Chapter 624: Return (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 624: Return (1)
January 30, 1803.
Nearly a year had passed since the reconstruction of the Fighting God Temple’s Main Hall began.
It had also been two and a half years since Jin first entered Laprarosa.
The three-year period granted by Rosa was drawing to a close.
Jin was slowly preparing to return to the outside world.
Since the conclusion of the Fighting King Tournament, Jin had spent every day training while assisting with the reconstruction. He rarely engaged in spars anymore; unless it was a true life-and-death struggle, he found little stimulation in them.
Consequently, Ban focused Jin’s growth on meditation and the enlightenment derived from it. Sometimes it took a day, and other times an entire month, to solve the martial enigmas Ban threw his way.
He hadn’t solved every single enigma, nor had he reached a realm where he could confidently claim to be the "Strongest among Fighting Kings."
However, with the exceptions of Ban and Baba, no one among the Pluto Tribe could now be certain of defeating Jin.
“How does it feel to be the Second Sword of the Fighting King, 13th Fighting King?”
Boras, the 5th Fighting King, spoke as he sat down beside Jin.
Jin was perched on the outer wall of the Fighting God Temple, watching his brothers rebuild the Main Hall.
“The Second Sword? I’m not quite at that level yet, Brother Boras.”
“Hahaha! You only say that because you don’t realize your own strength.”
While it was certain he had entered the ten-star realm—the territory of transcendence—Jin didn’t know his exact standing, just as Boras said. He only felt an incomparable sense of power compared to before he entered Laprarosa.
“Since the reconstruction began, you’ve only sparred three times, all against the 9th Fighting King. And you won one of those matches.”
“That was only possible because it was a spar.”
“True. In a real battle, you might have died all three times. But do you know this? Among the Fighting Kings, not a single one can claim even one victory against Brother Baba, even in a spar.”
Jin gave a sheepish smile.
“So, don’t look so worried. You’re leaving tomorrow. If you keep making that face, think of how upset the other brothers will be.”
“I’m not worried because I feel my training was insufficient. On the contrary, my martial prowess has grown beyond my expectations.”
“Then is it because the Main Hall isn’t finished yet?”
“I do feel bad about leaving the remaining construction to my brothers, but since Ling Ling is here, it should be fine.”
—Even if Brother Baba kills Jin in this tournament, the time in Laprarosa will not stop completely. Perhaps because it was originally Jin’s chaos, Ling Ling… this child can perform the same role as Jin.
The words Ban had spoken before the 65th Tournament were indeed true.
Previously, time in Laprarosa only flowed when Jin was present. Although the others hadn’t noticed, Ban had observed that whenever Jin lost consciousness or fell into a near-death state, time in Laprarosa would momentarily freeze.
However, after Ling Ling came into being, that phenomenon vanished. Whenever Jin’s power to make time flow weakened for some reason, Ban felt Ling Ling’s energy step in to fill the void.
Ban was certain that Laprarosa would not stop even if Jin left. Thanks to this, Jin felt less guilty toward the brothers staying behind.
“Ah, then it must be because of that…”
Boras cleared his throat awkwardly, looking apologetic.
“It’s nothing for you to feel sorry about, Brother Boras. You did your absolute best to help me.”
Training wasn’t the only reason Jin had sought out Laprarosa.
—So, how much more time do you need?
—I do not know. I am leaving the Human World to complete an item with the help of my brothers.
—Even if it takes time, are you certain you can complete it with the help of the Pluto Tribe?
—I cannot guarantee it.
—‘Not yet,’ ‘I don't know,’ ‘I cannot guarantee.’ You keep using words that don't suit you. I did not grant you autonomy for this.
—It is no different from how you, Acting Patriarch, are currently deferring judgment on whether it is better to negotiate with me or the Prophet. And in my opinion, you likely already rejected the Prophet’s temptation once during the Sword Emperor Holy War.
The completion of the spacetime device and securing a means to purify chaos.
—The Prophet claimed she could already execute everything you intend to do immediately. The reason I am giving you a chance despite that is because Cyron trusts you… and because you have moved me, if only a little.
He had gained martial power beyond his expectations in Laprarosa. However, he hadn’t achieved a result he could call “certain” regarding the spacetime device and chaos purification.
‘Master Quaul and my comrades have been analyzing the spacetime device, so there must be some progress.’
He would find out tomorrow, but he ruled out the possibility that they had fully deciphered it. Even the arrogant Quaul had insisted it was impossible to complete the device within three years without Zipple’s technology, even with Valeria’s record magic added to the mix.
As for the chaos purification, he had created something through Boras.
They had modified the Chaos Extraction Assist Device Boras used to pull Ling Ling out of Jin to create a chaos purifier.
The reason Boras acted apologetically was due to the limitations of that object.
