Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1533: Different Morals

When breaking away from the Glory Guild base, the Dark Guild members and the soldiers split into different directions. Alen’s men were careful. They weren’t wearing their usual military uniforms. Instead, their identities were hidden beneath masks, blending in among the shadows.

Some had even taken robes from the Dark Guild to disguise themselves further. Not all wore them, but it hardly mattered, onlookers would simply assume they were Dark Guild members, never realizing the truth about who walked among them.

Everyone understood the procedure. After an operation like this, they couldn’t afford to move as one large group. For most of Alen’s forces, the plan was to fall back to several prearranged points, resting in hidden areas and waiting for further instructions.

But not Alen himself.

He, along with Varkos and Mordain, knew it was best to remain together. They were too important to scatter like the rest. Too many leaders in one place often caused problems, but they trusted themselves to keep the group steady. They could speak freely about what they had seen and discuss the matters weighing on their minds.

After everyone dispersed, the three men traveled side by side. Their pace was steady, but their voices were not silent. Comments slipped from each of them, words that revealed the unease they felt toward their so-called allies.

"I understand," Alen admitted finally, his voice heavy with thought. "Honestly, from everything I saw today, I have my own concerns as well. We’ll see how this plays out."

They were the last to arrive at the base.

The scene awaiting them was a stark contrast to their own unease. The Dark Guild members were celebrating openly, their faces lit with broad smiles, voices filled with excitement. In the open courtyard outside the church-like structure that served as their stronghold, clusters of them gathered, laughing and boasting about the success of their mission.

It was like a festival.

And there, standing among them, were Raze with his companions, and Harvey, ever the central figure of the Dark Guild. Raze was the first to notice Alen, Varkos, and Mordain entering.

"Oh, will you look at that?" Harvey’s booming voice cut through the noise. He spread his arms wide, his tone rich with cheer. "Now the full party has arrived, fresh from a successful mission! I have to admit, the reason for our victory today was your strength. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we could topple a top guild belonging to the Grand Magus so easily. I must congratulate you."

His words carried weight, but they left a sour taste in Alen’s mouth. Varkos and Mordain felt the same. They didn’t want to be congratulated for slaughter. They didn’t want thanks for actions they had performed with reluctance. But neither spoke their resentment aloud. Not at first.

And then someone else broke the silence.

"Well, you might be right," a Dark Guild member shouted from the crowd, his tone sharp with arrogance, "but I think we could have done a better job without them! These soldiers were just getting in our way. Stopping us from doing what needed to be done. Arguing with us about taking out those who surrendered!"

Murmurs spread through the crowd, some agreeing, some smirking. The man pressed on.

"The mission was to eliminate the Glory Guild! Leaving anyone alive means they’ll come back later to strike us! If the situation were reversed, even if we surrendered, the Glory Guild would never spare our lives!"

The words struck hard, and Varkos’s composure broke.

"Getting in your way?" he growled, his voice rising. "Although the mission was a success, we lost two men today. Two! And yes, I know some of the Dark Guild fell as well. But our men sacrificed themselves for this mission, and you dare to claim they got in your way?"

Mordain stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. "I agree. And let’s not pretend what really happened out there didn’t happen. Our men were stopping you from becoming monsters. Those people surrendered. They dropped their weapons. They had no will left to fight. And you butchered them anyway."

He jabbed a finger toward the crowd, his voice cutting sharper with every word.

"Regardless of whether they might return one day, killing someone who refuses to fight isn’t battle, it’s murder. Fighting those who meet you blade for blade, who risk their lives as you risk yours, that is war. What you did is not."

A scoff rose from the same Dark Guild member. He sneered openly, unafraid of the soldiers before him. "Ha! Sounds to me like you’re just making excuses. If you can’t stomach the work, then don’t come on the mission."

The insult hit like a spark to dry tinder.

Anger surged not only in Mordain and Varkos but in Alen as well. His eyes narrowed, his fingers twitching at his side. He raised his hand slowly, deliberately, and with a snap of his fingers a flame flared to life.

"I see," Alen said coldly, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "We’ve dealt with plenty like you in the military before. Loud mouths who don’t know their place. But when they finally learn, they shut up quickly."

The fire twisted in his palm, and the soldiers behind him tensed.

"What do you think you’re doing in our home!" Harvey’s voice bellowed across the courtyard. In an instant he stepped in front of his guild member, his presence commanding the space. Behind him, the shadow puppet rose again, its hulking form looming over his shoulders.

Darkness gathered in Harvey’s hands, swirling and thickening into a ball of condensed power. The puppet mirrored him, adding even more magic into the growing sphere.

"You will not harm anyone in this guild," Harvey roared, his voice layered with fury. "Especially not in our own place!"

He thrust his hands forward, releasing the Dark Magic with violent force.

Alen twisted his body, reacting instantly. From his gloves surged two great dragons of flame, roaring into the open air, streaking toward the blast with ferocious speed. Fire and darkness raced toward each other, two forces destined to collide.

The ground trembled as they neared impact.

"STOP IT!"

Raze’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade, sharp and commanding. In a flash, his figure moved, placing himself directly in the center between the two attacks.

****

*****

For updates for MWS and future works, please follow me on my social media below.

Instagram: Jksmanga

*Patreon: jksmanga

When news of MVS, MWS, or any other series comes out, you will be able to see it there first, and you can reach out to me. If I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.