Chapter 70: The Black Moon Kingdom (Part 3)

The guard at Ravensburg sneered at Merlin and his companions' hesitation. "This is Ravensburg, the Black Moon Kingdom! Yesterday, some who called themselves princes and princesses were here, and they still had to pay up before we let them through. Either leave your horses or pay the gold. There's no other choice!"

Old Wilson and Baron Barman were furious, glaring at the guards, but they knew better than to act rashly. This heavily fortified fortress was impregnable; even thousands of well-armed knights couldn't breach its defenses.

Merlin sighed and whispered to Old Wilson, "Father, let's return to the convoy and discuss our options."

Once back, Merlin spoke first. "We can't afford to lose the horses. Princess Sherris and her group must have paid enough to keep theirs. If we have no other options, we'll have to scrape together the 120,000 gold coins."

After a long silence, Old Wilson said in a low voice, "I've spent most of the taxes from my lands on training the heavy knights. At most, our family could raise 40,000 gold coins."

Merlin frowned slightly, understanding that the Wilson family's resources were heavily invested in the knights, leaving little surplus.

"And you, Baron Barman?" Merlin asked.

Baron Barman gave a strained smile. "We might manage a bit more, but still no more than 60,000 coins. We're short 20,000."

Merlin was at a loss. The remaining 20,000 coins were no small amount, and even if they could raise the full amount, maintaining the convoy's provisions once they entered the Black Moon Kingdom would be a challenge.

If they abandoned the horses, they'd only need 20,000 coins, but without horses, the large convoy would move painfully slowly and face many additional risks.

Forcing their way through Ravensburg was out of the question; even a full army couldn't breach this fortress.

"If it comes to it, I could return and exchange another spell model with Keane for the funds," Merlin said reluctantly. Since arriving in this world, he'd never had financial worries, but now he was contemplating bartering spells for money.

"There's no need to worry. Stay here for a few days, and I'll head back to the bandits—"

Merlin stopped mid-sentence, his gaze narrowing as he noticed a large group of knights approaching Ravensburg, about a few thousand in number and well-equipped.

The guards' demeanor shifted immediately, greeting the approaching knights with respect. "Honorable Count, the Countess just sent a message asking you to return home urgently."

"I understand."

At the front was a count, clearly someone of high status within Ravensburg. The guards quickly opened the fortress gates.

"Perhaps there's a way…" Merlin's eyes brightened, and he turned to Old Wilson and Baron Barman. "Wait here. I might be able to resolve our situation."

With that, Merlin approached the count and his knights.

"Honorable Count!" Merlin called out.

The count, a strong and imposing figure in polished armor, turned at the unfamiliar voice and frowned. "Who are you?"

With a steady tone and no hint of fear, Merlin introduced himself. "Honorable Count, I am Wilson Merlin. My family and I have just escaped from the Kingdom of Light, but we're facing some difficulties here at Ravensburg. If you were to extend a hand, you would have my friendship."

"Your friendship? The friendship of a fleeing minor noble?" The count glanced at Old Wilson and the convoy, chuckling. Small nobles fleeing from the Kingdom of Light were a common sight here, something he was well used to.

"Yes, my friendship—the friendship of a spellcaster."

Merlin placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly, his expression calm.

"A spellcaster?" The count's smile froze, his face turning serious with a hint of disbelief.

With a faint smile, Merlin extended a finger and lightly touched the count's sword. In an instant, a layer of thick ice formed around the blade.

The knights around the count reacted immediately, their tension palpable. Some of them even emanated a powerful earth-colored aura—signs of level-three peak earth swordsmen.

"Commander Bain, no need to be so tense. This man is a respected spellcaster," the count quickly reassured his knights before turning back to Merlin with a smile. "Honorable spellcaster, welcome to the Black Moon Kingdom and to Ravensburg! It's rare to see a seeker of knowledge from the Kingdom of Light, that barbaric land."

The count, after glancing back at Old Wilson's convoy, seemed to grasp the situation and continued, "Master Merlin, I, Count Beckins Primont, sincerely invite you and your family to be my guests at my home."

"Thank you for your generous invitation, Count." Merlin felt a surge of relief. He had known that the Black Moon Kingdom, known as a haven for spellcasters, respected and valued their kind. Spellcasters were honored in this kingdom, enjoying privileges akin to nobility.

With Count Primont's support, the Ravensburg guards no longer dared to hinder Merlin and his group. After surrendering most of their armor and weapons, Old Wilson and his people followed the count's knights, passing smoothly through Ravensburg's gates.