Chapter 467: Annihilation, and the Strange… (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 467: Annihilation, and the Strange… (1)
“A halo? You mean you want to use me for your own prestige?”
“Exactly. Once we reach the Gaifa Archipelago, all four major powers will be gathered there. High-ranking figures will be representing each side.”
“So, you’re saying you don’t want to be looked down upon while standing among them.”
“Right. And we need to be prepared for any contingency.”
“Well, I suppose I could kick some ass for you.”
“Anyway, so we’re going, right? Once you’re done helping Gilly, I’ll have some scripts ready for you to use in various situations at the archipelago.”
“Scripts? What scripts?”
“Don't worry about it.”
This was the conversation they had shared in Tikan just before departing for the Gaifa Archipelago.
The reason Jin had prepared scripts was simple.
He believed a stage where the four major powers were competing was the perfect opportunity to plant the right kind of rumors.
Rumors that the 12th Flagbearer and his Guardian Dragon already possessed enough power to make a play for the Runcandel throne.
Jin hadn't mentioned needing a "halo" just to stroke Murakan’s ego.
Murakan possessed every necessary element: the legitimacy and symbolism of being Runcandel's revered guardian deity, a past majesty no one could rival, and the unique status of a Black Dragon.
The only thing the current Murakan lacked was present-day prestige.
However, even that had been unintentionally bolstered by his fame during the recent Black King Corps Incident, so it was crucial to maintain that momentum.
If he displayed his martial prowess a few more times, Murakan would become a halo more brilliant than any other. Jin was highly satisfied with how things were unfolding.
‘Amela was already fighting the four major powers, and her Karma Fire unintentionally became something of a joint technique with ours… The situation played out a little differently than I expected, but this is even better. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect outcome.’
It was the perfect setup to spread "exaggerated" rumors, just like during the Black King Corps incident. Jin felt a sudden surge of pride for the time he had spent agonizing over scripts for this disobedient Black Dragon.
‘Script number three?’ Murakan asked back with a glance.
‘Yes, script number three!’
When Jin held up three fingers and gave him an intense look, Murakan nodded vigorously, as if he understood perfectly.
Then, in a solemn tone and a low, resonant voice, he spoke.
[Puny humans… do you… desire power…?]
The moment Murakan opened his mouth, Jin found himself facepalming for the first time in a long while.
That wasn't script number three; it was script number thirty-three.
‘Murakan, I said three, not thirty-three! Three!’
Script thirty-three was a line Jin had thought of for when enemies clearly surrendered and swore their loyalty. Naturally, it was extremely out of place in the current situation.
Fwoosh! Craaaack!
The Karma Fire had now reached its peak, unleashing its final, ferocious flames.
The thunderous roar of the black tsunami destroying people, structures, and nature itself, along with the desperate screams of those trying to survive, also reached a crescendo.
Consequently, Murakan’s mistake was buried beneath the indescribable din. It was a stroke of luck that script thirty-three wasn't a line that needed to be shouted.
‘Fortunately, it seems no one heard him.’
Spouting such ill-fitting nonsense would have only damaged his dignity.
Jin breathed a sigh of relief. Murakan also seemed to realize something was off, as he tilted his head in confusion.
Murakan looked at Jin’s three fingers again. Soon, he realized his mistake and spoke once more.
[As of this moment, this place, the Gaifa Archipelago, is the territory of Murakan.]
Unlike his previous low, solemn tone, this time his voice overflowed with dignity, booming with immense power that carried far and wide.
Even amidst the horrific chaos, everyone could clearly hear Murakan’s voice.
‘His territory? Don’t tell me the youngest killed the Great Mercenary Amela?’
Vigo could only interpret it that way.
If he had merely "subjugated" Amela, he would have presented her, heavily wounded, or at least produced her corpse.
‘So Amela really did fall to the 12th Flagbearer and Murakan!’
Latz reached the same conclusion.
Furthermore, he felt that he would have killed Amela as well if he were in Jin’s shoes. Unless Amela expressed a will to be loyal, like the Ghost Captain or the Black King Corps, leaving her alive would only mean she would eventually join another faction and become an enemy.
Once she belonged to another great power, no one would be able to touch her easily. In Latz’s view, this was the best time for Jin to kill Amela "without any repercussions."
‘Also, it’s the perfect time to kill all the witnesses…!’
A terrifying future momentarily flashed through Latz’s mind.
What if only Jin, Murakan, and the Runcandel knights, including Vigo, survived the Gaifa Archipelago, and everyone else died?
Then the world would never know what choice Amela made or how she died. They also wouldn't know how the representatives of the four major powers, sent to recruit her, were all wiped out.
Even if Runcandel released a self-serving account, the other factions would have no way to refute it—not if every witness to the battle was dead.
‘Unlike the other Runcandels, the 12th Flagbearer is a master of public opinion. I have to stop that from happening at all costs!’
In other words, he had to survive. He had to survive and report exactly what he saw and experienced here today to the Emperor.
[And since you have trespassed upon my land, not a single soul shall survive.]
