Chapter 538: Omen (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 538: Omen (7)
For the Runcandel camp watching from outside the Sword Emperor Castle, it was a relentless series of shocks.
If it were merely a matter of annihilating the enemy, Rosa wouldn't have needed to step in. A few Flagbearers, a portion of the Black Knights, or even just the first division of the Black Sword Council would have sufficed.
However, ensuring that not a single ally died in the process was a feat on an entirely different level.
Silence hung heavy over the command tent.
Everyone seemed lost for words, still reeling from the godlike martial prowess Jin had displayed. The elders cleared their throats, stealing glances at Rosa.
"The 12th Flagbearer continues to show us nothing but shocking displays, day after day. Is such martial prowess even possible?"
"What he showed when he declared the Magic Sword Return was nothing compared to this. We can no longer disparage the 12th Flagbearer’s use of magic by citing the value of tradition…"
Ran, Vigo, Myu, and Anne were also present in the tent.
While the brothers were still struggling to process the shock, frequently shaking their heads in disbelief, the sisters remained expressionless.
Rosa fixed her gaze on them.
Ever since I cast Joshua down, those two have certainly changed.
Rosa had never paid much attention to Myu and Anne before, just as she had with her other children who failed to distinguish themselves. Among them, Myu and Anne were particularly unremarkable. They were so insignificant that she felt it a waste of time to even berate them for motivation.
But since that day, the aura they gave off had changed far too much.
Normally, the two of them should have been ranting and raving, oblivious to their station, yet their current composure was eerie. This was why Rosa had been keeping them close lately—to observe them.
They aren't the type to gain such gravitas from some sudden enlightenment.
What had changed her daughters?
They maintain their composure even after seeing the youngest’s overwhelming power… yet they don't look like people who have given up on everything and are just waiting to die.
Rosa soon reached a conclusion.
They must have met the Prophet. That would explain their confidence—the belief that a power even greater than what the youngest showed is on their side.
Rosa withdrew her gaze and spoke.
"There must be a restriction."
The murmuring crowd fell silent.
"If the youngest could use that much power continuously without any constraints, the family's succession war would have ended long ago."
"That… is true."
"Indeed. Since the 12th Flagbearer is a Contractor of Shadows, he must have borrowed Solderet’s power by fulfilling some specific condition."
"There were also reports of him using an artifact. It could very well be a divine relic."
"Furthermore, the youngest likely didn't know he could wield that much power himself. If he had known, he would have revealed it the moment the war began. Unlike before he declared the Magic Sword Return, he is no longer in a position where he needs to hide his strength."
The people gathered in the tent nodded.
If a contract and divine intervention were involved, the power became understandable. Runcandel was a family far removed from divine contracts, and they had simply failed to consider it because they were so deeply shaken.
"The first round has ended in a perfect victory for the Sword Emperor Castle. However, it seems Zipple has no intention of giving up on that object called the White Stone."
The tent flap opened, and two Black Knights entered.
"Acting Patriarch, we have confirmed Zipple troop movements."
"The scale?"
"Over fifty flying ships, including the Kozec. Though we cannot be certain of the exact numbers, we estimate at least three hundred top-tier mages are on board, including the Wraith Squad. Octavia Zipple is in overall command, but we cannot rule out the possibility that Kelliark Zipple is among them."
"Kelliark Zipple…?"
"Hah."
It wasn't confirmed, merely a reported possibility. However, the scale of the second reinforcement wave was such that it wouldn't be strange if Kelliark himself were present.
Kelliark Zipple.
The head of the world's greatest family and the pinnacle of magic.
His personal involvement carried the same weight as Cyron Runcandel stepping onto the battlefield.
Rosa’s eyes narrowed.
"What is the basis for the claim that Kelliark might be participating?"
"The Fire Dragon Kadun was spotted leaving the 1st Magic Tower. We also confirmed that the mages stationed at the 1st Magic Tower have been abruptly replaced with second-string units."
"Then it’s almost certain Kelliark is on the move."
"I believe so as well, Acting Patriarch."
"How long until they reach the Sword Emperor Castle?"
"Two days. They seem unable to use the teleportation ability they showed in the Gaifa Archipelago or during the first wave of this war."
"It’s a technology we don't understand. It must have its limits."
Once again, a heavy silence descended.
Runcandel and Zipple had fought countless skirmishes, large and small. Their thousand-year conflict was now closer to a daily routine than a war.
The fighting had reached its peak when Cyron and Kelliark were young. Before either had ascended to the position of Patriarch, the two families had engaged in fiercer combat than ever before.
After they each became Patriarch, a period of stability followed. This was because of the certainty that the moment the Patriarchs directly clashed, one side would surely be annihilated, and the other would be left on the brink of ruin.
