Chapter 119: Eastlin (Part 2)

Under the leadership of Mage Palio, a covert team quietly departed from Eastlin. Yet, just after they left, a young man and woman appeared in their wake.

Both were dressed in tight, form-fitting gear, each carrying a large sword on their back, seemingly well-prepared. The young man, however, appeared hesitant and whispered, "Kathleen, last time we snuck into the Keld Mountains looking for a mage organization, Father scolded us severely. If we go on this adventure with them and he finds out, we might never be allowed out again."

Kathleen glared at him and replied sharply, "Capes, are you scared? The Dark Blood Bats may be dangerous, but this time we have Mage Palio, Mage Simp, and Father leading the group, along with thirty Level Four Ice Swordsmen. What's there to worry about? Come on, this is a rare chance. Let's follow them and see what happens. We might even witness something interesting!"

With a grin, Kathleen pulled Capes along as they stealthily followed Palio's team, leaving Eastlin behind.

---

Outside Eastlin, four young mages looked worn and travel-stained, clearly having journeyed for quite some time. They showed visible signs of fatigue.

"There's Eastlin up ahead. Let's go directly to Marquis Barossa. He should have some information on the Dark Blood Bats," Holmes said confidently. Throughout the journey, Holmes had taken charge, with Lorinka, Merlin, and the others simply following along.

Without pause, the group headed straight into Eastlin.

Eastlin was the most prosperous region of the city-state, even more vibrant than Count Pugias's city. The marquis held the highest title in the entire city-state, placing Eastlin as a respectable middle-ranking city-state within the Black Moon Kingdom, far outclassing Pugias.

But Merlin and the others were in no mood to admire the bustling city. They proceeded directly to Marquis Barossa's castle. Before accepting this mission, they had already gathered all essential information on Eastlin.

Marquis Barossa commanded hundreds of mid-level elemental swordsmen, thousands of elite knights, and at least five wandering mages, making his forces formidable.

However, Holmes seemed unimpressed by the marquis's forces. His plan was straightforward: to enter the castle and demand information about the Dark Blood Bats from Marquis Barossa directly.

"Stop! Who are you?" The guards at the castle gate intercepted them as they approached.

"Restrain!" Holmes merely furrowed his brow, waved his hand, and a powerful gust of wind surged forward, enveloping the guards and holding them captive.

"Let's go." Holmes, without sparing the guards a glance, proceeded into the castle.

Merlin squinted slightly, murmuring, "A wind-based binding spell?"

Having gained familiarity with various spells since joining the Dark Spirit Realm, Merlin quickly recognized Holmes's spell as a type of binding wind spell. It was likely the "Binding Wind," a spell in the Tower of Omniscience requiring five contribution points to redeem.

With Holmes leading the way, every guard they encountered was immobilized before they could react. The four of them moved through the castle as if it were deserted.

As they stepped into the main hall, dozens of powerful elemental swordsmen, each radiating strong elemental energy, surrounded them. These swordsmen were at least Level Three.

"Who are you to dare intrude upon the marquis's castle?" a tall, thin old man in a blue robe asked sharply from behind the guards, his gaze fixed intently on Merlin and the others.

"Troublesome. Seems we'll have to spill some blood," Holmes muttered as the mysterious runes on his robe began to glow, enveloping him in protective energy. He was clearly preparing to cast a spell.

"Hold on, Mage Holmes. There's no need for violence," Merlin's calm voice suddenly cut in.

Holmes looked at him, surprised. "You have a plan, Mage Merlin?"

Instead of answering, Merlin glanced at the swordsmen surrounding them.

"Dark Mist!"

With a swift gesture, Merlin cast Dark Mist. A thick fog materialized and quickly spread across the hall, engulfing the elemental swordsmen.

Dark Mist was a spell of illusion, capable of luring those with weaker mental fortitude into hallucinations. During Merlin's previous battle with Merilon, he had been caught in the Dark Mist and plunged into an illusion. These elemental swordsmen, therefore, had no chance; they stood transfixed, as if sleepwalking.

With a quick use of his Gale spell, Merlin darted to the front of a middle-aged man seated at the far end of the hall. "Marquis Barossa, we're here to investigate the Dark Blood Bats. There's no need for alarm," he said calmly.

Marquis Barossa maintained his composure, his gaze fixed on Merlin. He then looked toward the tall, thin elder at his side.

The elder's face shifted between various emotions before he sighed and said, "My lord, they must be mages from the Dark Spirit Realm."

This elder, evidently a mage himself and likely one of Barossa's wandering mages, seemed familiar with the Dark Spirit Realm and its forces, as Eastlin fell within its sphere of influence.

Relieved, Barossa relaxed and smiled slightly. "Ah, mages from the Dark Spirit Realm. Mage Nasha once visited Eastlin and even took a gifted girl from our city. I wonder how she's doing now?"

"Oh? Mage Nasha visited Eastlin?" Merlin replied, realizing Barossa was likely telling the truth. He dismissed the Dark Mist with a wave, allowing the elemental swordsmen to come to their senses, each casting Merlin looks of shock and fear.

"Dark Mist?" Not only the elemental swordsmen but even Holmes murmured in surprise. When he looked at Merlin again, a new glint of interest appeared in his eyes.