章節 568: CHAPTER 726

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***

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 ]

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章節 569: CHAPTER 727

[T.L: punisher87]

[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]

Kwaian of the Seven Swords wiped the sweat clinging to Syris's forehead.

"Captain, could it be that you're experiencing a psychic attack like Sir Jin?"

"...Yes. There's a high possibility that the psychic attacks from Rosa have also begun against the Vamel alliance and the temporary alliances. Lars, go to Tikan and assess the situation. I'll give you Mort."

"Understood."

Syris immediately got up from her seat and headed to the training grounds.

She still saw Jin sitting in meditation, seemingly enduring intense pain as sweat streamed down his motionless face.

However, screams could be heard from the direction of Gilly, Valeria, and Qwaul's sleeping quarters.

Among them, Valeria was the one affected by Rosa's psychic attack.

She was experiencing convulsions as if struck harder than Syris. Blood trickled from her clenched teeth, as she struggled to maintain control.

Gilly was desperately holding onto Valeria, who was convulsing uncontrollably. Despite Valeria's will, the raging mana left residual scars on Gilly's body.

"Oh, our Valeria. How did it come to this?"

"Don't panic because of her unstable mind, Sir Qwaul! It's Rosa's psychic attack."

"A psychic attack?"

"Gilly, just hold on a little longer."

Syris created cold energy to cool down Valeria's body, and after a few minutes, Valeria regained her senses.

"Ha, ha, ha...!"

Valeria gasped for breath.

She was trapped in an illusion created by Rosa's psychic attack, witnessing not only the present comrades but also the annihilation of her only family, the Grey Owl Mercenaries.

"Are you okay?"

At Syris's question, Valeria nodded her head with a vacant expression. And like Syris, she also felt a deep sorrow for Jin.

From that moment on, the same thing happened in Tikan, Drakka, and the headquaters of Kinzelo and the Empire.

In each faction, one or two individuals started experiencing Rosa's psychic attacks.

In Tikan, it was Kashmir; in Drakka, it was Veradin; in the headquarter of Kinzelo, it was Margiella; and in the Empire, it was Dante who came under attack.

Surprisingly, the group that suffered the most impact was Kinzelo.

"Gr-Grand, Grand Duke! Have you come! Margiella is rampaging again...!"

"Please, do something about Ms. Margiella!"

In desperation, Ainas and Bubare shouted.

Kinzelo's headquarters basement was being destroyed by Margiella's rampaging purple energy.

Before them, Berakt and Joe, Bianca and Ranke, and Bishkel were struggling to resist the onslaught.

Except for Margiella, the rest of the group did not show such a violent reaction even when subjected to psychic attacks.

The recently arrived Zephyrin immediately joined them.

"Sir Bishkel, you should withdraw now."

Zephyrin ran up and stood beside Bishkel, speaking. Bishkel was in a critical condition.

"She is my sister."

Although Bishkel was usually one of the calmest within Kinzelo, whenever it came to Margiella, he always lost his composure.

"Do you think Ms. Margiella would be pleased to see you in such a state when she returns?"

"I'm still... ugh."

Zephyrin struck Bishkel's neck from behind. She threw the unconscious Bishkel to Bubare and raised her strength.

'At a time like this, such a rampage... I hope evil god didn't recognize the entity associated with Ms. Margiella.'

Zephyrin joined the fight, but for a while, they struggled to suppress Margiella's rampage.

As Orgal regained some strength and Zephyrin also became stronger, it was still not easy to subdue Margiella and prevent serious damage to the headquarters.

It was three hours after Margiella's rampage began that it finally stopped.

At that time, Orgal, who had just finished a meeting in Tikan, returned to the headquarters.

Examining the situation, Orgal pressed his forehead as if in distress.

[You've all been through a lot, especially the vice leader.]

"Master, did any countermeasures for the psychic attacks come up during the meeting? If Ms. Margiella continues to rampage like this, the temporary allies might discover her true identity. It's also burdensome to carry this anxiety before the battle with the evil god."

[The existence of a countermeasure has been confirmed. But it seems we can't do it ourselves.]

"What do you mean?"

[Jin Runcandel. He is the key once again.]

Orgal explained.

The current random psychic attacks occurring throughout the factions would only disappear if Jin emerged victorious in his battle against Rosa within his inner self.

[The reason the psychic attacks that originally only affected Jin spread to others seems to be because he is losing in his current battle against Rosa.]

That was what Orgal had heard directly from Jin when he visited the Hidden Palace. Jin himself said it was a "speculation," but it was almost certain.

-It started when I began to lose to Rosa. When I was holding up well, there was no problem. As you can see... my current state is not great.

-[Indeed. If you just put on some clothes, you'll look like someone terminally ill.]

Jin had only been living in the Hidden Palace for four day.

Seeing his pathetic state, Orgal couldn't help but wonder if Jin could return to his peak physical condition within the remaining ten days.

"Well, Master, if that devil starts to lose even more..."

[More people will be exposed to psychic attacks. From what we confirmed in the meeting, the number of individuals currently being exposed to the evil god's psychic attacks in real-time is increasing.]

"It's absurd."

[Since the opponent is a god, it can't be helped. In the worst-case scenario, we may have to postpone the decisive battle... and consider other means besides Jin Runcandel.]

