Chapter 145

[Third Person's PoV] 

Alpha and Gamma looked at the four people in front of them in surprise.

"You mean to tell me that all four of you lost to a single person? It's understandable that the three of you failed, as you were still in training, but even you, Beatrix?" Alpha asked, incredulously.

Beatrix looked a bit ashamed. "This opponent was different… He wasn't strong, but he was skillful and tricky. His illusions were so good that it was impossible to differentiate what was real and what wasn't."

Alpha had a thoughtful expression on her face. "And what did you say was his name again?"

"He kept calling himself Merlin, Merlin the Grand Magician," Sherry said, looking a bit downcast for failing her mission.

Alpha nodded before closing her eyes and calling Beta. "Beta, come here for a moment."

From Alpha's side, her shadow expanded and out appeared Beta. "You called?"

"Yes, I wanted to confirm something with you. Do you remember the story our husband shared with you about the Knights of the Round?"

"You're talking about the Diabolos Cult?"

Alpha nodded her head in confirmation.

Beta nodded, pulled out a book, and began flipping through the pages. "Of course I remember. I remember every story Lord Husband has told us."

"What was the name of the magician of the Round Table?" Alpha asked.

"His name was Merlin. He was known as the best archwizard to have ever lived, a master of magic with no equal, and the right-hand man of King Arthur, the leader of the Round Table."

Alpha nodded, before Beta asked why she needed this information.

Alpha then recounted everything that Beatrix and the others had shared with her, causing Beta to look surprised.

"Are you saying they fought against someone claiming to be Merlin? Is he related to the cult?"

"We don't know, but the possibility is very high. We need to find him and discover what he's up to."

"He mentioned that he took the job to guard the cart because the person who offered it was a beautiful woman," Beatrix informed Alpha a bit awkwardly.

Alpha looked at Beatrix with a straight expression, asking if she was serious, to which Beatrix nodded, her cheeks gaining a red color.

Sherry then raised her hand. "Can I say something?"

Alpha smiled at Sherry. "You don't have to ask for permission, Sherry. You are also our husband's wife; you should feel free to say whatever you please."

Sherry nodded. "I don't think he's with the cult."

Alpha and the others were surprised.

Alpha then remembered that Sherry had experience with members of the cult. "And why do you think that?"

"He didn't have any intention of killing us. He just looked like someone looking for something fun to do. He had multiple chances to kill us. It might be arrogance, thinking he could kill us at any time, but I just didn't get that feeling."

Alpha then turned towards the others. "And what do you think?"

Beatrix nodded. "I agree with what Ms. Sherry says. He saw everything as a big joke. He didn't have the desire to kill us; he was just stalling for time until we weren't able to accomplish our objectives."

Alpha became pensive. "I see… so here's what we'll do. Beta, I want you to take Delta and hunt him down. I want you to interrogate him and get any useful information.

If you find out he's a member of the Diabolos Cult, I want you to end him as quickly as possible and not give him another chance to get away.

And if you find out he has no relationship with them, I just want you to capture him and stop him from interfering with our business."

Beta nodded her head. "As you command," she said before closing her book and disappearing into her shadow.

Alpha then turned towards the others. "You've all done enough. Thank you for your work. You may get some rest now."

…

"CID, WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING MY DAUGHTER?" Aurora shouted, watching Celeste surrounded by a purple hue, floating in a circle, having the best time of her life.

"Hehehehehe," Celeste giggled as she held her toes.

She then began to clap as she rotated, letting out baby giggles. "This is so much fun!"

Cid was just lazing about, smiling. "I didn't teach her anything; this is just her," he said proudly. "It's her power as a Monarch."

Aurora had a hand on her hip as she looked toward Celeste with worry. "Why are you so relaxed? What if she got hurt?"

Cid just waved her off. "Relax, she's not going to get hurt. I'm looking after her. Plus, like I just said, she's a Monarch. Although a baby, she's still a Monarch, which means she is highly resistant to damage."

Aurora slowly raised her fist and enhanced it with her magic. "I'd like to see how resistant to damage you are."

Cid rolled his eyes as he stood up and scooped Celeste out of the air. Celeste pouted as she glared at Cid.

"Bah! Bah! Bah! Bah!" 'Release me! I want to continue flying!' Celeste commanded.

Cid just booped her nose. "I'm sorry, little one. Your mother is a party pooper who doesn't know how to have fun."

"What! Take that back!" She glared and pouted.

Cid looked at the two of them, both glaring and pouting at him, which caused him to laugh. "Hahaha, you two are so much alike."

"I'm not a party pooper," Aurora grumbled. "I'm just making sure my daughter doesn't get hurt."

Cid just chuckled and kissed the side of her head.

Celeste just looked at them in disgust. 'Ew.'

…

Two days later…

Merlin was sitting in a train car with a cup of tea in hand, a cart with a teapot to the side. As he drank his tea, he had a pinky finger out like a true gentleman.

Merlin let out a contented sigh after he finished his tea. "Nothing beats good tea with a good scenery," he said as he looked out the window.

Only to see a wild woman on all fours running, keeping up with the train. The woman had the ears and tail of a wolf and smiled widely, showing her sharp canines.

She started moving closer to the car before jumping and punching a giant hole, ripping the car open.

Merlin's hat stood in place as his black hair fluttered slightly due to the wind. "Want a sip of tea?" Merlin offered with a smile.

Delta was confused as he didn't react like she expected. The roof of the car was then pierced by four flame arrows, which started to melt it open.

Down dropped an elven woman with short silver hair and glasses.

She was on her knee with an arrow drawn, aiming it towards Merlin, while Delta just had her sharp claws aimed towards his neck, looking at him with an excited expression.

"Cup of tea?" Merlin offered Beta with a smile.

"I don't have time for your tricks. Move a single muscle, and I won't hesitate to shoot right through you."

"My dear, why the hostility? All I did was offer you a cup of good ol' tea. It's quite delicious and it has honey. A simple no would have sufficed."

Merlin went to take a sip, which caused Beta to release her arrow, hitting Merlin in the chest while Delta ripped his head clean off.

"Didn't Alpha say to capture him alive?" Delta asked curiously, worried she would get in trouble.

"Don't worry, our husband can simply resurrect him."

"I'm still alive and well, you know?" they suddenly heard.

They snapped their heads to where the voice was coming from and found Merlin's head on the floor, looking at them with a smile.

They turned towards the body as it suddenly rose up and grabbed the head off the floor. He then put his head back on. "Wait, where did you guys go?"

Merlin asked in confusion. "Oh, wait." He grabbed his head and flipped it back forward, as he had put it on the wrong way. "Ahh, there we go. As I was saying—"

They both then jumped towards Merlin with no expression on their faces, ready to end him quickly.