After getting rid of the bandits, Count Stanwin resumed his original form. His clothes had been damaged as a result of the shapeshifting, so his body was naked. However, the others seemed to be unperturbed. Immediately, a knight delivered a change of clothes to him.

"Father, was that the fourth-form shapeshifting?"

Merlin hesitated slightly before stepping forward to ask. Currently, he was not familiar with shapeshifting. He only knew the basics.

"Yes, that was fourth-form shapeshifting. The Hilderbrandt clan inherits the Deinosuchus bloodline, which is a mid-tier almighty beast bloodline. Unfortunately, only one of our ancestors was a fifth-form full-shifter. Thereafter, no one else has achieved the full-shifter stage. Although I'm already a peak fourth-form shifter, I know that with my bloodline, it's difficult to push further and break past the final barrier…"

Count Stanwin was quite frustrated. The fifth-form shapeshift was very crucial where substantive transformation would take place. However, he could not achieve it. The peak fourth-form was his utmost limit. To be able to achieve the peak fourth-form shifter was a sufficiently formidable feat for Count Stanwin.

After all, the entire Hilderbrandt clan had only produced one almighty existence who had managed to achieve the fifth-form.

The power demonstrated by Count Stanwin's fourth-form was enough to demolish a small mountain. Such explosive power could not possibly be withstood by ordinary people. Moreover, the Deinosuchus' defensive abilities were also extraordinary. A fully-transformed Deinosuchus' most vulnerable part was its eyes, and yet, they could not be pierced even by a sharpened spear. That was the extent of its formidableness.

Therefore, regardless of how many bandits there were earlier, it was inconsequential. If time permitted, Count Stanwin alone would be able to kill all of them.

"Alright now, organize the formation. We're setting off again."

Count Stanwin's presence calmed everyone's hearts. With his powerful abilities, they did not have to fear anyone other than the full-shifters and high-tier bloodlines.

Thus, their convoy continued their journey. This time, it was a lot safer. They did not encounter any more bandits and arrived in Holy Dragon City safely.

Holy Dragon City was the heart of the entire Holy Dragon Empire. Due to the sudden flare of conflict all over the Holy Dragon Empire, many people were also seeking refuge in Holy Dragon City.

The queue outside the city stretched beyond the furthest horizon.

Many people came with large groups, ranging from a few dozen people to a few hundred. The group where Count Stanwin and Merlin were in, was considered one of the bigger ones.

Nonetheless, Merlin's group was incredibly conspicuous due to the elite heavy knights. The heavy armor on their bodies, coupled with the numerous horses and carriages, immediately indicated that they were not ordinary folk, but some form of aristocrats.

Therefore, the guards at the city gate came to check on them very politely.

"Where did you come from? What's your purpose of entering Holy Dragon City?"

To enter Holy Dragon City, everyone had to be checked. After all, there was chaos everywhere and multitudes were seeking refuge in Holy Dragon City. Even the sprawling city was getting congested, so they had to set certain restrictions.

Count Stanwin immediately retrieved an identity card from his body and said sternly, "I'm the ruler of Boulder City, Count Stanwin! Does the Empire forbid me from entering Holy Dragon City?"

Upon seeing Count Stanwin's identity card, the guards of the city gate immediately straightened in respect. Historically, the aristocrats of the Holy Dragon Empire had been very well-respected. It was not like other countries where aristocrats were a dime in a dozen. Here, almost every single aristocrat owned a territory. Furthermore, Count Stanwin was a Count. An aristocrat of his position could not be trifled with by mere city gate guards such as them.

Therefore, the guard said respectfully, "Sir Count can certainly enter. All the aristocrats of the Empire can enter Holy Dragon City as they wish."

Count Stanwin nodded. Despite losing his territory, he still had his identity as a Count. He was a real aristocrat. As long as the Holy Dragon City did not collapse, his identity would be useful.

Thus, Merlin's convoy was given priority to enter. When the others saw the three hundred heavy knights, they stayed silent as they knew that it must be a respected aristocrat.

As soon as they entered Holy Dragon City, a warm breeze washed over them. Although it was slightly chilly outside, Holy Dragon City was bathed in the warmth of spring. Merlin felt puzzled.

"Don't be surprised. This is the Sacred Lion Beast's blood that protects the entire Holy Dragon City. Back then, the Holy Dragon royal family somehow obtained a Sacred Lion Beast's head, and worshipped it day and night, so their bodies were blessed with the aura of the Sacred Lion Beast. Not only did it cleanse their blood but it also gave them the Sacred Lion Bloodline."

"Thereafter, the Holy Dragon royal family used the Sacred Lion Beast's head to rule over Holy Dragon City. As long as the head is unharmed, Holy Dragon City will not fall. That's why, despite the mounting conflicts from every corner of the Holy Dragon Empire, Holy Dragon City is absolutely safe!"

Surprisingly, the Holy Dragon Empire royal family held such a staggering secret. Merlin had "Leon's" memories, so he knew what a sacred beast signified. It was a legendary bloodline which surpassed the highest or top-tier bloodlines.

A sacred beast possessed inconceivable powers and was almost immortal. No one had ever seen a living sacred beast. As for how the Holy Dragon royal family got their hands on the Sacred Lion Beast's head, no one knew. It was the greatest secret and ultimate weapon of the Holy Dragon royal family.

"If they have the Sacred Lion Beast's head and can continuously be exposed to its aura, why would the royal family's bloodline wither? How could the entire Empire descend into such an unstable state where conflict is erupting everywhere?"

Merlin asked confusedly. Right now, conflict was rampant throughout the Holy Dragon Empire because the royal family bloodline was running thin. There had not been anyone capable of suppressing the uprising.

"This involves the core secret of the highest echelons of the royal family. According to rumors, perhaps the Sacred Lion Beast's head has started to decay… The supposed legend that a sacred beast never decays is just a legend. Plus, that only pertains to a living sacred beast. Since the Holy Dragon Empire has been established since such a long time ago, it's not entirely impossible that the Sacred Lion Beast's head has started to decay."

Upon the mention of the decay of the sacred beast's head, a strange glint flitted across Count Stanwin's eyes. As a fourth-form shifter, Count Stanwin, of course, desired to see the legendary sacred beast.

However, this was the highest guarded secret of the royal family. Other than the innermost core members of the royal family, no one else was privy to see the Sacred Lion Beast's head.

"Anyway, let's not be concerned with such matters. Now, we must first find a place to settle down."

Count Stanwin led some heavy knights to visit some old acquaintances in Holy Dragon City. To settle down properly in Holy Dragon City, they would need the help of these old acquaintances. Otherwise, it would be impossible to be settled within a short time.

Meanwhile, Merlin and the others were placed temporarily at a piece of empty land to wait.