A Wizard’s Secret

In Dara City, the hall of Wizard Dara’s residence was currently only occupied by both Wizard Dara and Merlin. As for maidservants and the like, there was not even one of them.

Merlin was somewhat curious. Why was there not even a maidservant in the residence of someone like Wizard Dara, considering his current position?

As if he sensed Merlin’s curiosity, the castellan of Dara gave a slight smile. “Do you find it strange? The entire Dara City belongs to me, but I like a quiet environment. Having reached the stage where I am now, there aren’t many things that would tempt me.”

Merlin nodded, following which a strange grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He said softly, “That’s right, someone with your identity and status would not care about such things. Presumably, a chance to enter the Glorious Palace should be able to excite you?”

“Wizard Merlin, you’ve truly proved yourself as a powerful Wizard who could kill the Whirlwind Lord, and your thoughts are perceptive too. It’s true. My lifelong dream has been to enter the Glorious Palace and become a Glorious Wizard! I believe with your intelligence, you’ve already guessed that it was, in fact, I who auctioned that Memory Crystal!”

This pragmatic manager of Dara City, the powerful Wizard Dara at the peak of the Eighth-level, was the owner of the Memory Crystal. Merlin had guessed as much because Wizard Dara’s previous communication with him revealed that Wizard Dara knew the contents of the Memory Crystal. It was just that Merlin could not be sure.

Merlin also knew that Wizard Dara would surely be interested in the believers of the wicked god contained in the Memory Crystal. Wizard Dara was willing to enter the Glorious Pavilion once more. The external rumors that Wizard Dara had lost interest in entering the Glorious Pavilion were false.

“Purpose! Wizard Dara, what’s your purpose in doing so?”

Merlin’s eyes fixed without wavering upon Wizard Dara. Since Wizard Dara had gone to such lengths, surely, he would have extensive schemes. Only Merlin did not know what he was plotting exactly.

“Hehe, Wizard Merlin, I won’t talk about my purpose for now. Conversely, it is you who’s hiding a very big secret… The rumored Spell Caster from beyond the heavens is, in fact, a Fourth-level Spell Caster who had constructed a few Fifth-level spells! If news of this gets out, I’m afraid it would cause quite a stir. Who knows, the Glorious Palace might even be alarmed, and might decide to send over someone to ‘understand’ Wizard Merlin.”

A stiff, unnatural smile had appeared on Wizard Dara’s face.

“Hmm, are you threatening me?”

Merlin raised an eyebrow. He had greatly restrained the force of his body but was still seen through by Wizard Dara. Wizard Dara must have sensed this back when he was fighting against the Whirlwind Lord.

Merlin was a Wizard from beyond the heavens. Although the Glorious Palace of this dimension would not trouble such Wizards, this was because most of them were Great Wizards. After all, those below the level of Great Wizards would find it harder to pass through the Void Zone.

Merlin had simply entered the Void Zone by chance and coincidence through the powerful Runic Magic Circle left behind by the Great Wizard Fidel. Ultimately, he had come into this new dimension unexpectedly.

Therefore, the Glorious Palace would not disturb those Great Wizards, and would instead treat them courteously. However, Merlin was merely a Fourth-level Wizard, yet he was able to explode with impressive power that might reach the peak of the Eighth-level. There was no way to tell if the Glorious Wizards of the Glorious Palace would send someone over.

At that point, Merlin would be caught in deep trouble. The implicit meaning of Wizard Dara’s words was a naked threat.

Although Merlin did not bat an eyelid as he was secretly on his guard. The fourth form of Darkness Eye could be unleashed at any time. He even considered making his move and killing Wizard Dara right here.

Wizard Dara did not seem to notice any changes in Merlin, and his tone was just as calm as ever when he said, “Wizard Merlin, please don’t misunderstand me. How could I possibly threaten you? I’m simply curious. You know, being a mere Fourth-level Spell Caster, you’re able to annihilate an Eighth-level Wizard, one who was comparatively powerful like the Whirlwind Lord. I believe that any Spell Caster would be interested in this.”

It was true that Merlin had just killed the Whirlwind Lord, already causing a huge stir. Nevertheless, if his identity as a Fourth-level Spell Caster was publicized, it would cause an even greater uproar.

Assuming that Merlin did not mobilize the fourth form of Darkness Eye, his current abilities were initially only comparable to Wizards at the peak of the Seventh-level. However, after he had constructed various types of Fifth-level spells, his powers had in fact grown somewhat. When his spells were used together, they were even enough to wipe out most Eighth-level Spell Casters.

Although the Whirlwind Lord was not an average Eighth-level Wizard, being more powerful, his Mind Power was too weak as Merlin had discovered when he cast Darkness Assassin. Merlin’s Glacier Country was added on to Destructive Flame and other Fifth-level spells, which he had derived himself and thus could not be considered based on the standards of usual spells.

Moreover, he had cast Darkness Assassin in the end. After he had unleashed this spell, the Whirlwind Lord was unable to withstand the illusion of the Darkness-type spell as well as the ever-present hidden attacks. It was then that the Whirlwind Lord was finally killed.

