On the next day, just as dawn broke, the Wilson Castle bustled with activities. Troops of light-armored knights, comprised of more than sixty men, assumed their positions near the main doors.
"Be careful, don't stop along the way, go straight to your father's territory."
Macy urged Merlin to be cautious. She had received news that Merlin was going to the territory last night. By then, the butler had made arrangements for everything; even if Macy had wanted to stop him, it would have been too late.
Merlin nodded before stepping into the horse carriage. The journey this time was far and would take almost a day to complete. The person driving the carriage was still Moss. Hence, Merlin would have someone familiar with him.
"Moss, let's go."
At Merlin's orders, Merlin slowly left Wilson Castle under the escort of many knights.
The carriage quickly drove out of Blackwater City. This was the first time that Merlin was coming out of the city to see the outside world, therefore he did not meditate. Instead, he pulled the curtains in the carriage aside and observed the scenery outside the city everywhere.
The roads outside the city were very bumpy; they could not be compared to the roads in the city that were inlaid with flat stones. The roads outside the city were, at best, some mud mixed in with some gravel that had been spread at random on the ground. There were gullies everywhere, causing the ground to be high in some places, and low in the others. Even if Moss could be more skilled at driving the horse carriage, he would still have no way of stabilizing the carriage.
It was fortunate, then, that Merlin's current body had already become very strong and fit after going through the nurturing of the mysterious posture on the relief sculpture. Therefore, Merlin could still withstand being slightly tossed about like this.
Merlin's carriage was in the middle of the team of knights. Pulling aside the curtains in the carriage, Merlin was able to see a knight on the side. He was around sixteen or seventeen years of age and still looked very young. However, his hands were full of thick calluses, caused by long years of wielding the sword.
"What's your name?"
Merlin asked the young knight.
The young knight hurriedly answered in a respectful manner. "Master Merlin, I'm called Yaguez."
"Yaguez, how many years have you been in Wilson Castle?"
"Master Merlin, I was chosen by the honorable baron three years ago. Then, after two years of hard training, I was finally promoted to a knight."
There was a hint of gratitude and pride on Yaguez's face. Merlin knew that to be a knight of an aristocrat was already a glory in the eyes of the common folk.
The entire family of a person who had become a knight of an aristocrat within his territory would receive some tax exemptions or reductions. Therefore, it was the dream of many civilian children to be a knight by the side of an aristocrat.
To become a knight at the age of sixteen or seventeen, Yaguez should also have really great talent, in addition to his hard training.
"Do you have a fire type physique?"
Merlin continued to ask because he could sense that some Fire Elements in the surroundings were entering the sides of Yaguez's body without ceasing.
"Yes, Master Merlin. I possess a fire type physique, but had I not met the honorable baron, I'd have starved to death a long time ago. The baron has said before that a knight must be loyal, righteous, brave and devoted. I will follow the baron and be his subordinate throughout my entire life and be his knight. This is also my first time carrying out a task, Master Merlin. Don't worry. Even if we encounter bandits, I will definitely protect you."
Yaguez spoke in a solemn and extremely sincere voice. Merlin could feel that those were the true thoughts coming from Yaguez's heart.
Looking at Yaguez's sincere face, Merlin nodded gently before putting the curtains of the carriage down and drawing his head back into the carriage.
"Protect me?"
Merlin could not help but shake his head. The current physical fitness of his body was such that he could basically match the peak of a First-level Elemental Swordsman already. In addition, he was also a mysterious and powerful Spell Caster. Who would he need to protect him?
Nevertheless, this also indirectly reflected Old Wilson's methods. Every knight under him was extremely loyal to Old Wilson.
This also caused vigilance to be raised in Merlin's heart. Old Wilson had an abundance of tricks and was extremely perceptive. If he met Old Wilson in the territory, he could not say much and must be careful and prudent, to avoid revealing any tell-tale flaws.
Merlin had only watched the sceneries outside the city for a while before he lost interest. Thus, he laid down on his side in the carriage and began to meditate on his Mind Power.
***
"Master Merlin, we've arrived at the territory."
After who knew how long, Merlin woke up from his meditation.
"We've arrived?"
Merlin lifted the curtains in the carriage and discovered that it was already sunset; the color of the sky was gradually becoming somewhat dusky. At the end of the small, winding road was a gigantic castle. It was the castle in Old Wilson's territory.
This castle looked extremely ancient with pointed and conical roofs. The bricks on the walls were already turning black, and he could see that there was a section of the wall that had been repaired
Merlin leaped down the carriage and walked forward. A few knights guarded Merlin by staying around him; although they had already reached the territory, they still did not let down their guard.
"Stand still, who are you people?"
The moment they came near to the castle, four guards blocked the road.
A knight next to Merlin hurriedly stepped forward and said, "This is Master Merlin, he has come to the territory to see the baron for an important matter."
"Master Merlin?"
Those few guards were somewhat doubtful. They had never seen Merlin, but they had also heard that Baron Wilson had a son called Merlin.
"Master Merlin, please wait for a moment. We're getting General Prat to come forward and confirm."
The guards did not let Merlin into the castle. Instead, they sent people off into the castle to look for General Prat.
Merlin frowned. It was not because he felt disgruntled over being blocked, but because the guards in the castle were somewhat too careful and prudent. Could it be that something had happened to the castle, causing the security of the castle to be this tight?
"I'll ask Prat in detail after he arrives."
Merlin was already aware that something might have happened in the castle during this period of time. However, he could only learn everything after Prat had come.
After waiting for a moment, Prat's figure finally appeared. He walked over with quick steps and berated, in a loud voice, "Let me through quickly, he is Master Merlin, all of you take a good look now and remember him well. When Master Merlin comes in the future, you're not allowed to stop him!"
General Prat reprimanded the guards severely for a while, before bringing Merlin into the castle.
As they walked, Merlin inquired. "Uncle Prat, has something happened on the territory? Why are such strict precautions being taken?"
Prat hesitated for a moment. After that, he lowered his voice and said, "It's all because some time ago, a huge gang of bandits was discovered around the territory. For security, the entire territory has been plunged into a state of war. Precautions are very strict."
Merlin was rather surprised. He had not encountered a single bandit on his way here. He had originally thought that the territory had not been invaded or harassed by the bandits. Never had he imagined that the situation had already become so severe.