's been a year, and finally, you're setting off. Heh, this dying old man is still hoping you'll find a potion to stabilize my spell model from Darklight Domain. I just hope I'm still alive when you return..."
Merlin knew that the elder's most fervent wish was to find a way to stabilize his spell model. For decades, he'd suffered its volatility, enduring endless torment.
"Rest assured, Master Seer. If I find such a potion, I'll make a point of returning."
Merlin hadn't forgotten that the elder had once risked his life to intervene when Merillon attacked, indirectly saving Merlin's life. Nor had he forgotten the earth-elemental spell model for "Earth's Protection" that the elder had given him.
If he did find a stabilizing potion, Merlin fully intended to come back and rid the elder of his curse.
They spoke a while longer, and as Merlin rose to leave, the old man suddenly said, "Baron Merlin, I'll keep an eye on your Wilson family as well. Heh, as long as this old man is alive, your family will come to no harm."
Merlin paused, turned to the elder, and bowed deeply before walking out of his residence. With both Earl Selin and the elder promising to watch over his family, Merlin finally felt reassured.
---
In the quiet of the night, Merlin's large bed was shared by both Avril and Sherlis, who had set aside their usual modesty. Knowing Merlin was leaving, they clung to him, cherishing every last moment.
Merlin gave them his all that night, sharing an unforgettable embrace with Avril and Sherlis until they were all exhausted. Once they had both drifted into a deep sleep, Merlin didn't rest; instead, he meditated for several hours.
As dawn began to break, he stood, gazing at his sleeping wives with a mixture of emotions.
"I'll be back," he murmured softly, brushing a hand over the dark ring on his finger. Though he felt a lingering attachment, he steeled himself, turning away and slipping out of the room without telling a soul.
Not long after Merlin left the castle, a towering figure appeared in the darkness outside. Standing silently in the cold wind, he watched Merlin's silhouette fade into the distance, his gaze filled with a blend of pride and sadness.