"So, you traveled back in time using the Grail of Time?" Frederin asked, his deep voice steady.

"Yes, that's about right." Merlin nodded slowly, sipping a glass of cold chocolate.

"Hmmm…" Frederin, Iris, and James fell silent, each lost in thought.

The truth was, the reason for their disappearance was absurd—almost impossible to believe.

Yet they all knew that neither of them would lie about something this serious.

Iris lifted her head and studied them seriously. "In that case, can you tell us what you experienced there?"

Luna and Merlin nodded in unison and began recounting their journey in that era.

Since the journey had been so long, they couldn't possibly cover every detail.

They focused on the key events: being chased by the Avernia Kingdom army, meeting Crystal and Prince Altarus—who would later become the ancestor of the Tharot family—and the final battle with the Holy Kingdom of Aldoria.

Their story was so gripping that Frederin, Iris, and James hung on every word.

After two full hours, the tale finally came to an end.

Merlin let out a long sigh and took a sip of his drink to soothe his dry throat. Luna followed suit.

"You met the last queen, Crystal Tharot?" Frederin asked, swallowing hard.

Crystal Tharot was a legendary name in the Tharot family's historical records.

She was said to have taken her deceased husband's place as the head of the Tharot family and leader of the Kingdom of Avernia.

Under her guidance, the Kingdom of Avernia withstood the relentless attacks of the Holy Kingdom of Aldoria.

Although she was ultimately defeated, her name still shone brightly in the hearts of many.

"Yeah, Duke Tharot," Merlin said with a smile. "We met her—even stayed at the palace for weeks. After we successfully defeated Gabriel Solayne and the Holy Kingdom of Aldoria's army, Her Majesty the Queen treated us exceptionally well. She was an incredible leader—just as history records."

If only the Kingdom of Avernia hadn't collapsed in the original timeline, Crystal wouldn't have met such a tragic end, forced to die in exile.

But at least, in the alternate timeline, Crystal, her two sons, the Kingdom of Avernia, and the Tharot family had tasted victory.

History had clearly changed, and Merlin couldn't be sure if, in that era, he and the Clay family would still exist as they did now.

"By the way, Young Master," James called out. "You said you defeated Gabriel Solayne, right? But how? Isn't he supposed to be the second strongest person in the history of the Holy Empire of Aldoria?"

"Even if he had only just ascended to the First Spirit Core at the time, didn't he already have the Dragon of Light as his Guardian Spirit?"

The question immediately drew everyone's attention, including Luna's.

If James hadn't mentioned it, she might not have fully realized what Merlin had said.

As far as she remembered, the one who defeated Gabriel Solayne was the mysterious man her ancestor had mentioned.

But why did Merlin claim it was him?

She also recalled that when Merlin was found, his body had been in critical condition.

Even now, she still didn't know exactly what had happened to him.

Sensing Luna's intense gaze, Merlin felt a flush of embarrassment.

"Ahem! Sorry, Luna. I haven't told you yet. Actually… it was me who defeated Gabriel Solayne," Merlin admitted honestly. "As for how I did it… well, it's a complicated story. In short, I obtained a mysterious potion that allowed me to reach the First Spirit Core stage instantly."

"However, it was extremely risky. My body couldn't handle that much power, and there was a high chance I would die. But luckily, I managed it—and defeated Gabriel Solayne with ease."

His explanation made Iris breathe a sigh of relief.

Her gaze softened as she said, "Next time, don't push yourself too hard, okay? If you get hurt, it'll be dangerous—and it would make us all very worried."

"I understand, Lady Iris," Merlin replied.

"Lady Iris?" Iris frowned. "Why are you suddenly calling me that? Don't you usually call me Aunt?"

Merlin gasped, then remembered that he had started calling Iris "Aunt" from his third day at the mansion.

"Sorry, Aunt," he muttered, smiling sheepishly.

Although only two days had passed in their own world, they had actually spent nearly two months in that era—so he had completely forgotten.

