Chapter 609: Chaos Purification (13)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 609: Chaos Purification (13)
"It seems the purification of the beastkin world is proceeding smoothly, thanks to Ms. Valeria and the Catfolk," Casimir said, setting down his teacup.
"The Catfolk’s barrier abilities are truly impressive," Quicantel nodded in agreement. "They are achieving the 'complete purification' that has stumped even Runcandel and Zipple."
On the table between them lay the letter Jin had sent to Valeria, requesting that she help the Catfolk locate the 'Forgotten Temple' of the ancient Cat Gods. Following those instructions, Valeria was now searching for the temple alongside the Catfolk, and her progress was rapid.
"Valeria mentioned recently that she might be able to increase purification efficiency by combining the Catfolk’s barrier techniques with the Authority of Time. Are you aware of this, Casimir?"
"Yes, I’ve heard. It seems Ms. Valeria is opening up to us more as time passes; she’s been sharing quite a lot. She even plays with the children now. Though, for some reason, it’s still a bit difficult to feel completely at ease around her."
"She’s a sharp child. One might say she’s a colder version of Jin. Regardless, the key to adding the Authority of Time to the Catfolk’s barriers lies with Enya. It will only be possible once Enya becomes more proficient in wielding her power."
"Ms. Enya is training relentlessly every day, so that day will come soon. Sir Quaul’s development is also progressing smoothly… By the time Young Master Jin returns, many things will have changed. However…"
Casimir’s eyes narrowed.
"I worry that things are going too smoothly. I’m particularly concerned about the collusion between the Imperial Family and Zipple, but for now, we can’t dig any deeper."
Temar’s left arm.
Even with Valeria’s record magic, they had failed to discover the location of the physical remains held by the Imperial Family. It was impossible to know if the arm was still their sole possession or if it was being shared with Zipple to research new methods of demonization.
Based on the political climate, however, one could make an educated guess. Casimir had already concluded it had been shared with Zipple.
"The fact that Zipple is pouring so much effort into purifying the Empire’s lands—not just the Lutero Magic Federation—despite being so overwhelmed lately… it can’t be just to atone for their sins."
Zipple’s purification of the Empire was primarily focused on the eastern regions, which bordered the Lutero Magic Federation.
"Once the purification of the eastern Empire is complete and Zipple regains its strength, the Imperial Family will likely choose to be fully incorporated into the Lutero Magic Federation, taking those territories with them. The territorial expansion isn't the real prize; the demonization technology is."
"Since we can't find and eliminate the Imperial Family's leaders, that outcome is likely inevitable. What we must focus on is strengthening the Catfolk’s barriers before Jin returns. Once the beastkin world is purified, we must apply those barriers to the human world."
"Yes, I understand. We’ll just have to hope Sir Dante can secure information regarding the demons. For now, we wait."
*
At the Garden of Swords, the Tona brothers sat smoking in the central courtyard.
"Ugh, this last mission was rough. An 8-star infected warrior… The Ken family must be devastated. They lost the man they were grooming to be their next great sword."
"We had no choice but to eliminate him once he was infected, but we should visit the Ken family soon to offer our condolences."
They had just returned from a mission to purify a contaminated area. Over the past year and three months, Runcandel had cleared more than seventy percent of the contaminated zones that had appeared since the Sword Emperor Holy War.
At this rate, it seemed only a matter of time before the chaos encroaching on Runcandel territory was suppressed. But for some reason, even as the number of purified zones increased, reports of 'chaos-infected' individuals were on the rise.
Recently, high-ranking warriors and mages were being discovered as infected with alarming frequency. Until now, Runcandel had moved swiftly to suppress them before they could cause significant damage, yet the members of the Huphester Alliance felt as though they were constantly carrying a ticking time bomb.
This time it was the Ken family’s next great sword; last time, it was an elder of the Tuko family who had been infected and subjugated. Even Runcandel’s own Guardian Knights had been infected on several occasions. Despite the truce with Zipple, the atmosphere within the Huphester Alliance was worse than ever.
The only silver lining was that the Lutero Magic Federation was in a similar predicament.
"Man, I’m dead tired. Do we really only get an hour of rest before the next mission?"
"It’s the Delki Kingdom this time, right? At least the infection site is far from any civilian areas, so there should be less bloodshed."
"Anyway, I’m just glad we can rest here."
Originally, they had mostly used the backyard of the Guardian Knight quarters. This was especially true when Myu and Anne were on the estate, but lately, the sisters hadn't been bothering the Tona brothers. Not only that, but as Flagbearers, they were making significant contributions to every purification mission, naturally raising their standing within the clan.
Most clan members assumed they were working hard to avoid being purged by Jin when he eventually returned. Very few suspected that Myu and Anne had become messengers for the Prophet.
"It’s already been over a year since the youngest left for his closed-door training…"
"Do you think he’s doing well?"
"Probably. I can't even imagine how strong he'll be when he gets back."
"Mother said she’d make him the Patriarch as soon as he returns, didn't she?"
"She didn't use those exact words, but that was the gist of it."
