Shadow of the Beautiful World

Talia, the only daughter of Master Ninja, the current interim leader of the League of Assassins.

This woman with perfect appearance is undoubtedly a natural stunner. But hidden under that beautiful exterior is a soul full of ambition and longing.

Although Merlin didn't have much contact with Talia, he could also sense that Talia's desire for power and recognition was very stubborn, and even reached a pathological point.

This was shown when Merlin met Talia for the first time.

In order to get the approval of her father, the Master Assassin, Thalia, who was still very young and considered a rookie assassin at the time, dared to take the risk of being killed and sneaked into the British Ministry of Magic to steal things.

And when she and Merlin entered the attacked Nandarbat before, facing the ninja master who was attacked by Deathstroke, Thalia also asked Merlin to help after weighing the gains and losses indifferently.

That is to say, if at that time it was more in Talia's interest to let Master Ninja be killed by Deathstroke, this beauty would probably prevent Merlin from intervening in that battle.

In this case, to say she was calculating was a compliment.

And in Merlin's heart, Talia's perfect and attractive appearance has already been linked with the word cold-blooded.

The woman, however, had a truly disinterested affection for her son.

This has also been confirmed.

Before, when he was in Switzerland, Merlin didn't know Damian's identity. He used the child to threaten Thalia, and the care and desire for protection that this woman showed for her son also couldn't be faked.

Damian is her weakness, there's no question about that.

Therefore, when Merlin suggested that Talia send Damian to Gotham, Talia's expression immediately became gloomy. Like a deadly cold wind blowing in the snow-capped mountains.

You're taking it too far, Merlin.

Thalia said bluntly:

What's the future of Damian? That's our mother and son's business. It has nothing to do with you! It has nothing to do with Bruce! He is my son, and only belongs to me!

I didn't mean to take him away.

Merlin did not refute Talia because of her unkind accusation. On the contrary, Merlin explained seriously:

You have been entrusted with an important task by Master Ninja to re-establish the headquarters of the League of Assassins in Interlaken. Even if you have other commanders to assist you, this process will be very long. I talked with Master Ninja, and I know that the League of Assassins is now in decline. In fact, when you support the revival of the League of Assassins, do you really have the energy to take care of your own children?

Thalia subconsciously wanted to refute, but faced with Merlin's explanation, she was at a loss for a while.

Indeed, the relocation of an organization like the League of Assassins is by no means an easy task, nor can it be completed overnight.

Moreover, she did not have the unquestionable prestige of her father. After her father passed away, it was still unknown whether she could successfully take over the branches of the League of Assassins around the world.

Once she didn't handle it well, leading to internal divisions in the organization again, the road to revival of the Assassin League under her leadership in Talia's mind would only become more difficult.

Merlin saw the entanglement in Talia's eyes, and he calmly added another fire.

What's more, you haven't forgotten the death knell, have you?

Merlin says:

He was just repulsed, rescued by his cronies, he didn't die because of his hatred for Lars al-Ghul, if he decides to attack again, can you fight Nandarbat like death knell Protect your young son under such an all-round offensive?

I'm really not sure.

Thalia says:

But do you think Bruce can protect Damian?

Of course he can.

Merlin said without doubt:

I have never doubted Bruce's determination to protect his son. Most importantly, don't forget that Bruce defeated your father. Although there is an element of luck in it, it is undeniable that Bruce is far stronger than you think .”

And Damian's age is a critical period of character growth. The child has been poisoned enough by the distorted thinking of the ninja master. It's time for him to learn from his father who is more in line with the image of a hero.

Be careful what you say!

Thalia warned dissatisfiedly:

You're questioning my father, and that's a dangerous thing to do in South Darbat.

But you should also know that I'm right.

Merlin said softly:

You are also dissatisfied with some of your father's behavioral styles, aren't you? Thalia, we have had intersections for a long time, at least in this regard, you can't hide it from me.

I

In the end, Talia did not refute. She remained silent and brought Merlin to Damian's room. She handed the key to Merlin. When escorted away by the warriors, Talia said softly:

As for your suggestion, I will consider it.

Well, trust me.

Merlin says:

Children are born to grow up by their father's side. If it's really for Demian's good, you should give him a chance to choose freely. He has been by your side for 7 years, and it's time for him to spend some time with his father. .Maybe, Bruce will bring you a surprise?

What ecstasy soup did Bruce give you?

Thalia snorted dissatisfied:

From entering Nandalbat to now, you have been speaking for him! Even because he rejected me, Merlin, have you fallen in love with Bruce?

hehe.

Regarding Thalia's malicious speculation, Merlin smiled and said:

Regarding this, you can rest assured that I will never rob you of a man. To be honest, if I want to rob you, Thalia, you have no chance at all.

Shut up.

Thalia said something bitterly, and then quickly left the heavily guarded place. She's busy, she has too much time to deal with.

Merlin stepped forward, under the silent watch of the warriors who were responsible for protecting the young master, he stretched out his hand and unlocked the door in front of him, then pushed the door open, and walked into the very warm room where the fireplace was burning.

Boy Damian was sitting alone in front of the flames of the fireplace.

He didn't have the indifferent temperament that didn't match his age in Switzerland before. Now, under the blow of the death of his most admired relative, he is more like a lonely and helpless 7-year-old child.

Damian was cleaning a black Hidden Blade in his hand, which should be a relic given to him by Master Ninja before his death.

Merlin didn't immediately step forward to disturb the child's longing for his loved ones.

