章節 567: CHAPTER 725
[T.L: punisher87]
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Jin headed towards the underground prison of the Tikan with Kashmir.
Several comrades, including Mary and Tona brothers, were watching Lynn in the underground prison.
Although she was in prison, Lynn was not tied up but sitting at a desk, drinking tea.
[Welcome, 12th flagbearer.]
Lynn stood up from her seat and greeted Jin.
"Chief of the Guardian of order, no, I should call you the Chief of Black Sword Association. I heard Rosa appointed you as the Chief of Black Sword Association."
[As the Chief of the Guardian of order, no, as the Chief of Black Sword Association, I am not qualified to take any position since I couldn't uphold the law of the clan and couldn't execute the traitors. Just call me by my name.]
Jin did not reply and sat in front of Lynn, looking into her eyes that were darkened by chaos.
Although Lynn clearly appeared completely consumed by chaos, she had not lost her sanity at all.
A resolute determination could be felt from her.
Jin sensed the atmosphere that only those who were prepared to endure pain and sacrifice could possess from Lynn.
"The investigation into the information you provided to us yesterday has been completed."
The information Lynn conveyed to the Tikan was about Rosa and the battleship Ram.
According to her, Rosa was currently losing some control over Huphester, and there was one secret about the battleship Ram that Rosa didn't know.
[I'm relieved.]
"Until Euria's judgment is announced, to be honest, I found it hard to believe. I thought the arrival of Dame might be Rosa's plan, or maybe the situation on the evil god's side is not favorable, so you want to return to our side. I had such suspicions."
[I understand. There was no other choice.]
"Why did you make a contract with the Prophet instead of joining the Resistance from the beginning?"
[If I had chosen the Resistance from the beginning, you would not have heard any information about the weakness of the evil god. I also could not reveal my desire to fight together... That's why it would have been hopeless.]
"So you decided to become an insider at the corrupted Garden of Swords?"
When Mary asked, Lynn nodded.
[I thought that by becoming an insider, I would have a chance somehow…]
"I remember very well the day Diphus Oraboni was captured and you saved me."
[But I have lost count of the knights of the clan that I killed with my own hands.]
Lynn placed the teacup down and said.
Jin recognized that she felt guilty.
As an individual, it would have been a better choice for Lynn to fight alongside the Resistance and die honorably.
However, Lynn had obeyed Rosa's orders for moments like these.
For the sake of the clan, she was willing to endure personal pain and guilt, even if it meant being recorded as a terrible betrayer in history.
[Moreover, just like the 4th flagbearer who passed away... I was gradually succumbing to the chaos of the Prophet, forgetting my original intentions. If you hadn't killed the Prophet this time, I would have truly become a traitor.]
There was a moment of silence.
[Has the day of the final battle been decided?]
"Not yet. It will probably be determined in tomorrow's meeting."
[Although it was discussed last night, it would be better to start moving within a month at least. There is not much time left for me and the remaining knights. Our lives are fading away due to the death of the Prophet.]
"Is it because of the contract with the Prophet?"
[Yes. In any case, if we die and then you attack Huphester, we won't be able to help anything.]
Jin nodded his head.
[Then I should go now. If I leave my position empty for too long, it will raise suspicion from the evil god.]
Lynn stood up.
[This might be our last meeting, 12th flagbearer. When you and the temporary alliance begin to attack Huphester, we will focus our efforts on stopping the battleship Ram.]
Temporarily stopping the operation of the battleship "Ram."
That was the information Lynn obtained by becoming an insider.
[Also, even before the Ram comes to a complete stop, that terrible battleship will not attack Vamel Alliance.]
Rosa believed that she alone had control over the battleship Ram.
However, the deceased Prophet had prepared to take away the control of the Ram in anticipation of the day when Rosa had to be dealt with.
That fact was known to Lynn, who was deemed to have finished the "brainwashing."
Lynn reached out her hand to Jin for a handshake.
For a few seconds, Jin alternated between looking at her hand and her eyes.
[Please... defeat Rosa... the evil god, 12th flagbearer. Prevent the ruin of my, our Runcandel.]
Jin clasped Lynn's hand.
He felt the firm and calloused palm of the old veteran who had devoted herself only to the Runcandel clan for decades.
"I will definitely do that."
Jin personally saw Lynn off. As they left the underground prison through a secret passage that led to the sea, the youngest division was waiting for them.
Among them, Mesa stood in front of Lynn, bowing her head.
"Grand Aunt."
[Mesa.]
Lynn smiled, made eye contact with Mesa.
[You have become the knights of an excellent ruler, greater than my generation, as patriarch, Lord Chiron, was once the supreme being of this world, and Rosa is becoming an evil god, plunging the clan and the world into destruction. So, you have a lord worthy of your loyalty.]
