"Huh? Still a full shifter? But your powers, how has it gotten so strong?"

Merlin was puzzled. Both Doomsday and Farron could easily defeat him even if they did not fully shapeshift. They were not even high-level users of the almighty beast bloodline either.

At least, that was the impression he had gotten from the mysterious Minister Farron. No sign of being suppressed by the bloodline either, he was definitely not from a high-tiered bloodline.

If it were just a full-shifter, Merlin would have surely gained the upper hand after transforming completely but the fact of the matter remained that he would not be that lucky if he were to encounter Doomsday once more.

"Doomsday is a full-shifter, so am I. The reason you found Doomsday powerful was simply because of his Supreme Talent, Incandescent Soul!"

"Incandescent Soul?"

That was a first for Merlin. It would appear that the origins of Doomsday could be traced back to its Supreme Talent, the Incandescent Soul.

"Indeed. The Incandescent Soul. In truth, when one turns into a full-shifter, it is a display of Supreme Talent and not a display of power. We're constantly refining our talent, in hopes of achieving a breakthrough. Doomsday's Supreme Talent, Incandescent Soul, allows him to map the soul's response. If it appears and fails to pierce any humans, it will never find a way out of it, as it is the mapping of its soul after all."

"I don't know if you understand me but such power is extremely mystifying and terrifying too, solely because it is a mapping of one's soul, which means that there is virtually no way of defeating it. When you think of Doomsday, you'd naturally associate it with gore and violence. Thus, Doomsday would begin mapping its soul to match your thoughts in order to reflect your heart's deepest desires. That is what makes it strong. It is difficult for common folk to understand all this unless they have achieved our level of power. The mapping of the Incandescent Soul has zero relevance to will."

Merlin was surprised after listening to Farron, perhaps even a little terrified. He could not believe it was the Incandescent Soul. Maybe even at the time of speaking, Doomsday was far away trapping humans in a Hemo Cloud, except it was not; it was merely their mind.

Such might was incredibly horrifying. If Merlin truly opened the portal to the Illusory World, he might not be able to locate Doomsday and risk being exiled across all realms of the almighty beast instead.

"What a fearsome talent. It explains how Doomsday is the Royal Family's biggest stressor. Even if Farron banishes Doomsday, the fear of knowing of its frightening existence still remains."

A couple of thoughts flashed through Merlin's mind before he opened his mouth to ask again.

"Care to share about your Supreme Talent, Minister? Judging by Doomsday's reaction, it seems to fear you greatly."

Merlin looked at Minister Farron. He wondered what it was about his Supreme Talent that sent Doomsday's Incandescent Soul quaking in its boot.

Shush.

Farron's eyes sharpened, like the tip of a blade and his gaze fell on Merlin for a long time. "The Supreme Talent is every full-shifter's biggest secret once they have turned and one should never speak to anyone of it. Leon, whenever the moment comes when you've refined your talent, you should never reveal your secrets to anyone, not even to your greatest loved ones," Farron said slowly.

Merlin nodded after heeding Farron's stern warning. It looked like he had committed a big no-no, the Supreme Talent was supposedly very important to a full-shifter after all.

Having said that, did it mean that the ancient almighty beasts, especially those of the highest echelon and the legendary Divine Beasts all harbor fearsome Supreme Talents too?

While Merlin pondered on it, the two men had unknowingly arrived before the kingdom.

The kingdom guards were extremely strict but given Farron's rank, not even the passing guards dared stand to in his way. On the other hand, Merlin began to feel anxious from the moment he set foot into the palace as if many had cast their sights on him.

It was as if Farron sensed Merlin's predicament, so he calmly said, "It's only natural for the guards at the kingdom to be vigilant. After all, even I don't know how many forces within the shadow lurk in here. Rest assured, as long as you stick with me, there won't be misunderstandings of any kind. Besides, who in the kingdom could possibly stop you anyway?"

As much as Merlin had yet to attain Doomsday or Farron's power level, he was still considered a top-tier contender and in the kingdom, that meant that those who could rival him were few and could be counted.

Plus, the truly fearful ones were the big guys from the royal family. It was truly these ones who watched over the Holy Dragon City and ensured its safety. Only death awaited those who dared trespassed, even Doomsday.

The utter silence within the kingdom gave the impression that the place was deserted, even the hallways seemed empty. Walking alongside Commander Farron, Merlin eventually arrived at a grand-looking palace.

"Your Majesty, the Lieutenant Colonel of the Phantom Combat team, Leon has arrived!"

Inside the palace was a slightly plump, old dwarf that sat atop the throne who despite his age, seemed to have an indescribable regal air to him. Merlin had sensed the suppression of bloodline from the very moment he set foot in the palace. Even the all-knowing, arrogant will of Blood-Eyed Dragon had fallen silent.

"A top-tier almighty beast bloodline?"

Merlin was briefly reminded of the rumor he once heard about the Royal Family. In an attempt to seize the head of the Sacred Lion Beast, the Royal Family had come into contact with the beast's aura and in doing so, purified their blood, thereby turning their bloodline into a top-tier almighty beast bloodline.

That all seemed a little far-fetched at that point but after he saw the King in person and sensed the suppression of bloodline, it was no mistake at all. The almighty beast bloodline that coursed through the King certainly surpassed that of a high-leveled bloodline, it was a top-tier almighty beast bloodline for sure.

"Count Leon… I know you. Back then, Count Altadin had nobly sacrificed his life. He gave his life to the Holy Dragon City. The kingdom will remember him… the Royal Family will remember him."

