章節 230: Chapter 389
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The power of the Plutonian Tribe's Battle God was being recreated on the melted ground of the arena.
They were the mightiest beings in the world, who had challenged the gods as conquerors of the world five thousand years ago. From inside the lightning that resembled their souls, Jin examined the eyes of the Runcandels fixed to himself.
There was fear in the eyes of those who were protected, and there was bewilderment in the eyes of those who were protecting. They were all biting their lips.
Who could have expected that someone would show such battle prowess against the entire Runcandel, and that too after unleashing the flame of hell?
[And I will give one command to the members of the clan below the flagbearer.]
The voices of dozens of Plutonians resonated as if they were speaking at once. The clan members felt a kind of reverence in their voices.
Although they had never met the Plutonian Tribe's Battle God even once, they instinctively felt that Jin was exuding her aura.
[Do your best to protect the guardian knights so that not a single knight dies because of my sword.]
Pzzzzt!
As Jin's body was covered by lightning, blue sparks burst out. The pale light of Sigmund, the sword of Plutonian Battle God, stood out in the hands whose fingernails were dyed with lightning.
It seemed as if death had a color; it would be this pale.
And it was added to the heat of flame of hell that had not yet completely subsided.
As the hot air, hot enough to make rocks melt and burst, pressed heavily on their chests, the Runcandels were strangely overwhelmed by the sensation of their whole body growing cold, as if touching a long-dead corpse.
"Everyone, get out of here...!"
As soon as the sword began to fall, the first person to scream out loud was none other than Luntia.
I let my guard down.
I thought I could finish him now, that I could kill the youngest at any moment.
But that youngest had become a monster that far exceeded her expectations.
I should have realized that fact earlier. I should have known earlier that if I confronted him with such an arrogant attitude, I would not be able to win, that I had to bet my life too.
As Luntia's pupils flickered, what she saw was Jin's sword, which was rushing toward her with lightning.
With a speed that felt like thunder striking, the power contained in that single strike was, by no means, inferior to any swords Luntia had experienced before.
Her body couldn't react immediately. In that moment, she raised her voice in concern for the knights behind her, and that was a blunder.
Slash!
Blood sprayed from the center of Luntia's chest. If she hadn't fallen back her body might have been split in half.
"Ugh!"
Fortunately, there was no damage to her vital organs.
However, the injury, which could not be considered Charleslow by any means, shook Luntia's focus once again.
Before she could even readjust her stance, Sigmund's lightning surged toward her.
Her entire body was engulfed in excruciating pain as if it were on fire.
A strong body surpassing even Luna.
How much pain did she have to endure to develop such a body?
After Luna announced that she was giving up on becoming the patriarch, Luntia had briefly entertained many people's expectations as a possible alternative.
The reason Luna found it difficult to deal with Luntia was because she had watched Luntia 'destroying' herself to have such a strong body.
That was how she obtained her rigid body.
A rigid body obtained by going down the unhappy answer that life is only boredom and pain, without even the slightest pleasure, or having any thoughts or actions.
That rigid body was now being shattered.
Flesh was tearing, bones were splitting, and blood was bursting. The horrifying pain digging into the wounds took away her breath.
'Damn it...!'
Luntia grit her teeth and cursed.
Due to the thick mist-like caused by the lightning that covered the arena, it was not easy to pinpoint Jin's exact location. The sharp bolts of lightning piercing through the eyes added a constant sense of impending darkness.
However, at that moment, what Luntia thought was not the desire to escape this place without getting hurt, or the desire to survive.
'At this rate the knights will die.'
There were her mother, the flagbearers, the core members of the Elder Council, and the enforcement knights. No matter how formidable Jin's power was, surpassing them all was beyond imagination.
However, "fighting" and "protecting" were clearly different things.
Could other strong individuals protect the knights who faced imminent death in the storm of this lightning?
She couldn't be certain. Above all, there was no one to protect the knights who had first rushed in to stop the blaze of flame of hell.