"I will become a knight who brings no shame to my lord and clan."
[Good... When the 12th flagbearer restores the clan, you will have a lot to do. Can I leave the rest to you and leave peacefully?]
"Yes, Grand Aunt."
[Excellent.]
The remaining members of the Runcandel clan did not leave their positions until Lynn disappeared beyond the sea.
***
Huphester.
The army of chaos gathered in the Garden of Swords. Eyes tainted by chaos stared at Rosa, who was seated on the throne.
Since becoming an evil god, she showed signs of exhaustion for the first time. Her eyes were dark, her lips were dry, and her hair hung limp.
The chaos she was supposed to absorb from the Rikalton war was not properly absorbed, and the fragment of power she had given to Diphus had completely vanished.
Frenzy.
Rosa gently caressed her beloved sword, which she had used since her days as a human. Occasionally, her finger would be cut by the blade, and black droplets of blood would flow.
Rosa didn't care. She simply absentmindedly ran her fingers along the blade, seemingly unaffected by the pain.
The knight-commanders watching Rosa felt a slight unease. Unlike the lower-ranking knights who were completely consumed by demonic nature, they still retained some semblance of human will and reason.
They had never considered the possibility of defeat in the Rikalton war.
Instead, they had been planning to achieve a great victory and launch a new invasion before the temporary alliance completed their preparation.
But Diphus and the prophet had died, and Rosa was visibly weary even with her army in front of her.
[...The army has gathered, lord matriarch.]
Finally, Lionel stepped forward and spoke to Rosa.
Rosa did not respond and continued to absentmindedly run her fingers along the blade.
A chilling wind occasionally tossed her hair.
[Lord matriarch.]
Lionel called Rosa once more. The high-ranking knights watching Rosa with some remaining sanity felt the unease transmitted through their ranks.
Only Padler, with poison coursing through him, seemed indifferent to whatever happened.
After thirty minutes, Rosa finally spoke for the first time.
[Former patriarch, Sir Lionel.]
[At your command.]
[Have you ever loved a child?]
It was an unexpected and incomprehensible question, and Lionel couldn't understand Rosa's intentions.
[Why...? Is it because of the death of the Fourth Flagbearer?]
[That child was exceptional compared to the vermin over there, but he was not deserving of special affection.]
At those words, Joshua, standing below the throne, flinched momentarily. After the prophet's death, Joshua could no longer produce the special despair he once did. It was because the hope of prophecy had disappeared.
[Please answer the question.]
[Yes.]
[Then what have you done for such a child?]
[It's a difficult question to answer... In my case, I passed on my clan heritage. This very place, the Garden of Swords.]
Upon hearing that, Rosa nodded with satisfaction. Energy spread through her previously dark eyes.
[I also wanted to pass on this place to that child. But I can no longer do so... Before forming a bond with my youngest. As a mother, I feel I should give a proper gift. Something like a playground.]
[A playground, you say?]
Rosa stood up.
[I will build a fortress from now on.]
[At your command, but…]
[It will be the final stage for my youngest. It must be intricate and beautiful, and there must be figures that suit the myth of his death.]
Lionel pondered how he should express his concern, and there was a commotion among the troops.
But the next moment, they could not help but exclaim in admiration as they watched Rosa raise her hand towards the empty space.
Dark pillars suddenly shot up from the left and right of the formation, as if a picture was being drawn on a canvas. Every time she gestured, the skeletal structure of the "fortress" emerged.
Creation that could only be done by a god.
At the same time, a pale aura began to rise like a tidal wave from behind the throne.
It was the sight of new souls escaping from the mausoleum.
Lionel couldn't help but thrill as he felt the power emanating from them.
[While I build the fortress, your task is to simply fill the void and ensure this place doesn't look empty. Prepare for the impending battle in your respective positions. Prepare to receive my son.]
Rosa stopped caressing the sword, and Lionel and the army kneeled in unison.
The ancient heroes, who were beginning to take on physical form as runes appeared along Rosa's touch, also paid homage to her.
And Rosa, standing in the center of the formation, glanced at the Black Sword Association, specifically at Lynn, as if she knew exactly what she was thinking.
Lynn was bowing her head, unaware of Rosa's gaze.
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章節 568: CHAPTER 726
[T.L: punisher87]
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
***
The Tomb of Swords.
Huphester named the newly built castle in the Garden of Swords as such.
The Huphester press was pouring out praise for Rosa's power and the army of chaos relentlessly building the castle.
The temporary alliance had been conducting strategy meetings day and night, gathering information about the Tomb of Swords. Orgal had been patrolling the vicinity of the Garden of Swords through the steel gate every day.
