章節 88: CHAPTER 247

Ordinarily, Jin would have never been able to win the public over.

Even if they knew all of Zipfel's weaknesses, the Zipfel Clan's control of the media was too powerful.

Until now, Zipfel had used the media to label themselves as 'righteous', and that had been truly uncontestable.

But now Jin also had that power.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that all the media from around the world had recently gathered in the holy kingdom.

While there were many reporters, there were also a few referred to as great reporters, like Dino.

While some were neutral, most aligned with either Runcandel, Zipfel, or Vermont.

'It looks just like a barrel full of oil.'

Jin thought this as he glanced at the reporters gathered in the square.

Soon, this oil drum would come in contact with Dino's sparks and be set ablaze.

So much so that even Zipfel wouldn't be able to handle it.

'Zipfel, Kinzelo. Looking back, I had a bad relationship with them right from when I left Storm Castle.'

He remembered that as soon as he had left Storm Castle, he was attacked by Zipfel's extremist followers who had received help from Kinzelo.

Perhaps the fight against them was inevitable from that moment on.

They were also targets that had to be dealt with after he reached the peak of the Runcandel Clan.

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

"What is that?"

Prompted by someone's questioning, the crowd looked skyward.

'Kozak', Zipfel's giant battleship, was leisurely flying over the capital.

It had been a while, and Jin unconsciously clenched his fists when he saw Kozak again.

Inside that battleship were Zipfel's elite magic unit, the 'Midnight Sun Magicians', and Kal Zipfel.

"The Kozak? Gosh, why is that here?"

As soon as he saw the Kozak, Murakan focused his sharp eyes.

"Since Runcandel's flag-bearers are in the holy kingdom, the Zipfel Clan probably also felt the need to show off. They're also sending a message to the Runcandels, saying to not even think about assassinating Kal Zipfel. For a bunch coming to apologize, they sure are coming on strong."

"Anyway, they're a funny bunch. When I think back to what we went through in Kollon, it's starting to piss me off. I wanna destroy it right now."

"Young Master, I'll start getting ready then."

"Got it. Give it your best."

After Dino left, Kozak's shadow darkened the square.

The subjects were glaring at the huge ship blocking the sun with eyes full of anxiety and anger.

Whirrr...

Soon, a wide beam of light cascaded down from the lower section of Kozak and formed a staircase connected to the ground.

As those aboard began to descend, Kal Zipfel was among them, although his entire body was restrained.

Kal was wearing a gray cloth that a commoner or convict would wear, and had a very stern look on his face.

As he descended the stairs and gradually approached the ground, the subjects raised their angry voices toward him.

"Booo!"

"What did you do to our brothers and sisters?!"

"Using humans as test subjects, do you have no fear of God…?!"

"You crazy wizard! Sinner against heaven!"

The master of the magic tower of Zipfel, a pureblood, was hearing all kinds of curses from the people of the small nation.

Not once in the past decades had this happened.

Whether it was an incident at the clan level or an individual level.

Zipfel had always responded by sending a non-pure blood representative.

Angry voices are contagious.

The subjects, who had been momentarily intimidated by Kozak, were now ready to cut him up with their swords until he perished.

Kal, his head lowered, did not say anything. The Midnight Sun Magicians behind him were expressionless.

Just as Jin had already told her, Rani did not interrupt this heated atmosphere.

Fling—!

Smash!

One of the citizens, who had been wary of Rani's gaze, threw a fist-sized rock at Kal.

Kal's forehead split open, splattered with blood after being hit by the rock. For an instant, the raucous crowd calmed.

Kal still had his head lowered.

Drip, drip.

Even though blood was flowing from his forehead, the Midnight Sun Magicians standing behind him did not react.

Of course, that was unspoken permission.

No matter what happened to Kal Zipfel, the Zipfel Clan would not intervene.

As Jin had predicted, the Zipfel Clan planned to display their full might once Kal had been seriously injured or even killed.

"Say something!"

Smash, smash!

Fling!

As soon as Kal finished descending the stairs of light formed by the Kozak, rocks started flying from all over.

He had been struck down by the stones and stood up on five separate occasions.

At the same time, reporters were diligently writing articles about this strange scene of punishment.

"Everyone, please stop for a moment!"

Rani slowly rose and shouted.

