Published at 9th of June 2026 8:24 am

Chapter 1790 Old Tiger

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Clang!

Sparks exploded as Leland's attack struck the Mana Barrier surrounding the old Magus.

Before the Stone Lord could pull back, the Hermit swung his staff behind him with terrifying speed. The impact blasted Leland across the ruined earth and shattered a giant boulder in the distance.

"Don't look down on me, young man."

The Hermit's cold words echoed on the battlefield.

"If I'm going to die anyway, I'll make sure to take you all down with me."

Marden Benton arrived an instant later, his eyes gleaming with a calculating light. "We'll see about that, old man."

Blood coiled around his fists, hardening them. Then they collided with the Hermit's barrier, sending cracks spreading through the blue shield. The azirai followed from the side, a split-second later. His claws tore through the air fast enough to leave black streaks behind.

The Hermit's expression turned ruthless, and he blocked both attacks at once. Mana came to life around him like a storm. This was the final spark of the last moments of his life. He was like a blazing comet, burning fiercely one final time before vanishing forever.

Their battlefield shook continuously as explosions ripped through the area one after another. Hills collapsed, the ground cracked apart, and chunks of earth rose into the air before being pulverized by the stray attacks.

Knowing that he wouldn't make it out of this fight alive, the Hermit threw all caution aside and ruthlessly fought with everything he had. He no longer cared about injuries or defence. Every time he was struck, he made sure to return an attack just as devastating.

For several long minutes, the Hermit held all three of them back alone. Every movement was precise and merciless, and every spell was lethal and catastrophic.

The old man weaved through attacks that should have cornered him, countered spells from impossible angles, and forced the three back again and again and again through sheer experience and overwhelming control over mana.

Marden, Leland, and the azirai learned, much to their dismay, that an old tiger was still a tiger. Not to mention, this one was a cornered beast. And a cornered beast was always far more dangerous.

But even the Hermit could not maintain it forever…

The pressure slowly began to build up. A cut appeared on his shoulder. Then across his torso. An earthen spike pierced his left chest. Then fire magic burned away one of his arms. His breathing finally grew heavier as his movement turned sluggish.

"You've fought well," the Blood Lord said in a cold, aloof manner. He was genuinely impressed.

But the Hermit simply glared at him hatefully. His cowl had long since come down, revealing him to be an extremely old man. He was definitely someone at the end of their lifespan, and yet… he had fought so valiantly.

For a brief moment, the figure of Gerald Acadia overlapped with the Hermit's, and the Blood Lord couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions welling inside his chest.

He inhaled deeply as he strangled those feelings.

"It's time," he said softly into the void, his voice laced with finality.

And then…

The three attacked together once more.

But this time, the Hermit failed to fully block them.

Marden's strike shattered the old man's barrier completely. The azirai's claws tore across his chest an instant later, forcing him backward.

In the next heartbeat, two earthen arms erupted from the ground and viciously seized the old man's hands. His grip weakened, and both the staff and lantern slipped from his grasp and clattered onto the ground.

At the same time, Leland cast another spell, encasing the Hermit's lower body in a coffin of hardened mud.

The old man was now completely restrained and utterly at their mercy.

Even so, his eyes still burned with defiance and resolve.

"Fine then…" he murmured softly as his head hung low in defeat.

But the next moment, his eyes turned bloodshot as he violently circulated the mana in his body. The energy inside his mana core compressed rapidly and was on the verge of imploding.

"We'll die together!!"

Tap.

Marden appeared before the old man like a ghost and gently placed a hand on his abdomen. In an instant, the violent mana raging inside the Hermit calmed down and began flowing smoothly once more.

For the first time, the Hermit's murky gray eyes trembled with hints of fear.

Then the Blood Lord's cold words echoed in his ears, "You're ruthless, old man. I'll give you that."

With that said, he slowly stepped aside.

The Stone Lord and the azirai devil moved forward, their faces filled with cruel intent.

Leland cracked his neck and looked down at the Hermit with a cold look in his eyes. "You fought bravely, Magus."

Then he leaned forward and added, "But it's over for you now."

The Hermit glared at him silently, blood running down the corner of his mouth.

Meanwhile, the azirai chuckled darkly from the side.

"A pity," the devil said. "For a moment there, I almost thought you might actually escape. You damned Illusionists are truly despicable."

His eyes swept over the old man's miserable and battered body before narrowing with amusement.

"Trying to blow yourself up at the very end?" He shook his head mockingly. "What happened to all that pride?"

Even restrained and defeated, the Hermit's gaze remained defiant. He wasn't going to beg for his life now. No, he wouldn't give his enemies that satisfaction. The only regret he had was that he wouldn't be able to see the Allied Forces' victory at the end. Yes, he was certain they would win. He was certain that this world would survive.

The Hermit inhaled deeply, then slowly closed his eyes.

I leave everything to you young ones…

The azirai raised his hand, his sharp nails gleaming with a cold light. At the same time, an earthen spear materialized in the Stone Lord's hand.

They slowly stepped toward the restrained Hermit.

The Stone Lord spun the spear once before pointing it at the Hermit's chest. "Any last words?" he asked in a cold, even voice.

But the Hermit remained silent, his eyes still closed.

The azirai let out a cold chuckle. "Look at him," he said with a sneer. "He's already accepted death."

His claws slowly moved toward the old man's throat. "Let us grant him what he wants."

Murderous intent filled the air.

And then…

SPLAT!!!

Blood spilled from the corner of Leland's lips. His eyes reflected confusion, then pain, and finally, shock.

As he slowly lowered his head, he saw a short sword made of an unknown metal piercing through his chest. The mysterious and complex runes carved on the blade suddenly lit up. In the following moment…

The blade burst into flames!

At the same time, another identical short sword wrapped in magical fire shot through the air, a chain attached to its pommel.

Before the azirai could react, his extended arm was cut cleanly at the wrist.

Thud!

As the severed hand hit the ground, the Hermit finally opened his eyes in confusion.

But the moment he looked up, he froze as if struck by lightning.

And when his gaze landed on those weapons, he muttered in absolute disbelief:

"Blades of Fulgrim…"

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