On a hillside in Blackwater City, there was a clearing, surrounded by shady trees. This was the Wilson clan's cemetery, where successive generations of the Wilson clan were buried.

Duke Wilson watched as Merlin approach the ancient burial mounds, saying softly, "Ancestor, this is where we buried our predecessors."

Merlin waved his hand, following which Duke Wilson deferentially took his leave, and Merlin was left alone.

As he stared at the names on the gravestones, Merlin's thoughts returned to the Blackwater City of the past. At that time, his father Old Wilson was still a dignified baron but now, Old Wilson had been lying under this mound for who-knew-how-many years.

"Father."

Merlin stroked the rough headstone. The cold sensation seemed to penetrate his heart. He had gotten used to death long ago, even witnessing the rise and fall of so many civilizations. Nonetheless, at this moment, standing before the grave, he was merely Old Wilson's son.

Following that, Merlin continued looking to the side, seeing Charise, Avril, and even his son Conxion, and the rest. Merlin was only familiar with a part of the Wilson clan from before. As for the other graves, they were the successive generations of the Wilson clan, Merlin's lineal descendants, but he had never met them.

Merlin stood before the graves silently, recalling scenes from the past as if it was just yesterday. Back then, Old Wilson's lifelong dream was to pass on the "Wilson" family name. Merlin had helped Old Wilson achieve this goal. In the entire Kingdom of Blackmoon, the Wilson clan was well renowned, the first-rate clan.

Therefore, even if he was dead, Old Wilson had departed in contentment.

After an unknown amount of time, a breeze brushed past, carrying a chill. At last, Merlin slowly turned around and left the cemetery.

"Ancestor."

Duke Wilson was still waiting outside the cemetery.

Merlin glanced at Duke Wilson and seemed to guess his thoughts, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Are you still ruing the loss of the Runic Heartprint?"

Duke Wilson went blank and an embarrassed look crossed his face. He knew that he could not conceal his thoughts from Merlin. To Duke Wilson, the Runic Heartprint was too useful to the Wilson clan. However, now it was given to the Dark Magic Region. It was truly a loss.

"What's a mere Runic Heartprint? Remember, your family name is Wilson. It's a noble name. Soon, the entire Kingdom of Blackmoon will know how fortunate it is for you to have this name."

Following that, Merlin did not explain to Duke Wilson any further. They would slowly learn about the Void Zone in the future. Moreover, Merlin had already decided to move the Wilson clan into Glory City. What was a mere Runic Heartprint?

"Now I should head to the Imperial City to meet that old friend of mine…"

Merlin raised his head to look toward the Imperial City.

…

In the magnificent palace of the Imperial City, ten or so Great Wizards who emanated vigorous Elemental fluctuations had all gathered, discussing something.

At their head was an imposing man who wore a crown and the sacred golden armor. It was Bhutto XVII who wielded the highest power in the entire Kingdom of Blackmoon!

Bhutto XVII's gaze swept over the ten or so Great Wizards below. He felt satisfied with his achievements. Back when he was merely the eighth prince in the Kingdom of Blackmoon, he had already harbored great ambitions.

In the end, after much difficulty, he succeeded the throne and became Bhutto XVII, governing the Kingdom of Blackmoon in an orderly manner. However, a war against the Holy Light Empire erupted, and a crisis loomed.

Although that was a crisis, it was also Bhutto XVII's opportunity. With help from the formidable Wizard Merlin and the entire Spell Caster world, he led the Kingdom of Blackmoon to defeat the Holy Light Empire, and unified the entire continent.

Nevertheless, that was just the beginning!

There were still many things Bhutto XVII wished to do, so he spent much time accumulating his forces, finally seizing control of the royal family's Elders' Court in one move. From then on, the Elders' Court had no way of interfering with the Kingdom of Blackmoon's kingship. As long as Bhutto XVII did not die, he could possess the Kingdom of Blackmoon's kingship completely.

This was the first step – to unify the continent. Bhutto XVII's ambition did not stop there. The biggest threat he faced came from the Spell Caster world. A Spell Caster world that did not obey his commands was something Bhutto XVII could not tolerate.

In the past, the Kingdom of Blackmoon had considered itself to be the successor of the Molta Empire but in truth, how could it compare? In the Molta Empire's era, the empire's influence was tremendous. With one command, no Spell Caster would dare disobey. However, the Kingdom of Blackmoon was helpless against the Spell Caster world.

Thus, Bhutto XVII secretly accumulated power for centuries, ultimately controlling the southern Spell Caster world step by step, then defeating the northern Seven Major Spell Caster organizations. Currently, there was only the relatively special Dark Magic Region left, along with a few Spell Caster factions scattered around other places. In the entire continent, no one could contend against the royal family.

Only the present Kingdom of Blackmoon might match up to the previous Molta Empire!

