Chapter 204: Two Reasons
"Oh?" Leon slowly withdrew his outstretched right hand. As he looked at Fran, the smile on his face gradually faded...
"Leon, Leon, let’s talk this out..." Lance’s face turned pale with fright at the situation. He quickly stepped between the two, discreetly tugging Leon’s sleeve, his eyes pleading.
...Leon saw Lance’s anxious expression and felt a bit embarrassed to make things difficult for Fran. Lance had always looked out for him, and this was a favor he couldn’t ignore.
Thus, the coldness on his face gradually softened...
"Come on, Leon, I have something to discuss with you..." Having finally calmed Leon down, Lance didn’t dare let the two continue talking. He grabbed Leon and pulled him aside on any excuse.
"Leon, just do me a favor and don’t bother with Fran. He’s... well, his mind isn’t quite right." At this point, Lance couldn’t care less and started slinging mud at Fran just to keep Leon in check.
Whether Fran’s mind was really off didn’t matter—as long as Leon was pacified. Otherwise, the joint exploration would lose a Grandmaster before it even started. How would they cooperate or explore then?
They hadn’t just met yesterday—Lance knew all too well how destructive this young Archmage could be...
Fran really is something else...
Mercury Tower sent you here to provide technical support, not to get yourself killed. What are you trying to do with this stunt—are you tired of living?
"Alright, I understand, President Lance. You go ahead with your work." Leon was very understanding—after all, Fran was a Grandmaster from Mercury Tower and a direct disciple of the Creator, Nolan. No matter what, Lance had to stand up for him.
So Leon didn’t make things difficult for Lance, smiled, and nodded. Just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, he saw Salomon waving at him from afar—which suited Leon perfectly. "President Lance, excuse me for a moment."
"Oh, alright, alright..."
Leon walked through the reception room. Here, several chairs were arranged in a circle. Salomon sat in the central seat. Leon glanced around: Bell from Viper's Nest, Khadgar from Blackhorn Auction House, Bali from Silvermoon Mercenary Company, Darian from Crystal Chamber of Commerce... All top mages of Seaview City. Leon could tell this was a circle of elite mages with Salomon at its center.
Seeing Leon approach, Salomon pulled over a chair and placed it next to his own. "Leon, come sit."
"Alright." Leon greeted a few familiar mages and naturally took the seat beside Salomon.
This small gesture from Salomon immediately surprised the other mages. As they greeted Leon, each wore a thoughtful expression...
Everyone seated here was among Seaview City's elite mages—the weakest was Bell from Viper's Nest. Newcomers like Ryan from the Monty Family didn’t even qualify for this circle. To sit here was a sign of true strength and status.
It looked like Salomon had simply moved a chair, but in reality, he’d reserved the seat beside him for Leon. This small gesture meant that, at least in Salomon’s eyes, this young Archmage already held equal status—or perhaps strength!
If this were before, none of these mages would have even considered such a thing.
But now, everything was different...
Recently, the deeds of Matthew Merlin had begun to spread. Now, when people mentioned Matthew Merlin, few called him Roger Merlin’s son—his accomplishments had already surpassed his father’s in their eyes.
The rise of the Gilded Rose had become a legend in Seaview City. In nearly every tavern, people exaggerated its story, telling it so vividly you’d think they’d lived it themselves...
But for these top mages of Seaview City, what truly mattered was still Leon’s personal strength...
At first, they only knew this young Archmage had single-handedly stormed Venomfog Gorge, rescued several Gilded Rose alchemy apprentices, and forced Soth to give up a trade route in a nearly brutal fashion.
Many were shocked at the time, but after the initial surprise, they simply thought this young Archmage had promise—more promise than Ryan from the Monty Family.
That was all...
But soon, they realized something was off...
Not long after, news spread that a ninth-level Archmage from the Auckland Watson Family had been beaten so badly by Matthew Merlin that his face was swollen. That got everyone’s attention—a ninth-level Archmage is just a step away from becoming a Magister. If even someone like that was humiliated, wasn’t Matthew Merlin’s strength already close to Magister level?
