Chapter 564: What Do You Mean?
Everyone knows the Black Tower: notorious for its ruthless pursuit of profit, they wouldn’t let a single scrap of benefit escape their grasp. When it comes to snatching the Merlin Family’s resource-rich territory, you don’t even need to ask—the Black Tower will be in, no hesitation.
But first, it’s best to probe the Black Tower’s stance…
“Alright, Teacher...”
Watched Mark Watson depart; a few minutes later, Reid Watson emerged from the barracks and strode toward the Black Tower’s encampment.
He stepped onto that patch of rather barren land and walked straight ahead, soon arriving at the Black Tower’s encampment.
“I’m Reid Watson, from the Watson Family’s ancestral lands. I’d like to discuss something of utmost importance with Councilor Weiss or Councilor Suville.”
“Alright, please follow me...”
A Ninth-Tier Archmage led Reid Watson toward the center of the camp, finally stopping before a lavish barracks. “Councilor Suville, whom you’re looking for, is inside.”
“Thank you...”
Reid Watson gave the Ninth-Tier Archmage a faint glance, then strode into the lavish barrack. Inside, he saw an elderly man about his own age and immediately assumed a respectful demeanor. “Councilor Suville, I apologize for disturbing you without notice...”
He knew a fair bit about the old man before him. Three hundred years ago, he crushed the young geniuses of the Andalusia Kingdom with overwhelming force. By middle age, he’d already become a Seventh Rank Title Archmage, entered the Black Tower Council, and was considered the most likely candidate for the next chairman.
Unfortunately, Thornton Merlin’s sudden rise shattered Suville’s legend, leaving his magical path forever cut short—he remained stuck at Seventh Rank for life.
If I propose an alliance to this aging councilor against the Merlin Family, he’ll almost certainly agree, won’t he?
Makes sense...
Suville once had hope of achieving Sky Rank, but after three centuries, he’s still stuck at Seventh Rank. How could he not hate the Merlin Family?
This is almost a sure thing...
“Ah, so it’s Councilor Reid. What brings you here?” Suville looked at Reid Watson with a puzzled expression. They’d met just a few days ago, but weren’t exactly close...
“Heh, I’m actually here on behalf of the Watson Family to propose a collaboration with the Black Tower. I think you’ll find our proposal quite interesting...”
“Oh?” Suville replied blandly, his face unreadable. Truth be told, the Watson Family may be one of Auckland’s top powers, but compared to the Black Tower, they’re worlds apart. The Black Tower’s decision to work with the Watson and Merlin Families in the Horn of Plenty campaign was a total surprise.
Normally, the Black Tower—always so dominant—would never cooperate with the two major families.
So after listening to Reid Watson’s pitch, Suville really couldn’t muster any interest. As far as he was concerned, the Watson Family had gotten a taste of success from this Horn of Plenty campaign and now wanted to use the Black Tower’s power to profit again.
Honestly, that’s just idiotic...
“The Merlin Family only has a single Planar Legion in the Horn of Plenty, about two thousand strong. Of those, only five are Title Archmages—none of them high-ranking. Yet the Merlin Family controls the most fertile land. Councilor Suville, surely you understand what I’m getting at?”
“What do you mean?” Suville’s expression darkened, his brow furrowing.
Just as expected...
Seeing Suville’s reaction, Reid Watson instantly knew the aging councilor was intrigued—just as he’d predicted. He pressed on, “Councilor Suville, have you considered this? If the Watson Family and the Black Tower join forces, we could wipe out the Merlin Family’s forces with ease. That rich land would fall to our two factions. Of course, the Watson Family only needs a small piece...”
After finishing, Reid Watson calmly watched Suville, quietly waiting for his reply.
From his perspective, the Black Tower had no reason to refuse.
Besides, Suville and the Merlin Family have a grudge that can’t be resolved. Whether it’s personal or from the Black Tower’s standpoint, there’s no way he’d reject the proposal.
The Merlin Family’s forces in the Horn of Plenty are pathetically weak—just a little effort would wipe them out. And the spoils would be the richest land in the Horn of Plenty, representing a fortune.
But instead of agreement, what Reid Watson got was a cold laugh.
“Heh...”
At this moment, Suville’s face looked especially grim. He stared at Reid Watson with a scrutinizing gaze and spoke in a frosty voice: “Well, isn’t this surprising.”
“Huh?” Reid Watson was stunned. He suddenly realized Councilor Suville’s reaction wasn’t what he’d expected at all—instead, it seemed like Suville was struggling to suppress a surge of anger.
