章節 384: CHAPTER 543
It was obviously hurtful to one's pride to be interpreted by a young man who was far behind in terms of status, age and experience.
However, Kelliark did not reveal the scars on his pride, but erased his smile and revealed his honest hatred.
The deep and dreadful hatred felt like a swamp, making Jin's body heavy just by facing it.
And deliberately exposing his hatred was evidence that Kelliark acknowledged Jin.
'I see, it's a sense of intimidation worthy of the absolute leader of Zipfel.'
Hatred.
In retrospect, Kelliark had every reason to hate Jin.
It starts with Jin killing the zealots of Zipfel when leaving the Storm Castle, impersonating in Tessing and learning the magic of Chenmi who was erased from history, killing Andrei and destroying the Demon God's Orb, saving the Colon natives by killing Myuron Zipfel, annihilating the Dark Magic Society and obtaining the legacy of Riol Zipfel. Stealing the Compass, Holy Kingdom Incident, Battle of the West Sea, The Tombs of Temar, Murder of the Spectres, Removal of Barton, Wantaramo Forest, Gaifa Islands, Sota Desert, and even this moment.
Everything that Jin has done after regression is a history that has blocked the path of Kelliark and Zipfel without exception.
Killing Kidard Hall and monopolizing his magic indirectly dealt a blow to Zipfel, and Valeria Hister, whom Zipfel longs for, is only tied to Jin although not yet known to Kelliark.
Even Veradin resisted mind manipulation under the influence of Jin, and Jin denied the humiliating pact that Runcandel made with Zipfel through the Declaration of reinstating Magic Swordsman.
There was not a single reason not to hate Jin as a Zipfel.
'This hatred was probably the reason why you didn't reach the domain of the demigod that my father touched….'
Just like Jin sees through Kelliark.
He was also peering into Jin.
'Outstanding, in and of itself. I thought for a long time that Solderet would break the oath and join Runcandel because of Chiron and Luna... Jin Runcandel, seeing him in person, I can see why Solderet chose him over those two.'
Kelliark was even resentful of Chiron.
He had stayed in second place overshadowed by him for the rest of his life, but even his children, the next generation, were not able to surpass his legacy.
"Sometimes when I talk about you in the Tower of Stories… My companions think I'm taking you lightly. It's a little futile to see that you're reading my hatred that even they didn't notice."
"Why don't you keep more competent and profound people around you?"
The Vamel Alliance and the knights of the sword emperor castle all felt Jin's answers like fire in front of oil.
They were worried that Jin might be making excessive provocations against Kelliark, who just crippled Calmine with a single attack and showed the power to annihilate the entire Sword Emperor Castle within seconds.
But Jin knew.
No matter what happens, he would never attack the castle until negotiation was off the table.
'If he had intended to destroy the sword emperor castle by force without compromise and take the white stone, he wouldn't have started a conversation in the first place. Kelliark Zipfel feels burdened by an all-out war with Runcandel.'
There must have been many reasons, such as Chiron's existence, Runcandel's potential, and Kinzelo's power.
'Perhaps Kelliark is also aware that a chaos monster can awaken from the white stone. No, that's for sure. He knows the value of the white stone better than any of us. That's why he wants to have it.'
Therefore, Kelliark wanted to end the situation through negotiations with the Sword Emperor castle (actually Runcandel) without armed conflict as much as possible.
In fact, just by Kelliark taking out the 'negotiation' card, Zepfel's external prestige will fall to the ground. It wasn't possible for the world's foremost mage clan to prioritize negotiations over fights after losing so many dragons, mages, and fleets.
'Above all, I can't see the fire dragon, Kadun.'
Fire Dragon Kadun.
The most powerful fire dragon created by the god of fire, Sheenu. Jin was conscious of not seeing Kadun's appearance earlier.
Of course, Kadun might be on board the fleet in human form. However, Jin judged that the possibility was very low.
