Merlin's cluelessness once again left everyone who heard her baffled, unable to tell if she was genuinely ignorant or just pretending not to know.
"Are you seriously this oblivious, or are you just acting?" Zaky asked, feeling embarrassed to have a friend who was so clearly dense.
Even the Blue Clan leader felt a pang of shame at having a clan member who didn't know the kingdom's history.
"You explain it. She's your friend," the Blue Clan leader said, tossing the responsibility to Zaky.
"As her friend, I'm already mortified. This is a kingdom issue, so you, as the clan leader, should explain it," Zaky retorted, throwing the explanation back at the Blue Clan leader.
"Listen carefully, Merlin. This land is divided into two major kingdoms: the Eastern Kingdom, ruled by my father, and the Western Kingdom, ruled by the Black Clan. Two great kingdoms govern this realm. Which kingdom do you belong to, anyway? You're really testing my patience," explained the Blue Clan leader, his frustration apparent.
Zaky couldn't help but smile at how Merlin was irritating the Blue Clan leader, finding it amusing.
"Oh, I see. So, you're enemies because you belong to two different kingdoms. Why don't you just unite them?" Merlin innocently suggested something completely unrealistic.
"That's impossible! We're enemies! If I could attack those princes directly, the Black Clan wouldn't have such a hard time taking over the Eastern Kingdom," the Blue Clan leader shot back.
"But didn't you promise to be a good person?" Merlin teased Zaky with a sly grin.
The Blue Clan leader chuckled, amused by Merlin's bold remark. The Blue Clan was infamous for its mischief.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. I promised to be good," Zaky admitted sheepishly.
"Well, well, Merlin. You've barely met him and already managed to charm the Black Clan leader, notorious for his troublemaking ways. I'll watch to see how far you go in reforming him," the Blue Clan leader teased Zaky.
After finishing her meal, Merlin washed her hands while Lucy, satisfied and full, curled up on an empty bench behind her.
"I have a question. Why does the Blue Clan princess have red eyes? Are her eyes injured?" Merlin asked the Blue Clan leader, who happened to be Sujin's older brother.
Zaky burst into uncontrollable laughter at Merlin's bold question, which dared to touch upon the royal family's affairs.
"Are you insulting the kingdom?" the Blue Clan leader asked, visibly offended by Merlin's words.
"I'm not insulting anyone; I just find it strange. I'm sure many people also wonder why her eyes are red when they're so different from her siblings'," Merlin explained, trying to clarify her intent and avoid misunderstanding.
"That kind of question is considered an insult to the king and must not be asked carelessly unless you want to face execution," the Blue Clan leader warned.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that was wrong," Merlin apologized, realizing her revenge plans were growing more complicated.
"I forgive you. Now, tell me, how did you know about my blue dragon?" the Blue Clan leader asked.
"I just knew. I can see them," Merlin replied nonchalantly, unaware of the significance of her ability.
"Do you even realize what a mistake you've made? You're incredible, yet so unbelievably foolish," Zaky teased.
"Are you insulting me or complimenting me?" Merlin snapped, not appreciating Zaky's remarks.
"Anyone who can see someone's companion beast can also see their weakness. So don't go around revealing people's companion beasts," the Blue Clan leader explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that. But why is the king's companion beast made the kingdom's symbol? Isn't that also revealing his weakness to the public?" Merlin countered, still puzzled by the logic.
"That's because the king's companion beast is alive and willingly serves him. It's undefeatable," the Blue Clan leader stated proudly.
"Wow, that's amazing! Is it the same for the Western Kingdom?" Merlin asked Zaky.
"Of course!" Zaky said, showing off the black raven symbol embroidered on his clothing.
The black raven, the Western Kingdom's symbol, was the companion beast of the Black Clan's king.
"So, you're telling me not to reveal your companion beasts to anyone, right?" Merlin guessed.
"Exactly," Zaky replied, pleased Merlin understood.
"Now, tell me about the Red Clan leader's companion beast," the Blue Clan leader asked.
"But isn't that supposed to be kept a secret?" Merlin hesitated.
"Oh, come on. I'm curious too," Zaky urged, eager to know their rival's weakness.
"Alright, alright. Come closer, and I'll whisper it to you," Merlin said, leaning in.
"Firehawk," Merlin whispered softly, causing both Zaky and the Blue Clan leader to nod in understanding.
"Oh, by the way, Blue Clan leader, what's your name?" Merlin asked, realizing she didn't know his name.
Zaky burst into laughter. "You don't even know your clan leader's name, but you know mine?"
"Shut up! Stop mocking me!" Merlin snapped.
"I'm Azuma. My siblings are Asuka, Azaka, Azura, and Sujin," Azuma introduced himself and his siblings.
Merlin burst out laughing loudly, making Zaky and Azuma exchange puzzled glances. Following Azuma's lead, Merlin mimicked the names:
"Azuma, Asuka, Azaka, Azura," she said loudly, then added, "Sujin," in a low, disdainful tone.
Zaky couldn't help laughing along, finding Merlin's reaction hilarious. It was clear Merlin had a strong dislike for Sujin and her arrogance.
Azuma couldn't do much about it, knowing he was also searching for the truth about Sujin and looking for the true Blue Clan princess with blue eyes. So far, he hadn't found her.
Ironically, Azuma had encountered Merlin in the forest, mistaking her for his sister Azura, the fourth prince, because Merlin had been disguised as a man at the time.
"If you insult the royal family again, I'll have you imprisoned," Azuma warned, unwilling to let his family be slandered.
"Sorry, sorry. My bad. Hey, don't you want to know the White Clan leader's companion beast?" Merlin asked, diverting attention and sparking curiosity in Zaky and Azuma.
"Sure, tell us," Zaky replied eagerly.
"Come closer," Merlin said, leaning in again.
"White dragon," Merlin whispered, leaving Zaky and Azuma shocked.
"You're lying," Azuma said, refusing to believe her.
"Why would I lie? Like I said, I think you clan leaders planned this. Dragons are the strongest, aren't they? So you all choose dragons that align with your internal energy. It's not hard to guess," Merlin explained, making Azuma realize she had a point.
Zaky and Azuma exchanged glances, agreeing that Merlin's reasoning made sense. Dragons were indeed the strongest companions, especially when their colors matched the wielder's energy.
Merlin's insights caught the attention of everyone in the inn, who watched the unusual camaraderie between the Blue and Black Clan members—historical enemies. Merlin seemed to have a knack for uniting people, despite the odds.