Chapter 632: Return to the Clan (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 632: Return to the Clan (1)
February 10, 1803. Five days had passed since Jin’s return from Ghost Song Castle.
Over those five days, Jin received a comprehensive briefing from his comrades regarding the events of the last two and a half years. He was brought up to speed on the shifting global landscape, the latest technological advancements, and the current status of every major power. Most of this was information he had already heard before heading to Ghost Song Castle, now supplemented with finer, more critical details.
For instance, he learned that Kinzelo had secured a new headquarters to replace their "Old Main Branch" in the Land of the Beastmen, recruiting a large number of demons like Lanke. Meanwhile, Zipple had shuttered all its magic towers, save for the 1st Magic Tower, and was restructuring the entire Lutero Magic Federation under a new system.
Furthermore, the Imperial Family, along with the eastern part of the Empire, had been absorbed into Zipple. Like all factions within the Lutero Magic Federation, they were now operating numerous fleets using technology provided by Zipple. Moreover, a technology known as "Chaos control" was being applied to these fleets, as well as to the demons, artisans, and "enhanced humans" like bio-golems.
In the midst of all this, the Barmul Alliance and its allied forces were the only ones who had refrained from using Chaos entirely.
"While you were away, Young Master, Sir Dante put in a tremendous amount of effort. If not for him, the Empire—not just the east, but the entirety of it—would have either fallen to Zipple or been carved up and divided among the various powers."
Casimir spoke with humility, but in truth, the reason the "anti-Chaos forces" had remained safe until now was also largely due to the significant roles played by the Barmul Alliance, the Secret Palace, and the Holy Kingdom. The Barmul Alliance, the Secret Palace, Hairan, and the Holy Kingdom—these representative anti-Chaos factions were barely holding on, relying on one another for survival.
"In an era where flying ships and Chaos control have become commonplace, it seems we are the only ones who have achieved technological advancement in the strictest sense."
The technological prowess of Zipple and Kinzelo had, in fact, always existed in secret and was only now being revealed. While there had certainly been progress in Chaos control, the production of flying ships was something they had been capable of for a long time. On the other hand, the Barmul Alliance had gone beyond merely constructing flying ships; they had achieved a technological revolution with "Wavelength Tracking Synchronized Space-Jump." They had even developed a means to perfectly purify Chaos, albeit under limited circumstances.
While other factions could utilize Chaos, they couldn't even attempt to purify it. From the beginning, their research had been focused on exploitation rather than purification.
"That is correct, Young Master."
"And in the meantime, Runcandel has blockaded the city of Kalon for the past six months, keeping all external activities hidden..."
Runcandel.
Regarding the first of the two great powers, Tikan had uncovered very little during Jin’s absence. All they knew was that the clan's activities had become isolationist, there had been seven instances of explosions and earthquakes, and there were signs that information regarding Jin was being strictly controlled.
"Even the external activities of the Flagbearers have been almost non-existent for the past six months. There are only occasional reports of them subjugating remnants of contaminated areas and the infected; they haven't made a single official public appearance."
Dipus, Mary, and the Tona brothers. Even the four Flagbearers currently remaining in the Garden of Swords who could be considered friendly to Jin had been completely silent since that point. Before then, they, like Yona, had occasionally visited Tikan to ask for news of Jin.
"And as I mentioned before, all channels for us to initiate contact with the Flagbearers friendly to you have been cut off. Even back when they used to visit, we didn't hear anything specific about the clan's internal affairs..."
"Even if there were problems within the clan, they wouldn't have been able to speak of them to outsiders. I would have done the same."
While it was true that the 4th, 7th, 10th, and 11th Flagbearers were friendly toward Jin, they weren't complete allies. Jin had always maintained a certain distance from them. It was unavoidable. Setting aside the Tona brothers, the others were ultimately competitors, no matter how close they were.
— Perhaps your sister might find a small clue regarding Temar’s fifth tomb soon.
— Sister Luntia? That’s strange. I heard Brother Dipus, not Luntia, was in charge of blocking the Chaos. So she was looking for Temar’s tomb. It’s surprising that she found something that could actually help me.
— There might have been information within Runcandel that you weren't aware of. The 3rd Flagbearer is moving based on that.
The last news regarding another friendly rival, Luntia, was related to Temar’s fifth tomb. Valeria was also tracking Temar’s tomb while purifying the societies of the small beastmen, and she had discovered a decisive clue from the movements and traces Luntia had left behind. Because of that, she had not yet returned to Tikan even after Jin’s arrival.
‘Father, Sister Luna, and the expedition force should still be in the Black Sea. And... I cannot rule out the possibility that they have already fallen in battle.’
He could only hope that wasn't the case. Jin swallowed a sigh and looked at his comrades.
"It would be best to move forward under the assumption that the clan has fallen into the hands of the Prophet."
Otherwise, the entire situation was simply incomprehensible.
"Then... do you intend to not return to the Garden of Swords, Young Master?"
"No, I still have to go back and see for myself."
"It is too dangerous, Young Master."
"My Lord, I agree. How about we observe the situation a bit longer?"
