Chapter 97: Resolution (Part 2)

Pula quickly led a hundred knights out of Wilson Castle, escorting Sherlis to her residence.

Pula was a loyal and courageous warrior, having served alongside Old Wilson for decades, and had faced countless battles. In many ways, he was like Old Wilson's right-hand man. Yet, due to his innate limitations, Pula had only reached the level of a first-tier elemental swordsman. Back in Blackwater City, a first-tier elemental swordsman would be considered someone of significance. But in Pagus City, first-tier swordsmen were common; it was the second, third, and even fourth-tier swordsmen who were truly powerful.

"Pula is trustworthy, as is that young and promising knight, Argus. They are both people we can rely on. Perhaps it's time to teach them the postures from the relief."

Merlin watched as Pula departed, considering his options.

The postures from the relief were the most precious inheritance he could leave to the Wilson family. They were not to be taken lightly and would only be taught to those deemed most trustworthy. For this reason, Old Wilson had yet to share the secrets of the relief with anyone.

The matter with Baron Valen was a minor issue, something Merlin didn't pay much mind to. His main concern now was to confirm if the ring Sherlis had given him was truly the symbol of the Dark Spirit Domain.

With that thought, Merlin felt compelled to visit the old sorcerer.

He soon arrived at the small wooden cabin where the sorcerer lived. After knocking on the door, the young maid answered once again. This time, she did not stop him; evidently, the old sorcerer had given her permission, allowing Merlin to enter directly.

As Merlin stepped inside, he glanced around but didn't see the sorcerer immediately. Frowning, he asked in a low voice, "Where's Sorcerer Hill?"

The maid answered respectfully, "Sorcerer Hill is bathing. He will be out shortly."

"Bathing?"

Merlin raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. In this freezing weather, and during a time when the sorcerer's spell model was in a state of near-collapse, he found it peculiar that the sorcerer would be so relaxed as to take a bath.

"Ah, Merlin!"

A familiar raspy voice came from one of the adjacent rooms.

The old sorcerer emerged from the inner chamber, dressed casually in a robe. Sparse white hair framed his face, which, though deeply wrinkled like the bark of an ancient tree, looked unusually flushed and healthy, and his demeanor seemed more spirited than before.

Merlin was momentarily taken aback. The sorcerer no longer looked like the shrouded, grim figure who always hid under a dark cloak, emanating a chilling, mysterious aura. Instead, he appeared almost like a benevolent, ordinary elder.

"Congratulations, Sorcerer Hill! It seems your spell model has finally stabilized."

Merlin's mind raced as he pieced together what this meant. The volatile elemental energy he'd sensed around the sorcerer had vanished, indicating that the sorcerer had managed to regain control over his spell model, averting the immediate risk of collapse.

The old sorcerer laughed heartily, clearly pleased. "All thanks to the purple root flowers you brought me, Merlin! With those, and the extra from Count Saren, I was able to prepare several doses of the potion. It's barely enough to keep my spell model in check for now, though it's far from a permanent solution. I would need more powerful ingredients to truly stabilize it."

Just as Merlin had thought, while the old sorcerer had temporarily brought his spell model under control, completely eliminating the underlying instability would require something beyond his reach—especially since, over the course of decades, he had only acquired a single potion recipe, underscoring the rarity of such formulas.

"Actually, I may have a way to fully resolve the issue with your spell model," Merlin remarked, his tone suddenly mysterious.

"Oh? You have a solution? Do you have a potion recipe?"

The old sorcerer's eyes lit up with hope, his voice trembling as he rose from his seat and fixed Merlin with an intense, expectant gaze.

Merlin shook his head gently. "I don't have a potion recipe."

The old sorcerer sighed, smiling bitterly as he muttered, "Of course, it was foolish of me to get my hopes up. Potion recipes are not so easily obtained."

"While I don't have a recipe, I may know how to acquire one. Sorcerer Hill, take a look at this."

Merlin's expression grew solemn as he reached into his ring, pulling out the jet-black ring Sherlis had given him.

It appeared ordinary enough at first glance, but the moment the old sorcerer laid eyes on it, his expression froze. His eyes, initially calm, suddenly sharpened.

"This… is this a Dark Spirit Domain token?"

The old sorcerer's voice quivered with shock and disbelief.

Merlin was intrigued. Bringing the ring here had indeed been to verify its origin, but he hadn't expected the old sorcerer to recognize it instantly.

"Oh? Sorcerer Hill, you recognize this ring?"

Merlin asked, his voice cautious.

"There's no mistaking it. I'd recognize it anywhere—this is undoubtedly a Dark Spirit Domain token! When I served in the military, I once endured the brutal 'Slaughterhouse' trials. I saw a powerful Dark Spirit sorcerer wearing a ring just like this one. The inscription on it is identical to those of the Dark Spirit Domain."

The old sorcerer's excitement was palpable as he stared intently at the ring in Merlin's hand.

Merlin could understand the old sorcerer's reaction. With this token, he could gain entry into a sorcerer's organization—a lifelong dream for the old sorcerer, who had never had such an opportunity.

After a moment, the old sorcerer collected himself, still gazing at Merlin with a touch of awe. He sighed. "Merlin, you're incredibly fortunate to have this Dark Spirit Domain token. With it, you could join them and one day become a powerful sorcerer."

But his expression grew somber as he continued, "Merlin, be cautious. Symbols like these are highly coveted. Never display it openly in front of other sorcerers. A decade ago, even I would have been tempted by something so valuable…"

The old sorcerer's words brought a faint smile to Merlin's face. Of course, he understood the significance of the ring. But with the old sorcerer's spell model now stabilized, Merlin had little reason to worry about him harboring any designs on it.