Strange Wind

[Old Yue was still working hard on the second chapter...]

Merlin followed behind Pula into the castle. The moment he entered, he felt that the castle's decorative style was somewhat peculiar.

The slightly yellowed walls were covered with colorful murals. Some were blurred beyond recognition, others badly mottled; almost none remained clear.

"This castle seems very old?"

Merlin asked Pula.

Pula nodded. "That's right. This castle is indeed extremely old. Even the oldest people in the territory cannot say when it was built."

They only knew that the castle had stood for at least five hundred years, perhaps even longer! Ever since the Baron moved into this castle, he had ordered it renovated, but the decorations in this hall had not been touched and remained exactly as they had been.

Merlin nodded. Most buildings in this world were very sturdy, and many castles could endure for centuries or even millennia. Perhaps this castle had been built by some noble hundreds of years ago.

"By the way, where is Father?"

Merlin looked around and found only a few servants, but no sign of Old Wilson.

A sharp glint flashed through Pula's eyes. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Because large bands of bandits have recently been active around the territory, the Baron has already taken men out to patrol the surrounding area."

"He will probably not return until tonight."

Although Old Wilson was absent, the castle naturally had a steward—and she was a very beautiful female steward. After Pula handed Merlin over to her, he left the castle to continue patrolling outside.

The female steward had a very voluptuous figure and looked to be around thirty. Her lips were painted a vivid red, and her gaze kept roaming over Merlin's body.

"Young Master Merlin, you have traveled all day and must be tired. I have already had hot water prepared and placed in your room."

The female steward then led Merlin into a spacious room. Inside stood an enormous bathtub filled with steaming hot water.

"Young Master Merlin, please."

At some point, the female steward had closed the door and come to the side of the bathtub. It seemed she intended to serve Merlin as he bathed.

Ever since coming to this world, Merlin had been constantly repressed. Now, in a completely unfamiliar place and facing such a beautiful woman, heat immediately rose within him.

Splash.

Merlin stripped off his clothes and jumped straight into the bathtub. The female steward smiled sweetly, her eyes soft as silk, while her tender little hands wandered constantly over Merlin's body.

Merlin narrowed his eyes slightly. A blaze of desire quickly rose within him, and he suddenly seized the female steward's hand, chuckling in a low voice. "Come in."

With a tug of his hand, Merlin pulled the female steward directly into the bathtub.

Though the female steward was still clothed, the curves of her body had been revealed beyond doubt, adding several more measures of temptation. Her small hands gently stroked Merlin's chest.

Merlin had practiced the postures on the Mysterious Relief tirelessly for a long time. Though he had never trained specifically, his body had become exceptionally strong.

Within his taut muscles lay terrifying explosive power.

Yet Merlin had his eyes closed at that moment, enjoying the caress of the female steward's tender hands.

"Young Master Merlin truly is worthy of being the Baron's son. This body of yours is not inferior to the Baron's in the slightest!"

The female steward breathed like an orchid as she whispered into Merlin's ear.

"Hm? What did you say? You have served Father?"

Merlin suddenly opened his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

The female steward covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Of course. Every time the Baron came to the territory, I was the one who served him!"

As she spoke, the female steward thrust out her ample chest, seemingly quite proud of herself.

A strange expression appeared on Merlin's face. Although the female steward was straddling him in an incomparably intimate posture, all desire vanished from his heart.

Instead, waves of chill ran through him.

Merlin had already learned that the private lives of nobles were mostly rotten and depraved. It was commonplace among nobles for a beautiful maid like this to serve Old Wilson and then serve Merlin; it was no great matter. Yet he still found it somewhat impossible to accept.

"Get out. I do not need you to serve me anymore."

Merlin's voice was icy as he directly drove out the still-stunned female steward.

Merlin soaked completely in the warm water, and the fatigue in his body seemed to be fading away bit by bit.

However, the desire stirred up by the beautiful female steward left his heart restless.

With no other choice, Merlin closed his eyes, leaned against the side of the tub, and began to meditate.

Meditation required one to enter a strange state that was both there and not there. Thus, Merlin's thoughts soon gradually calmed, and he seemed to forget everything around him. He remained motionless in the bathtub, utterly immersed in meditation.

"Wuu wuu wuu..."

Who knew how much time had passed before Merlin seemed to hear bursts of sobbing, like the cries of an infant.

Splash.

The eerie sound jolted Merlin awake. He hurriedly stood up, but his entire body shivered. Looking down at the water, he found it had already turned cold. He had meditated for at least two hours.

"What was that sound?"

Merlin climbed out of the bathtub, dressed himself, and listened closely. He discovered that the sobbing sound was growing clearer and clearer, sending chills down his spine.

He left the room and went downstairs, where he happened to run into Commander Pula on patrol.

"Uncle Pula, what was that sound just now? It seemed like a child crying."

Merlin asked softly. He noticed that the expressions of the guards beside Pula did not change in the slightest, as though they had long grown accustomed to it.

Outside the castle, it was pitch-black. Pula took two steps forward and said to Merlin, "Young Master Merlin, it is actually nothing. It is the sound of the wind! Not far outside the castle, a strange wind often blows."

"That sound is caused by those strange winds. It is not a child crying."

"Oh? There is such a strange place? Uncle Pula, could you take me to see it?"

Curiosity stirred in Merlin's heart. He wanted to see what kind of strange wind could produce such terrifying sounds.

"This strange wind is actually nothing... Since Young Master Merlin wishes to see it, then let us go."

Pula frowned and hesitated slightly. But perhaps because that place was not far from the castle and did not count as leaving the castle grounds, he finally nodded in agreement. He had someone bring a candelabrum, lit five candles, and led the way ahead.

Merlin followed closely behind Pula.