Published at 11th of April 2026 6:51 am

Chapter 1666 Blackfire

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Balthazar soared through the night sky.

The hems of his cape fluttered strongly behind him as he slowly, but surely, approached his destination. His eyes flickered with a solemn resolve as he looked toward the horizon.

Soon, he saw a cluster of lights below. Slowly, the military outpost came into view.

Murphy's sudden arrival had been unexpected. But it did give them the opportunity to deal yet another blow deep behind enemy lines.

To kill not just one, but two Mana Core Magi in a single night, and furthermore, even burn their respective military outposts to the ground, would definitely shake the Haynam Empire as well as the Cult that was backing it.

But if Adam plays his cards right, then we might even be able to...

Balthazar left his thoughts drift within the silent recesses of his mind. He had already suggested this plan to Adam before leaving the Red Wind, but much to his surprise, he learned that the youth was already thinking the same.

His lips curled into a light smirk. Initially, he had joined the Dark King's war campaign because he felt guilty for his actions during the Battle of Ravenfell. Truth be told, Balthazar didn't think Adam had enough tactical expertise to lead such a unit and wage war.

But in the year since they had left the Acadian Empire, Balthazar had been surprised by Adam on several occasions.

Gradually, he began to see it. The Dark King was someone worth following into battle.

Amidst his thoughts, Balthazar arrived at the skies above the military outpost where Murphy was stationed had been stationed.

Below, the outpost was still alive with activity despite the late hour. Torches and lanterns lit the grounds. Patrols moved along the walls and streets in steady intervals.

Inside, workers hauled crates, loaded wagons, and checked supplies without pause. Grain sacks were stacked high, and weapons and material components were sorted and bundled. Everything was being prepared for transport to the front lines.

From above, through Balthazar's vantage point, the scale of it was more or less clear. There were easily a thousand people below, all moving with purpose, keeping the war effort running without rest.

He did not feel a shred of pity for these people on the ground. Even if some of them were mere mortals, it did not matter. In war, no one was truly innocent.

What they were doing-loading supplies, preparing weapons, gathering spell components, keeping the outpost running - would eventually cost the lives of soldiers from the Sovereign Union.

That was enough reason.

Balthazar's eyes narrowed as he drew mana from his core. He slowly and calmly began to weave hand seals, guiding the mana from his core through his mana pathways. A moment later, two magic circles flared to life on the surface of his palms.

And then, with a dignified yet ferocious look on his face, he thrust his hands forward, casting the spell that earned him his moniker...

Rank 4 Spell: Blackfire!

From his palms, a wave of black flames surged forward like a tide. It didn't just fall, it poured. Like something out of an apocalypse, the fire rolled down from the sky and crashed violently into the outpost below, swallowing light as it spread.

Even before the flames arrived, the people below started to feel the terrifying heat. And by the time they turned to the source of this strange and frightening phenomenon, it was already too late.

Buildings caught fire instantly, shadows twisting as the unnatural flames consumed everything in their path. People caught in the black flames had no chance. Their screams rose for a few long moments before being cut short.

The fire not only burned, but also consumed everything in its path. Bodies collapsed where they stood, overwhelmed by fire and agony in mere moments. The lucky ones were those who died in their sleep.

Wood ignited at once, the stones darkened, then cracked, and then finally gave way. Even reinforced structures began to warp under the heat as the flames spread without slowing.

The military outpost lost all semblance of order. Meanwhile, Balthazar circled high above, watching everything burn with a cold, detached look on his face. Each time he circled the sky, fire continued to pour forth from his hands and spread on the ground with even greater ferocity. Each turn closed another path of escape for those below who had any chance of survival. Anyone who tried to flee found the black flames already there, cutting them off.

After ensuring that even the towering walls of the outpost had burned and begun to melt, Balthazar finally deactivated his spell.

He levitated above the burning settlement with his arms crossed. A gust of wind blew, making the hems of his clothes and cape flutter behind him. His cold eyes reflected the black flames below, burning everything to ashes.

His Blackfire would burn for a long time, ensuring nothing and no one survived. At the same time, it would also let the enemies know who was responsible for

this massacre.

But Balthazar didn't care. And honestly, neither did Adam.

Their plan was already moving on to the next stages quicker than they had expected, and it was about time that the Haynam Empire and the Cult of Bones knew that the Dark King and his men had entered their territory.

Casting one final glance at the burning outpost below, Balthazar turned around and flew to the rendezvous point.

Of course, he made sure to take a long detour on the way back, making sure to avoid any cultists. It was not that he was scared of confronting them, but that they were needed alive for what came next.

***

Murphy's mind was in chaos.

After losing his connection with the two undead knights, he received a severe backlash that rendered him utterly weak.

Thankfully, Orion had gained consciousness and no longer needed to be carried through the air.

The two soared through the skies under the concealment of Murphy's artifact.

Orion turned to his colleague and said in a grim voice, "If Master learns about what happened-"

Murphy snapped at him while still clutching his head. "I'm the one with the most losses, damn it!"

Orion remained silent. It was indeed as Murphy had said. After all, it was the latter who lost all his undead servants, while he was relatively better off. The only thing he lost was his pride.

"I understand." He nodded solemnly. "Let's get you taken care of first, and then

But his words caught in his throat, and his eyes widened in disbelief at the scene before him.

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