Chapter 160: Long Time No See

A carriage traveled slowly down the broad road.

Inside, Merlin sat with his eyes closed, taking a moment to meditate and check the spell models within his mind. It had been several days since he left the town of Ditas. His "Guardian's Monument" spell model was stable, continuously absorbing earth elements to accumulate mana. Below it, his zero-level spell "Earth Shield" still remained intact, also gathering mana, though most of the earth elements were now drawn toward the more advanced "Guardian's Monument." Higher-level spells naturally absorbed elemental energy with greater intensity, leaving only a trickle for lower-level spells like "Earth Shield."

"How far are we from Pugasi City?" Merlin asked, lifting the carriage curtain to address the coachman, who had once been a servant of Xiaboli's but had been given to Merlin along with the carriage before his departure.

The coachman glanced around at the surroundings and respectfully answered, "Not much farther, sir. Another three hours, perhaps, and we should arrive at Pugasi."

Merlin nodded. Although he had only been away from Pugasi City for a year, he had experienced a lifetime of change. Once a novice spellcaster, he was now a formidable six-path mage with his first first-level spell. Reflecting on his journey in the Dark Spirit Domain, he couldn't help but feel a sense of amazement at his transformation.

After a moment, Merlin closed his eyes and resumed meditating to strengthen his mental energy.

***

About two hours later, Merlin suddenly opened his eyes, his expression turning cold. Extending his mental energy beyond the carriage, he probed into the forests on either side of the road.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."

Balls of flame appeared midair and, guided by Merlin's mental energy, flew directly into the surrounding forest.

***

"Captain, there's a carriage up ahead," said an armored soldier hidden among the trees.

The "captain" nodded and ordered, "Keep watching. Don't alert them. Our orders are to monitor anyone entering or leaving Pugasi City—no one gets a free pass."

"Yes, sir!" The armored soldier prepared to move but hesitated, then asked quietly, "Captain, do you think this is going to lead to a war between our city-state of Labis and Pugasi?"

The captain's face darkened, his gaze hardening as he replied coldly, "That's not for you to worry about! Focus on the carriage!"

The armored soldier nodded hastily and turned to leave, but at that moment, a series of blazing fireballs shot from the distance, swiftly descending toward the forest.

"Captain!" he shouted in alarm. "A spellcaster! Run!"

Before they could escape, a series of fiery explosions consumed the forest.

***

Inside the carriage, Merlin remained calm. Even the coachman, having been informed of Merlin's abilities back in Ditas, appeared unsurprised.

"Pick up the pace," Merlin ordered, glancing toward the trees with a frown. He didn't know what turmoil had befallen Pugasi City, but the presence of so many elemental warriors in hiding suggested significant unrest.

As the carriage accelerated, Merlin noticed groups of elemental warriors lurking in the forests along the road. He had no qualms about dealing with them, dispatching them with fireballs as soon as they appeared. After all, Pugasi City was home to the Wilson family, and Merlin would tolerate no threats against them.

"Sir Merlin, we've arrived at Pugasi City!"

The coachman's voice roused Merlin from his thoughts. Peering out of the carriage, he recognized the familiar sight of Pugasi's city walls.

"A year... an entire year…"

When he first left, he had imagined it might be ten or twenty years before he'd return. Even after learning in the Dark Spirit Domain that he had a three-year reprieve, he had still expected a lengthy absence. Yet here he was, back in Pugasi in only a year due to unforeseen circumstances in the Dark Spirit Domain.

However, as he observed the city's heightened security, with crossbowmen stationed along the walls and heavily armored knights patrolling the streets, Merlin sensed that something serious must have happened.

"Let's enter," he instructed the coachman.

As they approached the city gates, guards stepped forward to halt their entry.

"Hold up! The city is under lockdown. No entry without permission from the city lord!"

Just as the coachman seemed uncertain, Merlin extended a golden medallion bearing his title and spoke, "I am Baron Merlin, granted my title by Count Selin. Surely I'm not barred from entering?"

The guard's expression changed instantly upon seeing the medallion. "My apologies, Baron Merlin. The city is indeed under lockdown, but I'm sure the city lord will grant you passage. Please proceed."

Merlin was surprised by the guard's recognition and asked, "Have we met?"

"I served as a guard in the count's castle, sir. I've seen you there once," the guard explained.

Merlin nodded, letting the curtain drop. "Let's go," he told the coachman, and the carriage continued through the city gates.

As the guards watched the carriage depart, one of them couldn't help but ask, "Weren't we ordered to deny entry to anyone without permission, even nobles? Why let him through?"

The first guard chuckled, watching the carriage disappear down the street. "You don't understand. That's no ordinary baron—he's the spellcaster who aided the count. Baron Merlin's return will undoubtedly please the city lord."

With that, he hurried off to report Merlin's arrival to the count.

***

The carriage made its way through the streets, which were quieter than Merlin remembered. People moved quickly, their faces anxious, and the small vendors and bustling activity he once saw had disappeared. The city's vibrancy had been replaced by a somber, cautious atmosphere.

"Turn left here and keep straight until you see a large castle," Merlin instructed, directing the coachman to the Wilson estate.

Before long, they arrived in front of the grand Wilson Castle.

"We're here, Sir Merlin," the coachman announced respectfully.

Merlin lifted the curtain and stepped out, his black robe enveloping him in an air of mystery that, while common in the Dark Spirit Domain, seemed unusual here.

"There it is, Wilson Castle," he murmured, feeling a sudden sense of calm as he surveyed the familiar structure.

Near the castle gates, two young children, barely more than a year old, were toddling about, waving their little arms as they took tentative steps. A group of maids hovered nearby, watching over the children with care.

Seeing the two toddlers, Merlin's heart stirred. "Celia, Constine… It must be them!" he whispered with a trace of excitement. He remembered leaving Pugasi when they had just been born; now, at about a year old, they toddled before him, carrying his bloodline.

Unable to contain himself, Merlin began walking toward the children. The maids quickly scooped up the toddlers and hurried inside, prompting Merlin to quicken his pace.

Suddenly, a young knight burst out from the castle, blocking Merlin's path with his sword. "Stop! This is Baron Merlin's estate!" he commanded firmly.

Merlin paused, a faint smile crossing his face as he raised his hood, revealing his face.

"Argus," he said warmly, "it's been a long time."