"You …" Ross Merlin's heart tightened and his expression sank. "Hanson, are you planning on robbing me?"
As one of the three geniuses of the Merlin Family's younger generation, Ross Merlin had long since obtained a seat in the Elder Council and had participated in all kinds of matters of the Merlin Family. Although he wasn't familiar with Hanson, he had interacted with him a few times.
But Ross Merlin truly didn't expect that Hanson, a famous veteran High Mage who had some friendship with Ofran, would actually try to rob him after losing the Star Gem.
This was simply a lunatic …
"Haha, Ross Merlin, I've always heard people say that you are one of the most outstanding geniuses of the Merlin Family's younger generation. I thought you were an amazing person, but I hadn't expected you to be so naive …" Seeing Ross Merlin's reaction, Hanson smiled.
"Three hundred years ago, Santon Merlin killed Fussen Charlotte in the Aurij Mountains and strangled the hope of the entire Charlotte Family. Over the next few decades, he suppressed the Charlotte Family for a full fifty years as a Heaven Rank powerhouse, making the Charlotte Family fall from one of Okland's Three Great Families to a 3rd rate force. From that time on, the Charlotte Family and the Merlin Family were irreconcilable enemies …"
"When dealing with enemies, one should naturally be unscrupulous. You wouldn't think that the Charlotte Family had been dormant for two to three hundred years, never clashing with the Merlin Family, and that I endured the disgust and called Ofran my brother. Did you really think that the Charlotte Family and the Merlin Family would become friends? "Haha, Ross Merlin, how could you be so naive …"
After hearing Hanson's words, Ross knew that this matter wouldn't end well. Hanson's words were tantamount to admitting the Charlotte Family's ambition. If they didn't want to immediately start a war with the Merlin Family, then the three people who heard it might know too much.
However, Ross Merlin was also someone who had seen a lot of things. Although he was anxious, he didn't show it on his face.
"Aren't you afraid that the Merlin Family will pursue this matter?"
Ross Merlin asked while quietly observing the surrounding situation. Fortunately, apart from these four people, the Charlotte Family didn't send anyone else. This discovery made Ross Merlin sigh in relief. Currently, Hanson's Charlotte Family had only blocked the route back to the Merlin Family Manor, but there should still be a chance to escape.
Yes, escape.
As the two exchanged questions, Ross Merlin had already compared the strength of both sides.
The other side had two 5th Rank Phantom Archers, a 5th Rank High Mage, and Hanson, who was only a step away from the Archmage realm. Their strength could only be described as frightening.
As for his own side …
He had the Endless Spring and was a 5th Rank High Mage, so he was barely stronger than the 5th Rank High Mage. As for William Merlin, although he had defeated him in the previous battle, in Ross' eyes, that battle wasn't enough to prove anything. At most, he would be able to stall one of the Phantom Archers, which was meaningless. Two Phantom Archers could easily kill William Merlin.
As for that distant cousin …
Ross Merlin couldn't clearly see his strength, but how could he be stronger than Hanson in his twenties?
Unless …
Unless he really was that young mage with the power of an Archmage that Anna had mentioned.
Otherwise, the best outcome for everyone in today's battle would be to retreat unscathed.
"The Merlin Family's pursuit? Haha, Ross Merlin, I said you are naive, but you don't want to admit it. Only you and I know about this matter. As long as I get rid of you, how could the Merlin Family know what I did? Moreover, do you really think I'm afraid of the Merlin Family? To tell you the truth, Ross Merlin, the Merlin Family will fall from their current position within a year. At that time, the Merlin Family will know how the Charlotte Family felt in the past … "
"Fall from your position just because you said so? Who do you think you are … "
"Haha, the Charlotte Family has already …" Hanson seemed to realize that he had said too much and his proud smile suddenly changed. "Alright, Ross Merlin, don't stall for time. Hand over the Star Gem now. If you three cooperate, I might consider sparing your lives and only imprisoning you …"
"Are you that kind?"
"Of course, before imprisoning you, I'll first cripple your mana whirlpools. Right, Ross Merlin, I believe you should know that the Charlotte Family captured the Black Stone Plane a few years ago. That place is rich in all kinds of ores. You shouldn't have any objections if I imprison you there, right? "After all, apart from mining and being whipped every day, you won't lose your life. Our Charlotte Family treats slaves very well. In addition to two loaves of bread every day, you will also get a large bottle of water. I really want to see the most talented young genius of the Merlin Family begging for a loaf of bread and a bottle of water in the Black Stone Plane with a rich man who can casually take out twenty million golds …"
The more Hanson spoke, the more excited he became. It was as if he wanted to vent all the humiliation he had suffered in the auction. His face was filled with a crazy smile as he looked at Ross Merlin like a beast staring at its prey.
