"Alright, in that case, I won't exchange it for the time being."

At that moment, Merlin had 1,500 contribution points, which was a huge number. Although there was still a big gap to the 5,000 contribution points that were needed, it was still very good.

Merlin waved goodbye to Belle and left Phantom before returning to the manor in the Holy Dragon City.

The butler seemed to hesitate upon seeing Merlin and whispered after Merlin sat down in the chair, "Master Leon, how did the honorable Count's business go?"

Merlin nodded and said, "It's almost done. I took back Boulder City, and it's currently my territory. However, it's still not stable for now. For the time being, it's safer for you all to stay in the Holy Dragon City," Merlin said while he ate a delicious dinner at the table.

A trace of surprise flashed in the butler's eyes. He took Boulder City back? Even when Count Stanwin was still alive, he was unable to retake Boulder City.

However, Count Stanwin died and Merlin, the only heir to the Count, had become the owner of the entire manor. Although the butler had some misgivings, he did not doubt Merlin's words.

"Butler, did anything happen recently? Did anyone come looking for me?"

Merlin knew that there were some things left unfinished since he had not been in the manor recently. After all, he was the owner of the manor now.

"Count Altadin came here some time ago, but the Master was not at home, so he asked me to leave a message for the Master. When you come back, please go to Altadin Manor as soon as possible."

Merlin nodded. Count Altadin mostly wanted to ask about the Bead of Infamy and the marriage between his daughter and Merlin.

"What else?" Merlin continued to ask.

"The royal family also sent someone. If the Master wishes to inherit the title of Count, you must go to the court to swear allegiance to the royal family and have it registered. Only then will you become a formal Count!"

A look flashed in Merlin's eyes. The royal family sent someone again, but this time for a legal procedure. Although the title could be hereditary, he would need to go to the palace in the Holy Dragon City and swear allegiance to the royal family to be eligible to inherit the title.

Although the royal family seemed unable to control the situation in the Holy Dragon Empire, Merlin knew the real strength of the royal family. He knew that the royal family was not as simple as they looked, and they still held large forces. Therefore, it was necessary for him to take the time to go there.

"Alright, I got it. Call Lady Reese down."

Merlin still thought of Lady Reese. She was the woman who was engaged to this body when he just arrived at the Almighty Beast World and followed him to the Holy Dragon City. During this period of time, Merlin had not seen Reese at all, so relatively speaking, Reese was the person who was truly alone.

The butler bowed slightly and left. In a short while, a neatly dressed Reese appeared before Merlin. Originally, while she was Merlin's fiancee, they could not have meals together, but since Merlin was the owner of the manor, he generally did not mind.

"Lady Reese, let's eat together. You've lost a lot of weight these days. Do you miss Boulder City?"

Merlin glanced at Reese. She seemed to be very unhappy recently and had lost a lot of weight.

Reese looked at Merlin and said in a low voice, "I do miss Boulder City a little. I'm not used to it here."

Merlin was silent for a moment before he said, "Butler, if Lady Reese wants to go out in the future, send some people to escort her. She can go anywhere she wants to. Don't stop her."

"Yes, Master!" The butler said respectfully. Reese's eyes brightened as if she could not believe it. There was an obvious smile on her face. She was still at an innocent age, so how would she enjoy staying in a boring manor all day? Furthermore, the Holy Dragon City was still very prosperous and big. She had wanted to go out long ago but was unable to due to the rules. However, with Merlin's words earlier, she could finally go out and about.

After dinner, Merlin went to his father's room. The furnishings in the room had not been touched, and there was not a single trace of dust. It was clear that someone was cleaning it.

Merlin took out a book on the history of the continent and read it carefully.

This book recorded the history of the entire Almighty Beast continent. However, most of it was purely imaginary and was associated with legends. At that time, there were no people, only terrifying almighty beasts.

Later, something happened which caused the almighty beasts to gradually decline, and human beings rose. The almighty beasts left then passed on as bloodlines inside the body of humans, surviving in another sense of the word. This led to the practices regarding almighty beast bloodlines to obtain strong power.

Merlin had little interest in these legends. He kept flipping until he reached the article on the founding of the Holy Dragon Empire.

The Holy Dragon Empire was jointly founded by two siblings of the Holy Dragon royal family. The elder brother had a powerful mid-tier almighty beast bloodline, but he was forced to desperate straits by an enemy and jumped off a cliff. However, he did not die and instead encountered the head of the Sacred Lion Beast. Through the Sacred Lion Beast, the brother soon purified the bloodline in his body, and finally achieved a top-tier almighty beast bloodline.