Because their lord, herself, was fighting Jin.
Above all else,
'Mother isn't someone who will protect the knights.'
Luntia bit her lip. Rosa was still sitting in her seat, taking no action.
The reason she was so convinced wasn't because she disliked Rosa.
It was her perception that Rosa Runcandel, her mother, was someone who wouldn't bother saving guardian knights who were being swept away like discarded goods by the "swords of the 12th flagbearer."
Such individuals were considered useless in Runcandel. Or maybe she was trying to leave only stronger knights in the Garden of Swords after this incident.
That's how Luntia perceived Rosa.
And others also saw Rosa the same way.
Even so, she could still be a person who cared for others.
There were no screams just like before when the flame of hell unfolded. However, Luntia and everyone else were well aware.
How much agony the Guardian Knights, who were engulfed in flames and lightning, were enduring, not to mention the screams.
A new shining aura covered Charles. Luntia had made her decision on how to end this fight.
"You've shown a glorious sword, youngest... So, I must respond with a sword befitting that glory."
In her eyes, which were filled with killing intent and shock, something new was reflected—a newfound sense of responsibility as a flagbearer that she had long forgotten.
Runcandel's Third Secret Technique:
Annular solar eclipse
As Luntia extended Charles, a single circle, no bigger than an egg, appeared in the space brimming with lightning. The circle emitted a peculiar light as if it allowed no intrusion.
Thump!
Jin tried to strike the circle with Sigmund but it bounced off.
It was unexpected that Sigmund, which had been strengthened by the Plutonian Reign Sword, bounced off like this. Moreover, the Annular solar eclipse was growing larger, expanding its territory.
Although it possessed enough power to repel the attack of Sigmund, Jin strangely didn't feel threatened by the Annular solar eclipse.
'A decisive killing move? Or perhaps a secret technique? Either way, it's an unusual sword.'
A sword with absolutely no killing intent.
Not long after, Jin realized that the purpose of this sword wasn't killing. The Third Secret Technique, Annular solar eclipse, was the only sword in Runcandel that intended to protect others. The firm sword energy forming the circle acted as a kind of shield.
It wasn't difficult for Jin to reach a conclusion.
'If I break it, it's over.'
The blood of the Battle God and the lightning was surging inside the illuminating heart. If it didn't crumble under a single strike, he would wield an even stronger powerful strike again.
Jin had no intention of ending it with moderation today.
He had no intention of using only as much power as necessary to avoid killing his opponent. He was determined to finish it in any way possible.
After all, it is a sword that even withstood the great sword of one of ten great knights, Sylderay.
No matter how sturdy Luntia's Annular solar eclipse appeared, it couldn't continue to block Sigmund indefinitely.
Crack, boom!
When Jin swung Sigmund again, the same result occurred. The blade was deflected by the expanding ring of the Annular solar eclipse.
However, amid the fluttering aura and lightning, Jin observed something keenly. He saw Luntia, who had just repelled the second sword strike, spitting out a handful of fresh blood.
She had already suffered injuries even before unleashing the Annular solar eclipse. It was uncertain whether she could have blocked Sigmund's strike when she was at full strength.
Having done so while already injured, Luntia's struggle was quite understandable.
She had staked her life on this.
However, the meaning of her determination is different for the first time she had faced Jin. She didn't intend to kill Jin, but to protect her own knights from him.
The clash between the sword and the ring created a thunderous noise.
Although not a single word could be exchanged between them in the midst of this battle, Jin could understand Luntia's mindset.
Having seen the faces of those who sought to rescue people several times, he knew what they looked like.
'You are not someone to be taken lightly, second sister."
Ironically, Jin felt relieved.
If Luntia, with all her strength, could block Sigmund, there would be no unnecessary deaths among the knights.
Not even one.
There was no room for mercy in Jin's blade.
Jin swung Sigmund without caring about Luntia's life.
All the members of the Runcandel clan were watching if he showed any signs of weakness here, the declaration would surely lose its meaning.