'It is strange to place the strongest fire dragon out of sight after they show off by putting enormous mana to cast fire on the entire fleet, spewing fire on the entire Sword emperor castle while pretending not to know, and creating a sense of intimidation.'
There were Zipfel's dragons among the fleet of about fifty battleships led by Kelliark. There was no reason why Kadun shouldn't show off his majesty at the center.
However, it was difficult for Jin to infer the reason why Kelliark did not bring Kadun.
'Is it because there will be problems with Zipfel's air defense without Kadun? No, even if they prioritize negotiation, it doesn't mean they haven't considered an all-out war at all, so if that is not a reason. Then….'
Suddenly, Jin remembered the name of another friend.
'Did Veradin take some action to prevent Kadun from being included in the fleet...?'
It was correct.
Veradin was currently forcefully run wild and created a situation where he had to be protected by Kadun.
Because of this, Kelliark had no choice. If Veradin was done, all the plans that Zipfel had prepared so far would go down the drain.
Jin didn't know the truth, but for some reason, he felt a strong impression that the absence of Kadun was a result of a sacrifice made by a friend.
"You're conscious of the absence of Kadun."
At those words, Jin almost showed a surprised expression.
"I heard that the Fire Dragon's power is needed to use fire perfectly."
"The one who makes a fire mage perfect is not the Guardian Dragon, but the Phoenix."
Whoosh-!
Suddenly, a phoenix appeared behind Kelliark. A phoenix with a reputation for being the strongest along with Tess, Maniere, and Shankish.
It was 'Beloit'.
Indeed, it was the summoning of someone who reached the pinnacle of magic. Beloit cast a dark shadow on the sword emperor castle with its huge and blazing body, larger than any document recorded.
It was literally full of fire.
The night sky above the Vamel Alliance and sword emperor castle filled with the fire of the fleet and Beloit. It was to the point where they wondered if the target they had to fight with was not Zipfel, but Sheenu, the god of fire.
A bigger fire than the legacy of Riol Zipfel, which Jin showed through the mirror and the will of the two gods, was dyeing their vision red.
But Jin was not discouraged.
"I thought you knew about my phoenix, sir."
"Your phoenix is the sole god of the flame world and the owner of all the phoenixes. But you still can't handle their power properly."
That was the point where Kelliark acknowledged Jin in front of everyone. It was because the expression 'still' implied the possibility of the future.
"If you really think so, then go ahead and try exploding my head right now. I wonder if the power bestowed by Sheenu, the God of fire, can pierce the absolute domain of Tess."
"As I heard, you have a very thick face. How dare you make such a visible bluff against me. Your courage is worthy of praise."
Kelliark was able to find out that Jin couldn't summon Tess at the moment.
Jin got goosebumps and the fact that he was accurately aware of that fact. He didn't explicitly express such things, but it was an area where he could know instinctively.
"Sir Kelliark, you are more cautious than I've heard. You refrained from using spatial explosions just because there is a slim possibility that I can summon Tess."
"I'm not refraining from blowing your head up just for that reason."
Kelliark smiled again.
Now there was not only hatred but also composure in the smile.
"Jin Runcandel."
"Tell me."
"I heard that you were generous enough not to catch fleeing enemies. I shall also grant such leniency. Hairan, immediately leave the white stone and depart from the sword emperor castle. That way no one will die."
Fwoosh!
A small spark formed on Kelliark's finger. He wrote in the air with sparks, which was a 'Seal of Fire' that only Sheenu's contractors could handle.
In addition, Zipfel swears to rescue Dante Hairan, who was encroached on by the white stone, with all the efforts the clan can mobilize. Once he recovered, Zipfel swore to send him back to Hairan.
Everyone in the sword emperor castle looked at the red glowing letters.
"Along with this, if you accept my conditions, Zipfel will do everything in its power to destroy the imperial family that betrayed Hairan."
