It was already evening when Merlin returned to the manor.

The light pattering of rain still had not stopped completely. Light water drops wafted through the air and it was incomparably chilly. Upon Merlin's return, he found that Count Stanwin was not there. In this period, Count Stanwin was rushing around preparing for Merlin's wedding. Every day he would leave early and return late as if there were things to constantly keep him busy.

"The honorable count has returned."

After a while, a maid reported softly to Merlin. Soon, Count Stanwin came in from outside and looked travel-worn.

"Leon, preparations for your wedding are nearly complete. At first, I'd planned to hold the ceremony next month but during this time, the Deinosuchus Mercenary Group I've set up has received a huge gig, escorting a caravan for a long period. I'll only return after three months. Thus, after Count Altadin and I discussed the matter, we finally decided to wait half a year before holding the wedding ceremony for you and Baratha."

Once Count Stanwin entered the hall, he explained this to Merlin. It turned out that in this period, Count Stanwin had gone out early and returned late not just for Merlin's wedding but more for the sake of the mercenary group he had established.

In truth, although Count Stanwin had been an overlord with generous savings, he could not just spend his fortune without making any money. He still had three hundred heavy knights under him and due to the fact that this was not a small force, it was a huge responsibility.

Moreover, Count Stanwin could not possibly go into business. The various businesses of the Holy Dragon City were responsible for massive chambers of commerce. Ordinary people could not get involved at all.

As for serving the empire, that was out of the question. Currently, whether the whole Holy Dragon Empire could be preserved was a problem in itself. Even if he put in more effort, what territory would he gain?

Therefore, Count Stanwin only had one option which was to establish a mercenary group. Fortunately, he had three hundred heavy knights under him; and this was not a small force. Hence, under the leadership of a peak fourth-form shifter like Count Stanwin, the mercenary group became a formidable one upon its establishment.

This time, Count Stanwin had received a mission to escort a business guild's caravan that was going to pass through numerous cities in chaos. The rewards were high even though this would be dangerous.

These chambers of commerce urgently needed to ensure an unrestricted flow of supplies. Naturally, they would hire a mercenary group at a high price.

"I'll go along with everything you've arranged, Father."

Merlin knew that Count Stanwin had already prepared everything. Even though Count Stanwin had lost his territory, a mercenary group established with his capabilities was still a powerful one. As long as they did not encounter mighty existences who were full-shifters, there would not be much danger.

"Half a year it is then. Tomorrow, I'll be leading the heavy knights and leave the Holy Dragon City. Leon, all matters of the manor will be passed over to you from tomorrow onwards! I shall return in three months."

Count Stanwin was handing the authority over the whole manor to Merlin. If this was the previous Leon, Count Stanwin surely would not do such a thing but at that point, he was rather pleased with this current Leon. Slowly, he would pass on all matters of the clan to Merlin.

Merlin knew this well but he did not refuse. At that moment, Count Stanwin needed to be free from lingering worries.

"Father, rest assured. I'll carefully take care of manor's matters."

After Merlin promised, Count Stanwin was able to stop worrying at last.

…

Early morning the next day, the heavy knights of the manor followed Count Stanwin in exiting the Holy Dragon City. The entire manor appeared rather empty and desolate.

Merlin rode the carriage straight to Curator Heroult's residence, Brews Castle!

"Curator Heroult."

When Merlin entered Brews Castle, he saw that Curator Heroult was already waiting for him.

"Leon, you're finally here. Come along, we'll go straight to the laboratory. I cannot wait any longer."

Heroult did not hide his eagerness at all.

Merlin nodded. He did not know why Curator Heroult was so impatient but since he had come here, Merlin was already prepared for this long ago.

Thus, he followed Curator Heroult to the laboratory. This was a true laboratory that consisted of all the instruments and facilities a laboratory should have. Merlin's crude laboratory could not compare to this at all.

At the center, there was a gigantic Nourishment Pond. This was the same Nourishment Pond formula Merlin had used when he first started parasitism.

Curator Heroult did not give Merlin the Nourishment Pond formula right away. Only after a few days, he handed over the Nourishment Pond formula to Merlin, bit by bit. As for the materials, he would give Merlin a batch nearly every day after his research was completed.

"Alright, Leon, unleash your shifted form."

Heroult had to research a Host comprehensively. Therefore, the condition of a Host's shifted form was of utmost importance and required meticulous study.

Merlin obeyed Heroult's request and started to shapeshift. Thick black fur sprouted all over his body. The third-form of the Two-headed Pterolycus made Merlin feel very powerful.

After Merlin had demonstrated his shapeshifting, Heroult recorded some data changes in detail. It was not easy to encounter a Host like Merlin who could reach the third-form. This was the crucial reason Heroult could pay such a heavy price. If Merlin was merely at the first-form, Heroult would need to consider further but this was the third-form. Heroult had never studied a Host who was a third-form shifter.

In the laboratory, there were many apparatuses. Heroult recorded Merlin's physical condition in detail but the crucial issue of the almighty beast's will could not be measured. He could only have Merlin carefully describe the state of the almighty beast's will.

A Host's biggest fear was the backlash of the almighty beast's will. If one could solve the problem of this backlash, Hosts would hold a complete advantage, far surpassing those who inherited almighty beast bloodlines.

Time rushed by in a blur. Soon, it was evening. Heroult carried out his research for a full day and only stopped when he saw that the sky had gotten dark.

"Leon, not bad. A Host who's a third-form shifter is really far more valuable than a first-form Host. We still have two months, so I might actually gain a thorough understanding of a Host's shifted form and its various aspects. Today's research is about done. Here are the Nourishment Pond materials you need."

From the laboratory, Heroult immediately took out a batch of materials that Merlin needed for the Hermani Nourishment Pond formula. This was the first batch, with nine more to come. Heroult was keeping to his promise.

Of course, Heroult would not hand over his Nourishment Pond formula to Merlin for now. He would only give the Nourishment Pond formula to Merlin after some time.

After receiving this batch of materials for the Hermani Nourishment Pond formula, Merlin nodded slightly which indicated his satisfaction. Following that, he put on the clothes he prepared in advance and left Heroult's place.