Chapter 595: Back to Laprarosa (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 595: Back to Laprarosa (3)
In three years, Rosa Runcandel’s time would be up.
Whether that end would be death, becoming a monster like Smarion Prochi, or something else entirely remained to be seen.
Though the possibility was vanishingly slim, if she could overcome her ‘demonization,’ she might even reach the realm of Creation, just as Ron had.
However, Jin dismissed that possibility entirely.
It was because Rosa—of all people—had used the phrase ‘I can hold out.’ As he suspected, Rosa herself believed it was impossible to completely purge the demonization through her own strength.
Even Cyron, who had already reached Creation, knew that his remaining time was short. And Rosa knew his condition better than anyone.
“Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about Zipple’s recovery. Kelliark Zipple is currently unable to even move… but he will likely regain his strength faster than I will.”
Rosa wasn't the only one in the clan succumbing to demonization.
The Black Knights and the elite knights who had survived the war were also exposed to Chaos to varying degrees. The same was true for Zipple.
“No matter when they regain their strength, they won’t be able to move rashly during the treaty period.”
“Presumably. However, you must know that means nothing. If they possess overwhelming power compared to us when the ceasefire ends, that day will mark the beginning of our clan’s extinction.”
The official ceasefire period was five years.
The masses hoped the peace would last forever, but the two great families knew this was merely the final respite in a thousand-year war—the calm before the storm.
Once the truce ended, a final winner and loser would inevitably be decided.
“So, this is your last chance. Use every means at your disposal to prove that you were right. If you succeed, everything in the clan will be yours.”
If you can stop their demonization, complete the mechanical devices and the fleet, and guarantee that we can win the thousand-year war.
She was saying he would become the Patriarch.
Jin had reached the final leg of his journey to the throne of Runcandel. He felt a strange sensation, but he didn't take Rosa’s words at face value.
“Youngest.”
“Speak.”
“The Prophet claimed she could accomplish everything you intend to do. Even so, the reason I am giving you this chance is because Cyron trusts you… and because you have moved a small part of me.”
“To think the day would come when I’d hear a joke from you, Mother,” Jin said, his voice laced with killing intent. “I am well aware that you are simply weighing me against the Prophet.”
Rosa smiled. “I shall look forward to the scales tipping in your favor.”
Jin turned to leave, pausing for a moment. “You, the Prophet, and even the former 2nd Flagbearer, Joshua Runcandel, who is rotting in the underground prison.”
“I will personally put an end to all of you with my own hands. I pray you stay well until then.”
“What touchingly admirable words. Our talk seems to be over, so let us go.”
Jin naturally followed Rosa out of the office.
Come to think of it, he realized this was likely the first time he had ever walked side-by-side with Rosa through the Garden of Swords.
She even walked with a light step, as if she had just received good news.
It was the first time he had seen her like that, too.
“All members of the clan currently on standby, line up in the garden.”
She didn't call for anyone, nor did she raise her voice. She simply murmured the words into the air, yet her command spread instantly.
Though her condition was unstable, the realm she had reached still radiated an undeniable majesty.
It took less than three minutes for the flagbearers, knights, elders, butlers, scribes, and servants to gather in the garden.
Rosa stopped walking. For a while, Jin stood beside her, looking down at the assembled members of the clan.
“As of today, the 12th Flagbearer begins his closed-door training. I have gathered you all to announce this and to wish him martial fortune.”
Closed-door training? When the clan was in peril and everyone was spending their days in a frantic haze?
Most were shocked, but no one dared let it show.
It was because Rosa had sanctioned it.
“When the 12th Flagbearer returns, everyone here must also show an improved version of themselves, just as the 12th Flagbearer has always done.”
In effect, Rosa’s actions were a declaration that the succession war among the current generation of flagbearers was over.
She spoke as if Jin would become the Patriarch the moment he returned from his training.
Every flagbearer except for Luna, Luntia, and Joshua was present.
The youngest… is becoming the Patriarch?
Right after his closed-door training is over!?
The Tona brothers barely managed to hide their bewilderment.
Ran and Vigo flinched for a moment but immediately lowered their eyes. They had never been active contenders for the patriarchate in the first place.
Myu and Anne showed no particular reaction. The entire clan now knew that they had changed.
However, Dipus and Mary were certain—just as Jin had been in the office—that this was not the end.
Dipus, in particular, recalled the conversation he’d had with Jin right after Joshua’s fall.
—So you’re saying Mother is shackling the Prophet just so she can pin everything on her and reinstate Joshua later?
—Not only that, she re-established her authority by casting Joshua down. This incident will erase the stain left by the Exile incident. She showed the resolve to personally strike down the 2nd Flagbearer she supported so fervently. Regardless of the truth, the clan members will have no choice but to fear Mother even more from now on.
—After raising her own power to its limit, she’ll pull Joshua back to the surface and transfer all power to him… while the Prophet shoulders all the blame.
The succession war isn't over until Mother, Joshua, and the Prophet are dead.