Closed-door training.
Even with a truce in effect, Jin had departed for solitary training at a time when the Huphester Alliance was more chaotic than ever. Yet, no one in the clan criticized or looked down on him. Instead, they viewed it as the final test of his qualifications before ascending to the throne.
This was due to the achievements Jin had already accumulated. If not for him, not only the Huphester Alliance but the entire world would have been in a far more horrific state. Furthermore, since Rosa herself had seen him off, most Runcandels shared the Tona brothers' sentiment: upon his return, Jin would become the Patriarch.
"It suddenly reminds me of when we were kids. We bullied the youngest just because he had the guts to pick Barisada during the Selection Ceremony."
"It’s a miracle we didn't die back then."
"Only because we were at the Storm Castle. Any other time and we would've been finished."
"Still, we both started getting a bit closer to him after that. Maybe the reason Myu and Anne, those crazy—" Daytona glanced around cautiously. "—bitches aren't messing with us is because they're wary of the youngest."
"If the youngest ever purges those mad dogs—" Heitona also glanced around. "—let's be the first in line to finish them off! Hehe, they're dead meat. For real."
BOOM! CRACKLE!
At that moment, a massive explosion erupted from the main residence, deep within the courtyard.
The Tona brothers’ hearts leaped into their throats. For a terrifying moment, they thought Myu and Anne had overheard them and exploded in rage.
"E-Eek! Sorry, sisters!"
But the source of the explosion was not Myu and Anne.
"Wait, that wasn't them," Daytona realized. "That's coming from the main residence! That's not a level of power Myu or Anne could produce…!"
Rumble!
The entire Garden of Swords vibrated as if an earthquake had struck. Like prey before a predator, the Tona brothers froze, their bodies refusing to move even though they knew it wasn't their sisters.
As far as they knew, only two people currently in the clan were capable of releasing such an aura.
Black Knight Captain Stam.
And their mother, Rosa Runcandel.
Thud!
"What the—? A-A head!?"
A severed head landed in front of the Tona brothers, followed by a shower of debris from a shattered building. It was the head of an Elder. The moment they recognized it, they sprinted toward the main residence. Along the way, they saw other Flagbearers and knights running in the same direction.
"M-Mary! What happened!?"
"Daytona, Heitona! Don't go to the main residence! Secure the perimeter!"
"Brother Dipus?"
"10th Flagbearer, 11th Flagbearer! I said secure the area! This is an emergency! What’s happening now must never be leaked to the outside. Do you understand? Take all Guardian Knights of senior rank and below and prepare for a media blackout! As of this moment, that is your top priority until the situation is resolved."
"U-Understood!"
The Tona brothers vanished to lead the Guardian Knights, while Dipus and Mary continued toward the main residence.
The building was already a mangled wreck, the grounds littered with the corpses of those who had been inside, alongside the many wounded.
"...Entry is forbidden for anyone below the rank of Black Knight or High-ranking Flagbearer. Everyone else, wait outside!" Stam, who had arrived first and was guarding the entrance, shouted.
Suppressing their bewilderment, Stam, the Black Knights, and the high-ranking Flagbearers entered the ruined residence.
In the center of the wreckage, a woman shrouded in chaos let out a primal roar, sword in hand.
Rosa Runcandel had gone berserk.
Dipus and Mary could only grit their teeth at the sight.
For Mother to lose control now, of all times…!
There was no time to wonder why Rosa had suddenly succumbed to the chaos. Her rampage was a completely unforeseen disaster. Dipus and Mary had been in a meeting with her just thirty minutes ago, and she had been perfectly fine.
If Rosa's rampage wasn't stopped, Runcandel would fall into an abyss this very day. The Flagbearers and Black Knights present could likely suppress her, but the aftermath would be impossible to handle. With Cyron absent, Rosa was Runcandel’s most vital asset and the Acting Patriarch. The moment the outside world learned something was wrong with her, Zipple would descend upon them like starving wolves.
The truce only held as long as both Runcandel and Zipple found the cost of destroying each other too high to bear.
Fortunately, Rosa stopped roaring the moment she saw the Flagbearers and Black Knights.
"Acting Patriarch, are you conscious?"
"Sir Stam…"
"That is a relief. If you are able to make a rational judgment, please give us your orders."
Stab!
At his words, Rosa plunged her sword, Frenzy, into her own chest. Her mind was still her own, but her body no longer obeyed her will. Super-regeneration immediately began to knit the wound shut.
Rosa fought her body's instinct to expel the blade, her own flesh warring against her will until the rampant super-regeneration drained every last bit of her strength. Before losing consciousness and collapsing, she gave Stam one final command.
"You must… ensure silence. No one… speaks of today…"
Stam nodded solemnly.
"It shall be done."
As Rosa collapsed, Stam pulled Frenzy from her chest. The chaos permeating the area slowly seeped back into the wound, sealing it shut.
Meanwhile, outside, Myu and Anne were speaking in hushed, calm voices.
"Now, Mother will understand. If she continues to defy His will, she will have no choice but to face ruin."