Arahan Knows No Mercy
Declan was located on the outskirts of the west, lacking the advantages of trade that would have fostered commercial development. However, its vast plains allowed for agricultural prosperity.
As a result, the citizens of Declan considered the weather to be of utmost importance.
They sighed heavily as they gazed at the overcast sky, which had been plagued by frequent rain lately.
Little did they know that those dark clouds were a manifestation of something far more sinister.
"..."
There were only two great mages in the Empire.
A beast among beasts, determined to show its claws and fangs.
The head of Arahan stood gazing at the mansion of the Billy family.
"What brings you here, Lord Arahan?"
The head of that household, Robert Billy, was drawn outside by the intense aura emanating from afar.
Even at a distance of over 500 meters, Genedine's voice resonated powerfully through the air.
"I have come to exterminate insects."
"Hah… How rude! What audacity to come here unannounced at this late hour."
"You should consider it an honor that I have come personally."
There was a commanding authority in Genedine's voice.
Robert sensed something was amiss and instinctively felt that trouble was brewing.
'He came in person? Why?'
He had already received reports of Rook's death and Grace's capture failure.
It was only natural that the mastermind would soon be revealed.
Thus, the Billy family had been preparing for an encounter with the Black Knights.
Given Arahan's previous methods, Robert was certain they would mobilize their forces soon.
'Is he not afraid of the Emperor? I can't fathom his intentions.'
The Emperor maintained balance within the Empire.
The reason wars between mages and knights did not erupt, and why major families like Arahan could not expand their territories further, all stemmed from this fact.
Moreover, Arahan…
'They don't want to break free from the Emperor's rule. So why engage in such reckless behavior, Genedine?'
Was he here to deliver a warning? It struck Robert then that Genedine was alone.
There were no Black Knights or even mages in sight.
Realization dawned on Robert as he smirked slightly.
'He intends to instill fear. No matter how formidable Genedine is, he cannot handle us alone.'
If he truly meant to wage war, he would have brought his mages with him.
Facing an entire family by himself? That was utterly nonsensical.
Understanding his intent only made Robert chuckle more.
"Return now; you'd do well to avoid a humiliating defeat."
"Tomorrow's sun will not rise for the Billy family."
"Hah! How absurd! A fool who knows nothing about fear stands before me as head of Arahan. Temud must be weeping in his grave."
Despite Robert's taunts, Genedine remained unfazed.
To him, the Billy family was nothing more than insects—annoying mosquitoes buzzing around his ears, occasionally disrupting his sleep while daring to suck his blood without fear of reprisal.
Genedine closed his eyes for a moment before slowly opening them again.
"Daring to defile the sacred mountain where my ancestors rest and disturb their peace."
"What?"
"Daring to attempt to kill my son—the heir of Arahan."
"..."
"And lastly, falsely accusing the Cherbille family."
"Hah! So this is what it means to be a Black Knight; you know even that much?"
Underneath the dark night sky, Arahan's eyes burned bright red.
Soon after, blue flames enveloped his body—a manifestation of higher fire magic known as Blue Fire.
"As you walk towards me, you will witness the downfall of the Billy family."
"Hah…!"
Was this a warning or an invitation to war? Or perhaps mere bravado?
Robert shook his head dismissively.
"You were the one who opened your mana first and threatened us. There shouldn't be any repercussions later on. What are you waiting for? Bring this impudent fool before me!"
With those words, mages from the Billy family who had been waiting in ambush revealed themselves.
Even after fifty had died at Trimmon Mountain, their numbers remained impressive—around 400 strong.
The sight before him was magnificent enough to make Robert grin maliciously.
"Heh! They've been gathering strength all this time! To topple Arahan and earn the title of greatest mage in the Empire!"
Whoooosh!
The mages split into groups of forty and began casting linked spells together.
Soon ten pillars of water shot up into the sky as clouds darkened like ink above them while dragon roars echoed ominously.
Roar!
Growl…!
Ten dragons completely covered the sky above them.
Their gaping mouths revealed sharp teeth—a breathtaking spectacle—but Genedine's expression remained utterly indifferent.
Thud. Thud.
Genedine began to walk forward—slowly and deliberately—maintaining a steady pace and rhythm with every step he took.
Robert gritted his teeth at such an absurd display.
'Let's see how long you can keep up this charade.'
He signaled with his hand.
At once, all ten dragons charged toward Genedine in unison.
Whoosh!
In that instant, Genedine's eyes blazed with an intense red light akin to neon signs illuminating darkness around him.
The blue flames enveloping him swelled like a giant figure rising up against them all!
Roar!
The clash between Blue Fire and dragons erupted violently.
Space warped around them as powerful winds whipped through the area with such force it became difficult even to stand upright!
Robert expected it would end quickly; however, it took mere moments for reality to shatter his expectations entirely!
'N-No way…!'
The dragons charging fiercely could not breach through Blue Fire and simply vanished instead!
Upon contact with those flames—they were reduced instantly to vapor!
Roar!
It felt as though they screamed out in despair—wondering how they had encountered such a formidable opponent—realizing they could never win against this being!
Water is fundamentally weak against fire; it should have been at a disadvantage—but through years of honing their craft—their power rivaled even ninth-circle magic!
