The Fall of the Charlotte Family and the Succession Ceremony

Damn it, was the old patriarch bewitched by demons? To actually try to assassinate that monster Leon Merlin—serves him right. He got what he deserved, but he dragged the whole family down with him.

They actually sent envoys to congratulate Lord Leon Merlin on inheriting the patriarch's seat? My god, am I seeing things? These are all Ninth Rank titled Archmages, and each one's magical aura is far stronger than your average Ninth Rank.

Then there's the Quicksand Tower, the legendary desert mage tower, rulers of the sands—Leon Merlin killed plenty of theirs too. Oddly enough, their Heavenly Rank seems to have a decent relationship with Leon Merlin?

But once inside the Merlin Family, and upon seeing Leon Merlin standing calmly at the center with a faint smile, their pride vanished instantly. Two of them even showed a hint of fear.

With just one sentence, Hofland's expression changed—like an apprentice seeing the Creator for the first time, full of awe and reverence...

Even Heavenly Ranks have been killed by Leon Merlin. And he's just a titled Archmage! Damn, he's definitely another Thornton Merlin...

Look at that, just became patriarch and already managed to screw over that old fool Charlotte, and milk another sum from the Charlotte Family.

Damn it, now I have to clean up this mess. Fine, I should focus on smoothing things over with the Merlin Family—no, with Leon Merlin. Damn it, Leon Merlin hasn't done a thing, and our Charlotte Family is already falling apart. Partners are returning orders, and the resources for the upper ranks have to be cut in half just to get by...

Lord Leon Merlin is about to become patriarch. Pick out a congratulatory gift for me—no, forget it, I'll prepare it myself."

It's an unwritten rule among mage families: even in war, you can't use despicable means to assassinate the opposing patriarch or important members. After all, not every family member is strong enough to reach the Heavenly Rank...

Heavenly Rank powerhouses rarely show themselves, but now four had come personally to congratulate Leon Merlin, and with the addition of forces from Odin Kingdom...

Leon Merlin is truly becoming more terrifying. Normally, only a titled Archmage is addressed as 'Lord,' and the title 'Sir' is reserved for one's own followers. For other titled Archmages to call someone 'Sir,' it means they're Heavenly Rank powerhouses!

Refuse? Fine, let's go to war then!

Yet these three Ninth Rank titled Archmages addressed Leon Merlin as 'Sir,' and with such respect. It could only mean one thing: Leon Merlin's strength has reached a level they can only look up to—he's on par with a veteran Heavenly Rank powerhouse!

All three envoys were extremely respectful toward Leon Merlin. Two of them even seemed a bit afraid. Damn, I must be seeing things—forces from Odin Kingdom, afraid of Leon Merlin?

Seth stood a dozen meters away, watching Leon Merlin converse with several Heavenly Rank powerhouses, unable to get close. There were more than a dozen Ninth Rank titled Archmages nearby!

Hofland hurried off, head down, calculating exactly how much to extort—no, how much compensation the Charlotte Family should pay.

"Go now. Leave these matters for later. First, prepare a generous gift. Lord Leon Merlin will officially take over as Merlin patriarch in three days—handle this first."

Then, for the safety of Andalusia, the Charlotte patriarch promised a generous reward, asking the next Merlin patriarch for help. In the end, both he and the demon lord perished together, and even the family's magic items were destroyed...

Alone in the study, the newly appointed Charlotte patriarch smiled bitterly as he pulled out a thick stack of documents, densely filled with intelligence on Leon Merlin.

"Those fools from the Charlotte Family actually went after Lord Marfa. Seriously, did they think they'd lived too long? If they wanted to die, there are easier ways—self-destructing a magic vortex would be better than this...

Haha, when did that old fool Charlotte become so righteous, fighting demons to the death and protecting the peace of Andalusia...

Damn it, whose idea was this? The old fossils in the Charlotte Family probably can't even show their faces now.

Spread the word: all cooperation between the Black Tower and the Charlotte Family is terminated. Marfa is now the new Merlin patriarch, and we have no reason to offend Lord Marfa for those fools from the Charlotte Family.

Leon Merlin's voice floated out, light as air. Everyone was stunned—a Heavenly Rank powerhouse had actually been attacked...

In the Cloudspire Tower, Joey frowned slightly as he read the report in his hand.

Leon Merlin is just too arrogant, daring to strike at a true Heavenly Rank powerhouse. And that mage's robe bore the insignia of the Henry Family from Odin Kingdom!

That's one of Odin Kingdom's great families—their wealth might surpass all of Andalusia combined, a mage force truly rich enough to rival nations. Leon Merlin actually offended someone from the Henry Family. Hahaha, perfect.