Without time to ponder how Kelliark knew Dante's condition, the knights of Hairan couldn't help but be agitated for the first time since the incident began.
The promise to destroy the empire didn't matter too much.
However, more precious than the pride they had been trying to uphold by sacrificing their lives was the life of Dante.
The use of the Seal of Fire meant that Kelliark was swearing on his god Sheenu. The conditions he presented were undoubtedly sincere.
"Zipfel knows how to save Dante Hiran. I cannot guarantee that he will be saved unconditionally, but I can guarantee a success rate of at least 80%."
Jin immediately addressed the knights of Hairan.
"It is a trap. Surely there is no lie in Sid Kelliark's oath...."
The moment Hairan accepts the terms, it will be destroyed by Runcandel, not by Zipfel. Sir Kelliark left out the word that he would protect Hairan from Runcandel.
Jin couldn't bear to say the last word.
It was natural for Runcandel to attack Hairan, who agreed to the conditions of Zipfel.
If that happens, Runcandel will have to watch as Zipfel gets the white stone without getting anything.
Rosa couldn't stand idly by. She was a person who would not retreat even if the Sword Emperor Castle and the land of Hairan turned into ashes.
And if Jin stood against Rosa. It soon becomes a betrayal towards Runcandel.
'You showed a good hand… Kelliark Zipfel.'
Objectively, Jin and Runcandel couldn't offer Hairan a better condition than that.
Runcandel didn't have a way to save Dante, and only Jin cherishes Dante's life among Runcandel.
For Runcandel, it's enough if Hairan disappears into history or if they prevents the white stone from falling into Zipfel's hands.
Jin gritted his teeth, and Kelliark was confident of victory with a calm face.
Kelliark's gaze reached Ruyan.
"Now I'll give Hairan a chance to talk with me. What do you say, Ruyan? There's no better condition than this for Hairan."
Ruyan looked up at Kelliark in silence for a while.
"Hairan... And the knights gathered for Hairan...."
Eventually, the moment Ruyan tried to continue.
I refuse, Kelliark Zipfel!
A giant's voice resounded in the quiet sky, yet muffled and deep, and everyone in this land was familiar with it and they were heartbreakingly longing to be able to fight together....
Everyone turned to the owner of the voice who had just climbed the wall.
"Who dares to save Hairan and my grandson on my behalf? It is only allowed to me."
Ron Hairan, Sword emperor was standing tall there.
章節 385: CHAPTER 544
"Lord Patriarch!"
"Lord Patriarch… !"
All the knights of Hairan got down on one knee at once.
A mighty enemy that they could not handle was lurking in front of them, but they all bowed their heads to Ron with their backs turned.
In a situation that should never occur in a display of such despair, the knights couldn't help but express their faith and respect for his appearance.
Even Kelliark Zipfel would not be able to attack sword emperor castle recklessly if Ron was present. The knights barely suppressed their burning emotions.
Thud, thud...
As Ron stepped forward, the knights stood up and returned to their positions. Even without deliberately emitting energy, both allies and enemies could hear his footsteps like the beating of their own hearts.
Jin, standing next to him, gave a respectful nod, and Ron placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I owe you again, Paul Gray Mick."
Seeing Ron calling him by a pseudonym, Jin smiled. For some reason, he felt as if he had become very close to an unstoppable giant named Ron Hairan.
"I believe you will pay me back anytime, Sir Ron."
Don't die and make sure you live and repay me, Ron read the underlying meaning in Jin's words and chuckled.
"The leader of the Hairan sword saints, Ruyan."
Then he looked for Ruyan.
"Yes, lord patriarch!"
"Answer me. As acting commander-in-chief of the sword emperor castle, did you intend to accept Kelliark's terms?"
"Absolutely not."
Ruyan answered without hesitation.
He really had no intention of accepting Kelliark's terms. That would be betraying the Vemal Alliance that fought for Hairan, and humiliating Hairan.
