Bang! Bang! Bang!
At dawn, while it was still barely light outside, a heavy pounding suddenly came from the door.
"Merlin, get up! Something's happened!"
Old Wilson's deep voice came from outside, and he sounded extremely urgent.
"Hm?"
Merlin abruptly opened his eyes.
He glanced at Avril and Shirley beside him. They were still sleeping soundly, showing no signs of waking.
So Merlin did not wake them. He got up and opened the door, only to find Old Wilson standing outside with an anxious expression.
The moment he saw Merlin, Old Wilson said in a low voice, "Merlin, hurry. Longadi has already sent out his army, and they've reached the outskirts of the city. Earl Sailin sent someone to invite you to discuss matters at the Earl's Castle."
"Longadi moved that quickly?"
Merlin was somewhat surprised as well. In his view, Longadi should have needed more time before deciding to swallow the Pugas City-State whole, but he had not expected him to act so soon.
"Father, I'll go first!"
Merlin got dressed and quickly arrived at the main hall, where two knights had already been waiting.
"Baron Merlin, the Earl requests your presence!"
The two knights were very courteous toward Merlin as they spoke respectfully.
"Lead the way!"
Merlin followed the two knights into the carriage, which hurried toward the Earl's Castle.
Before long, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
Merlin jumped down and saw that many carriages had already gathered outside the Earl's Castle. It seemed Earl Sailin had summoned quite a few people.
Merlin entered the castle directly and found many nobles inside, all wearing anxious expressions.
Earl Sailin's expression was especially grim. Before everyone, he was only barely maintaining his composure.
"Baron Merlin! You came at the right time. There are already many Lebis troops outside