"Kill Merlin at all cost? Niske, last time you've acted directly against Merlin but was unable to kill him. Can you guarantee that you can kill Merlin this time?" 

Progenitor Hanra's gaze was sharp, and his dissatisfaction was reflected in his tone. 

Niske felt helpless that Progenitor Hanra was slightly dissatisfied with him. However, Progenitor Hanra's disappointment was somewhat founded. How could he, a bona fide middle rank Ancestor-level Rock Creature, fail to kill a Spell Caster who was not even a Legend? 

Regardless of the resentment Niske felt, he replied cautiously, "Sir Progenitor, this Merlin is indeed a special case. I failed to kill him the last time. This time, I'm not completely confident either. Therefore, if Sir Progenitor decides to kill Merlin, you must send someone more powerful than me, to avoid any mishaps!" 

"Someone more powerful than you? That leaves us with only the upper rank Ancestor-level Rock Creatures! However, it's not as easy as meets the eye. The upper rank Rock Creatures are closely watched by the Spell Casters. After all, we only have a few upper rank Ancestor-level Rock Creatures. If one of them goes missing, Setoh would suspect something amiss. I guess I have to transfer an unfamiliar upper rank Ancestor-level Rock Creature from the Rock Tribe here." 

Countless thoughts flashed across Progenitor Hanra's mind before finally, he decided to kill off Merlin for good. In order not to repeat his past mistake, he must ensure that the plan was flawless. 

"Alright. In this period, we won't go to the front line. We'll wait quietly here until all the preparations are done, then defeat the Spell Casters with one big strike!" 

Progenitor Hanra waved his hand and dismissed all the Rock Creatures. He slowly shut his eyes, and arranged for a powerful upper rank Ancestor-level Rock Creature to be transferred to the front line. 

… 

In the main foyer of the castle, several Legendary Wizards were filled with a joyous expression. 

Today was the first time they felt so joyful ever since the civilization war started. Even the Great Legends felt extremely pressured, and did not have complete confidence to survive the civilization war. Furthermore, no one knew when the civilization war would come to an end. 

Additionally, the Spell Caster camp had been continuously defeated and was facing a disadvantageous situation. They had completely no means of defeating the Rock Tribe's Progenitor's Bodies. 

However, the combination of Merlin and Wizard Yaston staggeringly managed to kill sixteen Rock Creatures who were comparable to Great Legends. Such a bold move immediately excited the Legendary Wizards. 

This was because they finally saw a glimmer of hope for victory!

"Everyone, the war with the Rock Tribe has been going on for some time. The Rock Tribe's Progenitor's Bodies used to give us a massive headache. We had no choice but to mobilize more Legendary Wizards to resist them. Right now, with Wizard Merlin's help, the Rock Tribe's Progenitor's Bodies are no longer a threat to us. Victory will definitely belong to us!" 

Wizard Setoh was also very pleased. Not only because Wizard Yaston managed to kill sixteen Rock Creatures but more importantly, Merlin's presence would allow the Spell Casters to gain the upper hand in this battle. 

All the Legendary Wizards shifted their gaze to Merlin. No one would dare think of Merlin as an ordinary Spell Caster. They would treat him equal to a real Great Legend. 

"Wizard Setoh, the Rock Tribe would not back down so easily. I'm afraid they would send some powerful opponents to ambush Merlin!" 

The Blackfire Lord could not help but say in dismay. 

Hearing the Blackfire Lord's words, Wizard Setoh's lips curve into a thin smile. "It's not just a possibility but a certainty! I'm sure Hanra is able to see the importance of Merlin in this war. In fact, Merlin has the potential to change the direction of the war, so his safety is of utmost importance!" 

Wizard Setoh held Merlin in extremely high regard but it came as no surprise to everyone. His statement that Merlin was a direction changer of the war was also not an exaggeration. After all, everyone had clearly witnessed the magnificent combination between Merlin and Wizard Yaston earlier. Although not all the Rock Creatures would be affected by Merlin, the ordinary Ancestor-level Rock Creatures were definitely susceptible. 

It was these ordinary Ancestor-level Rock Creatures that made up the most numbers. They also formed the greatest number of Progenitor's Bodies, each of which was equivalent to an Honored Legend. In other words, they were the backbone of the Rock Tribe. 

