Count Selin looked at Merlin. He knew that he would need to tell the truth if he wanted Merlin's aid. Thus, Count Selin shook his head and revealed a forced expression as he said slowly, "That's right. Lebis City has the military advantage, but my army in Prakash City isn't that weak as well. What truly worries me is that the Spell Casters whom Longardi has recruited. One of them is a powerful First-level Spell Caster. Wizard Baires is my trump card in holding down the First-level Spell Caster of Lebis City."

After Count Selin had finished his words, he stared strongly at Merlin. He thought so highly of Baires because Baires had once escaped with ease from a First-level Spell Caster.

Thus, Count Selin had high hopes on Wizard Baires. If the situation between the two city-states worsened and eventually sparked a war, then he would leave that powerful First-level Spell Caster in Wizard Baires' hands.

However, Baires was now dead. In his place, a stronger Spell Caster had appeared in Prakash City.

"First-level Spell Caster, huh?"

Merlin thought for a moment. He knew the difference between First-level and Entrance-level Spell Casters was huge. An ordinary roaming wizard, albeit a First-level Spell Caster, might not be stronger than an Entrance-level Four-Elemental Spell Caster in the Dark Magic Region.

Meanwhile, Merlin had defeated quite a few First-level Spell Casters. Even the powerful First-level Spell Caster, Wizard Vyksa, had died in his hands.

Thus, Merlin did not mind about an ordinary roaming wizard even if the person was a First-level Spell Caster.

During the year which Merlin had joined the Dark Magic Region, Merlin's ability had improved rapidly and so did his experience and knowledge. After meeting so many prodigies in the Dark Magic Region, Merlin no longer cared about a mere First-level or Second-level roaming wizard.

"Let me deal with that First-level Spell Caster!"

With a deep voice, Merlin said calmly.

Count Selin was overwhelmed with joy. If it was to say that he still doubted the ability of Wizard Baires before, Count Selin finally had a little confidence in this matter, thanks to Merlin's promise.

Once that First-level Spell Caster was tied down, Count Selin would not be afraid of the attacks of Lebis City's army since the city walls were tall and many aristocrats' cavalry units had come to Prakash City.

Following that, Merlin excused himself from Count Selin and left the castle. Back in his carriage, Merlin thought for a moment and then told the carriage driver, "Go to Wizard Hill's house!"

Then, the carriage slowly moved…

…

In a spacious room, Count Longardi of Lebis City was pacing back and forth, frowning. There was a hint of restlessness in his expression.

This restlessness stemmed from the information sent by a spy hiding in Prakash City.

Count Longardi was an extremely ambitious aristocrat. He was not satisfied being a small count in this small territory, Lebis City. Thus, he had secretly sought refuge with the eighth prince of the royal family. With the eighth prince's influence, he was able to defeat his two older brothers and finally became the count of Lebis City.

After becoming the count, he had bigger ambitions. He wished to expand Lebis City, so he would need to eliminate the nearby Prakash City. Everything was going smoothly and his plan had almost come to fruition. When all preparations were done, he would wage a war against Prakash City and bring the entire Prakash City under his control.

However, a major shift had occured. Even the usually confident Longardi could not be sure about his decision.

"Sir Count."

Soon, a few Spell Casters came into the room.

Count Longardi glanced at these Spell Casters and held himself together. Then, he said softly to the leader of the Spell Casters, "Wizard Heghar, I just received a message from a spy which made me rather restless, resulting in the final decision becoming inconclusive."

"Oh? What's the news that made Sir Count indecisive?"

Wizard Heghar appeared calm as if he did not care about anything at all. Everyone besides him could sense the confidence in his attitude. Those around him were affected by his confidence and felt as if they could do anything in the world.

"Wizard Heghar, the Elemental Swordsmen whom we've sent to monitor Prakash City are all dead. Their bodies are right outside now."

Longardi immediately gave an instruction to the guards outside, then some of them carried a few bodies into the room. These bodies were all charred black and were distorted beyond recognition. They were obviously burned to death by a scorching flame.

Meanwhile, some bodies had lost some of their limbs. It was as if they had taken an intense blow.

Wizard Heghar took a glance at these bodies and smiled. "They probably experienced some sort of attack similar to Fireball. This is the doings of a Spell Caster. But we're clear that there are three Spell Casters in Prakash City – Wizard Baires, Wizard Freyr, and Wizard Hill. Baires and Freyr did not have Fire-type spells. Only Wizard Hill had constructed Fireball, but his Spell Model is unstable. He can't cast a spell easily. Does he want to risk his life to kill the Elemental Swordsmen outside the city with spells?"

Wizard Heghar's words explained the current situation in Prakash City clearly, confirming his understanding of the situation.

After he finished his words, Wizard Heghar glanced at Count Longardi.

