“What’s wrong, Lord Merlin?”
“Ah, nothing.”
“It seems you know Princess Alicia quite well.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Only a select few know that Princess Alicia possesses a dragon. Her Highness rarely makes public appearances, choosing to remain secluded in a particular location. She only emerges for the Emperor and Empress’s annual birthdays.”
“A particular location? Dragon Valley, perhaps?”
“Oh!? Lord Merlin, you know about that too?”
“I know. I’ve been there myself, several times. Or perhaps it was even a dozen.”
Helen found Merlin increasingly enigmatic.
He seemed to possess knowledge of countless things, as if he could foretell both the past and the future. It was as if there was nothing under heaven that escaped his understanding.
“I never imagined, Lord Merlin, that you had visited so many places.”
Helen had been astonished enough by the mere fact that Merlin had visited Dragon Valley.
Yet, she was further taken aback as he rattled off the names of several other locations.
“Indeed. The Skeleton Knight King of the Bone Throne, Eurysses of the Ghost Forest, the Lava Behemoth of the Lava Swamp, and the Undying King of the Demon’s Lair. You probably haven’t heard of these four places, so just pretend I didn’t mention them.”
Merlin turned and offered Helen a smile. The four locations he mentioned were high-level monster-grinding maps from the game, added by the developers in the 400-level patch.
However, Merlin was mistaken. Helen was, in fact, aware of the four places he spoke of. Two of them, the Bone Throne and the Demon’s Lair, were even considered forbidden zones for humanity.
While Helen had never personally visited these four locations, nor had she heard of Merlin’s “Skeleton Knight King,” she had encountered them in her studies. Their inherent danger was undoubtedly on par with, if not exceeding, that of Dragon Valley.
For Merlin to have ventured there and returned safely was proof enough of his extraordinary power. Even His Majesty, Emperor Agamemnon, likely couldn’t rival a thousandth of his strength.
A sudden crash!
The mere thought of Merlin’s power, far surpassing that of Emperor Agamemnon, caused Helen to lose her footing. She stumbled and fell to the ground. The teapot she had just picked up shattered into pieces within moments.
“Helen, are you alright? You haven’t cut yourself, have you?”
Merlin quickly rose and helped Helen to her feet.
“Lord Merlin, my sincerest apologies.”
Helen stood, bowing deeply to Merlin in apology.
“What’s there to apologize for? As long as you’re unharmed.”
Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, settling back onto the sofa to await Scheffiel Mycenae.
“I shall go check on the two princesses. Lord Merlin, please wait a moment. You all, go prepare fresh tea.”
Before departing, Helen didn’t forget to instruct the maids to bring fresh tea.
“Yes, go on.”
Merlin nodded with a smile.
“Then I shall take my leave now.”
Helen withdrew. While she lacked absolute proof of Merlin’s claims, she held an unwavering belief in his words. Merlin had, after all, wrought miracles, accomplishing what no one else in the world could: the resurrection of the dead.
However, Helen chose to keep this particular truth from Scheffiel Mycenae, opting to reveal it only when absolutely necessary.
‘Lord Merlin is truly gentle. I wonder if he and the Princess will end up together.’
‘Perhaps they will.’
Helen arrived at Scheffiel Mycenae’s door, just as it happened to open. Scheffiel Mycenae and Goliath Mycenae emerged, both having changed into fresh clothes.
“Your Highnesses, Lord Merlin is already waiting in the living room.”
Helen lowered her head, reporting to Scheffiel Mycenae and Goliath Mycenae.
“Helen, haven’t I told you before? There’s no need for this. We grew up together; you are my dear friend.”
Scheffiel Mycenae disliked seeing Helen adopt the demeanor of a servant whenever they were in the company of others.
“So, my sister’s beloved is named Merlin, is he?”
Goliath Mycenae teased, but this time, Scheffiel Mycenae offered no rebuttal. Instead, she simply grabbed Helen’s hand and ran off.
