Chapter 449: Zephyrin (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 449: Zephyrin (5)
The subspace, sliced open by Bradamante, had burst like a dam.
Zephyrin tried to force it back to its original state through sheer will, but the Azure Fire clinging to the jagged edges of the rift refused to allow it.
The crack would seal for a moment, only to tear open again and erupt in flames.
The subspace reacted to the blue fire Jin had unleashed as if it were a living creature. Every time the space tore, it let out a piercing shriek, spilling violet demonic energy like blood.
Zephyrin’s physical form shifted incessantly, mirroring the subspace’s agonizing struggles. Her body shrank and distorted, warping into a grotesque, monstrous shape.
It was clear evidence that her transformation was only stable within a perfectly intact subspace.
[Kyahahahaha! Khe-keke-kek!]
Murakan, watching this, burst into a fit of laughter. Even as he struggled to catch his breath, he couldn't suppress his sheer delight at her predicament.
[Oho, you little brat. You’re nothing once you’re out of your territory! No wonder you felt too strong. I’ve never seen or heard of a pipsqueak like you before.]
[Ugh…!]
Zephyrin let out a sharp groan. Despite her body twisting and contorting, she seemed to be pouring a significant amount of power into maintaining a semblance of her true form.
Damn it! I knew I had a bad feeling the moment I saw that cursed power, the Azure Fire!
As a contractor of Solderet, Zephyrin had naturally expected Jin to be able to cut through her subspace. However, she hadn't thought it would significantly impact her transformation or her ability to utilize her true power. After all, her demonic energy far surpassed the spirit energy possessed by Jin and Murakan.
Her mistake had been underestimating the power of the Azure Fire.
While it was spirit energy that first tore the subspace, it was the Azure Fire that suppressed the rift and prevented it from healing.
To be precise, she had been aware that Jin was a contractor of Tess. She had simply been certain that the amount of Azure Fire Jin could wield would be extremely limited.
Come to think of it, Jin Runcandel… how are you using Azure Fire of this density without even summoning Lord Tess?
She hadn't realized it when Jin first drew the flames, too overwhelmed by instinctive fear and revulsion. But the blue flames currently tearing the subspace to shreds possessed an aura far thicker and deeper than that of any other ‘human contractor of Tess’ Zephyrin had ever encountered.
It wasn't as if the Ruler of the Fire Realm had merely ‘lent’ a speck of his power; it felt as if he had ‘handed over’ a portion of his very being…
Could it be…!
As the thought struck her, Zephyrin’s eyes widened.
—I couldn't make the offensive side any better, but your phoenix… thanks to Tess’s flames, a new power has taken root without me even realizing it. I believe it’s called ‘Pressure’?
Those were the words of Picon Minche, who had manifested through Vinn Branche during Bradamante’s reinforcement.
That day, Tess had permanently infused a portion of his true power from the Fire Realm into his contractor’s sword. It was the result of his wish for Jin to be able to use the mighty power of Pressure regardless of his remaining mana, no matter the situation—even when facing a formidable foe like this.
Furthermore, it served as a warning, should Jin ever encounter an enemy that Tess himself had met before.
He who harms this child
Shall become my enemy.
The Azure Fire dwelling within Bradamante was the seal and proof of the Ruler of the Fire Realm. It was a mark only those who had met Tess in person could recognize.
For Zephyrin, it was inconceivable that the cold-hearted Ruler of the Fire Realm would give his own essence to a mere human contractor. To Tess, human contractors were nothing more than tools for amusement or observation—at least, that was how Zephyrin had always known him to be.
She had heard of contractors who occasionally pleased him, but she was certain this was the first time Tess had ever bestowed his actual essence.
Why would an absolute being, capable of erasing a mid-tier god of the human world in a single breath, go so far for a human…!
Grit!
Zephyrin gnashed her teeth.
This is cheating. To give that power—the power he said he couldn't even give to my master—to a mere human like this!
A sudden surge of rage filled her, making her want to tear everything in sight to shreds. It would have been entirely possible if the subspace weren't collapsing, but Tess’s true fire showed no signs of going out.
Creeeak, rumble, screech…!
Her twisting body prevented her from even firing her breath properly. To make matters worse, Murakan was shouting between fits of laughter.
[Hahaha! Hey, what are you all doing! Destroy her! Let’s give her a good old-fashioned dogpile!]
Murakan spat out a Shadow Breath, while Valkas and Shaku leaped forward, thrusting with aura and lightning. Jin took Valkas’s place, moving to protect the Black Knights.
The moment Zephyrin had revealed her immense regenerative abilities and returned fully healed, everyone had felt a pang of despair. But if she remained in this unstable state, they had a chance. Even if a decisive victory was out of the question, achieving their goal of escaping now seemed feasible.
