Chapter 553: Omen (22)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 553: Omen (22)
Kieeeeeeeeek!
A piercing, ear-splitting shriek erupted across the battlefield. It was the same sound that had echoed in 1795 when Andrei Zipple, driven into a corner, had unleashed the Demon God Stone.
However, this was on an entirely different level. The current Demon God Stone was far more complete than the one from back then.
‘Kelliark has finally begun to use the Demon God Stone in earnest…!’
The moment the second phase of the battle began, Jin and his companions had realized Kelliark brought the stone. Quicantel was paralyzed with terror, and even with their safety devices equipped, the Zipple dragons looked as if they were on the verge of seizing up.
Yet, to actually feel the power of the Demon God Stone being unleashed sent a visceral chill crawling up Jin’s spine.
“That power was likely a hidden trump card meant for Runcandel,” Jin said. “It seems your Patriarch has finally decided that Sir Ron is too much to handle otherwise.”
Though Jin spoke calmly, he couldn't help but consider the possibility of the tide turning—both in the sky and on the ground.
The moment the Demon God Stone was unleashed, Octavia’s recovery accelerated. A conversation he’d had with Sandra Zipple in the Gaifa Archipelago flashed through his mind.
—Should we get married? I heard there are talks of a marriage between you and the Young Lady of the Secret Palace. How about me instead?
—I’ll consider it if you tell me the secret behind your super-regeneration.
—Really? That’s an easy condition. Have you heard of the Demon God Stone? We’ve managed to use it to mimic the authority of certain gods…
‘Super-regeneration fueled by the Demon God Stone…’
The residual embers of the Karma Fire on Octavia’s severed right wrist were dying out. In their place, black smoke billowed, forming a new hand.
Jin had witnessed this same super-regeneration during the fight against Andrei and Buretta in 1795. Black bones formed first, followed by the growth of dull, grotesque flesh.
And Octavia wasn't the only one recovering.
The wounded members of the Wraith Squad began to regain their strength through super-regeneration. Even the fallen wraiths started to rise, their bodies creaking with an unsettling sound.
Soon, Octavia used her light mana to fuse her broken staff back together and locked eyes with Jin. Dark blood still flowed from her left eye.
“Indeed. Both Ron Hairan and you… you have shocked us far too many times.”
“Why didn't you heal your eye?”
“To ensure I never forget this day.”
“You wouldn't have been able to forget it anyway. What a pointless gesture.”
Jin spoke nonchalantly, but it was difficult to swallow his regret. The opportunity to finish Octavia was gone.
If that were the only issue, he might have accepted this bitter reality. The problem was that, unlike their enemies, most of his allies were either wounded or exhausted.
The intervention of Runcandel or Talaris was now desperately needed.
“...My Lord.”
Valkas stepped up beside Jin.
“We must withdraw now.”
Valkas’s voice was low and grim. He was recalling the conversation he’d had with Casimir before the second phase began.
—…I feel that this war might decide the fate of the world, not just the Sword Emperor Castle.
—I feel the same.
—Even if Sir Dante wakes up and we all escape the castle, it will only be a temporary reprieve. A total war or a negotiation—one of the two must happen. As long as the White Stone isn't destroyed.
—In any situation, we must focus on supporting our Lord. He will never give up on his friend, but if that choice puts him at risk of falling… we must ensure he stays standing, even if we have to trample on his heart to do it.
To Valkas, that moment was now.
If they didn't retreat, he felt that death was the only future awaiting Jin, the Barmul Alliance, and the Sword Saints.
Naturally, to Valkas, Jin’s survival was incomparably more important than Dante’s life. Everyone in the Barmul Alliance felt the same.
They could not let Jin die in such a hopeless struggle. Had the Demon God Stone not healed Octavia and the Wraith Squad, it might have been different, but now, there was truly no way out.
Valkas was just as frustrated, but the more desperate the situation, the more coldly they had to face reality.
“My Lord… you have done enough.”
Valkas gripped his sword tighter, his teeth grinding as if his jaw might break.
Jin knew better than anyone that Valkas was right.
Finally, Jin made his choice.
“We will retreat.”
Of course, Jin had no intention of giving up on Dante.
However, continuing to fight would only lead himself and those who followed him to their deaths.
The name ‘Jin Runcandel’ and the influence he wielded no longer belonged solely to him. The lives of countless comrades rested in his hands.
To forsake them all for a friend who might have already crossed the point of no return would be nothing short of betrayal. As their Lord and comrade, it was a choice he could never make.
“However… I must see the Inner Castle, just once.”
If there was truly no hope even after reaching the Inner Castle where Dante was—if there was no way to save him—then he would withdraw without hesitation. That was what Jin was saying.
