Without anyone noticing, several strange men in black appeared in the shadows under the trees outside Count Altadin's manor.

"Sir Pero, everything is ready but something happened."

The man in the middle called "Sir Pero" was a burly man with dark skin. He looked rather fierce with a huge earring in his ear.

"Earlier, a carriage arrived outside the manor. It seems that an aristocrat has come to visit Count Altadin."

"An aristocrat?"

Pero frowned. They had painstakingly lurked in the Holy Dragon City for the sake of the Bead of Infamy in Count Altadin's hands, which General Mungus had always yearned for. If they were not successful this time, they no longer needed to run go back. Instead, they should just run for their lives. Otherwise, they would surely be executed by General Mungus.

"Maybe it's just some friends of Count Altadin. They shouldn't be much trouble. We need to hurry. After all, this is the Holy Dragon City. If the royal guards find us, we won't be able to leave the city."

Pero understood clearly. Although the Holy Dragon Empire was full of confusion now, in the Holy Dragon City, the royal family still did not allow the provocation of anyone. In the Holy Dragon City, the real master was the royal family.

Pero took a deep breath as a determined glint flashed in his eyes, and commanded, "Now!"

Immediately, the shadows dived into the manor.

...

"Who's there?"

Following Count Stanwin's shout, the gate of the hall crashed into pieces, and several giant spiders appeared in the hall.

"Haha, Count Altadin, hand over the Bead of Infamy or all of you will die!"

These giant spiders were third-form shifters. The man who was leading them had reached the fourth-form and was blocking the entrance of the hall while staring at Count Altadin coldly.

"The Bead of Infamy? Who are you? How do you know about the Bead of Infamy?"

Count Altadin's face paled. The treasure his family passed down had been found out.

"We work under General Mungus. The Bead of Infamy is wasted in your worthless hands. If you dedicate it to our General Mungus, we'll spare your lives."

Hearing what the shifter said, Count Stanwin's expression became solemn. General Mungus was one of the most powerful leaders of those rebelling against the Holy Dragon Empire. He was a powerful Host that had become a full-shifter, and was extremely terrifying.

Count Altadin looked pale. He could not shift, and had neither an almighty beast bloodline nor the courage to become a Host. Therefore, in the face of Mungus' men, his heart was already in despair.

However, the Bead of Infamy was a treasure passed down in Altadin's family, and must not be handed over to these people.

"You're quite bold to sneak into the Holy Dragon City. When the royal family finds out, will you be able to escape?"

Count Stanwin shouted, and took a step forward to protect Count Altadin.

Perot frowned and sneered. "What's so scary about the Holy Dragon City? Even the Regulus enchantment set up by the royal family is only a strong obstruction to shifters. We aren't full-shifters, so it's easy to get into the Holy Dragon City. Unfortunately, you two are here today. Today is the day you die. Don't let anyone escape! Kill!"

Pero saw that Count Altadin did not intend to hand over the Bead of Infamy, and did not waste any more time. He led the five shifters and lunged toward Count Altadin.

"Roar…"

Suddenly, Count Stanwin began to morph. He grew more than five meters tall and was covered with blood-red scales, and his limbs contained terrifying power.

The ferocious aura spread around. This was the fourth-form of the Deinosuchus bloodline. At this time, the huge pressure shrouded the men in black.

"The Deinosuchus bloodline?"

A few of the men were surprised. The Deinosuchus bloodline belonged to a mid-tier almighty beast bloodline and was extremely strong. Even they had heard of it before.

Count Stanwin was not courteous at all. His huge body rushed forward and his stubby tail swung hard.

"Bang."

The stout and powerful tail swept a man dressed in black in front of him. Although the other party was also a shifter, before a fourth-form shifter like Count Stanwin, he was completely defeated and beaten directly to the ground into a bloody pulp.

With one move, one of the third-form shifters died. However, besides the men in black, even Merlin felt extremely surprised.

This was the strength of a mid-tier almighty beast bloodline!

However, it was not over. Count Stanwin, in the form of a Deinosuchus, rushed forward with great power, and the fourth-form man in black was also sent flying.

Like that, one was dead and one was injured. The remaining three men in black all looked at each other but did not dare to attack.

"D*mn it, it's a fourth-form shifter! The two of us will stop the Deinosuchus while the last one catches Count Altadin and force him to hand over the Bead of Infamy. If we don't get the Bead of Infamy this time, we'll all die!"

Pero, the leader, gnashed his teeth as he spoke. They were sent by General Mungus this time for one purpose only, and could only succeed. If they failed, they would die.

"Swoosh swoosh swoosh."

Pero and the two other men in black morphed into giant spiders. In terms of strength, they were far inferior to Count Stanwin but they used their white silk thread.

These silk threads were extremely tough and firm. They shot at Count Stanwin from all directions. However, Count Stanwin could not dodge them all as he was not swift enough. Soon, he was bound firmly.

Despite Count Stanwin's strength and constant struggle, it was impossible to escape in a short amount of time. At that moment, both sides were in a deadlock.

The remaining man in black rushed toward Count Altadin and spat out a white silk thread, ready to capture him.

Count Altadin's face went white. Beside him, Baratha was also pale and bit her lips. Although she was acting strong now, she could do nothing in the face of a third-form shifter.

Merlin took a deep breath. He knew that he had to expose his hands at this time, otherwise, Count Altadin and Baratha would be captured.

"Shift!"

Black fur rapidly began to grow all over Merlin's body. His hands turned into sharp claws and his height soared to nearly two meters. Immediately, his entire body was filled with powerful strength.

"Swoosh."

Merlin put force in his legs and his speed reached the limit. The entire hall could only see a black figure flashing by before appearing in front of Count Altadin before the man in black did.

"Go!"

Merlin grabbed Count Altadin and Baratha in each hand and rushed to the outside of the hall. Although he was pulling them along, his speed was still terrifying as he rushed out of the hall in the blink of an eye.