Arcane Academy: The Divine Extraction Legacy Chapter 1162: Observed

As the party ventured further into the Ashen Plains, Lord Ilya’s face remained a mask of stone. His pendant began to throb with a faint light, reacting to a potent source of fire essence located somewhere in the distance.

Halt! He raised his hand, signaling the expedition to a stop as he slowed his stride.

"Stay sharp, everyone. We are entering the Ember King’s domain," he whispered.

The mercenaries grew tense at his words, and even the Master-Class Alchemists swapped nervous looks. The Ember King was far from a common monster.

Born from the scorched heart of an ancient Pyromancer battle, it was a sovereign flame—a sentient, furious manifestation of fire.

Ilya scanned the horizon, his memories drifting back to the locations of his previous failed attempts in this region.

Before long, he identified a section where the smoke swirled with an unnatural density.

He had already challenged the Ember King three times in the past, failing on every occasion. Despite years of meticulous planning, his odds today still felt slim. However, he had come prepared with a collection of rare treasures this time. He had his Talismans, specialized Artifacts, and a Formation Core all ready for deployment.

He had brought every possible tool he might require.

Moreover, with the combined expertise of the Master Alchemists and Vale’s inclusion, he felt his chances of victory were significantly higher today.

'Since you’ve joined this hunt for free... you’ll have to be the one to sacrifice a little,' Ilya thought privately.

Anxiety began to ripple through the group as the exact location of the Ember King remained a mystery. They were well aware that this mystical being was an entity that could only be brought down through total cooperation.

Victory required them to act as a single unit.

"Do not lose heart... The Ember King definitely guards the Origin Fire Stone. Once we take it, our destinies as Alchemists will be altered forever, and the rewards will be shared among you all," Ilya murmured.

This was the core promise he had made to the Arcanists assisting him.

Beyond simple gold, the prospect of having an exclusive Alchemist capable of concocting any pill or potion they desired was one of the most prestigious rewards imaginable.

Ilya then shifted his focus toward Vale.

"The road ahead is crawling with Ember Wraiths. They are incredibly fast, striking like bolts of lightning that can overwhelm even the most experienced Arcanists. As a Sword Expert, your reflexes are second to none. I need you to lead the charge. Use your blade to intercept their sudden strikes before they can reach the rest of the group."

Vale found the logic sound enough.

"You’re asking me to serve as the shield."

"Precisely," Ilya answered without a moment's pause.

"But you won't be fighting in isolation. We will provide support, and the revolvers will protect our flanks. However, you must be the tip of the spear. Without someone to neutralize their speed, we'll be shredded before the Ember King even appears."

After a brief moment of consideration, Vale gave a nod. "Very well. I will take the lead."

A sigh of relief escaped Ilya’s lips.

Reaching into the folds of his robes, he pulled out a necklace made of blackened steel links featuring a glowing crimson gemstone.

"Wear this. It grants Fire Element Resistance, which will bolster your defenses against the intense heat and flames."

Vale took the necklace and draped it around his neck. He had already used his appraisal skills to confirm the item's properties.

While he didn't strictly need the protection, it was better to have it than not.

Immediately, he felt the gem’s energy permeate his body, creating a subtle barrier that warded off the blistering heat.

The expedition reorganized itself, falling in behind Vale as he moved forward.

The Arcanists and mercenaries fanned out behind him, their revolvers drawn and ready. Meanwhile, the Alchemists kept their vials of specialized potions within easy reach.

As they advanced, the smoke grew even thicker.

Visibility dropped rapidly, making it difficult to see the path ahead.

Regardless, every member of the party possessed their own methods for navigating the haze.

Vale extended his Divine Sense, searching for the rapid movements of the Ember Wraiths. He tightened his grip on his cane, prepared to unsheathe the blade hidden within.

However, it wasn't the screech of Wraiths that met him.

The earth began to shudder.

Suddenly, a wave of overwhelming heat washed over him.

A massive shape loomed out of the thick fog ahead.

It was a gigantic inferno, taking the form of a humanoid beast.

'The Ember King?' Vale thought, frowning as he observed the creature.

It gave off the aura of a being that didn't belong in this world.

Its frame appeared to be constructed of molten lava, and the ground turned to ash with every step it took.

The Ember King had arrived!

The mercenaries hesitated, instinctively raising their firearms.

The Master Alchemists grew grim, silently hoping that Vale could buy them enough time, even if it cost him his life.

Ilya’s pendant suddenly flared with violent intensity, proving that this was the true Ember King and not a mere clone or illusion.

The Ember King let out a roar that sent shivers of terror through the mercenaries; they could sense they were hopelessly outmatched.

Ilya’s eyes, however, remained cold and calculating. He had positioned Vale at the front specifically for this moment.

"Move forward! Vale, hold your ground!"

Sensing intruders in its domain, the Ember King wasted no time.

It swung a massive hand composed of ash and molten fire downward!

The strike was aimed directly at Vale, as if the monster could sense he possessed the most powerful aura in the group.

With a wry smile, Vale raised his cane, and with a single motion, the concealed blade was revealed. His Sword Aura surged forth as he swung upward to meet the flaming hand!

Bang!

The collision of fire and Sword Aura caused sparks to fly, and the shockwave made the very ground tremble.

The mercenaries gasped in shock. "He actually blocked it!"

But the Ember King was only just beginning its assault.

Its other arm lashed out like a whip, striking toward Vale’s flank.

A slight curl appeared on Ilya’s lips—not out of fear, but satisfaction.

Yet, amidst the chaos, none of them noticed another figure cloaked in darkness, watching their every move from the shadows.