Merlin did not have to face the middle rank or upper rank Ancestor-level Rock Creatures. Merely defeating these ordinary Ancestor-level Rock Creature would give the Rock Tribe an irrecoverable blow. They would not be able to launch another civilization war to challenge the Spell Caster civilization. 

"Wizard Setoh, we shouldn't allow Merlin to go to the front line for a while, to escape the Rock Tribe's pursuit." 

Someone raised the necessity of protecting Merlin. After all, he was someone who could potentially change the direction of the war. The Rock Tribe would surely try to kill Merlin at all cost, and Merlin was not yet as powerful as a Lord who could resist the attempts of even an ultimate existence. 

"No, the civilization war cannot drag on. We need to end it as soon as possible. Therefore, Wizard Merlin cannot evade but must increase his attacks and kill even more Rock Creatures. The earlier we can defeat the Rock Tribe, the sooner the war will end." 

Many of the Great Legends began arguing among themselves. Only the four Lords and Wizard Setoh maintained a cool composure as they watched the heated discussion among the Great Legends below them. 

After some time, the numerous Great Legends could not come to an agreement, so they shifted their gaze toward the four Lords and Wizard Setoh. 

On the other hand, Wizard Setoh looked at the Nightmare Lord, the number one Lord under his command!

"Nightmare Lord, tell me what you think." 

The Nightmare Lord glanced at the Blackfire Lord and Merlin, then said calmly, "Wizard Setoh, Wizard Merlin is a pivotal Wizard in this war. We cannot hide him away but it's difficult to predict the Rock Tribe's ambush. So, I suggest we build a team around Merlin, flanked by the most preeminent Honored Legends. At the same time, the four Lords must secretly protect Merlin at all times. If and when it becomes necessary, Wizard Setoh, even you should act!" 

"Blackfire Lord, what about you?" 

Wizard Setoh shifted his gaze toward the Blackfire Lord. Since Merlin was his disciple, it was natural that he would ask for the Blackfire Lord's opinion. 

The Blackfire Lord nodded in agreement. "I agree with the Nightmare Lord's suggestion. However, it's all up to Merlin to decide. Merlin, what do you think?" 

The Blackfire Lord cast a fervent look at Merlin. Instantly, the eyes of hundreds of Great Legends landed on Merlin. 

Merlin raised his head without any trace of nervousness. In a calm voice, he replied, "I'll obey the arrangements made by Teacher Blackfire and Wizard Setoh!" 

"Haha, very well, the Nightmare Lord's suggestion is well thought out, let's do that! I'll form a team of Honored Legends to follow Merlin around and move at any time. Thus, no one would be able to grasp Merlin's whereabouts. His presence in the battlefield will be as indiscernible as a spirit to give the Rock Tribe a headache. Moreover, the four Lords and the other Spell Casters, if you see Merlin in trouble or trapped by the Rock Tribe, all of you must rescue him at all cost!" 

Wizard Setoh appeared to have already decided. He was prepared to use Merlin as a wandering spirit on the battlefield, enabling him to act at any time. Each strike would cause the Rock Tribe to pay a huge price. 

After a few blows, the Rock Tribe would find it difficult to continue and have no choice but to admit defeat. 

"Alright, all of you are dismissed. Watch the Rock Tribe's movements carefully. Merlin, you stay back here!" 

Subsequently, the numerous Great Legends left the castle, including the four Lords. Merlin was the only one who was held back by Wizard Setoh. The empty foyer turned weirdly silent. 

"Wizard Setoh, do you have more instructions for me?" 

Merlin looked at Wizard Setoh inquiringly. He was preparing to go back and get ready such as simulating Spell Fusion, and attempting to fuse a Three- or Four-Elemental Wizard Heart. 

"Merlin, I'm sure you know that your Mind Power technique is extremely pivotal to this war. Therefore, nothing must happen to you. I know Hanra too well. He'll use all sorts of means to kill you. Mere protection on the outside is completely insufficient. You'll need to have some covert protection tactics!" 

Wizard Setoh's lips curled upward as a mysterious smile lit up on his face.