章節 344: Chapter 503
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***
Runcandels and Sandra were also observing the fight taking place in the sky above.
A bit further below, explosions continued to occur in the area on the ground.
The battle between Kinzelo and Zipfel was continuing in the underground shipyard.
The situation was still not favorable for Runcandels.
Yona was unconscious, supported by Jin. Joshua, Diphus, and Jane also suffered significant injuries from the recent battle.
The fate of the Black Knight Mon, who remained in the shipyard, couldn't be immediately confirmed. Among the group, only Jin and Murakan were in a condition to engage in further battle.
Moreover, leaving the Lutero Magic Federation would still take a considerable amount of time.
"Hahaha, Jin, it seems like Hedo has played his part well. Seeing the mages of my aunt heading in the wrong direction is quite telling."
Sandra spoke with an excited voice, but the Spectre Corps wasn't foolish.
If they do not find any traces of escape in the Kuta Forest, they will undoubtedly change their direction and extensively expand the search area.
'Considering the state of emergency declared some time ago, not only the Spectre Corps but the entire area adjacent to Sota Desert would have been under blockade and vigilant.'
They had to break through all of that and return to the clan.
'What's somewhat fortunate is that there's a high possibility that Kinzelo will help us in our escape.'
Kinzelo.
Another enemy that appeared at exactly the right time.
Jin was convinced that Grenil's appearance was by no means a coincidence.
'They might not have grasped the situation in detail from what happened at the 2nd Magic Tower just now, but at least they know about us. No, they know that elder sister Yona has robbed the vault. Since they commissioned her.'
Just before losing consciousness, Yona handed Jin 'two things.'
One was a blueprint for a battleship, and the other was a small, unfamiliar type of machinery.
The machine was in the form of a board a little smaller than the palm of one's hand, and when shaken, it made a sound like a complex tangle of gears inside.
Its purpose was unclear.
Even Joshua, who had heard about the blueprint and the existence of the machinery from the Prophet, and Sandra Zipfel, couldn't determine the exact use of the machine.
However, given that it was accompanied by the blueprint, it was undoubtedly an essential item.
The energy emanating from the object was strangely extraordinary.
'Kinzelo must have sent Grenil to prevent us from being attacked by Drakka's reinforcements.'
The reason was clear.
Kinzelo was causing this chaos to loot the vault in the first place. Naturally, they needed to take the items obtained by Runcandel.
If Runcandels were captured by the Zipfel main force, they would never be able to get those items again.
The identity of Kinzelo's member, who took on the role of finding the group, and when they would arrive, was crucial.
Either they can handle them with their current power or they can have a conversation. It would be good if someone who meets at least one of the conditions comes along.
However, even if someone who didn't meet the conditions came, it wouldn't be a significant problem.
'As long as we have the blueprint and the machine, I have the initiative no matter who comes for Kinzelo after us.'
While Jin organized his thoughts, Sandra continued to speak without a pause.
"Ah, if only it wasn't my little sister, I could have been the one carried on your back. It's a shame, but I can't make someone who has fainted like this walk... How about linking our arms?"
The other Runcandels who were looking at Sandra could barely conceal their uneasy feelings.
'Why is Sandra Zipfel trying to help the youngest? Judging from Sandra's atmosphere alone, they seem like a newlywed couple who can't live without each other. Thanks to her, we easily escaped from the 2nd Magic Tower, but is this really the right thing?'
'Even if Sandra Zipfel didn't intervene, the youngest and Murakan probably could have escaped from the 2nd Magic Tower. It's hard to understand, but Hedo followed Sandra Zipfel's orders absolutely, and he was clearly trying to kill me, Diphus, and Jane until Sandra ordered him to open the path.'
If it weren't for Sandra, the other Runcandels, excluding Jin and Murakan, would have undoubtedly died.
Diphus and Joshua were convinced of that.
In reality, it would likely have turned out that way. Even considering Yona's contributions, Hedo was not someone the flagbearers could handle.
Jin also had a hard time deciding how to deal with her.
"Sandra Zipfel."
"Yeah, Mr. Jin."
"I am not your lover, much less your husband."
He couldn't fathom Sandra's feelings. Setting aside their incompatible backgrounds as Runcandels and Zipfels, her unilateral affection was something that couldn't be explained merely as peculiar.
The two met for the first time in Gaifa Archipelago, and it was as enemies.
Sandra's behavior was not scary or seriously unpleasant.
However, Jin was not happy with the situation where he only received help from her without giving anything in return.
"But it's a fact that thanks to you, my siblings' and the Black Knight's lives were saved. I want to repay you somehow. If there's anything you need, ask for it. If it's within my power, I'll see to it after we escape."
Sandra closed her mouth for the first time at Jin's calm voice.
