Chapter 16: The Finale

Camera lenses swarmed over the barren city of Ronda, a lifeless desert devoid of vitality. At the center of this catastrophic scene, Suero stood alone, staring into the blinding lights of journalists' cameras. Behind him, Ronda stretched out like a portrait of absolute devastation. His silence was like a muted scream, while his frozen image before the cameras conveyed more than words ever could.

At the edge of the area, Surichi stood in shock, his gaze fixed on the horrifying spectacle before him. He muttered in disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper:

“What… happened here?”

As he struggled to comprehend the scale of the disaster, his eyes landed on Suero in the distance. Without hesitation, he ran toward him, fear and disbelief radiating from every movement.

When Surichi reached Suero, he stopped, breathless, his eyes filled with worry. Yet no clear answers were in sight. His voice trembled as he spoke, fragmented by the weight of the moment:

“Suero?! … What happened here?!”

Suero stared at him, his gaze eerily calm, like an unmoving statue. Surichi tried again, his words stumbling under the strain of the catastrophe:

“Where is everyone? … Where is Sbyam Brius?! … Why has Ronda become like this?!”

Finally, Suero broke his silence, his voice barely audible but carrying the immense weight of war:

“Master Surichi… this is war… everyone is gone.”

Hearing those words, Surichi’s eyes widened, unable to fully grasp the meaning of what he had just heard. Before he could respond, Suero’s body began to give way. He collapsed onto the ground, falling face-first as blood smeared across his face and his torn attire.

In a faint, exhausted voice, Suero murmured as he gazed up at the sky:

“I wonder… what happens next?”

Then, slowly, he closed his eyes, surrendering to exhaustion. Above him, Surichi stood frozen in absolute stillness, consumed by the gravity of the moment.

Suddenly, a familiar voice shattered the silence:

“Master Surichi!”

Laura approached with hurried steps. As she reached his side, her gaze shifted to the journalists, who were relentlessly documenting the scene. However, her eyes couldn’t help but lock onto the lifeless body lying in a pool of blood on the ground. She froze for a moment before rushing forward.

Laura knelt beside Moryo, her hands trembling as she struggled to process what she was witnessing. She whispered desperately:

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“What happened here?”

Yellow sparks began to flicker in her hands, and her words rose like a prayer:

“Healing Technique!”

With every spark, her energy flowed into Moryo’s body, as though she were waging a battle against death itself. Time seemed to slow down; sweat poured down her forehead, her hands shaking under the immense strain. Gradually, the blood vanished from his body, and the wounds began to close. Yet, Moryo remained unconscious.

While Laura was absorbed in her efforts to save Moryo, Surichi stood behind her, his gaze fixed on the lifeless Suero. When Laura finished, she lifted her head and spoke with a heavy tone:

“Master Surichi… all of this happened because… after the containment of Sbyam Brius.”

Surichi’s face seemed to regain a measure of determination. He spoke firmly:

“But this won’t end here!”

Laura looked at him cautiously and asked seriously:

“What do you mean?”

Surichi turned his gaze toward the ruins of Ronda and replied:

“There will be a response from the Mana organization… strict decisions, harsh judgments. Everything is going to change.”

At that moment, Suero’s voice interrupted them, faint yet sharp as he remained lying on the ground. He spoke with a deadly calm:

“They’re dead.”

Surichi and Laura lowered their eyes toward him as he continued, his voice dripping with bitterness:

“Everyone who was here… Master Hambo, Betma, Lady Alia, Master Veb, and Baysal… they all gave their lives for this war.”

Surichi raised his head once again, his gaze fixed on the desolate Ronda, and said resolutely:

“They all knew the risks before they joined. This is the nature of war.”

In the aftermath of the disaster that struck the city of Ronda, journalists rushed to document the event with their cameras. News of the incident spread rapidly across television screens, social media platforms, and newspapers. The following statement was issued:

"On the night of December 16th, the Ronda area was sealed off by a mysterious barrier for four hours. Once the barrier disappeared, it revealed a barren, lifeless city. Ronda was completely devoid of human life, with the only known presence inside the zone being the sorcerers of the Mana organization! The reasons behind this eradication remain unknown, as The World Sages has declared that the details of the incident will remain classified. A strict warning has been issued: anyone discussing or disseminating information about the event will be considered in violation of the law and face severe penalties."

—

Post-December 16 War Sanctions

Following the conclusion of the December 16 War, The World Sages convened to assess the situation and impose severe sanctions on the Mana Organization and its affiliated Sorcerers Organization. The meeting resulted in a series of decisive measures, as outlined below:

1. Condemnation of Sbyam Brius:

Sbyam Brius was expelled from the Sorcerers Organization and relieved of all duties. He was sentenced to death on charges of collusion for failing to eliminate the sorcerers of the Rizsius Organization, despite possessing the capability to do so.

2. Spailo Rashid:

It was confirmed that the former sorcerer of the organization, Spailo Rashid, was the primary instigator behind the annihilation. A death sentence was issued against him.

3. President Surichi:

President Surichi was removed from his position and expelled from the organization. He was sentenced to death for his failure in leadership, which led to the involvement of his former disciples in the war.

4. The Containment of Sbyam:

New laws were declared, stating that any attempt to liberate Sbyam Brius would be considered a major crime punishable by immediate execution.

5. Execution of Complicit Sorcerers:

All sorcerers involved in the war were expelled from the organization and sentenced to death for treason. The list included:

- Betma Brlemos

- Moryo Raiso

- Hambo Gauthen

- Veb Simon

- Baysal Halis

- Alia Wilker

- Kamyo Yaris

- Suero Rashid

- Laura Parma

All these individuals were officially stripped of their status as sorcerers.

6. Strict Enforcement of Laws:

Any attempt to violate or bypass these laws, regardless of the reason, would result in immediate execution without exception or justification.

End of the Season.