Chapter 297: Strength, and the Worship of Strength (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 297: Strength, and the Worship of Strength (8)
Creeeeeak!
The chains of fire binding the Kozec shook violently. Judging by the way they shuddered, it seemed they would snap at any moment.
Even so, it was Zipple’s ultimate weapon.
No matter how extraordinary Jin was, destroying it single-handedly was an impossible feat. Pushing it this far had already exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations.
Initially, when Zipple arrived after receiving intelligence about Runcandel from Barton, they had expected an easy victory. With the Kozec and its ability to trigger spatial explosions, they believed they could wipe out the Runcandel forces in an instant.
Yet, they were the ones retreating.
They were fleeing from a mere two Runcandel Flagbearers, one Black Knight, and ten Guardian Knights.
“Push the Kozec’s engines to their limit! All healing mages, attend to the Young Master!”
Over forty mages, including members of the White Night and other elites, had perished, and all six of their red dragons had been slain.
In contrast, Runcandel had yet to suffer a single fatality. Though several Guardian Knights were severely injured, their wounds were nothing that couldn't be treated once they returned.
All of this was possible because of Jin.
Urgh!
A trail of black blood trickled from the corner of Jin’s mouth. Cold sweat poured down his deathly pale face.
I suppose I overdid it.
He had already sustained significant injuries during his fight with Silderay just before this mission. Although he had received intensive treatment in the Holy Kingdom, he hadn't fully returned to his peak condition.
In that state, he had poured out nearly all his mana in a single burst, making a backlash of mana backflow inevitable.
However, it wasn't as severe as Veradin’s condition. If he could just calm himself for about ten minutes, he could use his unique mana control to recover to some extent.
He had to recover.
I need to be fit enough to fight Barton once Zipple retreats.
Another battle was already on the horizon. It was one obstacle after another, but there was no need to feel anxious.
Barton sustained considerable injuries while putting on that act of capturing Veradin. If I coordinate with Brother Dipus, we can definitely take him down.
Fwoosh…
The blue flames surrounding Jin began to flicker out. As Tess’s summon was released, the pressure on the Kozec diminished.
“Sever Jin Runcandel’s fire!” the commanding mage screamed, sensing their chance to escape.
Snap!
Finally, the chains of fire binding the Kozec broke.
Once one link snapped, a chain reaction followed. Moments later, the Kozec shook off all its restraints.
Whirrrrr—!
The roar of the Kozec’s mana engines followed. They intended to fly at full throttle and exit the battlefield in one fell swoop.
They maintained only the minimum mana required for the ship’s shields. The mages were pouring every remaining drop of their power into the propulsion systems. It was clear just how desperate they were to escape this nightmare.
A blatant misstep. They must be truly desperate, Jin thought as he watched the Kozec’s shields thin out.
Zipple should have focused on protection rather than speed. Jin could no longer manifest the final form of the Destruction Flame Orb of the Dark Heaven, and with Barton injured, Runcandel had lost most of its anti-air combat capabilities.
Therefore, a calm, methodical retreat would have been the better move.
However, the mages had no way of knowing for certain that Jin couldn't cast such high-level magic again. They were completely unaware that mana backflow had already set in.
Mistakes born of fear always demand a heavy price.
As a result of being so fixated on Jin, Zipple had failed to account for the 4th Flagbearer of Runcandel, who was now bristling with murderous intent.
“I’ll kill every last one of you, you rats…!”
Aura began to gather around Dipus’s greatsword, Volgar. The sheer density of the compressed energy caused the very air to distort around it.
Runcandel 3rd Decisive Technique
Meteor Shower
The aura flowing along the greatsword shot into the sky, forming a pillar of light.
If their situation was bad before, it had just become catastrophic.
Dipus swung his greatsword down in a massive arc, yet with unbelievable speed. The moment the motion ended, meteors of sword energy began to rain down through the torn clouds.
Had they chosen to reinforce their shields over fleeing at full speed, they surely could have minimized the damage. But no ship in the world could move faster than sword energy.
Even at its top speed, the Kozec could not outrun Dipus’s Meteor Shower. The barrage of sword energy falling at random was less like an attack and more like a natural disaster.
Meteor Shower… It’s been a while.
Compared to Luna’s Meteor Shower, its power was clearly a step below. Nevertheless, it was so powerful that the word "absurd" came to mind when considering it was performed by a single human.
A relentless battering.
True to its name, the sword energy rained down like meteors, pummeling the Kozec. The shrill screams of the mages were drowned out by the sound of the ship’s hull shattering and being crushed.
Several mages, unable to withstand the turbulence, fell from the ship. Some cast shields out of pure survival instinct, but it was a futile struggle.
The Guardian Knights were waiting on the ground below.
They slaughtered the mages before their bodies even hit the dirt. Some spat out curses and words of resentment, some let out death rattles, and others begged for their lives.
No prisoners were needed. The mission parameters did not include taking captives.