The throwing of stones stopped immediately, and Kal unsteadily stood up.

"Kal Zipfel. Before your confession, I would like to ask you one thing."

"…What is it?"

"Was the Living Golem experiment truly carried out under your command?"

To Kal, that question obviously meant, 'was this incident solely due to your own actions and not those of the ZIpfel Clan?'

Therefore, he had no choice but to respond as per the orders of his father, Keliark Zipfel.

"That's right."

"Can you swear it?"

"It seems like you want to blame my sins on the entire clan, but you're wrong. Of course, from your perspective, it may seem like the Zipfel Clan is making a scapegoat out of me. However, I'm the Fourth Magic Tower Master and a pureblood. There are many others more suitable to be a scapegoat."

"Then why did you come yourself? When you say you could have sent someone else as a scapegoat."

"Because my death is the only way to restore even a fraction of my family's honor that was lost due to my actions. Even if you show me mercy, my family will never take me back, so just kill me."

"You hope for a death that would be far too merciful. You're responsible for the loss of as many as three thousand citizens, unjustly captured as test subjects. Kal Zipfel, until you give a detailed confession regarding this, death is not an option."

Rani cast healing magic on Kal's wounds, and the wounds healed swiftly.

"By the way, Kal. Isn't there something strange about this?"

"What do you mean?"

"The number of citizens captured as test subjects was only 823."

Kal was indeed the master of the Fourth Magic Tower.

Even after being deceived by Rani, his expression did not change.

"I wasn't aware that Vitura Velter sent that many subjects."

"Sir Kal Zipfel!"

Someone stepped forward, calling out to Kal.

It was Dino Zeglun.

"You were not the main culprit behind that heinous experiment! Why are you lying? Why did you come forward to let yourself be framed?"

In an instant, the attention of everyone in the square gathered on Dino.

"Who's that?!"

"Are you Zipfel's underling? Stop talking bullshit and get lost!"

"Citizens, please forgive my rudeness. I'm a reporter! My name is Dino Zeglun. Some of you may already know, but I am not on Zipfel's side. I was the first reporter to report on Myuron Zipfel's Living Golem experiments conducted in Kollon."

Murmur murmur.

"I, Dino Zeglun, can swear on the honor of myself and the people of Kollon. I don't know about the other heads of the Zipfel Clan, but Sir Kal Zipfel has nothing to do with this Living Golem experiment!"

Dino took out a bunch of newsletters from his bag and scattered them into the wind.

The alert reporters were the first to rush forward and grab the newsletter to read it.

Before they'd even read a few lines, the eyes of the reporters were already wide open, darting from Dino to Kal and back again.

'The spark has been lit.'

Jin was smiling inside.

At this point, Kal Zipfel had been the only person to tumble to the ground in an unsightly manner. Now, the entire Zipfel Clan would have to join him.

"The Dark Magic Association was under Kinzelo?"

"The place where the survivors were rescued was not at the Fourth Magic Tower, but at the Dark Magic Association's stronghold in Oterium?"

The Dark Magic Association was said to have been destroyed by the Kinzelo Group, a third-rate terrorist organization, and Liol Zipfel, and so only had low-level remnants remaining.

The newsletter distributed by Dino contained the names of organizations that were insignificant compared to Zipfel.

In addition, it was reported that a mysterious person known as 'Vamel' had disrupted the meeting between Zipfel and Kinzelo six months ago, and it was also described that Kal was kidnapped by Kinzelo in the process.

"Hey, Dino Zeglun! What is this all of a sudden?"

A reporter shouted at Dino.

Even for those who skimmed through the newsletter, it was not easy to properly understand the situation.

There weren't many who gave kind looks to this young reporter who suddenly barged in.

"Lord Rani said she could not reveal the name of the hero who rescued the survivors, so let me do so on her behalf. That hero was Sir Vamel, yes, the same prodigy you're all familiar with, Sir Vamel."

"What are you talking about?"

"The Kollon Massacre was what made me become one of the great reporters. At that time, I wrote in the article that the hero who saved the natives was a 'passerby.' That passerby was none other than Sir Vamel. From then on, I became acquainted with Sir Vamel, and have written an article on his heroic deeds."

At this point, Jin couldn't bear to look up out of embarrassment, and Murakan could barely hold back his laughter.