Myu and Anne had formed some kind of relationship with the Prophet. Though they hadn't found proof yet, Dipus and Mary suspected as much.
Their job was to keep the Prophet in check until Jin returned.
One of the reasons Jin could leave like this was his trust in them and Luntia.
Unlike the other two, Luntia couldn't be called a clear ally, but her pure competitive spirit would never be easily tainted by the Prophet’s schemes.
“Go.”
At Rosa’s word, the knights parted, forming a path that led out of the Garden of Swords.
His first trip to Laprarosa in 1796, during his time as a reserve flagbearer, had been a choice to hide from Zipple and Kinzelo, who possessed the compass.
His second trip in 1798 was to escape the wanted posters issued by both Runcandel and Zipple.
And now, his third trip to Laprarosa.
For the first time, he wasn't leaving as a fugitive but departing proudly to achieve his full realization. And he was doing so with the entire clan seeing him off.
As Jin walked slowly, the knights raised their swords in salute each time he passed.
Watching her youngest son’s back grow distant, Rosa thought of the name ‘Ganesto,’ the fate of the clan, and Cyron.
*
Not long after the Sword Emperor Holy War ended, Cyron’s expedition also concluded their battle against Kial.
The battle ended in a victory for the expedition, with no fatalities.
While it was true the expedition’s martial power was transcendent, Cyron had originally expected to lose at least a few knights.
When the battle reached its climax, Gliek’s death had affected Kial. The moment Kial sensed Gliek’s demise, he flew into a frenzy and lost all reason.
Of course, just because there were no deaths didn't mean the expedition had escaped unharmed.
Even though a month had passed since the battle ended, the expedition was unable to move, focused entirely on recovery.
It was because they had all been exposed to Chaos.
“Ha, haha. Sirs! The meal’s ready… If everyone just stays seated, Ozdok will bring it to you!”
Ozdok spoke as he ladled a dish made from the remnants of Chaos into bowls.
Having been blown far across the battlefield and knocked unconscious for the entire fight, Ozdok had also been tainted by a faint trace of Chaos. However, it was not yet at a level that could affect his mind.
In a manner of speaking, he was the only one in the expedition who was perfectly fine.
And the knights had discovered an unexpected side to him. When they were on the verge of death after the battle, Ozdok could have fled at any time.
Instead of running, he had stayed by their side and helped them recover.
It wasn't because he feared a gruesome death at Cyron’s hands once the expedition was over. It was simply because he felt a sense of loyalty as a member of the expedition and believed it was the right thing to do. The knights were well aware of that.
“Thank you… Ozdok.”
“Much appreciated.”
Hearing the voices of Luna and the knights, Ozdok felt his heart swell with pride, though it also ached. He knew that although they hadn't died, most of the knights were already irreversibly tainted by Chaos.
The only future left for them was to either become monsters during the expedition or die.
As the power of the stories weakened, Ozdok had also begun to regain more of his old memories. According to the faint memories now resurfacing, the only one who knew how to remove Chaos was the Witch Heluram.
I think I heard a story about Heluram going into hiding somewhere in the Black Sea a thousand years ago. Ugh, my memory’s back a bit, but it’s still fuzzy. Since the Master is in that state, I can’t even ask if he knows anything about it…
Naturally, Cyron had been exposed to the most Chaos. Ever since the war ended, he had remained seated in a meditative posture, not uttering a single word.
“Ozdok.”
“Eek, yikes!”
Ozdok fell on his backside and looked up.
Having Cyron, who had been like a stone statue for a month, suddenly call his name made his heart nearly jump out of his chest.
“Oh, Master! Are you alright! You’ve finally awakened!”
“Patriarch!”
Ozdok scrambled over, while Luna and the knights practically crawled toward Cyron.
Cyron slowly stood up and spread his energy toward them. It was an energy that mixed mana with the aura of Creation, and it seemed to instantly shake off the Chaos clinging to the bodies of his daughter and the knights.
The corruption wasn't purged, but the expedition members were able to stand up as if they had been given a new lease on life.
“Must you be so startled every single time?”
“I’ll be careful not to act so undignified! I was just so moved that you finally stood up, Master…”
Cyron gave a faint smile at those words.
Not just Ozdok, but the knights as well, couldn't help but be shocked by the sight.
If anything, Cyron’s condition seemed better than before he was tainted by Kial’s Chaos. Everyone could feel that his energy had become even purer.
“From today on, bring the food made from Chaos remnants only to me. I will refine it into energy and distribute it back to you.”
“Yes, sir! I’ll do just that, Master!”
While Ozdok practically skipped away to retrieve the knights' food, Cyron looked back toward the human world and raised Barisada.
It was to pay his respects to Ron, who must have died a warrior’s death stopping Gliek.
And a sudden sense of curiosity and trust in his youngest son arose within him.
Seeing that I can feel Spirit Energy from the faint traces of Ron’s lingering aura… the youngest must have helped him in his final realization. In the end, the task of returning the clan to its proper place will surely fall to him.
Luna, having regained her strength, manifested her mana to support Cyron’s energy. She, too, was sharing the same thought.