The King's voice was soothing and extremely pleasant to the ears, but he was going to have to do more than say a few good words if he had hoped to have Merlin's unwavering loyalty.

Having noticed Merlin's silence, a sudden realization showed in the King's eyes as he smiled and continued, "You've done well this time around, Count Leon. Apart from the reward that you've been promised for your intelligence on the Phantoms, the Royal Family shall present you with a special gift as well! Count Leon, you are promoted to the rank of a Marquis. In the future, when the rebels of the kingdom are defeated, a plot of land will be assigned to you and have it made your territory for being a Marquis!"

Deep down, Merlin was clearly displeased. After all, it was all an unfulfilled promise at this point, having the 'Marquis' was purely a formality without any real authority. No actual use, not even a single plot of land, what good would being a Marquis do anyway?

Nonetheless, Merlin was expected to express his gratitude nonetheless, so he quickly bowed and responded, "Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."

"Haha. Now hand over the Golden Key that you've retrieved from the hands of the White Elephant King, Count Leon."

The King's gaze sharpened all of a sudden as if he had peered through Merlin's intentions.

"The Golden Key?"

Merlin was surprised, was that not the objective for the current mission? It looked like this was truly an order from the King. In fact, he had personally requested it. The key must have been of great importance, so much so that it concerned the secrets of the Royal Family.

Now that the King himself had asked for it, there was no way Merlin could continue playing dumb. He had no choice but to hand over the Golden Key. Farron took a good look into Merlin's eyes as he placed the key into the King's palms.

The King's face froze for a long time as he looked at the key in his hands before he finally sighed. "Marquis Leon, you painstakingly risked your life to retrieve the Golden Key. You must be questioning its purpose, mustn't you?"

Merlin could not deny his curiosity, he truly did wonder what its purpose was but now was not a good time to do so.

However, the King continued, "There's no harm letting you know about it. After all, you are the Lieutenant Colonel of the Combat Team. I trust Farron will be promoting you too once you've returned. Colonel?"

Minister Farron nodded. "The Commander of the Combat Team, Hert has performed exceptionally well. That said, Marquis Leon has clearly shown that he is much stronger than him. Coupled with the fact that Leon has performed well with this round's task, I'm prepared to make him the Vice Commander of the Phantom Intelligence team so that he could monitor any Phantom-related intelligence alongside me. What say you, Your Majesty?"

"Oh? Vice Commander? My, you're a man of principle, aren't you Farron? The Intelligence team has never had a Vice Commander. It looks like you hold Leon in high regard. You don't have to report to me then, just know that you have my word."

Merlin was bewildered, he had been promoted to the role of a Vice Commander within the Intelligence team so quickly, but he knew this was a matter of power and not luck. Due to his power, he was continuously blessed with a series of "fortunate" events.

The King continued, "The Golden Key carries a strong significance to the secrets of the Royal Family. I bet you must have heard that the Royal Family possesses the head of the Sacred Lion Beast by now haven't you, Marquis Leon? It's no rumor at all, as a matter of fact, it is quite true. The lion's head is the reason why we exist, and our biggest kept secret too. This key here is closely related to the beast. Well, that's all about it. Regardless, if it concerns the Royal Family's biggest secret, I would never let it fall into Doomsday's hands."

Merlin's breathing grew rapid after he had heard the King's story, and his heart nearly skipped a beat. As much as he had guessed it, being able to hear the King confirm the Sacred Lion Beast's existence himself were two entirely different matters.

"It's true! The Scared Lion Beast! The key holds a link to the beast!"

Merlin's rather surprised reaction gave the King a sense of relief. He did not know of a person who had not been in shock upon learning about the beast.

Thus, the King said, "Marquis Leon, as long as you devote yourself to the Royal Family, the Holy Dragon City, and bring good to the kingdom, you shall receive the opportunity someday to come into contact with the head of the Sacred Lion Beast in close proximity too!"

Again, another one of the King's empty promises, but Merlin was reminded of the Princess Royal. She made a vow that she would approach the lion's head in up close and personal someday too.

Having returned this time around, Merlin's social status skyrocketed immensely. Perhaps that would send the wildly ambitious Princess Royal moving on her feet, to work even harder in view of Merlin's goal to experience the lion's head up close someday.

"Your Majesty, I, Leon will certainly give my all to you, and to the whole of the Holy Dragon Kingdom!"

Merlin's face spoke of sincerity yet deep down, he wondered if he should pay the Princess Royal a visit.

"Very well then, Marquis Leon. The future of the Holy Dragon Kingdom falls on the shoulders of those who are capable, like you. All right, it's been a while now, the both of you may take your leave. I'm sure the mission must have taken a lot out of you. You best get some rest once you've returned to your castle."

The King behaved as if he were a doting parent, watching over them affectionately, but Merlin knew better than to underestimate him. The fact of the matter remained that the vibes that he had given led Merlin to think he was a powerful and threatening figure.

He was undoubtedly a much powerful presence in comparison to Farron!

Merlin and Farron left the palace soon after though Farron did not leave together with him and instead, excused himself under some false pretense. Merlin was left to exit the palace alone.

The sheer number of incidents that took place during that period left Merlin feeling overwhelmed. He thought of returning to the castle to reflect on the matters that passed.

"Marquis Leon, the Princess Royal has summoned you!"

Merlin raised his head and all of a sudden, two guards stood in his way, right in front of him.

"The Princess Royal?"

Merlin let loose a little smile at the corner of his lips, it looked like the Princess Royal finally showed up. In fact, with the Sacred Lion Beast on his mind, Merlin did not object but obliged. "Lead the way!"

With that, he followed closely behind two guards, back into the palace.