A carriage was slowly advancing on the wide road.

In the carriage, Merlin's eyes were closed. He was meditating for a moment and checking the Spell Models in his Awareness. A few days had passed since he had left Ditas town.

The Guardian Monument's Spell Model seemed to be fine. It was still absorbing and accumulating Magic Power as usual. Meanwhile, there was still yet another Spell Model below that of Guardian Monument – Zero-level Earth-type spell, Earth Guard.

Although Spell Casters had constructed more advanced Spell Models, the beginner Spell Models before would not disappear from their Awareness. Thus, Earth Guard's Spell Model in Merlin's Awareness was still accumulating Magic Power albeit at a slower rate.

Earth Guard had not reached its maximum capacity but most of the Earth Elements were absorbed by Guardian Monument's Spell Model. The ability to absorb Elements increased when the Spell Model advanced. The beginner Spell Model could only absorb a little Magic Power each time so Earth Guard would reach the maximum capacity of Magic Power in the near future.

"How far to Prakash City?"

Merlin pulled the curtain open and asked the carriage driver. This man was initially Chablis' servant, but before Merlin left the town, Chablis simply gave the carriage and its driver to him.

The driver looked at the topography, then answered respectfully, "Not too far. Three more hours at most. We should reach Prakash City then."

Merlin nodded. Although he had only left Prakash City for a year, he had experienced far too many things; from the rookie wizard in the beginning to a Six-Elemental Spell Caster now. He had even successfully constructed his first First-level spell!

After he had joined the Dark Magic Region, everything that had transpired in this year seemed unimaginable when Merlin thought about it.

Following that, Merlin shut his eyes and continued to meditate.

…

After two hours, Merlin suddenly opened his eyes and his expression turned cold. His Mind Power extended out of the carriage and toward the forest beside the road.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Fireballs appeared out of thin air and rapidly flew into the forest under the control of Merlin's Mind Power.

…

"Captain, there's a carriage in front of us."

A man who wore shiny armor reported softly in the forest.

The captain nodded. "Follow him. Don't alarm them. The order we've received is to strictly monitor the people coming in and out of Prakash City. Don't leave anyone out no matter who the person is."

"Yes, Captain!"

This armored man was about to turn and leave, but he revealed a hint of hesitation. Then, he asked in a low voice, "Captain, will our city, Lebis City, start a war with Prakash City?"

The captain's expression changed, and his gaze turned fierce. He replied in a cold tone, "Is this what you're supposed to ask? Quickly, keep an eye on that carriage!"

The armored man quickly nodded, but as he turned around, a few scorching fireballs suddenly appeared from afar. The fireballs were heading toward the forest at an incredible speed.

The captain's expression changed drastically and he could not help but shout, "Not good. It's a Spell Caster. Run!"

After saying that, the captain let out a sudden burst of frigid aura. He was obviously a Third-level Elemental Swordsman. However, the fist-sized fireballs immediately exploded after entering the forest.

"Boom!"

The explosion of ten fireballs was terrifying. The Elemental Swordsmen who hid in the forest were immediately engulfed by the furious flame…

…

In the carriage, Merlin seemed calm. Even the carriage driver sitting outside did not express any emotion. Back in Ditas town, Chablis had mentioned to him that the person he would follow now was a mysterious yet powerful Spell Caster.

"Pick up the speed and get to Prakash City as quickly as possible!"

Merlin looked at the forest at the sides of the carriage, frowning. He did not know what had happened in Prakash City to render so many Elemental Swordsmen monitoring the people going in and out of Prakash City.

The carriage began to pick up speed and Merlin felt it was getting bumpier. However, he was more concerned over what had happened in Prakash City.

Although it was just a short one-hour journey, Merlin had already noticed a few groups of Elemental Swordsmen, sneakily hiding in the forest along the way.

Merlin did not even spare these Elemental Swordsmen and killed them off with Fireball. The Wilson family was in Prakash City and he would not allow anyone to threaten them.

"Sir Merlin, we've arrived at Prakash City!"

Suddenly, the carriage driver's voice reached Merlin. Surprised, he quickly pulled the curtain open and found the familiar Prakash City in sight.

"A year. A whole year…"

When Merlin first left, he thought that he would only be back after a decade or so. Even after joining the Dark Magic Region and knowing about the three-year limit, he had thought that it would take him three years to be back in Prakash City.

