Chapter 820: Unforgivable Sin
Glynn Watson finished speaking, glanced at Seth—whose brow was tightly furrowed and who seemed anxious—and let a faint smile slip onto his face.
Archmage Seth can't wait any longer. Clearly, he has something urgent to tell me. Well, I'll head back first—back to our Watson Family stronghold. Archmage Seth will surely follow right away, but I can't make it too obvious...
"Archmage Seth, I have official matters to handle. I'll return for now..."
After speaking, Glynn Watson shot Leon a cold look, lifted his chin, and strode out.
Seth's face went pale, nearly terrified. He'd almost rushed up to slap that stupid bastard just now. Damn it, just get lost already! Does this idiot even realize what he's doing? If I hadn't kept signaling Archmage Leon, pleading with him, you'd already be a corpse.
Outside the command tent, Thorne walked over in long strides. His previously severed arm had already healed; aside from his still-pale complexion, his injuries seemed completely recovered.
Thorne touched his left arm, a trace of gratitude flashing across his face. Remembering what had happened earlier, he couldn't help but get a little emotional.
At my most desperate, Archmage Leon returned—just like a god. I thought I was doomed, that my death would buy the Merlin Family a little more time. But I never expected Archmage Leon to come back...
Hobart, such a powerful Blazeforge Orc—leader of the Fireblade Tribe for so many years, a peak Eighth-Rank Title Archmage, and a rare master of mind magic—was killed by Archmage Leon as if it were nothing.
He's simply too powerful. In just a few months, he's come this far. I still remember, before arriving in the Blazeforge Realm, he was just an ordinary archmage—back then, he could already fight me to a standstill.
He crippled my son, but gave him an even better Alchemical Vortex.
When I thought he wasn't fit to be commander, his arrival raised the Merlin Family's standing in the Blazeforge Realm, and even forced other factions to restrain themselves.
Now he's broken through to Title Archmage. I can't even tell what rank he is anymore, but his combat power must be at least Ninth-Rank. Truly formidable. Maybe Archmage Leon is the one who can truly lead the Merlin Family to greatness.
Ever since Archmage Leon returned, the elite of the Fireblade Tribe have been wiped out, and the remaining Blazeforge Orcs are no longer a threat. Even the Watson Family and Black Tower have toned down their arrogance.
When Archmage Leon wasn't here, just look at the faces of the Watson Family and Black Tower commanders.
Sigh, if only Archmage Leon could always be here. Only with him around can order be maintained.
And those Elixirs of Life Archmage Leon gave me—the effect is incredible. My bones have fully healed. With just a few days' rest, I'll be back to full strength. If these potions ever appeared at auction, they'd fetch a fortune.
Archmage Leon just tossed them to me so casually. Without these precious Elixirs of Life, I'd need at least a month or two to recover. The wounds Hobart left aren't so easily healed.
Thorne's heart was full of gratitude and admiration. Remembering the past, he couldn't help but feel deeply ashamed.
Having recovered about eighty percent of his strength and with no major injuries left, Thorne hurried over—just to thank him in person.
As Thorne neared the command tent, Glynn Watson strode out, head held high and radiating arrogance.
Seeing Thorne, Glynn immediately flashed a look of contempt.
"Thorne, I can't believe your luck—you actually made it back alive. But what are you doing here? Our Watson Family drove off the Blazeforge Orcs of the Fireblade Tribe. Don't you know you should be finishing off the rest of those Blazeforge Orcs? If not, at least capture them as Orc Thralls. Pathetic. Someone like you, and you still get to be the Merlin Family's commander?"
"Forget it, I'm in a good mood today. Archmage Seth is a generous man—he saved your life, and doesn't need your thanks. Since you survived, take your Merlin Family and stand guard at the Horn of Plenty. Even though your family contributed little, we'll let you have a small share of the spoils this time."
Seeing Thorne's furious, unmoving expression, Glynn Watson grew displeased.
"Thorne, didn't you hear me? Why are you still standing here?"
Thorne's anger boiled over, his shoulders shaking as he pointed at Glynn Watson and roared.
"You bastard, Glynn Watson! Don't push it too far. You kept sending Merlin Family members to die, and this time you sent me to my death. Hobart is a peak Eighth-Rank Title Archmage and an orc warlock—didn't you know that? You were sending me to my grave!