The reason why sword emperor castle was shaken by Kelliark's words was only because of the fact that Zipfel knew how to bring back their young patriarch.
Ron nodded his head in satisfaction and replied:
"Good job. You held out great."
Ruyan seemed to choke on Ron's sincere evaluation of him.
It was because he thought he did nothing.
I didn't do anything against Kelliark Zipfel until you came, my lord, and that in the first battle, I had let the young patriarch get so wrecked. If it wasn't for Sir Jin, Hairan would have been doomed right away, and I was just filling the position....
Not only Ruyan, but all the knights of Hairan have the same thought. If they had been more competent, the Sword Emperor Castle might not have become such a mockery.
"Knights of Hairan, it is also my fault. So stop blaming yourselves and obey the orders of the belated Sword Emperor."
"… Please command anything, Lord Patriarch."
"The leader of the Dragon Knights, Calmine Aita."
"Yes, my lord."
Calmine replied, holding his sword with his left arm. He intuitively knew what command Ron would give.
"Immediately take the Dragon Knights, excluding the Sword Saints, along with all the knights gathered for Hairan, and leave the Sword Emperor Castle."
Calmine did not object to the orders.
It was because it was clear that he and knights below the sword saints would not be of any help in the battle that was about to take place from now on.
But even if the knights of Hairan aren't necessary for the current fight. They are the people who must be needed for 'reconstruction'.
When Ron was unconscious, the reason they didn't leave the castle even if it was dog death was because there was no future.
But now, they could think about the future. It was necessary to prepare for the future. They needed people who would welcome the Patriarch and the Young Patriarch when they returned.
"Calmine Aita, Leader of the Dragon Knights, I will heed your command."
Suppressing the strong desire to fight and die together, Calmine respectfully saluted Ron.
"Ron Hairan…"
By then, Kelliark had narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth.
"I didn't expect you to wake up. I thought you had already gone to hell."
"I came back to see how well my siblings and sons are doing."
Kelliark's phoenix Beloit was showing fierce hostility from the moment Ron first appeared. Ron looked back and forth between Kelliark and Beloit and stroked his beard.
"You might also be able to go there soon. Unfortunately, your summoned phoenix, whose neck and wings were cut off by me, won't be able to go with you because of its immorality."
Whoa!
Suddenly, Beloit's two wings swelled up. It seemed to be trying to bind the Sword Emperor Castle with fire according to Kelliark's will.
In an instant, the two wings, which became as large as the battleship, wrapped around the sword emperor castle.
Even while wrapped around it, it spewed out fire without rest, and the wings that swelled seemed to melt the entire castle at any moment.
"Do you think I would allow your knights to escape?"
Ron slowly pulled Rashid from his waist.
Sureng...… The sound of Rashid's blade coming out of the scabbard was especially chilling in the dense fire that filled his vision.
The shining blade of Rashid cut through the air, creating a silent ripple.
Then, formless winds poured from the sword in all directions.
Countless streams of invisible sword winds slowly began to push back Beloit's fire.
Beloit let out a roar, spreading its spread wings, but Ron never lost his composure even as the clash of powers intensified.
At that moment, Kelliark was left with an ominous doubt.
'No way... Has Ron crossed the wall...!'
Genesis knight.
The domain of transcendence and absolute reserved only for Chiron. For a moment, Kelliark was able to glimpse the domain that Chiron had reached from Ron.
Although the hand holding Rashid was so pale that it was unimaginable that the owner was the sword emperor due to a long struggle with illness and unconsciousness.
His body was too thin to be covered even with clothes.
Now, the achievement of the Sword Emperor was displaying a light and majesty stronger than ever before. To the extent that even Kelliark Zipfel mistakenly thought that he was standing in the domain of Chiron!
'No, Ron has not yet... reached there.'
Perhaps if Kelliark hadn't experienced Chiron firsthand, he would have been convinced that Ron finally entered the domain of genesis knight.