Dino continued his explanation, making eye contact with the people gathered in the square with a brazen yet determined expression.

"He has been tracking Zipfel's evil deeds all this time. Zipfel also conducted Living Golem experiments on the Kollon natives. During the pursuit, Sir Vamel witnessed Zipfel and Kinzelo make some kind of deal on an abandoned island in the Bellard Empire."

"What does that have to do with the current situation?"

"Please look at the top of page two of the newsletter I gave you. Kinzelo is not a third-rate terrorist group as you might think, but a large force that was Zipfel's biggest ally. Sir Vamel deliberately lied to Lord Rani, saying that he had rescued the survivors from the Fourth Magic Tower. And the reason for that is…"

Sir Vamel was convinced that it was not just Zipfel who had eaten away at the Holy Kingdom of Vankella and conducted experiments on its subjects.

So he tried to use Kinzelo's kidnapping of Kal Zipfel to publicize it all at once.

Dino could not finish the long announcement he had prepared.

"I can't listen to this any longer."

Fwoosh—!

That was because one of the Midnight Sun Magicians standing behind Kal fired a magic bolt at Dino.

The bolt was aimed squarely at Dino's head, and traveled so quickly that most people didn't even notice.

Fling!

However, someone in the crowd rushed forward and cut down the magic bolt.

"Ugh!"

A startled Dino took several steps back as his vision suddenly darkened.

"I thought it was common for the Huphester Alliance to kill and to bury the truth, not you guys. But I find this story quite interesting. How about we listen to it a bit more? Magicians of the Zipfel Clan."

The person who saved Dino was none other than Joshua Runcandel.

At the sight of this new bigshot suddenly appearing, the people began to stir.

"The Runcandels were not attacked directly. Are you sure you can draw your weapon so carelessly? Sheath your sword, second flag-bearer."

Luna shook her head and shielded Dino.

Rather, she had already been shielding Dino before Joshua even cut down the Midnight Sun Magician's magic bolt.

She perfectly blocked the magic bolts that had come from other directions with just her bare hands.

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章節 89: CHAPTER 248

Whew…

Jin let out a quiet breath and removed his hand from his waist.

The moment Dino was attacked, Jin also unconsciously prepared to block the magic bolt.

Fortunately he managed to restrain himself.

Had his training been insufficient, he would've stepped forward, attracted everyone's attention, and ruined the plan.

'I did expect that if there was an attack, my sister would stop it, but… Those crazy bastards tried to kill Dino even with so many eyes watching?'

That just proved what Dino had said was indeed a sensitive topic for the Midnight Sun Magicians.

Those who'd fired the magic bolts were trying to keep their faces from showing any expression.

It was plain to see for Jin and the Runcandels, though. The fact that on the inside, those individuals were fraught with worry.

From the perspective of the Midnight Sun Magicians, the attack they had just launched was undeniably irrational.

Even in the case they succeeded and Dino died, the whole world would have criticized them.

Even the Runcandels, who presented themselves as the ruling force, had never killed a reporter so hastily.

Of course, that outcome was still better than having the truth exposed.

'Anyway, Luna is still as much a monster as ever.'

How many people in the world could actually block an 8-star mage's magic bolt using only their bare hands?

Not to mention it being a surprise attack.

Regardless of the situation, Luna's strength gave him goosebumps.

Hiss.

Joshua obediently followed Luna's instructions and sheathed his sword.

Before sheathing it, he bowed to Luna, appearing to admit his mistake.

Even though there was a surge of resistance, he knew very well that there was no need for the Runcandels to overcommit.

Murmur murmur.

The crowd was shaken at the sudden attack from the Midnight Sun Magicians.

However, what surprised them even more was the appearance of Luna Runcandel, the 'White Whale'.

She rarely showed herself in the world, so her fame came solely from rumors.

Nevertheless, bards sang songs praising her every day, and in the lyrics, Luna was a noble warrior with overwhelming beauty and neutrality.

As Luna took off her hood, the crowd had trouble suppressing their admiration.

The cause of this admiration wasn't her beauty, which had been perfectly articulated within the songs.

The crowd admired the dignity held in her dark blue eyes, as well as the endless boldness she showed even when standing before the Midnight Sun Magicians and the Kozak.