Crunch, crack—! Thud…!
Following the Meteor Shower, Barton’s sword energy flew toward the bottom of the hull. His attacks, however, appeared significantly weaker than before.
It wasn't an act. Barton was truly exhausted, having expended too much aura and sustained injuries. Of course, even weakened, his power was close to that of a 9-star knight, but it wasn't enough to deliver a finishing blow to the Kozec.
Dipus didn't pressure Barton. Instead, he sharpened his own resolve. Once the Kozec was gone, he would tear Barton to shreds.
Over forty meteors had already struck the Kozec’s hull. Yet, the massive ship, which hadn't even deployed its shields properly, still had not fallen. It lurched as if it might drop at any second, but it remained airborne.
Dipus had to make a choice.
Should he expend more strength to try and bring it down, or should he conserve his power for the inevitable fight against Barton?
It was agonizing to give up on the first option.
If I completely destroy the Kozec and capture Veradin, the greatest achievement among the Flagbearers this year will be mine. Not that damn Joshua’s.
Even if he had to share the credit with Jin, that was the most likely outcome.
But what if he failed?
It was a gamble. He couldn't be certain that even another Decisive Technique would finish the Kozec. Moreover, if he mismanaged his stamina, it could spell disaster when he faced Barton.
The youngest is right. Ensuring the primary mission is accomplished comes first. It’s a shame, but I’ll push them just enough and then stop.
Above all, if he ignored Jin’s advice and things went south, he feared he would earn Jin’s resentment. Even now, Jin viewed him as an "enemy," but they were still in a relationship where they could occasionally cooperate—just like today.
But once true resentment took root, that would all change. Based on what he had witnessed, Dipus had reached a firm conclusion about Jin.
He is someone I must never, ever make a total enemy of.
There will be many times I’ll need to join forces with the youngest until we drag Joshua down. For now, I must not disappoint him.
Having made his decision, Dipus reined in his aura. Accordingly, the power of the Meteor Shower began to subside.
We’re alive! The mages on board felt like cheering.
Vroooom, shhh—! The Kozec’s propulsion systems glowed white-hot.
Seeing the Kozec accelerate again despite being so battered, Dipus realized his choice had been correct. He couldn't have destroyed it anyway. As long as there were at least five elite mages on board, a few of his Decisive Techniques wouldn't be enough to finish it.
Eventually, the Kozec escaped the battlefield. In an instant, its silhouette shrank to a tiny dot in the distance. Dipus did not take his eyes off the ship until that dot vanished completely.
“Why did you stop your attack at the end, 4th Flagbearer?” Barton asked.
“I judged that pushing them further might provoke a desperate counterattack. It’s unlikely the heir to Zipple would come here without some kind of safety measure. Besides, I didn't think I could destroy it with my strength alone.”
Barton nodded as if convinced.
Ventica had always been an unsightly place, pockmarked with massive craters, but it paled in comparison to the desolate landscape left after today’s battle.
“A wise judgment. It’s a blow to my pride, but since I am also not in peak condition, a counterattack would have been difficult to handle.”
“You’ve worked hard, Sir Barton.”
Barton’s gaze shifted to the distance, where Jin was sitting cross-legged, regulating his condition.
“In any case, I owe the 12th Flagbearer a great debt… It has been a long time since I was taught such a lesson in humility. Initially, I was somewhat displeased to be carrying out a mission with the 12th Flagbearer, but Lady Rosa’s foresight is truly astonishing.”
“I agree. If the youngest hadn't been here, we would have been the ones running away, not Zipple.”
Having finished his meditation, Jin rose and approached the two men. Barton watched him come, then was the first to offer a handshake.
“12th Flagbearer, I apologize for disregarding you. Thanks to you, I avoided the stain of a failed mission.”
Jin stared silently at the outstretched hand.
An uncomfortable tension filled the air. It was impossible to tell what expression Barton wore behind his black helmet.
Ten seconds passed, but Barton did not withdraw his hand.
“Will you remove your helmet?” Jin asked.
“That is not possible.”
“Tell me why.”
“Only those from the 4th Flagbearer and above are permitted to see a Black Knight’s face. Though I owe you a debt, I cannot go so far as to violate the laws of the clan.”
“Normally, I would have felt infinite honor.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“The black helmet, permitted to only ten of the clan’s countless knights. For a knight wearing that helmet to offer a handshake to a junior like me… that is surely an honorable thing, isn't it? But… I don't think so anymore.”
As the conversation shifted abruptly, Barton withdrew his hand—positioning it closer to his sword hilt.
“Somehow, it did feel strange that the 4th Flagbearer was holding back. The real mission wasn't securing Ventica, but executing me.”
Despite the words, his voice was perfectly calm. It was as if he had known this day would come eventually.
“Whatever the reason you turned your back on the glory of Runcandel, you were once a man who dedicated himself to the clan. I shall show you the appropriate respect.”