Chapter 331: Putting on a Show
"You..." Ross Merlin's heart tightened instantly, his face darkening. "Hanson Charlotte, are you planning to just snatch it by force?"
As one of the three prodigies of the younger generation of the Merlin Family, Ross Merlin had long secured a seat on the Council of Elders. He was often involved in family affairs, and although not close with Hanson Charlotte, they'd crossed paths a few times.
Yet Ross Merlin truly hadn't expected that this renowned old mage of Auckland, Hanson Charlotte—who even had some dealings with Hofland—would resort to highway robbery after failing to win the Starstone.
This was sheer madness...
"Heh, Ross Merlin, I've always heard people say you're one of the most outstanding talents of the Merlin Family's younger generation. I thought you'd be something special, but it turns out you're just as naive as the rest..." Seeing Ross Merlin's reaction, Hanson Charlotte actually smiled.
"Three hundred years ago, Santon Merlin killed Fuson Charlotte in the Aurege Mountains, crushing all hope for the Charlotte Family. For decades after, as a Heaven-tier powerhouse, he suppressed the Charlotte Family for fifty whole years, driving us from one of Auckland's top three families to a status lower than even a third-rate power. From then on, the Charlotte and Merlin families have been mortal enemies..."
"When dealing with enemies, you naturally use any means necessary. Surely you don't think that after the Charlotte Family lay dormant for two or three centuries, never clashing with the Merlin Family, and I even stomached the disgust of calling Hofland 'brother,' that the Charlottes and Merlins are actually friends? Heh, Ross Merlin, you're so naive..."
As Hanson Charlotte finished speaking, Ross Merlin knew there was no way this would end peacefully today. Hanson's words were a blatant admission of the Charlotte Family's ambitions. If they didn’t want to start a war with the Merlin Family right now, then the three people who’d overheard this conversation clearly knew far too much...
Still, Ross Merlin was no stranger to high-stakes situations. Though anxious, his face remained calm and unreadable.
"Aren't you afraid the Merlin Family will come after you for this?"
As Ross Merlin spoke, he discreetly surveyed the surroundings. Fortunately, aside from the four of them, the Charlotte Family hadn't mobilized any other forces. This discovery allowed Ross to relax a little. For now, Hanson Charlotte's group had only blocked the way back to the Merlin Family manor, but there was still a chance to escape.
Yes, escape.
During their brief exchange, Ross Merlin had already compared the strength of both sides.
The enemy had two Phantom Archers above fifth rank, a mage above fifth rank, and, of course, Hanson Charlotte—who was just one step away from becoming a Title Archmage. Their strength was, frankly, terrifying.
As for our side...
He himself possessed the Fountain of Infinity and was a fifth-rank mage, barely stronger than the enemy's fifth-rank mage. As for William Merlin, although he'd defeated Ross in a previous battle, Ross didn't think much of it. At best, William could stall one Phantom Archer—which was essentially meaningless, since the two Phantom Archers could easily overwhelm him.
And as for that distant cousin...
Ross couldn't gauge his strength, but at just over twenty years old, there was no way he could be stronger than Hanson Charlotte.
Unless...
Unless he really is that young mage with the power of a Title Archmage that Hanna spoke of.
Otherwise, the best outcome for today's battle would be escaping with their lives—nothing more.
"The Merlin Family coming after me? Heh, Ross Merlin, I call you naive and you still won't admit it. Only the heavens, the earth, you, and I know about this. If I kill all of you, how would the Merlin Family ever find out what I've done? Besides, do you really think I'm afraid of the Merlin Family? Let me tell you the truth, Ross Merlin: within a year at most, the Merlin Family will fall from their current position. Then they'll know exactly how the Charlotte Family felt back then..."
"You think they’ll just fall because you say so? Who do you think you are..."
"Heh, the Charlotte Family has already..." Hanson Charlotte suddenly realized he’d said too much. His smug smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression. "Enough, Ross Merlin. Stop stalling. Hand over the Starstone now. If you three cooperate, maybe I'll consider sparing your lives—just imprison you instead..."
"You’re that merciful?"
"Of course. Before imprisoning you, I’ll destroy your mana vortex. By the way, Ross Merlin, you should know that the Charlotte Family recently conquered the Blackstone Plane, which is rich in minerals. If I lock you up there, you shouldn’t have any complaints, right? After all, aside from mining every day and enduring the whip, at least you won’t lose your life at any moment. Our family treats slaves quite well: two loaves of bread and a big bottle of water every day. I’d love to see the Merlin Family’s brightest young genius, and a tycoon who can casually throw out twenty million gold coins, begging for a scrap of bread and a bottle of water in the Blackstone Plane..."
