Chapter 65: Negotiation (Part 1)

"Stop!"

Princess Sherris, who had been prepared to charge at the bandits, froze at the sight of Merlin. Watching the bandits around him being transformed into ice sculptures one by one, she felt a jolt of shock and immediately ordered her group to halt.

"A spellcaster…"

Princess Sherris muttered in a low voice. As a member of the royal family, she had some understanding of the spellcasters of the Black Moon Kingdom as well as the mages of the Holy Light Church.

Moreover, the royal family secretly housed its own spellcasters, including Prince Frederick.

Princess Sherris absentmindedly touched the black ring on her finger. Prince Frederick, a powerful spellcaster, wielded terrifying powers concealed within the royal family. His protection had allowed Princess Sherris and her companions to escape from the City of Light.

Due to the influence of the Holy Light Church, spellcasters in the Black Moon Kingdom had long been stigmatized as evil heretics, seen as embodiments of terror, wickedness, and treachery. However, here at the border between the Black Moon Kingdom and the Kingdom of Light, many of these bandits had previously encountered powerful spellcasters and were far from unfamiliar with them.

As Merlin's icy sculptures emerged, many bandits froze in their tracks, casting fearful glances at him.

The Great Chief, who had been slowly retreating, realized Merlin had his eye on him, making escape impossible. Step by step, Merlin advanced on the Great Chief.

The Great Chief frowned, his face a mix of caution and apprehension. In a low voice, he said, "Honored spellcaster, I did not know you were part of this group. Please forgive my offense! I'll lead my men away at once."

"Leave? Do you really think you can?" Merlin continued advancing slowly, unhurried but unstoppable.

The Great Chief's expression shifted. With a wave of his hand, a few bandits moved in front of him to shield him, yet he remained on high alert. "Honored spellcaster, I don't know the nature of your connection with these people, but if I give the command, my men will attack, and besides yourself, I doubt anyone else here would survive."

"Then why don't you try? See if you get the chance," Merlin replied, his previously calm gaze suddenly sharpening.

"Freezing Spell!"

An icy crystal engulfed the Great Chief in an instant, while a dozen bandits with the strength of level-one elemental swordsmen quickly assembled around him.

"Father, now!" Merlin shouted, raising his hand. Three fireballs shot into the crowd of bandits, exploding in flames and causing chaos among them.

Old Wilson, understanding Merlin's signal, let out a battle cry and charged toward the Great Chief like a human-shaped beast, wielding his great sword and blasting away the bandits blocking his path.

"Crack."

The ice crystals encasing the Great Chief began to fracture. His face turned red with exertion, veins bulging, as he roared, "Haha, you can't hold me!"

Merlin's eyes narrowed. He had underestimated the Great Chief; typical lower-level elemental swordsmen couldn't break free of his freezing spell.

However, just like Old Wilson, the Great Chief was nearing the strength of a level-four elemental swordsman, so the freezing spell could only hold him temporarily.

With a powerful effort, the Great Chief shattered the ice crystals around him and prepared to flee in a frenzy.

"Greater Freezing Spell!"

Without hesitation, Merlin cast a much stronger freezing spell, far more potent than the previous one.

The Great Chief had barely lifted a foot before he was again encased in thick layers of ice, his entire body frozen except for his head.

"Argh, break free!" he roared, his blood vessels bulging, veins popping on his forehead as he strained every muscle, trying to shatter the ice.

But despite his efforts, the ice held firm, showing no signs of breaking.

Merlin picked up the pace, launching fireballs to detonate around the Great Chief, scattering any bandits attempting to protect him, though this rapid spellcasting drained his magical reserves quickly.

"Father, we need him alive!" Merlin called out as Old Wilson neared the Great Chief, worried he might kill him in the heat of battle.

Old Wilson reached the immobilized Great Chief and, with a cold sneer, kicked him directly over to Merlin.

"Whoosh."

A fireball hovered before the Great Chief, emitting an intense heat.

Merlin smiled slightly, watching Old Wilson continue slashing through the bandits nearby. Calmly, he addressed the Great Chief, "Great Chief, I think it's time for your men to stop fighting."

The Great Chief's face shifted as he sensed the scorching heat of the fireball suspended near him. Realizing he had no choice, he hoarsely shouted, "Everyone, stop! Second Leader, pull the men back!"

The bandits obeyed, hesitantly retreating but staying close enough to keep a wary eye on Old Wilson and his knights.

With thousands of bandits, many of whom were as strong as level-one elemental swordsmen, an all-out assault might indeed have ended as the Great Chief had warned, with Merlin the only survivor.

"Father, bring him to the carriage."

Merlin instructed Old Wilson to bring the Great Chief to the carriage. Trapped in the Greater Freezing Spell, the Great Chief, despite his strength, stood no chance of breaking free anytime soon.

Old Wilson hauled the Great Chief and threw him into the carriage. Merlin climbed in after him, while Old Wilson remained outside, regrouping the black-armored knights and standing firm against the retreating bandits.

Inside the carriage, Merlin sat silently, observing the Great Chief without a word. The oppressive silence finally became unbearable, and the Great Chief scoffed, "You wouldn't dare kill me. If I die, my men will tear you all to pieces!"

Merlin merely shook his head, a hint of amusement in his smile. "It seems you haven't understood your current situation. Your men, especially that Second Leader, are hardly loyal. In fact, he probably wants you dead more than I do."

The Great Chief's expression shifted, his face darkening.

After a long silence, he finally asked in a hoarse voice, "What is it you want?"

He had begun to understand that the mysterious spellcaster before him was after something specific from him.