Old Wilson gathered several knights, shield in hand, to protect Merlin as they advanced toward the city gate.
"Let's give it a try."
With a thought, Merlin released a fist-sized fireball. It was a basic fireball spell, and Merlin intended to test the gate's resilience.
"Go!"
With a low shout, Merlin sent the fireball flying toward the gate.
"Sizzle, sizzle."
The fireball struck the gate, but Merlin didn't detonate it. He knew that relying on such a small fireball wouldn't blast through the gate, so he aimed to melt a hole in it using the fireball's intense heat.
However, this gate was exceptionally sturdy. As the city's last line of defense, it was built to withstand significant force.
Merlin's fireball only left a half-inch-deep mark on the gate, far from melting through.
"If one attempt isn't enough, then two, three!"
Undeterred, Merlin continued casting fireballs. The previous attempt had shown some effect, so he kept launching fireballs, confident he'd eventually pierce the gate.
With two more fireballs, Merlin targeted the spot he had melted previously. Gradually, molten iron began to drip from the gate.
Finally, after several more casts, the fireballs formed a fist-sized hole in the gate. Merlin was pleased—he could now release his greater fireball spell.
"Great Fireball Spell!"
Without hesitation, Merlin summoned a massive fireball, radiating an overwhelming intensity.
"Whoosh."
The enormous fireball sped toward the gate, aimed directly at the small hole he'd melted.
"Boom!"
The Great Fireball Spell packed several times the power of a regular fireball, unleashing terrifying force. Scorching heat spread through the tiny opening, quickly expanding it until a person-sized hole appeared in the gate.
Old Wilson, already prepared, saw the gate open and was ecstatic. Raising his sword, he shouted, "In the name of knightly honor, charge!"
"In the name of knightly honor, charge!"
The two hundred heavily armored knights behind him, along with six hundred regular knights, echoed his cry, their voices filled with a fierce determination.
The thunderous sound of their charge was like an earthquake, making the ground tremble.
At the front, Old Wilson's body seemed cloaked in flames as he led the knights through the breach, surging into Blackwater City.
The gate was soon thrown open entirely, and Old Wilson's forces swept through like a storm, scattering the city defense knights. Though the city defense knights had some strength, they stood no chance against Old Wilson's heavily armored knights.
Following behind the knights, Merlin felt a surge of relief. Luckily, he had chosen the fireball spell as his first spell model. Otherwise, neither Frost nor Whirlwind would have been able to breach the gate.
The battle at the gate ended swiftly, with many city defense knights retreating. Old Wilson didn't pursue them. Instead, he approached Merlin and said gravely, "Merlin, I'll send Prahl with three hundred knights to Wilson Castle to rescue Meixue and the others, while I lead the remaining knights to the City Lord's Mansion to eliminate Augdin."
Old Wilson wouldn't spare Augdin, who had colluded with the church. He intended to lead his heavily armored knights in a direct assault on the City Lord's Mansion.
Merlin thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Father, one hundred knights will be enough for me. You'll need more for the City Lord's Mansion; Augdin's city defense knights will certainly be stationed there."
Old Wilson nodded in agreement, leading seven hundred knights toward the City Lord's Mansion.
"Uncle Prahl, have the knights ready for combat. We may encounter some trouble," Merlin said, a steely glint in his eyes.
***
Inside Wilson Castle, over a hundred servants had already been slaughtered—men, women, the elderly, and children alike. Bodies lay scattered on the ground, and the stench of blood filled the air, detectable from far away.
Tirafa sat in a chair within the castle, frowning darkly. He had searched the entire castle, but found only servants, with no trace of Meixue and the others.
"Did they escape?" Tirafa wondered. He gestured to his men, who dragged a trembling servant to him. "Where is Meixue?" he demanded.
The servant glanced at Tirafa, replying cautiously, "I truly don't know where Miss Meixue is."
"Don't know?"
Tirafa stood, raised his sword, and stabbed the servant through the chest without hesitation.
"Bring another one," he ordered with a cruel smile. His men dragged over a female servant, who, seeing the bodies strewn around, was so terrified she answered before he could ask.
"I… I saw the butler take Miss Meixue and the others to the baron's room."
"Good. Show me the way!"
Tirafa stood and ordered the maid to lead him.
He soon arrived at Baron Wilson's room and scanned the area, smirking coldly. "They must be hiding in here. Search every inch!"
Dozens of knights rushed into the room and began a thorough search.
Meanwhile, in the basement, Meixue and the others gathered at the entrance. They pressed against the wall, faintly hearing footsteps on the other side.
Exchanging glances with the butler, Meixue drew her sword, inhaling deeply as she prepared for battle.
Among them, only Meixue had combat skills. Though Old Wilson's mechanisms were well-hidden, Tirafa's large force would inevitably discover it sooner or later.
"Steward, if Tirafa finds us, I'll hold him off. Take Mother and Gutt and escape," Meixue said quietly. She was frustrated—if only she were an Elemental Swordswoman, they might stand a chance, and she could at least cover the butler's escape with her mother and Gutt.
Now, though, if Tirafa found them, their fate seemed sealed.
Suddenly, the ground of Wilson Castle trembled, and dust shook loose from the walls, scattering across the floor.
"What's going on?"
Tirafa looked up sharply, his expression shifting as he gazed toward the castle's exterior.