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nTranslator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

nThe carriage slowly came to a stop. Merlin and Avril had reached Wilson Castle.

nHowever, just when Merlin stepped into the hall, he found Old Wilson, Baron Parman and the others waiting in the hall. Moreover, they wore a serious look and did not say a word. The air was heavy in the hall.

n“Father, what happened?”

nMerlin asked quickly when he noticed everyone’s odd expressions.

nOld Wilson stood up hurriedly and said to Merlin, “Problem. Big problem!”

nAfter saying that, Old Wilson and Baron Parman hurriedly went upstairs.

nMerlin also followed the two upstairs. Judging from Old Wilson’s look, he supposed the matter must be serious.

n“What exactly happened?”

nMerlin’s gaze darted between Baron Parman and Old Wilson. At last, it was Baron Parman who came forward and gave him a bitter smile. “Merlin, it’s a huge matter. The Kingdom of Light has fallen! We just received news today. Three days ago, Church of Light has announced the establishment of the Holy Light Empire with the Kingdom of Light as its core! The empire included the Kingdom of Wood, the Kingdom of Ciel and many large and small kingdoms! Philandeny is crowned as the first Pope of the Holy Light Empire!”

nThis news was truly shocking. It was a cataclysm. The falling of the Kingdom of Light meant that the old generation had passed. A new generation was about to dawn!

nMoreover, the Holy Light Empire did not only consist of the Kingdom of Light. Back then, the influence of Church of Light had spread throughout the western countries, mainly in the Kingdom of Light. There were only three relatively large kingdoms under its influence, namely the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of Wood, and the Kingdom of Ciel. There were also many large and small kingdoms as well.

nSo many kingdoms were now controlled by Church of Light. On top of that, it had, in the name of Church of Light and God, brought numerous kingdoms together, forming an empire.

nSimply judging from the area of land, the Holy Light Empire was the largest country after the fall of the Molta Empire three thousand six hundred years ago.

nThe air was a little heavy. Old Wilson wore a serious look and Baron Parman seemed worried. Only Merlin had not changed his expression at all. He simply exclaimed, “The fate of the Kingdom of Light has been decided a long time ago. Since the time Church of Light planned to move, it has been decided.”

nAlthough Baron Parman had a sense of belonging with the Kingdom of Light, it was not as strong as Old Wilson’s. He was only worried about the current situation so he said in a low voice, “The Holy Light Empire has already been established. The ambition of Church of Light is as clear as daylight. If the church initiates a war toward the Kingdom of Blackmoon—”

nBefore he finished his words, Merlin had interrupted him. Merlin said in a decisive tone, “At least within ten years, there’s no way this will happen. The larger the empire, the more problem it will have to face. Thus, even if Church of Light has its ambition, it still has to stabilize the empire’s situation in these ten years. They won’t start a war.”

nBaron Parman nodded his head thoughtfully, then looked at Old Wilson.

nOld Wilson was silent all this while. At this time, he slowly raised his head. Nostalgia filled his gaze. He softly said, “Now, I only want to know when we will ever return to Blackwater City.”

nOld Wilson’s words made the air in the room even heavier. Blackwater City was currently ruled by the Holy Light Empire. To return to Blackwater City, they must face a terrifying empire like the Holy Light Empire.

nReturning to Blackwater City seemed to have become an unreachable dream.

nMerlin wanted to speak but no words came to him. At last, he remained silent.

nUntil Old Wilson and Baron Parman had gone downstairs, Merlin mumbled to himself, “We’ll definitely have the chance to return to Blackwater City. Definitely…”

nAfter meditating for a while, Merlin had become a little tired. After checking his Mind Power, the improvement was limited. With this speed, it was afraid that it would take half a year for his Mind Power to be able to support his third Spell Model.

nAs for the two Spell Models in his Awareness, they were rather stable. Moreover, the increase of Magic Power was more apparent. Other than the spell, Merlin also persisted in practicing the posture of the second mysterious sculpture.

nHowever, after practicing the posture for a month, he still had not found any apparent changes. It seemed that it was impossible to have the same effect as the first posture. He could not rapidly possess a physical attribute comparable to an Elemental Swordsman. He had to practice it step by step slowly.

nJust when Merlin was about to rest, the butler’s voice rang from outside of the door, “Sir Baron, there’s someone who’ll like to see you outside the castle. I brought her in here.”

n“Who is it so late in the night?”

nMerlin frowned. Since he came to Prakash City, except for Count Selin and Wizard Hill, he had not known any other people.

nIt was only today that he got to meet a few aristocrats out of courtesy at the dinner, but there was not many whom he was close to.

nHowever, since the butler had already brought her here, Merlin also wanted to know what this was, so he pushed the door open. However, there was no one outside. Only a mysterious person covered in a wide black robe stood there.

n“Where’s the butler?”

nMerlin’s expression darkened. How could the butler bring some unknown person easily into the castle?

n“Stop looking. The butler has left.”

nThe mysterious black-robed person suddenly spoke – her voice was a crisp female voice. Moreover, Merlin felt that he was familiar with this voice.

n“You? Princess Charise!”

nMerlin squinted his eyes. The mysterious black-robed person had already taken off the head cover of the robe, revealing a beautiful face. It was surprisingly Princess Charise who Merlin met at the dinner today.

nThere were still some dew on Princess Charise’s hair. Surely, she must have walked a long journey here. On top of that, she came here so late in the night so there must be an important matter.

nTherefore, Merlin leaned sideways, letting Princess Charise into his room.

nIn his room, Princess Charise only slightly scanned the place. Then, she said monotonously, “There’s no more princess now. You can call me Charise!”

nMerlin nodded. She must have received the news that the Kingdom of Light had fallen as well.

n“Say it. How can I help Young Lady Charise so late in the night?”

nMerlin asked Charise while staring at her.

nCharise bit her lips and organized her words. She then said in a heavy tone, “Baron Merlin, the Kingdom of Light has fallen. We’re the ‘remaining ones of the Royal Family’, possessing a large amount of wealth. However, we’re in a foreign country. Without the protection of a strong power, Benin and I won’t have any good ending.”

nMerlin sized up Charise. It seemed the latter also understood the look. Benin and her situation were, in fact, just like a powerless fat sheep. Anyone could come up and take a bite at them.

n“Reason. Give me a reason that I should help you!”

nAfter a long pause, Merlin said knowingly. He was not just a benign person. If Charise could give him some benefits that could move him, Merlin would not mind helping her.

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