A Wizard’s Secret

Merlin gave a slight smile before gently opening his palm, revealing a relief sculpture in his hand.

Shivers went down Big Boss’s spine as he stared at the relief sculpture in Merlin’s hand.

The shocked look on Big Boss’s face already told Merlin the answer. With that, he asked nonchalantly, “You should know this relief sculpture?”

Big Boss finally recovered from his surprise after a long time. His expression eased down when he looked at Merlin again. Before, he had no idea what Merlin’s purpose was; now that he knew Merlin only wanted the relief sculpture, it set his mind at rest. At the very least, Merlin would not cause him harm until he obtained his goal.

“I didn’t expect you to also have a relief sculpture. I assume you’ve noticed the strange posture on it?”

Big Boss stopped speaking for a while as he scanned Merlin up and down with his eyes. However, one’s physical state would not change significantly even after practicing the posture on mysterious relief sculpture. Therefore, Big Boss was not able to figure out Merlin’s physical quality.

“I do have these relief sculptures. Three of them! I’ve them kept in a secret place. If you let me go, I can exchange one of mine with yours.”

Big Boss collected himself and began to bargain with Merlin.

Merlin shook his head and said in his usual calm voice, “I never thought of killing you. To do that will end up with your bandits killing my entire troop. A battle that even I can’t win! My ‘invitation’ to you over here was only to make a deal.”

As soon as his voice ended, several fireballs appeared within Merlin’s hands. They began to float around Big Boss. The high heat emitted gradually melted the ice crystals that trapped the man.

Frozen ice crystals quickly turned into water droplets. Big Boss stretched himself slightly. It seemed he was not very much affected by it.

However, he did not leave. Instead, he continued sitting opposite Merlin. His eager eyes glanced at the relief sculpture in Merlin’s hands from time to time. He was dreaded to obtain that relief sculpture in Merlin’s hands, as it could enhance his physical quality.

“I want all three of your relief sculptures!”

Merlin announced eventually. His unexpected request astounded Big Boss, who later sneered, “Honourable Spell Caster, although you’ve just let me go, and my life is in your hands at any time, but don’t you think your request to exchange a relief sculpture with three of mine is rather ridiculous?”

Big Boss clenched his fist, and his whole body went on the alert. He would definitely go all out if Merlin wanted to start a fight again.

“I can make you a Spell Caster!”

Merlin said softly. However, these words which carried the weight of feathers landed like a deafening thunder in Big Boss’s ears. He felt as if he has been struck by the lighting.

“What did you say?”

“I can make you a Spell Caster!”

Merlin repeated himself. The composed Big Boss just seconds ago was already shaking slightly. His fists were still clenched tightly, as he could not restrain his inner excitement.

“My name is Gulliver Keane!”

Big Boss suddenly stood up. His face was a little flushed because of his boiling excitement.

“You’ve got yourself a deal!”

Big Boss Gulliver Keane agreed to Merlin’s conditions without any hesitation. Keane also expressed his sincerity to Merlin by immediately revealing his real name.

A Spell Caster mastered extraordinary power! Keane was definitely clear about this. He who loitered actively on the border of the Kingdom of Blackmoon all these years had surely heard numerous rumors about the Spell Casters.

At the moment, even though his physical quality has reached the terrifying peak of Third-level Elemental Swordsman with the help of these three mysterious relief sculptures, he was still easily subdued by Merlin. This also further proved the power of a Spell Caster.

Being able to become a Spell Caster was something Keane would have never imagine. Now he was being offered such an opportunity only at the cost of exchanging three relief sculptures. He had long memorized those postures on the three relief sculptures in his mind. In fact, they were of not much use to him anymore.

“Spell Caster…”

Keane stood up, wanting to say something, but felt slightly embarrassed as he realized he did not know Merlin’s name.

“Wilson Merlin!”

Merlin finished his sentenced.

“Merlin, my three reliefs are kept hidden in a secret place. Do you want to go with me, or wait here as I pick them up?”

Big Boss Keane turned around to ask after he jumped off the carriage.

Merlin thought for a moment before replying, “I’ll go with you.”

Keane smiled. Of course, he knew that Merlin still had some concerns. Besides, he would not dare to have any extraordinary behavior if Merlin followed along.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Keane nodded and led the way at the front. He waved slightly at the Second Commander of the bandits. The man hesitated for a second but eventually came forward with a few other bandits.

“Merlin, what’re you doing?”

Old Wilson frowned and asked in a puzzled tone as he noticed Merlin was actually letting the bandits’ leader off.

Merlin could not explain in detail. Hence, he brushed him off with a simple reply, “Father, this is a misunderstanding. I will first leave with Keane, and explain to you in detail when I get back.”

After that, Moss hopped on the carriage behind Big Boss Keane and slowly drove to the bandits.

Merlin has not yet learned to ride horses. In the process of fleeing, Merlin had felt a lot of inconvenience because of this. He secretly made up his mind that he must learn how to ride after settling down in the Kingdom of Blackmoon.

“Stop right there!”

Merlin drew the curtain at the sound of that angry yell. Prince Benin from Firebird Knights was blocking himself in front of Big Boss Gulliver Keane.

His face was filled with rage. He pointed a finger at Keane and shouted, “You despicable bandits want to leave now after killing so many of my knights? Deputy Commander Wayne, kill these mean and shameless bandits immediately!”

Big Boss Keane glanced at Merlin and noticed that Merlin’s expression had not changed. He could not help but sneer. “What an idiot!”

He then ignored Prince Benin and quickly returned to the bandits.

Merlin also shook his head helplessly. He shifted his attention to Princess Charise. Prince Benin was still a naive child who knew nothing, but Princess Charise should be well aware that Big Boss Keane was a captive of Merlin’s, not of the royal family.

Princess Charise bit her lip tightly. She knew that Merlin had definitely reached an agreement with the bandits’ leader without taking the royal family into consideration.

At the thought of this, Princess Charise took a deep breath and gradually calmed her mind. She was not Prince Benin. It was clear that their current situation was actually extremely dangerous. Their troops of 800 Firebird Knights was only left with 400. Besides, many of them were wounded, so there was not much combat power.

Hence, their priority now should be to settle down in the Kingdom of Blackmoon as soon as possible.

“Baron Wilson, thank you very much for saving us! However, we’ll not stay any longer as we have a long journey ahead of us. Please forgive us!”

Princess Charise bit her lip again as she suppressed her anger. She did not look at Merlin at all, but took the remaining Firebird Knights and left quickly.

‘It’s good for them to leave, as it means one less trouble for me.’

Merlin glanced at Old Wilson. He did not care much about the departure of Princess Charise and others. Merlin was glad that they had taken the initiative to leave because that meant he did not have to worry about Old Wilson insisting in escorting the royal members to the Kingdom of Blackmoon.

Therefore, Merlin ordered Moss to move the carriage. They followed closely behind a large number of bandits and gradually drifted away to the distance.