They were immediately fascinated by it.

A few seconds passed in silence. Given how silent the area had become, it was hard to believe so many people were gathered together.

"Are you okay? Dino Zeglun."

"Yes, thanks to you… Thank you, Dame Luna. You as well, Sir Joshua."

"You make quite an interesting claim. I want to hear your story in more detail, so please come visit the Runcandel's delegation later."

"Of course."

Dino lived with the Kollons in Luna's land, but they pretended this was their first meeting.

Luna then shifted her gaze back to the Midnight Sun Magicians.

"Nice to meet you, Midnight Sun Magicians, and Kal Zipfel. I'm Luna Runcandel."

"…Nice to meet you, Dame Luna. I'm the second commander of the Midnight Sun Magicians, Maul Henserker."

Maul Henserker, the second commander of the Midnight Sun Magicians, was standing on the steps of the Kozak looking down at the situation.

"You are? It seems the second commander has changed without my knowledge."

"My predecessor, Sir Drew Malaga, retired…"

"If it had been Drew, he would have gotten off those stairs before I had greeted him."

Maul's expression hardened.

Even with just a glance, it was easy to tell he was much older than Luna. Since nobody in the vicinity was his superior, he was effectively the representative of the Zipfel Clan.

However, they had been disrespected ever since their arrival.

As Luna and Maul's eyes met, the square grew tense.

Even those in the crowd breathed cautiously, the battle of spirit between the two great families overwhelming them.

It wasn't just the crowd. The Midnight Sun Magicians also looked stiff.

There were only three people who looked calm. Luna, Jin, and Murakan.

Naturally, there was a reason for their lack of nerves.

'Maul Henserker, to think you'd make such a rookie error when facing my sister. After today, the second commander of the Midnight Sun Magicians will change once again.'

Maul was obliged to show courtesy first before answering Luna.

Even if he was older than Luna, and affiliated with the Zipfel Clan, it was impossible for him to dare look down on the first flag-bearer of the Runcandels with his status only being the second commander of the Midnight Sun Magicians.

He had made a mistake against an opponent he couldn't defeat even in battle.

Joshua was glaring at Maul with a murderous look in his eyes.

Even though he knew Luna did not like him, Joshua had made sure to be courteous to her. Now that someone with the mere status of a second commander made that mistake, he couldn't help but feel anger.

"Sir Maul. If you find it difficult to come down, then we can remove those stairs for you. Did you not hear what the first flag-bearer said?"

Maul's face turned red as Joshua spoke in a deep voice.

His whole body was shaking from the sense of humiliation and defeat.

Fortunately, Maul wasn't a fool.

"…I was rude, Dame Luna."

Maul descended the stairs.

The other wizards aboard the Kozak followed after Maul.

It wasn't easy for the crowd, unfamiliar with the situation, to read the overall atmosphere.

The Zipfel Clan were definitely the greatest, followed by the Runcandels, so the people couldn't understand why Maul displayed such a submissive attitude despite being obviously insulted.

However, those more familiar with the two clans, as well as the nobles, all knew that this was the correct decision.

"Finally, we can talk. I would like to ask you a question, Sir Maul. Why did your men attack this reporter?"

"Kal Zipfel came here to apologize by order of the patriarch. The Pillar of the Fourth Magic Tower has come to pay for his sins with his life. Yet that man insulted the Zipfel Clan, twisting the truth."

"Twisting the truth?"

"It's true that I made a mistake moments ago. However, it's also true that you interfered with the Zipfel Clan's business. Since nothing good will come of escalating this situation, we will be taking the reporter, Dino, with us."

Maul spoke, focusing his eyes.

Regardless of the fact that he had been crushed and humiliated by Luna, he was still the representative of the Zipfels.

If he were to retreat here with a poor excuse, things wouldn't end with just humiliation for him.

"That won't do."

"Why not?"

"Were you not listening earlier? I certainly told him to come to the Runcandel's delegation later. Therefore, Dino Zeglun is currently my guest."

"This is not a personal matter."

"It's not a personal matter, you say… That's not something you should say in front of Runcandel's flag-bearers. You're making quite a number of mistakes with your words, aren't you?"

"If you don't step down, you'll leave us with no choice but to respond with force."

