Chapter 866: Suffered a Major Loss
To defend the Goldspire Realm isn't something a weak force could manage, yet the Caucasus Battlemages conquered it completely in just one night—so quickly that news barely made it out.
Doesn't that say enough about the strength of the Caucasus Battlemages? They're not someone the Charlotte Family can just mess with.
This time, losing the Goldspire Realm, all they can do is grit their teeth and swallow their pride. Offending them could spark a war between families, and the Charlotte Family can't afford that...
Though he didn't understand the situation, Wesley could only wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, put on a respectful smile, and step two paces to stand a few meters in front of Droy, spine straight, bowing slightly—the most formal mage salute a junior can give a senior.
"Lord Droy, please forgive my rudeness. I didn't realize you were here just now—I'm truly sorry. If I'd known, I would've greeted you right away."
Wesley's face was full of deference, like an apprentice meeting the master of a mage tower—almost groveling, his posture shrinking, head bowed low.
This was a mage's gesture of complete submission to another mage.
Droy nodded slightly, not even sparing Wesley a glance.
Sweat was already breaking out on Wesley's back. He had no idea what Droy meant, and didn't dare offend him, so he just kept smiling and tried to please him.
"Lord Droy, I really must apologize for today. I'm here on family business, and that damned Merlin Family tricked us out of a realm's coordinates with their despicable schemes. It's just outrageous.
Please wait a moment while I settle things here. I have a tin of ancient dragon-scented tea from the distant East, supposedly cultivated by the Five-Colored Dragon itself. Drinking it brings unique insights and calms mana, making it easier to control. I'd be honored if you'd try some later..."
Wesley kept up the polite chatter with Droy, but seeing Droy unmoved, he finally stepped back and instantly put on a different face when turning to the Merlin Family.
Matthew Merlin, your three minutes are up. Don't say I didn't warn you—if you don't give the Charlotte Family proper compensation and an explanation today, none of you will see tomorrow's sun. The Charlotte Family will formally declare war on the Merlin Family, and it won't just be about a small realm...
There are other factions here today, and Lord Droy himself is present as witness. This is your last chance..."
Wesley tried to rope in the others and Droy, making it look like everyone supported the Charlotte Family—especially Droy, who seemed to be backing them up...
Leon crossed his arms and sneered, saying nothing.
Droy's expression changed in an instant. He looked at Wesley as if he'd just witnessed someone blaspheme against His Majesty Vagran, itching to strangle this idiot on the spot.
Damn it, what the hell is this bastard talking about? Am I here to back you up?
Great, just great. Now Matthew Merlin is definitely going to get the wrong idea...
He'll probably think I'm still siding with the Charlotte Family, that the news about seizing the Goldspire Realm is just a cover, and maybe even believe the realm is my payment from the Charlotte Family...
All to team up against the Merlin Family—against him...
Now, any conflict between us Caucasus Battlemages and Matthew Merlin will be impossible to fix. Damn it, Wesley, that idiot—he's dragging me down with him. If he wants to die, he’s taking me with him...
And if the real situation with the Goldspire Realm gets exposed, it won’t just offend Matthew Merlin—it’ll completely disgrace the Caucasus Battlemages.
No way. I can't let that idiot groundhog from the highlands keep talking...
I gave him a bit of face earlier, but this can't go on. If I don't make a choice, Matthew Merlin—no, everyone—will think I'm standing with the Charlotte Family's fools...
With that thought, Droy strode forward, face dark, and coldly spoke to Wesley.
"Wesley, your Charlotte Family’s Goldspire Realm is in our Caucasus Battlemages’ hands now—completely under our control. If you think you’re strong enough, come and take it yourselves."
Since he never intended to side with the Charlotte Family and wanted to befriend Leon, Droy didn't bother with pleasantries, cutting straight to the heart of the Charlotte Family's nonsense.
The Goldspire Realm was never in the Merlin Family’s hands, so what’s the Charlotte Family making a fuss about?
As soon as Droy said that, Wesley’s face turned the color of raw liver. He choked on his words, couldn’t get anything out, and nearly fainted from holding his breath.
