The moment Erwin's bloodline energy fully merged with his core, his eyes snapped open. A faint, draconic roar resonated from his very being. His gaze seemed to pierce through layers of space, locking onto a figure within the void.
Erwin's lips curled into a cold smile. "Found you."
Merlin was his target. From the beginning, Erwin had intended for the so-called God of Magic to perish. The Dragon Speaker bloodline was an indispensable asset, and he could not claim it while Merlin still lived. Even setting aside the bloodline, Merlin's reckless attempts to play the role of a puppet master had disrupted too many of Erwin's plans. For reasons both practical and personal, Merlin had to be eliminated.
Erwin vanished from the spot, reappearing instantly in the pocket dimension where Merlin lingered.
Merlin stared, stunned by the sudden intrusion. "How did you get here so easily?"
Erwin ignored the question. His attention drifted to the dark mist swirling around them. "It seems your condition is worse than I anticipated," he murmured.
Merlin frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Before he could demand an answer, a voice echoed from the depths of a dark cavern nearby. "Huh. You've actually awakened to this extent?"
Merlin realized with a start that Erwin hadn't been speaking to him at all.
Erwin addressed the cavern. "Yes, I didn't expect it either. But I have to thank them for their meticulous planning."
The voice from the darkness laughed—a dry, grating sound. "They don't even know who their enemy is. They think they're the players, but in reality, they're all pawns. Is this all part of your scheme?"
Erwin shook his head. "It's all just coincidence."
The voice fell silent for a long moment. When it spoke again, the amusement was gone. "Coincidence? Or a calculated move?"
Erwin didn't answer. He turned back to Merlin. "God of Magic. Merlin. We finally meet."
Merlin's eyes narrowed. "Who exactly are you? You weren't the one we chose from the beginning."
Erwin smiled, a gesture that didn't reach his eyes. "See? That's your biggest problem. You don't realize the crucial truth: you were never the players. You never had a choice. You haven't understood the cause and effect. It wasn't you who chose me. It was me who chose you."
Merlin's expression tightened. "So, what is your purpose? To destroy this world, just like him?"
Erwin paused.
Then, almost simultaneously, Erwin and the voice from the cavern burst into laughter. It wasn't a sound of mirth, but of cold derision.
Merlin flushed with irritation. "What are you laughing at?"
Erwin's smile vanished. "Who told you we were going to destroy this world? Neither he nor I ever intended to destroy it. We just utilize it in different ways." He waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. There's no point in arguing. You know more than most, but you're still blind to the truth."
Erwin's gaze sharpened. "If I'm not mistaken, you've seen the gods of the East, haven't you?"
Merlin's heart skipped a beat. This was his greatest secret, one he had never revealed to anyone. How could Erwin know?
From the cavern, the voice spoke again, this time laced with genuine surprise. "Him? Saw the Eastern gods? How is that possible? The timing doesn't align."
Erwin ignored the voice, keeping his eyes on Merlin. "Before they departed, the last to leave were the mountain spirits. You should know that. If I'm not mistaken, Merlin, you saw the spirit of a certain mountain, didn't you?"
Merlin fell silent. He couldn't speak.
Erwin chuckled softly. "So, that's how you came to be noticed by those Western spirits and dragged into this plan. Unfortunately, you know nothing of its true nature."
A creeping realization settled in Merlin's chest. Erwin spoke with a certainty that left no room for doubt. He truly did know.
"Tell me," Merlin said, his voice strained. "What exactly is happening?"
Erwin's smile returned, thin and predatory. "Since I'm in a good mood today—though I'm too disinclined to explain—I'll let you see for yourself."
A pulse of purple light erupted from Erwin, striking Merlin before he could react. Merlin tried to dodge, but his desperate need for answers rooted him to the spot. The light pierced his forehead, and his consciousness was violently pulled outward.
The scene before him shattered. He seemed to be soaring high above, looking down upon the world with a gaze that wasn't his own.
Erwin turned his back on the frozen Merlin, walking instead toward the dark opening in the space. "How pathetic," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "To have brought yourself to such a state. Too unfortunate, you're on the wrong path."
The voice from inside the cavern sneered. "What? You're going to lecture me now? And what makes you think you're any better? You wield power derived from them, don't you? False gods, false immortality! Your path isn't necessarily correct either."
Erwin laughed. "I never said my path was correct. But at least I'm far better off than you. I am still outside. And you? How long will it take you to escape? A year? Two? Three?"
"I was only trapped because I was weak," the voice snarled. "Merlin is eliminated. I'll be out in less than a year! What? You wanted to kill Merlin? If he were alive, with the power he was given, he could still suppress me for three years!"
Erwin shrugged. "Three years or one—it doesn't matter to me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done so many things."
The voice paused. "My physical form... you did that?"
Erwin nodded. "Yes. I finally released you myself. Don't disappoint me."
The voice from the cavern laughed—a booming, triumphant sound that shook the unstable space. "Excellent. Erwin, you truly are the product of my careful consideration. You are absolutely perfect. Just as proud as me. Just as arrogant as me. And most importantly, just as confident as me. I haven't gone down the wrong path. Erwin, wait for me. Wait for me! You must wait for me!"
Black mist swirled violently around the cavern, surging toward Erwin like a tidal wave.
Erwin snorted coldly. Purple light flashed around him, forming an impenetrable barrier that deflected the darkness. "I will wait for you. We have too many scores to settle."
The cavern gradually calmed, falling silent once more.
Just then, Merlin slowly awakened. His eyes opened, filled with a horror and disbelief that seemed to fracture his very soul.
"He... he is actually..." Merlin choked out, the truth of what he had witnessed finally dawning on him.