Chapter 180 A Sobering Reality

"So, no new hand, I guess..." He sighed, depression knocking on his mind. "What a terrible first meeting. I thought he'd talk to me more or at least share his views on what I've built so far."He shook his head, a bitter taste filling his mouth as he grumbled on his way to Luna's house.

"I hope he'll help us with enchantments if he doesn't want to share his ruling experience with me." His eyes narrowed as he realised the inconsistency in Merlin's words while passing by a blue-eyed white cat. "Wait! Why did he say he'd assess my territory if he already knew everything from his dreams and his loyalty is at 95 points?"

"Why else? If Mab says right, I'll go left." Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He jumped in fright, his hand reaching for his abyssal blade and his eyes darting for the individual who suddenly talked. Yet, he saw no one but the cat.

'Am I losing my mind?'

He considered the question before the cat jumped on his shoulder, poked his left cheek, and opened its mouth.

"Over here, big boy. I'm the cat king and came to honor you with my illustrious presence." The cat meowed playfully and continued. "I'll gather an army of cat soldiers to help you in your conquests!"

Adam's jaw dropped in disbelief as he pinched his sides. Yet, the burning sensation confirmed that he was awake, leaving only one option. The thought alone made his head drop and his eyes dim.

"I went mad..."

However, the cat leapt from his shoulder the next second, its laughter grating to his ears. Mid-air, a mana vortex engulfed its short figure for a split second before Merlin's white hair and blue cape flapped in front of his widening eyes.

"Hahaha! Cat got your tongue?"

Hearing the taunt, Adam's eyes rolled, and his lips pursed as he remembered the mage's shapeshifting abilities. His annoyed voice echoed next as his fist tightened.

"Didn't you go to the obelisk? Why are you back to troll... to mock me?"

"Oh?" Merling flicked a lock of hair and dusted his clothes. "I'm done helping. But that Ozymandias..." He snorted. "What a foul mouth he has. He refused to listen to anything I said, so I altered the engraving from a distance." A bright smile crept over his face. "Although not as good as my Stonehenge, the obelisk will produce enough mana to form adepts without trouble."

Adam's palms rose, disbelief and confusion coloring his face scarlet.

"You just left two minutes ago! There is no way you covered the distance separating us from the obelisk, much less altered it."

Merlin gave him a smug look and snapped his fingers.

CRACK

Black lines spider-webbed the space before them, letting the chill of space filter through them. They cracked and shattered like glass shards, revealing the Jotuns lifting heavy blocks and the demons polishing bricks on the other side.

"You can pass through and come back. I'm sure Ozymandias has a lot to rant about after I modified his first monumental construction. Hahaha."

As Merlin's words lingered, his pupils trembled. Breath caught in his throat, he observed the portal, finding hard to believe what his eyes fed him. Yet, it was truly there.

Continue your journey on empire

'He can teleport! Or more like use wormholes!'

Hesitant but trebling in eagerness, he passed his finger through the passage. No resistance met him, compelling him to shove his head inside next.

The evening wind brushed his hair, and his eyes brightened as he saw Ozymandias. His fists tightened, sand swirling around them, as his forehead veins throbbed in rage.

"Don't let me catch this stupid brat. How dares he? How dares he!"

He suppressed his laughter and bent back.

'Not the right time to talk with him. But wow! Merlin's ability is just incredible!'

Simultaneously, he heard Merlin snap his finger again, causing the spacial tear to mend itself.

"That's just a little trick." His voice and eyes sharpened. "Look, Adam. I don't want to admit it, but Mab is right about you. Among all the lords that appeared, my eyes were on you most of the time. I don't know... I guess I enjoyed your more innocent approach over all the heavy-handed ones. He shook his head. "Anyway, the thing I want to tell you is that you have the potential to surpass Arthur, even without Excalibur or Rhongomyniad. Your dream is pure, and you're humbly learning, making you someone I like."

A warm sensation spread around Adam's chest as his heart hammered against his chest. Praises from the legendary Merlin? His lips couldn't help but curl into a bright smile... before they froze as the latter continued.

"So, give me the staff you drew with your talent for a while. I need to be level 99 to equip mine..."

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose, his nose blowing swirling steam as the true nature of the praise rumbled in his mind.

'I want to kill him after five minutes of interaction.'

Still, he summoned his crystalline magic staff and tossed it at him.

"Just ask me for what you want next time." He started, his voice filled with disappointment. "You need to be level 50 to use this one. So, wanna join the army to get there faster?"

Meanwhile, Merlin smirked.

"And miss your funny reactions? Well, I'll try not to taunt you too much." He released a sharp breath and shook his head. "As for the offer, I'll politely decline it. Instead, now that we have broken the ice, let me tell you how I'll support you."

Adam leaned forward, his eyes sparkling and his fists tightening in anticipation as Merlin's lips parted.

"Leave anything related to enchantments to me." His features shifted into that of an aged man, a lush white beard growing before his enlarging eyes. "If talented humans want to learn magic, I'll teach them the basics using this form."

Then, he returned to his youthful appearance and raised his thumb.

"As for your territory's management, I can give you two pieces of advice: appoint Ifrit as the territory's official judge and Maven as the captain of the law enforcement squad. Tell them to form fair individuals to replace them when they accompany you in your campaigns. That's what you need the most right now."

Adam scratched his head and frowned. No crime had occurred in his territory so far, and everyone helped each other.

Before he pondered the question, Merlin shrugged and delivered the answer. Yet, flames of misery burned in his clear eyes, and screams of helplessness haunted his ears.

"You only have a few thousand citizens, but in the future?" He sighed. "Even if you build the best place for them, black sheep will always appear amidst the flock. You can't risk your capital's stability."

His face turned somber, and his tone gained a heavy gravitas, filled with experience and disappointment.

"It's even worse during wars. The kind neighbors you have known for decades will kill you for a bag of potatoes. The kid you've seen growing up will gather thugs to steal food and riches. The lady you loved will sell her body for a piece of moldy bread."

He gritted his jaws, decades of struggle to make Britain a better place weighing on his heart.

"That's why I taught Arthur the importance of justice. I don't want to see mothers mourning their dead sons, daughters abused by hooligans, or lords sneering down at them from their balconies. That's why the first step to your goal is to set up a functional and effective judiciary system. Only then can you bring true peace to your brave citizens."