He knew that what Damian needs now is not comfort from other people, but what this child needs is to get rid of the confusion in his heart.

When it comes to raising children, Merlin is no stranger.

He's been with little Eric since he was 21, and then Charlie, Peter, Ava and, more recently, Matt.

He didn't lack experience in communicating with children, so Merlin quietly leaned against the wall of the warm room, and he didn't speak until several minutes later, when Damian finished wiping the Hidden Blade:

You should know that even if you polish that sword, your grandfather won't be resurrected because of it, right?

Go away.

Damian said in a dejected tone:

I'm not in the mood to argue with you.

What a coincidence.

Merlin was not angry, on the contrary, he said with a smile:

I'm not in the mood to watch a little kid pretending to be deep. If your mother hadn't asked me to take care of me, I wouldn't even have looked at you more. It must be a very painful thing to pass away quietly in the weakness of ordinary people, and to leave quietly, right?

boom

Damian kicked over the chair beside him. He turned his head and looked fiercely at Merlin with his arms folded. He said:

Do you want to fight? Wizard!

No, I don't want to.

Merlin looked Damian up and down, and he said seriously:

I mean, I really want to exercise my muscles and bones, but I don't want to bully a little guy who is about to cry. Look at the tear stains on your face. When you were resting last night, you secretly hid in the quilt and cried, right? brat.

Shut up!

Merlin's malicious words ignited the anger of Damian, who was in a bad mood, almost instantly.

The 7-year-old screamed, clenched his fists, and punched Merlin in the face with agility and ferocity that didn't suit his age at all.

But he's just a kid after all.

Although he has the same strength and speed as an adult, and was trained by his grandfather as a war machine since he was a child, but facing a secret agent who has already experienced many battles, Damian's force value is indeed slightly inferior.

boom

The fist he slammed was easily held by Merlin's outstretched hand.

A trace of sarcasm appeared on Merlin's face, and when he flipped his wrist, Damian was thrown back to the spot.

Merlin patted the dust that didn't exist on his body, he hooked his fingers, and the black Hidden Sword that Demian put aside fell into Merlin's hands under the impetus of an invisible force.

He tossed the ninja master's relic up and down, and under Damian's murderous gaze, Merlin said calmly:

Damian, do you know what the Hidden Blade means to an assassin?

Damian glared at Merlin, but he didn't answer.

Merlin also looked at the child in front of him, he sighed, he put the black Hidden Blade into his pocket like a bottomless pit, he said:

Master Ninja is really, such a dangerous thing, just give it to children as a toy so casually, I will put it away for you first, Damian, I will return it to you when you are worthy of it.

Oh, this sentence is vicious.

What Merlin meant was clearly: Boy, you are not worthy of it now!

How could the proud young master Damian, who had been raised as the proud son of heaven since he was a child, bear it?

Coupled with Merlin's disrespect for his grandfather, this completely ignited the last trace of calm in Damian's heart.

Ah! Go to hell!

Damian screamed like an angry wolf cub. He pulled out the one-handed sharp knife placed by the fireplace as an ornament. Driven by anger, he held the sharp knife without holding back his hand. , and stabbed straight at Merlin.

And just before the sharp blade touched Merlin's body, Damian saw Merlin stretch out his fingers, intertwined lightly, and with a snap of fingers, a dazzling blue light wiped Merlin and its figure completely. engulf.

puff

The next moment, when the light of the Transfiguration Curse dissipated, Damian fell freely from a height of 3 meters, and fell into the cold and thick snow.

He slapped the snowflakes on his body in a hurry, and climbed up from the snow pit with the vigorous movements that a soldier should have. Then he held the sword vigilantly and looked around.

Here was a vast white world, with heavy snow falling from the gray sky, and under his feet, there was several inches of cold snow.

Damian breathed out a breath of cold air, and he felt a chill even though he was only wearing his training clothes. He shivered, turned his head, and saw the vague outline of Nandarbat at the bottom of the cliff.

The damned Merlin teleported him to the peak of the snow-capped mountain that was so cold that he could freeze to death within ten minutes.

swish

Merlin's figure also appeared in this cold, icy and snowy field at this moment.

But compared to Damian's embarrassment, Merlin, who was wearing a gray casual suit with the corners still fluttering gently in the cold wind, looked much more elegant.

With his right hand in his trouser pocket and his left hanging by his side, he was standing on the snow 5 meters away from Damian, looking leisurely like a lazy young man strolling on the streets of New York.

The moment he saw Merlin appear, Damian uttered a slightly childish roar. He ran on the snow with his whole body, swung his knife, and slashed at Merlin in the falling snow of goose feathers.

clang

With Merlin's left arm raised, a silver sharp blade protruding from his cuff precisely blocked the sharp blade that Demian had cut.

Between the interlacing sparks of the weapons, Merlin swung his wrist outward, and under the impetus of that force, Damian spun twice in the air before falling back into the snow.

Merlin put his left hand in front of his body, the edge of the Holy Silver Hidden Blade was shining in the snow, he looked at Damian's surprised face, in this icy and snowy place where there were only the two of them, he said softly:

Although I can use magic, in a sense, I can barely be considered a master assassin.

I know that the death of Master Ninja is very painful for you, but the death of a legendary person should not be commemorated by mourning, you should use more powerful actions to commemorate it. Damian, your grandfather's spirit in the sky is watching you.

He always thought you were a born fighter, not a wimpy kid.

so

Behave for me, be decent!