A Wizard’s Secret

Back in the manor, Merlin inspected the Hermani formula that Heroult gave him.

There were more than two hundred types of materials. Merlin examined each one carefully. Indeed, they were materials for the Hermani Nourishment Pond formula. Merlin, who had brewed the Nourishment Pond himself before would not be mistaken.

These materials were all very costly. Merlin had even expressly made inquiries at some shops in the Holy Dragon City. Even if they emptied out their stock, they could put together a few batches at most. However, Heroult could hand over no less than ten batches.

This meant that Heroult had his own special channels since he was able to constantly obtain materials for the Nourishment Pond instead of having to purchase them from shops.

“I must gain control of these channels too.”

Merlin secretly made this decision. Heroult was a mysterious figure who controlled channels that ordinary people, or even people with powerful almighty beast bloodlines, could not access. He was certainly someone extraordinary.

While Heroult urgently needed to study him, Merlin had to seize the chance to slowly uncover the secrets behind Heroult. Most importantly, he had to gain control over these channels of Nourishment Pond formula materials. These were Merlin’s objectives.

After receiving one batch of materials for the Hermani Nourishment Pond formula, Merlin did not concoct the Nourishment Pond right away because it would not serve many purposes in doing so.

Merlin was currently a third-form shifter but his potential was limited. The Two-headed Pterolycus would be switched for something else soon enough. Thus, using these materials would be a total waste.

Nonetheless, Merlin could not change his almighty beast’s will to the Blood-eye Dragon for now. After all, at that point, Heroult was still going to study him for two more months, so the fewer the people who knew about the Blood-eye Dragon, the better.

Therefore, Merlin had already made a plan. After the two months were up, he would change his almighty beast’s will to the Blood-eye Dragon when he had received both the ten batches of Hermani Nourishment Pond materials, as well as Heroult’s Nourishment Pond formula and materials.

With twenty full batches of Nourishment Pond materials, Merlin could rapidly increase the level of his shapeshifting even if he allowed the Blood-eye Dragon to parasitize him from scratch.

In the following month or so, Merlin’s life was routine. He would wake up at first light and head to Heroult’s castle and only come back in the evening. There were no exceptions.

However, some bad news was received during this period. Some important cities of the Holy Dragon Empire were subjugated and were completely taken over by armed rebellions.

Currently, only the Holy Dragon City was directly under the royal family’s control within the Holy Dragon Empire. It seemed that the sun was setting over this empire. It was at its last gasp. At any time, when the Holy Dragon City had descended into chaos as well, the royal family’s rule over the Holy Dragon Empire would be thoroughly terminated.

Nonetheless, all this had nothing to do with Merlin. He took care of the manor in an organized manner. Everything was calm. Even so, Merlin thought of finding out Heroult’s true identity but had no clues. Heroult’s identity was like a riddle.

Still, Heroult was able to hand over the materials for the Hermani Nourishment Pond formula each time. By now, Merlin had obtained all ten batches of the materials.

In the following twenty days or so, Heroult began to give to Merlin his Nourishment Pond formula along with ten batches of materials.

Today, as soon as Merlin entered Brews Castle, he felt that something was wrong.

This was because another stranger was in the castle. This was a lovely young woman with a full figure. Nevertheless, this young lady wore a grave expression and discussed something with Heroult in low tones.

After seeing Merlin come in, the young woman stopped talking and cast a blazing gaze as she sized up Merlin.

Heroult’s expression was rather awkward. After he saw Merlin, he said quietly, “Leon, I’m afraid I’ll have to go out for some time.”

“If you’re going out for some time, what about your Nourishment Pond formula and materials that I need?”

Merlin was somewhat surprised. However, he saw that this young woman seemed close to Heroult who also understood Heroult’s research of Hosts very well. Therefore, Merlin had no apprehensions about directly expressing his concerns.

Heroult was silent for a moment before he said, “In truth, after a month or so of research, I’ve completely grasped the various data variations regarding a Host’s third-form shifting. What I lack is the aspect of the almighty beast’s will. However, the almighty beast’s will is difficult to grasp. Only the Host himself can feel it, and others can’t clearly grasp it at all. Therefore, this will require a long time of steady research. It’s not something that can be completed in one day.”

“Naturally, I’ll live up to my initial promise. Today, I’ll give you the detailed formulation for the Ofu Nourishment Pond, along with ten batches of materials. Consider our agreement fulfilled.”

Heroult’s decision caused Merlin to become somewhat flabbergasted. Although Heroult spoke casually, Merlin could detect a trace of solemnity from his voice.

Merlin did not know what Heroult had encountered, that he would directly end his agreement with Merlin.

“Curator Heroult, what happened? If I’m needed, I’ll surely help as best as I can!”

Merlin knew that something must have happened to Heroult, something very urgent. Otherwise, Heroult would not have hurriedly ended his agreement with Merlin.

“You can’t help me for now…”

Curator Heroult’s voice was quite despondent. After a pause, he continued, “Leon, I know that you’ve been investigating my identity secretly, as well as my secrets. In fact, if you have more time, you’ll discover certain clues and deduce my identity from them. However, I’ll offer you an opportunity. It’s true that I’m backed by a massive organization. If you’re willing to join us, you’ll easily get all the Nourishment Pond formulas you need within this organization. All you need is a certain amount of contribution points.”

“A massive organization?”

Merlin fell into deep thought. Previously, he had guessed that Heroult was surely supported by a huge organization. Otherwise, obtaining Nourishment Pond materials would not be so easy.

Merlin also wished to access this channel. If he did not after he left Brews Castle and lost contact with Heroult, would he not be cut off from his stable access of Nourishment Pond materials?

Therefore, Merlin felt a rush of excitement at Heroult’s suggestion but he was still cautious as he asked softly, “What organization is this?”

If Heroult belonged to an external organization that had infiltrated the Holy Dragon City, Merlin would have to think twice before joining.

As if he sensed Merlin’s misgivings, Heroult laughed as he said, “Phantom! You must not have heard of it. Don’t worry, Phantom is not an enemy faction to the Holy Dragon Empire. Conversely, Phantom is an intelligence agency that the royal family relies greatly upon; tasked with finding out all news within the Holy Dragon Empire.”

“Phantom?”

Merlin was rather astonished. He did not think that Heroult’s identity would be a conductor within the royal family’s intelligence agency, which was an impressive status. The Nourishment Pond materials he had given Merlin were all obtained through Phantom.