Published at 12th of April 2026 6:45 am

Chapter 1669 Troublesome Individuals

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The administrative center of Jomuran stood at the very heart of the prison complex.

It wasn't grand in the way palaces were, but it was very imposing. Thick stone walls rose in layered rings around it, each one reinforced with countless fortifications. Watchtowers overlooked every approach, their lines of sight overlapping to leave no blind spots.

It was one of the two primary reasons Murphy chose to come here. It was the safety that the fortress provided.

According to him, even if they were followed by the Dark King's men, they would still be able to defend properly. Moreover, they'd also be able to hold long enough for more reinforcements to arrive.

Everything about the center spoke of control. Meanwhile, inside, the atmosphere was even more rigid. Corridors were wide and clean, lined with guards and rune magic carved into the stone walls.

Every door was secured, and every moment was recorded by surveillance artifacts. The deeper one went, the heavier the presence of magic became.

At the center of it all lay the command center. That was where this city was truly run. Here, two very powerful Mana Core Magi. This was the second reason Murphy sought refuge here.

Magus Vortigan was a tall man with sharp features, known for his strict discipline and precise control over the city. He handled the prison's security, ensuring that nothing escaped and nothing slipped through unnoticed.

Meanwhile, Magus Elira was calm, calculating, and known for her mastery over binding and suppressing magic. She oversaw the prisoners themselves, making sure even the most dangerous captives remained contained.

Together, they maintained absolute authority over the prison complex. Meanwhile, the Mana Vortex Magi working under them managed the day-to-day operations of the city, ensuring the local economy worked fine.

And currently, the two wardens of Jomuran stood within a vast, circular chamber at the heart of the complex.

Magus Vortigan stood on one side, leaning slightly on the wooden desk behind him. His posture was straight, and his gaze sharp as he went through a few documents. Meanwhile, Magus Elira stood beside him, her expression calm, but the flicker of disdain in her eyes barely concealed.

In front of them stood Murphy and Orion. They were being tended to by the Herbalists under the wardens' command.

The two had only just passed through multiple layers of security, each checkpoint more thorough than the last, before finally being granted an audience with the two wardens.

This wasn't a meeting. No, far from it. This was an evaluation. A "welcome" in name alone.

"So let me get this clear," Elira began, her eyes flashing with contempt. "You two were unable to take care of a single brat, who had only just advanced to the Mana Core Rank?"

Orion lowered his head in shame, for he had no right to even speak. His mistakes were numerous.

Not only had he failed to capture the group responsible for destroying their supply lines in the southwestern region of the border, but he had also been defeated by the "brat" in question.

He had been defeated so thoroughly that he didn't even have the chance to summon his undead. Not only that, but he also had to resort to seeking help from another Mana Core-level cultist.

Murphy, on the other hand, inhaled deeply after drinking a few potions. Steadying his breath, he glanced at Elira and said solemnly, "I have no excuse. We... severely underestimated the enemy."

There was a subtle note of respect in his voice.

He knew that the two Magi standing before him were clearly more powerful than most cultists in the organization.

Their presence alone made that clear. Moreover, to be in charge of hundreds of Mana Vortex-level prisoners spoke volumes about how much power and authority the two wielded.

In fact, both Vortigan and Elira were already being considered for elevation to the rank of Elders.

"Two outposts burning in flames, and hundreds of our soldiers killed." Elira sneered. "And this is all you have to say?"

She stepped forward, mana rolling from her figure and instantly making the temperature in the room drop by a few degrees.

"Tell me why I shouldn't chop your heads off and offer them to our master?"

The Herbalists in the room shuddered, some collapsing to the ground and barely able to breathe.

Finally, Magus Vortigan, who was reading through a few parchments in his hand, suddenly turned to his fellow warden and said in an even voice:

"Calm down, Elira. If I'm not wrong, the two have just emerged from a battle with the Storm King and Blackfire Balthazar. Although..."

He turned to Murphy and asked with an arched brow, "I'm assuming you haven't directly faced Blackfire, have you?"

Murphy gulped subconsciously. "N-No, my lord."

He paused briefly, trying to think of the right words to say. But no matter what he thought, his words would end up sounding like the voice of a coward.

"The moment we saw the outpost burn in black flames, we..." Murphy gulped again. "We made a tactical retreat. Both Orion and I were far too injured to fight another battle. Not to mention, against a powerful enemy like Balthazar."

"Blackfire..." Elira murmured, her brows twisting into a light knot.

It was evident from her reaction that she had heard of Balthazar. In fact, even she could admit that in a fight against him, it would be unclear as to who would emerge victorious.

"But who is the Storm King?" She turned to her partner and asked in an

inquisitive voice.

"Edward Turner," said Maguis Vortigan as he placed the parchments on the

table behind him.

"He and the Dark King are childhood friends. They are of the same age, and his talent is said to rival the Dark King's."

"Same age?" Magus Elira's eyes narrowed.

She was clearly aware of the Dark King's exploits, as were most in the upper echelons of the Cult. But she never imagined that there was another Magus who could stand on the same level as him.

"Indeed." Vortigan stepped forward, hands clasped calmly behind his back.

His gaze swept over Murphy and Orion. His lips parted, and he said in a grim

voice:

"The Dark King, the Storm King, and Blackfire... it seems three highly troublesome individuals have stepped into our master's domain."

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