Since Merlin had been exposed, there was no point in pretending anymore, so he said coldly, “Wizard Dara, tell me your intentions!”

Wizard Dara, who had appeared unperturbed from the start, gradually grew somber now. He said in a low voice, “Wizard Merlin, you came from beyond the heavens. You won’t know how hard it is to wipe out those believers of the wicked god. It’s funny how those Seventh-level and Eighth-level Spell Casters think that upon obtaining the Memory Crystal, they would be able to kill those believers, and thus enter the Glorious Pavilion. They’re basically idiots, seeking their own death!”

After a pause, Wizard Dara continued. “The believers of the wicked god, if they are the fanatical type, would be troublesome. I’ve encountered these believers before, so of course, I knew very well how strong they are. I would be incapable of completing the mission to wipe out these believers of the wicked god just by myself, so I need someone to help me!”

“You’re recruiting help? If you would stealthily use the Memory Crystal to entice a few powerful Eighth-level Wizard, surely that won’t be a problem? Why did you publicly auction the Memory Crystal instead?”

Merlin felt that Wizard Dara had deep-running schemes, and was someone who was slick, and hard to deal with.

“Heh heh, how I wish that was the case. How many powerful Wizards are there who are worth my attention? Furthermore, even if others had joined, we would have to plot against each other. When faced with the believers of the wicked god, we would fail easily. Therefore, I displayed the Memory Crystal in the auction to cause a commotion, and then purposely spread the news to Ores.

“Ores is obsessed with boosting his powers. How would he let slip an opportunity to enter the Glorious Palace? Plus, his abilities are formidable indeed, and he was sure to come here and seize it forcibly.

“As expected, Ores did come, and he even caused such a huge uproar. My plan was precisely this; to let Ores feel like he could deal with those believers after acquiring the Memory Crystal. At that point, we’ll follow behind. With Ores in front of us doing the heavy work, it’ll be much easier for us.”

Dara’s words cause Merlin’s heart to sink slightly. Indeed, Wizard Dara had such convoluted schemes. He would use such a plan to get Ores to clear the path ahead while he cashed in from behind.

However, with such a great opportunity, and since his plan had worked, why would Wizard Dara invite Merlin?

As if he sensed Merlin’s misgivings, Wizard Dara let out a long sigh and said with a solemn expression, “Even if Ores is bearing the brunt in front, I don’t think that he’ll succeed! Even with you and me in the equation, there’s no guarantee of success. If possible, I want to invite another peak Eighth-level Spell Caster. It’s just that amongst those who came to this auction, besides yourself, there was no one who was on par with the peak of the Eighth-level. For the rest of them, going on this mission would only be throwing away their lives!”

In addition to Merlin as well as Ores doing the heavy work in front, Wizard Dara still felt that there was no guarantee of success. This indirectly indicated how challenging it would be to wipe out those believers of the wicked god.

“Alright, I’ve said all that I needed to say. I wonder if Wizard Merlin is interested in working together to wipe out those believers of the wicked god?”

After Wizard Dara finished speaking, he fell silent as he waited for Merlin’s reply.

Merlin raised his head to glance at Wizard Dara, whose expression remained calm as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Nonetheless, Merlin knew that if he refused, Wizard Dara would surely use all of his wits to confine Merlin in Dara City!

Merlin had not much choice unless he was willing to battle with Wizard Dara! It was just that if he did not manage to kill Wizard Dara, there would be great trouble. At the moment, Merlin was not confident that he would be able to kill Wizard Dara.

After a long moment, Merlin slowly lifted his head, and asked in a low voice, “When do we start?”

Wizard Dara heaved a small sigh of relief, and his eyes twinkled. It looked like he had previously decided that if Merlin did not agree, he would keep Merlin here at all costs. After all, the matter of the Memory Crystal must not be divulged. Otherwise, this would be a tremendous blow to Wizard Dara’s reputation. After all, no one would have imagined that Wizard Dara, who had always been honest in managing the auction of Dara City would intentionally set up such a snare.

Once this was leaked out, Dara’s auction would no longer be able to carry on.

With such a critical issue on the line, how could Wizard Dara possibly let Merlin leave so easily?”

Fortunately, Merlin had agreed to cooperate in wiping out those believers of the wicked god together. Thus, it was with relief that Wizard Dara said, “As to when we’ll start, I don’t know as well. We’ll have to see when Ores makes his move.”

“You’ve tampered with the Memory Crystal?”

Merlin immediately realized this. Wizard Dara must have done something to the Memory Crystal. Otherwise, how could he possibly know of Ores’ whereabouts?

Wizard Dara did not deny this and nodded. “That’s correct. I’ve tampered with the Memory Crystal, and Ores won’t find out about it. For the next few days, Wizard Merlin can stay here in Dara City. When Ores begins to move, we’ll set out together, and trail him in secret!”

Merlin bobbed his head, but deep down he was even more vigilant toward Wizard Dara. His opponent’s cunning schemes made him uneasy.