Merlin had imagined many scenarios for his meeting with Baron Wilson and thought of various outcomes. However, when the time finally came, he found himself feeling unexpectedly calm.
"Merlin, what brings you here?"
Baron Wilson quickly dismounted and walked over to Merlin, his gaze filled with affection.
Merlin had to look up slightly to meet his father's eyes. Baron Wilson was a towering figure, nearly two meters tall with broad shoulders, and his presence radiated strength. As he came closer, Merlin could smell the faint scent of blood.
"Father, did you encounter bandits?" Merlin asked instead of directly answering.
Baron Wilson sheathed his blood-stained sword with ease and replied dismissively, "Just a few small-time bandits. They're no threat—I took care of them easily. Come, let's go inside."
Following his father, Merlin entered the castle, where Baron Wilson removed his black armor with the help of servants. Merlin noted with surprise that the armor required two or three people to lift; it must have weighed close to three hundred pounds.
For a regular person, even wearing such heavy armor would be a challenge, let alone fighting in it. Yet Baron Wilson wore it with ease, fighting as if he were unencumbered, a testament to his impressive physical prowess.
Merlin had thought of his father as merely a second-level Flame Swordsman. But now he realized that Baron Wilson was far more than he appeared. A typical second-level Flame Swordsman couldn't have managed such weighty armor.
Not only was Baron Wilson a skilled swordsman, but he was also naturally gifted with exceptional physical strength. His sheer power likely surpassed that of most elemental swordsmen at the second level.
"No wonder Father survived the brutal 'Slaughterhouse' campaign against the Darkmoon Kingdom, amassing numerous military honors and ultimately becoming a noble. His physical strength has been his greatest asset!"
Merlin sensed a powerful flow of fire elements continuously surging into Baron Wilson's body. He seemed to have reached the peak of the second-level Flame Swordsman, needing only the right opportunity to break through to the third level.
Baron Wilson went to bathe under the guidance of the stewardess and soon emerged, refreshed and wearing a calm expression.
Without the armor, his ferocious aura had dissipated, and he looked much more at ease. He walked over to Merlin, patted his shoulder approvingly, and said with a smile, "Not bad—you've grown stronger. Now you truly look like my son!"
It was clear that Baron Wilson was pleased with Merlin's improved health. Merlin's frail former self hadn't seemed fitting as his son.
"Merlin, what brings you here from Blackwater City? Is something wrong at home?" Baron Wilson's expression grew intense, his aura turning fierce again.
Fortunately, Merlin's mental fortitude was strong enough to remain unaffected by his father's overwhelming energy.
"Father, there's no trouble at home. The Lord has invited all Blackwater City nobles to the castle to discuss plans for dealing with the bandits. I came to inform you," Merlin explained.
After listening, Baron Wilson fell into deep thought. Finally, he spoke, "The surrounding towns have been plagued by bandits, but it's odd—they haven't caused much destruction, as if they have some other goal besides looting."
"In any case, we must drive these bandits away. If not, Blackwater City and many noble territories will continue to be troubled. I encountered only a small group while patrolling recently, about ten men, whom my heavy-armored knights easily dispatched. But the larger group remains hidden. If all the nobles of Blackwater City unite, we'll be able to drive them out more effectively. Did Ogden say when the meeting would be?"
"The day after tomorrow," Merlin replied.
"The day after tomorrow? Good. If we leave tomorrow, we'll make it in time. Merlin, we'll depart for Blackwater City tomorrow."
Baron Wilson quickly made his decision, indicating the severity of the bandit threat, which even he found challenging without additional support from the other nobles.
***
Early the next morning, Merlin awoke to a faint dawn light. Servants were already bustling about.
After dressing, he descended to the main hall. Baron Wilson was still asleep, though Merlin had noticed the stewardess slipping into his father's room the previous night. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he focused instead on the corner of the outer wall where he'd found the strange wind last night.
"Master Merlin!"
Several guards and servants greeted Merlin respectfully as he passed. Nodding in acknowledgment, he made his way outside the castle.
*Whoosh…*
The winter morning was brisk, with a light snowfall from the previous night leaving the ground damp and slippery.
Looking around to make sure no one was nearby, Merlin headed for the corner of the wall where he had encountered the strange wind. The ground here was notably flat, likely due to the wind from last night.
"This is the spot," he murmured to himself.
Crouching down, Merlin began carefully digging into the soft, moist soil beneath the wall. After a moment, his fingers brushed against something hard and cold.
"Is this… the enchanted tool?"
Excitement filled him as he quickly wrapped the object in a cloth he'd prepared beforehand. Acting casual, he made his way back to the castle, concealing his discovery for later investigation.