Little did he imagine that there would be changes in the Dark Magic Region. Hence, he was now back in Prakash City after a year.

After exclaiming for a moment, Merlin noticed that the security of Prakash City had been tightened. He extended his Mind Power to the walls and found archers with crossbows densely packed on the walls. Moreover, there seemed to be heavy-armored knights in the town as well.

It was very much different from the serene Prakash City when Merlin left back then. After relating this situation to the Elemental Swordsmen hidden at the sides of the road out there, Merlin faintly sensed that something serious could have happened in Prakash City. Otherwise, the air here would not be so heavy and tense.

"Let's go in."

Merlin put down the curtain and said to the carriage driver. He would only know what had truly transpired after he entered the city.

The carriage slowly came to the gate but it was blocked by the guards.

"Wait. Prakash City has tight security now. Without the Castellan's order, no one can enter!"

When the carriage driver was in a pinch, Merlin had already presented a golden plate from within the carriage. He said monotonously, "I'm the baron personally knighted by Count Selin. Can't I enter?"

Once these guards saw the name on the plate, their faces immediately changed. They respectfully replied, "Oh, it's Baron Merlin. The city has tight security now, so no one can enter the city easily. However, if Sir Castellan knew that it's you, sir, he'll definitely grant you entrance. Please, Sir Baron!"

Merlin pulled the curtain wide open and stared at the guard strangely. He asked with a confused look, "You know me?"

The guard quickly answered, "I was a guard back in Sir Castellan's castle. I've seen Sir Baron once."

"Oh…"

Merlin nodded. There were many guards at Count Selin's castle back then. He would not remember this guard so he put down the curtain and said to the carriage driver, "Let's go."

The carriage slowly left the gate and entered the city.

After the carriage had left, some guards at the gate asked in confusion, "Didn't Sir Castellan order that even the aristocrats who wish to enter the city have to seek his approval? Why did you let them in without authorization?

Apparently, letting Merlin's carriage into the city was only a presumptuous act of this guard.

However, this guard took a thoughtful glance at the carriage Merlin was in and sniggered. "Hmph. What do you know about it? That is not any ordinary baron – he was the wizard who has helped Sir Count before. Baron Merlin is now back. I believe Sir Count will be elated about this. Wait here. I'll immediately report this news to Sir Count."

Then, this guard left the gate and headed toward the count's castle quickly.

…

The carriage was moving slowly on the street. The people on the street appeared rushed in their journey. They even had a hint of anxiety in their faces. Moreover, there were fewer merchants promoting their products on the streets now.

Suddenly, the entire Prakash City seemed to appear deserted. As compared to the prosperous view before Merlin left, the present scene showed a great contrast.

"Turn left and go straight until you see a castle."

The carriage driver did not know the exact location of Wilson Castle, so Merlin showed him the way.

After a short while, the carriage slowly came to a halt in front of a huge castle according to the direction pointed out by Merlin.

"Sir Merlin, we're here!"

The carriage driver turned around and informed Merlin respectfully.

The curtain was pulled apart, and a large black robe shrouded Merlin's entire body. He seemed extremely strange in the outfit, but this outfit was the most common in the Dark Magic Region.

"Finally here at Wilson Castle!"

Merlin raised his head and gazed upon the castle before him. The unrest he felt before had disappeared and he was calm now.

Outside the castle, there were two one-year-old children, learning to walk. They waved their little hands as they dashed about outside the castle.

Behind the children, a few maids were carefully following them, afraid that the children might fall.

Looking at these two children, Merlin's heart moved. He looked at the children, full of love, as he muttered, "Celia and Conxion. Yes, it must be them!"

Merlin recalled that they were just born before he left Prakash City. They would be about one year old now. They were Merlin's children; his blood flowed in their veins!

Upon thinking about Celia and Conxion, Merlin quickly walked toward the two children.

The maids seemed to notice Merlin, so they quickly picked up the children and walked toward the castle. At the same time, Merlin also quickened his pace.

"Swish!"

Suddenly, a young knight dashed out from the castle and blocked in front of Merlin. He held a large sword in his hands as he said in a cold tone, "Stand there. This is Baron Merlin's castle!"

Merlin was slightly stunned, but he paused after realizing something. He slowly pulled away the large robe on his head to reveal a young face.

"Yaguez, it's been a long time!"

Merlin glanced at the muscular knight in front of him and flashed a smile.