No matter how much of an enemy she was, her bizarre behavior was difficult to accept with common sense.
But a line had to be drawn. That was Jin's position, and he believed that anyone in the world would think the same way.
Sandra seemed visibly shocked by Jin's composed words.
"Oh... kid. That was a very chilly remark. Impressive, very impressive."
Murakan, who felt uncomfortable seeing Sandra becoming quiet, blurted out those words for no reason. He, too, had never seen a person like Sandra in his over 3,000 years of existence.
However, the reason Sandra had stayed silent wasn't that she was hurt by Jin's indifferent attitude.
"Right, Lord Murakan. You really know how cool my Jin is..."
She simply closed her mouth because she found Jin's composed demeanor shockingly cool.
'How could such a reaction come from my words...?'
It was a series of shocks. It sent shivers down the spine of Jin and everyone else.
"The more I see, the more attractive you look! It has become more certain. The best decision in my life was to fall in love with Mr. Jin!"
"No, what is this..."
"I will definitely marry Jin. That's right, we're not lovers or spouses yet. I think I was a little ahead of myself."
"Just... a little bit?"
Jin almost stumbled over his words.
"Mr. Jin, I decided to love you for no reason. So, I don't ask for anything in return, and like many other types of love, there's no need to understand it."
Sandra smiled and continued her words.
"It's just a spark in a boring life. Lightning can strike in a clear sky from time to time, right?"
Watching Sandra unexpectedly praising love, Jin concluded that there was no need to worry about her anymore.
There was no answer.
"I understand what you mean."
"Of course, my unrequited love is only for Mr. Jin and little sister. As for the rest of you, since I saved you... What should I get in return? Hm."
"I understand the reason for the youngest, but why is Yona included?" Diphus asked.
"Because she's the little sister?"
"Ah, I see."
He decided not to think about it complicatedly now.
It seemed easier to understand the person Sandra Zipfel was that way.
"Above all, Jin particularly cherishes his youngest sister, right? As far as I know, the only siblings he has a good relationship with are the eldest sister and the youngest sister."
"Maybe Mary is also included."
"I will keep that in mind. What about you, 4th flagbearer?"
"I don't know, but I am almost certain that Jin hates that human the most in the world."
"So, I was a bit curious too. If I were Mr. Jin, I would have used Hedo to kill the 2nd flagbearer."
"It's a situation where we need every helping hand to escape. I can't help it. But even if it were me, I might have done the same. The youngest has a truly big heart."
"From one to ten, there's nothing that isn't cool about him."
Diphus and Sandra, who were giggling, seemed to get along strangely well.
"Diphus, snap out of it. She is showing goodwill, but she is still an enemy. Moreover, she is a pureblood Zipfel. Is it a relationship worthy of such ridiculous banter?"
As if waiting for this reaction, Diphus's eyes darkened with killing intent.
"Is this a joke? You fucking bastard."
"What did you say?"
"I'd like to tear you apart right now. You should know best what mistakes you've made. You, the 2nd flagbearer of the clan, became the next patriarch thanks to our mother! You put everyone in danger on this mission. It's nothing short of betrayal."
"Betrayal? Isn't that a fitting word for you gossiping with Zipfel like that? Are you doing this because I didn't share all the information? I know you don't like it, but I judged it was better suited to the success of the mission. Hedo was an unknown variable."
"Bold words you're spouting. If it weren't for the youngest, you'd have perished due to your brilliant judgment, that's a fact that can't be denied."
"You're acting like a child, Diphus."
"..... 4th flagbearer, you'd better stop. Escaping the enemy territory is our priority."
When Jane intervened, Diphus let out a bitter laugh.
"It's for the mission, for the clan... I feel sick. How much benefit have you made so far with such flashy words? The moment will surely come when everyone will find out whether what you say is true or false."
Again (excluding Sandra), silence fell.
The wind was erasing the footsteps of the group.
And when the noise of the battle and explosions in the sky and the shipyard became much farther away, and the thick sandstorm obscured the view.
The group could confirm that a dark silhouette was approaching them from a distance.
'They are here.'
It was someone from Kinzelo.
章節 345: Chapter 504
[Support me here:- https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
The group drew their swords quietly. Due to the hazy sandstorm, it was impossible to quickly identify who the approaching figure was.
The approaching shadow of a person showed no signs of being intimidated at all. This fact made the group a bit uneasy.
"...Doesn't seem to be Zipfel. Judging by the fact that they're not firing a signal flare right away," Joshua said in a hushed voice.
As he mentioned, if it were Zipfel, the person would have immediately fired a signal flare upon recognizing the presence of the Runcandels.
The distance between the group and person gradually closed.
"Oh, but the second flagbearer really has an excellent grasp of the situation, right? However, what's that on their back... a sword? Isn't it a bit too large to be called a sword? It looks peculiar. I've heard of someone using such a weapon in this world. Who was it again?"
