In the carriage, Merlin kept thinking about Curator Heroult's words. If one could command the strength of almighty beasts through parasitism, empowering oneself, this could very well be an option.

The present Merlin desperately needed powers of self-preservation. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to thrive peacefully in this unfamiliar world. After all, any accident could occur.

"Before my Illusory World has recovered, I must rely on the power system of this world."

Merlin had already made up his mind. Nonetheless, he would not be impulsive. First, he had to ask his father regarding this.

…

In the evening, the twilight sun had descended and the air carried a faint chill, causing one to feel as if the temperature had plummeted all at once.

The fire was roaring in the fireplace, lighting up the female servant's face which was rosy red. This scene had a pleasant glow, but currently, in the hall, Count Stanwin and a well-built man in silver armor were not paying attention. Conversely, the atmosphere was somewhat serious.

"My lord, we've eliminated every member of the Blackbat Militia who was in Boulder City. However, more bad news had arrived from the front lines."

This armored man was the commander of the heavy knights under Count Stanwin's command. He was named Hanson. He had also inherited an almighty beast bloodline and had immense strength, second only to Count Stanwin.

"What news?"

Count Stanwin kept his cool as he asked calmly.

"It's Marshal Kerry. It seems like the Blackbat Militia had colluded with the barbarian tribe. An opening had been created in Marshal Kerry's line of defense. I'm afraid not even Marshal Kerry will be able to withstand the Blackbat Militia and the barbarian tribe."

Hanson's words immediately infuriated Count Stanwin, and he replied coldly, "The barbarian tribe? D*mn the Blackbat Militia to gang up with the barbarians. These barbarians can't be tolerated by civilized society at all. Nonetheless, with the barbarians' help, Marshal Kerry won't be able to hold off the Blackbat Militia. Our Boulder City and the surrounding territories will become the front lines that hold off the Blackbat Militia."

Count Stanwin frowned. Just the Blackbat Militia alone might not be scary but with the barbarians in the mix, it was terrifying. These barbarians were intelligent as the almighty beast bloodline had mutated in their bodies. Most of them were savage and berserk. Once they were enraged, they would lose their reasoning after shapeshifting.

This was the greatest trait that had separated the civilized world from the barbaric world. Those who had inherited the almighty beast bloodline in the civilized world, even after shifting, would not lose their minds. However, the barbarians would surely lose their rationality, slaughtering in madness, and doing whatever they liked. Only after a long time would they slowly recover their senses.

Therefore, there were frequent conflicts between the civilized world and the barbarian tribe. If the city was broken in, it was sure to fall into ruins. Those barbarians who had shifted would massacre madly.

Due to this, the civilized world and the barbarian tribe always shared an antagonistic relationship. Unexpectedly, the Blackbat Militia had ganged up with the barbarians.

"My lord, the Blackbat Militia who had colluded with the barbarians has fearsome power. Not even Marshal Kerry can withstand them. As for the situation in the Holy Dragon Empire, I believe my lord is clear about that. Sending out Marshal Kerry was already the limit. It's impossible to send out more troops in a short time. Therefore, once Marshal Kerry's defensive line collapsed, our Boulder City must face the Blackbat Militia directly, becoming the front lines."

This well-built Commander Hanson had thought far ahead.

"Hanson, what do you mean?"

Count Stanwin did not appear anxious at all, maintaining a steady manner. This somewhat reassured Commander Hanson.

"My lord, I think we should make preparations for retreat…"

Hanson was being very tactful. According to his rationale, they should retreat at once. Count Stanwin was merely a nobleman, not a military officer of the Holy Dragon Empire. Therefore, he would not be punished for leaving his territory.

At most, he would lose his territory if he ran away. This would be a massive blow to the entire Hilderbrandt clan because the clan's foundation was in Boulder City.

"Retreat… Maybe so. However, before that, I won't let the Blackbat Militia off so easily. Go and prepare."

Count Stanwin remained calm the entire while. This time, the Blackbat Militia had sent someone to kidnap Leon, and he was filled with fury. Even so, he knew that the Blackbat Militia which had joined up with the barbarian tribe was not something a mere count like him could face alone. Not even Marshal Kerry could uphold the line of defense.

Therefore, they could only leave this territory and head to Holy Dragon City. However, without his territory, his countship was merely an empty title. He was likely to lose the honor and glory accorded to aristocrats.

"Father."

Merlin walked in from outside the hall. The frigid wind outside battered his body. As Merlin entered the hall, the warmth from the fireplace caused Merlin to relax involuntarily.

"Leon, you're back. Today, your Uncle Hanson has just returned."

"Uncle Hanson!"

Merlin bowed slightly toward Commander Hanson. He knew that Commander Hanson was Count Stanwin's right-hand man. Before this, he had been leading the heavy knights in observing the situation at a place not far from the Blackbat Militia. Now that he had suddenly returned, something major must have happened at the front lines.

"Master Leon, when you got engaged I still hadn't returned from the front lines. Next time, I'll surely bring you're a gift."

Hanson gave a courteous smile, following which he took his leave respectfully, leaving just Merlin and Count Stanwin in the hall.

"Father, what happened?"

Merlin immediately sensed that Hanson's return was surely not insignificant. Perhaps it was something to do with the Blackbat Militia at the front lines. After all, it was no secret that these past few days, the Blackbat Militia had been facing off against Marshal Kerry's army.

"Nothing's the matter. Don't you worry."

Count Stanwin spoke with a placid expression as he gazed at Merlin, filled with tenderness.

Seeing that Count Stanwin was unwilling to tell him, Merlin did not further pursue this. Many thoughts flashed across his mind but he did not know how to inquire of Count Stanwin regarding the matter of parasitism.

After a moment of silence, Merlin decided to ask directly. In this world, the only one he could trust completely was Count Stanwin.

"Father, I wonder how parasitism works?"

"Swish."

Count Stanwin instantly looked up, his gaze sharpening as his body exuded an unseen force, stifling Merlin until he almost could not breathe.

"Leon, how did you learn about parasitism?"

Count Stanwin wore a solemn look as he questioned sternly.

"Father, I went to the Fossil Museum today and heard Curator Heroult mention this. Apparently, through parasitism, one could possess strength on par with the almighty beast bloodline. I wonder if this is true?"

Merlin did not intend to hide this. He could no longer cover this up. After all, he had only gone to the Fossil Museum today. The heavy knight by Merlin's side would surely report this to Count Stanwin. Merlin might as well inquire boldly and openly.

"Humph, that old Heroult, he's arrived from Holy Dragon City for over a decade, and always acted surreptitiously. Does he think I don't know that he's equipped with powerful almighty beast bloodline? It just that he always seems to know his place, so I didn't bother him. Now he dares to incite you, Leon, to try parasitism. D*mn him!"

Count Stanwin's expression was an unpleasant one. Merlin could sense that his father now was truly harboring murderous intent toward Heroult, purely because Heroult had mentioned parasitism to Merlin.

"Father, this has nothing to do with Curator Heroult. I don't have the almighty beast bloodline, and parasitism is my only option."

Merlin spoke sincerely. Maybe it was his steady voice that caused Count Stanwin to fall silent for a moment.

"Parasitism… Leon, once you're parasitized, you might die! I've promised your mother that I'll protect you, giving you a lifetime of peace without any worries. So what if you don't have the almighty beast bloodline? I'll leave behind enough riches for you in the future, and you can inherit my title of count. There's no need to fret about your livelihood. Forget whatever Heroult said. You definitely mustn't choose parasitism!"

Count Stanwin bore a resolute manner that left no room for questioning.