Inside Pugas City, the streets were bustling with people in unfamiliar attire. Curious onlookers whispered in small groups as they watched Old Wilson's large convoy pass by.
Old Wilson frowned, pondering how he could find a place to settle two thousand people in such a crowded city. Regular inns wouldn't accommodate such a large group.
"Father, I think it's best we rent several inns for now and settle in temporarily. I'll go find Count Selin. With his assistance, we should encounter fewer obstacles in Pugas City," Merlin suggested. With a letter from Count Primont, he knew it was essential to present it to Count Selin quickly to secure stability for the Wilson and Barman families.
Old Wilson nodded, and sent Commander Pra to secure enough inns around the city. Only after securing accommodations did they finally manage to settle the convoy.
Merlin then set out alone for Count Selin's castle.
Finding the castle wasn't difficult. After a few turns, a white, spired castle appeared to the northwest. Surrounded by lush trees, it was enclosed by a white wall and a sturdy iron fence, guarded by a dozen towering sentries. Periodically, squads of knights patrolled the grounds, giving the place an atmosphere that, though calm, held an undercurrent of tension.
These knights, like those in Blackwater City's guard, were Count Selin's private forces. In fact, the entire Pugas City was under his private control.
From his journey from Ravensburg to Pugas, Merlin had learned much about Black Moon Kingdom's unique political structure. Although it appeared to be a vast kingdom, it fundamentally differed from the Kingdom of Light. Black Moon was essentially a collection of city-states, with Pugas City governed by Count Cabarro Selin. Upon his death, the title would pass to another member of the Cabarro family, with the king having no authority to interfere.
Each city-state served as a noble's private domain, the foundation of a powerful family. Black Moon Kingdom was composed of thousands of such domains, with the royal family being the largest and strongest noble house, respected as the nation's rulers.
For such a fragmented system to endure for over eight centuries without significant unrest was something Merlin found puzzling.
He took out the letter from Count Primont and approached the castle gates.
"Halt!"
The guards at the gate immediately raised their guard upon seeing him.
"I'm from Ravensburg," Merlin said calmly. "I carry a letter from Count Primont for Count Selin."
The guards exchanged glances, visibly relaxing but still vigilant. "Hand over the letter and wait here," one of them replied.
Merlin nodded, sensing numerous watchful eyes from within the castle, all focused on him—a sign that the castle's defenses were stringent, with hidden guards everywhere. Such intense security implied that Count Selin was indeed dealing with a serious problem; otherwise, a count, the ruler of Pugas and the highest authority within the city-state, wouldn't need to be so cautious in his own home.
Just as the guard was about to enter the castle, a carriage pulled up in front of the gates, and a young girl stepped out.
The girl had a tall, slender figure, with golden hair tied in a playful ponytail. She eyed Merlin curiously and asked, "Are you from Ravensburg?"
Merlin nodded, and the girl continued, "How is Aunt Shara doing?"
"Aunt Shara?" Merlin frowned, unfamiliar with the name.
The girl slapped her forehead, realizing her mistake. "Aunt Shara is the countess," she explained.
"Oh, Count Primont and his wife are both well."
The girl nodded and then addressed the guards, "Hand me the letter. I'm going in to speak with Father anyway."
"Yes, Miss Shelley!" one of the guards said, giving the letter to her.
"You wait here," she told Merlin, "I'll hand the letter to Father, and later I'll ask you all about Aunt Shara's time in Ravensburg."
With that, she disappeared into the castle.
※※※
"Any suspicious individuals detected within the city?" Count Selin's face was tense and tired.
"Count, the influx of people has been overwhelming recently. We haven't completed our checks, and no suspicious persons have been identified yet," reported a man in silver armor, carefully choosing his words. Count Selin had been irritable, and several subordinates had already been harshly reprimanded for trivial mistakes.
"Useless! And what about that mage, Shiel—have you found him?"
"Yes, we've located Mage Shiel, but he's requested some purple root as a condition for his assistance."
Count Selin frowned but finally nodded, "Fine, grant his request. Purple root's value is known only to mages anyway. If he's willing to come to the castle, we can give him more if necessary."
Pausing briefly, he added with a hint of worry, "The letter I sent to Ravensburg should have arrived by now. Why haven't I received any news yet? If Primont could send a few mages, our chances of success would be far greater…"
"Father, we're only dealing with one arrogant troublemaker. I can handle him alone—no need to summon any mages!" A brawny young man in heavy armor stood confidently nearby, exuding a fierce aura.
Count Selin looked approvingly at the young man. "Cook, our opponent is a mysterious and powerful mage. Although you're a level-five elemental swordsman, we don't know the full extent of this man's power. Having a mage as support could increase our safety."
Cook shrugged dismissively, "Father, you're overthinking it. I've slain an ice plain direwolf—I can handle a mere troublemaker. If he dares to come here, I'll tear him to pieces myself!"
Count Selin, seeing his son's confidence, smiled faintly but refrained from comment. Though proud of his talented son, he wanted to be fully prepared for the serious matter at hand.
"Hmm? Brother, you're here too?"
A cheerful voice called out as the ponytailed girl, Shelley, entered the hall.