Chapter 14: The Heretic

Merlin sat inside the spacious carriage. Despite the occasional jolt, his newfound physical strength made the journey far less uncomfortable than it once might have been.

"Master Merlin, we've arrived!" Moss said, lifting the carriage curtain.

Merlin opened his eyes and hopped out, facing the familiar three-story building. An elderly man at the entrance looked on, but Merlin paid him no mind as he prepared to enter. Just then, a luxurious four-horse carriage pulled up, and out popped the rotund figure of Gutt, who was quickly followed by Anson.

"Hey, Merlin!" Gutt called, clapping Merlin on the shoulder with a chubby hand. "Been a while since we last saw you—what have you been up to?"

Before Merlin could reply, he noticed Anson's expression had darkened as he stared fixedly behind Merlin.

"Is that Tilafa...and Miss Jiya? Why are they together?"

Anson's face fell. He had harbored feelings for Jiya since he met her, yet here she was, seemingly getting close with Tilafa.

Tilafa caught sight of them and smirked with an air of superiority as he and Jiya entered the building, laughing and chatting.

Gutt observed Anson's reaction and, in a low voice, said, "Hey, don't let it get to you. There's more to Jiya than meets the eye. Remember I said I'd check into her background? Well, I did. And guess what I found?"

Merlin's curiosity was piqued. "What did you find? Does she have some significant background?"

Gutt shook his head solemnly. "It's not that her background is big—it's that she doesn't seem to have one at all! I mean, it's like she just appeared out of thin air in Gran City. No records, no known family, no information at all. Our family has sources all across the kingdom, and yet I couldn't find a trace. She's a complete mystery!"

Merlin knew that Gutt, despite his carefree, somewhat spoiled appearance, had access to a portion of the Doglan family's business. If even their intelligence network could uncover nothing about Jiya, it meant she was indeed hiding something.

Gutt continued, addressing Anson. "Anson, take my advice: be cautious with Jiya. No matter how beautiful she may be, she's a mystery, and it's best to steer clear of her. Let Tilafa deal with whatever might come from getting involved with her."

Anson's expression softened slightly after Gutt's words. Merlin, however, wasn't particularly interested in Tilafa or the enigmatic Jiya. Instead, he turned to Anson and asked, "Anson, it's been quite a few days since May Snow and Sword Master Pero left for Gran City, and they haven't returned. Have you heard anything about it?"

Anson's gaze flickered. "Actually, I have. Let's head inside, and I'll tell you what I know."

Inside the building, the spacious room was prepared for history class, though neither Jiya nor Tilafa was there yet.

Once they were seated, Merlin pressed, "Anson, did something happen to May Snow?"

Anson shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. "No, your sister is fine. But it seems you're the one who might have trouble ahead."

"Me? Trouble?" Merlin looked at Anson, puzzled.

"Well, it's like this. May Snow and the others went to Gran City under Sword Master Pero's guidance for the exchange program. During the event, Cardon broke through and became a true elemental swordsman—a Bright Swordsman! The news spread fast, even reaching the bishop, who personally blessed Cardon and made him a Guardian Swordsman of the Church. That's why they've been delayed. Cardon's practically ascended overnight."

Anson's face beamed with excitement, as though he had been the one promoted.

Merlin understood the implications. An elemental swordsman on its own was notable, but a Guardian Swordsman of the Church had an even greater status, as they were supported and trained by the Church. Their position, while not nobility, granted them similar prestige, especially as the Church's influence grew across the kingdom.

After a while, Jiya and Tilafa entered. Jiya appeared as radiant as ever, but Tilafa looked grim.

Gutt chuckled softly, muttering, "From the looks of him, Tilafa probably didn't have much luck with Jiya."

The class began, with Jiya lecturing on history. Though Merlin paid little attention to the lesson, he observed her discreetly, sensing that there were still layers to her mystery.

Once the class ended, Merlin parted with Gutt and Anson, climbing back into Moss' carriage for the journey home.

---

A contingent of about twenty knights charged along a wide road, each one clad in distinct white light armor and carrying large swords on their backs.

"How far is Blackwater City?" asked a stern, middle-aged man in a white robe layered over light armor, with a silver cross sword insignia emblazoned on his chest.

Another knight in a silver helmet replied cautiously, "Sir Jason, just over that hill ahead."

The man nodded, his sharp gaze making the knight visibly nervous. "Sword Master Borg, remember, this mission is crucial. That heretical target hidden in Blackwater City must be captured. I trust the bishop explained how this mission is to be handled?"

The knight broke into a sweat under Jason's gaze. "Rest assured, Sir Jason. The bishop made it clear that you have full authority over this operation."

"Good. Let's go."

Sword Master Borg felt a heavy weight settle on him. Though a Level 2 Bright Swordsman of the Gran City Church, he understood the gravity of the mission. The Church had dispatched someone from the Inquisition—a Jason of the Inquisition. The Inquisition's people were shrouded in secrecy, rumored to possess powers beyond ordinary knights, as the most devout followers of the Divine.

The Inquisition's involvement meant only one thing: a heretic had been detected. Such heretics, wielding dark powers, often hailed from the Kingdom of the Black Moon, the cursed lands. Even with his strength as a Level 2 Bright Swordsman, Borg felt uneasy. What awaited them in Blackwater City remained unknown.

---

Merlin lay quietly in his bath, holding the carved stone tablet in his hand.

After a while, he opened his eyes, staring thoughtfully at the carving. "For the past few days, I've noticed that I no longer sweat when I wake up, and performing the stance from the tablet doesn't seem to have any effect anymore. The technique… it's lost its power on me."

Though he'd anticipated this, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment. He could sense the great strength within him, likely enough to rival true elemental swordsmen, all thanks to this mysterious tablet.

After drying off, Merlin placed the tablet aside and headed downstairs, where May Snow was already eating breakfast.

"I'm off to the church to practice," she said briskly as she finished her meal, grabbing her sword before exiting the castle.

Merlin had grown accustomed to her cold demeanor. Since returning from Gran City ten days ago, May Snow had become single-mindedly focused on training, abandoning her once lively spirit.

Merlin knew the reason behind her change: Cardon's breakthrough had been a heavy blow. She and Cardon had both been favored by Sword Master Pero, but Cardon had succeeded first and even earned a position as a Guardian Swordsman. This setback had driven May Snow to a relentless pursuit of her own breakthrough.

"I need to find a way to talk to her," Merlin murmured, not realizing how fully he had embraced his new life and the people in it.

After breakfast, Merlin went back to his room to continue his studies. Over the past ten days, he had learned more than two hundred Morta words, enough to understand simple phrases.

As his dedication to Morta script grew, he'd even skipped morning training sessions. May Snow's obsessive practice allowed him the freedom to focus on his studies without interruption.

"Ten days have passed… I wonder if Aita's returned yet?" Merlin thought. Though Aita had left him study materials, Merlin knew some questions could only be answered by a knowledgeable teacher.

With that, Merlin donned his coat, boarded Moss's carriage, and set off for Aita's small house.