Then, before they could even react...
The Watson Family sent another Archmage!
Everyone thought, surely Matthew Merlin would be in trouble this time?
But before that Archmage could even say a word, Matthew Merlin sent him packing back to Auckland. This finally shook Seaview City's elite mages—they began warning their factions to be extremely careful when dealing with the Gilded Rose, and above all, never to anger Matthew Merlin. He was at least as powerful as an Archmage...
Soon after, Khadgar, Monty, and Soth visited the Gilded Rose, bringing earth-shattering news...
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Star Sage Joey personally admitted that Matthew Merlin already possessed the strength to perish together with a ninth-level Archmage!
Nowadays, second- and third-rate factions in Seaview City might still think Matthew Merlin is just a powerful young Archmage. But the true elite have long known his strength far exceeds the Archmage rank—no one even knows his real limits. Conservatively, he’s at least on par with a ninth-level Archmage...
So now, when Salomon had Leon sit beside him, the mages just glanced at each other—no one looked surprised anymore. When speaking to Leon, their tone became much warmer and more respectful...
"Well, Leon, you don’t look so good. Did something happen?" Salomon was sharp—though he’d been far away just now, he’d still noticed quite a bit.
"Nothing much, it’s just that Grandmaster Fran doesn’t seem very friendly," Leon replied, not bothering to hide his thoughts.
"Heh, Fran?" Salomon glanced at Fran from afar and lowered his voice slightly: "It’s perfectly normal for him not to be friendly with you..."
"Oh?" Leon’s eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed Salomon knew some inside information...
"Two reasons." Salomon leaned back in his chair, found a more comfortable position, and raised a finger: "First, there’s word from Auckland that the Merlin Family has officially acknowledged you and is planning to arrange your return at an appropriate time."
"The Merlin Family..." Leon frowned. He wasn’t too concerned about why Fran targeted him—a Grandmaster who couldn’t even hide his emotions and was just a fifth-level Magister wasn’t much of a threat. Even if Fran kept targeting him, it was hardly dangerous.
If worst comes to worst, once we reach Vaughn’s treasury, I’ll find an opportunity to deal with him.
But the Merlin Family’s actions struck Leon as odd...
The Merlin Family has been around for over a thousand years and is known for its heritage and grace, so why are they so impatient this time? One moment they have William Merlin trying to persuade me, the next they’re rushing to announce the news. Do I really matter that much to them?
Or is there some other reason?
Fran and the Merlin Family don’t get along—this is an open secret in Auckland.
No wonder...
Also, the task of breaking the alchemy array was originally Fran’s idea, but his asking price was too high, so Lance refused him..." Salomon chuckled: "Do you know what Fran asked for? Half the entire haul from Vaughn’s treasury..."
... Leon had thought demanding priority on magical materials was asking a lot, but Fran was even bolder. Half the haul from Vaughn’s treasury—he wasn’t afraid of bursting from greed...
So, you’re a descendant of the Merlin Family and you stole his business—Fran would be strange if he treated you nicely...
I see." Leon nodded with a smile, quickly forgetting about Fran.
...
Meanwhile, Fran saw things differently.
At that moment, Grandmasters Lance and Fran had already sat down again by the fireplace...
Lance, I have to say, you’ve made a huge mistake this time. I wondered who it could be—turns out it’s Matthew Merlin, Soth’s apprentice. You actually chose to trust a rookie like him. Just wait until we reach Vaughn’s treasury; you’ll regret it...
Heh, Fran, your price was just too high. I couldn’t convince the others..." Lance kept smiling, but in his heart, he’d already cursed Fran’s ancestors. Damn, I’d like to trust you, but who could accept that price?
All of Seaview City’s top factions joined forces, expending tremendous effort to break into Vaughn’s treasury. And you? You’d solve the alchemy array and walk away with half the haul—how could I explain that to the others?