'If you survive, I will recognize you as a worthy rival, elder sister.'
Creak, creak!
It seemed like massive fangs were tearing into their prey. Under the relentless rain of sword strikes, Luntia's bleeding grew worse.
On the other hand, Sigmund became increasingly fierce. The lightning, moving along Sigmund, poured down like a torrential rain onto the expanding ring of the Annular solar eclipse.
The sword energy in Charles's blade, which was supporting the ring, was trembling. She had been enduring 50% power of the Plutonian Reign Sword on her own, so it was clear that Luntia had reached her limits.
Suddenly, the form of the lightning that was attacking the ring changed.
Battle God Technique, 3rd sword
Condemnation
The awl of condemnation, imbued with the power of the Plutonian Reign Sword, exuded overwhelming energy even within the storm of the lightning that had pervaded in all directions.
As the five awls pushed forward simultaneously, the ring of the Annular solar eclipse eventually shattered. Luntia didn't let go of Charles until the very end.
However, the Plutonian Reign Sword and the energy of the condemnation were already sweeping past her, heading towards the knights who were holding their ground outside.
Just as he was about to unleash his lightning energy once again, Jin saw Luntia, who had stopped in the same posture as when she had unleashed the Annular solar eclipse.
There was no need to confirm whether she had lost consciousness or died. Either way, it didn't matter.
Jin took confident strides.
His gaze was fixed on Rosa, who was sitting on the seat of honor as if she were the matriarch of the clan. It was time to break that seat.
In the moment when Jin tried to emit his lightning once again...
Thunk...
Suddenly, something solid and sharp lightly pricked Jin's back.
It was Luntia's sword, Charles.
Even so, Jin didn't turn around to check his second sister. He knew that the action of placing Charles on his back was the last bit of strength Luntia had left.
Jin thought that what had touched his back was not Charles, but the determination holding it.
It was a determination he could respect as a martial artist, and as a sibling.
Dump…!
With that, Luntia fell to the ground.
Jin and Rosa's gazes met.
[Will you continue sitting there like that?]
章節 231: Chapter 390
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The momentum of the Plutonian Reign Sword was growing stronger by the moment.
It felt as though lightning from the entire world was converging upon the Garden of Swords. Amidst the earth shattering beneath the onslaught of lightning, the shattered annular solar eclipse fluttered through the air like blossoms.
For several seconds, Rosa remained silent, gazing down at her youngest son.
Amidst the devastation of the arena, only the seat of honor where Rosa sat remained tall and untouched, like a solitary pillar. Neither the blaze of the flame of hell nor the lightning strikes of the Plutonian Reign Sword could penetrate her energy.
Just by meeting Rosa's gaze, Jin felt as though he were being crushed under a mountain, and his entire body grew heavy.
'She's strong, stronger than I ever imagined.'
That much was certain. Rosa Runcandel, the Black Panther, was more formidable than any foe Jin had ever encountered. She possessed a power that far surpassed his expectations.
It was only natural though.
The figure sitting on the seat of honor was none other than the second-in-command of the great Runcandel, who had led the Garden of Swords in place of Chiron for a long time. She is the empress of the Runcandel, and she has been recognized by the entire clan as well as the admiration of all the sword masters in the world.
Facing such an influential figure, if Jin hadn't felt this overwhelming presence, he would have been disappointed.
Slowly, Rosa rose from her seat.
Her field of view was only slightly higher, but the feeling of intimidation had multiplied exponentially compared to when she was seated. Jin felt his body as heavy as if it were submerged in water.
"She let her guard down, but who would have expected you to defeat even Luntia and come before this mother."
Her voice was devoid of any emotion.
In Jin's mind, memories of Rosa flashed by like a swiftly passing landscape. Memories from a past life, when he had recognized her not as an enemy but as his "mother."
After Jin's exile, his mother had cut off communication from the outside world for two days. And before his exile, she had even violated the clan's rules to pass on some information in preparation for when he became a flagbearer.