All this was an outcome orchestrated singlehandedly by Bhutto XVII through centuries of effort. He was filled with a sense of achievement. However, he found that the moment the Seven Major Spell Caster organizations fell to pieces, he suddenly felt empty. In the entire continent, no person or power could contend against him, making him feel hollow and purposeless.

"Perhaps that person is still around…"

A familiar figure occasionally popped up in Bhutto XVII's mind. Perhaps only that person who had defeated the Holy Light Empire by himself could bring him excitement.

Nonetheless, that person had not appeared for centuries. Perhaps he was dead or might never show up again.

"Your Majesty, now there are only the Dark Magic Region and that Wilson clan left. Their territory is that large, and they're on the same side. Moreover, they're a Spell Caster clan whose strength isn't weaker than a spell casters' organization. Since our Kingdom of Blackmoon is cracking down on all spell casters' organizations, not even sparing the southern and northern Spell Caster world, then the Wilson clan and the Dark Magic Region naturally, mustn't be exempted."

A Great Wizard with a youthful appearance and long blue robe said loudly.

"Humph, Wizard Minway, how long have you been a Spell Caster? Two centuries or three? Do you know who the ancestor of the Wilson clan is?"

The opposing Great Wizard immediately stood up and retorted.

"The ancestor of the Wilson clan? Isn't that the mysterious Wizard Merlin? It's something from centuries ago. Although I've never experienced it myself, I know something about it. Wizard Merlin had done a service for the Kingdom of Blackmoon but that was centuries ago. He had never shown up and is likely dead. Even if he isn't, and he appears once more, would we be afraid of a mere Spell Caster with the kingdom's current capability? So what if he's a peak Great Wizard? He's still one man in the end – can he rival an entire kingdom?"

This Great Wizard named Minway believed that he as a Great Wizard standing at the peak of the Kingdom of Blackmoon's Spell Casters, he no longer had to fear anyone or anything.

From his perspective, Wizard Merlin was surely a Great Wizard back then. So what if he was the strongest Great Wizard? How mighty was the kingdom's power now? It was far beyond a mere Spell Caster to turn the tide…

"Rival an entire kingdom? Back then, Wizard Merlin defeated the Holy Light Empire all by himself. A god had even appeared. Wizard Minway, some of us had gone through that war ourselves, witnessing Wizard Merlin's power with our own eyes."

Naturally, the opposing Spell Caster was not to be outdone, snorting coldly. Any Wizard who had witnessed Merlin defeating the Church of Light back then, even if they became a Great Wizard, would be unable to erase that shocking scene from their minds.

"Your Majesty, Great Wizard Anlin has returned."

Suddenly, a guard entered the palace and reported.

"Oh? Great Wizard Anlin is back? Please!"

Bhutto XVII narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Great Wizard Anlin who had hurried back, covered in dust. This time, Bhutto XVII had sent him to the Wilson clan for a crucial matter – to see if he could find any clues regarding Merlin.

Soon, Great Wizard Anlin had come inside, bowing slightly to Bhutto XVII. "Your Majesty, I've just hurried back from the Wilson clan. Angie of Fog City is in Wilson Castle indeed. However, Duke Wilson would rather pass on the dukedom to Conlin, requesting Your Majesty to not pursue Angie. I've already conveyed your intentions to Duke Wilson."

"So, did you find any clues regarding Wizard Merlin?"

This was what Bhutto XVII was most interested in.

"Your Majesty, I've already examined the Wilson clan thoroughly and found no trace of Wizard Merlin. In the past centuries, Wizard Merlin hadn't returned to the Wilson clan."

Anlin reported everything he found out in detail. At once, that Great Wizard Minway became more excited, exclaiming, "Your Majesty, let me bring a team. The Wilson clan and the Dark Magic Region will cease to exist."

"Hmm?"

Bhutto XVII jerked his head up and frowned. "Wizard Minway, don't bring this up again. In the past, I'd promised Wizard Merlin to look after the Wilson clan. No matter what they do, I won't pursue the matter. That's my promise! As for the Dark Magic Region, Great Wizard Anlin and Minway, both of you will lead a team to visit them. I believe the Dark Magic Region now knows that they're in an unfavorable situation. Let them dissolve voluntarily and enter the royal family. Don't be too hard on them. After all, they have a special relationship with Wizard Merlin."

Bhutto XVII said solemnly. There was no room for discussion. This was his command.

"Your Majesty, for my sake, could you pardon the Dark Magic Region?"

Suddenly, a breezy voice rang in Bhutto XVII's ear. Instantly, he trembled all over and looked up furiously with an incredulous look.

Nevertheless, the current palace was abnormally silent. The ten or so Great Wizards in the main foyer had become immobile, without a single twitch, their eyes revealing a vacant look.