Chapter 629: Smarion Prochi (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 629: Smarion Prochi (1)
Unlike ordinary teleport gates, the Wavelength Tracking Synchronized Space-Jump Ship—the Red Owl—remained unaffected by Chaos particles.
According to the manual, its built-in spacetime device didn’t rely on the mana-based teleportation of conventional gates. Instead, it navigated by traversing the intangible “wavelengths” that permeated the world.
“I’ve seen previous failed prototypes break apart during space jumps… but the abilities of Lord Quaul and Lady Valeria are truly beyond description, Young Master.”
Jin had seen the Zipple Clan use spacetime devices in the Gaifa Archipelago, but comparing their technology from back then to the Red Owl was an insult.
“It feels like I’ve stepped into a completely new world after just two and a half years away.”
Vrooooom—.
Dismal, ghostly wails echoed from all directions, emanating from the forest that surrounded Ghost Song Castle.
The Red Owl’s coordinates were set for the campsite of his comrades and the Ghost Corps. The very fact that the Ghost Corps had abandoned their headquarters at Ghost Song Castle to set up camp was enough to underscore the severity of the situation.
As the Red Owl slowly descended, all eyes in the camp turned toward it.
None of them had ever seen the ship in operation before.
But far more surprising was the sight of Jin among its passengers.
“Sir Jin…!”
“You’re back, Jin!”
The members of the Ghost Corps saluted while his comrades ran toward him, shouting his name.
Quicantel, Alisa, Kuzan, Beris, Julian, Enya, Rata, Fey, and Amela were all there. Alongside them were about thirty percent of the Black King Corps and over eighty percent of the Ghost Corps.
Tikan had poured all its efforts into dealing with Smarion, leaving only the bare minimum force required for its own defense.
Everyone’s faces were haggard, worn down by an operation that had already dragged on for over three months.
A terrifyingly thick Chaos covers Ghost Song Castle and the entire forest… Anyone without proper training would go mad just by being near here.
Even without trying to focus, Jin’s senses were screaming.
The others could vaguely sense that the Chaos engulfing Ghost Song Castle was immense, but they were nowhere near perceiving it on the same level as Jin.
They simply lacked the senses required.
An energy this massive could only be fully comprehended by someone on the level of a Fighting King of the Pluto Tribe.
For a while, they exchanged greetings and checked on one another’s well-being. However, given the dire circumstances, the conversation quickly shifted to the crisis at hand.
“I apologize for placing such a heavy burden on you the moment you return, my Lord,” Rata said, his voice somber.
—The reason I showed this place to my Lord first is because it is currently the Ghost Corps’ greatest and only problem. It is shameful to admit, but one could say this seal threatens the very existence of the Ghost Corps.
From the moment he had chosen to serve Jin, Rata had felt guilty for saddling his new lord with the danger known as “Smarion Prochi.”
“Don’t say that, Sir Rata. The moment you became our comrade, this became everyone’s problem. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for being away while things got this bad.”
As Rata bowed his head, Amela stepped up to Jin’s side.
“Our cutie worked so hard, saying he had to solve this before you arrived, Lord. We all tried our best, but it was just impossible with our strength…”
Fortunately, the Chaos wielded by Amela, Rata, and Fey wasn’t resonating with the energy emanating from Ghost Song Castle.
Jin took out the artifact he had brought.
“This is a Chaos Purifier made by the brothers of the Pluto Tribe. I brought it just in case, but I doubt Sir Rata and Fey’s father is in a state where this can help.”
The Chaos Purifier was only effective on those who had not yet been fully consumed and physically mutated.
Smarion had already far surpassed that stage by the time he was sealed. Even if he hadn’t, the sheer scale of his Chaos was too vast for the device to handle.
Since purification was impossible, subjugation was the only option.
“…Jin. If you’re worried about having to kill our father, don’t be. My brother and I were waiting here to dispose of the monster that used to be our father anyway.”
Rata and Fey held no fond memories of Smarion. From a young age, they had known nothing but abuse and relentless training.
If anything, the emotion the siblings felt toward their father was closer to hatred.
And yet, it wasn’t as if they had no memories of a normal family at all.
On the rare occasions Cyron visited Ghost Song Castle, concerned about Smarion’s Chaos, their father would suddenly become kind. He would sit them on his lap and give them sweets.
It had only happened a few times, but those were undeniably precious childhood moments for the Prochi siblings, no matter how much they hated Smarion and tried to deny it.
“We believe that getting rid of that monster as soon as possible is our duty as members of the Ghost Corps. It’s the right thing to do, for our comrades’ sake as well. Of course, even with all that, it’s shameless of us to push this on you… but I beg of you, Lord.”
Jin nodded heavily.
Quicantel then gave him a brief rundown of the situation. According to her, three Chaos explosions had already erupted from within Ghost Song Castle.
The first explosion had resulted in about thirty casualties. For the second and third, they had suffered no damage, having expanded the perimeter in advance.
“…The intervals between explosions are getting shorter, and each one is stronger than the last. At this rate, the damage will likely spread beyond the forest and into the neighboring territories of Viment.”