"It's fine," Iris waved dismissively. "By the way, how was your meeting with Duke Altarus? Was he kind… or not?"

She continued asking questions that didn't really matter.

Meanwhile, Frederin and James remained silent, lost in thought.

Merlin's story sounded ordinary, but in reality, it was extraordinary.

He had drunk a potion that let him break through his limits and reach the First Spirit Core stage in an instant.

But for James and Frederin, it wasn't that simple.

Although the First Spirit Core was the final stage of the Nine Stages of Spirit Core, there were still vast differences between the weak and the strong at that level.

As the most talented person after the First King, Gabriel Solayne was undeniably formidable.

Yet Merlin claimed he had defeated him with ease—proof that Merlin, at the First Spirit Core stage, was far stronger than Gabriel Solayne.

The two exchanged a glance, each reading a hidden meaning in the other's eyes.

For James, it was exhilarating news: his young master possessed power that even surpassed the royal family.

For Frederin, it was equally satisfying. His future son-in-law was terrifyingly talented.

He would have to bind Merlin tightly to the Tharot family.

After fifteen minutes, Merlin and Luna were finally allowed to return to their rooms to rest.

Merlin walked beside Luna and smiled at her.

"It's still hard to believe we actually went to the past. Don't you think, Luna?"

Strangely, Luna didn't answer. She just lowered her head, hiding her face.

"Luna?" Merlin called hesitantly.

She remained silent, but then, suddenly, she lifted her head. Her face was flushed, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Merlin froze in place. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Luna gritted her teeth and threw herself against him, pounding his chest with her tightly clenched fists.

"You idiot! Why didn't you tell me something so important? You killed Gabriel, and you didn't say a word! Don't you know how worried I was? Stupid Merlin! Stupid! Stupid!"

She sobbed, continuing to hit him.

Merlin didn't retaliate or show anger. He let her release her emotions fully.

After five minutes, Luna's crying finally subsided, and Merlin hugged her tightly.

Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "I'm sorry. I know I was wrong back then. But your ancestor forbade me from telling you so you wouldn't worry, Luna. Will you forgive me?"

Feeling his warm embrace, Luna's anger slowly melted away.

Her body relaxed, and she pressed her face against his chest.

"I forgive you, but you owe me two compensations," she stated coldly.

"Two compensations?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"

Luna lifted her head and held up two fingers.

"First, I want you to accompany me shopping at the Dragon God Festival until it's over," she said firmly.

"That's all?" Merlin chuckled softly. "Alright, I understand. And the second?"

Luna hesitated. Her face turned as red as an apple, and she bit her lower lip.

"That… I want you to kiss me," she whispered softly, pointing to her right cheek.

Merlin was speechless, unable to believe what he had just heard.

'Kiss her? Is Luna serious?'

He met her gaze and saw the embarrassment she was trying so hard to hide.

"[Tsk! Master, what are you waiting for? Go kiss the heroine Luna! Chances like this don't come twice, you know?]"

The system's teasing voice echoed in his mind.

"You…" The corners of Merlin's mouth twitched.

The system was annoying as ever, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Still, Merlin realized that the system had a point.

Since Luna had already asked, as a man, he couldn't just pretend to be oblivious.

Besides, their two-month journey in the past had created a bond between him and Luna far stronger than the one he had with the other heroines.

Holding back his pounding heart, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to her right cheek.

The moment Luna felt the warm touch, her mind went blank.

Her heart raced so fast that her body felt like it was burning, as if she were submerged in a hot spring.

"[Ding! The affection of heroine Luna Tharot has increased by 0.5 points. Current affection: 99.5 (5)]"

No sooner had the notification appeared than Luna suddenly released her embrace, spun around, and dashed toward her room like lightning.

Merlin was left alone, smiling helplessly.

"System, did you predict this outcome?"

The system feigned ignorance. "[What do you mean, Master? I don't understand.]"

Merlin rolled his eyes, touched his lips, and muttered, "Still… her cheeks felt really soft."

A faint, involuntary smile appeared on his face.

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