Chapter 79: The Arrival (Part 1)

"So tired!"

At that moment, young Sherry was swinging a sword far too large for her slight frame. Each swing was a full effort, and even in the cold winter air, fine beads of sweat began to appear on her fair face.

Taking a brief rest, Sherry set down the sword and took a warm towel from a maid, gently wiping the sweat from her face before approaching Merlin.

"You've been sitting still for so long. Are all spellcasters like this?"

Sherry's wide eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at Merlin. She had been practicing her sword for at least three or four hours by now, while Merlin had sat quietly in his chair, his eyes half-closed, unmoving.

Merlin opened his eyes slightly. He had been meditating but was still aware of everything around him.

He had been in Baron Sellen's castle for several days now, and today was the "Day of Vengeance" that Meliron had mentioned in his letter—the same day when Baron Sellen had ordered the execution of the entire Nelson family.

Naturally, Merlin was on high alert. Even while meditating, he kept a careful watch on his surroundings, for no one knew exactly how Meliron planned to carry out his revenge.

"Miss Sherry, I have a younger sister about your age," Merlin replied, not directly addressing her question but instead bringing up his sister, Maysha.

"Oh? Did she grow up in the Kingdom of Light? Does she practice swordsmanship like me?"

As expected, Sherry was intrigued. Over the past few days, she had often pestered Merlin to tell her stories of the Kingdom of Light, which were captivating to a young girl like her.

Merlin nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes, Maysha practiced swordsmanship from a young age. At that time, she was training under an elemental swordsman in the Church…"

Merlin didn't know much about Maysha's life, but a few tales about her were enough to make Sherry's eyes light up with excitement—especially the story of Maysha giving a certain "Anson" a good thrashing.

"Master Merlin, is Maysha here in Pugas City? She sounds amazing! She even dared to beat up your friend. I'd never dare do that to my brother's friends…"

Sherry stuck out her tongue, clearly admiring Maysha's boldness.

Merlin shook his head slightly. "Maysha isn't an elemental swordsman yet…"

Perhaps it was a matter of aptitude, or perhaps it was a mental block, but Maysha had not yet become a true elemental swordsman. Sherry, on the other hand, though young and innocent, was already a first-level elemental swordsman.

Sherry's swordsmanship, however, still had a lot of room for improvement; it was clear she hadn't experienced real combat.

"Not an elemental swordsman… Perhaps she's been training wrong. My brother is a true genius—he's already a fifth-level elemental swordsman! He even killed a fierce Ice Wasteland Wolf. It's thanks to his guidance that I reached the first level so quickly!"

When Sherry spoke of her brother, her face shone with admiration. It was clear she idolized Cook.

"Commander Cook, yes, he's indeed very powerful!"

Merlin nodded. Throughout his journey from the Kingdom of Light to the Black Moon Kingdom, he had met many powerful elemental swordsmen, but Cook was undoubtedly the strongest he had encountered.

A fifth-level elemental swordsman was indeed a formidable figure. Cook's mere presence exuded a power that made Merlin feel a hint of danger. Despite Cook not being a spellcaster, Merlin didn't underestimate him.

"Master Merlin, they say you're a strong spellcaster. I've met spellcasters before, but I don't know how powerful they really are. Are you stronger than my brother?" Sherry asked, tilting her head with a smile.

Merlin didn't respond, which only made Sherry prattle on. "I bet my brother is stronger! You should see him in action. He's amazing! If Meliron dares to enter the castle and threaten Father, my brother won't let him off easily. So, I'm not afraid at all!"

Her confidence in Cook was unwavering, and she truly showed no signs of fear.

Seeing that Merlin had fallen silent, Sherry lost interest and returned to practicing her swordsmanship. Merlin, however, shifted his gaze to the other end of the hall, where the mysterious old man in the black robe sat, motionless like a statue.

Merlin sensed that this old man possessed tremendous mental strength, likely on par with a first- or even second-level spellcaster. Yet, despite his power, he kept his mental energy controlled at a level nearly identical to Merlin's own, which puzzled him.

Merlin rose and approached the black-robed man.

The old man seemed to sense his presence and opened his eyes.

"Mage Hill, what are Baron Sellen's chances of fending off Meliron?" Merlin asked calmly.

Hill cast a deep look toward the castle's outer walls, his expression unreadable, and replied with a wry smile, "Baron Sellen has arranged everything thoroughly with Commander Cook. There are more than a dozen fourth-level elemental swordsmen, and powerful heavy crossbows. With such careful preparations, what is there for you to worry about, Master Merlin?"

"Careful preparations?"

Merlin couldn't help but laugh. As a spellcaster, he knew spellcasters better than anyone. Surely, Meliron was aware of the defenses.

"Meliron comes from the Abyss Fortress, likely equipped with powerful spellcasting tools. You, Mage Hill, surely understand the strength a spellcaster with such tools possesses. What good are Cook's defenses if it comes to that?"

Merlin recalled the battle with Mage Jason, whose mere spell scroll had pushed Merlin to his limits, forcing him to use the Bell Pendant to finally defeat him.

If Meliron did possess such formidable tools, then Cook's defenses would be little more than decoration.

Hill glanced at Merlin approvingly and, with his withered hand, pointed toward Merlin, saying with quiet certainty, "That's precisely why the Baron invited us. It takes a spellcaster to deal with another spellcaster."

A cold glint flashed in Hill's deep-set eyes.

Merlin felt a slight chill. It seemed that both Baron Sellen and Hill understood that Cook's defenses might not be enough to stop Meliron.

Their true trump card, it turned out, was this seemingly feeble old mage.