The comrades who had witnessed the battle against Smarion did not doubt for a moment that Jin’s martial prowess had reached a level that could be called the strongest. Nevertheless, heading to Runcandel alone was a perilous endeavor. If the Prophet truly had seized control of the clan, Runcandel would undoubtedly have laid traps to capture Jin. No matter how dangerous Smarion had been, he was incomparable to the collective might of Runcandel.
"I will observe the situation, of course. But I can't afford to wait for long."
"Is it because of your promise to Rosa? If you've already judged that the clan has fallen to the Prophet, there's no need for you to honor the three-year deadline she gave you."
"That’s not the reason, Lady Quicantel. There are two primary reasons why I intend to return to the clan. First, to properly confirm the situation within the clan, and second, because they do not yet know the extent of my current power."
If there were no major issues regarding the first reason—if the clan was merely hiding to catch its breath—then Jin could begin preparing to officially ascend as the Patriarch of Runcandel. Whether by having power naturally transferred to him or by forcibly dragging her down.
However, if the investigation clearly revealed the Prophet’s takeover, Jin would have to classify 'the Prophet’s Runcandel' as an enemy and wage war from that moment on.
"...I must inflict as much damage as possible while the clan is unaware of my strength. That is, if the Prophet has indeed swallowed the clan and they are only keeping quiet to extract new information from me."
"Do you mean that if things go south, you intend to fight them right then and there, all by yourself?"
"Yes."
"In that regard, you're no different from the Murakan of old. What if you encounter a trap you cannot handle?"
"I’ll have to escape. Though I’ll need the help of the Red Owl and Mort."
"...Well, at least you aren't exactly like the Murakan of that time. If it were him, he would have simply said there was nothing in this world that could stop him."
"I know what you and the others are worried about, Lady Quicantel. But I cannot keep hesitating from the outside without knowing the exact situation of Runcandel. If the Prophet’s power continues to grow in the meantime, it will truly become unmanageable later."
If the Prophet had seized the clan and was merely building up strength, he had to strike as soon as possible. Even if it meant taking a certain amount of risk. That was Jin’s judgment.
"Furthermore, even if the clan has fallen to the Prophet, I don't believe everything is in that state. There must be those who are resisting, and we must rescue them and bring them into our fold before they are finished."
He was referring to Dipus, Mary, and the Tona brothers.
"Phew."
Quicantel and the others let out a sigh. It wasn't a sigh born from thinking Jin was wrong. It was the frustration of knowing that even though Jin had returned this strong, and even though the Barmul Alliance had made so much progress, they were still in a position where they had to make decisions involving great risk while at a disadvantage. In any case, the best outcome would be for the clan to be intact, but the probability of that was very low.
"Don't think too hard about it, everyone. It’s something we have to face eventually, and fortunately, we’ve achieved some of what we wanted over the past two and a half years. And even if the clan has fallen to the Prophet, there is one thing where we clearly hold the upper hand."
The new information Jin had acquired. Assuming the Prophet had swallowed the clan, that would be the only reason Runcandel hadn't pressured Tikan yet.
"First, please announce my return to the entire world. Let’s see how the clan reacts."
"And then?"
"If possible, please try to contact Veradin. The great powers surely know more about Runcandel than we do, so if we’re lucky, we might hear something."
"We will try, but it’s best not to get your hopes up. Lord Veradin hasn't engaged in any external activity since you entered your training."
Jin nodded with a bitter expression.
"...Then I’ll have to give up on Veradin’s side. Come to think of it, if Veradin and Sandra don't come looking for me once my return is known, it would be right to assume that something has happened to them as well."
"I’ll contact the Secret Palace today as well... Oh, it looks like Mort is here."
Outside the window, the white portal of the Snow Toad Mort was opening. Mort looked considerably exhausted. Since the emergence of Chaos particles, Mort’s dimensional travel had become somewhat restricted.
"Son-in-law! I have to be the one to come looking for you the moment you get back? Even if this is an era where teleport gates have vanished, really now."
Talaris had sought out Tikan as soon as she confirmed that Smarion had been subjugated.
"It’s been a long time, Lady Talaris. I actually had something to ask of you..."
"Hmph, I’m sure it’s a favor. Do you intend to go to Runcandel?"
Talaris saw through Jin’s intention before he could even speak.
"I do."
"I came looking for you for that very reason. I was worried that since you’ve become strong enough to take down Smarion, you’d be full of yourself and try to go alone without me. For now, let’s catch up on everything we’ve missed."
From that day on, Tikan immediately announced Jin’s return to the world. Journalists led by Dino Jagrun poured out special reports incessantly, but there was no mention of Lanke or Smarion in those reports. Instead, they spread false propaganda stating that it was Dante who had suppressed Smarion. It was better to hide Jin’s true power until he reached Runcandel, and advertising Dante’s strength was beneficial in many ways.
Runcandel did not issue any particular statement regarding Jin’s return. Instead, they unexpectedly released a special report claiming they had found a 'Relic of the First Patriarch'...
Even then, Tikan had not received any word from Valeria.