Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The moment Merlin leaped down from the three-headed dragon, an unfamiliar voice resounded in his ear. He followed the direction of the sound and soon spotted a chubby old man.
"Hmm?"
Seeing this chubby old man, even after such a long time, Merlin had never forgotten him. Memories that were locked away burst out of the floodgates and filled Merlin's mind.
He still remembered, back then, there was a little fatty Gutt who was one of his "best friends". On the eve before the Church of Light conquered Blackwater City, little fatty Gutt had once helped Wilson Castle.
"Gutt…"
A faint smile appeared between Merlin's lips. His childhood playmate, little fatty Gutt, was now a shaky-stepped, chubby old man.
"Merlin, it's really you!"
Fat Old Gutt was completely speechless. He had never thought that their previous goodbye would span tens of years, and that their reunion would be under such circ.u.mstances.
Merlin waved his hand. Naturally, the knights did not dare to restrain Gutt any longer. Currently, Merlin occupied an incredibly respected position in the Kingdom of Blackmoon. In fact, perhaps even the king of Blackmoon himself did not command as much authority as Merlin.
Gutt looked at Merlin but did not seem shocked. Instead, he smiled and said calmly, "Merlin, you're finally back to Blackwater City. For me, to be able to see you before I die is considered a dream come true. When you left Blackwater City back then, I once thought that we'll never see each other again…"
In the face of his childhood friend, Gutt's tone was calm but his eager expression could not hide the excitement and joy in his heart.
"I'm back, Gutt. I've said before, I'll come back!"
Thus, Merlin stepped forward and gently supported Gutt. This chubby old man was already a little fat when he was a little boy but now, his body was bloated, and much older than before. It looked like he needed support to be able to walk steadily.
"Let's go. Follow me into Wilson Castle and take a look around."
Merlin looked around. Seeing this old castle evoked complicated emotions within him. Back when he first arrived in this world, it was in this exact castle. Within the blink of an eye, so much had happened.
Walking into the castle, Merlin discovered that the garden seemed to be regularly maintained. There was not a single trace of mess. However, the small tree in front was now a huge sky-sc.r.a.ping tree.
In the primly maintained garden, vibrant flowers were blooming beautifully. There were many new species, and they all emitted a faint fragrance.
"Creak."
Merlin swung open the long-shut doors. Everything inside the castle remained the same as when he left. From the broad dining table to the squishy armchair, this castle did not suffer from any neglect.
Seeing the surprise plastered across Merlin's face, Old Gutt beside him grinned widely. Proudly, he told Merlin, "After you left, I employed some clever tactics to buy this castle from the Church of Light. I've left it as it is. Every so often, I'd send someone to clean it up. Now, it seems that all that effort hasn't been in vain."
Merlin gently caressed the clean white walls. After a long silence, he spoke up softly, "Thank you, Gutt!"
"Don't mention it. If you hadn't left back then, perhaps I might have even ended up as your brother-in-law. That's right, where's Macy and the Baron? Why didn't they come back?"
Merlin was a little stunned. Only then did he remembered, back then, the family of little fatty Gutt and the Wilson clan were quite close. In particular, the Dougland clan had always harbored the desire to marry into the Wilson clan. With a Baron in the family, surely the Dougland clan's business would prosper even more.
If not for the changes that had happened, that might actually be a distinct possibility.
Stumbling upon this thought, Merlin could not help but shake his head in amus.e.m.e.nt. If Macy found out that she had to marry little fatty Gutt whom she despised, he wondered what kind of expression she would spot.
"They're at the back. They'll arrive soon!"
Merlin knew that Old Wilson and Charise had waited a long time for this opportunity to return to Blackwater City. Therefore, when Old Wilson received the news, despite his advanced age, he was adamant on returning to Blackwater City.
The journey from Subzero Snowfield to Blackwater City was a long one, so it would take a long time for them to reach Blackwater City.
In Wilson Castle, Merlin explored every single room. All of them were well-kept, so he believed that Old Wilson would be very pleased when he returned. Gutt, on the other hand, was quite overweight and elderly. So, after following Merlin around, he was wheezing in exhaustion, almost on the verge of collapsing.
"I'm old now, Merlin. I'm not a Spell Caster like you. Even after a few hundred years, you'll still be the same. Whereas for me, surviving another ten years would be considered a bonus…"
Fatty Old Gutt said in despair. He knew Spell Casters very well. After all, his clan had business in every land. Even in the Kingdom of Blackmoon, the Dougland clan carried out their business.
Furthermore, Gutt was well-aware of his body's condition. Merlin could feel the life force in Gutt trickled away bit by bit. Just as Gutt himself had said, it would be difficult for him to survive another ten years. For the sake of the Dougland clan, Gutt had worked hard for almost all his life. He was not even an Elemental Swordsman, so naturally, all that labor took its toll on his body and he grew old quickly.
This was a fact that even Merlin could not undo.
"Very well, I've looked around the castle. Bring me to your house for a visit, and share with me some of your stories."