'Surely she knew that Joshua cursed me when I was in the cradle, so why.'
Why had she been so abhorrent when dealing with me?
Was it her last shred of conscience as a mother? But Rosa Runcandel was no weak human who would be swayed by something as insignificant as conscience.
Jin couldn't know and he didn't want to know. He would probably never understand the reason.
What mattered now was breaking that seat.
It was a symbol of the Runcandel that Rosa was displaying, a way to undermine the authority of the second-in-command.
Sigmund's thunderbolt grew stronger.
[I'm doing all this, but I didn't expect you to be so composed, Mother.]
"Speak freely."
[Even if it were my father, I would have certainly done the same.]
Rosa smiled slyly.
"I acknowledge your remarkable growth."
[Perhaps I can give you a chance.]
"A chance..."
[Everyone in the clan has seen my power. That means Runcandel sees the potential for me to become the successor.]
As Rosa's sword emerged from its sheath, it made a sharp and hissing sound.
[In this situation, do you really think the 2nd flagbearer can become the patriarch?]
"So, do you want me to support you instead of the 2nd flagbearer?"
[No. I don't need your help to become the patriarch.]
Jin retorted.
[Disappear somewhere at the right time. When I become the patriarch, there will be no place for you in the Garden of Swords, mother.]
Even with such a strong provocation, Rosa didn't get angry.
Instead, she seemed subtly satisfied and smiled secretly.
Yes, you know what a real Runcandel is, she had that kind of look in her eyes.
It also means that she acknowledged Jin.
On the other hand, it was a smile that implied that Jin was not yet a match for her.
'I'll shatter that arrogant confidence.'
A bitter taste of blood filled his mouth as Jin clenched his teeth. Using the flame of hell and then the Plutonian Reign Sword had brought the risk of a backflow.
Rosa was aware of this fact, so she remained composed.
Furthermore, she believed that this incident alone, by coming this far, was already Jin's victory.
As Jin said, since he demonstrated such power in front of the entire clan, now a significant and certain variable will emerge in the succession structure of the clan.
Perhaps the clan might fall into an uncontrollable chaos. Rosa had foreseen this day ever since Jin returned, from the moment Chiron forgave him, or perhaps even earlier.
'You have gained the upper hand, so you can stop now. But your greed knows no bounds.'
Rosa raised her sword and spoke.
"Come at me, my son."
Her favorite sword, 'Frenzy,' gleamed with a dazzling light. A single sword shining like a lighthouse amidst the storm of the blazing thunderbolt.
As Rosa's energy surged, the shattered pieces of the ground rose into the air like bubbles and disintegrated.
Finally, Jin began to move slowly.
And the moment he took his first step, those gathered here felt an ominous foreboding pressing down on their shoulders.
It was because an unexpected earthquake had suddenly occurred and the entire Garden of Swords began to sway slightly with Jin's steps within the intense noise of the thunderbolt.
Thud, thud, thud. Amidst the intense noise of the thunderbolt, a heavy vibration emerged, growing more pronounced.
The earthquake was a herald of the change in the Plutonian Reign Sword.
It was the battle anthem that only those who inherited Sigmund could sing.
Plutonian Swordsmanship Battle God Technique 10th sword 2nd form
Plutonian Reign Sword - War
Open, a roar that signaled that one person had reached the pinnacle among the kings of light.
It was merely a gesture to raise one's spirits before the battle began.
The second form of battle god move "War" shows the solemn will to annihilate the enemy.
Rosa's pupils dilated.
Once again, even more powerful.
It was a phenomenon that even Rosa could not help but be shocked by witnessing gigantic thunderbolts.
'You still have this kind of power...!'
The word that Rosa first thought of was incomprehensible.
Living as a martial artist for decades, she had never witnessed anything like this. To display such an overwhelming force, far beyond anything Jin had shown before, even when he could have fallen into backflow!
But Jin, her youngest son, is a human.