"Hmm. So in the end, the best thing to do is sit still and pray for Sir Jin to win. While stopping Ms. Margiella, that is. At least the rest of our Kinzelo members won't go on such a rampage, even if they are subjected to psychic attacks.]

For a while, Orgal and Zephyrin remained silent as they looked at the bedridden Margiella.

***

Veradin and Dante were flying over the sky of Drakka on the back of the Water Dragon, Tuyan.

Both of them had dark and worn-out faces.

"Now even ordinary people are being affected by the psychic attacks, Veradin. The situation in the Empire is likely the same."

A week had passed since the start of the psychic attacks.

Now, people driven mad by Rosa's voice could be seen everywhere, even among the civilians.

As a result, the temporary alliance had also made the information about the psychic attacks public to the masses.

It meant that this situation would only come to an end if Jin managed to overcome Rosa's psychic attacks.

"Yes..."

Underneath Tuyan, there were people kneeling on the square, wearing black ribbons on their chests. All they could do as ordinary citizens was to gather in one place and express their hopes.

"At first, I didn't understand why people would gather in the square, even reaching the point of risking their lives. Well, to be precise, I still don't understand. It's just fascinating that such actions are slightly slowing down the spread of despair worldwide."

Naturally, since the start of the psychic attacks, the despair in Veradin's map had been growing, but when people gathered to support or pray for Jin, the proliferation of despair was slightly delayed.

"That's the power of solidarity, Veradin."

"I suppose you could see it that way. However, fundapsychicly, the end of this evil god's psychic attack doesn't rely on the unity of the culprits but on the victory or defeat of a special individual named Jin. They are merely delaying the spread of despair, albeit ever so slightly. In reality, it's not significantly meaningful. It's closer to futile acts."

Thwack!

Suddenly, Dante struck Veradin's face with his fist.

Although Veradin didn't react, his head shook from the impact, momentarily taken aback.

"Why did you hit me? You know that's a serious offense."

"Oh, no. It seems I've become a bit too touchy lately. I apologize, but my fist acted on its own without me realizing."

"I understand. But be careful, as I might not forgive you if it happens again."

"But, Veradin, can you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Can you, like them, even for a short while, delay the spread of despair like these people gathered below?"

"I cannot."

"In that case, don't speak as if their actions are meaningless. Moreover, even if it's something you can accomplish alone, you cannot belittle those who came out to do something, no matter how futile it may seem."

"I don't understand, but I'll consider it. It seems that encouraging them and moving towards the Empire would be more effective in maintaining the cohesion of our dwindling temporary alliance."

"It might be an unknown possibility. Actually, if these people gathering below can provide even a slight assistance to Jin, it could help him eventually win the inner battle he's fighting alone."

Dante truly believed that the subtle delay in the spread of despair caused by these people's actions was aiding Jin.

"So, it would be best to encourage them and proceed to the Empire. People are also gathering in the Empire's square. You might question the meaning of us encouraging them, but it's a very important issue. It's also the duty of a leader."

Veradin nodded without saying a word. Although he didn't fully agree with Dante's opinion, he didn't want to provoke any further disturbance by getting hit again.

Above all, as Dante said, if this act could be of any help to Jin, even in the slightest, it was the right thing to do.

***

It had been ten days since the psychic attacks began.

Jin was reaching his limit. Even sitting still and meditating proved to be a struggle as his body trembled under the strain, and he couldn't even bring himself to consume food or water.

Rosa's psychic attacks, spreading across the world, were growing stronger each day. The number of civilians exposed to the attacks had skyrocketed exponentially. What used to be around a hundred reported cases per day in each region had now reached over a thousand.

There were only a few days left until the final battle.

Within that time frame, it seemed almost impossible to resolve all the chaos and for Jin to be in peak condition to confront Rosa.

Observing from a distance could be agonizing at times.

Jin's comrades, currently watching him in the Hidden palace, felt the weight of that burden. They worried that Jin might suddenly collapse and perish, feeling as though they were walking on thin ice.

"...It seems we might have to postpone the final battle. It will be difficult for the young master to engage in combat just a few days from now," Gilly remarked as she watched Jin from afar.

"Indeed, a message arrived from the King of Tikan as well, Gilly. The suggestion during the council was to indefinitely postpone the battle until the psychic attacks subside," Syris revealed.

"Yes, Lady Syris. Please take a rest. Your complexion looks terribly pale," Gilly added.

"Resting won't make a difference; this psychic attack won't cease," Syris responded.

As Syris spoke, Jin suddenly rose to his feet.

His trembling legs seemed on the verge of giving way, but Gilly and Syris quickly supported him.

"Young master!"

"Jin!"

"No, postponing... it won't... make a difference."

"Then?"

"Lady Syris, I must use the Closed Training Grounds now."

"I mentioned that before, Jin, but it's impossible for you to enter the Closed Training Grounds alone in your current state. If something were to happen to you inside, we wouldn't be able to help."

"I can't explain in detail. Just please open the Closed Training Grounds for me. It's becoming increasingly difficult to even speak in this reality..."

Jin's struggle in the physical world signified the intensifying battle raging within himself.

Now, Jin was preparing himself to end that battle, alone, without the comforting presence of his comrades serving as his guiding light.

Syris clenched her fists, locked eyes with Jin, and nodded.

"Alright, I understand. I'll open it for you right away."

[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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