Then, he fought together with his younger sister and finally created the large Holy Dragon Empire. He placed the head of the Sacred Lion Beast in the Holy Dragon City to protect the Holy Dragon Empire forever!

Although this section was recorded, Merlin felt that it must have been embellished as it was too exaggerated. The entire book was the same way. History had been changed beyond recognition. The only things that could be referenced were the major events in it.

However, there was one thing about the Sacred Lion Beast that Merlin benefitted from.

As mentioned in the book, the founder of the Holy Dragon royal family was a pair of siblings. The elder brother obtained the head of the Sacred Lion, and through its purification, the mid-tier almighty beast bloodline in his body suddenly became a top-tier almighty beast bloodline. It had increased by two whole tiers.

"The ability to purify bloodlines?"

Merlin pondered carefully. Perhaps the head of the Sacred Lion Beast really had the ability to purify bloodlines. Otherwise, it would have been an extreme exaggeration.

After all, it was hard to imagine the limits of a sacred beast. According to Merlin's theory, these sacred beasts were most likely the embodiment of the will of the Almighty Beast World, or contained a portion of the Almighty Beast World's will. Naturally, mysterious things could happen.

Unfortunately, the head of the Sacred Lion Beast was the foundation of the royal family. No one apart from the core members of the royal family knew where it was. Merlin was unable to see it even if he wanted to.

It was better for him to try and gather 5,000 contribution points to see the legendary sacred beast. Perhaps at that time, he would find out the true secrets of this Latitude Cosmos.

...

Early the next morning, Merlin went to the Altadin Manor to visit Count Altadin.

After entering the manor, Merlin saw the healthy-looking Count Altadin riding a horse on the field. Riding was a little challenging at his age. After all, he was not like Count Stanwin, who had a powerful almighty beast bloodline and was physically much stronger.

"Count Altadin."

Merlin bowed slightly to Count Altadin. Then, he suddenly looked up at the top of the castle, keenly aware that there was a gaze coming from the window of the castle. It was most likely Lady Baratha, the daughter of Count Altadin.

Merlin did not mind. A look of sadness appeared on Count Altadin's face as he said softly, "Leon, I'm sorry for your loss. I already heard about Count Stanwin. It's truly unfortunate."

"Count Altadin, I have already avenged my father. I should really thank your Bead of Infamy," Merlin said casually. In reality, Merlin was not sad about the death of Count Stanwin. He had experienced losing people many times before, so he only felt some regret.

Altadin was clearly a well-informed person, and said with a smile, "I know. You've recaptured Boulder City, and hunted the mastermind, Orsato, for thousands of miles. Even Blackbat, a full-shifter, was killed by you. I believe that if Count Stanwin was still alive, he would be very proud of you!"

As a Count, Altadin clearly had many capabilities in the Holy Dragon City. Although Merlin's matter was large, news about it basically only circulated in the upper circles. For Count Altadin to find out so quickly, it was not as simple as it appeared.

"Count Altadin is flattering me."

"By the way, I had wanted to discuss your marriage with Baratha with your father, but your father met with an accident and it's been delayed. This is a critical period, so I'll make the decision. You two will be married in three months. What do you think?"

Merlin pondered. This was something that was decided between Count Stanwin and Count Altadin, so he could not oppose it. Furthermore, Count Stanwin had greatly wished for Merlin to pass on the bloodline for the clan.

"I'll leave everything for Count Altadin to arrange."

Merlin did not object either and left everything to Count Altadin.

"That's right, when you obtained the Bead of Infamy back then, there was something else I didn't give you. I wanted to give it to you after you got married because I was afraid that you might use it carelessly. However, now that you are strong enough to kill Blackbat, this thing would be nothing to you."

Then, Count Altadin mysteriously took out a sheepskin scroll.

"What is this?"

Merlin frowned. Count Altadin was being very cryptic.

"My ancestor left this behind. You'll know when you see it," Count Altadin said with narrowed eyes.

"Ancestor?"

Merlin was shocked. Count Altadin's ancestor was a powerful Host. What he left behind must be immensely useful to Hosts.

However, Merlin did not open it up in a hurry and bid Count Altadin farewell first.

"Count Altadin, I'll leave for now and come see you another day."

After returning to the carriage, Merlin finally opened the sheepskin scroll and looked at the contents.