Chapter 561 (also labeled as Chapter 525): Who Will Suffer First?
"What a coincidence..." The person blocking Mark Watson's way was none other than Leon Merlin. In fact, Leon had received word soon after Mark arrived at the camp, learning that the visitor was seeking the young mage, Mafa Merlin. So, Leon stationed himself in front of the young mage's quarters, ready to send Mark Watson away.
At this moment, Leon Merlin's face was extremely grim, making no attempt to hide his hostility toward Mark Watson. "Mark Watson, you killed members of our Merlin Family, and yet you dare come to our camp? I don't care what your purpose is—leave immediately!"
Naturally, he suspected that the incident three days ago was most likely orchestrated by that damned Mark Watson.
"Heh, Leon, that's not quite fair," Mark Watson replied. "It was your Merlin Family's people who made the first mistake—sticky fingers, stealing things that belonged to our Watson Family. I hadn't planned to pursue it at first, just wanted them to hand it over. But they stubbornly refused to admit their wrongdoing. What can I say? I have no patience for that sort, so I taught them a lesson..." Mark Watson's face showed no remorse, only a mocking amusement as he looked at Leon Merlin.
In truth, perhaps only Mark Watson knew what really happened...
As for the Merlin Family, Mark felt nothing but deep disgust. "Enough, Leon, I'm not here to waste time with you. Step aside, I have business with Mafa Merlin..."
Leon Merlin glanced at the nearby quarters, his brows furrowed. "No, Magus Merlin is currently..."
However, before Leon could finish, he involuntarily stopped. At that moment, I saw a slightly thin young mage slowly walk out of the quarters. Trailing behind him was a sly-looking orc, one hand dragging a mithril hammer, the other rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Magus Merlin, sorry to disturb you..."
"What's going on?" The young mage frowned, his expression rather unpleasant. He glanced at Mark Watson, then fixed his gaze on Leon Merlin.
Seeing the young mage's expression at that moment, Larn Merlin was startled, his nerves tightening. Even in the harshest winters, no matter how many times he provoked the young mage, he had never seen him so furious. Glancing deeply at Mark Watson, Larn pointed at him and explained, "Mark Watson, he..."
"Enough!"
But Mark Watson interrupted him. The young Title Archmage waved his hand impatiently, his gaze turning cold as he looked at Archmage Leon. "Larn Merlin, let me explain to you personally. I came to your Merlin Family's estate specifically to discuss some matters with you..."
"What matters?"
"You should know, three days ago, one of your Merlin Family's resource-gathering squads, lacking proper discipline, with questionable conduct, stole a large batch of alchemy materials from the Watson Family's territory. But they've already received the punishment they deserved..."
"Oh? Something like that happened...?"
The exchange between Mark Watson and Archmage Leon made Larn Merlin, who was standing to the side, visibly agitated. He was practically like a furious lion—his face flushed red, fists clenched tight, and he roared from deep within his chest: "Nonsense! Mark Watson, you're spouting nonsense!"
Immediately after, Larn Merlin looked at Archmage Leon, still seething. "Archmage Leon, things aren't at all as he says. Our Merlin Family holds the richest lands in the Horn of Plenty. Why would we covet the Watson Family's pitiful resources? That resource-gathering squad was transporting supplies to Inferno Fortress. When they passed through Watson territory, they were ambushed—not only were the resources stolen, but most of the team was severely injured, and two members even died..."
After that incident, Larn Merlin personally sought out the squad's Title Archmage captain to understand the situation at the time...
Now, hearing the other side twist the facts again, he was about to lose his temper entirely.