“Hey, you two, wait for me!”
Goliath Mycenae quickly gave chase to Scheffiel Mycenae.
“Merlin, I’m here!”
The moment Scheffiel Mycenae stepped through the living room entrance, her voice rang out, showing no concern for the other maids present. If her Emperor and Empress were to learn of her conduct, she would undoubtedly face a reprimand.
“There’s no need to rush. Be careful as you walk; running too fast might lead to a fall.”
Seeing Scheffiel Mycenae and the others arrive, Merlin didn’t remain seated. He rose to his feet.
“Your name is Merlin, right?”
Just as they settled down, Goliath Mycenae spoke, getting ahead of Scheffiel Mycenae.
“Yes, that’s correct. My name is Merlin Avalon, a mage who enjoys traveling far and wide.”
Facing this mature woman, Merlin suddenly found his mind conjuring images of her alluring qualities, which made him feel incredibly awkward.
“How interesting. Why don’t you take off your hood?”
“You want me to take it off? I suppose I can.”
Acceding to their request, Merlin removed his hood.
“Oh? He certainly seems like a good match for our Scheffiel Mycenae.”
Goliath Mycenae teased Scheffiel Mycenae.
“Huh? You’re Merlin?”
The moment Merlin removed his hood, Scheffiel Mycenae was utterly bewildered. She had seen Merlin’s appearance before, quite by chance, and distinctly remembered he hadn’t looked like this then.
“Indeed. Perhaps I should reintroduce myself.”
“My name is Merlin Avalon, the Hundred-Faced Mage who enjoys traveling far and wide.”
Merlin had already planned today how to make his identity as Merlin a reality. This was thanks to the system, which allowed not only a change in gender but also in appearance and looks. This undoubtedly aided Merlin in shaping his current image.
“The Hundred-Faced Mage?”
Hilya Mycenae, Goliath Mycenae, and Helen Keston all looked utterly confused.
“Precisely. My appearance changes every day. Sometimes I might appear male, other times female.”
Merlin’s words struck Scheffiel Mycenae and Helen Keston like a heavy blow. It felt as though the entire world had turned against them.
“Then what is your true gender, male or female?”
Goliath Mycenae, who had weathered many storms, sighed before posing the question.
“Male.”
Merlin’s answer brought Scheffiel Mycenae and Helen Keston back to life.
“Ah, right, I almost forgot. There’s something I need to tell you all.”
“I encountered your sister, Hilya Mycenae, and I’ve arranged for her to stay at a friend’s house for the night. You can go pick her up tomorrow.”
Merlin had nearly forgotten the true purpose of his visit, but now he informed them that Hilya Mycenae was safe at his friend’s place.
“Is that so? Thank you immensely. I will personally go and retrieve her tomorrow.”
Upon learning Hilya Mycenae’s whereabouts, Goliath Mycenae revealed a relieved smile.
“Well then, I should be going. My friend is waiting for me to return.”
Merlin had no desire to linger. He needed to get home and rest early, as he had classes tomorrow.
“Merlin, wait!”
Scheffiel Mycenae suddenly called out to Merlin.
“Hmm? What is it? Is there something else?”
Merlin turned, observing Scheffiel Mycenae’s somewhat girlish demeanor. However, with his negative emotional intelligence, he couldn’t discern her feelings for him.
“Thank you for finding my sister. Also, when will we meet again? How can I find you?”
Scheffiel Mycenae blushed, lowering her head. It was the first time she had ever mustered the courage to speak to someone of the opposite s*x in such a manner.
“You’re welcome. We’ll meet again when the opportunity arises. I’m quite easy to recognize; do you see the little fellow on my shoulder?”
Merlin grinned. His negative emotional intelligence meant he completely missed the underlying meaning in Scheffiel Mycenae’s words. He then bid them farewell and vanished.
“That’s all for now. I’m leaving.”