Merlin also noticed that Gutt was quite extraordinary. Back then, Gutt came from a small family in Blackwater City. Although they were the richest family in Blackwater City, it was not to the extent where the Church of Light would get involved with them.
Subsequently, Merlin followed Old Gutt back to his castle. However, when Merlin first laid his eyes on this castle, he almost thought that his eyes were deceiving him. This was not a castle but a palace.
It was exceedingly opulent!
In Gutt's castle, there were countless servants. When they saw Gutt coming home unharmed, many of them heaved a breath of relief. If something had happened to Gutt, they would not be able to face the Dougland clan.
"My lord, did the heresies do anything to you?"
A tall, auburn-haired knight asked softly.
"Bang."
Outside the castle, the three-headed dragon stretched its wings. The three ferocious heads appeared to be taunting the castle guards. The fact that these guards did not escape immediately upon seeing this terrifying beast was considered commendable.
Gutt waved his hand. "I'm fine. That's my good friend, Wizard Merlin's friend. Don't offend it!"
Following that, Gutt smiled. "Merlin, please come in. This is my castle!"
Merlin took a glance at the knight beside Merlin. Unbothered, he followed behind Gutt and entered the castle.
Thereafter, Gutt shared his legendary story. Back when the Kingdom of Light was occupied by the Church of Light, who then formed the Holy Light Empire, Gutt slowly began to display his flair in business.
Relying on some of his family's industries, he began to build a trading clan. Eventually, his business spread throughout the entire Holy Light Empire, and he was even bestowed the t.i.tle of Count by the Emperor of the Holy Light Empire. Even though it was only an illusionary t.i.tle, he was still considered an aristocrat, which was an achievement that many had dreamt of.
In just a few decades, the Dougland clan became the largest trading clan in the Holy Light Empire and even the world. His family's business was able to provide all kinds of supplies for the Holy Light Empire.
It was not surprising that the Kingdom of Blackmoon would target and eradicate the Dougland clan. This huge business empire was too useful for the Holy Light Empire.
"I didn't expect that you have such talents, Gutt. Your experience can be considered a legend…"
Merlin was also happy for his friend's achievement. Although Gutt's achievements were nothing compared to Merlin, it had reached the limit of Normies.
"Grandpa!"
A beautiful little girl around seven or eight years old with pretty golden braids was looking at Merlin a little fearfully.
"Come come come. Merlin, this is my granddaughter. Her name is Andie! Little Andie, quickly, greet Grandpa Merlin."
"Uh…"
Merlin was taken aback. Looking at this porcelain doll-like beauty Andie, he suddenly realized that he had reached the "seniority" of a grandfather. Even he already had grandchildren.
"Grandpa Merlin!"
Andie did not seem to mind this excessively young-looking "grandpa". Gutt picked her up but her big eyes seem to be avoiding Merlin. She would peek at Merlin for a while then look outside.
"Grandpa Merlin, I have a request. Can you grant Andie a wish?"
"Oh? Whatever your request, little Andie, I'll surely grant it!"
Merlin smiled. Seeing such a beautiful little girl like Andie, no one would be able to turn her down.
"I would like to touch that big guy but Uncle Guard says that he belongs to Grandpa Merlin."
Following the line of little Andie's gaze, Merlin saw the three-headed dragon outside. It turned out that little Andie was talking about the three-headed dragon.
A faint smile appeared on Merlin's lips. In a low voice, he asked, "That big guy is so scary. Everyone is afraid of him. Isn't Andie afraid of him?"
"Andie is very brave. I'm not afraid! The big guy might look fierce but it must be very pitiful. Grandpa Merlin, can I touch it?"
Merlin smiled. The ferocious three-headed dragon was perceived as "pitiful" by a little girl.
However, seeing the eagerness in little Andie's eyes, Merlin nodded his head. "Of course. Since little Andie isn't afraid, I'll bring you to interact with the big guy closely."
Seeing that Gutt was a little bit uneasy, Merlin said to him calmly. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to her."
Thus, Merlin led Andie and Gutt before the three-headed dragon. The three heads of the three-headed dragon nuzzled Merlin's body lightly, apparently very affectionate toward him.
Merlin said in a deep voice, "Don't hurt anyone here!"
The three-headed dragon nodded its heads. Its intelligence was very high, so naturally, it understood Merlin's command. Then, Merlin led little Andie before the forehead of the three-headed dragon. Smiling, he said, "Little Andie, now both of you are friends, so it won't hurt you."
Little Andie reached out to pat the three-headed dragon excitedly. Due to Merlin's orders, the three-headed dragon dared not get angry. All it could do was glare at Merlin with a "resentful" expression. Since when did a ferocious three-headed dragon monster become a human girl's "oversized pet"?
Little Andie played happily. Gutt also showed a contented smile. Merlin could sense the contentment in Gutt's heart, and an epiphany filled his heart.
Perhaps, Gutt truly had no more regrets in his life…
