Chapter 56: Departure (Part III)

In the pitch-black night, the sound of hooves grew louder, the rhythm clear and unrelenting, signaling the approach of hundreds of knights.

Old Wilson stood outside the castle, surrounded by his knights, who held torches that illuminated the area for hundreds of meters around. Even so, the identity of the approaching group was still unclear.

"Form up and prepare for battle!"

Old Wilson drew his greatsword and mounted a black warhorse, eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. If it turned out to be the church's forces, he would not hesitate to lead his five hundred knights in a charge.

The sound of hooves grew closer, filling the silence, broken only by the snorts of restless horses.

Merlin, standing beside his father, wrapped his coat tightly against the cold and extended his mental energy forward, sensing the nighttime intruders.

"Haha, Wilson, it's me—Barman!"

A hearty laugh rang out from the shadows. Old Wilson, who had been tense, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Baron Barman! I thought you were with the church. What brings you to my lands?"

As the group approached, Old Wilson could finally make out the figure of Baron Barman, one of the few nobles left in Blackwater City and an old friend of his.

Baron Barman wore black armor, gripping a greatsword, his expression weary and travel-worn.

"Wilson, the church is gaining too much power. Soon, the entire Bright Kingdom may fall under their control. I refuse to submit to them, so I came to find you. Haha, I've brought my entire family, everyone from the Barman clan. You have to take us in!"

Behind Baron Barman were several carriages, filled with his family members and retainers.

"Come inside, and we'll talk."

Old Wilson glanced over the crowd of knights behind Barman, estimating there were at least seven hundred. While they weren't as formidable as his heavy-armored knights, they were still a significant force.

Once inside the spacious hall, Baron Barman immediately noticed Merlin and nodded approvingly.

"Merlin, come and greet Baron Barman," Old Wilson instructed.

Merlin stepped forward and offered a courteous bow, then stood aside. Baron Barman looked Merlin over, nodding. "Impressive. I saw Merlin in action today… a spellcaster. Wilson, do you remember how we felt on the battlefield when we first saw Blackmoon's spellcasters?"

Baron Barman, too, had served in the war against the eastern heretics before returning to inherit his family's title. Even in his short time in battle, he had witnessed the power of Blackmoon Kingdom's spellcasters, how they could devastate fortresses with a mere gesture.

Those who had fought in the eastern war had little regard for the church's "heretic" rhetoric; they knew the so-called "heretics" were just people wielding powerful forces. While such magic existed in the Bright Kingdom, it was under church control, inaccessible to ordinary people.

After studying Merlin, Baron Barman turned to Old Wilson, his tone serious. "Wilson, what do you plan to do?"

Old Wilson hesitated, then glanced at Merlin and spoke quietly. "Merlin and I have discussed it. We've decided to head east, to Blackmoon Kingdom."

A smile crossed Baron Barman's face. "Good. That was my thought as well. Our only option is to go east… Your heavy-armored knights are formidable, and between them and my Barman knights, we should be able to reach Blackmoon Kingdom safely, even if we encounter bandits along the way."

Old Wilson nodded in agreement. With Baron Barman's added force, they now had nearly fifteen hundred knights—a powerful enough unit to fend off any threat.

Finally resolved, Old Wilson began making preparations for the migration. Moving an entire household was no small feat, and there were essential supplies to bring, so it would take a few hours to be ready.

"Merlin."

Baron Barman, smiling, approached Merlin. Despite his fatigue, he seemed more at ease since arriving at Wilson's estate.

"Merlin, it's been months, and you've changed so much… Ah, you haven't seen Avina for a long time either. She's here in the carriage; let me bring her over so you two can catch up."

Merlin was momentarily surprised. When Baron Barman mentioned "Avina," a faint memory surfaced.

"Avina? My fiancée?"

Merlin's expression turned a bit wry.

***

The City of Light, capital of the Bright Kingdom, housed both the lavish royal palace and the headquarters of the church. But on this night, the usual bustling city was now a sea of blood, with fighting erupting in every corner.

"Sherris, the royal family is finished. There's no hope left... Take your brother and leave the City of Light. I've arranged for two thousand knights outside the city who will protect you on your journey. Go as far as you can, for the sake of the royal bloodline," whispered Prince Frederick, his voice heavy with resignation as he addressed two teenagers by his side.

The young princess, Sherris, looked at him with tearful eyes. "Uncle Frederick, aren't you coming with us?"

Frederick glanced at the dark sky, shook his head, and said, "I can't. If I go, none of us will make it out… Take this ring and guard it well. I wish you or Benin had the aptitude to become a spellcaster; with this ring, you could reach the Dark Spirit Domain in Blackmoon and become apprentices."

Reluctantly, Frederick handed the ring to Sherris with reverence.

"Hurry. Don't think about revenge. If a descendant of yours ever possesses the gift of magic, give them this ring and send them to the Dark Spirit Domain. Only there can one become a powerful spellcaster…"

With that, Frederick waved them off, gesturing for his guards to lead Sherris and her brother away.

Just as they crossed out of the City of Light, a blinding flash of white light exploded behind them, engulfing the city.

"Uncle Frederick…"

Sherris whispered, clutching the ring tightly. She wiped away her tears, turned, and disappeared into the night with her guards.