Damn it, you idiot! You and the Watson Family, together with the Black Tower, colluded with Hobart to set up the Merlin Family. Did you think we wouldn't find out? Hobart confessed everything!
Idiotic and greedy fools, used by Hobart without even realizing it. Hobart set up a massive Teleportation Array there—if Archmage Leon hadn't shown up in time, all the elite forces from the Northern Blazeforge Realm would have appeared at the Horn of Plenty. Then, not just the Merlin Family, but your Watson Family and the Black Tower would have paid dearly for your stupidity!
Damn it, I've compromised again and again to resist the Blazeforge Orcs, but let you idiots keep making stupid moves. I regret ever trying to work with you. Your stupidity will get us all killed—even yourselves!
Thorne jabbed a finger at Glynn Watson, voice trembling with rage. Months of retreat and compromise had only brought more losses to the Merlin Family. This time, the Blazeforge Orcs' plot nearly succeeded—all thanks to Glynn Watson's petty scheming.
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He'd nearly died, but now that his support had returned, Thorne's confidence surged—he spoke without the slightest restraint.
Glynn Watson was stunned. He hadn't known about Hobart's Teleportation Array, and nearly let it succeed. But the thought was fleeting, quickly drowned out by Thorne's words, which sent him into a rage.
That damned fool. A weakling, and he dares talk to me like this? He's asking for death.
Glynn Watson's face darkened, magical energy swirling around him as he glared at Thorne, murderous intent in his eyes.
"Thorne, you dare speak to me like this? Hasn't the Merlin Family taught you any manners? Have you forgotten who's standing before you—a Sixth-Rank Title Archmage from the Watson Ancestral Grounds, representing the dignity of the Watson Family? Are you Merlin Family fools looking for a war with us?"
Thorne sneered, drawing his greatsword and fixing a cold gaze on Glynn Watson.
Compromise nearly cost even more Merlin Family lives. Now, there can be no more concessions.
Thorne's battle-ready stance sent Glynn Watson into a rage, his magic surging like a storm.
"Damn you! Today, you'll learn what happens when you insult a Sixth-Rank Title Archmage and the dignity of the Watson Family!"
Enraged and beyond reason, Glynn Watson chanted rapidly. A ball of crimson fire appeared above Thorne's head, trailing flames as it crashed down.
He cast Fireball, then immediately began another incantation—an icy Frost Shield materialized beside him.
Thorne swung his greatsword, cleaving into the Fireball. His Battle Aura exploded, shredding the flames to pieces, and a crescent-shaped Battle Aura Slash flashed toward Glynn Watson.
The crescent Battle Aura Slash struck Glynn Watson's Frost Shield. A chorus of metallic clangs rang out, sparks flying. The Frost Shield cracked slightly, but the slash dissipated.
Seeing Thorne dare to fight back, Glynn Watson was incredulous—then instantly furious.
Damn him! He dares attack me? Does he think the Watson Family are saints? Today, I'll make sure he never forgets what happens when you cross me—it's an unforgivable sin!
Glynn Watson raised his crystalline staff, face dark, chanting another spell at Thorne.
A barrage of Wind Blades whipped toward Thorne, carried by a raging gale.
Thorne roared, his Battle Aura blazing. In his hands, the greatsword felt light as a leaf—he blocked every Wind Blade.
Seizing the moment while Glynn Watson chanted, Thorne unleashed three consecutive Battle Aura Slashes.
Three muffled booms rang out. Glynn Watson's Frost Shield cracked all over, then shattered. The lingering force of the Battle Aura Slashes hurtled toward Glynn Watson.
Just then, a Rune Shield appeared, blocking the remnants of the Battle Aura Slashes. Glynn Watson's rapid incantation was complete.
A blue flame, trailing a long tail, crashed down in front of Thorne almost instantly.
Thorne roared, Battle Aura flooding his greatsword as he braced himself. With a thunderous boom, the blue fireball exploded, its terrifying force hammering his blade. Thorne's face paled—then a second explosion followed, the blue flames detonating again.
Thorne grunted, blood spurting from his mouth as he was hurled backward like a ragdoll.
Thorne rolled across the ground, propping himself up with his greatsword. It took a long moment before he could stand—he was already badly wounded, and hadn't fully recovered, with only about eighty percent of his strength restored.