The deadly curse shot toward Saruman, striking his body under his terrified gaze.
Saruman released a pained scream. His soul suffered a heavy blow as he collapsed to the ground, weakened.
Kael frowned slightly. The Killing Curse forcibly stripped away the soul, causing instant death.
But this spell, invincible against ordinary life, couldn't achieve a one-hit kill against a Maia like Saruman with his immensely powerful soul.
Kael estimated it would take at least dozens of Killing Curses to completely kill Saruman.
But each casting required concentrating maximum malice. If he cast so many consecutively, the negative emotions would drive him mad before Saruman died.
However, if the Killing Curse didn't work, Kael had other methods.
He summoned Fiendfyre. The cursed flames quickly spread throughout the room, surrounding both Kael and Saruman.
But their treatments were completely different. The flames around Kael seemed to have no temperature, not even singeing a single hair.
On Saruman's side, it was scorching, devastating fire.
Saruman desperately summoned his magic, trying to resist the cursed flames.
But with his powers stripped away, he was powerless against Fiendfyre's assault.
Within seconds, Saruman was consumed by the inferno.
Amidst piercing, anguished screams, Saruman's body burned to ashes.
The Dwarf-ring on his finger fell, continuing to be scorched by Fiendfyre.
But the Dwarf-ring was one of the Rings of Power—Fiendfyre couldn't destroy it instantly.
When Saruman burned to ashes, Kael breathed a sigh of relief, savoring his victory.
He'd changed history by eliminating Saruman early—this was good news.
Without Saruman, Sauron lost a key ally, greatly weakening his forces.
But before he could celebrate, from the ashes, gray mist suddenly gathered like smoke, slowly rising to midair and condensing into Saruman's form.
He looked similar to a ghost now, but more real and more powerful.
He looked at Kael with venomous hatred. "Kael, you think destroying my body can kill me? Remember this—someday I will return for revenge!"
With that, he rushed toward the wall, passing straight through it and transforming into a gray-white light that flew westward.
The light flashed across the sky like a dark meteor, causing Elrond and Glorfindel in Rivendell, Lady Galadriel in Lothlórien, and others to look up in surprise.
Simultaneously, other wizards sensed something, their expressions complex.
Inside Amon Sûl tower, Kael watched Saruman's soul escape with a grim expression.
As expected, these Maiar were difficult to deal with.
Unfortunately, he lacked the means to trap souls. Letting Saruman's soul escape meant another threat for the future.
However, destroying Saruman's physical form was still a solid victory.
At least for the foreseeable future, Saruman would stay quiet—no need to worry about him and Isengard daily.
Kael extinguished the Fiendfyre and came before Saruman's ashes. A Scouring Charm removed the ashes, then he examined the Dwarf-ring left on the ground.
This ring was one of the Seven Dwarf-rings among the Rings of Power.
Also one of the three remaining Dwarf-rings.
The Seven Dwarf-rings differed from other Rings of Power—they possessed the ability to amass wealth.
For example, if the wearer traded in gold coins, they'd receive more gold coins; trading in gems would yield more and more valuable gems.
The Dwarf-rings granted wearers mysterious fortune in wealth.
Just by wearing the ring, one could continuously obtain riches.
Therefore, when the original seven Dwarf clan chiefs received the Dwarf-rings, they amassed tremendous wealth.
This also attracted dragons' greed. Four of the Seven Dwarf-rings were destroyed or consumed by dragon fire during treasure raids.
Only three Dwarf-rings remained, ultimately returning to Sauron's hands.
The last Dwarf-ring was seized by Sauron from Thráin II, father of Thorin Oakenshield.
When these rings were originally forged, Sauron infused them with dark power that amplified inner desires and continuously corrupted minds.
Because of their racial characteristics, dwarves had strong, resilient personalities, so the Dwarf-rings failed to corrupt wearers and couldn't transform them into Nazgûl.
Kael looked at this ring—worthy of being called a Wealth Ring—but felt no temptation.
After all, his current wealth was already enormous. He didn't lack money.
Not to mention he had the Philosopher's Stone that could continuously transform metal into gold, requiring only magic power—completely unlike the Dwarf-ring that needed trade to amass wealth.
Moreover, the Dwarf-ring contained dark power infused by Sauron. Except for dwarves who could remain unaffected, others touching it would be seduced and corrupted.
So Kael used his wand to pick up the Dwarf-ring, then stored it in the mithril box that already contained a Ring of Men.
This time, Kael felt his gains were substantial.
Not only had he eliminated Saruman and one Nazgûl, but he had also obtained one Dwarf-ring and one Ring of Men.
By now, Sauron was probably seething with rage. Not only had he failed to find the One Ring, but he'd also lost two Rings of Power—a catastrophic blow.
In Mordor, terrifying dark pressure erupted from Barad-dûr.
The huge flaming Eye atop the tower blazed with fury.
"Kael!" Sauron's angry voice echoed through Barad-dûr.
That terrifying aura made all dark creatures in Mordor tremble.
Inside the tower, beyond his anger, Sauron looked coldly at Saruman's soul. "Saruman, explain why you were in the West, lost a Ring of Power, and even had your body destroyed by Kael."
Facing Sauron's suspicion, Saruman panicked. "I felt that letting Gollum search for the One Ring was unreliable, so I followed to investigate, wanting to help you find it."
"Is that so?" Sauron sneered. "Or was it that you wanted to seize the One Ring and keep it for yourself?"
As he spoke, his aura became more terrifying. Dark power shrouded the entire tower like a gaping maw about to devour Saruman completely.
"Those who betray me will suffer endless despair and pain—even death offers no release! I just lost one loyal servant, so you will replace him and become my most powerful Nazgûl!"
Instantly, the surroundings plunged into absolute darkness. Dark power spread toward Saruman's essence, invading his soul to corrupt him completely.
"No! Sauron, you cannot do this!" Saruman cried out in terror, desperately resisting the dark corruption.
"I will submit to you, acknowledge you as master! Forge for you, raise stronger armies! Just spare me!"
Saruman was terrified; his former arrogance vanished. He knew once corrupted, he'd become Sauron's puppet—like the other Nazgûl, stripped of free will, loyal only to Sauron.
"But after turning you into a Nazgûl, won't you still do these things for me? And be even more loyal?" Sauron said mockingly. "Actually, I should thank Kael for destroying your body—only then could I completely control you. Rest assured, I will avenge you by letting you personally kill Kael!"
With that, he erupted with even more terrifying power. The dark energy shrouding Barad-dûr condensed into a giant Eye. The Eye's vertical pupil was like a black hole devouring everything, consuming Saruman.
No matter how Saruman struggled, he could only be swallowed by the Eye.
As a Maia, Saruman's soul was very powerful. To completely corrupt him and turn him into a puppet required considerable time and energy.
So Sauron's Eye looked westward.
He ordered the Nazgûl searching for the Ring throughout Eriador to return.
"Kael, we have time. Plenty of time to play slowly. Next time, it will be my move—"