"Marcus, do not fear; he is already dead. This is merely his soul," Cole said, looking at Marcus with disdain.
"Lord Cole, is that truly so?" Marcus asked timidly.
Cole did not answer, merely nodding slightly.
"Merlin, tell me who killed you," Cole asked sternly.
"It was three young lads, Lord Cole," Merlin's soul replied slowly.
"Do you know anything about them?"
"I do not. I only know that two of them I saw while attacking the Paralar Empire. The other, I have never seen."
"How, then, should I find them?"
"I do not know. But one of them is a female mage. She should be from the United Nations."
"What does she look like?"
"She has short red hair. I believe her name is Lisa."
"Lisa?" Cole said, eyeing Marcus.
"Lord Cole, I believe Master Hakin has an apprentice named Lisa," Marcus whispered.
"Indeed, it is them. It seems Hakin has not yet given up," Cole remarked.
"Lord Cole, what do you intend to do?" Marcus asked, a sly grin spreading across his face.
"I will find their location, and you will have Arno eliminate them," Cole said, his expression twisted with malice.
"Heh, yes, I believe Arno will enjoy this task," Marcus said smugly.
Cole raised his sword once more, and began muttering strange incantations. From the tip of his sword, white mist began to pour out, gradually taking form. It became a figure of an old man, still draped in elegant attire.
"King Sam, do you know why I have summoned you?" Cole asked seriously.
"No, Lord Cole," the spirit of the old man responded in a fearful tone. Despite his death, he was still terrified of Cole.
"King Sam, tell me, does the United Nations have any other secret bases?" Cole inquired sternly. The spirit of King Sam bowed his head, unwilling to meet Cole's gaze, silent as he pondered.
"Do you wish for me to continue tormenting you?" Cole's voice became even more menacing.
"No, no! Please, spare my soul!" King Sam's spirit quickly raised his head, terrified.
"Then speak the truth!" Cole bellowed.
"Many years ago, to prevent war, we built a simple refuge under Master Hakin's supervision," King Sam confessed with great remorse.
"Where?"
"On the easternmost coast of Roland Continent, at the highest peak in the east."
"Good."
"Lord Cole, you must promise me you will not harm my son."
"Hmph, do not worry. Your son has long been turned into a soulless husk by Hakin. We have no need to harm him further," Cole dismissed, raising his sword once more.
The spirits of Merlin and King Sam transformed into white mist once again, swirling into the tip of Cole's sword.
"Did you hear that, Marcus?" Cole turned his head slightly to speak to Marcus.
"Hehehe, heard it. I'll send Arno right away," Marcus said with a malicious chuckle.
"Mm." Cole nodded slightly.
...
Meanwhile, Will and Jin were still practicing diligently, trying to learn how to maintain their energy for extended periods.
"Remember, remember, remember that feeling," Will muttered to himself, struggling to maintain his aura.
Jin, in contrast, remained far more tranquil, sitting silently without a sound. The red dragon aura surrounding him moved slowly like a serpent winding its way around his body.
"Mr. Will, you must calm yourself. Being still like Mr. Jin will help much more," Master Hakin said with a smile.
Will glanced at Jin, who appeared as though he were in complete solitude, untouched by the world around him.
"Oh, I just remembered, Mr. Will, there is something I forgot to tell you about your mental power," Master Hakin said quietly.
"What is it?" Will asked, puzzled.
"Take out the Durandal from your waist," Master Hakin gestured toward Will's sword.
"Master Hakin, you know about Durandal?" Will asked in surprise, hastily pulling out the sword and handing it to Hakin.
"Ah, Durandal. To possess this sword means you are the most powerful paladin in the Paralar Empire, correct?" Master Hakin asked with a smile.
"No, actually, quite the opposite. I am not the most powerful paladin. In fact, I am not a paladin at all," Will replied awkwardly.
"What? I thought only paladins with immense spiritual power could wield Durandal."
"Yes, this sword originally belonged to a general named Leon, but he was slain by Merlin. Later, the King and Pope Matthew entrusted it to me."
"I see. They still regard you as the most powerful paladin," Master Hakin said, excitedly.
Hearing this, Will felt no joy. After all, he had only received the sword because Leon was no longer alive.
"Back to the point. The reason Durandal is called a holy sword is because it resonates with the spiritual power of paladins. The stronger the mental power, the more powerful the sword becomes," Master Hakin said, examining Durandal closely.
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. You should try it for yourself. You must channel your energy into the sword," Master Hakin said, handing the sword back to Will.
"Channel my energy into the sword?" Will stared at the holy sword Durandal.
Will closed his eyes slowly, focusing on the Roland power within him. Thanks to Master Hakin's training, he was now able to control his energy with ease.
Surrounded by golden energy, Will brought Durandal before him. He gazed at it as one would an old friend.
Gradually, the golden aura began to move, as though it had a life of its own, flowing up into Durandal.
"It worked!" Lisa, who had been watching quietly, suddenly cried out with excitement.
"Ha ha, indeed," Master Hakin smiled with satisfaction.
Soon, the golden aura completely enveloped Durandal, and the entire blade began to glow with a brilliant golden light.