If other powers hear about this, they definitely won't approach Leon Merlin anymore. If the Henry Family wanted to crush the Merlin Family, they wouldn't even need to lift a finger—just a trickle of their wealth could destroy them!

On the city streets, bards sang of the Charlotte patriarch's deeds, but only ordinary folk might believe it. Any mage with half a brain knew what was really going on.

But no one exposed the truth, least of all Hofland. He was about to step down as patriarch in three days, but managed to secure four shops, an alchemy workshop, and even two large mines for the Merlin Family.

The newly appointed Charlotte patriarch gritted his teeth and handed over these assets. There was simply no other choice.

Now everyone knows the Charlotte patriarch sacrificed himself fighting demons. Even if they all know the real story, it's just a silent understanding.

Are they really going to explain that the Charlotte Family was trying to assassinate the next Merlin patriarch?

The new Charlotte patriarch looked exhausted, but mostly helpless.

"Patriarch, should we reduce this month's stipends? Also, most of the orders our family workshops sent out have been returned for all sorts of reasons. And..."

The new Charlotte patriarch waved his hand.

"Go now. Leave these matters for later. First, prepare a generous gift. Lord Marfa Merlin will officially take over as Merlin patriarch in three days—handle this first."

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Alone in the study, the newly appointed Charlotte patriarch smiled bitterly as he pulled out a thick stack of documents, densely filled with intelligence on Lin Yun.

Damn it, was the old patriarch bewitched by demons? To actually try to assassinate that monster Marfa Merlin—serves him right. He got what he deserved, but he dragged the whole family down with him.

Just look at what that monster Marfa Merlin has done in the Blazeforge Plane. He wiped out plenty from the Shadow Tower of Odin Kingdom, but that notorious assassin-mage tower hasn't even come for revenge yet. Supposedly, even a Heavenly Rank died, and the cause is likely tied to Marfa Merlin.

Then there's the Quicksand Tower, the legendary desert mage tower, rulers of the sands—Marfa Merlin killed plenty of theirs too. Oddly enough, their Heavenly Rank seems to have a decent relationship with Marfa Merlin?

And the busiest fortress in the Blazeforge Plane is under Marfa Merlin's control. Even the Gray Orcs, one of the eight orc tribes, have sworn loyalty to him.

Have those damned orcs forgotten their hatred for humans?

Even Heavenly Ranks have been killed by Marfa Merlin. And he's just a titled Archmage! Damn, he's definitely another Thornton Merlin...

That idiot old patriarch, trying to assassinate such a monster. The reply from the ancestral grounds was just four words: 'Serves him right!'

Damn it, now I have to clean up this mess. Fine, I should focus on smoothing things over with the Merlin Family—no, with Marfa Merlin. Damn it, Marfa Merlin hasn't done a thing, and our Charlotte Family is already falling apart. Partners are returning orders, and the resources for the upper ranks have to be cut in half just to get by...

The old patriarch really got what he deserved. Couldn't he have done a bit of research before making a move...

Three days passed quickly. The Merlin Family suddenly became very lively, with representatives from every mage tower in the Kingdom of Andalusia coming to offer congratulations.

"Look, that's Lord Joey from Cloudspire Tower. They say Lord Joey has already broken through to the Heavenly Rank, and he actually came in person!"

"You're easily impressed. See over there? That's Lord Heron from the Black Tower—he came in person too, and he's also reached Heavenly Rank. And that ancient-looking mage? That's the Sage among the Caucasus battle mages."

"Oh, damn, the only acknowledged Sage among the barbarians? Why is he here too? Aren't they not on good terms with Andalusia? Especially the Black Tower—wait, why is he chatting so happily with Lord Heron?"

"Idiot, you're just too naive. They're all here to congratulate Lord Marfa Merlin. See that? Just among the Heavenly Ranks, there are already four present, plus two more I don't recognize, but they're said to be ancient masters..."

There were so many guests—besides the Heavenly Ranks, there were also patriarch-level figures. The fate of the Charlotte Family was fresh in everyone's minds; their patriarch was killed, and they had to swallow it. Who would dare provoke anyone carelessly now?

"Envoy from Sky City of Odin Kingdom, present."

"Envoy from Quicksand Tower of Odin Kingdom, present."

"Envoy from Burning Tower of Odin Kingdom, present."

At the main gate, the steady stream of ceremonial announcements echoed. The Merlin Family's packed halls grew noticeably quieter, as everyone stared in astonishment and awe at the procession of mages entering.

These mages all wore proud expressions, their robes and staffs, and even the magical aura they radiated, were clearly stronger than those of their counterparts in the Kingdom of Andalusia.

"Sky City, Quicksand Tower, Burning Tower—those are the mighty powers of Odin Kingdom, each one stronger than Cloudspire Tower and Black Tower.