"Judging from its appearance, it already looks complete... Such a gigantic castle? It's only been two days since the first report came in!"
"To think she can wield such power without even reclaiming the strength she gave to the Fourth flagbearer. Truly, a god is a god."
Octavia and Veradin said. The others in the room also showed signs of shock.
Compared to the former palace of Vermont, the colossal fortress had been completed in just a few days, so it was only natural.
It was also an entirely unexpected development.
The only remaining issues for the temporary alliance were the incomplete battleship Ram and the injured Rosa.
The issue of a super-sized fortress, like a castle, without any precedents in human history, was not something they needed to consider.
Talks about the castle continued for a while.
The true reasons behind why Rosa built the castle, what she hoped to gain from it, and whether the forces of the temporary alliance could break through the chaoa structure.
Of course, no clear conclusion could be reached.
However, there was a prevailing opinion regarding the "purpose" behind Rosa's construction of the castle.
"It seems to be a measure to recover from the blow caused by the Fourth flagbearer's death. It's a kind of display. She still believes she possesses that much power."
Ronil nodded in agreement with Kadun's words.
"I think so too. Although the castle was completed so quickly, construction of the battleship Ram, the real symbol of evil god's authority and strength, remains at a standstill."
"A display, you say..."
As soon as Jin spoke, everyone's attention turned to him.
Jin's face was noticeably more pale than during the first meeting. Dark circles formed under his eyes, and his hair appeared disheveled. His face seemed worn-out.
It was because of nightmares.
Since Rosa began building the castle, Jin had been plagued by intense nightmares every night. Nightmares involving Rosa.
It wasn't psychological pressure or anxiety that caused the nightmares.
Rosa's power and will were directly infiltrating Jin's inner self, as if the Glyek within the white stone had devastated Dante's inner being.
As a result, Jin was constantly fighting against her will even when he slept.
No, even when he was awake, he constantly felt her influence without a moment's respite.
The alliance members and his comrades were aware of this fact. Though the decisive battle had not yet begun, one could say that the "inner battle" between Jin and Rosa had already commenced.
"She doesn't need that kind of thing."
It was a resolute statement.
After the first major attack, only Jin had "directly" experienced Rosa's power within the temporary alliance.
Therefore, Kadun's boasting about displays seemed ridiculous to Jin.
"What do you think then, 12th flagbearer?"
"It's like a grand tomb, just as its name suggests. A tomb where I will be buried."
A moment of silence passed.
Jin carefully surveyed the allies and comrades around him.
There was a sense of unease in their eyes as they looked at Jin.
Jin was Rosa's only opponent.
It was no exaggeration to say that everything depended on the one-on-one battle between him and Rosa in the impending showdown.
With each passing day, Jin felt increasingly overwhelmed by Rosa's power even before the fight began, and it was only natural to be concerned.
[Considering the obsessions that the evil god has shown you so far, it might be possible.]
As Orgal spoke up, Jin nodded.
"We won't have a chance to analyze the structure of the castle or assess its internal power. It will be one battle, one outcome. That will determine our... no, the world's fate."
Jin stood up from his seat.
"In two weeks."
[Two weeks?]
"I will strike at the Garden of Swords then. I will prepare myself to overcome Rosa's nightmares and fight in my best condition by that time. The temporary allies can finish their preparations during that period."
"And if you can't overcome Rosa's nightmares by then?"
"In that case, we will have to postpone the date. There's no point in going into battle in this state when we can't possibly win. It's a rhetorical question, Veradin. On the other hand, if I manage to expel Rosa's power and return to my original state before then, we will launch the assault immediately."
"So it means we could set off as soon as tomorrow. Understood, I'll get prepared. Kinzelo, do you agree?"
[I agree.]
"From now until the final battle, should I only participate in these meetings when there is something I absolutely need to be present for?"
It was a message indicating that Jin would focus on improving his physical condition. It was far more important to overcome the nightmares as quickly as possible than for Jin to participate in the meetings directly.
"That's fine. The detailed operations will continue to be relayed anyway, so feel free to voice your opinions whenever you have them."
***
Since that day, Jin has spent his time in the Hidden Palace.
There was no better place than the Hidden Palace to end the inner battle he was fighting against Rosa's power, without caring about anything else.
The only comrades who came with him to the Hidden Palace were Gilly, Valeria, and Qwaul. In the calm and cold space, Jin spent a lot of time sitting cross-legged, practicing meditation.
Although it couldn't be seen by others, within Jin's inner self, a fierce battle unfolded at every moment.
When he opened his eyes, Rosa's voice echoed in his mind, and when he closed his eyes, Rosa's sword surged into his heart.