Count Longardi shook his head slightly, then said in a low voice, "Wizard Heghar, this time, you're wrong. Wizard Hill isn't the only one who has Fireball in Prakash City. Merlin has it as well!"

"Merlin? You mean Merlin who has joined the Dark Magic Region?"

Suddenly, Wizard Heghar's eyes gleamed. He stared right at Count Longardi with keen eyes, along with the other Spell Casters. When they had heard of Merlin's name, a strange gleam flashed in their gaze.

It was not that Merlin had made a name for himself but the Dark Magic Region which Merlin had joined was the spell casters' organization these roaming wizards had dreamt to join all their lives.

Count Selin of Prakash City had long leaked the information about Merlin joining the Dark Magic Region, so the nearby city-states knew about it.

"Sir Count, is it really Merlin who has joined the Dark Magic Region?"

Wizard Heghar asked once again with a grim expression.

Count Longardi reaffirmed grimly. "That's right. Merlin's back. The spies I stationed in Prakash City saw Merlin with their own eyes. There won't be any mistake!"

"Great. Truly great! I didn't expect Merlin to stay quietly in the Dark Magic Region at this moment. He had returned to Prakash City and this is great news!"

Wizard Heghar revealed a smile.

Other Spell Casters raised their opinions about this matter respectively. Some were elated because Merlin had returned from the Dark Magic Region where he would have many Spell Models, potion formulas, and so on. These were the things they had wished to get their hands on all their lives. As roaming wizards, they even had to risk their lives in battles to obtain a Spell Model.

Some Spell Casters were rather concerned. After all, the Spell Casters of the spell casters' organization were not easy to deal with. Without caution, they might get killed.

"Wizard Heghar, I'm assured with you around! The foolish Selin believed that Baires could hold Wizard Heghar down. Truly foolish! Even if all their Spell Casters attack at once, I believe Wizard Heghar can handle the situation. I'm more concerned about the Dark Magic Region! If the Dark Magic Region knew that Merlin has died in our hands, will that bring us trouble?"

Count Longardi seemed to have great confidence in Wizard Heghar. In fact, he was considering the issue of dealing with the Dark Magic Region after they killed Merlin.

After meeting Count Longardi's gaze, Wizard Heghar smirked. "It seems that Sir Count doesn't know the rules of the Dark Magic Region. As long as the wizard in the spell casters' organization hasn't become a First-level Spell Caster, the wizard will remain as a temporary member. Even if he died, the Dark Magic Region won't take any actions."

After a pause, Wizard Heghar noticed that the other Spell Casters were still discussing the Spell Models and potions on Merlin. He showed a scornful expression as he said to them arrogantly, "You may not be clear about this. What's the most valuable thing on Merlin? It's neither Spell Models nor potions; it's the Dark Magic ring in his hands!

"One can only join the Dark Magic Region with a token, whilst the Dark Magic ring is the token. Once I kill Merlin and obtain the Dark Magic ring, I can join the Dark Magic Region!"

Wizard Heghar's eyes were enthusiastic and expectant.

"The Dark Magic ring? If a member of another spell casters' organization kills the Spell Caster of the Dark Magic Region and obtain the Dark Magic ring, isn't it easy for him to sneak into the Dark Magic Region?"

Even Count Longardi was interested in the spell casters' organization that Wizard Heghar had mentioned.

"Hehe. Good question. But how can the Dark Magic Region not consider that? Every Spell Caster who possesses the Dark Magic ring and enters the Dark Magic Region will be strictly examined. If the person is a wizard from another spell casters' organization, he'll definitely get found out at this point.

"However, if they're official members of the Dark Magic Region, the matter will be different. They've signed a special contract with the Dark Magic Region and are protected by the Dark Magic Region. Once they're killed, the Dark Magic Region will send people to eliminate the culprit!"

Wizard Heghar seemed to be extremely familiar with the Dark Magic Region.

Soon, a skinny Spell Caster enquired in a low voice, "Wizard Heghar, if the Dark Magic Region is really as you've described, then won't the Entrance-level Spell Casters, who joined the Dark Magic Region, be in great danger when they left the Dark Magic Region?"

The Entrance-level Spell Casters who possessed the Dark Magic ring were not protected by the Dark Magic Region. Once they left the Dark Magic Region, they were exactly like a moving treasury vault. They would attract the attention of many Spell Casters and put themselves in great danger. The Dark Magic ring in their hands could be their quick ending during this period since numerous roaming wizards wished to get their hands on the ring.

Wizard Heghar shot a calm glance at these Spell Casters. Then, he sniggered. "What do you think a spell casters' organization is? They're just Entrance-level Spell Casters. Entrance-level Spell Casters are never lacking in this world, not to mention in the spell casters' organizations."

Wizard Heghar's words sent a chill down everyone's spine. Spell casters' organizations did not seem to be as wonderful as they had thought…