Since Ghost Song Castle was located within Viment, Dante was already providing support to the Barmul Alliance.
Knights from the Hairan and Perel families were enforcing a complete blockade of the area, ensuring the danger within the Barmul Alliance wasn’t exposed to the other Great Powers and preventing them from exploiting the crisis.
In the midst of all this, Jin’s comrades could only wait, unable to act.
If they entered to attempt a subjugation, the expected casualties were too high—they could even face total annihilation. Without their strongest allies—Talaris, Misha, Murakan, and Jin—they couldn’t make a move.
“We had to stop Dante Hairan from stepping forward to handle the subjugation himself,” Quicantel added.
If the seal broke completely and it was determined that the Barmul Alliance couldn’t handle it alone, Dante would have no choice but to intervene.
However, Dante was the hope of the Empire and a ruler supported by its people. In a situation fraught with uncertainty, it was best to exclude him from the subjugation for as long as possible.
Furthermore, Dante was already stretched thin, personally visiting contaminated areas within the Empire and single-handedly keeping the other Great Powers in check.
If Dante chose to help at Ghost Song Castle for the sake of Jin and his comrades, people would inevitably die elsewhere.
“You did the right thing.”
Jin looked toward the main gate of Ghost Song Castle.
Smarion Prochi… Is he aware that I’ve arrived?
The aura of Chaos blanketing the castle was deepening. The phenomenon had begun the moment Jin appeared, and once again, he was the only one who could perceive it clearly.
As if he had been waiting for a worthy opponent, the Chaos energy Smarion was emitting was slowly concentrating on Jin.
Jin calmly met that powerful energy with his gaze. He reached a conclusion in an instant.
“I will rest for one day. I’ll enter Ghost Song Castle tomorrow morning.”
Going in right now was too risky, given the injuries and energy depletion from his battle with Lanke.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes. If the seal holds until then—or rather, it would be more accurate to say if Smarion Prochi waits for me. He’s already in a state where he can break the seal at will.”
“What do you mean?”
“Smarion’s energy has been amplifying ever since I arrived. If the seal hadn’t completely lost its function, it couldn’t grow at such a rapid pace. A thick, murderous hostility is focused entirely on me.”
His comrades didn’t know what new heights Jin had reached or what kind of senses he had acquired. They only had a vague feeling that he had grown stronger.
They wondered if he could truly subjugate Smarion alone, no matter how much stronger he had become, but they didn’t voice their doubts. Because he was Jin.
“Then what should we do?”
Jin’s gaze shifted to the artifacts installed around the camp.
They were the same devices he had experienced firsthand the day he met Quaul in the hut. There were blue rods—Aura Disruptors—designed for combat against knights, as well as nets and various other contraptions meant to act as obstacles.
“Please prepare for the aftermath of the battle. If the shields aren’t layered densely enough, the damage could reach the nearby cities. And focus all the Aura Disruptors on the battlefield where Smarion and I will fight.”
“You mean those of us strong enough to withstand the shockwaves should maintain our distance and keep using the disruptors on both you and Smarion?”
“Exactly, Lady Quicantel.”
Doing so would inevitably restrict both Jin’s and Smarion’s use of aura. Consequently, the collateral damage would be significantly reduced.
If Jin were an ordinary martial artist, this would be a suicidal tactic, as Smarion could wield the power of Chaos even without aura.
However, Jin possessed both spirit energy and mana.
“Since we can’t accurately predict how far the impact of the battle will spread, it’s better for both my power and Smarion’s to be suppressed. As long as the disruptors perform as expected.”
“Anything else?”
“Use every means possible to prevent damage to Imperial land outside of Ghost Song Castle. And please guard the Red Owl thoroughly. That will be enough.”
*
The next day at noon.
Fortunately, Jin was able to head toward Ghost Song Castle after a full day of rest.
He hadn’t spoken much more with his comrades, having spent the entire night in meditation.
Jin had classified Smarion as an opponent who demanded that level of focus.
“The battle will likely begin the moment I enter. Lady Quicantel, Sir Valkas, Sir Amela, and Enya, please be especially careful.”
“Yes, Young Lord!”
Those four were tasked with staying closest to the battlefield to protect the disruptors and the crews operating them.
Enya’s Dragon Fire Barrier and Quicantel’s Authority of Time would form the core of their defenses.
Nearly five hundred disruptors were positioned around Ghost Song Castle—over eighty percent of the entire stock currently owned by the Barmul Alliance.
“Lord, I wish you luck in battle.”
“Don’t worry too much, everyone.”
Jin turned to the Prochi siblings. The pair were still pained by the fact that they had forced this role upon him, but they held their gazes firm, not wanting to make him any more uncomfortable.
“If we hadn’t met you, Lord, the Ghost Corps would have eventually been slaughtered by the monster that consumed my father. Just as our mother was. Please do not get hurt.”
Jin patted the Prochi siblings on their shoulders once, then turned and began walking toward Ghost Song Castle.