NOVEL NEXT chapter 52 - Ice and Fire
As Louis led the group into the magma essence factory, a pungent alchemical scent immediately assailed them.
He raised a hand in greeting, “Good morning.”
In the corner, Silco, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, listlessly looked up and glanced at the detestable slave owner.
“Good morning, Lord,” he said with a hint of complaint, handing over a rough ceramic pot the size of a fist.
Louis took the heavy pot; its surface looked plain and unadorned, with a piece of linen cloth inserted into its mouth, appearing so crude it seemed casually molded.
He frowned, “Is that all?”
Silco lazily explained, “Don’t let its ordinary appearance fool you; it’s filled with dangerous materials.
magma essence, Ice Armor Bear crystal slag, and tinder grass are all packed inside.
Its power is considerable, of course, if you give me more time, I can make it more refined, and its power will be even stronger.”
“Since you say so, let’s try one,” Louis raised an eyebrow, looking towards the experimental ground that was already prepared.
Several magical beasts were tied at various points in the area; they struggled, emitting uneasy roars.
The knights put on their special protective masks, lit the fuses, and threw the magic flame bombs.
The ceramic pot spun in the air, tracing an arc, and accurately struck the center of the experimental ground.
Boom!!
Phase One: Cold Blast!
The moment the magic flame bomb exploded, a blue light flashed, the Ice Armor Bear crystals shattered, releasing an extremely cold airflow!
The air suddenly contracted, as if the entire space was violently pulled tight by an invisible hand.
The fur of several magical beasts instantly frosted over, their limbs twitching and retracting.
Then, they were forcibly dragged by that strong suction towards the explosion’s core!
They let out piercing wails, their hooves and claws frantically pawing at the ground, but they were powerless to break free.
Phase Two: Incineration!
Just as they were about to break free from the cold current’s restraint, the next wave of disaster descended.
The magma essence suddenly spontaneously combusted, and violent flames erupted.
The tinder grass fluff seemed to be catalyzed by some invisible force, frantically devouring the oxygen in the air!
The flames, like a flowing liquid, adhered tightly to the magical beasts, spreading along their fur.
Like bloodthirsty venomous snakes, they burrowed into every skin crevice, frantically gnawing at flesh and blood.
One magical beast’s eyes were scorched by the flames, instantly bursting, its bodily fluids evaporating into a wisp of white smoke, and the hot air expelled from its mouth and nose instantly turned into dry dust.
The air was filled with a charred and burning stench, making one feel nauseous.
Phase Three: Toxic Corrosion!
Black smoke slowly ascended.
This was not ordinary embers, but highly toxic gas released after the magma essence burned!
The first magical beasts to be affected convulsed violently, their limbs twitching frantically, and squeezed wails came from their throats.
The flesh and blood on their wounds began to rapidly rot, as if torn apart by an invisible hand, revealing stark white bones.
They struggled, roared, rolled, and finally—
Silence.
Ashes scattered, and the air was filled with a strong smell of sulfur and charred decay, lingering for a long time.
The scene was a mess, charred remains embedded in the soil.
Even the soil was scorched dark brown, faintly glowing, as if this land had been infected by death.
Louis stood still, quietly observing the devastation, remaining silent for a long time.
Sif’s face was pale, and she ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) couldn’t help but clench her fists.
She had seen fighting, seen bloodshed, and even personally been on the battlefield.
But she had never seen such slaughter.
Silent, yet completely stripping away all life.
Silco, however, showed a strange expression, a mix of triumph and heartache.
He blinked his bloodshot eyes, rubbed his aching neck from exhaustion, and sighed:
“This power is indeed good… but Lord, the material cost for one of these is a full four hundred gold coins.”
He looked at the scorched earth as if he were looking at a pile of burning golden coins, feeling immense heartache, as if it were his own money being spent.
Hearing this, Louis finally came back to his senses, turned his head, and asked, “How many are left?”
“Seven,” Silco sighed, “There won’t be any more materials. After all, you only brought a small amount of Ice Armor Bear crystals.”
“What’s its name?”
“Haven’t thought of one yet.”
Louis surveyed the desolate land, his gaze sweeping over the still-burning black embers, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved upward.
“Let’s call it ‘Ice and Fire Double Heaven’.”
Silco nodded, finding the name quite fitting.
Louis reached out and lightly patted the bomb’s rough ceramic pot.
This weapon was his last trump card.
… … … …
Count Firth sat on the luxurious chair in the Count’s mansion, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his thick chin, his face filled with anxiety.
“Damn it! Commanding the bandit suppression… I don’t understand any of this!”
He was clearly terrified by this sudden task.
It had been less than two years since he inherited the title from his father, and now he had to prepare to annihilate the Snowsworn?
What a joke!
He had often heard the brutal name of the Snowsworn.
His father, the former Count Firth, was a distinguished general of the Northern Realm with numerous military achievements, ruling Snowpeak County for decades and striking fear into the northern tribes.
But what about himself?
He was just a fat man forced to inherit the title, unable to even ride a horse steadily, let alone lead troops into battle!
“My Lord Count, this may not be an opportunity.”
It was his strategist who spoke, a man with a calculating look on his face.
“Think about it, annihilating the Snowsworn is Duke Edmund’s order, and all northern nobles must respond, especially those pioneering nobles who came from the south.”
Count Firth frowned, “What do you mean?”
The strategist leaned in closer and said, “You can directly send them to their deaths.
These nobles from the south are inherently weak and their foundations are not yet stable.
And this operation to annihilate the Snowsworn is extremely risky; as long as it’s properly arranged, let them undertake the most dangerous tasks and deplete their forces.
Once they suffer heavy losses, you, as the Count, can then annex their territories and resources. Why wouldn’t you?”
Count Firth’s eyes widened; so it could be done this way?
The strategist continued to add fuel to the fire, “What’s more, as you know, the old noble families of the Northern Realm have no fondness for these southerners.
If the southerners are completely wiped out, the Northern Realm will truly return to the hands of true Northern people.
And those who look down on you, those who think you only inherited your position through your father’s influence and are incapable of governing Snowpeak County, what will they think?
They will only have to admit they were mistaken, that you are the true ruler of Snowpeak County!”
Count Firth was silent for a few seconds.
Then a sinister smile appeared on his face.
“That makes sense.”
He raised his wine glass, gently swirling the liquid within.
He had already envisioned in his mind the scene of those southern nobles being swallowed by ice and snow, and himself being revered by thousands.
“Good, then we’ll do as you say.”