“I’m worried that your enemies outside might have something better than what I made. That Prophet in your family and those Zipple fellows truly stop at nothing.”
“Their items might be superior to yours for now, Brother Boras. But they won’t be able to achieve fundamental healing like your purifier does.”
The Prophet would likely amplify and control chaos to use it as a means of empowerment, while Zipple would be researching ways to delay the demonization caused by chaos. Kinzelo, of course, had been utilizing chaos for a long time.
Jin anticipated that this would be how each faction approached chaos.
But what Jin wanted was fundamental purification. He didn't want to use that disgusting power in any way; he wanted a way to completely undo the corruption.
Boras’s creation perfectly aligned with his intent.
The only problems were that the healing period via the purifier was too long, and it required the blood of a Fighting God as a medium. Furthermore, it would likely have no effect on the First Chaos, which the Prophet was presumed to be able to handle.
“I am proud of the purifier you made, and I am grateful for it.”
“Tsk… Look for a way to improve and mass-produce it by combining it with outside technology. I’ll keep researching here, but finding something to replace the blood of a Fighting God seems a distant dream for now.”
“Or, it would be perfect if I could complete the spacetime device and bring you brothers outside. A Fighting God has the ability to extract chaos even without a purifier.”
In Jin’s case, it had been the First Chaos, so he had needed the assist device, and even Ban couldn’t be sure of the side effects. But for ordinary, less massive chaos, the story was different. With an extraction assist device, Ban could extract chaos using her own abilities without significant side effects.
Boras patted Jin on the shoulder.
“Regardless, if your family dares to judge what you’ve achieved as insufficient… then you just have to fight and win. You have the strength to do so.”
He wasn’t just talking about martial prowess.
Jin smiled and nodded. If Rosa deemed his achievements lacking upon his return, war with her was inevitable.
‘Once I’m out, the chances of producing a result that perfectly satisfies Mother in every aspect within the remaining six months are slim. She will eventually join hands with the Prophet.’
Rosa Runcandel.
The greatest rival of his life was waiting for him outside. Not just her, but Zipple, Kinzelo, and the Imperial Palace would also be consolidating their power.
Yet, while he felt concern, he felt no fear, for he had his brothers and his comrades. As his enemies grew stronger, so did Jin and his allies.
“By the way, I wonder how happy my comrade Quaul will be when I get back. He’ll have the honor of constructing a flying fleet that will surely be the strongest in history.”
A flying fleet.
As evidenced by the floating Main Fighting God Temple, the Pluto Tribe had possessed flight technology five thousand years ago.
The Heart of Light—the heart of a Pluto Tribe member—becomes a powerful energy source unlike anything else in the world, even after they die. Using the hearts of their fallen brothers, the Pluto Tribe had created floating structures like the Main Hall and developed flying ships.
Those flying ships were first revealed to the world during the final battle against the gods, and they were all destroyed following their defeat. Along with countless Hearts of Light.
The name of that fleet was the Golden Fleet.
From his robe, Jin pulled a bundle of papers: the blueprint for the Golden Fleet that Ban had given him. The blueprints bore the scars of the fierce war fought against the gods.
“Some parts are missing, but I feel like your comrade Quaul might be able to complete it.”
“I will make sure you brothers see it one day.”
“Hahaha! To us, it was a symbol of ruin and defeat… but if it becomes a symbol of victory and glory again through you, Brother Jin, it will be a small comfort to our fallen brothers. And to us, who can never forget them.”
Boras stood up.
“Now, enough slacking off. Let’s go help the others. We need to finish today’s quota quickly so we can hold your farewell party.”
*
Even though it was the day before Jin’s departure, the reconstruction of the Main Hall continued until nearly midnight, as always.
Normally, the Pluto Tribe would have stopped work for a day to spend as much joyful time as possible with the departing Jin. But this parting was different. In a time that would not stop even after Jin left, the brothers had to prepare for tomorrow—for Jin and for themselves.
The drinking session lasted all night.
Watching his brothers boastfully vowing to devour his and Ling Ling’s achievements, Jin walked toward the exit of Laprarosa.
“Let us meet again in the world outside, Brother.”
[Hmph, just get lost already.]
Ling Ling stuck her tongue out at Jin until the very end, but she burst into tears while hugging Shuri.
“Why are you crying so hard? It’s not like this is the last time, Ling Ling. I’ll see you outside, too. I hope you’ll speak a bit more kindly then.”
[Don't go getting beaten up like an idiot somewhere! Bleeeh!]
At those words, Ban flicked Ling Ling’s forehead again. Jin chuckled and met the eyes of his brothers.
“I’ll see you all outside. Still, as I prepare to leave, I find myself wanting to say this. Laprarosa is a home to me as well. I’ll be back.”