Chapter 163: Mage Hegal

Count Selin looked at Merlin, understanding that if he wanted Merlin's help, he'd have to be completely honest. With a sigh, he said, "Yes, the army of Labis does have an advantage, but Pugasi's forces can still hold their own. What truly worries me is the spellcaster hired by Lungadi. Among his ranks is a powerful Grade One spellcaster. I initially recruited Mage Bellis to counter this particular threat."

Selin's gaze remained fixed on Merlin, who had defeated Bellis so effortlessly. Bellis had held Selin's trust, based on his ability to escape from a Grade One spellcaster before, giving Selin hope that he could stand against Labis. But now, with Bellis dead, Pugasi had gained an even stronger ally in Merlin.

"A Grade One spellcaster, is it?"

Merlin mused, aware of the variation in strength among Grade One spellcasters. Often, wandering mages were weaker than the structured casters within organized orders, even if they reached Grade One. Having faced several Grade One spellcasters himself, Merlin was confident, recalling even the formidable Mage Vex, who had fallen by his hand.

"In that case, I'll handle him," Merlin said calmly.

Count Selin was overjoyed. Whereas he'd held doubts about Bellis's abilities, Merlin's confidence gave him a glimmer of hope. With a powerful spellcaster on their side, Pugasi's fortified walls, supplemented by the noble guards within the city, could resist any siege.

Merlin took his leave from Count Selin's castle and returned to his carriage. After a moment of thought, he turned to the driver and said, "Take me to Mage Hil's residence." The carriage slowly began to move.

---

In a spacious room in Labis, Count Lungadi paced back and forth, his brow furrowed in evident unease. Moments earlier, one of his spies had delivered troubling news.

As an ambitious noble, Lungadi had longed for more than his small county, aligning with the influence of the Eighth Prince to eliminate his two brothers and secure his position. Now, he was ready to expand Labis by conquering Pugasi. Everything had been going smoothly, and his plans were nearly in place—until now. Even Lungadi, normally self-assured, felt uncertain.

"Greetings, my lord."

Several mages entered the room, led by a composed, confident figure named Hegal. Upon seeing him, Lungadi's expression relaxed slightly as he said, "Mage Hegal, a report from our spies has disturbed me, and I can't seem to settle my mind."

"Oh? What news would give you pause, my lord?" Hegal asked, his calm demeanor unwavering. Standing beside him, the others seemed to absorb his confidence, as if in his presence, success was inevitable.

"Our spies outside Pugasi were all killed, and their charred bodies have been brought back here."

Lungadi ordered a guard to bring in the remains. Several bodies were brought forward, all burned, some with limbs missing, clearly from a violent attack.

After examining the bodies, Hegal smirked. "It appears they were hit by a fireball spell. We know Pugasi has three mages—Bellis, Frey, and Hil. However, Bellis and Frey don't use fire spells, and though Hil knows the fireball spell, his model is unstable, and he rarely dares to use it. Could Hil have taken the risk to come out and attack our men?"

Hegal's confident assessment indicated that Lungadi had thoroughly researched Pugasi's spellcasters. Yet he looked to Lungadi for confirmation.

Lungadi shook his head, saying, "You're mistaken, Mage Hegal. There's another caster capable of using fire spells in Pugasi—Merlin."

"Merlin? You mean the one who entered the Dark Arcane Order?"

For the first time, Hegal's calm expression shifted as he narrowed his eyes, surprised. The other spellcasters in the room exchanged glances at the mention of Merlin's name. Though Merlin wasn't particularly famous, his association with the Dark Arcane Order—a coveted organization among wandering mages—was well-known. Count Selin had deliberately circulated the news of Merlin's affiliation, and word had spread.

Hegal's curiosity deepened. "My lord, are you certain it's Merlin?"

"Yes," Lungadi said gravely. "One of my spies within Pugasi saw him with their own eyes."

Hegal's face lit up. "Excellent. I didn't expect Merlin to return from the Dark Arcane Order. This is an opportunity."

The other mages began speculating aloud. Some were thrilled, hopeful that Merlin might possess spell models, potions, and other treasures they longed for. For wandering mages, even a single spell model was worth risking everything. Others expressed wariness, knowing that spellcasters from organized orders were rarely easy targets.

Lungadi, however, focused on Hegal. "With you here, I have no worries. Count Selin must have been a fool to think Bellis could counter you. Even if they all came at you together, I trust you'd handle it. But I am concerned about the Dark Arcane Order. If Merlin dies, will they come after us?"

Seeing Lungadi's apprehension, Hegal chuckled. "Fear not, my lord. You see, the Dark Arcane Order only protects those who have advanced to Grade One. For mere apprentices, no one will come seeking vengeance."

With a confident grin, he added, "Besides, the greatest prize isn't any spell model or potion he might carry. The real treasure on Merlin's person is the Dark Arcane Ring."

"The ring?" Lungadi asked, intrigued.

"Yes, only those with the ring can enter the Dark Arcane Order," Hegal explained. "Kill Merlin, take his ring, and I can join the Order myself."

Lungadi seemed thoughtful. "If a ring grants access, what's to stop another organization from infiltrating?"

Hegal chuckled again. "Good question. The Order screens everyone with the ring before they're allowed to join. Any spy would be exposed."

A lean spellcaster nearby hesitantly asked, "Doesn't this make apprentices from such organizations prime targets?"

Hegal's gaze turned cold. "You overestimate their importance. Spellcaster orders have no shortage of fresh apprentices, nor do they concern themselves with weaklings who fall along the way."

The room fell silent as Hegal's dismissive tone highlighted the harsh realities of these powerful organizations, a sobering reminder of just how perilous Merlin's path truly was.