A sword with an incredibly large and clunky shape.
"Ah! Eldest sister! Right, the eldest sister. White Whale uses a weapon like that, doesn't she?"
It could be called an axe rather than a sword. There was only one person in the world who used that weapon, Luna Runcandel.
At least until recently.
Jin and Murakan had encountered an individual who was wielding Luna's symbolic axe-sword like a toy not long ago at the Black King Mountain Hideout.
'No way...!'
'Darn it, that insane dragon?'
Both of them recalled the memories of that day at the same time, while the rest of the Runcandels had no clue about the person's true identity. After all, Luna was not present.
Finally, the party could see the approaching person's face.
A face so white and beautiful that it seemed to glow even in the sandstorm, and a physique so slender that it seemed strange to be carrying an axe sword.
The Demon Dragon, Zephyrin.
"Wow, Sir Jin, and the Black Dragon Murakan. What a coincidence? I never expected to meet you here!"
Sandra was the first to react to Zephyrin's appearance.
"Hey, who are you? Are you close with Mr. Jin?"
"Hmm? Ah, Sandra, right? Is there a reason why you are asking if we're close?"
"If you're close to him, I will either treat you like an elder sister or consider you a cute little sister."
Murakhan nudged Sandra on the shoulder. Sandra, who had been irritated by the clear sign that they were not in a relationship, began to show her hostility.
"I almost made a mistake there. What's the point of pretending to be close, acting all friendly?"
"Oh my, your words are quite harsh. Are you sure you won't end up in trouble if you criticize me with such confidence? Miss living golem."
"Huh? Would you like to see whether I die first or you die first?"
"How amusing. Did something go wrong with your head when you became a living golem?"
Seeing Zephyrin laugh cheerfully, Jin and Murakan recalled the challenging fight they had on that day.
-I think she might be the dragon of Kinzelo's Leader.
-That annoying guy? It's possible. The power he displayed during the Sword Emperor Castle attack was somewhat divine.
-...Lord Murakan, and the 12th flagbearer. It seems like there's no way out if the fight drags on.
-No way out if it drags on? It's not that simple. We can never defeat her.
Once they escaped the Hedo, facing Zephyrin seemed like out of the frying pan into the fire.
'If it were a different time, it would have truly been hopeless.'
But it wasn't the case now. Within Jin's embrace were the things for which Zephyrin had come.
Joshua, Diphus, and Jane still hadn't figured out Zephyrin's true identity, but they recognized that she was extraordinary.
It was because Murakan, who would have blurted out curses, showed no sign of fighting.
In fact, Murakan's mouth was so itchy that he was going crazy, but he was holding back because Jin could die if he fights Zephyrin now.
The issue wasn't just settling a score with Zephyrin. If they engaged in a battle with her, Zipfel's pursuit unit would inevitably join, and Kinzelo's forces, including Grenil, might also follow suit.
Sandra, on Murakan's behalf, was constantly cursing and swearing. Where she had learned such dreadful words was a mystery, but they were terrifying enough to make even the worst alley thugs cringe.
And Jin was silently sighing in relief.
'Fortunately, it's as expected.'
Just as other Runcandels were reading the atmosphere from Murakan's attitude,
Jin was grasping the situation through Zephyrin's actions.
'It's clear that the battleship's blueprints and machinery stolen from the 2nd Magic Tower's vault are crucial to Kinzelo as well.'
It had already been proven by the resources and manpower Kinzelo had invested, but Zephyrin's actions made it even more certain.
The Zephyrin that Jin remembered wasn't someone who prioritized talking when a problem arose. Her usual approach was to stab her opponent without warning.
But now, she was narrowing her eyes and speaking.
"Well, I guess there's no need to talk too much. I can't stand the squeaky voice of that living golem anymore. Sir Jin, hand over the items you stole from the vault."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll be killed. By my hands. Are you curious about such an obvious thing?"
At the mention of being killed, the other Runcandels felt a renewed sense of shame. Both Hedo, whom they had fought a moment ago, and the woman in front of them were looking down on the Runcandels.
But there was no other way.
'We're weak.' That's what it was. Born as pure-blooded Runcandels, after becoming flagbearers, there had never been a moment where they experienced such consecutive disgrace.
While the siblings were grinding their teeth, Jin's inwardly concealed smile deepened.
'I almost won.'
Even though pure force might not be on his side, the situation and conditions were all turning in his favor.
'Even back at the Black King Mountain Hideout, Zephyrin clearly had no intention of killing me. Killing me could pose a problem for obtaining the Solderet's contract.'
If that was the case then, it was probably the same now.
Unless Kinzelo had achieved some extraordinary progress in the meantime, Zephyrin still couldn't kill Jin.
