Published at 12th of April 2026 6:45 am

Chapter 1668 Murphy's Paranoia

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Jomuran was one of the more prosperous cities in the southwestern region of the Haynam Empire, home to a population of nearly a hundred thousand.

It was a trade city first and foremost. Caravans passed through its gates almost daily, bringing in grain, textiles, ores, and crafted goods from nearby regions.

Its markets were busy from dawn to dusk, lined with merchants, moneylenders, and traders who kept the flow of commerce steady. Even with the Empire at war, Jomuran's economy held strong.

It had become a key redistribution hub, where supplies were gathered, stored, and then sent onward to where they were needed the most.

Warehouses dominated parts of the city, stacked high with resources. Workshops and forges ran constantly, producing spell components, weapons, and equipment.

But Jomuran wasn't only known for trade...

It also housed one of the major prison complexes in the region. Built with thick stone walls and reinforced by both mundane and arcane defenses, the prison held criminals, captured enemies, and those deemed too dangerous to be kept outside.

Of course, all of them were Magi.

Despite the Empire's war with the Union, Jomuran remained relatively untouched.

Its geography played a major role in that. To the south, the Jom Mountain Range stood like a natural barrier. It was steep, difficult to cross, and easy to defend. Any force trying to approach from that direction would be slowed, exposed, and utterly vulnerable.

Because of that, the city had been spared the worst of the conflict. While other regions in the south burned and struggled under the throes of war, Jomuran continued to function.

Orion and Murphy, both utterly pale and haggard from the long travel, soared across the Jom Mountain Range. They had been traveling nonstop for the past week, stopping only to recuperate mana. And on this day, Jomuran finally came into view.

The moment their feet touch the base of the mountain, they collapsed from exhaustion. Murphy fared far worse, for his undead horde had been destroyed. The death of low-level undead didn't affect him all that much. But the loss of his undead knights resulted in a severe backlash.

"...Finally," he muttered weakly as he gasped for air. He raised his head slowly, his gaze settling on the distant silhouette of Jomuran.

Even from afar, the city stood firm. Walls stretched wide around it, torches flickering along its length. Beyond them, clusters of buildings rose in layers, faint lights marking the streets and districts within. The outline of warehouses and taller structures broke the skyline.

In the dying light of the setting sun, the city looked like a heavenly refuge to Murphy.

He turned to Orion, who was also similarly exhausted, and said in a hoarse voice, "You must... scout... the area... first. We can't take... any chances."

The elderly Magus snapped toward him, eyes glaring. "We're so far inland, and you're still afraid of the enemy? Have you finally gone senile!"

Murphy gnashed his teeth and tightly clutched the hems of his colleague's robes. "Fucking do it!"

Orion glanced at the man with exasperation. And if he were being honest, he was quite frustrated by Murphy's behavior. Throughout their journey, the man had been utterly paranoid.

It was because of Murphy's insistence that the two hadn't flown to the Empire's southern command center, choosing instead to come here, which he believed was safer.

Why go that far? Especially when no enemy would dare venture this deep into enemy territory alone.

Moreover, they had constantly scouted the route they had taken here, and were certain without a shadow of doubt that they weren't being followed.

If there truly was someone pursuing them, surely they would have known. After

all, they had employed enough reconnaissance spells and tactics.

And yet, despite finding not even a ghost on their tail, Murphy's paranoia hadn't come down. In fact, it seemed to have only increased.

Orion had had enough of it. He gritted his teeth and was about to sharply rebuke the man when, suddenly, Murphy turned to him and glared. "Have you forgotten?" he barked. "What I've lost? What I've sacrificed to make sure you were alive! I carried you from that battlefield while I was severely injured! Did you forget all of that, Orion?! I could have abandoned you, but I didn't!"

Orion swallowed the words forming in his mouth. With a dark look on his face, he cursed in sheer frustration.

"Fine!"

With that, he turned around and turned away. He cast Flight and began his search for any imaginary followers nearby.

Murphy finally breathed a sigh of relief. He plopped down on the nearby boulder, his face utterly pale. His thoughts drifted to the military outpost he

had been in charge of.

The inferno of black flames echoed in his mind, causing him to shudder.

There's only one person in this world I've read about who wields black flames,

he thought to himself as terror flooded his heart.

And judging by how Orion guessed that the lightning-wielder we fought belonged to that man's faction...

I'm certain of it.

The Dark King is here!

Murphy had read almost all the reports pertaining to the Dark King. It's why he was so paranoid. Had it been anyone else, he was certain that he and Orion could deal with them despite being in such an injured state.

But the Dark King wasn't just anyone.

He was the man who had slain the Flame Lord! Not only that, but he had also killed six more Mana Core Magi, who were recently sent across the Galestine

to capture him.

For someone who could easily murder one of the Elders, along with six Mana Core-level cultists, how could he not be afraid?

If he had chosen to go to the Southern Command Center, wouldn't he have led

the enemy right to their doorsteps?

It's why he had chosen to come to Jomuran.

Alas, his foolish colleague, Orion, couldn't see what he did. The number of

times Murphy had to argue with him on the way back had truly gotten on his

nerves.

But now, everything should be fine, he thought to himself, sighing.

Almost half an hour later, the sound of garments flapping, followed by the crunch of boots hitting the ground, echoed in his ears.

Murphy turned to the side and saw Orion walking toward him, arms crossed,

and a hard look on his face.

"So?" Murphy arched his brows, face still pale. "Find anything?"

Orion harrumphed in annoyance. "Goodness arcana! There's no one following

us! I am so done with you."

With that, he strode toward the distant city. "I'm leaving."

Murphy let out a sigh, though a flicker of relief passed through his eyes.

He took a few steady breaths, then followed after Orion.

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