Chapter 73: Prakash City II
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Prakash City was a busy city. The bustling people all wore strange clothes. After seeing the large team led by Old Wilson, many of them curiously gathered in groups, murmuring to each other.
Old Wilson frowned. It would be difficult to settle down two thousand people. A common location could not accommodate them at all.
“Father, I think we should get some hotels and settle down temporarily. I’ll go to Count Selin. With his help, I’m sure we can avoid many troubles in Prakash City.”
Merlin had a letter from Count Phuman with him. He should hand it to Count Selin as soon as possible so that it could be helpful for the Wilson family and the Parman family to settle down in Prakash City.
Old Wilson nodded since they could only do that now. So, Old Wilson sent General Prat to book a few hotels in Prakash City and barely settled down his people.
After that, Merlin walked toward Count Selin’s castle alone.
It was easy to find Count Selin’s castle. After turning a few corners and walking toward the northwest direction, he could see a white, pointed castle. The castle took up a large s.p.a.ce and was surrounded by greeneries. White walls encircled the castle and there were iron fences on the outer circle, guarded by around ten tall guards.
Often, a team of knights could be seen inspecting in front of the castle. Everything seemed calm but a nervous aura surrounded them.
These knights were the same as the City Defense Troop in Blackwater City. They were Count Selin’s private armed forces. In fact, the whole Prakash City was Count Selin’s private land.
During his journey from Ravens Castle to Prakash City, Merlin had a brief understanding of the overall situation in the Kingdom of Blackmoon. Even though the Kingdom of Blackmoon seemed like a huge kingdom, it was totally different from the Kingdom of Light by nature.
The Kingdom of Blackmoon was formed by all the city-states. Prakash City was a city-state which was ruled by Count Kaproh Selin. Once Count Selin was dead, his t.i.tle would be inherited by others in the Kaproh family. Not even the king could intervene in this matter.
Each city-state was the private land of a n.o.ble and the foundation of a huge family. The whole Kingdom of Blackmoon was formed by thousands of these city-states, both large and small. The Royal Family of the Kingdom of Blackmon was the largest n.o.ble family in the kingdom. They ruled the largest city-state and thus were named as the ruler of the Kingdom of Blackmoon.
Such a scattered system had existed for as long as eight hundred years without any serious problem. This fact had greatly puzzled Merlin.
Merlin took the letter from Count Phuman from his pocket and walked toward Count Selin’s castle.
“Stand there!”
After seeing Merlin, the castle guards immediately became alert.
Merlin said monotonously, “I came from Ravens Castle. I have a letter from Count Phuman for Count Selin.”
These guards exchanged a glance, then their expressions softened. However, they did not let down their guards. They said in a low voice, “Give the letter to me and wait here for a moment!”
Merlin nodded slightly. His Mind Power sharply caught many gazes fell on him from the castle the moment he had arrived.
This showed that the security in the castle was even tighter. Hidden guards were probably standing by all over the castle now.
From such tight security, it seemed that Count Selin had involved himself in deep trouble. Otherwise, an honorable Count, the ultimate ruler of Prakash City and the highest marshal of a city-state would not be so cautious in his own castle.
Just when the guard was about to enter the castle, a carriage came a halt in front of the castle. A sweet young girl alighted from the carriage.
The girl was tall. Her medium-length blonde hair was lightly pulled into a ponytail, making her look cute and energetic. The young girl immediately saw Merlin as soon as she came down and asked, “You came from Ravens Castle?”
Merlin nodded and the girl asked, “How’s Aunt Shara doing?”
“Shara?” Merlin frowned. He had not heard that name before.
The young girl seemed to have thought of something and hit her forehead. She said frustratedly, “Aunt Shara is the Count’s wife.”
“Oh, Count and Countess Phuman are well.”
The girl nodded then said to the guard, “Give me the letter. I’m looking for my father anyway.”
“Of course, Young Lady Sh.e.l.ly!”
The guard pa.s.sed Merlin’s letter to the girl.
“Wait for a moment. I’ll pa.s.s this letter to Father. Later I want to ask about Aunt Shara’s situation in Ravens Castle.”
Then, the girl walked toward the castle.
“Have you found any suspicious person in the city?”
Count Selin seemed to be burning with anger. His expression was dark.
“Sir Count, there are too many people coming into and going out of Prakash City these days. We’ve not finished checking everyone, so we have not found anyone suspicious yet.”
A middle-aged man who wore silvery, light armor answered carefully. Count Selin was troubled lately, so he did not have a good temper. Many of his subordinates were scolded for no reason at all.
“Rubbis.h.!.+ Wizard Hill whom I ask you to look for. Have you found him?”
“Yes, we’ve found Wizard Hill but he has a condition. Sir Count must give him some Zigen Flower,” the man in silver armor said carefully.
Count Selin frowned and said, “Alright. Only Spell Casters know the usage of Zigen Flower anyway. If Wizard Hill is willing to come to the castle, we can give him more Zigen Flower.”
After a small pause, Count Selin said hesitantly, “The letter sent to Ravens Castle should arrive already. Why haven’t I received any reply? If Phuman can send some Spell Casters to me, then our chance of winning will be bigger…”
“Father, it’s just dealing with a conceited man. I alone can resolve the issue. Why do we need Spell Casters?”
There was yet another muscular, young man in the hall. He wore a heavy armor and gave out a ferocious aura all over him, beaming with confidence.
Count Selin nodded slightly and seemed greatly satisfied seeing this muscular, young man. He said in monotonously, “Cook, our opponent this time is a mysterious yet powerful Spell Caster! Even though you’re a Fifth-level Elemental Swordsman, no one knows how powerful this conceited guy is. It’s safer if we have a Spell Caster with us.”
Cook continued to say, seemingly unsatisfied, “Father, you’re being too cautious. I’ve once killed an Icelandic Wolf. Am I not able to deal with a conceited guy? It’s fine if that guy doesn’t come. If he comes, I’ll surely tear him to pieces!”
Looking at Cook’s confident expression, Count Selin shook his head slightly and did not say anything. He was already satisfied that he had such an excellent son but this matter could not be taken lightly. He had to be ready in all aspects.
“Hmm? Brother, you’re here, too?”
Suddenly, a lively girl with a ponytail walked into the hall.