Thus, Cyron and Kelliark rarely led their subordinates to the battlefield personally. Even if they did set out, the moment they appeared, the war would end instantly, regardless of the battlefield.
The two were, quite literally, the absolute beings of the world.
And now, Kelliark was moving personally.
He was heading toward the Sword Emperor Castle, not Huphester. Blocking his path would mean an all-out war.
Everyone immediately worried about an all-out war as soon as his name was mentioned, but Rosa thought differently.
"Kelliark is a man who prioritizes negotiation, unlike our Patriarch. Even if the Patriarch is in the Black Sea, he is still hale and hearty. Kelliark wouldn't dare start an all-out war with us recklessly. Have you all forgotten? He fears the Patriarch."
Rosa judged that Kelliark was coming personally to negotiate with her.
"However, we cannot completely rule out the possibility of an all-out war. Black Knights, go to the Black Sea immediately and report the situation to the Patriarch."
Cyron would have already ventured deep into the Black Sea, so even for a Black Knight, a swift report was impossible. They might not even find him at all.
However, Rosa intentionally gave the order as if the report would definitely reach him, preventing the others from worrying. The Black Knights understood her intent immediately.
"As you command!"
"Furthermore, mobilize all Black Knights except for the messengers, the Enforcement Knights, the first division of the Black Sword Council, the Guardian Knights, and all Flagbearers. Put our allies on standby. Ensure they can move according to our war scenarios the moment my order is given."
"Understood!"
Some elders of the Black Sword Council and several tacticians hurriedly left the tent to carry out Rosa’s orders.
"An all-out war is merely a possibility we can't ignore. The important thing isn't that; it's the White Stone. Zipple's actions have already proven its value—first by summoning the fleet, and now by sending these massive reinforcements. The White Stone is something they cannot afford to lose. Yet, we still don't even know what it is."
"Should we send someone to the Sword Emperor Castle?"
At the tactician's suggestion, Rosa shook her head.
"No. If the youngest knew exactly what the White Stone was and was certain the family needed it, he would have asked for help first. He must still be assessing the situation himself. Above all, the Palace Master is with him. Sending someone might only provoke her. We have two days, so we will watch a little longer."
"Hmm, it’s also a mystery why the 12th Flagbearer isn't leaving the Sword Emperor Castle. If his goal was to rescue Dante Hairan, he should be leaving now while he has the chance, but there’s no sign of that at all."
Rosa also found that part strange.
Logically, the youngest should be retreating right now, leading Dante and the knights of Hairan. He must know that even larger reinforcements are coming. His usual strategy would be to absorb the Hairan Clan at this point, start a propaganda war to shake Zipple and the Empire, and then urge the family to step in. Why isn't he leaving the castle?
Was it because he couldn't?
If it were simply a case of Dante being stubborn, the youngest was the type of person who would beat him half to death and drag him out of the castle. The same applied to saving the other knights of Hairan.
The youngest Rosa knew was more than capable of taking Dante hostage or using even harsher threats to ensure all of Hairan left the castle.
"It’s also suspicious that Kinzelo isn't moving. According to reports so far, there has been no troop movement from the Land of the Beastmen."
"They might suddenly appear on the battlefield using a dimensional gate, just as they did during the terror attack on the castle. Keep a close eye on them."
Unbeknownst to Runcandel, Kinzelo was currently unable to use the Leader's power. Therefore, if they were to participate in the Battle of the Sword Emperor Castle, their troop movements should have already begun.
"The last magic the 12th Flagbearer used was the legacy of Riol Zipple," Telot Runcandel, the Chairman of the Guardian Association, spoke up. "Acting Patriarch, perhaps the reason Kelliark is moving isn't just because of the White Stone. Reclaiming Riol Zipple’s magic might be part of his objective. Also, the artifact the 12th Flagbearer used might be a Zipple possession as well."
Rosa nodded. She accurately read the hidden meaning in his words.
"You are worried about the youngest, Chairman."
"...Joshua is finished. Aside from the 1st Flagbearer, the youngest is now the family's greatest asset. I cannot help but worry."
"If Kelliark’s goal is to reclaim their magic and artifacts in addition to the White Stone, and if he wishes to negotiate with me because of that… I will not include those items in the negotiations. It is unthinkable to simply hand back what has been seized."
She meant that even if they were to negotiate instead of going to war, she would never let Jin suffer a loss.
"To think you would worry about such a thing… You must take me for a fool, Chairman."
She spoke in a joking tone, but no one could laugh. Only Telot gave a hollow chuckle and bowed his head. There were only a few people in the family who could receive Rosa’s jokes in such a manner.
"That is all. The meeting is adjourned. Return to your posts. And Myu, Anne—you two stay behind for a moment."