Chapter 1083: Chapter 265: Return to the True Self (2)

His manner of speaking had changed noticeably, with a simplistic and brutal line of thinking, leading them to once believe he had gone mad.

If one were to say they had been transformed into other creatures, it would make sense.

"I know there could never be trust between us, let alone reconciliation, and I can assure you that once the tribe is defeated, I will immediately resume collecting 15 souls from you daily."

The red eyes in the mirror revealed a cunning smile, "But on the other hand, this is a display of restraint—we long to taste your souls, indulge in watching you struggle in despair, yet we would never directly drain a plane of all its nutrients, just like you—for the prosperity and glory of the Ten Special Districts, you too would have the Edge World offer countless souls to you."

It paused slightly, "But on the other hand, the tribe doesn’t seem to understand restraint; when they charge at their prey, they kill everything in sight, and when they incorporate your subordinates, they never consider the art of balance, constantly absorbing from all around until all surrounding resources are drained or assimilated."

"I can also share some interesting discoveries with you. When my subordinates first encountered that Warlord, half of them managed to escape back to their master, but this time, she fashioned a weapon resembling a firearm upon appearance, and not only that, she made a giant leap in both power and speed."

"Sadly, even I cannot predict what stage she might evolve to if given enough time. I know to you, in theory, I might someday die at her hands, but I can assure you that day will never come."

"This planet indeed holds many things of interest to us, but once we become aware that the threats here outweigh the rewards, we will leave this planet and leave you with that uncontrollable, dreadful creature."

...

"So, are you seeking collaboration with me then?"

The Chief Prosecutor waited for the red eyes to stop "lecturing" and walked up to the mirror, carefully scrutinizing the other.

"Collaboration?"

The red eyes shook their head, "I’m merely reminding you that compared to us, you are facing a greater threat. This is your only chance to eliminate it, and I, filled with goodwill, have relieved you of your tax burdens, allowing you to focus enough energy on solving this crisis."

............

Meanwhile, at a temporary secret base.

This was the hideout of Zhuang Xiao and the place of the tribe’s rise, though Merlin seriously doubted whether this could still be called "secret."

With the addition of another batch of tribe members, the tribe’s territory expanded to the entire block. These new Judges used their authority to commandeer nearby unoccupied houses, and the war workshop’s scale was increasingly growing. In just one day, the technical director produced a set of combat suits against demons, including a nail gun and a mace.

Moreover, the two floating cars obtained through trade have been repainted with new graffiti. Not only are they faster, but the technical director also painted a nail cannon on the hood, capable of delivering a storm-like barrage to demons over a fan-shaped area.

The firm belief of not "going along with" Zhuang Xiao wavered.

Merlin gradually unraveled the secret among them—if the tribe members firmly believed something would happen, then it indeed could become reality, provided this belief aligned with their understanding and common sense.

Thus, this also sparked a new thought in Merlin’s mind.

"Wait, you’re not..."

Song Xian couldn’t help but ask as he saw Merlin observing the tribe’s war workshop all day.

Even he didn’t know what he was sulking over, logically speaking, accepting Zhuang Xiao’s invitation was undoubtedly the best choice for them now. The fact proved Zhuang Xiao could indeed blast demons with a stick, but... after experiencing countless upheavals, "normal" thinking was one of the few things they had left.

Accepting the invitation meant they would be immediately assimilated into the tribe.

They witnessed the "transformation" process of those new members, who immediately became abnormal once granted a stick by Zhuang Xiao.

"It’s not just about losing."

Merlin murmured, "Maybe we can retrieve something lost."

Legendary Mage Merlin.

King of Gold.

And the founders of the guild.

After being endowed with powers by the Goddess, they reached the true peak of their lives.

Moreover, those were not mythologized stories from books, but their common sense, their real lives.

"I know what you’re thinking."

Song Xian pressed Merlin’s shoulder, which might also be another reason he was reluctant to accept Zhuang Xiao’s invitation—the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. From his observation, although Zhuang Xiao became extraordinarily powerful after establishing the tribe, she did not regain the powers belonging to the Crimson Queen.

Those were powers granted by the Queen, and how could Zhuang Xiao possibly reach that level?

"You will be disappointed."

"That’s still better than doing nothing."

Merlin brushed off Song Xian’s hand, realizing he had wallowed in self-pity for too long and it was time to take the first step forward. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Zhuang Xiao."

He walked up to Zhuang Xiao, and at that moment, the tribe’s Warlord was using an electric stove to cook fruit soup.

"Hm?"

Zhuang Xiao glanced up at the negativity-laden Merlin, puzzled.

"I’m in."

The two locked eyes for a long time, and Zhuang Xiao’s observation of Merlin was much more meticulous than when other citizens joined the tribe, as if scrutinizing the uncommon talent within Merlin.

"You can become the High Priest of the tribe."

Zhuang Xiao left the pot on the stove and walked straight to the tribe’s armory, fetching an uncarved piece of wood. She scanned her surroundings and finally found the ripest strawberry in a bountiful fruit basket.

"You don’t need a stick."

She placed the ripe strawberry at the top of the wooden stick and began crafting.

When she handed the staff to Merlin, a bright, sparkling red gem had appeared at the top of the staff, "Go meditate, the tribe needs a Nature Mage!"

This was exactly what Merlin wanted to do.

He grasped the staff and sat in front of the bonfire.

Many things filled his mind; that time they "crossed over" to the Otherworld, on the journey seeking the Goddess, he met an Elemental Shaper while wandering outside. They were then in the suburbs, seated by a bright bonfire, and he watched the elder wave his staff, as the flames in the bonfire danced with it.

Merlin was deeply mesmerized.

Back then, his mind was not burdened with complex thoughts, only purely drawn to the fire element spells.

He aligned the staff’s ruby towards the pile of wood, following his inspiration, reciting the incantations that already existed in his mind.

From the woodpile, arose curling smoke, and as Merlin grew more focused, the smoke turned into bright flames.

The flames rapidly blazed, using the wood as fuel.

In that moment, Merlin seemed to have recaptured that initial feeling.

No complex thoughts, no burdensome responsibilities, only the curiosity and joy for magic.

He no longer needed to bear someone else’s hope but to live as Elemental Shaper Merlin.

The bright flames reflected in his eyes, as he attentively felt the fire element gathering in front of him, immersing him with warmth.

Everything seemed just like yesterday.

Until two Bionic Man police officers held Merlin’s shoulders on either side.

The only trouble was, this wasn’t an outdoor forest clearing but rather the street outside the secret base.

Tall buildings surrounded them, across the street, the residents of the First Special District, with phones in hand, cast dissatisfied looks his way.

"Sir, you’ve been reported for arson in the street, please come with us."