That’s it—the Charlotte Family has lost all face this time. Damn it, why would Lord Droy say something like that? Isn’t he planning to tear up all pretenses with us?
Does he really not care if everyone knows about this conflict? Are the Caucasus Battlemages really that unconcerned?
Weren’t the Caucasus Battlemages hostile to Mafa Merlin before? Why would Droy stand up for him now? Isn’t this helping Mafa Merlin? Doesn’t he want us to go after the Merlin Family?
Those who’d gathered to watch the Merlin Family’s humiliation saw Wesley’s liver-colored face and instantly understood everything.
Everyone was in an uproar.
Their expressions toward Wesley and his group turned completely amused.
Seth, who’d just arrived after hearing the news, looked at Wesley with a face full of gloating, though his eyes held a touch of sympathetic understanding.
Has the Charlotte Family lost their minds, or did hellworms eat their brains? How could they do something so stupid?
I'd heard that the Caucasus Battlemages had some random conflict with Lord Matthew Merlin. Now it all makes sense...
Damn, those Charlotte fools must've tried to hire the Caucasus Battlemages to assassinate Lord Matthew Merlin...
Those barbaric Highlanders have been pretty keen on taking jobs like that lately. But who would've thought the Charlotte idiots would offer up the Goldspire Realm's coordinates as payment?
And all just to deal with Matthew Merlin...
Hahaha, those foolish groundhogs are so naive, thinking they could take on Matthew Merlin.
Damn, if they'd hired the Caucasus Battlemages a year ago, maybe they'd have had a sliver of hope.
But now? Aside from Lord Heron and Lord Joey, is there anyone left who could possibly kill Matthew Merlin?
Now even Seer Droy is stepping up to bail out Matthew Merlin. With the Caucasus Battlemages’ temperament, there’s no way they’d do that for no reason.
They must've already made a move against Lord Matthew Merlin—maybe it was one of the top battlemages who tried.
I heard their legion commander has already left the Blazeforge Realm, and that genius rumored to be the next King of the Caucasus hasn’t shown up either.
No surprise—the Caucasus barbarians must’ve suffered a major loss...
Old fox Droy is the slyest of all. He must’ve taken a big hit, so now he’s scrambling to make peace with Lord Matthew Merlin and snatched the Goldspire Realm from the Charlotte Family while he’s at it...
Those foolish groundhogs of the Charlotte Family—so many years and still no progress. No wonder they’ve gotten nowhere.
Even the Caucasus Battlemages—who only respect brute strength—aren’t targeting Lord Matthew Merlin anymore, and the Charlotte Family still doesn’t get why. Are their leaders all idiots?
Trying to extort the Merlin Family to cover their own losses—honestly, it’s laughable and pathetic...
They lost the Goldspire Realm, gained nothing, and managed to offend the Caucasus Battlemages. What can you even say about these foolish groundhogs...
Seth glanced at Wesley’s liver-colored face, looking like he was about to choke, then at Droy, who seemed eager to draw a line and openly break with the Charlotte Family.
Seth instantly understood, and his gaze at the Charlotte Family was full of schadenfreude, with a hint of sympathy recalling his own past mistakes.
These fools not only lost huge profits, but also managed to offend the Caucasus Battlemages and completely fall out with Lord Matthew Merlin.
When I get back, I’ll strongly advise my family to steer clear of those hellworm-brained idiots in the Charlotte Family—no need to get dragged down by them...
A few sharp onlookers immediately put the pieces together after hearing Seer Droy and recalling Wesley’s behavior.
Even those who didn’t know the details could see: the Charlotte Family’s Goldspire Realm was snatched by the Caucasus Battlemages, and the Charlotte Family was shamelessly trying to pin the blame.
Suddenly, everyone regarded the Charlotte Family as a bunch of clowns—disgusting ones at that.
Wesley opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t dare utter a harsh word to Seer Droy. In the end, he just gritted his teeth, glanced around, and saw Leon standing there, arms crossed and sneering.