Chapter 25: True Identity

A blazing fireball hovered beside Merlin, radiating intense heat that made Jia too afraid to move. She simply stared at him in silence.

Merlin nodded in satisfaction. "I ask, you answer," he commanded sternly.

"Merlin, we're not enemies. You're Aita's disciple, you…"

Before Jia could finish, Merlin flicked his hand, sending a fireball streaking toward her. Startled, she frantically waved her dagger to try to block it.

*Sizzle.*

Although the fireball was only the size of a fist, its heat was enough to melt iron. The moment the dagger touched the fireball, it began to liquefy, transforming into a pool of molten metal.

The small fireball continued its path, grazing her arm and colliding with the wall behind her. Jia's sleeve was reduced to tatters, and her once fair, delicate arm now bore a blackened burn mark. The smell of charred flesh filled the small cabin.

The pain caused cold sweat to pour from her forehead, and her gaze shifted to Merlin, tinged now with genuine fear.

"Now you understand," Merlin said calmly. "I ask, you answer."

Gritting her teeth, Jia nodded slightly, no longer daring to speak out of turn.

"What was your relationship with Aita?" Merlin asked, his tone cold.

Leaning against the wall, Jia managed a response, "Aita was my contact. I was his subordinate, sent here by the Black Moon Kingdom."

Merlin's eyes widened slightly as he processed her words. So Jia and Aita had both been spies for the Black Moon Kingdom, sent to gather intelligence in the Kingdom of Light. No wonder Gut had been unable to uncover Jia's background.

"If Aita was discovered by the Church, why weren't you?"

"We rarely met in person, instead exchanging information through coded messages. Aita was found out because he was a spellcaster. When he visited Gran City, the Church noticed him. The Church doesn't tolerate spellcasters, regardless of their origin."

"So, Aita was targeted by the Church simply for being a spellcaster, not for his role as a spy?"

"That's right. If they had known his true identity, they would've found me too."

Merlin scrutinized Jia's face, watching for any signs of deception. Seeing none, he believed her explanation was likely genuine. In the Kingdom of Light, heretics were not tolerated. Aita had been hunted down purely because he was a spellcaster, with the Church likely oblivious to his role as an agent of the Black Moon Kingdom.

The room fell silent, and Jia became visibly anxious under Merlin's intense gaze. She knew he was considering her fate.

"Does anyone else know Aita's true identity?" Merlin's voice turned sharper. If anyone else knew, it could be used against him, and he had no desire to get entangled in a war between kingdoms. If Jia wasn't the only one with this knowledge, he would have to eliminate her.

Sensing his intent, Jia's expression grew desperate. "No one else knows, only me. Merlin, I can still be useful to you. Even though you're a spellcaster, you're a heretic here, always under threat of the Church's scrutiny. I could keep an eye on things for you, and when you're ready to leave the Kingdom of Light, I can help you…"

Jia's voice softened, and her pleading expression, paired with her striking beauty, would stir sympathy in anyone.

"Get up," Merlin finally spoke, and the fireball beside him dissipated into smoke.

Jia leaned against the wall, visibly relieved, exhaling deeply as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Holding her injured arm, she stood up, her movements shaky.

Once upright, she removed her cloak, revealing a thick white fur coat underneath. Now that the cloak no longer hid her figure, her stunning physique was evident. However, her face was pale, and she was sweating from the pain, which slightly dulled her allure.

"I'll need your help with this," she said, gesturing to the bloody cloak she had discarded on the floor. Wearing it outside would certainly raise suspicion.

Merlin raised his hand, and a fireball shot out, incinerating the cloak into ashes in seconds.

"I'll be going now," Jia said, clutching her injured arm as she swiftly left the cabin.

Merlin watched her retreating figure until it disappeared into the distance. He scanned the empty room, noting that anything of value had already been removed, leaving only an empty shell.

Seeing that there was nothing more to gain by staying, he decided to leave as well, mindful of the risks of being seen by patrolling city guards.

---

In a secluded alley, Jia finally stopped after taking several turns. She bit her lip, her injured arm still bleeding, with the makeshift bandage stained red. Glancing back in the direction of Aita's cabin, she scowled and muttered, "Idiot!"

Her words triggered a painful twitch in her arm, forcing her to lean against a wall for support as she made her way into a small, hidden courtyard. The high stone walls surrounded a classical-style pavilion, which was serene but devoid of people.

Jia staggered into the courtyard, blood from her arm dripping onto the ground, leaving a disturbing trail. She approached a door and softly called out, "Lord Lorin."

A raspy voice responded from inside, filled with surprise. "Jia, you're hurt? What happened?"

"I was at Aita's cabin when I encountered Wilson Merlin. It turns out that Aita actually accepted Merlin as his disciple. He's now a spellcaster, and he's the one who injured me," Jia explained briefly.

After a long silence, the voice inside finally responded, "These spellcasters… arrogant fools with no regard for the kingdom. Aita jeopardized everything by going to Gran City for some tool, and the Church discovered him. It's fortunate he's dead and didn't expose us. Otherwise, all of our work here would have been in vain."

The voice, belonging to the so-called "Lord Lorin," was filled with disdain, particularly toward Aita. Jia didn't dare to comment; both Aita and Lorin held ranks far above her.

After venting his frustration, Lorin's voice turned cold. "Does this Merlin know about us?"

Jia's expression shifted, and she quickly reassured him. "No, Lord Lorin. It seems Aita only taught Merlin about spellcasting and didn't reveal anything about our operation. Otherwise, I doubt I'd still be here."

"Merlin remains a liability. We can't risk exposure. We must eliminate him," Lorin declared, his voice heavy with intent. "Since he let you go, he likely trusts you. Find a way to lure him to a secure location. I'll handle the rest."

"Lord Lorin, Merlin has just become a spellcaster, which may complicate things," Jia said, her tone laced with worry.

"Don't be concerned. He's inexperienced, and I'll be taking him by surprise. Spellcasters without preparation are no different than ordinary people…"

Seeing Lorin's firm resolve, Jia could only nod, though her expression turned grim.

"By the way, Jia, you've been stationed in the Kingdom of Light for nearly a year. I'll request to have you reassigned back home," Lorin added, his voice softening slightly.

This news lifted Jia's spirits. Her pale face showed a hint of color as she thanked him warmly, "Thank you, Lord Lorin!"

With that, Jia quickly left the courtyard.

---

Back at Wilson Castle, Merlin returned to his room and removed his scarf, noticing a bloodstain on it.

Standing before the mirror, he examined the shallow cut on his neck. The wound had already clotted, and it would likely heal without leaving a scar.

He tossed the bloodied scarf into a basin, sending a fireball to incinerate it. Once the room was clear of the unpleasant smell, he opened the door and headed downstairs.

In the courtyard, the butler was supervising the servants as they worked to clear a fallen tree. Heavy snow had weighed down the branches, causing it to snap overnight in the fierce wind.

As Merlin squinted at the bustling servants, he heard the sound of hoofbeats from outside. It was Mos, returning with Snow.

Quickly, Merlin stood up, having waited here specifically to meet her return.