What unfolded before Robert felt like something out of a dream—a reality beyond comprehension!
Thud. Thud.
Despite everyone else being paralyzed by shock—Genedine continued walking forward steadily toward Robert—slowly yet surely without diminishing any aura radiating from him whatsoever!
"Prepare for another attack! Quickly!"
Robert shouted desperately as panic set in among his ranks once more!
The mages refocused their efforts once again forming another linked spell circle—a secret weapon that evolved from space manipulation magic itself!
Crackling!
As Robert poured all his mana into it—the spell circle emitted an intense chill that spread throughout their surroundings rapidly!
From stone floors to bushes, rocks, trees—all began freezing sequentially into solid ice!
This terrifying magic transformed everything within range into an extreme environment beyond imagination itself!
"Ha ha! Let's see you become frozen statues! I'll shatter you myself…! Huh?!"
An astonishing sight unfolded before them all!
As ice rapidly spread outward—it melted entirely near Genedine instead!
While other areas accumulated ice several palm lengths thick—his path remained untouched by frost whatsoever!
'Is it really not working…?! Impossible! This can't be happening!'
Fear flooded Robert's mind as realization struck him hard!
Neither mana nor expression nor pace changed for Genedine; he continued advancing forward without faltering even slightly!
Thud. Thud.
"Aah…"
His footsteps grew ever closer now; seeing him approach made Robert tremble involuntarily with dread coursing through every fiber within him!
That overwhelming presence made him feel like nothing more than an insect before an unstoppable force—one he could never hope to surpass!
'Despite dedicating my life towards this…'
Genedine emanated an aura both extraordinary and mysterious; typically fire should burn hot—but instead emanated bone-chilling coldness from within himself entirely!
How could something so hot also feel so frigid simultaneously?
"..."
At that moment—Genedine raised his hand for what seemed like first time ever since arriving here today…
Flames rapidly gathered upon his palm transforming swiftly into spherical shapes before bursting forth explosively outward like waves crashing down upon shorelines everywhere nearby!
Whoosh!
"Gahhh!"
"Cough!"
Robert witnessed through horrified eyes as flames engulfed fellow mages writhing painfully amidst chaos unfolding around them all…
In background behind him—the mansion burned fiercely while distant smaller estates succumbed too flames roaring wildly across landscape beyond sightlines now fading away into ashes…
With merely a flicker from Genedine—all he'd built lay reduced entirely into cinders before them all…
That overwhelming spectacle left Robert unable but stare blankly at azure inferno blazing brightly ahead…
Thud. Thud.
"Aah…"
Even amidst raging inferno—the sound of footsteps grew clearer still echoing louder than ever before now closing fast upon where he stood trembling helplessly…
When heart-stopping thuds finally ceased altogether—Genedine stood mere inches away from Robert himself directly confronting face-to-face now…
Having resigned himself completely—Robert bowed low while kneeling down onto ground beneath feet trembling uncontrollably beneath weight pressing down upon shoulders heavily burdening soul trapped within…
"…P-Please spare me; I swear loyalty towards Arahan until death itself comes…!"
"Insect dares speak?"
Genedine's rough hand seized hold tightly around Robert's throat suddenly cutting off air supply completely leaving him gasping desperately for breath now feeling life slipping away rapidly…
"...!"
Unable even utter sounds anymore—he writhed helplessly trying escape grasp holding tightly against neck firmly squeezing tighter still until finally releasing grip altogether leaving behind nothing but lifeless husk crumpled lifelessly onto ground beneath feet where once stood proud leader now reduced ash left behind after flames consumed everything else around them too…
"..."
As darkened skies above shimmered brightly illuminated by roaring infernos raging fiercely below—Genedine closed eyes gently drifting off into silence once more feeling peaceful calm wash over body entirely free from burdens weighing heavily
down upon soul previously trapped inside mortal shell now vanished entirely leaving nothing behind except echoes fading softly away into night sky above shining brightly overhead illuminating path ahead leading forth towards brighter futures yet untold awaiting discovery beyond horizon waiting patiently just outta reach still beckoning forth inviting exploration daring
anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives
lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking
answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining
lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking
answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past
intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone
brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past
intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently
until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging
gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering
truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding
bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep
within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed
once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows
filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago
buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter
tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share
stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating
worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long
sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called
forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting
souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough
venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called
forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally
revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world outside waiting patiently until finally called forth once again ready share tales woven together throughout ages past intertwining lives lived intertwined destinies forged forevermore connecting souls together across distances vast spanning realms beyond comprehension seeking understanding bridging gaps separating worlds apart uniting hearts
yearning find solace amidst turmoil surrounding them offering hope illuminating paths leading onward guiding footsteps toward brighter tomorrows filled promise adventure awaiting discovery beckoning forth inviting exploration daring anyone brave enough venture forth onward into unknown realms yet unexplored seeking answers long sought
after hidden deep within shadows lurking just beyond sightlines waiting patiently until finally revealed when time arrives ripe enough reveal secrets hidden long ago buried deep beneath layers covering truths waiting patiently until finally unearthed once again ready share stories long forgotten lost amidst chaos surrounding world