They actually sent envoys to congratulate Lord Marfa Merlin on inheriting the patriarch's seat? My god, am I seeing things? These are all Ninth Rank titled Archmages, and each one's magical aura is far stronger than your average Ninth Rank.

When the envoys from the three factions entered, seeing the awe and astonishment on everyone's faces, they couldn't help but show a bit of pride.

But once inside the Merlin Family, and upon seeing Lin Yun standing calmly at the center with a faint smile, their pride vanished instantly. Two of them even showed a hint of fear.

"Lord Marfa, Lord Didara truly couldn't get away, so he asked me to offer congratulations on his behalf. I hope you won't mind."

"Lord Marfa, this is a gift personally prepared for you by Lord Raphael. He couldn't come due to matters in Sky City, but hopes you'll accept his apologies. Lord Raphael says he'll come in person to make amends soon."

"Lord Marfa, this is a specialty from our Quicksand Tower, congratulating you on inheriting the Merlin Family's patriarch seat."

All three envoys were respectful, with no trace of their earlier pride. Especially when everyone heard how they addressed Marfa, the surrounding mages looked shocked.

Seth Watson was among the mages present, representing the Watson Family. As a peak Ninth Rank titled Archmage, he was certainly qualified to represent his family and hold his head high.

But here, Seth couldn't even get into the innermost circle—because that circle was made up entirely of Heavenly Rank powerhouses!

Heavenly Rank powerhouses rarely show themselves, but now four had come personally to congratulate Lin Yun, and with the addition of forces from Odin Kingdom...

Marfa Merlin is truly becoming more terrifying. Normally, only a titled Archmage is addressed as 'Lord,' and the title 'Sir' is reserved for one's own followers. For other titled Archmages to call someone 'Sir,' it means they're Heavenly Rank powerhouses!

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Yet these three Ninth Rank titled Archmages addressed Marfa Merlin as 'Sir,' and with such respect. It could only mean one thing: Marfa Merlin's strength has reached a level they can only look up to—he's on par with a veteran Heavenly Rank powerhouse!

All three envoys were extremely respectful toward Marfa Merlin. Two of them even seemed a bit afraid. Damn, I must be seeing things—forces from Odin Kingdom, afraid of Marfa Merlin?

Seth stood a dozen meters away, watching Lin Yun converse with several Heavenly Rank powerhouses, unable to get close. There were more than a dozen Ninth Rank titled Archmages nearby!

Seth looked on with envy and complicated feelings, a hint of admiration in his eyes. In just a few years, he already had to look up to him...

"Hahaha! Lord Marfa, such a major event as inheriting the patriarch's seat, and you didn't even notify me? That's just not right! Good thing I found out ahead of time."

A booming laugh echoed from the sky, accompanied by the aura of a Heavenly Rank powerhouse. The powerful presence instantly silenced the lively crowd; those with weaker strength were so suppressed by the aura that they couldn't even move a finger, let alone speak.

The next moment, everyone saw a young man in black robes riding a terrifying, pitch-black beast flying down from the sky.

Suddenly, a faint ripple swept through, instantly wiping away the oppressive aura of the Heavenly Rank powerhouse in the air. The pressure Morgan had been exerting vanished as if it had never existed.

In midair, the four elements rapidly converged, forming a massive four-element explosive orb over three meters wide. It tore through the air, leaving a white shockwave trail hundreds of meters long.

The four-element explosive orb struck the dark magical beast Morgan was riding. With a thunderous boom, the sky erupted; the terrifying surge of magical power burst forth like a volcano. Morgan shrieked as he was blasted backward, and his dark beast lost half its head to the explosion.

"Morgan, haven't seen you for a while. Looks like you're doing well—can't even bother using the front door anymore?"

Lin Yun's voice floated out, light as air. Everyone was stunned—a Heavenly Rank powerhouse had actually been attacked...

Outside the Merlin Family estate, the newly appointed Charlotte patriarch had just arrived at the gate and witnessed the scene, a hint of delight appearing on his face.

Marfa Merlin is just too arrogant, daring to strike at a true Heavenly Rank powerhouse. And that mage's robe bore the insignia of the Henry Family from Odin Kingdom!

That's one of Odin Kingdom's great families—their wealth might surpass all of Andalusia combined, a mage force truly rich enough to rival nations. Marfa Merlin actually offended someone from the Henry Family. Hahaha, perfect.

If other powers hear about this, they definitely won't approach Marfa Merlin anymore. If the Henry Family wanted to crush the Merlin Family, they wouldn't even need to lift a finger—just a trickle of their wealth could destroy them!

Charlotte had been about to enter, but now hesitated, remaining outside the Merlin estate.

"Morgan, you fool, I've warned you before."