'It's not a big problem.'
Merlin thought about it and decided that it was best to first not talk about this matter. Old Wilson and the others were still indulged in the excitement of settling down. There was no need to let them worry over this matter.
"It's good if there's no problem." Old Wilson obviously became relaxed.
"In the next few days though, I'll probably stay in Count Selin's castle to deal with the Count's trouble."
After explaining to Old Wilson, Merlin returned to the room which was cleaned earlier.
...
In the early morning, Merlin woke up and his body was covered in sweat as usual. After he continued to practice the posture of the sculpture, Merlin had felt that his physical attribute was improving slightly.
Although it was not an obvious change, it was definitely improving. According to this speed, maybe in a few months' time, his physical attribute would be comparable to a Second-level Elemental Swordsman.
After changing his clothes, Merlin saw that Old Wilson was still resting. Surely the harsh journey all this while had exhausted Old Wilson. Now that they were settled down and he became relaxed, he could truly rest himself. Thus, Merlin did not disturb Old Wilson and only spoke to General Prat. He then strode toward Count Selin's castle alone.
The guards outside of the castle had obviously received orders from above, so they simply pulled the iron fence open respectfully after seeing Merlin. In the castle, the "monitoring" gazes yesterday were still there but there was much less than yesterday. The guards hidden in the dark had apparently acknowledged Merlin's identity.
In the hall, Cook was not in sight. Neither was the young girl Shelly. Count Selin was sitting right in front of the fireplace, and a black-robed old man was sitting across Count Selin.
Merlin habitually checked out the whole hall with his Mind Power, especially pausing his gaze at Count Selin and the black-robed old man. With Mind Power, he could clearly see the thin wrinkles on the old man's face that resembled an old tree's skin. Although he seemed energetic, his face could not hide his age.
"Didn't anyone tell you that it's rude to check people out with Mind Power?"
Suddenly, a hoarse sound rang.
Merlin jumped. The black-robed old man turned around. Large black iron rings hung on his ears and his skinny hands were pale white but there were a few fingers which appeared completely charred.
It was the old man speaking earlier. Obviously, the man was also a Spell Caster, or else Merlin's Mind Power would not be found out.
"Wizard Merlin, let me introduce you. This is Wizard Hill!"
Upon seeing Merlin's arrival, Count Selin stood up and introduced Merlin to the black-robed old man. "More than ten years ago, Wizard Hill has participated in that cruel 'Slaughterhouse' war against the Kingdom of Light!"
"Slaughterhouse?"
Merlin frowned. The "Slaughterhouse" war was too infamous not because it had any crucial effect upon the countries involved but because this war was simply too cruel, even exceeding both side's expectation.
At that time, regardless of the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of Blackmoon, both had sent millions of soldiers into the "Slaughterhouse" war. No one knew how many Wizards of the church and Spell Casters of the Kingdom of Blackmoon were lost in that war. A strong presence that could destroy a military fortress by himself would seldom lose his life in a battle. Just from this fact, it was sufficient to show how terrifying that war was.
Those who were able to survive from the "Slaughterhouse", albeit only normal knights, were the best amongst the elite like Old Wilson. After he had returned from the "Slaughterhouse", Old Wilson was directly granted a noble's title. Moreover, the heavy-armored knights he trained were undoubtedly strong.
Old Wilson was only a normal knight then. The black-robed old man had participated in that war as a Spell Caster. Being able to survive that war, he must have his own specialties.
Therefore, even if Merlin had not felt any terrifying presence from the black-robed old man, he still became alerted. He did not dare to look down upon the old man.
"Hehe. What about the 'Slaughterhouse'? Now, aren't I just an old man nearing his end?"
The black-robed old man's words were filled with a lonely tone. There must be many stories about him that were unknown to others.
In a while, the muscular Cook came into the hall.
Cook took a glance at Merlin and the old man then said in a low voice, "Father, I've already made all arrangements. If Merilung dares to come, I won't let him get away!"
Cook's face was beaming with confidence.
"Fifteen Fourth-level Elemental Swordsmen! Sixty-eight Third-level Elemental Swordsmen and up to hundreds of Second-level Elemental Swordsmen coupled with special-made crossbow arrows. Tsk, tsk. Sir, you sure have put a lot of effort into this!"
The black-robed old man, Wizard Hill suddenly said that. Everyone's expression changed slightly, especially Cook. He had not taken his gaze off Wizard Hill, giving off an enormous Aura.
If Count Selin was not here, Cook would have attacked the old man by now.
Merlin was also lost in shock. He was impressed by Count Selin's great force, at the same time, he took greater notice of the old man in front of him.
When Merlin's Mind Power scanned the old man, he only thought that the old man could be an Entrance-level Spell Caster. He was not clear about the old man's true strength. After all, he had not seen the old man fight in battle.
However, the old man's Mind Power had reached such a horrifying stage. His Mind Power could cover the whole castle and even pinpoint Cook's location.
Such strong Mind Power had even gone past any normal First-level Spell Caster. With such Mind Power, he could totally become a First-level Spell Caster, but for some reason unknown, the old man had not become one.
Count Selin felt a little awkward. The supposedly secretive arrangements were now out in the light due to the old man's words, but he soon calmed down. A smile appeared on his face as he asked the old man softly, "Wizard Hill, is there anything wrong with this arrangement?"
The black-robed old man shot an emotionless look at Cook. As if he was not affected by Cook's ferocious Aura at all, he said in a low voice with his cold tone, "There's naturally no problem with this arrangement, but to deal with Merilung, I'm afraid it's not so easy."
"Oh? Wizard Hill knows about Merilung's ability?" Count Selin's eyes brightened and quickly asked. Currently, he only found out that Merilung was a Spell Caster. He was not clear about Merilung's other information at all.
Not only Count Selin, Merlin also desperately wanted to know more information about Merilung since it was extremely disadvantageous to be unclear about the enemy.