How could my proposal—so perfect—make him angry?
This doesn’t make any sense...
Wait a second...
Could it be that Matthew Merlin actually has a strong relationship with the Black Tower, or maybe they’ve reached some kind of agreement?
But how could that be...
Matthew Merlin is, at best, a Sixth-Tier Archmage. On a battlefield like the Furyflame Plane, he’s only marginally better than cannon fodder. What could possibly make the Black Tower want to protect him?
“Councilor Suville, this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...” Reid Watson couldn’t figure out Suville’s reaction, so he tried to gently remind him.
“Enough!”
But Suville was like an enraged lion, fists clenched and radiating a chilling aura. He nearly roared, “Reid Watson, you really are up to no good! I went through hell to trade that land away, and now you want me to snatch it back from Matthew Merlin? Would you only be satisfied if you ruined me? Oh, I get it now—the Watson Family must be in cahoots with Matthew Merlin, trying to set me up together...”
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“I... I... I would never set you up! You must be mistaken...” For a moment, Reid Watson’s face turned pale, and he kept retreating under Suville’s roar, feeling extremely anxious inside...
Though he’s just as strong as Suville—also a Seventh Rank Title Archmage—the other man’s status is just too unique...
After all, he’s a Black Tower Councilor, and aside from Chairman Heron, the most senior member. Offending him would spell disaster for the Watson Family.
He just couldn’t understand what Suville meant by all that.
Seizing the Merlin Family’s rich land to benefit the Black Tower—is that what he means by ‘setting him up’?
What kind of messed-up logic is this...?
While Reid Watson’s mind was in turmoil, Suville’s anger slowly subsided. His expression remained gloomy, but he was no longer as furious as before.
The Black Tower councilor took a deep breath and gave Reid Watson a cold look. "Enough. I don’t care about the feud between your Watson Family and the Merlin Family, and I won’t get involved. But if you’re trying to set me up, you’re courting death."
At this moment, Suville regained his composure. He suddenly remembered the relationship between the Watson Family and the Merlin Family. These two houses had been at each other's throats since the founding of the kingdom; the rivalry was practically to the death. It didn’t seem likely they’d team up just to screw him over...
Maybe the Watson Family was in the dark and just happened to see an opportunity, hoping to snatch that piece of land from the Merlin Family...
Honestly, they’re just asking for trouble...
Never mind whether your Watson Family can beat the Merlin Family’s Planar Legion—just that land Matthew Merlin gave up willingly could be enough to ruin you.
Suville had already learned firsthand what the young mage was capable of. Not long ago in Specter Valley, he’d tried to get more land out of the young mage—just like the Watson Family now. And how did that work out?
Not only did he fail to get the land, he nearly died there himself...
Now even the memory gives him a psychological shadow; just thinking about it makes his skin crawl.
Damn it, trying to take advantage of that scheming Matthew Merlin is no easy feat.
But he had no intention of telling the Watson Family any of this...
He’d never had much fondness for the Watson Family anyway—and they’d just tried to drag him into the mess. Not acting out was already giving them enough face...
Since the Watson Family wants to take advantage of Matthew Merlin, maybe letting that reckless bunch suffer a bit will teach them a lesson for next time.
"Alright, Reid Watson, if there’s nothing else, please leave." Suville shot him a cold look and said nothing more.
"Alright, alright..."
Reid Watson nodded awkwardly and turned to leave the barrack, feeling a bit baffled—how could Suville refuse such a good deal?
It just doesn’t make any sense...
He truly couldn’t understand why anyone would turn down a deal that was all gain and no loss.
Maybe he’s lost his mind?
If Suville hasn’t lost his mind, why would he react that way to my proposal?
It’s almost as if I’m trying to harm him...
Still, it’s not a total loss—Suville’s words made it clear that Matthew Merlin’s relationship with the Black Tower isn’t as close as I’d thought, and the Black Tower won’t get involved in the feud between the Watson and Merlin Families.
Even though Suville had kicked him out without ceremony, Reid Watson actually felt relieved. With the Black Tower out of the picture, he could deal with Matthew Merlin without any worries.
Soon, Reid Watson returned to the Watson Family’s camp, sitting alone in the barrack to plot his next move. Clearly, at this critical moment, he couldn’t openly attack the Merlin Family—doing so would spark a conflict between two major powers.
But that damn Matthew Merlin had ruined the disciple he valued most—there was no way he’d let him off so easily.