Meow?!

W-What is that?!

Seeing the purple meteor rapidly approaching her area from the sky, countless question marks appeared above Limo's head. The little white wolf was completely dumbfounded.

With her extraordinary senses, Limo had already seen the true form of the purple meteor.

It was an oval object the size of a bed, wrapped in a metal shell?

Various strange symbols were engraved across the metal surface. They looked somewhat like magical runes. Even stranger, purple flames were shooting out from its rear.

Aside from those purple flames serving as propulsion, Limo couldn't sense any energy fluctuations from the thing at all.

It was like a chunk of iron flying at high speed.

'What the heck is that?'

The little white wolf stared blankly at the rapidly approaching meteor. The surrounding Abyss Demons, equally confused, copied Limo and raised their heads toward the mysterious purple object.

Naturally, the leisurely little wolf had no idea that tens of thousands of miles away, the Blizzard Knights south of Garos Fortress had already held their breath upon seeing that iron lump...

As the purple light rapidly enlarged in Limo's eyes, the puzzled little white wolf curiously raised her paw and slapped it.

The moment her claw touched the iron object—

The runes on its steel shell suddenly began flowing!

Hundreds upon thousands of crimson magic circles abruptly appeared around it!

The instant they manifested, the interior of the steel meteor compressed violently before suddenly releasing and expanding!

An immeasurable force, like floodwaters bursting through a broken dam, erupted outward with insane ferocity!

And the instant she sensed that aura, the previously carefree Limo instinctively shuddered, her scarlet vertical pupils shrinking sharply!

Crimson Shadow of Silence Power burst out from her body, attempting to form a protective barrier.

Unfortunately...

She was too late.

The next moment—

The energy sealed inside the steel meteor completely broke free from the magical restraints.

"Bloom."

Accompanied by an earth-shattering roar—

Under the astonished gazes of Yumo, Liyu, and everyone present—

A blinding explosion erupted directly before the giant white wolf!!

The world-destroying crimson energy instantly swallowed Limo and expanded at an unbelievable speed!

Everything around it was devoured.

Countless Abyss Demons and nearby magical beasts were reduced to ashes before they could even cry out.

Those farther away were blasted hundreds of meters through the air.

The snowfields and surrounding forests were transformed into a lifeless sea of flames beneath the spread of crimson energy.

At the same time, the inferno that covered the heavens surged into the clouds, and a colossal mushroom cloud almost pierced the sky, painting a horrifying scene that resembled the end of the world itself.

Even tens of thousands of miles away—

The scorching light, enough to burn one's eyes, swept outward together with terrifying heat waves.

The entire northern territory of the Snow Night Empire seemed to feel a violent tremor.

Within the sea of flames—

The giant wolf couldn't help but let out a painful cry...

—

Meanwhile—

In the Nivelle Mountain Range near Wind Facing City—

An enormous purple magic formation had been established.

Standing upon it were nearly a hundred archmages.

Each stood upon a separate node, pouring their own mana into the gigantic formation.

At the center of the formation stood a brown-haired man clad in golden robes and holding an ancient staff.

Judging from the rich earth-element mana surrounding him, this man was a rare seventh-tier existence.

Yet now, this seventh-tier Saint-level mage was gasping heavily.

Only after downing several mana recovery potions did he barely escape complete exhaustion.

After catching his breath, the Royal Grand Mage of the Snow Night Empire slowly raised his head and respectfully looked toward the blond man dressed in luxurious clothing beside him.

"Your Highness the Third Prince, are you satisfied with the effects of the Mana Fission Bomb?"

Faced with the question, the man known as the Third Prince didn't answer immediately.

His eyes remained fixed on the image being transmitted through the magic crystal.

Watching the world-ending explosion, Third Prince Bernard gradually broke into an excited grin.

"Excellent! Excellent!! Very good! Lord Zeke, you've all worked hard!"

"It is our duty."

The Royal Grand Mage named Zeke smiled with slight pride.

Yet deep within his eyes flickered an almost imperceptible dissatisfaction.

He glanced hesitantly at the man before him, seemingly holding back something he wanted to say.

Unfortunately, Bernard's attention was entirely focused on the image and he failed to notice the unusual expression.

Staring at the horrifying scene, Bernard hurriedly issued an order to the scouts on the frontlines.

"Quickly go over and check! Are Snow Devourer and White Yama still alive?!"

Upon hearing his words, the scout communicating with him fell into an awkward silence before nervously replying:

"S-Sorry, Your Highness. The explosion was too terrifying. The griffons can't fly through it. We can only observe from high altitude at a distance."

"Useless trash! Then are you certain Snow Devourer and White Yama were both hit directly?"

"Umm... Snow Devourer definitely was. As for White Yama, she's too far away to see clearly, but she should've been fighting Snow Devourer."

"Should've?!"

"N-No! Yes! Both of them were struck by the Mana Fission Bomb! They were completely swallowed by the explosion!"

"Heh, good."

Receiving that answer, Bernard revealed a satisfied smile.

"What about Garos Fortress? It should also be inside the blast radius, right?"

"Umm, it is, but..."

"But what?"

"But... it looks like the flames were blocked by something. They didn't spread over there."

"Blocked?"

"S-Sorry, Your Highness. This subordinate doesn't know either. The shockwave suddenly dissipated once it reached Garos Fortress..."

"Hmm?"

The smile on Bernard's face vanished instantly.

His expression turned gloomy.

The terrifying killing intent radiating from him made many surrounding mages tremble in fear.

Meanwhile, Bernard raised a hand to his chin thoughtfully.

It didn't hit?

That wouldn't do.

Garos Fortress also had to be destroyed.

He had to ensure that person died inside.

Thinking this, Bernard suddenly turned and looked toward Grand Mage Zeke.

"Grand Mage! My royal brother created two Mana Fission Bombs, correct?!"

"Y-Yes."

Zeke nodded in confusion, an ominous premonition surfacing in his mind.

"Your Highness... w-what are you planning?!"

"Launch another Mana Fission Bomb at Garos Fortress."

Bernard spoke calmly.

Yet those calm words caused Zeke's face to pale in terror.

Ignoring all etiquette, he rushed over in panic.

"Your Highness the Third Prince, you absolutely must not! Attacking Snow Devourer and White Yama can still be explained away somehow. But now that most of the Abyss Demon horde has already retreated from Garos Fortress, bombing the fortress again?! Duke Xiumu's troops are nearby as well! This will completely ruin relations between the royal family and the northern territories!"

"I know."

"More importantly, that Child of Destiny from Asumos Church also seems to be inside the fortress! We've already attacked White Yama. If we kill the Child of Destiny as well, the Red Leaf Empire and Asumos Church may declare war on us!"

Zeke's words were filled with anxiety and concern for the future of the nation.

However—

To his disappointment, Bernard merely waved dismissively.

"With the Mana Fission Bomb in our possession, what do we have to fear?"

"Your Highness! These weapons can't be mass-produced! And if something happens to the north, our country simply—"

Before Zeke could finish, Bernard placed a hand on the Grand Mage's shoulder, cutting him off.

"Grand Mage Zeke."

"Y-Your Highness?"

"Who is the supreme commander here?"

"Y-You are..."

"Then stop asking questions and do as I say."

"...Yes."

As a mage sworn to serve the royal family, Zeke could only lower his head helplessly and return to the center of the formation.

Seeing that he no longer objected, Bernard coldly sneered and looked northward with profound meaning.

Royal Brother—

I won't let you have your way.

'If I can't have it, then neither will you!!!'