Although he tried to speak calmly, nobody present thought the Midnight Sun Magicians could do anything against Luna and Joshua Runcandel. Even Maul himself thought so.

"Sir Maul, life is precious. And that lump of metal floating in the sky is most likely more precious to the Zipfel Clan than your life. It wouldn't be good if you happened to die, and that thing returned in pieces, would it?"

Luna smiled coldly.

Countless calculations went through Maul's head, and it felt torturous.

'Could it be that the reporter exposing this was Runcandel's ploy to force this situation? How much information was leaked to them? If I fight against this monster now, then…'

They would be annihilated without even being able to put up a fight.

A massacre that couldn't even be called a battle.

Every person's head would be severed before they could even board the Kozak.

Assuming they could relocate to a more advantageous battlefield and board the Kozak, victory was still not certain.

To begin with, that was an impossible scenario.

Even so, they couldn't back out.

Even if it meant being wiped out, Zipfel's prestige had to be maintained.

The whole reason for bringing Kal Zipfel in the first place was to protect the prestige of the Zipfel Clan.

"Both of you, please calm down."

It was Rani, who had just finished treating Kal Zipfel.

"Runcandel, and Zipfel. Everyone knows that the two of you have much greater might than the holy kingdom. However, both of you, we have been unable to begin His Majesty's funeral. You cannot do this on our land."

To Maul, Rani's words seemed as if they were the voice of salvation.

A voice of salvation that gave him a justification to step down.

And just as he was feeling truly grateful…

"However, the flag-bearers of the Runcandel Clan have done us a great favor. We nearly brought punishment upon the wrong person."

"The wrong person?! Look here, Rani Salome. It was the patriarch who personally ordered his own son here, the Pillar of the Fourth Magic Tower! Even while knowing he could be stoned to death. Do you think the claims of a mere reporter can disgrace the Zipfel clan's patriarch and his decision?"

Poke.

Jin poked Murakan in the side.

'What?'

'Shout at him and tell him to quit the bullshit.'

'Huh?'

'This is a situation where the floodgates are just waiting to be opened by one person. Things will go crazy.'

From the moment Maul tried to bully Rani, the faces of the holy kingdom's subjects started turning red.

Only fools wouldn't be able to see Maul was trying to pull the wool over their eyes.

The problem was that, since he was the representative of the Zipfel Clan, nobody could do anything to stop it.

'I can do that much! Cuz I'm a dragon, ya know? And Joshua won't know my voice. I'll shout, so let me just go over there for a second…'

At that moment…

"Shut up! You dirty Zipfel bastards! Are you going to scorn the land that Ayula gave us until the end?!"

A woman screamed.

She was sitting in a wheelchair, as she had trouble with her legs, and was wearing a robe with a large depiction of a dormant volcano.

'Looks like I won't need to.'

'Yeah. They're helping at just the right time.'

The rest of the subjects followed suit and raised their voices.

"Don't kill a reporter who stepped forward for the sake of the holy kingdom! At least let the truth come to light first!"

"If you're going to kill him, then kill us too!"

"Even the Runcandels wouldn't do something like that!"

Jin watched the scene for a moment, then suddenly sensed something strange and turned his attention to the woman who broke open the floodgates.

As he thought about it, she seemed strangely familiar.

'That woman… We've seen her somewhere before, right? Or does she just resemble someone?'

Jin kept gazing at the woman.

Although she couldn't have felt his gaze, the woman slowly turned her head and looked back at Jin.

There was a smile on the woman's lips, as if she was asking if she did well.

With that, he remembered. He remembered who that woman was.

'Vishukel, that man's sister…!'

Margiela Yvliano.

The instigator of the duel between Jin and Vishukel at the party.

At first, he didn't recognise her because of her makeup.

However, her mischievous and uniquely naive expression clearly belonged to Margiela.

—Young Master Jin went too far against the weak. The person who fell is our friend, is he not? Are you just going to watch? Brother, I'm so disappointed.

—…Are you goading me into dueling Jin?

—Yes, I hope you can teach him a lesson. In a more honorable way than what Young Master Jin showed.

He remembered the conversation between Margiela and Vishukel.

'Vamel, Kinzelo will help you, so go easy on us. Good for both of us, right?'

Margiela smiled as she mouthed those words to Jin.

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