Chapter 368: Rising to the Fore
"Leon Merlin." As a rival for the patriarch's seat, Owen Merlin didn't disappoint—he was the first to stand up: "Let me make this clear. What we're worried about is Leon Merlin's ability. You and I both know, Leon Merlin can't possibly keep the Gilded Rose safe. Rather than letting some outside force snatch it away in the end, it's better for the Elder Council to manage it instead..."
Hoffland's mind raced, searching for a way to immediately end this Elder Council meeting. It was the only solution. If things kept going, and Leon Merlin was provoked, a conflict would be unavoidable. If Leon Merlin came out on top, fine—but if he suffered a loss and the powerful figures behind him were drawn in, the entire Merlin Family would be doomed...
Damn it, Leon Merlin isn't someone you can afford to offend! Behind him stands Star Sage Joey—if he gets upset, you won't even know what killed you!
You know nothing, yet you dare spout nonsense at the Elder Council, claiming to support Elder Lurgan. Elder Lurgan is nearly dead—do you want to go with him?
If Leon Merlin were just an ordinary Archmage, Hoffland wouldn't be so concerned. But this Leon Merlin was clearly anything but ordinary. Just the things Link had told him proved that Leon Merlin possessed the strength to kill a Title Archmage head-on.
At the time, I entered the Gilded Rose with great excitement and met my cousin William. We talked for two whole hours—mostly William speaking. He told me how cousin Leon built everything from scratch, how he rebuilt the Gilded Rose from ruins, monopolized the alchemy business in Seaview City, and became its true ruler...
Everything back then felt like a fairy tale to me. I couldn't imagine how cousin Leon, a few years younger than me, managed to achieve all this—just like you now, none of you truly understand what an outstanding genius cousin Leon is. And now you want to take the Gilded Rose from such a genius? Ridiculous. Do you even know how to run the Gilded Rose?
"Yes, I do have some opinions..." To Hoffland's surprise, Leon Merlin glared right back, utterly unyielding...
Hoffland didn't dare to think any further...
This kind of power had already surpassed his own.
And that wasn't even the most important part...
In the world of magic, inheritance and lineage are everything. No matter how powerful or gifted a mage is, no one can truly succeed by self-study alone. The stronger the mage, the more astonishing the background behind them...
You could see this clearly in Auckland.
Joey, Heron—none of them lacked the guidance of famous teachers, none lacked a formidable background...
If Matthew Merlin were just an ordinary First-Tier Archmage, Hoffland wouldn't be so concerned. But this Matthew Merlin was clearly anything but ordinary. Just the things Link had told him proved that Matthew Merlin possessed the strength to kill a Title Archmage head-on.
To kill a Title Archmage head-on as a First-Tier Archmage...
How could someone like that be the product of an average teacher?
How could someone like that not have a shocking background?
As he thought about this, cold sweat began to bead on Hoffland's forehead.
This was going to be a disaster!
What should he do...
Hoffland's mind raced, searching for a way to immediately end this Elder Council meeting. It was the only solution. If things kept going, and Matthew Merlin was provoked, a conflict would be unavoidable. If Matthew Merlin came out on top, fine—but if he suffered a loss and the powerful figures behind him were drawn in, the entire Merlin Family would be doomed...
After all, this was someone who could kill a Title Archmage head-on. What kind of person must be behind him?
Joey, or Heron?
If either of those monsters got involved, the Merlin Family would truly be in grave danger...
Yet...
"I have something to say!" Just when Hoffland was at his wit's end, someone else stood up.
This was just adding fuel to the fire...
Then Hoffland saw Leon Merlin slowly stand up...
"Damn it!" Hoffland cursed under his breath. Why was it Leon Merlin?
Others might not know...
But Hoffland, who had always been in contact with William Merlin, certainly knew. Back when Leon Merlin went to Seaview City hoping to recruit him, not only did he fail, he suffered a major setback. Rumor had it that after returning, he went to the Pale Plane and spent several months recovering from the blow...
Those two didn't exactly get along...
Why was Leon Merlin stepping up now? Damn it, what was that little bastard up to...
Hoffland was starting to feel restless...
Things were already bad enough. One wrong move and the Merlin Family would be in deep trouble. If Leon Merlin started any mischief now, they might as well call off this Elder Council and all go find a rope to hang themselves...
"Heh... heh, it's Leon, is it? Do you... do you have any opinions? Let's hear them..." But as the patriarch presiding over the Elder Council, Hoffland still had to go through the motions with a forced smile. Meanwhile, his eyes kept glaring at Leon Merlin—any fool could see Hoffland's look was saying, "You little bastard, don't you dare say anything stupid!"
"Yes, I do have some opinions..." To Hoffland's surprise, Leon Merlin stared right back, utterly unyielding...
There was no choice...
Right now, Leon Merlin felt like he'd swallowed bitter herbs—so miserable he could almost puke.
If he could avoid it, who the hell would want to stand up at a time like this?
The problem was, he had a pig teammate...
Originally, Leon Merlin's plan was simple—stay silent at the Elder Council, let the other elders fight with that Matthew Merlin, and in the end, let those greedy old fools suffer the loss. All he needed to do was minimize his presence, ideally vanish entirely, so Matthew Merlin wouldn't even notice him. If things went smoothly, he'd get through the meeting unscathed...
But then...
Damn it, his pig teammate screwed him over!
Thinking about it made Leon Merlin want to curse. After he got his Elder Council seat, he always felt he should speak up to boost his presence—a better position for the future fight over the patriarch's spot.
So, when his pig teammate cozied up to him, he accepted without hesitation.
Honestly, over the past few years, that pig teammate did help him out quite a bit. He didn't gain much, but at least he wasn't fighting alone at the Elder Council. When needed, there was someone to back him up...
But, but, but...