When he slept, Jin dreamt of Rosa killing him and his precious ones, and he could only watch helplessly. It was a constant struggle to distinguish whether it was reality or a dream.
Therefore, Jin's chosen method was to minimize sleep and focus on meditation. There was no other means to resist Rosa's mental attacks.
'It's not like you don't know that these tricks won't work on me.'
'I admit they have some effect. But if I win in this fight, it seems like you would lose something too.'
'Well... If there is something I have left to lose, it's only you, my son. You are the last remaining joy for me.'
The inner conversation within Jin couldn't be heard by others, but he conveyed the content to his frustrated comrades.
"Phew."
A group of small beastmen at the entrance of the training ground gazed up at Jin, pushing their heads forward.
They were members of the Golden Peng and Water tail tribesmen.
"Look, Jin. It's tough, die, you can't."
"Oh, what do you mean die! Hmm, it seems like he doesn't have a hint of color in his face as if he is seriously ill. His body looks dehydrated, yet he is sweating so much. And he keeps groaning, it's distressing."
Darkflame and Peng expressed their concern.
"Does he need some medicine or something?"
"We have, eel jerky. Should we give it to him? Jin. It gives strength when you eat it."
"Do you think that would work? Huh? Eh, isn't there some kind of elixir in the hidden palace? Why doesn't the acting master of hidden palace bring it out quickly? Is she saving it for something!?"
"No, medicines like that are useless, that's why."
Suddenly, the voice of Syris was heard, and Peng covered his mouth.
In no time, Syris was also stretching her head out towards Jin like the small beastmen.
"Whoa, what a surprise. It doesn't look like I'm gossiping behind your back, acting master of the hidden palace. It's just that I was worried about him and said those things. Haha."
"That's right, Peng talked behind your back."
"Anyway, you only speak properly in moments like this!"
Syris ruffled the heads of the small beastmen while pressing her index finger against her lips. It meant to be quiet and not disturb Jin's meditation.
Every day was like this. Jin meditated while his comrades watched from a distance, keeping an eye on him. It was like a whole family being cautious around someone preparing for a big test.
One day, Syris asked Jin a question first.
"Jin, I can give you my mother's closed training grounds. Why do you insist on the public training ground?"
"It's because it's slightly better to sense the presence of close people."
Syris looked at Jin, taken aback by his unexpected answer.
"To resist the attacks of evil god?"
"That's right. Knowing that there are comrades nearby sometimes serves as a reference point. When my self sinks and I'm on the verge of being overwhelmed by Rosa's psychic attacks, if suddenly I hear a comrade's voice, footsteps, or a cough, it helps me regain my composure."
"So you mean you need a moderate level of familiar noise."
"Exactly, Lady Syris. If it's too noisy, I won't be able to concentrate on resisting the psychic attacks."
"It's hard to believe that someone as strong as you can be so overwhelmed by psychic attacks even seeing it with my own eyes."
"It's just... It feels like being tied up and sinking into the abyss, and as you go deeper, you start seeing the bodies of the people you care about. It's a feeling of that horror persisting 24/7 in the boundary between reality and psychic attacks."
"Seriously despairing. Is there any improvement at all?"
Syris asked again, cautiously.
Jin's face was much worse than it was on the first day he came to the hidden palace.
"To be honest, I don't know. And... when the time comes to completely end the psychic attacks, that's when the closed training ground will be necessary."
"In the end, there will be a moment when you have to fight alone."
"Yes. It's just a gut feeling, but that will definitely happen."
As comrades, they couldn't help but feel frustrated. Before the temporary alliance launched a full-scale attack, Jin was already fighting a difficult and lonely battle.
That's why the comrades could only vaguely imagine the struggle Jin was going through and cheer for him.
However, since Jin arrived at the Hidden Palace.
Rosa's psychic attacks began spreading to his comrades, including the key figures of the temporary alliance.
The first one to have nightmares similar to Jin's was Syris.
"Aaah!"
"Acting master!"
"Captain!"
When they heard Syris' scream, Hidden Palace's Seven Swords and the guards hurriedly entered the hidden palace master's chamber.
They saw Syris, drenched in sweat and trembling all over.
It was the first time they had seen Syris so terrified.
Syris closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she wasn't so terrified even when she had a nightmare in her, and did not show signs of distress even when she was training severely as the next master of the hidden palace.
"Captain, are you okay?"
"Ugh, huh... Jin, where's Jin?"
"Captain?"
"Do you endure this kind of thing... every day?"
Syris said that, and for a while, she couldn't think straight.
While Rosa's terrifying presence paralyzed her body, an unbearable sense of pity soared for Jin.
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]
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