[Aaaagh!]
Zephyrin shrieked as the group’s assault began. Unlike before, their attacks were now clearly dealing damage.
Even so, she hadn't completely lost her combat capabilities. Every struggle and twitch she made was still a threatening attack to those approaching her. The demonic energy pouring from her body like an avalanche was also incredibly dangerous. The only reason the fight was even possible was because the group possessed exceptional combat prowess to begin with.
The ‘dogpile’—a term Murakan had grown quite fond of—became more relentless with every passing second. Looking at the scene alone, it was hard to tell who the villains were.
[Die!]
“Haaaaah!”
“For Brother Jin!”
In a way, however, this rhythmic and almost cheerful assault was a testament to the group's underlying anxiety. Though she was currently incapacitated by the burning subspace, they all had a lingering, ominous feeling that Zephyrin would eventually recover her strength and find a way to retaliate.
Too many cracks had formed.
The subspace could no longer maintain a complete, independent structure. Through the gaping rifts, the scenery of the drawing room became visible, as did the grim faces of the Black King Corps members standing there.
Until Jin cut the subspace, the members had no idea what was happening inside the room shrouded in demonic energy. When a few of them had opened the door after sensing a disturbance, they had seen nothing but violet darkness, prompting the other captains to immediately declare an emergency.
“It’s the Commander! The Commander is fighting!”
“I’ve confirmed the Commander and the guests are alive!”
Their urgent voices carried through the rifts. It seemed almost everyone in the Black King Mountain Fortress was on standby in or near the drawing room. They looked ready to charge into the subspace and join the fray, their faces etched with shock at the sight of their commander fighting so desperately.
If the First Unit of the Black King Corps joined the battle, the tide might turn in their favor once more.
However, Jin remained certain that the goal of this battle should be escape, not victory. He didn't know what else might happen, and although the subspace was currently being scorched by Azure Fire… it was still a domain that heavily favored the enemy.
“No, do not enter! Fall back immediately!”
“What do you mean by that!”
The members naturally had no intention of listening to Jin. However, when Valkas saw his subordinates and shouted the same command, the Black King Corps immediately halted their advance.
“Black King Corps! From this moment until further orders, follow the lead of the 12th Flagbearer!”
Before cutting the subspace, Murakan had told Valkas to take Jin and his subordinates and escape while he handled Zephyrin. The opportunity had come, but Valkas decided he couldn't leave Murakan behind. As a leader, it was unthinkable to rely solely on others to protect his men.
“Understood!”
“Yes, sir!”
The members did not question Valkas’s command—a testament to how much they trusted their Commander.
[You lot… where do you think…!]
Giaaaaak!
With an ear-splitting roar, Zephyrin suddenly unleashed an explosion of demonic energy.
She then transformed back into her human form, giving up on maintaining her true self. She had judged it more efficient to fight in human form while the subspace was unstable.
Zephyrin was now desperate. Sharp demonic energy poured from her claws as she began to rampage once more.
And that wasn't all.
The Azure Fire is slowly dying down…!
Even if it went out completely, the subspace had already taken too much damage to return to its previous state. But by then, the group would be exhausted, making the fight far more dangerous than before.
Therefore, they had to evacuate the Black King Corps members as quickly as possible.
[I will… tear you all… to death. You insects!]
If only her master were in good health, this ridiculous situation would never have happened. The thought made Zephyrin feel as if her chest were being crushed. Though not to the same extent as Murakan, Zephyrin’s martial prowess had also weakened because her master was not in good condition.
And these pests played a large role in why my master’s condition has worsened lately.
Grit!
When Zephyrin dropped her polite tone for vulgarities, Murakan snorted again.
[Hmph, your kind always shows its true colors when backed into a corner. Hey, kid! Don't worry about us. Just get your underlings out of here.]
“12th Flagbearer, I leave my men to you!”
“Go quickly, brother!”
Jin nodded and replied, “I’ll evacuate the members and rejoin you!”
[Yeah, no need for that. I’ll see you at home.]
Flash!
[Mya!]
The Red Jade glowed, and Shuri was summoned. As if she understood the situation without being told, she immediately took the fallen Black Knight in her mouth.
[Mya-mya.]
With Jin on her back, Shuri bolted like an arrow, crossing through the rift in the subspace. The light air of the human world hit Jin’s nose.
The Black King Corps members waiting outside were already expecting him.
“Give us your orders, 12th Flagbearer!”
“Everyone is evacuating. Third Unit, secure high-priority supplies. Second Unit, assist the wounded and non-combatants. First Unit, oversee the entire withdrawal. Captains and officers will organize the details.”
“Understood!”
As Jin gave the orders, the members quickly dispersed. Behind him, the fiery rift leading back into the subspace was visibly shrinking.