As Murakan finished script number three, Latz gritted his teeth, while Jin breathed an inward sigh of relief.
I will kill every single one of you.
That was the meaning behind script number three, but in truth, Jin had no intention of killing everyone.
For the rumors to spread properly, a few people had to survive to tell the tale.
‘However, I absolutely cannot let someone like Midore Elner live.’
Excluding Runcandel, Jin intended to spare no more than five people from each faction—individuals who were not high-priority targets. That was the extent of the mercy he was willing to show.
The black tsunami was thinning. The Karma Fire was coming to an end.
Eventually, as the energy of the Karma Fire completely dissipated, what remained on the ground was a desolate landscape of ash and death.
No moans or screams could be heard. Not even the groan of a single survivor leaning against the rubble in pain.
The only sounds were the crackle of embers consuming corpses and the ragged gasps of the few who remained.
In fact, there were no wounded. Anyone who couldn't withstand the onslaught had simply died.
‘Script number six.’
As Jin gave a new signal, Murakan looked down at the ground.
[Hmph. I didn't expect so many bugs to survive a simple stomp. How unpleasant.]
Script number six wasn't just about the words.
Fwoooooosh!
Immediately after finishing the line, Murakan exhaled a Black Breath. The breath was aimed at the Kinzelo side, and one of the top White Wolf warriors was struck by it and died instantly.
Murakan's power had recovered to fifty percent, and everyone else was utterly exhausted from blocking the Karma Fire. They were in no condition to respond.
Of course, even considering those factors, there weren't many beings in the world who could dispatch a top White Wolf warrior so easily.
“Hieee!”
Big Tiger of the Red Wolf tribe, who had luckily survived, recoiled in terror. Fresh horror seized him when he saw that only the ankles of the White Wolf warrior remained on the ground.
Now, it seemed difficult for even the White Wolves, let alone the Red Wolves, to suppress their fear.
Gulp…!
The other onlookers swallowed hard, their throats suddenly dry.
‘Number seven.’
At Jin’s signal, Murakan turned his head toward Vigo and the Runcandels.
[And Runcandel, leave this island immediately and return to your clan. Tell Rosa Runcandel this: I will hold her accountable for daring to send the clan’s knights to my land without permission. Tell her I expect a proper explanation.]
The eyes of Vigo and the Guardian Knights widened. They could hardly believe their ears.
‘Wait, he just said the Gaifa Archipelago became his land as of this moment. And now he’s going to hold Mother accountable for sending us here without permission? We got here first, what kind of bullshit is this?’
Just as Vigo thought, Murakan’s words were completely inconsistent. Furthermore, it was a statement that showed blatant disregard for the clan’s Acting Patriarch.
However, Vigo couldn't argue.
He didn't know what would happen if he dared to defy him in this situation. Moreover, if he defied Murakan, the situation would only become more absurd.
“…I understand, Lord Murakan. I shall deliver the message. However, may I ask one question?”
Murakan glanced down at Jin. Jin gave a small nod.
[I permit it, Vigo Runcandel.]
“What happened to the Great Mercenary Amela?”
Murakan looked down again, and Jin made a throat-slitting gesture.
[I killed her.]
Everyone had expected as much, but hearing it confirmed by Murakan sent a wave of futility through them.
They had rushed here to recruit Amela, only to suffer immense losses.
To make matters worse, she had been killed by a Black Dragon they hadn't even considered, and now that dragon was saying he would kill them all as well.
At least Runcandel hadn't lost anyone. For Vigo and his knights, it was merely a wasted trip, which was a small consolation.
[On your way back, if you look carefully in the waters ahead, you might find some ashes of that foolish mercenary remaining.]
“…Thank you for informing us, Lord Murakan.”
[Begone.]
“Lord Murakan, could you give us one more chance?”
When Vigo spoke once more, Murakan furrowed his brow.
[What are you talking about all of a sudden?]
“It won't be a problem for you to slaughter the Imperial Guard and Kinzelo, Lord Murakan. However, Zipple will soon have reinforcements arriving from the Magic Tower. This is because a Tower Master is present here. We will help you.”
The Tower Master’s staff.
As a Flagbearer of Runcandel, Vigo knew about the Tower Master’s staff that had once cornered Jin in Colon.
He knew it could be used to summon the main force in an emergency.
Jin shook his head and scowled, and Murakan, matching his cue, put on the most menacing expression he could muster.
[Vigo Runcandel, you must think very little of me. Do you think I need help from the likes of you just to deal with Zipple's main force?]
“Lord Murakan, I had no other intention…”
[If you say one more word, I shall kill you as well. Get lost—]
“I didn't call them!”
Suddenly, a cheerful voice cut through Murakan's threat.
It was Sandra Zipple. Everyone’s eyes, including Murakan’s, focused on her.
“I didn't activate the Tower Master’s staff. So, Great Black Dragon, you can stop the puppet show. And as for the hidden puppeteer, Jin Runcandel… why don't you show yourself?”
Sandra added with a grin.
“I’ve really wanted to meet you at least once.”