Published at 20th of May 2026 6:33 am

Chapter 1747 Dark King's Speech

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Minutes before sunrise, word spread through the Union's camps that the Dark King would address them.

Soldiers ranging from the Mana Foundation Rank to the Mana Vortex Rank exited their tents, their eyes flickering with despair. Truth be told, they all had lost the will to fight.

After nights of constantly being harassed by the devils, the men had forgotten what it was like to even sleep. They couldn't take it anymore. And when some of them tried to flee, they were quickly imprisoned. Thus, leading to more resentment.

Now, as the soldiers were on the brink of mutiny, the Dark King was finally going to speak to them. They all knew what he was going to talk about. It was going to be the same speech about not giving up and continuing to fight.

But could they really find the resolve to continue to fight? They did not know.

Just a handful of shadowkins had thoroughly shattered the Union soldiers' morale. They feared what would happen when the rest of the devils arrived.

Could they really survive? Could they win? The future seemed so bleak.

The Dark King exited the command tent and saw a sea of soldiers sprawled in front of him. They all turned to him at once, their eyes devoid of the spark that had once ignited when he had arrived just a couple of days ago.

The other commanders followed behind him. All of them felt the weight of the soldiers' gaze bearing down on them. They didn't speak a word and simply followed behind the raven-haired youth.

Adam walked forward, his back straight as a sword. At last, he arrived at the forefront of the gathered army. With a simple hand seal, he raised an earthen platform and stepped on it. The rest of the Mana Core Magi stood below.

He turned toward the countless soldiers, scanning their weary faces that were devoid of hope. For a few moments, he did not say a word.

And then he began, his tone gentle.

"I know you're all tired," he said, his voice magically carrying across the three camps.

"You've lost commanders. You've lost friends. You've lost brothers. You've watched them die in their sleep, cut down without even seeing the enemy."

He inhaled deeply, then said in a slightly louder voice.

"I know what it is like to hurt. I know what fear feels like. And I know what it is like to wake up not knowing whether you'll live to see the next day."

He paused again, his brow arching slightly.

"You think I don't?"

The soldiers remained silent. No one dared to speak. They turned to one another, then back at the Dark King.

Adam willed the Faceless Mask to alter the skin under his robes.

His lips curled into a bitter smile as he slowly removed his upper garments.

"My body is covered in scars from every weapon you can think of," he said.

His bare body came into view, revealing a map of ghastly scars and burned flesh. Of course, it was not completely a lie. He had simply altered his flesh to show the injuries that had already healed.

When the soldiers watched the severe burn marks and the gaping injuries crowding his body, their eyes widened involuntarily, and they gasped in astonishment.

"I have been injured by swords, arrows, daggers, clubs, spears… and even betrayal," Adam spoke gently.

"I have suffered," he continued. "I have suffered a lot. I don't dare say my suffering is greater than any of yours. But it is through this suffering that all of us are bound together."

He swiped his hand and spoke in a louder voice.

"Those of you who bear wounds, those of you who have suffered, I know you are all here. I know you all can hear me. I know you have suffered. Which man here hasn't? You all have! But you stand here nonetheless."

He paused briefly, noticing the subtle shift in the soldiers' eyes.

"There is not a single part of me that has not been broken, burned, or torn apart. I have bled more times than I can count. I have walked alone through lands where death has followed me every step. And I am still here. Just like you!"

A faint murmur rippled through the crowd. Some were moved. But most weren't.

"We have all faced danger," Adam continued.

His voice rose again.

"But what man of virtue would choose an easy life without glory over the hardships of honor?"

A fire ignited in the heart of these soldiers. It was faint, but it was there.

And what Adam said next… shocked them.

"I know what you're thinking," he said with a faint smile. "I will not force any of you to fight this battle. You can all leave. It is your choice. Walk away from this battlefield. No one will stop you. I give you my word."

The soldiers glanced at one another in surprise. They turned to the Dark King, unable to believe his words.

"But know this…" Adam continued.

"If you leave now, you will not be escaping death. The devils will not stop. The Cult will not stop. They will come for your homes. They will come for your families. They will come for everything you hold dear. And when that happens… remember that you weren't there to stop them."

He donned his upper garments and wore his black gauntlets.

"You think staying and fighting is hard?" He couldn't help but slightly taunt the men.

"Then try living with the knowledge that you ran when it mattered the most!"

The fire in the hearts of these men flared to life. Their eyes flashed with helplessness, rage, and finally… resolve.

"I am not asking you to be fearless!" The Dark King roared.

"I am not asking you to be heroes! All I am asking you… is to stand!"

He raised his hands, and his voice thundered across the camps.

"Stand with me! Stand with the men beside you! Stand for the simple reason that if you don't… then no one else will!"

The sun rose above the horizon, scattering the darkness over the battlefield. Its first rays bathed the Dark King's figure as he finally concluded.

"I will not force you to say," he said.

"But I will be here! Whether alone, or with ten men, a hundred, or a thousand. When the sun sets on this day, I will still be here!"

A long silence followed. The earthen platform sank back into the ground.

The Dark King turned around, his final words echoing in everyone's ears.

"So, choose."

With that, he walked toward the sea of enemies.

Alone.

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