The more Hanson Charlotte spoke, the more excited he became, as if venting all the humiliation he’d suffered at the auction. His face twisted into a crazed grin, and when he looked at Ross Merlin, he was like a beast eyeing its prey.
"That depends on whether you’re up to the task..." At that moment, a faint smile appeared on Ross Merlin’s face.
Because while Hanson Charlotte was ranting, Ross Merlin had already used silent casting to complete a Fire Dragon Spell.
And it was a Fire Dragon Spell nurtured by the Endless Spring.
This spell had helped Ross Merlin defeat countless opponents, and had once suppressed William Merlin in the Merlin Family manor.
It was the spell Ross Merlin had the most confidence in.
At this moment, Ross Merlin's hand was already open, a flame flickering in his palm. All it would take was the final incantation, and the fire would erupt with terrifying power.
However...
Before he could utter that final incantation, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.
In that instant, Ross Merlin felt a chill run through his limbs, as if he'd fallen into an ice-cold abyss. A blood-scented arrow tore through the air, flashing past the top of his head and thudding into the carriage behind him...
The Fire Dragon Spell required only a single incantation.
But that incantation, Ross Merlin simply couldn't utter.
Because Ross Merlin knew that if that arrow could brush past his scalp, it could just as easily pierce his skull...
It was a blatant warning...
"Now, can you hand over the Starstone?" Hanson Charlotte's gaze swept over Ross Merlin. "I told you, if you give me the Starstone, I’ll spare your lives and just imprison you in the Blackstone Plane. But if you don't cooperate, then sorry—you three are dying here today."
Ross Merlin said nothing...
That arrow had proved the two Phantom Archers were even stronger than he'd imagined—not just fifth rank, but possibly ninth.
With that kind of power, the three from the Merlin Family stood no chance...
"Don’t listen to him..." At this moment, William Merlin slowly stepped off the carriage. "You think he really dares kill all three of us? He’s just putting on a show because he’s afraid we’ve hidden the Starstone in a Spatial Relic. If we die, how will they open the relic? Bash it open with their heads?"
"You..." Hanson Charlotte's expression froze. William Merlin had hit the nail on the head—Hanson's real concern was that the Starstone might be hidden in a Spatial Relic, so he’d stalled for so long, hoping they'd hand it over willingly.
"William Merlin, you’re clever to figure that out. But you don’t really think I won’t touch you three, do you? I might not kill you on the spot, but I can capture you and send you to the Blackstone Plane, where the Blackstone Orcs will torture you like beasts. I’ll see how long you last. In less than three days, you’ll be begging at my feet to hand over the Starstone..."
"Three days? I can handle that. But I’m worried someone else won’t have the patience..." William Merlin didn’t take Hanson Charlotte seriously at all, grinning as he walked back toward the carriage.
"Seize them!" That blatant disregard instantly enraged Hanson Charlotte, reminding him of the humiliation he’d suffered at the auction. His face twisted with fury.
With those words, both Phantom Archers sprang into action.
Two poison-tipped arrows tore through the air almost simultaneously, moving faster than lightning. In an instant, it was as if two blue fireworks exploded—signs of the power imbued in those arrows...
"Damn..." Ross Merlin cursed. The moment the Phantom Archers attacked, he knew his earlier guess was right—they were around ninth rank. Otherwise, those arrows wouldn’t have unleashed such terrifying force.
Ross Merlin had no time to think. As he swore, he unleashed his Rune Shield.
Previously, Ross Merlin had defeated William Merlin by exploiting the fact that William used his Rune Shield too early, gradually gaining the upper hand and ultimately winning.
Ross Merlin knew that, as an Archmage, a Rune Shield couldn’t be used lightly. Once it was activated, it meant the mage had played their final card.
But now...
Ross Merlin couldn’t afford to hesitate. If he didn’t use the Rune Shield, those arrows would kill him instantly...
The Rune Shield flared to life, and both arrows struck at once...
Bang!
Bang!
Two muffled thuds sounded almost simultaneously, and in an instant, dazzling light burst forth as the Rune Shield caved in under the impact of the arrows...
For a moment, it was clear—the once-perfect arc of the Rune Shield was deeply dented by the force of the attack, leaving the arrows just a hair’s breadth from Ross Merlin’s face...
In the end, Ross Merlin managed to block the two arrows...
But there was no relief on Ross Merlin’s face.
He could see the Rune Shield’s glow dimming rapidly after those two arrows. It meant the shield had been heavily depleted—at best, it could withstand three more rounds of such attacks...
Yes, only three rounds...
After three rounds, Ross Merlin would be left exposed, with nothing between him and the enemy’s arrows...