"Let's see if you have the ability …" At this time, a smile suddenly appeared on Ross Merlin 'face.
Because while Hanson was chattering, Ross Merlin had already used a Silent Spell to cast a Fire Dragon.
Moreover, it was a Fire Dragon nurtured by the Endless Spring.
This Fire Dragon had helped Ross Merlin defeat countless opponents and once suppressed William Merlin in the Merlin Family Manor.
This was the spell that Ross Merlin was most confident in.
At this time, Ross Merlin had already opened one of his hands, and a flame was dancing in his palm. As long as he shouted the last word, that flame would blossom with shocking power.
But …
Before this rune could be shouted out, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly came from the air.
In that instant, Ross Merlin only felt his hands and feet turn cold, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. The sharp arrow carrying a fishy smell tore through the air and flitted over Ross Merlin's head before piercing the carriage.
Only one word was needed to cast the Fire Dragon.
But Ross Merlin couldn't say that word.
Because Ross Merlin knew that since that arrow could brush past his scalp, it could naturally pierce his head.
That was a blatant warning …
"Now, can you hand over the Star Gem?" Hanson's gaze swept past Ross Merlin. "I said that as long as you hand over the Star Gem, I can spare your lives and only imprison you in the Blackstone Plane. But if you don't know what's good for you, then I'm sorry, but the three of you will die here today …"
"…" Ross Merlin didn't say anything.
That arrow proved that the strength of those two Phantom Archers was a bit stronger than he had imagined. They weren't just 5th Rank Archers, they might have already reached the 9th Rank.
This kind of strength wasn't something the three members of the Merlin Family could contend against.
"Don't listen to him …" At this time, William Merlin slowly got off the carriage. "Do you really think he would dare to kill the three of us? He is putting on an act because he is afraid that we will put the Star Gem in a Spatial Magic Tool. If the three of us die, how would they open the Spatial Magic Tool? Would they smash their heads open? "
"You …" Hanson's expression suddenly froze. Indeed, William Merlin's words were exactly what Hanson was worried about. The reason he delayed for so long was because he wanted the three of them to hand over the Star Gem.
"William Merlin, you are pretty good. You actually thought of this, but you wouldn't think that I wouldn't dare to make a move against you three, right? I can't kill you on the spot, but I can capture you and send you to the Blackstone Plane. Those Blackstone Beastmen will torture you as much as they can. I want to see how long you can last. In less than three days, you will be crying and begging me to hand over the Star Gem … "
"Haha, three days is no problem for me, but I'm worried that some people won't have that much patience …" William Merlin didn't care about Hanson at all. He smiled as he walked towards the carriage without looking back.
"Catch them!" Hanson Charlotte was infuriated by this almost dismissive attitude. It reminded him of the humiliation he had suffered at the auction, and his face twisted in anger.
After saying this, the two Phantom Shooters moved at the same time.
Two poisoned arrows tore through the air at almost the same time. In that instant, their speed was even faster than lightning. In that instant, it was as if two blue fireworks had blossomed. That was the sign of the power that was attached to the arrows exploding …
"Damnit …" Ross Merlin cursed. When the two Phantom Archers attacked, Ross Merlin knew that his guess wasn't wrong. Those two were really 9th Rank Phantom Archers. Otherwise, those two arrows wouldn't have burst with such shocking power.
Ross Merlin didn't have time to think about it. He released a Runic Shield the instant he cursed.
Before, when Ross Merlin defeated William Merlin, he used William Merlin's Runic Shield to gradually expand his advantage and eventually defeat William Merlin.
Because Ross Merlin knew that as a High Mage, he couldn't casually use his Runic Shield, because once it was used, it would mean that the High Mage would lose his trump card.
But now …
Ross Merlin couldn't care less. If he didn't use his Runic Shield, these two arrows would directly take his life.
The Runic Shield opened, and the two arrows simultaneously flew over.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Two muffled sounds echoed almost at the same time. In an instant, a dazzling light blossomed and the Runic Shield caved in under the impact of the two arrows.
It could be seen that the originally perfectly curved Runic Shield was deeply dented under the impact of the two shockingly powerful attacks. Just a hair's breadth away from letting the two arrows hit Ross' face.
In the end, these two arrows were blocked by Ross Merlin.
But Ross Merlin's expression didn't ease up at all.
Because Ross had already noticed that the Runic Shield's radiance had dimmed after these two arrows. This meant that the Runic Shield's consumption was very high. It would at most be able to withstand three more volleys of such attacks.
Yes, only three rounds …
After three rounds, Ross Merlin would no longer be protected by the Runic Shield and would be exposed to the other side's arrows.
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