“My Lord, retreating from the Inner Castle might be even more difficult.”
“No, going to the Inner Castle actually increases everyone’s chances of survival. The Clan won't just watch the Inner Castle from afar; they will definitely send someone.”
In fact, Rosa had already ordered the Black Knight Captain, Stam, to save Jin at all costs.
The people of Runcandel wouldn't care about anyone’s life but Jin’s, but if they clashed with Octavia, it would inevitably make the group’s escape easier.
Furthermore, the other giant currently maintaining neutrality, Palace Master Talaris Endorma, might also be in the Inner Castle.
Above all.
Jin was remembering a fragment of the past: the day his eldest sister, Luna Runcandel, had cut through a Demon God Stone. And it seemed as though there was nothing in this world the current Ron could not cut.
Since the intervention of Runcandel was certain, and with Talaris and Ron in the mix, there was no reason not to check the Inner Castle. Valkas relented.
By then, Octavia had finished her recovery. Brilliant light mana and Chain Magic were once again flying toward the group.
Clang!
Valkas stepped forward, parrying a beam of light aimed at Jin.
“The Sword Saints and I will guard the rear while we withdraw. My Lord, take the rest of our forces and head for the Inner Castle as fast as possible.”
*
The sky had been replaced by a hollow-eyed, grotesquely distorted black face.
It was a face that had emerged from the Demon God Stone. Kiek, kieeeeek! It shrieked incessantly, as if being exposed to the world was agonizing.
Perhaps it wasn't a shriek, but a roar to threaten its enemies. Or perhaps it was just a meaningless, horrific noise.
What was certain was that the gloomy, terrifying voice was overwhelming everyone in the Sword Emperor Castle. Even Ron Hairan felt his entire body grow heavy as he stared directly at the face of the Demon God Stone.
He had never seen anything more horrific in his life. It wasn't just the feeling derived from its hideous form; a profoundly deep and dark energy was staining the entire battlefield.
‘To think that… Zipple, that humans, truly created such a thing.’
He was a man who hadn't wavered in the slightest even while facing Kelliark and the Zipple fleet alone.
But not now.
He felt…
As if he couldn't cut it. If there was a human in this world who could cut that thing, he felt it could only be Cyron, not himself.
A conviction took hold of him that no one but Cyron could cut it. It was a conviction only a warrior closest to the Realm of Creation could possess.
‘Dante, my grandson.’
Dante’s face flashed through his mind.
Along with the fear that he might not be able to protect the boy, he wondered what he could still do for his grandson.
There was only one thing.
‘If I cannot protect you, I will at least ensure that boy makes it back alive.’
He tightened his grip on Rashid.
He steeled his heart and braced his will, pushing back the conviction of defeat. If he fought without overcoming that certainty, there would be no miracle.
Before long, Ron was able to face the Demon God Stone’s face with his usual sharp gaze.
“Ron Hairan. I never imagined I would have to use this power against you.”
Kelliark spoke as he floated in front of the Demon God Stone’s face.
He looked completely different than he had moments ago. He no longer looked like a white-haired old man, but a youthful boy.
Ron could instinctively tell that this was a phenomenon caused by Kelliark synchronizing with the Demon God Stone.
“I offer you my respect.”
“How can a monster show respect to a human, Kelliark Zipple? You are no longer the enemy I knew, nor are you human. It sickens me to think I once competed with you as man against man.”
At those words, Kelliark gave a bitter smile.
“I understand.”
Hrotti was dyed black. It was a black so deep and dense it seemed to be drenched in spirit energy.
“The only consideration I can offer you is to send you to your rest quickly.”
A black flash erupted from Hrotti. It had no sound and no presence, like a Spirit Sword that had reached its ultimate peak.
At the same time, Ron swung Rashid.
But Ron didn't think it was ‘at the same time.’ He perceived that his reaction was late by a second—no, by a unit of time far smaller than that.
The black flash easily pierced through the massive Invisible Sword energy spread between them and reached Ron.
Only because the Invisible Sword energy had slowed its progress by the tiniest margin was Ron able to overcome the time difference and perfectly parry the black flash.
Screeeech!
A strange sound echoed the moment Rashid collided with the black flash.
And Ron had to feel the black flash, which he was certain he had parried, graze his cheek.
Something that should never happen at his level had occurred.
Kiaaa, kieeeeek!
The shrieks of the Demon God Stone sounded as if they were mocking Ron.
With a grim expression, Ron wiped the blood from his cheek. On the back of his hand, ash-colored patterns began to bloom like runes.
He had unleashed the Overlord Sword.