A deafening explosion erupted, instantly startling everyone present.
Even the half-elf king and Monadius instinctively activated their strongest defensive techniques.
Their expressions tensed as they turned toward the source of the explosion.
"What kind of tricks are these cunning humans up to now?"
Durin was just as bewildered, his gaze fixed on the distant flames.
A roaring blaze shot skyward, and within the inferno, a silhouette emerged.
The figure charged toward the open space before the palace, and the searing heat was so intense that all onlookers had to retreat to the sides.
"Who is that? Why have I never seen him before?"
Durin blinked in confusion. The man wasn't wearing the distinctive attire of Ilan Kingdom.
However, Kafka, standing beside him, immediately recognized the figure.
Wasn't this the professor he had brought back?
Right behind the burning figure, four elixirists rushed forward before dropping to their knees in front of Durin.
"Apologies, Your Majesty! We failed to restrain him—he broke free!"
Durin was stunned, his gaze shifting toward the burning silhouette in the distance.
An overwhelming wave of heat surged forth, but what truly shocked everyone was that the four elixirists—who should have been reduced to ashes—walked directly into the flames, completely unharmed.
"Careful—!"
Marthion attempted to warn them, but he was already too late.
Yet, to the astonishment of all present, the four elixirists felt nothing from the raging inferno.
Even demigod-rank warriors wouldn't dare approach such flames, so how were these four seemingly insignificant elixirists able to do so effortlessly?
How was this possible?
At this point, Durin had completely given up on trying to understand anything.
He just stood there like a spectator.
After all, things had already spiraled out of control.
How much worse could it possibly get?
Either way, that half-elf king's magic is going to land on my head sooner or later.
Every extra second I'm alive is a blessing at this point.
Kafka, on the other hand, stood beside Durin, deep in thought.
How could things be this coincidental?
Just as two demigod-rank warriors were about to launch an assault on Ilan Kingdom, the professor broke free?!
Among everyone present, Monadius was the first to realize the truth, and his expression immediately shifted to terror.
"Go! Stop him at all costs!"
But he was already too late.
The four elixirists suddenly erupted with a blazing surge of magma element,
which instantly separated from their bodies and merged with the professor.
Monadius's face turned deathly pale as he shouted in horror:
"No! The magma core has transformed into a sprite—and now, its power has been replenished!"
"A being of this level is at least stellar rank Level 9! And because of its elemental spirit nature, it's nearly immune to all magic attacks!"
In other words,
Even a demigod-rank Level 9 sprite was strong enough to rival half-gods.
Such an entity could not be ignored by any faction.
"Damn it! I never expected the Emperor's ambition to be so immense!"
The half-elf king frowned, unable to suppress his unease.
"What is he planning?"
Monadius was drenched in cold sweat, his entire body trembling.
"A sprite that has absorbed pure magical elements… its power will only continue to grow!"
"The Emperor is utterly despicable! The magma element from those four elixirists was clearly fused with their very being."
"With this method, he can completely control the magma sprite!"
"I even suspect that he planned all of this ahead of time—before any of us even noticed!"
"Right now, that magma sprite is already at demigod rank…!"
At these words,
Both the Puppet Guild and the half-elf tribe were visibly shaken.
Because no faction could ignore the significance of a demigod-rank powerhouse.
Without one, a faction could never be considered a true major power.
The Puppet Guild and the half-elf tribe were recognized as dominant forces only because they each had a demigod-rank guardian.
The human race, despite their strength, had only survived the Shadewhite clan's assault because of the Emperor's return.
But now, the Emperor's true intent was obvious—
He wanted to add another demigod-rank warrior to the humans!
Such ambition was utterly terrifying!
Monadius's expression darkened further. His voice trembled as he continued:
"But… but even so, controlling a sprite is nearly impossible!"
"Even a demigod-rank warrior wouldn't dare claim absolute control! What makes the Emperor so confident?"
Truth be told,
Even the Puppet Guild had sprites stored away.
But what of it?
They would never dare awaken one like this!
A demigod-rank warrior was powerful, but they were not invincible.
At that moment, everyone noticed something terrifying.
The four seemingly insignificant elixirists had just advanced to stellar rank!
Their ascension was as fast as a rocket launch!
"This must be the Emperor's reward for them."
"After all, their mission was a great success, and they played a crucial role."
Kafka, meanwhile, gazed at the increasingly unstable magma sprite.
Then, he looked at Durin with reverence, as if saying:
"Your Majesty, the stage is set—now it's time for your performance."
Both the half-elf king and Monadius hesitated.
They still couldn't figure out Durin's true intentions.
But to them, caution was always wise.
So, they chose not to make a move—at least, not yet.
Demigod-rank warriors cherished their lives.
None of them wanted to die here.
For now, they simply observed, maintaining their guard as they focused on the magma sprite.
"Let's see how he intends to suppress it."
Durin remained calm, his gaze fixed on the magma sprite.
But inside, his mind was completely blank.
"Can someone please tell me what the hell is happening right now?!"
…Whatever.
Either way, he was doomed.
So how he died didn't really matter anymore.
Accepting his fate, Durin simply stood still, waiting for death to take him.
Meanwhile,
A figure slowly opened his eyes—
Duke Wilder.
Before Durin's awakening, Duke Wilder had been the strongest warrior of the human race.
The only stellar rank Level 9 warrior.
The mightiest force below demigod-rank.
The Ilan Kingdom had survived only because of him.
If not for his leadership, breaking multiple Shadewhite conspiracies, the kingdom would have fallen long ago.
And now, anyone with keen insight could see—
The magma sprite had absorbed too much mana and was struggling to contain its own power.
Simply put, it had eaten too much.
But solving this problem was not easy.
It required a mana vessel that could withstand the magma element,
someone capable of absorbing a vast amount of mana.
And judging from the sprite's terrifying mana fluctuations,
the vessel needed to be at least stellar rank Level 9!
Where could they possibly find such a body now?
Such a corpse would be priceless—worth far more than gold.
"If a sacrifice must be made… then it shall be me."
The Great Elder stepped forward, his expression resolute.
As one of humanity's top warriors, he had already dedicated his life to the human race.
Meanwhile,
The magma sprite's mana surged wildly out of control, its energy fluctuations growing stronger and stronger.
If no action was taken soon, it could result in a magic annihilation event—
A true catastrophe, one even demigod-rank warriors might not survive.
"Your Majesty, allow me!"
But at that moment—
A Shadewhite aura suddenly appeared in the distance!