If Chiron wouldn't have existed in the world then Kelliark would have fallen into fear and helplessness now.
Genesis knight was a domain that only Chiron has achieved, and Ron's current power has not reached that domain.
Even so, a shudder soared through his body as if thunder was raging, and he felt a chill as if a blade had already been driven into his back.
Not just Kelliark but everyone was in the same shock. The dragons and mages of the fleet, allies, Runcandel watching the situation from afar, and Talaris guarding Dante's seal.
In particular, the phoenix Beloit, who was competing directly with Ron, could not accept the fact that the enemy who cut off its wings had become so strong.
[Kahaaaaak-!]
In the end, the wings of Beloit, which wrapped around the castle, spread wide and tore apart.
Beloit let out a groaning roar, and the fire from the torn wings fell to the ground like hailstones.
The strongest phoenix summoned by the absolute mages, suffered the humiliation of having its wings ripped off by the same person once again.
Moreover, Ron had not swung his sword even once.
The main force of Zipfel couldn't believe the fact that this was the result of Ron drawing out his sword and revealing his energy ,even after seeing it with their own eyes.
Beloit flinched and unfolded its smaller wings, frantically revealing the resentment, and Kelliark felt a single invisible sword wind brush past his neck.
"...You've become stronger, Ron Hairan."
"I haven't just been idly lying around."
"Is it the power of the white stone?"
"It is the power of Hairan who is breaking it."
Jin paid attention to Ron's meaningful words.
-This is a seal that comes from rejecting chaos. Your friend, Ron's grandson, is fighting chaos within himself right now. So there is no reason for me to fulfill my mission yet.
Dante's inner war against chaos began after he took possession of Ron's white stone by following the white stone's voice.
Of course, it was Ron Hairan who had been fighting the chaos of the white stone until then.
Ron achieved a new domain through that fierce and terrible long fight.
It is the power of Hairan that is 'breaking it'.
The meaning behind those words was nothing else.
'The chaos of the White Stone couldn't defeat Sir Ron and tempted Dante. Or perhaps, it was lost to Sir Ron and transferred to Dante.'
Maybe, there was an expectation that Dante could win the fight against the white stone like Ron. The expectation that a friend would be able to shake it off and come back.
"If I lose the fight against you in the end, my knights who retreated will eventually die. So why don't you try to beat me somehow and just let my knights go? I think it will look better that way when historians later record this fight."
Kelliark showed no particular reaction to Ron's provocation.
"Record of history… You're talking about something interesting. It will be recorded according to the will of the victor anyway. If that's how you want to fight, I won't interfere."
"Today is the first time we can actually communicate since we met."
Kelliark shook Hroti, erasing the seal of fire in the air.
"Knights!"
Ron turned around and looked at the knights of Hairan who were still facing him and shouted. A loud voice shook the sky.
Then, the knights collectively saluted and bit their lips to hold back tears.
"I, Ron Hairan, the Lord of the Sword Emperor Castle."
Ron also slowly saluted the knights.
It wasn't just to respond to the subordinates as the Lord of the Sword Emperor Castle, but a genuine expression of gratitude and respect for those who had not betrayed Hairan and still raised him as a late sinner, lowering himself even more.
"I express my sincere gratitude and respect to all of you who are leaving Hairan for the sake of Hairan."
Enduring more pain than having their bones cut and their skin peeling off, every knight in Hairan was able to hold back tears.
They could endure it now because if they cried, it felt like this might truly be the end.
When Calmine lowered his sword, the knights followed suit, and Ron continued to maintain the salute.
"... Hairan! Everyone follows the dragon knights...… we are going to retreat."
It is only after all the knights retreated under Calmine command, and their backs passed through the collapsed cliff beyond the back gate and disappeared into an unseen place.
Ron released the salute and looked back at the battlefield, now filled with enemies.
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