Chapter 162: Crushing Dominance

Inside Count Selin's castle, Merlin, dressed in a black robe, followed the guards as they led him inside.

Count Selin looked as he always did, though worry over the recent developments in Pugasi was evident in his tired expression. Beside him stood two middle-aged men who, like Merlin, were spellcasters—an observation that Merlin quickly made, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Haha! It really is Baron Merlin!" Count Selin exclaimed, standing with a wide smile. "When the guards reported it, I could hardly believe it! Baron, your return could not have come at a better time. Your strength will be invaluable to Pugasi in these tense times!"

Seeing Merlin's gaze shift to the two men, Count Selin introduced them. "Baron Merlin, these two mages recently joined us here in Pugasi. This is Mage Frey, a three-school spellcaster."

He gestured to the other mage and continued, "And this is Mage Bellis, a four-school spellcaster. His power is formidable; he's even managed to escape a Grade One spellcaster before. It is truly Pugasi's fortune to have Mage Bellis join us."

Count Selin's respect for Bellis was evident. As a wandering spellcaster with proficiency in four spell schools, Bellis was undoubtedly an impressive figure.

Merlin's eyes narrowed, and he looked directly at Bellis, who held a faint smile of arrogance as he spoke, "I've heard much about you, Mage Merlin. It's an honor to finally—"

Before he could finish, Merlin cut him off with a flat question. "You are Bellis?"

Bellis frowned slightly but nodded.

Without hesitation, Merlin moved. A wave of his hand summoned a dark mist that enveloped Bellis—and even Frey. The spell was Dark Mist, a powerful enchantment meant to plunge its targets into an illusory void.

Count Selin was shocked. "Mage Merlin, stop!"

But Merlin ignored him. Five fireballs, each radiating intense heat, appeared before him. With a simple gesture, they flew into the mist.

"Explode."

The fireballs erupted in a series of violent blasts, sending waves of searing heat throughout the hall and scattering the dark mist. When the smoke cleared, Bellis's lifeless, charred body lay on the ground.

Merlin turned calmly to Count Selin. "Count Selin."

Count Selin, looking at Merlin, found his feelings mixed and conflicted. The strong spellcaster he had relied upon to counter Labis was dead, destroyed by Merlin's swift attack. For the first time, Count Selin fully grasped the true power of a well-organized spellcasting order. The Merlin who had defeated Merrilon before had returned far stronger than before.

"W-Well…"

Frey, who had also been caught in the mist, looked down at Bellis's corpse in shock before turning to Merlin, a sense of awe in his gaze. He knew how powerful Bellis was, and he had kept his own grievances with Bellis hidden, fearing his strength. Watching Merlin's overwhelming dominance, Frey understood just how far Merlin had advanced.

"Mage Merlin," Frey said, stepping forward and bowing, "I apologize for Bellis's actions and offer my deepest gratitude. His behavior was… unacceptable, even to me."

Merlin offered a slight smile, his gaze lingering on Frey. "I know. Otherwise, there would be more than one body on the floor."

Frey felt a chill run through him. He recalled how, for a brief moment in the Dark Mist, he had lost all sense of direction, slipping into an inescapable darkness. Merlin could have killed him with a single spell had he wished.

Count Selin's face grew awkward as he began to understand Merlin's power. Bellis had boasted to him many times about his skills, flaunting his power in front of Frey and others. However, Merlin had disposed of him with ease, shattering any illusions about Bellis's strength.

He took a shaky breath and stammered, "Baron Merlin, Bellis joined of his own will, and I had little control over his… actions."

Merlin cut him off, his voice icy. "Count Selin, I don't care about the reasons. I trust this will be the first—and the last—time something like this happens."

Despite a faint sense of indignation at Merlin's tone, Count Selin hesitated, feeling the overwhelming aura Merlin now carried. His aura was intimidating, and he realized Merlin had grown even more powerful than before, perhaps stronger than Merrilon. So, swallowing his irritation, he forced a thin smile. "Of course, Baron Merlin, I assure you, this will never happen again."

With Count Selin's assurance, Merlin nodded, satisfied. He knew that situations like this were often unavoidable, and the Wilson family would need Count Selin's support to maintain stability in Pugasi. Now that the Count was reminded of Merlin's power, he wouldn't allow another incident like Bellis's to occur, even if Merlin were to leave again.

"All right. I noticed a tense atmosphere in Pugasi upon my return. What's been happening?"

Count Selin's tension eased as Merlin brought up Pugasi's troubles. Although Bellis was gone, Merlin's return as a much stronger ally was good news. With a sigh, Count Selin explained the conflict between Pugasi and Labis.

"Though Labis has had minor conflicts with us over the years, we managed to stay on good terms. But half a year ago, the Earl of Labis, Tyron, died, and his son Lungadi took over. Since then, Lungadi has been aggressively expanding their military, provoking minor conflicts between our territories."

"More troubling, Lungadi has deployed spies around Pugasi, monitoring everyone entering the city, which has deterred many merchants from coming."

"What was unbearable," Count Selin's eyes darkened, "was that a month ago, Lungadi brazenly sent troops to occupy one of our small towns. That's a blatant act of war."

His anger was palpable, though a hint of unease also lingered in his gaze. He had exercised restraint, likely because Labis had the advantage in terms of military power.

"Can't you appeal to the King for arbitration?" Merlin asked. Despite his limited time in Pugasi, he knew that while the kingdom's city-state system seemed decentralized, the royal family's influence was still substantial. The ruling dynasty's strength kept city-states from defying their authority, so arbitration by the crown was often the best solution for territorial disputes.

Count Selin shook his head with a bitter smile. "I did request it, but Lungadi has allied with Prince Eighth, who blocked my appeal. So, the royal family won't be stepping in."

Merlin's patience waned. This political entanglement did not interest him, and regardless of the King's involvement, he would not allow the Wilson family to endure another upheaval. The previous migration from Blackwater City to Pugasi had been challenging enough.

"Count Selin, let's get to the point. Lungadi's confidence doesn't stem only from his military strength, does it?"

Count Selin's eyes met Merlin's, revealing a glimmer of unease. He sighed. "You're right, Baron Merlin. Labis has indeed enlisted several spellcasters, including a powerful wizard rumored to be a Grade Two spellcaster with advanced magical knowledge."

Count Selin's tone turned grave as he continued, "That's why I valued Bellis so highly. But now, with you here, we may actually stand a chance."