As a human, he couldn't escape the consequences of defying the order of the world. Rosa immediately understood what Jin had wagered for this power.
What Jin had staked to unleash this power was his own life.
'Is it really worth risking your life just to shatter this symbol, this seat of honor that I occupy? Right after gaining so much?'
Even without shattering Rosa's seat.
Today, Jin had gained immeasurable things. Even if he were to fall now, when he woke up, he would see the countless sword masters offering their loyalty to him.
But to stake his life for this, what on earth...
Rosa, who ridiculed Jin just moments ago, gnashed her teeth in anger.
The judgment she had made with a smile, realizing that Jin knew what real Runcandel is.
She realized that her judgment was wrong and arrogant.
'This is Runcandel, Mother.'
Like a person forever thirsty for battle, never backing down when the fight begins. Even making enemies who were clearly stronger than themselves hesitate and falter in the face of their fighting spirit.
Creating a phenomenon that would deny the fight was over even when the opponent thought it was.
That was what Jin and those who believed in the ancient Runcandel thought Runcandel is.
Suddenly, as if millions of migrating birds had taken flight, a dark cloud covered the sky.
Underneath that ominous cloud, the only ones who could remain unharmed were the Plutonians and those who ruled above them.
Kururur...!
Unbelievable lightning bolts rained down like an absurd thunderstorm. Countless streaks of thunder struck the ground without warning. A deluge of lightning was devastating the Garden of swords.
Throughout the Garden of Swords, flagbearers and elders unleashed the decisive killing moves.
They fought with desperation on their faces, giving their all as if their lives depended on it. However, even the several dozen decisive killing moves that unfolded simultaneously appeared minuscule in the face of the thousands, even tens of thousands, of lightning bolts pouring down.
Can this be called swordsmanship?
It seemed more like an authority.
The sword masters defending against the lightning felt as if they were trapped in a long and dark nightmare.
They could not believe that this horrific nightmare had been started by the 12th flagbearer.
Rosa, who had been composed until now, was also overwhelmed by madness.
With each swing of her sword, the thunder was wiped out, but the cloud continued to unleash more violent lightning.
Amidst this chaos, Jin calmly walked forward. He strode forward confidently, as if he were a king reclaiming his territory, heading straight for Rosa.
The resonating sound of Sigmund reverberated powerfully. Its blade was aimed at Rosa's throat. His mother's imposing posture, sitting high and mighty, seemed oddly bitter as she was wielding Frenzy.
Now was the time to decorate the finale of the declaration.
Thunk!
As Jin raised Sigmund, it seemed almost like a lie. The thunderbolts ceased. The lightning, which had been roaring as if heralding the end of the world, disappeared all at once.
The sword masters, like people who had awakened from a nightmare, stared around in disbelief at the sudden calm.
But the thunderbolts hadn't disappeared.
The thunderbolts were simply converging toward Sigmund's blade at a rapid pace. So much power converged effortlessly into that single blade.
Everyone was witnessing something they had never seen before.
Everyone knew what was going to happen in the next moment. That pale blade, which had swallowed everything, would now fall towards Rosa.
The distance between the two when they faced each other was short.
Jin slammed his sword straight at her center.
There was no way for Rosa to evade this sword. As the Second-in-Command of Runcandel, her only choice was to face it head-on.
Pick...!
As Sigmund clashed with Frenzy, Rosa's eye veins burst. Her eyes, which had widened for a moment, grew thin again and expanded, and caused twitching.
Though there was only a single tear of blood, it was the first time anyone had seen Rosa cry.
The seat she had been sitting on crumbled as if it were nothing but a plaything in the hands of a giant.
[I, Jin Runcandel, the 12th Flagbearer.]
Before losing consciousness, Jin managed to conclude his words.
[... will become the patriarch.]
As Jin collapsed, Rosa vomited a mouthful of blood.
The sword masters could not help but feel a strange sense of dissonance as they looked at Rosa's pale face and the unconscious Jin, as if reality were crumbling.
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