And this place was Lutero Magic Federation, near Drakka. If a fight were to break out and it turned into a confrontation where members of Kinzelo and Zipfels gathered to fight over Jin, there was a very high possibility that the one taking Jin wouldn't be Kinzelo but Zipfel.
In that case, not only would they lose the items, but they would also lose Jin, making it a substantial loss for Kinzelo.
"Kill? You speak of it too easily, Zephyrin."
"Do you think I can't do it?"
"That's right."
"You seem so confident, believing that I was caught off guard last time and got hit, but I'm not in a good mood today."
Murakan had evaluated Zephyrin as someone he couldn't beat at that time. Furthermore, she, like Murakan, seemed unable to use her full power for some reason.
In the Black King Mountain Hideout, Zephyrin had left the battlefield without gaining anything. It was because she suffered unexpected damage from Tess's power.
'That blow back then probably hasn't fully healed yet.'
Of course, it couldn't be determined for sure, but intuition was speaking.
It said that there wouldn't be a problem even if he went all out.
"So what are you suggesting? Are you asking me to comply while complaining?"
"Are you going to remain uncooperative until the end? Ah, it's probably because you believe that I won't kill you unless it's necessary."
"Why make useless threats when you know very well?"
"I said unless it's necessary. And even if I keep you alive, killing your youngest sister whom you are carrying, your brothers, and the Black Knights won't be a problem. Wouldn't that be sad?"
"Then stop talking so much that it hurts your mouth and try it."
"Sure, do as Mr. Jin says! Stop barking if you can't bite!"
As Jin and Sandra spoke at the same time, Zephyrin's lips twitched. The effort to maintain composure and a smile despite the boiling anger appeared as a spasm.
For a moment, a tense silence filled the air.
The group acknowledged that Zephyrin was exercising extreme patience. In reality, she was contemplating whether it would be better to just kill them all, considering the circumstances.
Jin handed Yona to Murakan and carefully pulled out the blueprints and machinery from his embrace. Then he held one in each hand and waved it gently towards Zephyrin.
"You look so intimidating that I had no choice but to take these out."
"...Hand them over."
"You still don't seem to understand, huh? Huh? Huh? Don't move. If you continue threatening us, I wonder what will happen to the items we and you have worked so hard to obtain... I don't know either."
Fwoosh!
Suddenly, a flickering flame appeared in Jin's left hand, which held the blueprints. It was a fire formed with mana.
Zephyrin stood like a stone statue and opened her eyes round, and the Runcandels showed similar reactions.
Didn't you know how hard we tried to get these!
"Stop it!"
"You, stop your clumsy threats, Zephyrin. Not feeling good today? Me too. That's why I might really just throw these away. After the blueprints burn, I won't hesitate for even a second to destroy the machinery."
Fwoosh, crackle...!
The flame contained at most a 3-star level of mana, but it looked like a disaster to everyone's eyes. Of course, Sandra was once again internally expressing admiration.
"Jin Runcandel, you bastard…..!"
"This is what you have to do to make a threat, right? You came to us with an attitude as if you were grabbing straws, don't you think you're being too arrogant, Zephyrin."
"If anything happens to those items, you'll all die."
"I know that, okay? I'm just gambling in a way. Let's see whose hand is stronger."
Naturally, the blueprints were protected by defensive magic.
However, at best, it protected a single sheet of paper, and as there were sensitive runic characters all over it, the paper would have been irreparably damaged within seconds.
As if grabbing at straws.
Jin's words were not wrong. Kinzelo and Zephyrin were also clearly aware that the entire situation was unfavorable from the moment she came to visit them.
However, she had no idea Jin would come out this strong.
More precisely, Bishkel and Margiella had expected it, but they hadn't anticipated Jin to be this unyielding.
Or rather, they thought Jin might cut them some slack, especially since they had been pushed by Zipfel and Hedo to their limits throughout the journey.
Jin was not taken aback. Once again, he used his means without hesitation.
"...Put it out!"
"Just putting it out won't be that easy."
"I won't attack, so put it out, right now!"
Yes, I think you can put it out, youngest. Hurry. It's burning, it's burning!
The brothers had the same thought as Zephyrin. Jin hadn't explained, but they almost perfectly understood the situation now.
But Jin shook his head once again.
Joshua almost yelled at that point, telling him to put out the fire.
"That's not enough. There's one more condition."
"Damn it, what else do you want, you devil!"
Jin smirked and said:
"You and Kinzelo lost in the gamble, so you have to pay the price."
"Speak quickly!"
"Zephyrin, until we leave the Lutero Magic Federation, you must escort the Runcandels away from Zipfel. If you agree, then I'll put out the fire."
Zephyrin was already nodding her head even before Jin finished speaking.
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