Published at 12th of May 2026 7:34 am

Chapter 1728 Among Them

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The northern frontline stretched across a vast plain, wide enough that the far edges blurred into the horizon.

On both sides, countless soldiers stood in formation, their lines long and dense. Banners rose above them in the still morning air.

Between the two armies lay empty ground that was scarred, uneven, and marked by the remains of the previous day's fighting. Broken weapons, dark patches in the soil, and abandoned gear lay scattered across the field.

Beyond the main lines, rows of tents spread outward in clusters. Fire burned low, and figures moved between them, preparing for what was to come.

The sky was beginning to lighten. The first hint of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a pale glow across the plain. Long shadows stretched across the ground as the light slowly grew.

No one moved forward yet, but everyone was ready.

A new day of battle was about to begin.

Six months had passed since the Battle of Summer Sea.

News of the Union's victory had spread across the lands, carried by merchants, soldiers, and word of mouth. With their supply lines secured, the Union's

armies no longer fought under pressure.

Reinforcements arrived on time, resources flowed steadily, and their forces moved with confidence. Camps were livelier now, and even on the frontlines, there was a sense that the tide had turned. Morale was high. The war had entered its final stages, and for the first time, victory felt within reach.

But the same could not be said about the Empire and the Cult.

Over the past two years, their position had steadily collapsed. Their supply lines had been cut again and again. Trade routes were gone. Key cities had been reduced to ash. Dozens of their Mana Core Magi had been hunted down and killed.

Several of their strongholds had failed them. The four great prisons had been destroyed, and the prisoners had escaped, adding to the chaos they could no longer control.

What remained of their forces still fought... but not with the same conviction. Their morale had fallen to the lowest point.

Inside the main tent of the center camp, several Mana Core Magi and Mana Vortex Magi had gathered. They stood around a map of the region, their expressions grim and dark.

"Rations are running low," said a Mana Core Magus with a dark frown. "If things continue the way they are... I'm afraid it'll only last another six months."

Another Magus smashed his fist on the table, cursing aloud. "Fucking Dark King!"

Hearing his name, everyone's expression turned a shade darker. The amount of damage the Dark King had done to their army just in the last year alone was staggering.

He never appeared on the front lines.

No.

The man stayed deep behind enemy lines and slowly but surely crippled the Empire's foundations. He destroyed the vast majority of supply depots and grain warehouses, resulting in the army's lack of rations at the moment.

He made most of the transport routes leading to the frontline untraversable. He publicly killed dozens of Mana Core Magi, dealing a severe blow to the army's morale. Moreover, the prisoners he released from the four great prisons now wreaked havoc throughout the Empire.

How could one man cause such damage to such a massive army?

They still found it ridiculous to accept. But it was undeniable.

"What are the higher-ups even doing?!" Another one said through gritted teeth.

"He's just one man! Why can't they just deal with him?"

"Do you even know the number of Mana Core Magi sent to hunt him in this

past year alone?" Another Magus snapped at him.

"I don't even dare to count the true number! But every one of them perished... every fucking one!"

A suffocating silence descended in the main tent.

After several long seconds, a Mana Core Magus spoke up, "We continue what we've been doing. Inform the commanders in the east and west camps to prepare. We hold the line until the higher-ups send reinforcements."

The Empire's frontline was separated into three camps - east, center, and west. Each camp was led by groups of Mana Core Magi, and there were about a hundred thousand Magi under them.

They had received word from Aranal that reinforcements would be arriving on the frontlines soon. Additionally, the Wind Lord and the Stone Lord - the last of the Elders of the Inner Circle would also be participating.

There were even rumors that the mysterious Cult Leader himself would also join the battle!

That news alone gave the soldiers of the Haynam Empire a ray of hope to cling

to.

"Before this year ends, this great war will have concluded," said a Mana Core Magus with a grim resolve. "I am sure of it!"

Suddenly, someone asked in a low, shaky voice, his voice filled with

nervousness.

"By the way... do we have intel on the Dark King's current whereabouts?"

Another bout of silence ensued in the tent, this time more heavy and

suffocating.

Until a month ago, the Empire knew the location where the Dark King was last seen. After that, he seemed to have vanished entirely.

No, to be more precise, the Cult had stopped sending Mana Core Magi after him. No matter who they sent or how many they sent, the results were always

the same.

The cultists died.

So the higher-ups of the Cult made a decision. They would no longer send men

after the Dark King. They believed it was only a matter of time before he appeared on the main battlefield - the border between the Union and the Empire. There was no point in wasting lives on futile pursuits.

"Forget about that man," a Magus said with a solemn voice. "The higher-ups seemed to have a plan for him. We should focus on the matter at hand. Prepare our men for battle!"

The Magi in the tent nodded with grim looks.

Suddenly, a voice laced with curiosity cut through the silence. "What have they planned for him?"

The Magus who had spoken earlier shook his head. "I'm not sure. But the Cult Leader seems to be personally involved. We'll get word on it soon enough."

"I see," said the voice. "No matter..."

It was only then that the Magi in the tent realized that this voice was unfamiliar

to them. As realization dawned on them, their blood ran cold. One by one, they

all turned to the source of the voice.

And there he was.

Standing among them.

The Dark King. In the flesh.

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