123 - I'm Merk?

Herlram gazed at Iyeta, bound on the high platform, her face twisted in agony. He seemed reluctant, but his expression soon hardened as he turned to Lynn and asked, "You don't seem surprised?"

"Surprised? Perhaps a bit, but isn't there only one great wizard in Iyeta Harbor?" Lynn replied casually, seeing that Herlram didn't seem to have any intention of harming him.

At that moment, all of Lynn's previous doubts had been dispelled. To gather so many Tier 3 wizards, form the "Faceless," and create a virtual domain, one had to be a great wizard. However, Lynn had previously thought this had something to do with the Dark Wizard Merk. After all, many of the psychic books he had collected in Radak had Merk's name on them, and the Soul-Devouring Array was also Merk's creation.

But now, in hindsight, there were too many anomalies in Iyeta Harbor. In a situation where the council had completely banned the study of psychic magic, an organization like the "Faceless" had emerged, consisting entirely of psychic wizards.

In addition, the power of Nos and his "Blood-Red Thorns" faction was too extensive. They not only had six Tier 3 wizards as core members but also more than ten official wizards and hundreds of wizard apprentices. Even Sheriff Leya had some unclear connection with the "Blood-Red Thorns."

Coupled with the chaotic scene of magic workshops in the southern district.

It was either that Herlram, the ruler of the Iyeta Harbor, was too inept, or it was the deliberate result of his actions.

Now it seemed to be the latter.

"So, does that mean Nos' actions today were also at your behest?" Lynn couldn't help but ask.

"No, that was his own idea. I believe Nos planned to take advantage of my absence to break free from my control using the Soul-Devouring Array, and that's it," Herlram replied succinctly.

Lynn, however, didn't believe a word of it. Since Herlram was here, it meant that Nos' little plan was still within Herlram's expectations.

In other words, Herlram had intentionally leaked information, letting Nos know he had left Iyeta Harbor. Then Nos had the audacity to go hunting the Eye of Death while simultaneously setting up the Soul-Devouring Array.

Poor Nos was like a puppet.

Lynn could imagine that without his interference, Nos would probably have smoothly ascended to the rank of Grand Wizard. Then, he would discover that the Soul-Devouring Array had inexplicably gone out of control, spreading throughout the entire southern district, and causing even greater chaos. Herlram would then arrive at the last moment and kill this culprit, effectively quelling the riot.

Leaving out Nos and the entire "Blood-Red Thorns" as disposable pawns, Herlram's ruthlessness and cunning were evident.

"So, the person who wrote that letter inviting me to join the 'Faceless,' that was also you?" Lynn asked again.

Herlram did not answer and instead asked suddenly, "What should I call you... Lynn? Karl? Or maybe... the Dark Wizard Merk?"

Although Lynn currently appeared in the form of Radak, Herlram did not judge based on physical appearance but rather by magical aura.

"What? I'm the Dark Wizard Merk?" Lynn's expression turned somewhat strange, not quite understanding why Herlram would think so.

"Two weeks ago on the training grounds, when you were challenging Rol, you were just a wizard apprentice, weren't you?" Herlram inquired, although his tone was very certain.

In the world of wizards, the fundamental difference between an apprentice and an official wizard lay in their magical affinity elements. This was common knowledge throughout the wizard community. However, only a grand wizard could perceive the subtle differences in the nature of their magic. This difference became most apparent during battles.

Lynn, on the other hand, defied all expectations. With the status of a wizard apprentice, he unleashed powers that exceeded ordinary Tier 3 magic, conjuring the "Ice Domain." He possessed a wealth of esoteric knowledge that clearly surpassed the capabilities of an apprentice wizard.

Herlram could only think of one possibility—possession.

Three years ago, he had volunteered to join two other grand wizards on a mission to the northern territories to eradicate the entire Psychic Academy. However, unlike his colleagues, he had another agenda—to acquire the research findings of the sorcerer Merk in the field of psychic magic. Although he encountered significant obstacles along the way, Herlram ultimately obtained what he desired.

Due to the intense battles that had transpired, many precious magical books had been destroyed, resulting in fragmented and incomplete psychic research data. This was how the "Faceless" and the "Blood-Red Thorns" came into existence.

Herlram carefully selected over ten Tier 3 wizards eager to break through, distributing the fragmented psychic research materials he had acquired. These individuals, in secret, continued the research in psychic magic on his behalf.

As expected, with the relentless efforts of Nos and others, along with countless sacrifices, they had managed to reconstruct the methods of setting up the Soul-Devouring Array and transferring a soul into another body within a mere three years. They were only missing the material to replace the Heart Devil Blood and one other crucial technique.

It was at this critical moment that Lynn suddenly appeared in Iyeta Harbor, bringing two highly essential items with him—airships capable of defeating the Eye of Death and the intact body of a witch that had lost her soul.

It all seemed too perfect, like a gift specially prepared for himself, which is precisely why Herlram felt a hint of fear.

Just like the "Blood-Red Thorns" in his hands, he briefly doubted whether he, too, was just a pawn in a larger game.

In the major battle back then, everyone believed that the Dark Wizard Merk was dead. However, Herlram, who had read numerous psychic books, had a premonition that he hadn't truly perished.

For these three years, it appeared as if Merk had completely disappeared, perhaps leaving the realm of wizards. But he would surely return someday.

Herlram stared at Lynn in front of him. Although the fluctuations in magical power did not match, there was a possibility that the fusion of their souls had caused a change. Therefore, he had no choice but to suspect that the person before him was the Dark Wizard Merk.

After all, the timing of his appearance was just too perfect.

In response to Herlram's questioning, Lynn countered, saying, "If I were the Dark Wizard Merk, a former grand wizard, I would never reveal a flaw on the training ground, exposing my true identity."

"It's clear you've made a mistake. I am Lynn and only Lynn, nothing more," Lynn stated firmly.

TL/n - 

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