Fairy Tale: With Sin Of Pride

The barrier around the Mountain Fire City wasn't just a standalone defense—it was integrated with the magic castle itself. While destroying a single segment of the barrier was simple, it would regenerate almost instantly. To completely obliterate it, one would need to annihilate the entire city in a single strike.

This task was no less daunting than slaying a god.

"If Dragon Slayer Magic won't work, then let's try God Slayer Magic," Rhodes murmured under his breath.

God Slayer Magic was an advanced tier of magic, capable of devouring even Dragon Slayer Magic. In theory, its power could rival that of the gods. If even this failed to breach the barrier, his only recourse would be the forbidden spells recorded in the Star Ball.

"The Roar of the Flame God!"

A complex magic array materialized beneath his feet, conjuring dark flames that coalesced into a massive fireball. The inferno shot forward, crashing into the shimmering barrier.

The flames, emanating an aura of destruction, seemed as though they were born in the abyss. As they collided with the magical shield, a gap melted into the shimmering wall.

Magic surged through the air. Though the barrier attempted to regenerate, the corrosive nature of the God-Destroying Fire caused the gap to widen further. The more energy poured into the shield, the stronger the devouring flames grew, as if fueled by the very essence of the barrier itself.

"This isn't just an elemental advantage," Rhodes observed. "It's a higher-level suppression."

The destructive power of the God-Destroying Fire exceeded Rhodes' expectations. It was no longer mere elemental magic but something closer to a law of existence, challenging even divine rules.

Gods controlled the rules of reality, allowing them to reign supreme over mortals. Yet, God Slayer Magic could consume these very rules, devouring powers that were once thought unassailable.

"It's no wonder it's called God Slayer Magic," Rhodes mused. "Even divine power isn't immune."

However, he knew that this ability had its limits. While a snake could swallow small prey, it would perish if it attempted to devour an elephant. Similarly, God Slayer Magic could consume divine power, but if the gap in strength was too vast, the magic would crumble under divine might.

Rhodes chuckled. "If only I could master all systems of God Slayer Magic. Then, no god could ever pose a threat to me."

He imagined wielding God Slayer Magic corresponding to every divine power, rendering himself untouchable by any deity. However, he dismissed the thought quickly. The diversity of divine powers was staggering. Even a single dark domain could be divided into silence, shadow, night, and more.

Collecting all God Slayer Magic was a theoretical impossibility, requiring not just time but unparalleled knowledge of the world's laws and powers.

Shaking off his musings, Rhodes strode confidently into Mountain Fire City.

The moment he stepped across the gates, the once-silent atmosphere gave way to bustling activity.

Dwarves moved in every direction, their city alive with the clamor of blacksmithing. At its heart stood a massive, translucent pillar, filled with flowing magma that radiated an intense heat. From this central source, pipes carried molten streams into every household courtyard.

Blacksmith shops dominated the streets, their forges roaring. Occasionally, a pub or tavern broke the monotony, filled with dwarves indulging in their three great passions: forging, drinking, and fighting.

Rhodes observed the scene. "When they're tired of hammering steel, they drink. When drunk, they brawl. Simple and unpretentious."

Amidst the dwarves, he noticed humans—slaves tasked with mining and carrying materials. Dwarves valued their blacksmithing time too much to waste it in mines, so they enslaved humans to handle the labor. Though dwarves were neutral and kind-hearted by nature, their pragmatic culture allowed for slavery as long as the humans were well-fed and not arbitrarily killed.

"There are over a million dwarves here, yet the slaves outnumber them tenfold," Rhodes noted, his expression unreadable. "This isn't a city of dwarves—it's a city of slaves."

Despite its oppressive structure, Mountain Fire City was an ideal stronghold. Its impenetrable defenses made it impervious even to gods, let alone orcs or trolls. Properly resourced, it could support an immense human population.

However, claiming this city from the dwarves would mean challenging their patron deity—a god of medium divine power known for crafting artifacts. Offending the Dwarf God risked provoking numerous other gods allied with him.

Suddenly, the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed down the street.

A group of dwarf cavalry, clad in magical armor and exuding a formidable aura, charged toward him. Each rider carried a unique firearm brimming with magical inscriptions. Their small frames atop their steeds created an almost comical sight, but their intent was anything but.

"Surround that human!"

The dwarves quickly encircled Rhodes, their leader—a legendary dwarf with a fiery presence—stepping forward. Pointing his enchanted firearm at Rhodes, he demanded, "Are you the intruder who broke through the barrier?"

Rhodes raised an eyebrow, amused. "If you're looking for the one responsible, yes, that would be me."

The dwarf frowned, clearly unprepared for such a casual admission. "Do you realize the consequences of trespassing in Mountain Fire City without the Dwarf King's permission?"

"Your rules don't concern me," Rhodes replied, smirking. "I came here through my own strength, not your goodwill. If I weren't planning to use your forges, I'd have reduced this city to ashes already."

The legendary dwarf's eyes blazed with anger. "Arrogant human! I'll teach you your place!"

He raised his weapon, its barrel glowing as layers of magical inscriptions activated. Energy surged through the air before exploding toward Rhodes.

However, the attack was swallowed effortlessly by the dark flames enveloping Rhodes.

"That temper of yours needs work," Rhodes remarked, his gaze lingering on the dwarf's firearm. The craftsmanship intrigued him; dozens of magic inscriptions layered within enhanced the weapon's destructive power.

Magic inscriptions were fundamentally different from magic arrays. The former, said to be creations of the gods, were self-contained symbols imbued with fixed powers. While simpler to learn than arrays, their effects were static and lacked the versatility of a well-crafted magic array.

Even so, the weapon's ingenuity couldn't be denied. Rhodes couldn't help but admire the dwarves' mastery of their craft, even as he prepared to unleash his God-Destroying Fire once more.

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